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Annunciation Church
Publish Date: 2019-04-07
Bulletin Contents
Parish Calendar
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Parish News & Events
John-climacus
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Annunciation Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (231) 799-0185
  • Street Address:

  • 185 East Pontaluna Road

  • Muskegon, MI 49444

Contact Information

Fr. John Sakellariou


frjohn@orthodoxmuskegon.church | 716-730-1982

Fr. Basil Aden



Services Schedule

Orthros/Matins: Sunday, 9:00 AM
Divine Liturgy: Sunday, 10:00 AM

 

 

Past Bulletins


Parish Calendar

  • Parish Calendar

    April 7 to April 14, 2019

    Sunday, April 7

    Philoptochos Meeting

    9:00AM Matins Service (Orthros)

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy: Sunday of St. John Climacus

    Wednesday, April 10

    4:30PM Trisagion Prayer @ Cemetery

    6:00PM Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

    7:00PM Lenten Potluck Dinner

    Friday, April 12

    6:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos

    Sunday, April 14

    Assemble IOCC Hygiene Kits

    9:00AM Matins Service (Orthros)

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy: Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

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Saints and Feasts

John-climacus
April 07

Sunday of St. John Climacus

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.

7_april_calliopius_rufinus
April 07

Martyrs Calliopius and Akylina

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.

Tikhonofmoscow
April 07

Tikhon, Pat. of Moscow

Born in 1865 in the region of Pskov, our Father among the Saints Tikhon was tonsured a monk in 1891 and ordained to the priesthood in the same year. In 1897 he was consecrated Bishop of Lublin, and a year later appointed Bishop of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, with his see extending to all of North America from 1900 onwards. He did much to unite the Orthodox Christians of a great many ethnic backgrounds in North America, so that there was indeed one flock under one shepherd. In 1907 he was made Archbishop of Yaroslavl and Rostov, and in 1913, Archbishop of Lithuania.

In 1917, when he was Metropolitan of Moscow, he was elected to be the first Patriarch of Russia in over 200 years, in times that could not have been more difficult. After the Revolution of 1917, the persecution of the Russian Church by the atheist government grew more bold and more fierce with every year. By nature a meek and peace-loving man, Tikhon sought to determine, while giving only to God that which is God's, what could be given to Caesar to preserve peace and avoid the shedding of blood. At his departure on the feast of the Annunciation in 1925, Saint Tikhon made the sign of the Cross thrice, pronouncing the words, "Glory to Thee, O God!" Because of the many unspeakable sufferings he endures as Patriarch, he is honoured as a Confessor.

Note: St. Tikhon's repose was on the Feast of the Annunciation according to the Old Calendar (March 25), but on the New Calendar his repose falls on April 7.

0104seventyapostles
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).

Rp
April 09

Saints Raphael, Nicholas, Irene, and the Other Newly-revealed Martyrs of Lesbos

On the island of Mytilene (Lesbos in ancient times), near the village of Therme, the villagers had a custom of ascending a certain hill on this day to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the ruins of a small chapel, although no one knew whence the tradition sprang. In the year 1959, certain villagers began seeing persons who spoke to them, first in dreams, then awake, both by day and by night. Through these wondrous appearances, which were given to many people independently, the holy Martyrs Raphael, Archimandrite of the ancient monastery, and Nicholas, his deacon, together with other Saints who had been martyred on the island, told the villagers the whole account of their martyrdom, which had taken place at the hands of the Moslem Turks ten years after the fall of Constantinople, in 1463. The twelve-year-old Irene had been tortured, then burned alive in a large earthenware jar in the presence of her parents. On Tuesday of Renewal Week, Saint Raphael had been tied to a tree and his head sawn off through his jaws; Saint Nicholas had died at the sight of this. Although the feast is celebrated today because it is the day of their martyrdom, through the appearances of the Saints as living persons five hundred years after their martyrdom, it is also a singular testimony to the Resurrection of Christ.

0410terence.n.co
April 10

Terence and his Companions beheaded at Carthage

These Saints were from Africa, and they all contested during the reign of Decius, in 251. After many torments, they were beheaded at the command of Fortunatus the Governor.

Rousanu19
April 11

Antipas, Bishop of Pergamum

Saint Antipas was a contemporary of the holy Apostles, by whom he was made Bishop of Pergamum. He contested during the reign of Domitian, when he was cast, as it is said, into a bronze bull that had been heated exceedingly. The Evangelist John writes of him in the Book of Revelation, and says (as it were from the mouth of Christ, Who says to the Angel [that is, the Bishop] of the Church of Pergamum): "I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is; and thou holdest fast My Name, and hast not denied My Faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth" (Rev. 2:13). The faithful pray to this Saint for ailments of the teeth.

