August 13
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-08-13
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
This Week at St. Nicholas
Parish News & Events
Guidelines for receiving Holy Communion
Welcome Visitors!
Prayer List
Office Hours and Appointments
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (734) 332-8200
- Fax:
- (734) 332-8201
- Email:
- secretary@stnickaa.org
- Street Address:
- 3109 Scio Church Road
- Ann Arbor, MI 48103
- Mailing Address:
- 3109 Scio Church Road
- Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Contact Information
Services Schedule
9:00 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Office closed during all church services.
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2017-08-06
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-30
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-23
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-16
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-09
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-02
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode
The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.
Apolytikion for Apodosis of Transfiguration in the Grave Mode
You were transfigured upon the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to Your disciples Your glory as much as they could bear. Do also in us, sinners though we be, shine Your everlasting light, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Giver of light. Glory to You.
Μετεμορθώθης εν τώ όρει Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοίς Μαθηταίς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ήδυναντο, Λάμψον καί ημίν τοίς αμαρτωλοίς, τό φώς σου τό αϊδιον, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, φωτοδότα δόξα σοι.
Apolytikion of the Church in the Fourth Mode
The truth of thy deeds has led thy flock to believe in thee, as a canon of faith and as a holy image of gentleness and as a teacher of temperance. Thou has therefore acquired through thy humility the greatest heights and riches through poverty. Father and hierarch Nicholas intercede with Christ our God entreating that our souls be saved.
Κανόνα πίστεως καὶ εἰκόνα πραότητος, ἐγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ἀνέδειξέ σε τῇ ποίμνῃ σου, ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀλήθεια· διὰ τοῦτο ἐκτήσω τῇ ταπεινώσει τὰ ὑψηλά, τῇ πτωχείᾳ τὰ πλούσια, Πάτερ Ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode
You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.
Επί τού όρους μετεμορφώθης, καί ως εχώρουν οι Μαθηταί σου τήν δόξαν σου, Χριστέ ο Θεός εθεάσαντο, ίνα όταν σε ίδωσι σταυρούμενον, τό μέν πάθος νοήσωσιν εκούσιον, τώ δέ κόσμω κηρύξωσιν, ότι σύ υπάρχεις αληθώς, τού Πατρός τό απαύγασμα.
The translations of hymns are under copyright and used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Matins Gospel Reading
Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14
At that time, being raised from the dead, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Tenth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 21:1-14
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐφανέρωσεν ἑαυτὸν πάλιν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς Τιβεριάδος· ἐφανέρωσε δὲ οὕτως. ἦσαν ὁμοῦ Σίμων Πέτρος, καὶ Θωμᾶς ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, καὶ Ναθαναὴλ ὁ ἀπὸ Κανᾶ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οἱ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου, καὶ ἄλλοι ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ δύο. λέγει αὐτοῖς Σίμων Πέτρος· ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν. λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ἐρχόμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν σοί. ἐξῆλθον καὶ ἐνέβησαν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον εὐθύς, καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ νυκτὶ ἐπίασαν οὐδέν. πρωΐας δὲ ἤδη γενομένης ἔστη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς τὸν αἰγιαλόν· οὐ μέντοι ᾔδεισαν οἱ μαθηταὶ ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστι. λέγει οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· παιδία, μή τι προσφάγιον ἔχετε; ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ· οὔ. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· βάλετε εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ μέρη τοῦ πλοίου τὸ δίκτυον, καὶ εὑρήσετε. ἔβαλον οὖν, καὶ οὐκέτι αὐτὸ ἑλκύσαι ἴσχυσαν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλήθους τῶν ἰχθύων. λέγει οὖν ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος, ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, τῷ Πέτρῳ· ὁ Κύριός ἐστι. Σίμων οὖν Πέτρος ἀκούσας ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστι, τὸν ἐπενδύτην διεζώσατο· ἦν γὰρ γυμνός· καὶ ἔβαλεν ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν· οἱ δὲ ἄλλοι μαθηταὶ τῷ πλοιαρίῳ ἦλθον· οὐ γὰρ ἦσαν μακρὰν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἀπὸ πηχῶν διακοσίων, σύροντες τὸ δίκτυον τῶν ἰχθύων. ὡς οὖν ἀπέβησαν εἰς τὴν γῆν, βλέπουσιν ἀνθρακιὰν κειμένην καὶ ὀψάριον ἐπικείμενον καὶ ἄρτον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἐνέγκατε ἀπὸ τῶν ὀψαρίων ὧν ἐπιάσατε νῦν. ἀνέβη Σίμων Πέτρος καὶ εἵλκυσε τὸ δίκτυον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μεστὸν ἰχθύων μεγάλων ἑκατὸν πεντήκοντα τριῶν· καὶ τοσούτων ὄντων οὐκ ἐσχίσθη τὸ δίκτυον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· δεῦτε ἀριστήσατε. οὐδεὶς δὲ ἐτόλμα τῶν μαθητῶν ἐξετάσαι αὐτὸν σὺ τίς εἶ, εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστιν. ἔρχεται οὖν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ λαμβάνει τὸν ἄρτον καὶ δίδωσιν αὐτοῖς, καὶ τὸ ὀψάριον ὁμοίως. Τοῦτο ἤδη τρίτον ἐφανερώθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν.
