st. demetrios greek orthodox church, fort worth tx
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S T . D E M E T R I O S G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H
METROPOLITIAN ISAIAH’S ENCYCLICAL Beloved in the Lord,
This morning, on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States of
America declared, in a five to four decision, that same-sex marriage in our
country is now legal in all fifty states. This decision was based on the
freedom and equal rights of all citizens. There was no mention of God in any
part of the decision.
This is one more ramification in the evolving laws of our nation which
stresses the paramount rights and freedoms of our citizens. However, we
know from our ancient, holy and cultural teachings and traditions that rights
and freedoms cannot exist without the necessary responsibilities and
accountability which should accompany them. Otherwise, such rights and
freedoms would lead to anarchy, the next lower step from democracy.
This slippery slope which we as a nation have continued to travel, from the
Roe v. Wade decision over forty years ago, has ignored the basic teaching of
the science of sociology which states that the very first society in this world
is the human family. Unfortunately, our Supreme Court began to attack this
primary society by legalizing the deaths of unborn infants, who as children
contribute to the concept of the primary family. Although there is the
question of morality in putting to death helpless, unborn human infants —
almost sixty million by now — we, as Americans, have been conditioned not
to feel any guilt or remorse because this genocide is “legal.”
Aside from these thoughts which have to do with human behavior, we as
members of the Church of the New Covenant, which history records as the
Orthodox Christian Church, continue to preserve our Judeo-Christian
principles which place Almighty God as the supra-intellectual Creator of
heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. This is the teaching
of the Church that was clearly recognized by the first Ecumenical Council in
Nicea in A.D. 325.
Returning to this morning’s Supreme Court decision pertaining to same-sex
marriage, we know that as members of the Church we have no right to
ST. DEMETRIOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
THE ORATOR Presiding Priest:
Fr. Nicholas Hadzellis
Cell: 617.530.0885
Parish Assistant:
SamiaShiber
Office: 817.626.5578
Fax: 817.626.5073
Parish Council Members
Elias Shiber, President
John Sempeles, V. President
Matt Lee, Treasurer
Georgia Sparto, Secretary
Magda Fleming
Marina Katzianis
Lisa Kelly
Terry Kouris
Artemis Moon
Elaine Reidl
George Vardakis
Office email:
admin@stdemetrios.net
Orator:
Orator.stdemetrios@gmail.com
Web: www.stdemetrios.net
Parish Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
criticize or to condemn any human person regarding his or her lifestyle. The Apostle Paul says it best
when he states, “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?” (Romans 14:4). We, of
course, are not speaking of persons per se, but of human lifestyles which are contrary to the moral
behavior exercised by one’s free will in harmony with Holy Scripture.
Practically speaking, the question will arise from some in our canonical Orthodox Christian parishes
regarding the sacrament of holy matrimony, for persons of the same gender. There is no confusion in
this matter because our holy services of matrimony are not contracts as in all other religious bodies, but
they are sacraments or mysteria. This means that we the clergy are not the celebrants of our sacraments,
but the Holy Spirit is. This is why, for all of the sacraments of the Church, they are celebrated by the
clergy in the third person. We never use the pronoun “I” because it is the Holy Spirit Who is the
celebrant, through the priest or bishop. In our sacrament of holy matrimony, one of the prayers states,
“Blessed are You, O Lord, Who are the celebrant of mystic and hallowed marriage...”
In all of the sacraments, we, the clergy, say, “the servant of God is baptized” in baptism, or “the servant
of God is crowned” in holy matrimony. Another prayer said by the celebrant in the marriage ceremony
is “O Master, send down now Your hand from Your holy dwelling place and unite Your servants...”
None of the holy sacraments of the Church are considered contracts which can be broken; but, in all of
them, it is our Triune God Who, through the canonical priest or bishop, gives a lasting blessing to the
participants in the holy sacrament.
The fact that the First Amendment of our United States Constitution prohibits our government from
interfering with the free exercise of religion means that no human law on the part of any of the three
branches of government can negate or nullify or rise above the teachings and dogmas of our Judeo-
Christian history of more than two thousand years. Any attempt by our government to do this would
totally fail, as it did in Communist Russia and in Nazi Germany.
Consequently, my hierarchical instructions to all the clergy who belong to this Metropolis, and to the
military chaplains under my oversight, are to react pastorally in denying any and all who may seek the
Sacrament of Holy Matrimony for a same-sex marriage. You are to inform them that by doing so you
would be betraying the holy priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who established the Church through
His death and resurrection; and that, if you were to do so, you would be defrocked from the holy
priesthood by an ecclesiastical tribunal.
