My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΜΕΣΩ ΗΜΩΝ! ΚΑΙ ΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΑΙ.
ON OCTOBER 26TH--THE FEAST-DAY OF THE HOLY, MYRRBEARER AND GREAT MARTYR DEMETRIOS
This glorious and wonderworking Saint was born in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece, of well-born and devout parents. Begged of God by those childless parents, Demetrios was their only son and was, because of this, most carefully cherished and educated. His father was the military commander of Thessaloniki, and, when he died, the Roman pagan emperor made Demetrios commander in his place. In doing this, the emperor Maximian, an enemy of Christ, particularly recommended him to persecute and exterminate the Christians in Thessaloniki. Demetrios not only disobeyed the emperor: he openly confessed and preached Christ the Lord in the city. Hearing of this, the pagan emperor was furious with Demetrios and, at one time, on his way back from a war against the Sarmathians, went to the city of Thessaloniki especially to look into this matter. The emperor, therefore, summoned Demetrios and questioned him about his faith. Demetrios proclaimed openly before the emperor that he was a Christian, and, furthermore, denounced the emperor's idolatry. While the games were under way in the city, emperor Maximian was a spectator there. A certain friend of his, a barbarian who was a notable wrestler, Lyaeus by name, waxing haughty because of the height and strength of his body, boasted in the stadium and challenged the citizens to a contest with him. All that fought with him were defeated. Seeing this, a certain youth named Nestor, acquaintance of St. Demetrios', came to the Saint in the prison and asked his blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handed. Receiving this blessing and sealing himself with the sign of the Cross, he presented himself in the stadium, and said, "O God of Demetrios, help me!" and straightway he engaged Lyaeus in combat and smote him with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving him the former boaster lifeless upon the earth. Emperor Maximian was sorely grieved over this, and when he learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded straightway and Demetrios was pierced with lances. As for Nestor, Maximian commanded that he be slain with his own sword. (Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer. Third Tone
The world was found in you a great champion in time of peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. For as you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaios, imparting courage to Nestor in the stadium, in like manner, holy one, Great Martyr Demetrios, invoke Christ God for us, that He may grant us His great mercy.
Kontakion Hymn. Second Tone
God Who gave you invincible power and with care kept your city invulnerable, royally clothed the Church in purple with the streams of your blood, for you are her strength, O Demetrios.
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DIVINE SERVCIES ON OCTOBER 26TH
Orthros (Matins) at 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
Place of worship: Saint Andrew
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"Glory Be To God For All Things!"--Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George