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16.
Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1.
Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 4:9-16.
Ἀδελφοί, ὁ θεὸς ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ἐσχάτους ἀπέδειξεν ὡς ἐπιθανατίους· ὅτι θέατρον ἐγενήθημεν τῷ κόσμῳ, καὶ ἀγγέλοις, καὶ ἀνθρώποις. Ἡμεῖς μωροὶ διὰ Χριστόν, ὑμεῖς δὲ φρόνιμοι ἐν Χριστῷ· ἡμεῖς ἀσθενεῖς, ὑμεῖς δὲ ἰσχυροί· ὑμεῖς ἔνδοξοι, ἡμεῖς δὲ ἄτιμοι. Ἄχρι τῆς ἄρτι ὥρας καὶ πεινῶμεν, καὶ διψῶμεν, καὶ γυμνητεύομεν, καὶ κολαφιζόμεθα, καὶ ἀστατοῦμεν, καὶ κοπιῶμεν ἐργαζόμενοι ταῖς ἰδίαις χερσίν· λοιδορούμενοι εὐλογοῦμεν· διωκόμενοι ἀνεχόμεθα· βλασφημούμενοι παρακαλοῦμεν· ὡς περικαθάρματα τοῦ κόσμου ἐγενήθημεν, πάντων περίψημα ἕως ἄρτι. Οὐκ ἐντρέπων ὑμᾶς γράφω ταῦτα, ἀλλʼ ὡς τέκνα μου ἀγαπητὰ νουθετῶ. Ἐὰν γὰρ μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ, ἀλλʼ οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας· ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα. Παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς, μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε.
Gospel Reading
10th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 17:14-23
At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."
10th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 17:14-23
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθόντων αὐτῶν πρὸς τὸν ὄχλον προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπος γονυπετῶν αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων· Κύριε, ἐλέησόν μου τὸν υἱόν, ὅτι σεληνιάζεται καὶ κακῶς πάσχει· πολλάκις γὰρ πίπτει εἰς τὸ πῦρ καὶ πολλάκις εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ. καὶ προσήνεγκα αὐτὸν τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου, καὶ οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν αὐτὸν θεραπεῦσαι. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν· ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος καὶ διεστραμμένη! ἕως πότε ἔσομαι μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετέ μοι αὐτὸν ὧδε. καὶ ἐπετίμησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὸ δαιμόνιον καὶ ἐθεραπεύθη ὁ παῖς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης. Τότε προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ κατ᾿ ἰδίαν εἶπον· διατί ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό; ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· διὰ τὴν ἀπιστίαν ὑμῶν. ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως, ἐρεῖτε τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, μετάβηθι ἐντεῦθεν ἐκεῖ, καὶ μεταβήσεται, καὶ οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν. τοῦτο δὲ τὸ γένος οὐκ ἐκπορεύεται εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. ᾿Αναστρεφομένων δὲ αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· μέλλει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοσθαι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθήσεται. καὶ ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα.