12_04_agios_vasileios_o_omologitis_episkopos_pariou
April 12

Basil the Confessor, Bishop of Parium

This Saint lived during the time of the Iconoclasts, and because of his exceptional and virtuous life became Bishop of Parium. He suffered many hardships, afflictions, and persecutions from the heretics his whole life long, and finally reposed in peace.

St_martin_first_pope_of_rome
April 13

Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome

Saint Martin was born in Tuscany. He had been the papal delegate at Constantinople; upon the death of Pope Theodore, Saint Martin was elected his successor. At this time the Emperor Constans II, also known as Constantine Pogonatus (reigned 641-668), was seeking support of his confession of faith called the Typos, which espoused the Monothelite heresy, that is, that there is only one will and energy in the Incarnate Son of God. But the newly-consecrated Pope not only did not accept the Typos, but convened the Lateran Council of 649 (attended by 105 of his bishops, and Saint Maximus the Confessor, who was then in Rome), which anathematized the Typos and the Monothelite heresy. Because of this Saint Martin was seized by an imperial force in 653 and brought to Constantinople, where he was charged with sending money to the Saracens and conspiring with them, and blaspheming against the most holy Mother of God. Though innocent of these accusations, he was exiled to Cherson on the Black Sea, where, after many sufferings and privations, he received the crown of his courageous confession in the year 655.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion of Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O John our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."

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 St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20.

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from Mark 9:17-31

At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

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Parish News & Events

Thank You!

  • Thank you to all the parishioners who helped serve breakfast to the needy at the First Congregational Church in Muskegon.
  • Thank you for all the parishioners who helped with the outdoor Church cleaning and lawn care. 

Lenten Service Schedule

  • The last Pre-Sanctified Liturgy will be held on Wednesday, April 10th @ 6 PM with a Lenten Potluck Dinner to follow. 
  • The last Salutations to the Theotokos service will be held Friday, April 12th @ 6 PM.

Epitaphos/Holy Week Flower Donations

As we continue our journey through Great Lent to Holy Week and Pascha, we prepare to celebrate the glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (April 28th). An important part of Great Lent is the need for flowers and other items at the many services conducted in Church. Offerings can be dropped off in the donation basket near the candle stand. Donations can also be made online:

  1. Visit the church website at www.orthodoxmuskegon.church.
  2. Click on the “Support our Ministries” button which is located on the right side of the homepage.
  3. If you already have a PayPal account, simply log in and follow the steps to make a donation. If you do not have a PayPal account, follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile. A donation can also be given without a PayPal account by clicking on "Donate with a Debit or Credit Card".
  4. Once you are ready to make a donation, simply enter the amount and please specify that your donation is for Easter Flowers by clicking on "Add special instructions to the seller".

Do You Know a Foreign Language? – Agape Vespers

Agape Vespers (also called Vespers of Love) is a Vespers service that continues the celebration of Pascha, held on April 28th @ 11 AM on the day of Pascha. At this service, the Gospel reading (John 20:19-25) depicts the first appearance of the risen Lord to his disciples and is recited in many languages symbolizing that the glorious resurrection of Christ is proclaimed to all the nations of the world. If you are interested in reading the Gospel in a specific language, please contact Fr.  John.


Holy Week and Pascha

Saturday, April 20, Lazarus Saturday & making of Palm Crosses 

  • 9:00 AM - Orthros  & 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy

Sunday, April 21, Palm Sunday Morning & Evening - On this day, Palm Sunday, we celebrate the bright and glorious Feast of the Entrance of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.

  • 9:00 AM - Orthros  & 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy and Blessing of the Palms.
  • 6:00 PM - The Bridegroom Service.

Monday, April 22, Holy and Great Monday - On this day we commemorate the blessed Joseph the All-comely and the withering of the fig tree by the Lord.

  • 6:00 PM - The Bridegroom Service.

Tuesday, April 23, Holy and Great Tuesday - On this day we commemorate the parable of the tenvirgins , because the Lord related this parable to His disciples as He was going toward Jerusalem to His holy Passion.

  • 6:00 PM - The Bridegroom Service.

Wednesday, April 24, Holy and Great Wednesday - On this day the divine Fathers ordained a commemoration to be kept of the woman who was a harlot and anointed the Lord with precious ointment, inasmuch as this took place a short time before the saving Passion.

  • 6:00 PM - Holy Unction.  

