Sundays:
9 am - Orthros
10 am - Divine Liturgy
Weekday Services:
Please check the Sacred Services schedule in the bulletin or call the Church office.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Fr. Seraphim Dedes
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Fr. Seraphim Dedes
This Saint, who was a contemporary of the Apostles, had Antioch as his homeland, where he was guided to the Faith of Christ by Peter, the Chief of the Apostles. Later, he came to Sicily, where he brought many to the Faith, and was finally put to death by the pagans.
The Forty-five Martyrs of Nikopolis contested during the reign of Licinius, in the year 315. After many torments, they were burnt alive.
After the Crucifixion of our Lord, His most precious robe was obtained by lot by a certain Elioz, a Georgian soldier who took part in the execution. He in turn brought it to Georgia where it remained until that land was overrun by the Persians. Shah Abbas, seeking to establish good relations with Tsar Michael Feodorovich, sent the Robe to Moscow as a gift for the Tsar and Patriarch Philaret. This took place in March of 1625, and was appointed to be celebrated on this day in July.
Saint Anthony, who was born in the province of Chernigov, was tonsured in the Monastery of Esphigmenou on the Holy Mountain, Athos, from whence he was sent by his abbot to Kiev to plant the monastic life in 1013, two years before the death of Saint Vladimir, Great Prince of Kiev. Dwelling at first as a hermit, the Saint gradually drew to himself others wishing to emulate his way of life. When the number of the brethren grew, a wooden church in honour of the Dormition of the Theotokos was built, thus laying the foundation of what was to become the renowned Kiev Caves Lavra. Refusing the abbotship, Saint Anthony entrusted this to his disciples, first to the blessed Barlaam, then to Saint Theodosius (See May 3), and his whole life struggled as a cave-dwelling hermit. He reposed in peace in 1073 at the age of ninety.
Saint Olga, renowned for her wisdom and sobriety, in her youth became the wife of Igor, Great Prince of Kiev, who ruled during the tenth century. After her husband's death, she herself ruled capably, and was finally moved to accept the Faith of Christ. She traveled to Constantinople to receive Holy Baptism. The Emperor, seeing her outward beauty and inward greatness, asked her to marry him. She said she could not do this before she was baptized; she furthermore asked him to be her Godfather at the font, which he agreed to do. After she was baptized (receiving the name of Helen), the Emperor repeated his proposal of marriage. She answered that now he was her father, through holy Baptism, and that not even among the heathen was it heard of a man marrying his daughter. Gracefully accepting to be outwitted by her, he sent her back to her land with priests and sacred texts and holy icons. Although her son Svyatoslav remained a pagan, she planted the seed of faith in her grandson Vladimir (see July 15). She reposed in peace in 969.
These Martyrs contested in Ancyra in 106, during the reign of the Emperor Trajan. Saint Proclus was seized as a Christian and, confessing his faith, was burned on his sides and belly, was hung upon a beam with heavy stones tied to his feet, and finally was taken away to be shot with arrows. As he was being led forth, his nephew Hilary encountered him and greeted him, and was himself seized. After his uncle had been slain with arrows, Hilary, because he would not deny Christ, was tormented, then beheaded.
It is believed that the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel was transferred to this day from March 26 so that it could be celebrated more festively than in the period of the Great Fast; and, in fact, all the miracles of the Archangel are celebrated on this feast day, which has been listed here in the church books since the ninth century.
According to some, the Saint Stephen celebrated today was a nephew of Saint John of Damascus, different from the one celebrated on October 28, who later also became a Bishop.
Saint Golindoux was a Persian, living in the reign of Chosroes II, King of Persia (590-628), and of Maurice, Emperor of New Rome (582-602). Moved by a divine revelation to become a Christian, she was betrayed to Chosroes by her husband and was cast into a dungeon called Oblivion for eighteen years, withstanding all attempts to make her deny Christ, and preserved by the grace of God. Set at liberty through the visitation of an Angel, she went to Jerusalem, and then to Constantinople, where she fell asleep in peace. She was called Mary in holy Baptism.
Saint Aquila, who was from Pontus of Asia Minor, was a Jew by race and a tent-maker by trade. In the year 52 he and his wife Priscilla were in Corinth when Saint Paul first came there. They gave him hospitality, and the Apostle remained with them for many days, himself working at the same trade as they (Acts 18:2-3). And having believed in Christ through Paul, they followed him from that time on, working together with him and suffering perils with him for the sake of the preaching of the Gospel, as he himself testifies concerning them in his Epistle to the Romans, saying: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the nations" (Rom. 16:3-4). When and where they reposed is unknown.