I am confident that all of our holy clergy in this Metropolis will continue to honor our holy vocation and
will remain faithful to the teachings of the Church. In this way, all of us — clergy, monastics, and laity
— will continue to live our lives as best as we can, in harmony with the life-giving teachings of our
Lord Jesus Christ which will lead us into His everlasting Kingdom.
With Paternal Blessings,
✠ Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Service to our church Date Parish Council Ushers Orthros Readers
July 5
Georgia Sparto
Lisa Kelly
Ken George - Chanter
Ken George - Reader
Greek-Open
Jamileh Shiber
July 12 Magda Fleming
John Sempeles
Ellyn Ponton - Chanter
Ellyn Ponton - Reader
Greek-Open
Grace Beasley
July 19
Matt Lee
George Vardakis
Phil Hieger - Chanter
Phil Hieger - Reader
Greek-Open
Lexi Vardakis
July 26 Terry Kouris
Artemis Moon
Phil Hieger - Chanter
Phil Hieger - Reader
Greek-Open
Katherine Kallinikos
If you would like to be a St. Demetrios Usher, please speak to a Parish Council Member. If you would like to be
a Reader (Youth and Adult), please see Cathy Xydas or Ali Winters.
PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO BE AN ORTHROS READER OR CHANTER
WEEKLY SERVICES
Sunday, July 5 5th Sunday of Matthew 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy Sunday, July 12 6th Sunday of Matthew
7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy Sunday, July 19 Sunday of the Holy Fathers 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy
Sunday, July 26 8th Sunday of Matthew 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy
FELLOWSHIP HOUR
Date Hosts July 5 Open
July 12 Open
July 19 Open
July 26 The Kime Family Witnessing the love of Christ to our parishioners and guests alike, Fellowship Coffee Hour is a ministry
that generously provides care and kindness by building up our community through refreshments after
the Divine Liturgy on Sundays.
Contact Leeann Hieger(817.295.3704 / 817.556.1963 or mritech56@yahoo.com)or Artemis Moon
(817.800.6407 or moonartemisk@sbcglobal.net) to host the next Fellowship Hour.
The sign-up sheet is on the wall opposite the doors to the fellowship hall.
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
ORTHODOX TRADITIONS
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You can easily change the formatting of selected text in the document text by choosing a look for the selected
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specify directly.
To change the overall look of your document, choose new Theme elements on the Page Layout tab. To change
the looks available in the Quick Style gallery, use the Change Current Quick Style Set command. Both the Themes
gallery and the Quick Styles gallery provide reset commands so that you can always restore the look of your
document to the original contained in your current template.
Stewardship
The Divine Liturgy, and especially the Anaphora (the offering) are filled with hymns and prayers that
speak directly to thanksgiving and gratitude, from which spring our tithes and offerings.
… [T]hanksgiving (Greek eucharistia) reveals the essence of Christian faith. As Fr. Alexander Schmemann said
in his final sermon, “Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy,” for Christians
find their fundamental calling in thanksgiving… [A]ny life not built upon the foundation of gratitude to God is
not authentic Christian life. Thanksgiving to God proves that we are truly alive: “The dead do not praise the
Lord, / Nor any who go down into silence” (Ps. 115:17). We rightly call the Divine Liturgy “the Eucharist”
(thanksgiving), for thanksgiving is the sign of the spiritual life, and the Eucharist keeps us alive.
From Let Us Attend: A Journey Through the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, by Fr. Lawrence Farley, Chapter 13,
The Anaphora (the offering).
For more information on stewardship and tithing visit: www.Everygoodandperfectgift.org
ALPHA OMEGA
Please join us on Tuesday, July 14th at 11:30 a.m. at:
1051 W Magnolia Ave., Ft. Worth 76104 (817.926.2116)
Hope to see you there!!!…..Mary Galanis
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
PHILOPTOCHOS ST. BARBARA CHAPTER
ST. DEMETRIOS GOC SUPPER CLUB NEEDS YOU!
Our friends at Samaritan House are continuing to rave about our food during our monthly Supper
Club. If you are interested in helping, please contact Megan at 817-556-1964 or
megan.hieger@kellerisd.net to be a part of this growing outreach ministry. ALL ARE WELCOME.
Our next Supper Club will take place on Thursday, July 2nd. Please arrive no later than 4:30 pm.
Service and clean-up should conclude by 6pm.