Wisdom of the Fathers
Yet if his unbelief was the cause ... why does He blame the disciples? Signifying, that even without persons to bring the sick in faith, they might in many instances work a cure.
Homily 57 on Matthew 17, 4th Century
For as the faith of the person presenting oftentimes availed for receiving the cure, even from inferior ministers; so the power of the doers oftentimes sufficed, even without belief in those who came to work the miracle.
Homily 57 on Matthew 17, 4th Century
Saints and Feasts
August 13
Apodosis of the Transfiguration
August 13
Maximus the Confessor
The divine Maximus, who was from Constantinople, sprang from an illustrious family. He was a lover of wisdom and an eminent theologian. At first, he was the chief private secretary of the Emperor Heraclius and his grandson Constans. But when the Monothelite heresy became predominant in the royal court, out of hatred for this error the Saint departed for the Monastery at Chrysopolis (Scutari), of which he later became the abbot. When Constans tried to constrain him either to accept the Monothelite teaching, or to stop speaking and writing against it - neither of which the Saint accepted to do - his tongue was uprooted and his right hand was cut off, and he was sent into exile, where he reposed in 662. At the time only he and his few disciples were Orthodox in the East. See also January 21.
August 13
Our Righteous Fathers Sergius, Stephanus, Castor and Palamonus
August 13
Dorotheus, Abba of Gaza
Saint Dorotheos was born in Antioch, Syria, in the year 506 or 508 A.D. He began his education very early in life and profited from the social statusof his parents. He received a classical education in the Greco-Roman world, which included medical studies, thus allowing him to work as a physician. Despite his great mind, Dorotheos yearned for a life of seclusion in the monastery. He inquired through letters with the holy men Barsanuphius and John (see February 6th) as how to begin the process towards monasticism. Many of these letters exist to this day and provide insight to the life of Dorotheos and his relationship with his mentors.
Dorotheos entered the monastery of Thawatha where Barsanuphius and John lived. His quick mind and advanced education made life in the monastery difficult as he struggled with social encounters and even challenged his abbot when he knew of better ways to run the monastery. This struggle against pride lasted a great while and served as an ongoing lesson for Dorotheos. He worked as assistant to the holy father John and enjoyed this position of communication between John and the rest of the community.
As he progressed in the spiritual life, Dorotheos was given spiritual charge over younger monks to which he was hesitant to accept as he struggled with interactions with others. Despite his reservations, Dorotheos took charge over a young man named Dositheos and taught him the monastic life, a relationship which proved to be difficult but beneficial for both. When John died, Dorotheos left the monastery of Thawatha and founded his own monastery where he took charge of many young monks, training them in the spiritual art.
August 13
Tikhon of Zadonsk
Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk was born in 1724 into a very poor family of the Novgorod province, and was named Timothy in holy Baptism. In his youth he was sent to seminary in Novgorod where he received a good education and later taught Greek and other subjects. Having received the monastic tonsure with the name Tikhon, in the same year he was ordained deacon and priest, and appointed two years later as rector of the Seminary in Tver. In 1761 he was consecrated Bishop of Kexholm and Ladoga, and in 1763 nominated Bishop of Voronezh, a difficult diocese to administer because of its large size and transient population, which included many schismatics. Feeling the burden of the episcopacy to be beyond his strength, the Saint resigned in 1767, retiring first to the Monastery of Tolshevo, and later to the monastery at Zadonsk, where he remained until his blessed repose. In retirement, he devoted all his time to fervent prayer and the writing of books. His treasury of books earned him the title of "the Russian Chrysostom", whose writings he employed extensively; simple in style, replete with quotes from the Holy Scriptures, they treat mostly of the duties of Christians, with many parables taken from daily life. In them the Christian is taught how to oppose the passions and cultivate the virtues. A large collection of the Saint's letters are included in his works, and these give a wealth of spiritual guidance directed both to the laity and monastics. Saint Tikhon reposed in peace in 1783, at the age of fifty-nine. Over sixty years later, in 1845, when a new church was built in Zadonsk in place of the church where he was buried, it was necessary to remove his body. Although interred in a damp place, his relics were found to be whole and incorrupt; even his vestments were untouched by decay. Many miracles were worked by Saint Tikhon after his death, and some three hundred thousand pilgrims attended his glorification on August 13, 1863. He is one of the most beloved Russian Saints, and is invoked particularly for the protection and upbringing of children.
