Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Plagal Fourth Mode

In you, O Mother, is preserved undistorted what was made in the image of God; for taking up the cross, you followed Christ and by example taught, that we should overlook the flesh, since it passes away, and instead look after the soul, since it is immortal. And therefore, O devout Mary, your spirit rejoices with the angels.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians unshamable, mediation with the Creator immovable, we sinners beg you, do not despise the voices of our prayers, but anticipate, since you are good, and swiftly come unto our aid as we cry out to you with faith: Hurry to intercession, and hasten to supplication, O Theotokos who defend now and ever those who honor you.

Saints and Feasts

April 02

Titus the Wonderworker

Little is known of this Saint except that he took up the monastic life from his youth, became the abbot of a monastery, and reposed in peace.

April 02

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed.

April 03

Nicetas, Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium

Saint Nicetas lived in the eighth century and became the Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium, which was near the city of Triglia on the Sea of Marmara. For his Orthodox confession of the veneration of the holy icons, he was persecuted and exiled twice by the Iconoclast Emperor Leo the Armenian, but recalled by Michael the Stutterer, and reposed, adorned with the twofold crown of holiness and of confession of the Orthodox Faith, about the year 824.

April 03

Joseph the Hymnographer

Saint Joseph was from Sicily, the son of Plotinus and Agatha. Because Sicily had been subjugated by the Moslems, he departed thence and, passing from place to place, came with Saint Gregory of Decapolis (see NOV. 20) to Constantinople, where he endured bitter afflictions because of his pious zeal. Travelling to Rome, he was captured by Arab pirates and taken to Crete, whence he later returned to Constantinople. He became an excellent hymnographer and reposed in holiness shortly after 886 (according to some, it was in 883). The melismatic canons of the Menaion are primarily the work of this Joseph; they bear his name in the acrostic of the Ninth Ode. He also composed most of the sacred book known as the Paracletike, which complements the Octoechos For this reason, Joseph is called par excellence the Hymnographer.

April 05

Monk-Martyrs Claudius, Diodore, Victor, Victorinus, and those with them

Of these Martyrs, Saint Claudius died when his arms and legs were severed; Saint Diodore was burned alive; Saints Victor, Victorinus, and Nicephorus were crushed to death by a large boulder; Saint Serapion was burned alive; Saint Pappias was cast into the sea. According to some accounts, they contested in Corinth under Decius in 251; according to others, in Diospolis in Egypt under Numerian in 284.

April 06

Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople

Born in Theia Kome of Phrygia, Eutychius was the son of illustrious parents, from whom he received a pious upbringing. He studied in Constantinople, and became a monk in a certain monastery of Amasia. In 552 he was chosen Patriarch of New Rome, but was exiled in 565 as a result of the machinations of the Origenists. In 577 he was restored to his throne and reposed on April 6, 582.

April 07

Calliopus and Akylina the Martyrs

The holy Martyr Calliopius was from Perga in Pamphylia, brought up in piety by his godly mother Theocleia. When the persecution of Maximian broke out, Saint Calliopius presented himself of his own accord before the Governor Maximus in Pompeiopolis of Galatia. After he had suffered many torments, his mother visited him in prison and encouraged him in his martyrdom. After this, his thrice-blessed mother, upon learning that he was to be crucified on Holy and Great Thursday, bribed the tyrants to defer it one day, that he might imitate the Lord's Crucifixion on the same day that He suffered it. The holy Martyr Calliopius received the crown of martyrdom on Holy and Great Friday in the year 304, being crucified upside down.

April 08

Lazarus Saturday

Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, the friends of the Lord Jesus, had given Him hospitality and served Him many times (Luke 10:38-4z; John 12:2-3). They were from Bethany, a village of Judea. This village is situated in the eastern parts by the foothills of the Mount of Olives, about two Roman miles from Jerusalem. When Lazarus - whose name is a Hellenized form of "Eleazar," which means "God has helped," became ill some days before the saving Passion, his sisters had this report taken to our Saviour, Who was then in Galilee. Nonetheless, He tarried yet two more days until Lazarus died; then He said to His disciples, "Let us go into Judea that I might awake My friend who sleepeth." By this, of course, He meant the deep sleep of death. On arriving at Bethany, He consoled the sisters of Lazarus, who was already four days dead. Jesus groaned in spirit and was troubled at the death of His beloved friend. He asked, "Where have ye laid his body?" and He wept over him. When He drew nigh to the tomb, He commanded that they remove the stone, and He lifted up His eyes, and giving thanks to God the Father, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." And he that had been dead four days came forth immediately, bound hand and foot with the grave clothes, and Jesus said to those standing there, "Loose him, and let him go." This is the supernatural wonder wrought by the Saviour that we celebrate on this day.