AHEPA
AHEPA FORT WORTH CHAPTER 19
AWARDS $1000 SCHOLARSHIP
AHEPA Fort Worth Chapter 19 is pleased to announce that
Madeline Haratsis is the recipient of the 2015 AHEPA scholarship
program. She will receive a $1000 scholarship to support her studies in the
2015/2016 academic year.
Madeline is 3rd from the right with proud parents Paul and Jayne to her right.
Also shown are Fr. Nicholas Hadzellis, George Vardakis (AHEPA President), and
Chris Xydas (AHEPA Scholarship Chairman).
Madeline is a 2015 graduate of the Hill School in Fort Worth. She is a member
of National Honor Society and received the 2015 President’s Award for
Outstanding Academic Achievement. Madeline is active in school and is a
member of the varsity cheerleading squad, runs track & field, and is on the
student council. She volunteers regularly at the St. Demetrios Greek Food
Festival and also at the Union Gospel Mission, Boys & Girls Club, and Fort Worth
Art Festival. She plans on attending Texas Tech University in the fall and is
pursuing a degree in Education in preparation for a career as an elementary
school teacher.
Thank you Madeline for your contributions to the community, congratulations
on you academic achievements, and best of luck in the coming school year.
We’re all very proud of you. Keep up the great work!
North Texas Orthodox Mission (NTOM)
SAVE THE DATES!
NTOM MEETING – Tuesday, August 4, following Paraklesis, at 7 pm, at Holy Trinity GOC, Dallas
Light Lenten Meal will be offered.
The September meeting will be held on September 1 at 6:30 pm with the usual Pot-Luck dinner.
The location needs to be verified; St. Seraphim’s will be contacted. Missionary Jeffrey McDonald will join us!!
God bless, Presv. Alexandra,
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
NTOM Secretary
BOOKSTORE
Click here to enter text.
Community Needs
St. Demetrios needs You!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Interested in helping St. Demetrios on a spiritual level? We are in search of a
dedicated and organized member to direct the Religious Education program. This position is vital to the life of
our parish.Please contact Father Nicholas for more information.
BOOKSTORE: We are in need of someone to manage our St. Demetrios Bookstore. Please contact Father
Nicholas for more information.
GROUNDS: Summertime brings additional seasonal needs. Please see George Vardakis about volunteering a
few hours every other week to help mow and weedeat the lawn. We have a lot of property that needs your
attention. Showing a nice landscaped property helps reduce crime and vandalism! We need two additional
people to help minimize the time and work needed to make the outside beautiful.
BUILDING: Your Church Home needs you too! Please see Eilas Shiber about volunteering a few hours a
month to give some loving care to our facilities. Providing a clean and cared for environment becomes
welcoming to guest and visitors and creates a sense of pride for members.
ONE HARVEST
SCHEDULE Saturday, July 18th 9AM-10AM St. Demetrios One Harvest*
*For One Harvest, we will need to be at the St. Demetrios Hall by 8:30am to prepare. One volunteer will need to go to the distribution center (300 Belmont Street, Saginaw, TX) by 7:30am to pick up the kits. Please contact John Sempeles (682.215.3151 ordfwgrimlock@yahoo.com) if you want to volunteer for the One Harvest events.
Saturday, June 25th 9AM-12PM Tarrant County Food Bank Sorting** **Next available Food Bank dates is August
29th. Please contact John Sempeles (682.215.3151 or dfwgrimlock@yahoo.com) if you are interested in volunteering for any Food Bank events. On Food Bank days we will meet at St. Demetrios parking lot and leave for the Food Bank by 8:30am .
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Orthodox Christian Mission Center: News from the Mission Field
On June 7th, 2015, an OCMC Mission Team
helping to construct a school in the village of
Loupwala, in northern Kenya, was blessed with the
opportunity to also participate in the consecration of
the newly- completed St. Nicholas Church in the
nearby village of Lokichar. Both of these villages
are located in the Turkana region of
Kenya. The church, under the pastoral
care of Fr. Zechariah Echeme, was
built with the help of another OCMC
team the previous year and was
sponsored by Nick and Diane Chronos
of Mandeville, Louisiana. Three of the
team members, Fr. Vladimir Aleandro, Mat. Susan
Aleandro, and Dean Franck, had participated on
the previous year’s team. They felt especially
privileged to be able to witness the consecration of
the church, during which His Eminence Makarios,
Archbishop of Kenya, praised the Chronos family
for “participating in the building of Christ’s Church”,
along with thanking many of the other benefactors
who have helped and given to the church. OCMC
Teams Director Andrew Lekos, who led the
construction team, was moved by the experience:
“There were hundreds of people who were able to
witness the consecration of the church.” Mr. Lekos
also notes “how moving it was to see
the names of the sponsors and team
members' family and friends,
specifically the Chronos family, being
placed in the altar with the relics of St.