August 14
11th Monday after Pentecost
August 14
Forefeast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary
August 14
The Holy Prophet Michaias (Micah)
This Prophet (whose name means "who is like God?"), was a Morasthite from the land of Judah. He prophesied more than fifty years in the days of Joatham, Ahaz, and Hezekias, Kings of Judah. These kings reigned in the eighth century before Christ. From this it is clear that this Michaias is not the one who was the son of Iembla (or Imlah-III Kings 22:8), who censured Ahab and was murdered by Ahab's son Joram, as the Synaxaristes says; for this Joram reigned the ninth century before Christ. Yet Michaias was still prophesying, as mentioned above, in the days of Hezekias, who was a contemporary of Hosea and Esaias, and of Hoshea, the last King of the ten tribes of Israel, when that kingdom was destroyed by Salmanasar (Shalmaneser), King of the Assyrians (IV Kings 17: 1 - 16; 18: 1). This Michaias is sixth in rank among the minor Prophets. His book of prophecy is divided into seven chapters; he prophesied that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem (Michaias 5: 2). In the reign of Saint Theodosius the Great, the holy relics of the Prophets Michaias and Abbacum were found through a divine revelation to Zebennus, Bishop of Eleutheropolis (Sozomen, Eccl. Hist., Book VII, 29).
August 14
Holy Hieromartyr Marcellus, Bishop of Apameia
August 15
The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary
Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously. Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy spirit into the hands of her Son and God.
With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that God-receiving body and brought it to the sepulchre, while the Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow. But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens.
These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God (see Oct. 3 and 4).
This Week at St. Nicholas
Creed: English
Choir Directors: Dr. Jon Wardner, Teresa Stokes
Psaltis:
Zannis Res, Protopsaltis, George Smyrnis, Dani Nadra, Sophia Grias-Radwanski, John Kolias, Elias Karageorge, Sr. Martha, Ioana Ciuta Nadra
Prosforo:
Panagioti Apostolou
Trisagion:
Michael Papadopoulos - 31 years (son of Helen Batianis)
Fellowship Hour:
Parish Council
Usher Group: B
This Week at St. Nicholas
Tuesday, August 15
9:00 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy/Dormition of the Theotokos
Parish News & Events
Vacation: Fr. Nick is out of town and will return to the office on Monday, August 28. Please call the office if there’s an emergency.
Rides to Church: If you, or anyone you know, needs a ride to church, please call the office. We will either send a fellow parishioner to pick you up, or call a cab for you. Also, St. Nicholas is compiling a list of individuals who would be interested in picking up fellow parishioners who do not have a ride to church. If you are interested in helping us in this very important ministry, please call the office. It is our hope that everyone who wants to come to St. Nicholas will be able, whether they can drive or not.
Benevolence: Hunger is all around us, even here in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County. Many times, we are asked to distribute food and toiletries to families who are hungry and in need. Please consider bringing non perishable food items and toiletries and leaving them on the shelf in the exo-narthex. Thank you and God Bless You.
Iconography Phase III – Dome: Funding for Phase III – Dome is 91.5% completed. As the funding balance comes to a conclusion, all are invited and encouraged to consider making a contribution within one’s means towards the Icon of Christ Pantocrator, the Almighty. Forms are available at the Church office or on the Church web-site, or at the iconography information table in the Social Hall with updated displays.
Stewardship: The Parish Council is seeking volunteers to help our Parish improve our Stewardship program. Please join the Stewardship Committee meetings which have been scheduled on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm in the conference room. Our next meeting will be held Wednesday, September 6 at 7:00 pm. Everybody is welcome to join this committee. Your time and talents are valuable to our Saint Nicholas Church. For any questions, please contact George Kokales or Christos Philippou.