Saint Joseph was the brother of Saint Theodore the Studite (see Nov. 11). He also is called Studite, especially when he is mentioned together with his brother. According to Codinus, both of them composed the canons of the Triodion during the reign of Leo the Armenian, while in the Church of Saint Romanus (see Nov. 18); he is not to be confused with Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (Apr. 3). When Saint Joseph became Archbishop of Thessalonica, he was exiled thrice because of his godly zeal for the holy icons, suffering many hardships, imprisonments in dark dungeons, hunger, thirst, and every tribulation, in the midst of which he departed unto eternal life in 833.
Saint Julitta was from the city of Iconium. Fearing the persecution of Diocletian, she took her son Cyricus, who was three years old, and departed for Seleucia; but finding the same evil there, she went over to Tarsus in Cilicia, where the ruler arrested her. He took her son from her and tried with flatteries to draw the youth to himself. But the little one, in his childish voice, called on the Name of Christ and kicked the ruler in the belly so hard, that the tyrant became enraged and cast him down the steps of the tribunal. In this manner, the child's head was crushed, and he gave up the spirit. As for his blessed mother, she first endured many torments, and finally was beheaded in the year 296.
Grandson of Saint Olga, Saint Vladimir ascended the throne of Kiev in 980. Though a zealous idolater, he was illumined by the grace of God, accepted the Christian Faith, and completely changed his ways. He was baptized in Cherson in 988, receiving the name Basil; he came forth from the font not only healed of a blindness lately afflicting him, but also from being passionate and warlike, he became meek, peaceable, and exceedingly godly. Whereas his grandmother had refused marriage with the Emperor in Constantinople (see July 11), he married Anna, sister of the Emperors Basil and Constantine, and was accompanied home by priests from Constantinople. Diligently seeking to spread Christianity throughout his realm like a new Constantine, he destroyed the idols (having the chief diety Perun scourged and then cast into the Dnieper River), and summoned all his subjects to Holy Baptism. He reposed in peace in 1015.
Of the 5th Sunday of Matthew.
Of the Holy Hieromartyr Pankratios, Bishop of Tauromenia, and of our Righteous Fathers Dionysios the Rhetor and Metrophanes, who shone forth in asceticism on Mount Athos.
Of the Holy Hieromartyr Methodios, Bishop of Lampe.
Saturday, July 15
5:00 pm - Great Vespers/Confession
Saturday, July 22
5:00 pm - Great Vespers/Confession
Saturday, July 29
5:00 pm - Great Vespers/Confession
Saturday, August 5
5:00 pm - Great Vespers/Confession
Saturday, August 12
5:00 pm - Great Vespers/Confession
Monday, August 14
6:00 pm - Vespers AT ASSUMPTION (Grand Blanc)
Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35
At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
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 St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 10:1-10.
BRETHREN, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified. Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on the law shall live by it. But the righteousness based on faith says, Do not say in your heart, "Who will ascend into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down) or "Who will descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.
5th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1
At that time, when Jesus came to the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one would pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.
by Fr. Anthony Cook
Part 4 (first published 9-29-2013)
Following the conclusion of the Great Litany, we begin with what are called the Antiphons. The structure, content, and history of this portion of the Liturgy is complex and varied, and further is muddied by the variety of practice from parish to parish. To complete the difficulty of describing this portion of the Liturgy is the fact that many of our Faithful do not regularly experience this element of the service – and the additional fact that this is neither a new or even necessarily problematic reality. Therefore, we will approach the Antiphons as an onion, and work our way through the layers of their structure, experience, history, intent, and utility.
The normal experience of the Antiphons is one that most have heard: at the conclusion of the Great Litany, the Choir will chant "Ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, Σώτερ, σῶσον ἡμᾶς," which is in English, "Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us." This is the first Antiphon; when it has been sung three times, the priest then intones the Small Litany: "Ἔτι καὶ ἔτι...", or: "Again and again..." Then the Choir will sing "Σῶσον ἡμᾶς Υἱὲ Θεού, ὁ ἀναστάς ἐκ νεκρῶν, ψάλλοντας σοι Ἀλληλούϊα," or: "Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the dead, we sing to You Alleluia," and we follow this with the hymn "Ὁ Μονογεής Υἱός..." which is in English, "Only Begotten Son..." This is the second Antiphon, and when it has been completed, the Priest intones again the Small Litany. Following this, the Choir sings the hymn of the day, which on Sunday is usually the Resurrectional Apolytikion for that day, and on a feast day is the Apolytikion Hymn for the feast or the saint. This is the 3rd Antiphon, or rather, what remains of it; as it is sung, the Priest makes the Small Entrance from inside the Altar onto the Solea, carrying the Book of the Gospel.