Nicholas.” Following the Devine
Liturgy, the team and the members of
the St. Nicholas community took time to enjoy
fellowship and celebration through presentations,
song, and dance. Not only the men and women in
attendance gave praise, but also the children were
giving thanks. The celebration concluded with an
agape meal.
For more information go to www.ocmc.org
Internation Orthodox Christian Charities: News and Information
Baltimore, MD (IOCC) — Summer is the height of tourist season in the Greek isles, but Amina, 35, isn't on the island of Chios with her husband and three young sons for a vacation. The Syrian refugee family is in flight from Damascus. Their long and arduous trek took them through Lebanon and into Turkey, where they hiked a grueling 200 miles across the country to reach a boat that would carry them to safety in Greece. Also part of their group were several Syrian youth under 18 traveling alone or with distant relatives, like Sahir, 17, a member of Amina's extended family. They travel at great risk with the hope to reach
Western Europe and register as underage refugees, which would allow their parents to join them. The eastern Aegean isles have been inundated by the flow of Syrian refugees arriving by sea.
The island of Chios, which lies just four miles from Turkey, has received more than 7,000 newcomers since last March. The influx of refugees has overwhelmed local authorities on this small island of only 32,000 inhabitants as they struggle to register refugees and provide basic shelter and food to the men, women, and
children who arrive daily at Chios' small and outdated immigrant reception center.
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) with its local partner, Apostoli, the humanitarian arm of the Church of Greece, is responding to the dire needs of the refugees by improving poor hygiene and health conditions in the crowded reception centers. Newly installed portable showers along with renovated plumbing and sewage systems provide the travel weary refugees with a place to take care of their personal hygiene in privacy and with dignity. IOCC is also providing 1,700 personal hygiene kits customized to meet the needs of men, women, or infants, and reinforcing good hygiene practices through bilingual posters in English and Arabic and one-on-one awareness talks with refugees of all ages.
In addition, school kits filled with writing and coloring supplies, will be distributed to 200 school-aged children including Amina's three boys, Bayas, 11; Abdurrahmal, 6; and Aymullah, 4. "I just want my children to be safe and happy," said the tearful and exhausted mother. "There was nothing we could do in Syria, with our lives in danger all the time." In spite of her tired state, Amina and her husband were already eager to move their family on to the next step of the journey – to a new country where their children can receive a good education and grow up far from the memories of war.
IOCC, an ACT Alliance member, is providing immediate and ongoing humanitarian assistance to families in need who have endured four years of Syria's brutal civil war. Since 2012, IOCC has provided relief to 3 million people displaced inside Syria, or living as refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Armenia, and Greece.
HOW YOU CAN HELP You can help the victims of poverty and conflicts around the world by making a financial gift to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund which will provide immediate relief, as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, please visit iocc.org or call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 17398, Baltimore, MD 21297.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has delivered $534 million in relief and development programs to families and communities in more than 50 countries. IOCC is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of more than 140 churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy, and a member of InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.–based secular and faith-based organizations working to improve the lives of the world's most poor and vulnerable populations. To learn more about IOCC, visit iocc.org.
Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry Prisoners Among Us
You don’t need to be behind bars to be imprisoned… In this reflection, our brother in Christ Fr George Tsahakis reminds us that at some point in our lives, we all find
ourselves in chains–prisoners to things that bind and enslave us. If we are to truly help others be set free, we may
need to first free ourselves.
Imagine walking in the forest and seeing four men chained to trees in the darkened woods. These prisoners appear
to be hungry, heartsick, and discouraged.
Now, visualize yourself springing to their rescue…. Indeed, you possess the means to free them. You realize you
know the combination to their locks which bind together their chains, and you now call upon your talents to set the
prisoners free. You unlock the chains of the first man, and then he goes to the second man and frees him. In turn, the
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
second man cares for the third man, but to his dismay, the third man fails to be able to loosen the bonds of the fourth
captive.
Sadly, the fourth prisoner is left in chains with the combination to
his lock unknown. Upon your return home, everyone rejoices at your
heroic rescue, but deep inside, you remain unsatisfied that the fourth
man continued to be a prisoner.
