The Greek Orthodox Church
of St. Demetrios
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Good Μorning, to You, the Parish
Family & Friends of
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios!
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The 8th Sunday After Pentecost
Today's Gospel from St. Matthew relates to us the feeding of the five thousand and the miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fishes. The account of this event is to be found in all Four Gospels. From the details that are added in the other Gospels we know that this event took place in the third year of the Savior's public preaching, after the beheading of St. John the Baptist. From it we can learn several things.
First of all, we should note that this was an enormous crowd, almost unimaginable in size, of five thousand men plus women and children. We notice how they followed Christ on foot in the heat of the day into the wilderness and without food. What faith and devotion we see here, when there are Orthodox who claim to be unable to come to church on Sundays in their cars, because the church is too far from their beds.
Secondly, we can see that this miracle took place not for the personal vanity or glory of the Savior, but out of compassion for the people. We can see this in many miracles of Christ and it is mentioned again in today's Gospel how the Lord healed because He "took pity" on the sick. Each miracle of Christ is an act of love performed out of compassion.
Thirdly, we see also how before He performed the miracle, Our Lord took up the five loaves and fishes, and then looked up to Heaven and thanked the Father and blessed the food. Here He sets us Orthodox the example of praying before eating. How many Orthodox often forget even to make the sign of the cross before eating. And yet the Savior Himself, "by Whom all things were made", asks for the blessing of the Father before eating.
Fourthly, we can compare the humble conditions in which this miracle happened, in the wilderness, sitting on the grass, with the conditions in which just previously St. John the Baptist's death had been ordered, at Herod's luxurious birthday banquet.
Fifthly, we can see how this miracle is also a revelation of the Savior's divinity, of the power of Christ.
- The miracle takes place when the day is already far spent, but Christ is not limited by time; He is the Lord of Time.
- The miracle takes place in a desert place, in the wilderness; Christ is also the Lord of Space.
- He blesses and multiplies bread and fish; He is also the Lord of Land and Sea.
Finally, in this miracle we see how Christ not only feeds us with material food, but also with spiritual food, for, as it is written in the Holy Scriptures, man shall not live by bread alone. We see this in the numbers mentioned in this Gospel.
Why five loaves? The number five, as we read in the Psalms and in the prayers of thanksgiving after communion, represent our five senses, being, which is fed by Christ, the Bread of Life.
Why two fishes? They represent the two parts of the New Testament, the Gospels and the Epistles, which were written by fishermen become fishers of men, for we are spiritually fed by their writings.
Why twelve baskets of fragments? They represent the twelve Apostles who preach to the ends of the universe, the fragments who feed our souls with the words of Christ through the Holy Spirit. Let us this open our minds and souls to Christ our True God that we too may be fed and satiated with the Bread of Life.
From orthodoxengland.org.uk/serm8sap
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Epistle Reading
(8/2/2020)
: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
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Gospel Reading
(8/2/2020)
: The Gospel According to
Matthew 14:14-22
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St. Demetrios Parish
Information & Updates
This Week at St. Demetrios...
Sunday, August 2nd
Κυριακή H΄ Ματθαίου
Όρθρος, 8π.μ. & Θεία Λειτουργία, 9:30π.μ.
8th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros, 8a.m. & Divine Liturgy, 9:30a.m.
Monday, August 3rd
Ακολουθία Μικρού Παρακλητικού Κανόνος, 6μ.μ.
Small Paraklesis, 6p.m.
Tuesday, August 4th
Ακολουθία Μεγάλου Παρακλητικού Κανόνος, 6μ.μ.
Great Paraklesis, 6p.m.
Wednesday, August 5th
Η Μεταμόρφωσις Του Χριστού
Μέγας Εσπερινός, 6μ.μ.
Transfiguration of our Lord
Great Vespers, 6p.m
Thursday, August 6th
Η Μεταμόρφωσις Του Χριστού
Όρθρος, 8π.μ. & Θεία Λειτουργία, 9π.μ.
Transfiguration of our Lord
Orthros, 8a.m. & Divine Liturgy, 9a.m.