According to an ancient tradition, it is said that Lazarus was thirty years old when the Lord raised him; then he lived another thirty years on Cyprus and there reposed in the Lord. It is furthermore related that after he was raised from the dead, he never laughed till the end of his life, but that once only, when he saw someone stealing a clay vessel, he smiled and said, "Clay stealing clay." His grave is situated in the city of Kition, having the inscription: "Lazarus the four days dead and friend of Christ." In 890 his sacred relics were transferred to Constantinople by Emperor Leo the Wise, at which time undoubtedly the Emperor composed his stichera for Vespers, "Wishing to behold the tomb of Lazarus . . ."

April 08

The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermes

The Apostle Herodion, whom Saint Paul mentions in his Epistle to the Romans (16:11) and calls his "kinsman," was ordained presbyter and then Bishop of New Patras, where he was slain by Jews and pagans. Saint Agabus is mentioned in Acts 21:10-11, where he prophesied SaintPaul's arrest in Jerusalem at the hands of the Jewish leaders. In Acts 11:27-28 it is mentioned also that this Saint foretold the great famine that would come to pass in the time of Claudius Caesar. Having preached the Gospel throughout various regions, he departed to the Lord. The Apostle Rufus became Bishop of Thebes in Greece. The Apostles Asyncritus and Phlegon preached Christ in many places, suffered many afflictions at the hands of the pagans and Jews, and departed unto the Lord. The Apostle Hermes is mentioned with them in the Epistle to the Romans (16:13-14).

Ecclesiastical Feast

Of the 5th Sunday of the Fast, on which we make commemoration of our Righteous Mother Mary of Egypt.

Of our Righteous Father Titus the Wonderworker.

Upcoming Church Services

Wednesday, April 5

6:00 pm - Presanctified Liturgy

Lenten Potluck to follow

Saturday, April 8

9 & 10 am - Orthros/Liturgy

5:00 pm - Great Vespers/Confession

Sunday, April 9 Palm Sunday

6:00 pm - Bridegroom Orthros

Monday, April 10

6:00 pm - Bridegroom Orthros

Tuesday, April 11

6:00 pm - Bridegroom Orthros

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14.

BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45

At that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Wisdom of the Fathers

"The first step toward freedom from anger is to keep the lips silent when the heart is stirred; the next, to keep the thoughts silent when the soul is stirred; the last, to be totally calm when unclean winds are blowing."

St. John Climacus

Digging Deeper into the Divine Liturgy

No Update this week.

Shut-ins and Hospital Visitation

I am available for hospital visitations, but hospitals don't give out patient information any more. Please call me, or have someone in your family call me, and I will be happy to come visit you.

Announcements

From Fr. Anthony - Office Hours

I do my best to be available in the office Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday from 12-4. However, I'm often called away to a hospital, Deaconess, the Grecian Center, or the park, or am with another appointment, so it's best to call and let me know you're coming. I'm also happy to meet you at other times if you can't make it during those hours. Please call me.

Church Etiquette

We ask that the doors of the Narthex be closed and no one enters the Church during the following portions of the service:

Epistle, Gospel, Sermon, Great Entrance, Creed, Consecration, and Lord's Prayer.

Please be respectful of the prayer and attention of those who are in the Church as you enter.

When it is time for Holy Communion, please remain in your pews until the young people of the Sunday school have finished receiving Communion. When they are finished, the Parish Council will usher you forward by row.

Epistle Reader Today: Sophia Varkas, 4th Grade

Oratorical Festival - Last Sunday

Our Jr. Orators--Zoe Compos, Vasilios Dionyssopoulos, Sotira Gargasoulas, Anna Malonson, Dominik Motes, Alex Voltzikos--and our Sr. Orators--Lino Diamantis, Vasiliki Gargasoulas, Elyssa Moody, Nikolas Moody, Tia Moody, Christina Sirhan, Katerena Sirhan--lifted us to new spiritual heights. Zoe Compos and Elyssa Moody will represent our parish, Jr. and Sr. Divisions, respectively, at the District Level at Sts. Constantine & Helen, Westland, April 22. May God continue to bless these young people who in between their school and activities sacrificed and worked long and hard to research, endlessly re-write, and prepare these speeches. Please pray for their continued success. Deep and abiding thanks to the Oratorical Committee and Maria Makarounas, Festival Chair.

Palm Sunday Fish Dinner

You can make your reservations for our annual Palm Sunday Fish Dinner, no later than this Wednesday, April 5.

