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Annunciation Church
Publish Date: 2021-04-04
Bulletin Contents
Parish Calendar
Sunday School Games
Parish News & Events
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
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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 4 to April 11, 2021

    Sunday, April 4

    9:00AM Matins Service (Orthros)

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy: Sunday of the Holy Cross

    11:30AM Outdoor Coffee Hour

    3:00PM Pastoral Visits

    Tuesday, April 6

    7:00PM Lenten Book Discussion on "Thinking Orthodox"

    Wednesday, April 7

    6:00PM Presanctified Liturgy

    Thursday, April 8

    3:30PM Pastoral Meeting

    Friday, April 9

    2:00PM Metropolis Zoom Clergy Meeting

    6:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos

    Sunday, April 11

    6 Month Memorial for Phyllis Afendulis

    9:00AM Matins Service (Orthros)

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

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Sunday School Games

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Parish News & Events

Outdoor Coffee Hour

With the improving weather conditions, the Church is planning to hold an outdoor coffee hour this Sunday, April 4th after Divine Liturgy.  Coffee and snacks will be offered outside on the Church patio. In addition, tables and chairs will be spread out in accordance with CDC guidelines. 


Limited Re-opening of Sunday School

We have been given permission by the Metropolitan to have a limited gathering of Sunday School for children who are in the 4th grade and under. The class will be led by Pres. Pavlina and the children will meet after Holy Communion until the end of Divine Liturgy.  The first gathering will take place this Sunday, April 4th in the Sunday School classroom. For parents who wish to have their children attend, we kindly ask that children wear a mask. Increased hygiene precautions will be practiced and sanitizer will be available. As the weather improves classes will be held outside on the church patio. 


Philoptochos Outreach Updates

  • Philoptochos has been continuing to support Moon Elementary as part of National’s Operation Classroom project. Recently another visit was made with items that individual teachers and office staff had requested. Thanks to this parish for their continued support of this mission. 
  • Thank you to all our parishioners who donated towards the Muskegon Rescue Mission Easter Dinner program. Through our generosity, we collected enough to sponsor 416 meals that will be served to those in need.

Lenten Service Schedule

  • Pre-sanctified Liturgies will be held every Wednesday during Lent @ 6 PM.
  • Salutations to the Theotokos Services will be held every Friday during Lent @ 6 PM.

All services will be live-streamed and the text for the services can be found on www.agesinitiatives.com.


Iconography Update

After a long delay due to Covid restrictions, the Church will be working on adding the donor inscriptions for icons that have been graciously donated by parishioners.  If you have donated an icon and would like to have an inscription added please see or email Fr. John. Even if you have already submitted this information in the past, please contact Fr. John to make sure that we have the correct information on file or if any changes need to be made to what we currently have.

Martha Roldan has graciously offered to inscribe all the text for the donated icons. Martha has extensive experience in this timeless art and her wonderful offering can be seen at the Holy Dormition Monastery where she has prayerfully added all the text that is seen on the icons at the Monastery. 

Examples of the format that we will follow:

  • Donated in loving memory of John Smith by the Jones Family
  • Donated by the Green Family

Live Streaming

The Orthros and Divine Liturgy for Sunday will be streamed live around  8:40 AM. To access the stream please click here.

If you would like to pray along, click on the links below for Sunday's service:

If you are experiencing technical issues or have questions about the live stream during a live Sunday service, John Wehmer is available for assistance and he can be reached at home (616-847-6409) or on his cell (616-502-4800).


Metropolis of Detroit Summer Camp

Camper Registration is now open. Weekly camper capacity has been reduced, so it’ll be important to register early! The camp registrar will maintain a waitlist should your preferred week fill up.


Lenten Book Discussion - Thinking Orthodox: Understanding and Acquiring the Orthodox Christian Mind

We will meet every Tuesday evening at 7 PM for our Lenten book discussion on Thinking Orthodox: Understanding and Acquiring the Orthodox Christian Mind.

To access the virtual meeting:

Meeting ID
meet.google.com/xgb-efvp-mbs
 
Phone Numbers
(‪US‬)‪+1 628-400-7981‬
PIN: ‪179 208 696#‬
 
Reading discussion schedule:
  • Tuesday, April 6:      Chapters 11 - 14
  • Tuesday, March 13:  Chapters 15 - End

Holy Week and Pascha

Saturday, April 24, Lazarus Saturday & making of Palm Crosses 

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

Sunday, April 25, 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 followed by a Philoptochos Luncheon.
  • 6:00 PM - The Bridegroom Service.

Monday, April 26, 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 27, 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 28, 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 - The Bridegroom Service.

Thursday, April 29, 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 30, 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, May 1, 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, May 2, 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.

  • 1:00 PM - 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.

Updated Guidelines

  • Anyone who is currently experiencing any symptoms of illness must stay at home.
  • Pews will be taped off to allow for distancing between individuals/families. Chairs will also be added around the walls of the Church.
  • Parishioners are required to wear masks.  It is recommended that parishioners bring their own masks. Mask will be provided at the candle stand for those who need one. Chanters and clergy are exempt from wearing masks since they are socially distanced. 
  • Please reverence icons by making the sign of the Cross and bowing instead of kissing them.
  • Parishes are not to have choirs until further notice.
  • There will be no liturgical books in the pews.
  • Parishioners are welcomed to receive andithiron after Holy Communion and at the dismissal of the Liturgy. Waxpaper will be provided.
  • Traditional trays/baskets will not be passed. A wooden donation box will be set up for parishioners who wish to make a Sunday offering as they exit the Church.
  • If you have any questions, please see a parish council member.
Holy Communion Guidelines
It is clearly understood that Holy Communion is the very Body and Blood of Christ which cannot be tainted by any harmful thing and that those who receive it with proper intent of mind and heart cannot be harmed by it. Clergy will follow the following guidelines so that the Holy Sacrament is safely administered:
  • Since there will be no Choir, we ask chantors to proceed for Holy Communion first followed by parishioners who be directed by a member of the parish council.
  • Please allow for at least 6 feet per parishioner. The center aisle of the Church will be marked with tape to help in keeping the appropriate distance between parishioners.
  • To receive communion, parishioners are asked to tilt their heads back so that the Holy Sacrament can be dropped into the mouth. It has been allowed that those receiving the Holy Eucharist can stay seated to make the above recommendations easier. 
  • Parishioners are asked not to touch or direct the communion cloth. An altar boy will hold the communion cloth under the chin.
  • Further instructions will be given in Church.

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Saints and Feasts

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April 04

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

Victorinus__victor__nicephorus__claudius__etc_(menologion_of_basil_ii)
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.

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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.

Tikhon-of-moscow
April 07

Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Enlightener of North America

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.

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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 Saint Paul'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).

Eupsyque
April 09

The Holy Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea

This holy Martyr was from the parts of Cappadocia, and lived a blameless life with his wife. During the reign of Julian the Apostate, this blessed one was filled with divine zeal and, with other Christians, destroyed the pagan temple dedicated to Fortune. Because of this he received the crown of martyrdom by beheading in the year 362.

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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.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.

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

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.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

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