Friday, August 7th
Ακολουθία Μικρού Παρακλητικού Κανόνος, 6μ.μ.
Small Paraklesis, 6p.m.
Sunday, August 9th
Κυριακή Θ΄ Ματθαίου
Όρθρος, 8π.μ. & Θεία Λειτουργία, 9:30π.μ.
9th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros, 8a.m. & Divine Liturgy, 9:30a.m.
The services will continue to be LIVE-STREAMED on our:
1. Our Church
Website
(Live-Stream Feed)
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Dear Faithful of St. Demetrios,
We pray you are all well. This past week, we mailed out a letter about "Campaign 84". If you have not received it yet, it should be coming shortly. We are happy and thankful to have already received a response to Campaign 84 by many of you.
The effects of Covid-19 greatly hampered our parish, closing the Church for 84 days during our busiest and most festive period of the year. We desperately need your help. On the wings of prayer and faith, we humbly implore you to join us in giving at least $84 more per family.
For those who have already made their 2020 Stewardship Contribution or if you just want to make a donation, you may do so online or by sending your donation to the Church Office. If you have not given your stewardship yet, please consider at least an additional $84 when making your 2020 contribution.
Our concern has always been how to minister to you during this difficult time. In addition, we are anxious about meeting the obligations of our Church. Yet, our trust and faith in God and you, our stewards, continue to answer every prayer and ease our anxiety through your response. Thank you for your loyal support.
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"THE ORTHODOX STORE"
THANK YOU to those who have donated to this ministry
of compassion & love.
Click on the link provided for information on how you can help. Just outside the Church Office door are 3 bins in which your donations can be dropped off.
Donation drop-off during
Church Office hours,
Monday-Friday,
9a.m. - 4p.m.
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Parish Registry as of August 2nd:
Baptisms 18 Chrismations 2
Weddings 1 Funerals 25
Shut-Ins 20
Hospital & Home Visitations 425
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2020 Stewardship of The Greek Orthodox Church
of St. Demetrios
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Stewardship as of Friday, July 31st - 448
OR
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PYTHAGORAS GREEK SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Enrollment has begun for 2020-2021. We are excited to have all our students back!
Read more
www.st-demetrios.org
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PCA Has Gone Above and Beyond for Our Children!
The nerves and anxiety of leading into distance learning in March were quickly eased by the PCA staff as we walked away with material the day school closed. Every staff member was very well prepared and sent daily emails with detailed lessons including all subject areas. They even went as far as to sign our children up for free websites that offered extended learning and read alouds to our kids.
Their simple kind words and smiling faces on weekly Zooms made all of us feel comfortable and confident as we became teachers from home. The first time we Zoomed as a class, tears ran down our face from the comfort we felt watching our children interact with their beloved teachers that they missed so much!
The extra one-on-one learning was the defining moment when we knew PCA had gone above and beyond for our children! We will forever have respect, love, and admiration for this staff and will ALWAYS speak of PCA in the highest regards!
- The Kourouklis Family
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Pythagoras
Children's
Academy
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2nd Annual
Metropolis of Chicago
Golf Outing
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, we are excited to announce the 2nd Annual Metropolis of Chicago Golf Outing. This event will prove to be a great way for ourselves and our people to get together in fellowship, while helping to benefit the work of the Chicago Metropolis. Here are the primary details:
- When: Tuesday, August 25
- Where: Arrowhead Golf Club, 26W151 Butterfield Road, Wheaton, IL 60189
- When: 11am Registration; 12pm Shotgun start; 4-6pm Dinner & Raffle
- Who: Up to 80 (maximum) clergy & faithful of the Chicago Metropolis
- Details: $150/person; Checks payable to Metropolis of Chicago, 555 E. Butterfield Road, Suite 201, Lombard, IL 60148
- Questions: 847-888-2822 x. 111
- COVID19 Details: We will follow the guidelines of Arrowhead GC, which are compliant with CDC and IDPH guidelines
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Your Church Office of The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios
Elmhurst, IL
630.924.7010
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The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios - Elmhurst, IL
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