Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. (twice)

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

The joyful news of the Your resurrection was proclaimed by the angel to the women disciples. Having thrown off the curse that fell on Adam, they ran elatedly to tell the apostles: Death has been vanquished; Christ our God is risen from the dead, blessing all the world with His great mercy.

Apolytikion for Mid-Pentecost in the Plagal Fourth Mode

O Lord, midway through the feast, give drink to my thirsty soul from the waters of true religion. For to all You the Savior cried aloud, Let whoever is thirsty come to Me and drink. As the fountain of life, O Christ our God, glory to You.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and You called out "Rejoice" to the Myrrh-bearing women, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection.

Saints and Feasts

May 14

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

One of the most ancient cities of the Promised Land was Shechem, also called Sikima, located at the foot of Mount Gerazim. There the Israelites had heard the blessings in the days of Moses and Jesus of Navi. Near to this town, Jacob, who had come from Mesopotamia in the nineteenth century before Christ, bought a piece of land where there was a well. This well, preserved even until the time of Christ, was known as Jacob's Well. Later, before he died in Egypt, he left that piece of land as a special inheritance to his son Joseph (Gen. 49:22). This town, before it was taken into possession by Samaria, was also the leading city of the kingdom of the ten tribes. In the time of the Romans it was called Neapolis, and at present Nablus. It was the first city in Canaan visited by the Patriarch Abraham. Here also, Jesus of Navi (Joshua) addressed the tribes of Israel for the last time. Almost three hundred years later, all Israel assembled there to make Roboam (Rehoboam) king.

When our Lord Jesus Christ, then, came at midday to this city, which is also called Sychar (John 4:5), He was wearied from the journey and the heat, and He sat down at this well. After a little while the Samaritan woman mentioned in today's Gospel passage came to draw water. As she conversed at some length with the Lord and heard from Him secret things concerning herself, she believed in Him; through her many other Samaritans also believed.

Concerning the Samaritans we know the following: In the year 721 before Christ, Salmanasar (Shalmaneser), King of the Assyrians, took the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel into captivity, and relocated all these people to Babylon and the land of the Medes. From there he gathered various nations and sent them to Samaria. These nations had been idolaters from before. Although they were later instructed in the Jewish faith and believed in the one God, they worshipped the idols also. Furthermore, they accepted only the Pentateuch of Moses, and rejected the other books of Holy Scripture. Nonetheless, they thought themselves to be descendants of Abraham and Jacob. Therefore, the pious Jews named these Judaizing and idolatrous peoples Samaritans, since they lived in Samaria, the former leading city of the Israelites, as well as in the other towns thereabout. The Jews rejected them as heathen and foreigners, and had no communion with them at all, as the Samaritan woman observed, "the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9). Therefore, the name Samaritan is used derisively many times in the Gospel narrations. After the Ascension of the Lord, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the woman of Samaria was baptized by the holy Apostles and became a great preacher and Martyr of Christ; she was called Photine, and her feast is kept on February 26.

May 14

Isidore the Martyr of Chios

This Saint was a soldier from Alexandria. He came with the Roman fleet to Chios, where he was betrayed as a Christian to Numerian, Commander of the Fleet. Because he boldly pro-fessed himself to worship Christ as God and refused to worship any other, he was tormented and beheaded in 251, during the reign of Decius.

May 15

Pachomius the Great

Saint Pachomius was born of pagan parents in the Upper Thebaid of Egypt. He was conscripted into the Roman army at an early age. While quartered with the other soldiers in the prison in Thebes, Pachomius was astonished at the kindness shown them by the local Christians, who relieved their distress by bringing them food and drink. Upon inquiring who they were, he believed in Christ and vowed that once delivered from the army, he would serve Him all the days of his life. Released from military service, about the year 313, he was baptized, and became a disciple of the hermit Palamon, under whose exacting guidance he increased in virtue and grace, and reached such a height of holiness that "because of the purity of his heart," says his biographer, "he was, as it were, seeing the invisible God as in a mirror." His renown spread far, and so many came to him to be his disciples that he founded nine monasteries in all, filled with many thousands of monks, to whom he gave a rule of life, which became the pattern for all communal monasticism after him. While Saint Anthony the Great is the father of hermits, Saint Pachomius is the founder of the cenobitic life in Egypt; because Pachomius had founded a way of monasticism accessible to so many, Anthony said that he "walks the way of the Apostles." Saint Pachomius fell asleep in the Lord before his contemporaries Anthony and Athanasius the Great, in the year 346. His name in Coptic, Pachom, means "eagle."

Ecclesiastical Feast

Of the 5th Sunday of Pascha (of the Samaritan Woman), in which we celebrate the Feast of the Samaritan Woman.

Of the Holy Martyr Isidore of Chios.

Of the Holy Hieromartyr Therapon.

Of the Holy New Martyrs Mark and John.

Of our Righteous Father Leontios, Patriarch of Jerusalem.

On this day, we keep the commemoration of all our Fathers among the Saints, the Archbishops and Patriarchs of Constantinople.

Upcoming Church Services

Saturday, May 20

5:00 pm - Great Vespers/Confession

Thursday, May 25

9 & 10 am - Orthros/Liturgy

Saturday, May 27

5:00 pm - Great Vespers/Confession

Saturday, June 3

9 & 10 am - Orthros/Liturgy

5:00 pm - Great Vespers

Saturday, June 10

5:00 pm - Great Vespers/Confession

Saturday, June 17

9 & 10 am - Orthros/Liturgy

5:00 pm - Great Vespers

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

At that time, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 11:19-30.