Thursday, April 25, Holy and Great Thursday - On this day, according to the order which our holy Fathers inherited from the Holy Apostles and the Holy Gospels, we celebrate four events: the washing of the feet of the Disciples; the Last Supper which is the institution of the Holy Mystery of the Eucharist; the Lord’s Agony in the Garden; and His Betrayal.

  • 6:00 PM - The Holy Passion (The Reading of the Twelve Gospels).

Friday, April 26, Holy and Great Friday - On this day we celebrate the dread, holy and saving Passion of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ: the spitting, the blows with the hand, the buffetings, the mockery, the reviling, the wearing of the purple robe, the reed, the sponge, the vinegar, the nailing, the lance, and above all, the Crucifixion and Death which He condescended to endure willingly for our sake—and also the confession unto salvation of the good Thief.

  • 10:00 AM - The Royal Hours.
  • 12:00 PM - Decoration of the Epitapho.
  • 3:00 PM   - The Descent from the Cross.
  • 6:00 PM  -  The Lamentations.

 Saturday, April 27, Holy and Great Saturday - On this day we celebrate the burial of the divine Body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His descent into Hades, through which mankind was recalled from corruption to be lifted up again to eternal life.

  • 10:00 AM -  Vesperal Divine Liturgy (The First Proclamation of the Resurrection).
  • 11:00 PM -  Resurrection/Paschal Service & Meal following the service

Sunday, April 28, Great and Holy Pascha -  On this day we celebrate the Life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, which is called Pascha, which translated from the Hebrew means Passover.

  • 11:00 AM - Agape Vespers followed by Pascha luncheon & Egg Hunt. All kids are invited to participate in the Easter egg hunt following the Agape Service. Kids who want to participate should bring a basket.

Items Needed for the IOCC Hygiene Kits

We are in need of the following items for the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) Hygiene Kits:
• hand towels
• washcloths
• combs
• nail clippers
• bars of soap (bath size)
• toothbrushes -individually wrapped
• Band-Aids 

Monetary donations can also be given to Kristi Karis. The Church is now accepting these items and they can be dropped off in the grey basket located in Narthex of the Church (pew near the candle stand) until Sunday, April 7th which will be the last day to bring items for Ithe health kits.  We will assemble the kits on Palm Sunday during and after Sunday School on April 21st.


Metropolis of Detroit Summer Camp

 Register before May 1st and save $25.00!

Program for Young Adults (Entering Senior Year or College):
Week Zero: June 23 – June 29, 2019
Click here to learn more about the Week Zero Camp Program. 

Programs for Youth Entering Grades 3-11:
Week 1: June 30 – July 6, 2019
Week 2: July 7 – July 13, 2019
Week 3: July 14 – July 20, 2019
Week 4: July 21 – July 27, 2019
Week 5: July 28 – August 3, 2019


Florence G. Stefanou Philoptochos Scholarship

This scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the Stefanou family. Florence Stefanou was a devoted Philoptochos member serving at all levels, her local chapter, the Metropolis Board and the National Board. Together with the family, we offer this scholarship to an outstanding male or female wishing to further their education. The scholarship to be awarded will be for $1,000. Applications can be obtained on the Philoptochos Page of the Metropolis of Detroit website. The deadline for submission is April 30th. The winner will be announced in June 2019 and will be awarded at the Metropolis Conference in September 2019.


Iconography Committee

We would like to thank the following parishioners who have pledged/donated towards the continued beautification of our Church!

  1. Angel Raphael: The Anton Family
  2. Saint Nectarios of Aegina: Georgia Baker 
  3. Great Martyr Irene: Ted & Fran Anton
  4. Saint Catherine of Alexandria: Karen & Barry Eifert
  5. Saint Photini: Micheil Family & James Afendulis
  6. Saint Demetrios: John Bati
  7. Saint George: Gust (Deno) & Mary Danigelis
  8. Saint Procopius of Scythopolis: Gust (Deno) & Mary Danigelis
  9. Theotokos: George Maniates
  10. Prophet Zachariah: Fr. John, Pres. Pavlina, George Sakellariou & Alan Spivak
  11. Saint Helen: Laura & John Wright
  12. Myrrh-bearer and Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene: Clark Family
  13. Saint Sophia & her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love: Maria Soeder
  14. Dormition Scene: Fr. Basil & Pres. Sandra
  15. Holy Transfiguration Scene: Christine Encelewski

Inclement Weather Notifications

In the event of inclement weather, an email notification will be sent out for any cancellations or time changes. You can also check for weather notifications on:


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