St. Nicholas Bookstore: The bookstore recommends an icon of St, Modestus of Jerusalem, the protector of domesticated animals. We also have ordered a limited number of church planners. Please visit us if you are interested in placing an order.
Survivors of Suicide and Loss Grief workshop: Presvytera Julie Honeycutt, LPC led a workshop recently on how to talk about suicide, how to support one another, how to talk to children, how to heal and what to expect in the months to come. Copies of her presentation are available on the table in the hallway.
Prosforo needed September 3, 10, 24. Fellowship Hour sponsors needed August 20 and September 3, 17, 24. Please call the office if you are interested.
Philoptochos: IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities):
Philoptochos thanks all the generous people who made donations at our International Coffee Fellowship Hour recently. Many of you were not able to attend and to those people we remind that everyone’s donations are essential for the success of this Pan Orthodox humanitarian effort. We welcome your donations through August. For every $1 you contribute, it is matched by $7 from other sources. Your generosity will go a long way. If you would like to donate, or have questions. please contact Clevie Daniels (734) 528-9092. Thank you for your continued support.
Philoptochos: Please save the date for the Sts. Constantine and Helen/Westland Philoptochos Fashion Show and Luncheon to be held on Saturday, September 23. The cost is $30/person. Vangie Kolokithas will provide more information soon.
Habitat for Humanity is in its’ 7th year of participation, and you have helped to renovate many homes to date. If you were unable to support our Ice Cream Social and Fireworks fundraiser, it’s not too late. A poster is on display in the hallway. We hope you will consider supporting this worthy project. Our next build date for Habitat for Humanity is Sat., Aug. 26, beginning at 9:00 am. Please contact Robert Ashley at rashley200478@gmail.com if you would like to sign up.
Festival Food: We have in our freezer the following leftover over food from the festival. Tiropita ($25/tray) and pastitsio ($75/tray). If you are interested in purchasing, please call the Church office during regular business hours of Monday – Friday, 9am-3pm. Thank you.
Fellowship Hours: During the next few months while the iconography is being installed, fellowship hours will be held in the hallway. Please be mindful of the carpeting and take extra care with your coffee and refreshments. Thank you for your patience.
As you know, the Parish Council has traditionally been responsible for hosting the coffee hour if no one has volunteered. Since we have had a decline of volunteers, please consider hosting a fellowship hour. Please contact the Church office and offer your assistance. Remember, the fellowship hours do not have to be elaborate. Coffee and donuts are fine. Thank you, the Parish Council.
Assumption of the Theotokos: Great Vespers for the feast of the Assumption of the Theotokos will be held tomorrow, Monday, Aug.14 at 7:00 pm at the Assumption Church in St. Clair Shores and at 6:00 pm at the Assumption Church in Grand Blanc. We will celebrate the feastday of the Dormition of the Theotokos at St. Nicholas this Tuesday, beginning with Orthros at 9:00 am.
Consider Joining Our Saint Nicholas Ushers Group! We are searching for parishioners who are looking for a way to be come more involved at Saint Nicholas. We have four usher groups who rotate serving one Sunday every four weeks. If you are interested, please contact the Church office or Chris Bekiares at bigmich@yahoo.com
Flowers: If you are interested in purchasing flowers to decorate the icons for any upcoming feastday, please contact Lambrini Lagos or the Church office.
A Taste of Greece: Nativity of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Plymouth, MI will host their 13th Annual Cultural Festival August 25—27. Come and enjoy Greek food and pastries, music and dancing. For more information, please visit our bulletin board.
Donor Match: Kosta Flevaris, cousin to Faye Sekaros, Kay Foster and Nick Roopas, has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and is in urgent need of a stem cell transplant. The best chance for a match is through the Greek community. If anyone is interested in being tested, a cheek swab can be sent to you to be mailed back, and the testing done at no cost. For more information, please contact Be The Match at bekostasmatch@gmail.com.
Lost and Found: There are many items in our Lost and Found bin in the hallway. Many of these items have been left from the festival. Please take a moment and see if anything belongs to you.