Now let’s ask several questions: Why were these men prisoners?
Who had chained them? What had brought them freedom from
bondage?
The first man’s chains were caused by terror of God, and up until
his release, he had sought to deny any religion or any relationship to
God. The sins of fear and doubt kept him chained in the forest of hate and ignorance. The second man’s chains were
made up of prejudice, and he thought himself superior to those of another color or race. He was imprisoned in the
forest of hate and ignorance. The third man was chained with a self-righteous attitude, thinking he could do no
wrong, that he was superior to others, and he didn’t need to offer mercy. He was lost through his self-imposed
loneliness and chained in the forest of hate and ignorance.
As the rescuer of these three men, let me recap how positively you offered to them God’s Word as the means to
set these prisoners free. In speaking with the first prisoner, you offered him the encouragement found in John
3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish
but may have eternal life.” With the second captive, you witnessed to him the testimony found in Acts 17:24-
26: “The God who made the world and everything in it, He who is Lord of heaven and earth, … From one ancestor
He made all nations to inhabit the whole earth…” And your choice of Holy Scripture to free the third prisoner was
St. Paul’s counsel in 1 Corinthians 8:8: “Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat,
and no better off if we do.”
You and for that matter, others, cannot liberate the fourth prisoner from his chains and home in darkness, for he
has no faith, and he continues to not believe you, me, or God. For those reading this parable, let me ask, “Have you
any chains? Are you in a forest? Would you like to hear the ‘Good News’ to free you from your bondage and live
life as God intended for all of us?”
If the answer is yes, after you finish reading these words, open your Bible and read God’s plan for your life. It’s
yours for the taking.
“For this purpose He called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of
our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
www.ocpm.org for more inormation
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
CHALLENGE QUESTIONS
1. How many books are in the Bible? (Old
Testament?) (New Testament?)
2. What was the name of the shepherd boy who
became the second king in Israel?
3. How many brothers did Joseph have?
4. Who were the parents of Cain and Abel?
5. Noah sent out 2 different kinds of birds from the
Ark. What were they?
6. After the flood, what sign did God give that He
would not destroy the earth with a flood again?
7. Who did Boaz marry?
8. Abraham traveled with his nephew. What was his
nephew’s name?
9. What was the name of Joseph’s baby brother?
10. Who found baby Moses in the river?
1. 66 (39) (27) 2. David 3. 11. He also had 1 sister. 4. Adam and Eve
5. Raven and Dove 6. Rainbow 7. Ruth 8. Lot 9. Benjamin
10. Pharaoh’s daughter
COMMUNITY IN PICTURES
Vacation Church School
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Thank you to all our volunteers for another great VCS!
GOYA Pool party
Thank you to the Beasley for opening their home to us!
JULY 2015 Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Strict Fast
Fish allowed
Dairy, Eggs, and Fish allowed
Wine and Oil allowed
1 2 5pm Supper Club at Samaritan House
3
4 Independence Day
5 5th Sunday of Matthew 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy Mary Dieb Memorial
6
7 7pm Parish Council Meeting
8
9
10
11
12 6th Sunday of Matthew 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy
13
14 11:30am Alpha Omega: Shaws
15
16
17
18
19 Sunday of the Holy Fathers 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy
20
21
22
23 24
25
26 8th Sunday of Matthew 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy
27
28 29 30
31
Pray of Thanksgiving
Jesus Christ, my Lord and God, I give You thanks for Your loving kindness and all the blessings You have richly bestowed upon me. I fall down in worship and adoration before You, the King of glory. I praise You, I glorify You, I bless You and I give thanks to You for Your great goodness and tender mercy. To You I come, my sweet Lord and loving Master. Shine in my heart the light of Your grace. Enlighten my mind, that I may walk uprightly all my life by keeping Your commandments. Glorified and exalted is Your holy name, now and forever. Amen
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Sunday Readings for July 2015
July 05 5th Sunday of Matthew
Epistle: Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2
Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1
July 12 6th Sunday of Matthew Epistle: Romans 12:6-14
Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8
July 19 Sunday of the Holy
Fathers
Epistle: Titus 3:8-15
Gospel: Matthew 5:14-19
July 26 8th Sunday of Matthew Epistle: Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 14:14-22
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
2020 NW 21st St.
Fort Worth, Texas 76164
www.stdemetrios.net
T H E M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R O F S T . D E M E T R I O S G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H
T H E F I R S T G R E E K O R T H O D O X P A R I S H I N T E X A S
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