IN THOSE DAYS, those apostles who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabos stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea, and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
The Reading is from John 4:5-42

At that time, Jesus came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly." The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."

Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, "What do you wish?" or, "Why are you talking with her?" So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" They went out of the city and were coming to him.

Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him food?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony. "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard ourselves, and we know that this is indeed Christ the Savior of the world."

Wisdom of the Fathers

"Can you place your hope in the world? Whom has it not deceived? To whom has it not lied? It promises much, but gives very little. Only those who hope in the Lord, according to the words of the Prophet David, do not sin, i.e., they are not deceived in their hope!"

St. Anthony of Optina

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: Daphne Georvassilis, 8th Grade

Prayers for the Deceased on Memorial Day

On Monday, May 29, Fr. Anthony will visit the cemeteries as follows:

WOODMERE: 8 am

OUR LADY OF HOPE: 10:30 am

FERNDALE: 12:15 pm

MICHIGAN MEMORIAL PARK: 1 pm

If you would like to meet Father at a different cemetery, please contact him directly to make the arrangements.

June Picnic/Graduation Announcement

This year, the Sunday School graduation Sunday falls on the Sunday of Pentecost (June 4). As a result, we are making some adjustments to the normal festivities. We will complete the Sunday Liturgy, and the Kneeling Vespers, inside the Church, as normal. We will then go out to the Park, where a simpler picnic, with hamburgers, hot dogs, and some side dishes, will be prepared. We will then hold the graduation exercises in the pavilion while everyone eats and relaxes. Instead of charging for individual meal items, we will simply charge $5 for admission to the Park for the picnic. You can pay in advance and reserve your place by filling out the form on the table in the hallway, or call the Church office to make your reservations next week. If you wish to attend the graduation without eating, there will of course be no charge.

Coffee Servers - Urgent Needed

Please sign-up outside the Church office next to the bulletin board to help serve Coffee on Sunday mornings during Coffee Hour. We need at least 3 individuals each week. Thank you!

High School and College/University Graduates

Please submit to the Church office by Wednesday, May 24, the following: 1) name of school, 2) degree received or future plans, and 3) a graduation photo (photos will be returned). Thank you!

Lost & Found

You lost it, we found it. There are so many "lost" items in the coat room in the Church, they are overflowing. Please look through these items, and claim what it yours. THIS Tuesday, May 16, any items left over will be thrown out or donated to a charity. More items have been added since Easter!

YA'SSOO GREEK FESTIVALS

St. George, Bloomfield Hills, will hold its Festival Memorial Day weekend (May 26,27,28) and St. Nicholas, Ann Arbor, will hold its annual Festival June 9,10,11. See the flyers at the Literature Rack or posted outside the Church office. Fun for all!

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.

Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, June 4 - Sunday and Greek Schools, Graduates' Program, Picnic in the Park.

The Rule of Faith - Orthodox Study

Fr. Anthony is preparing a weekly presentation on a catechetical topic, and posting an audio recording at theruleoffaith.typepad.com. You can comment there, call, email, or speak with him in person with comments or questions.

Scholarship Information

Check out the Literature Rack for Scholarship information. Check back often as information comes in frequently!

Literature Rack

Please take a moment and look over the information available, including the latest copy of the Shepherd’s Staff.

Philoptochos Sponsors

We continue to welcome you to become a Sponsor of any of the Philoptochos luncheons for the year. Please speak with Julie Colovos if you would like to become a sponsor.

Our Website: stgeorgesouthgate.org

We have a live calendar, video and audio recordings of sermons, services, and other events, and an archive of the last two months' Sunday bulletin. You can also reserve and pay for your seat to any upcoming lunch or dinner that has been scheduled.

"Like" Us on Facebook!

Be sure to "like" the Church's facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgeGOCSouthgate/)! Events and happenings are posted here as well as on our website.

Greek Speaking Caregiver Needed

Angela Lefas is seeking a Greek speaking caregiver to help care for her 98 year old mother, Marika Lefas, in Marika's Allen Park home. If you are interested or know of someone who might be, please contact Angela directly at 586.945.4453. Thank you.

Library Coordinator

We need someone to organize, categorize, and upkeep our Church Library. This person needs to be efficient in reading Greek as well as English because we have books in both languages. If you are interested and are somewhat familiar with this type of task, please let Fr. Anthony or the office know. Thank you!

Cemetery Plots

The family of Angelo & Erasmia Mihalis has 2 cemetery plots available for sale at Our Lady of Hope. If you are interested, please contact Athena Gill at 850.556.1390.

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, MAY 24, at 7:00 pm.

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

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, May 16

5:30-7:30 pm - Greek School

5:30-7:30 pm - Book Club

Thursday, May 18

Noon - Seniors Luncheon

7:00 pm - Parish Council

Sunday, May 21

12:15 pm - Philoptochos Board Elections

Tuesday, May 23

5:30-7:30 pm - Greek School

5:30-7:30 pm - Book Club

7:00 pm - Deaconess

Wednesday, May 24

7:00-8:30 pm - FOCUS Detroit

Coffee Servers

Today: Philoptochos

5/21: No Coffee, Memorial Luncheon

5/28: Servers Needed

6/4: No Coffee, Parish Picnic in Park

Coffee Servers are needed!

Please sign up outside the Church office next to the bulletin board. We need 3 servers per week. Thank you for serving in this ministry.

Memorial Service

No Memorials today.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

Apolytikion for Mid-Pentecost in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Saints and Feasts

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Isidore the Martyr of Chios

Pachomius the Great

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