Guidelines for receiving Holy Communion
GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION
For Orthodox Christians:
When preparing to receive Holy Communion, please remain quietly in your pews until an Usher directs you to approach from the center aisle. Your prayerful attention helps sustain the solemnity of the Divine Liturgy for those praying the “Prayers of Preparation” and following Holy Communion the “Prayers of Thanksgiving.”
For Non-Orthodox Christians:
We welcome to our worship those Christians not fully united with us (canonically). It is a consequence of the sad divisions of Christianity that we cannot extend a general invitation to receive Holy Communion. Orthodox Christians believe that the Eucharist is an action of the celebrating community signifying a oneness in faith, life, and worship. Reception of the Eucharist by Christians not fully united with us would imply a oneness which does not yet exist and for which we must all pray.
Welcome Visitors!
Welcome Visitors!
Please fill out the form on the notepads in the pews and put it in our collection tray so we may welcome you to our Parish. You are welcome to join us in the Social Hall for our Fellowship Hour following the Divine Liturgy. Please note, Holy Communion is reserved for prepared Orthodox Christians. Visitors are welcome to receive the Antidoro (Blessed Bread), which is distributed at the end of the Divine Liturgy.
Prayer List
Our Prayer List
Lord Jesus Christ, Physician of our Souls and Bodies, have mercy on, forgive, heal and save your servants: Toni Kovalcheck, Sophia Kappas, Evan Arhangelos, Katherine Sakaly Brown, Nick & Mary Prepouses, Christian, Katina Retakes, Natalie Arhangelos, Andriana Banos, Gus Fernimos, Kara Kontos, Andrew Green, Robert Coffin, Brian Brubaker, Judy Ickes, Rhonda Yates, Carl Tsangarides, Michael Foley, Lily Kunz, Deborah Cromer, Pat Vangelatos, Freda Hoeksema, Kristina Haywood, Evangelia Pantos, Paraskeve Kontos, Reid Smith, Kaylie, Tara Gravelyn, Ethan Geczi, Nicholas Fernimos, Lula Koutoulas, Pauline Koinis, Bill Walsh, Emilio Fallone, Ann, Lynette Kariotis, Menelaos Stamatelatos, Marianna Stamatelatos, Cindy Przybyla, Konstantina Koufos, Georgetta, Gregory Nezamis, Peggy Cutting, Eras Cochran, Bill and Marilyn Chandler, Rick Kettenstock, Arlene Finkbeiner, Elena Magda, Christopher Webber, Jr., Marteen Bryant, Jasmine Corbett, Monique Hargrove, Mary Corbett Bryant, Steve Korican, Janice Dendrinelis, Morgan Haywood, Joanna, Kathy Dyer, Boris Kuvshinoff, persecuted Christians in the Middle East and everywhere, Teddy Chrysostom, Pamela Rogers, Rosie, Debbie Smith, John, Luke, Kris and Patricia Ann Constas, Nolan, George Kaoud, Bob and Katerina Suserud, Paul Kooiman, Olga Tedrow, Terance Nicholas Constas, Jason and Val Blair, Dan Theodore, Sofia Tom, Maria Mihaela Tom, Mike and Betty and family, Julie and family, Mike Smolnik and family and friend, James Wines, Jessica Cox Fry, Sarah Owen, Steven Peterson, Nicki Ipsilantis, George. Geoff, Jeff, Paula Streck, Paraskevi Hoffman, Helen Vargo, Margaret Yates, Dr. Costas Kleanthous, Manny & Aubrey Kotsis, Niki Caris, Daphne Moraitis, Filonel, Elena, Andreea-Coralia, Ioan, Alexander Peter, Ana Maria, John Alex Pearsall, David Kohl, Rose Marie, Andreas Stathopoulos, Robert Fallon, Ted Mitchell, Joan Jackson, John and Arlene Maloney, Diamanos Nick, Tom, Rene Bush, Tess, John Chrysostom.
Office Hours and Appointments
Office hours and appointments
Please remember the following: during a Divine Liturgy, the office will be closed. It will reopen immediately following the service. Also, please make all appointments or scheduling of any activities through the secretary during regular office hours, Monday - Friday, 9:00 am 3:00 pm. Thank you very much for your cooperation. - Fr. Nick