Palm Sunday Benefit Bake Sale

Last day to order: Please make your orders for the bake sale to benefit Holy Trinity G.O. Monastery today.

Lenten Breakfast/Palm Cross Preparation/Church Clean-up Day

This Saturday, following Divine Liturgy for the Raising of Lazarus, we will have a Lenten Breakfast. Following breakfast, we will prepare the bay leaves and Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday and Holy Week. We will also do any cleanup work that is needed. We invite all to attend and participate, but especially the GOYA and Sunday school students, with their parents.

Orthodox Missions Coin Boxes

Please drop off coin boxes to the Church office next Sunday.

Sunday School Holy Friday Retreat

We will have a retreat for the young people of the Sunday School from Noon until until 3:00 pm, on Holy Friday (April 14). We will begin with a lenten meal for all the young people and their parents, and then we'll have several sessions discussing the Lord's Passion and the themes of Holy Week. We will conclude in time to begin the service of the Unnailing at 3:00 pm, and invite all that can, to remain. If you need an excuse letter for your school to be absent that day, or any other day during Holy Week, please contact the Church office with the following information: your name and phone number, school name, contact person, and school address. Once the letter is ready, we will contact you to pick it up.

Magiritsa Meal & Festal Luncheon

We will have a Magiritsa Meal on Easter Sunday morning, April 16, following Divine Liturgy at approximately 1:45 am.

Following Great Vespers at 5:00 pm on Saturday, April 22, we will celebrate the Feastday of St. George with a reception.

Epitaphios Flowers

The Epitaphios flowers have been donated in loving memory of William & Kalliroy Carras and Ashimo Armelagos. Εἰς μνήμην τοῦ Βασιλίου καὶ Καλλιρόης Καραμπάτσου, καὶ Ἀσήμο Ἀρμελάγου.

Rose City Summer Camp

Information on Rose City Camp can be found at www.gomdsc.org. Camp Fee: $400. You pay $100 per child and the Parish will pay $300 for each camper. Please contact the Church office if participating.

Our Students' Feast Days

We wish our students celebrating their Feast Days this month 'Chronia Polla.' May God grant them many years. See the list on the display board in the school hallway!

FOCUS Detroit Bags of Food for Needy Schoolchildren

Volunteers and Donations Needed!

Please use the link below to get to the sign-up sheet for this monthly event. You will notice that you can now sign-up all the way through May if you’d like. Please remember to list how many from your family will be coming to help out. Our goal is to provide enough supplies for all 420 bags!

Please consider donating any of the following: Boxes of individual oatmeal packets - Cereal bowls or small individual cereal boxes - Fruit cups - Individual Cheez-Its or Goldfish bags - Mac and Cheese Cups - Chef Boyardee/spaghettios pop top cans or cups - Ramen Noodles - Fruit snacks (the kind with real fruit juice and added Vitamin C 100%) - Cereal bars or granola bars.

Please call Eleni Gikas at 313-300-4903 to let her know what you plan to donate, or if you prefer to make a cash donation. All donated items can be dropped off in the Activity Room. Our next meeting date will be Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 pm.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044facaa23a0f94-food1

Upcoming Events

Today

11:45 am - Philoptochos Meeting

12:15 pm - Teachers Meeting

5:00 pm - GOYA Game Night

Monday, April 3

6:30 pm - Choir Practice/Meeting

Tuesday, April 4

NO Greek School or Book Club

5:30 pm - Grecian Center

7:00 pm - Deaconess

8:00 pm - Executive

Saturday, April 8

11:30 am - Lenten Breakfast

Noon-4 pm - All Parish Clean Up Day

Coffee Servers

Today: Connie Dupuis, Julie Colovos

4/9: No Coffee, Palm Sunday Fish Dinner

4/16: No Coffee, Pascha

4/23: Servers Needed

Memorial Service

Demetrakis Demetriou - 40 days

Pete Kilaris - 1 year

Maria Kilaris - 3 years

May the Lord our God grant rest to their souls where the righteous repose, in a place where there is no pain, no sorrow, and no suffering, but rather everlasting life.

May their memory be eternal.

The coffee is offered by the Demetriou family.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

Saints and Feasts

Titus the Wonderworker

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

Nicetas, Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium

Joseph the Hymnographer

Monk-Martyrs Claudius, Diodore, Victor, Victorinus, and those with them

Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople

Calliopus and Akylina the Martyrs

Lazarus Saturday

The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermes

Ecclesiastical Feast

Upcoming Church Services

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Wisdom of the Fathers

Digging Deeper into the Divine Liturgy

Shut-ins and Hospital Visitation

Announcements

Upcoming Events

Coffee Servers

Memorial Service