This, then, is the basic form of the Antiphons. There are three of them, and the first two of the three actually consist of a repeated hymn: "Through the intercessions...", and "Save us, O Son of God."
Before we proceed, it is worthwhile to examine the term Antiphon itself, as the tradition and history of the Antiphons will make more sense if we approach them with a clear sense of this term's essential meaning. It is a Greek word, pulled whole into the English language: "Ἀντίφωνα", which derives from the verb: ἀντί - φωνέω, which means "to sound in answer, to respond, or to reply." This meaning indicates that we should expect to find, in the history of the Antiphons, not only a repetition of a short hymn, but that those short hymns likely began as a refrain or chorus in response to some other hymn, sung as a Responsive Hymn.
This is, in fact, precisely what we find, when we look at one of the earliest witnesses of ancient Christian worship, the letter of Pliny the Younger to the Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century. He affirms that Christians met for worship on the first day of the week before dawn, for prayers and hymns including, significantly, a "responsive hymn to Christ," after which they departed, presumably for their day's work, and then gathered again for a "meal" (that is, for the Eucharist, for Holy Communion). This responsive hymn would consist of a set of verses sung by a leader, with the refrain to Christ being sung by those gathered after each verse. Perhaps it was even the same hymn to Christ which we ourselves sing now: Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the dead; we sing to You, Alleluia.
Next week we will look at one of the earliest Christian sources, the Apology of St. Justin the Martyr and Philosopher, and then proceed to the 4th century and the worship of the Church in Constantinople.
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.
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.
Greek Fest Raffle Ticket Sponsor Needed
We need a sponsor for our raffle tickets for the September festival. A donation of $500 is needed. Please let Susan or Fr. Anthony know if you are interested. Thanks!
Mark Your Calendars!
This year's Greek Festival will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2017 (Noon-9:00 pm).
The Rule of Faith - Orthodox Study
Fr. Anthony prepares a weekly presentation on a catechetical topic, and posts an audio recording at theruleoffaith.typepad.com. You can comment there, call, email, or speak with him in person with comments or questions.
Coffee Servers - Urgent Need
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!
Memorial Coffee Hour & Light Luncheons
A friendly reminder to please schedule all Memorials with the Church office at least 2 weeks in advance. If you will have a memorial light luncheon, please contact the Grecian Center as soon as you have a date.
Philoptochos Sponsors
We continue to welcome you to become a Sponsor of any of the Philoptochos luncheons for the year. Please speak with Maria Kostaras or Julie Colovos if you would like to become a sponsor.
Literature Rack
Please take a moment and look over the information available to you.
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.
Email Info: stgeorgesouthgate@gmail.com
If you would like a copy of our weekly bulletin emailed to you, or to receive any other pertinent information from the Church, then please fill out the e-mail form at the literature rack, drop it off in the office, call or e-mail us.
FOCUS Summer Feeding Program
FOCUS Detroit isn't only active during the school year. Over the summer, the Summer Feeding Program will be preparing and serving 4,000 meals for undernourished chidren in Detroit. feeding Volunteer opportunities are weekdays for all ages in Midtown or West Detroit from 8am to 12:30pm. In addition, there is an evening volunteer opportunity for 18 and over volunteers in Inkster from 4-8pm. Sign-up for a shift, bring your family, or a group from your church or business or civic organization! Let's impact Detroit and feed kids in need. Visit the link below for more information.
http://focusnorthamerica.org/programs/summerfeeding/detroit/
Monday, July 10
6:00 pm - Greek Fest Meeting
Thursday, July 20
Noon - Seniors Luncheon
7:00 pm - Parish Council
Sunday, July 30
5:00 pm - GOYA Game Night
Wednesday, August 9
7:00 pm - Investment Oversight
Thursday, August 17
Noon - Seniors Luncheon
7:00 pm - Parish Council
Today: Memorial Luncheon, No servers needed
7/16: SERVERS NEEDED
7/23: SERVERS NEEDED
7/30: Genie Papaioannou, Servers Needed
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.
Serafim Callis - 1 year
Harry Golematis - 10 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.
A luncheon is offered by Kosta Callis & family. All are invited.