Come and Worship!

Just in case you don't know - Nativity is open for worship! Join us in person (masks and social distancing required) or watch online: Visit our livestream web page to see the services.

Upcoming Events

Friday, February 12, GOYA Outing to Plymouth Ice Festival - Join us on Friday February 12th at 6:00pm in Downtown Plymouth for the Plymouth Ice Festival. We will meet there and enjoy the beautiful displays . All are welcome for an evening of fun and fellowship. Masks Required . Bill hopes to see you there!

Sunday, February 14, Sunday of the Canaanite 8:45am Orthros & 10am Divine Liturgy (click here to view the Liturgy for the Day)

Tuesday, February 16, Zoom Bible Study at 11am Click the link below to join the meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9177749823?pwd=MUlWaHE2aXh5WCtCNmJHay90NDFjUT09

Meeting ID: 917 774 9823 Passcode: 023606

Wednesday, February 17, Paraklesis at 7pm Call or email the church office with your prayer requests.

Saturday, February 27 - Drive-Thru Lamb Dinner - Order envelopes available at church or print the attached file and mail it to the office with your payment. Click here to order online.

Lamb Dinner

News and Announcements

TO ALL MEMBERS WHO WORK WITH OUR YOUTH - Those who received their certification last year are due to once again complete the two online training courses. You should have recently received an email about this from our youth safety contractor, Praesidium Armatus.

***It has come to our attention that some of you may not have received an automated email from our youth safety contractor, Praesidium Armatus, with a link to the training videos. That's ok. You can access the training materials yourself at any time by going to this website: https://armatus2.praesidiuminc.com/armatusUser/login

The site will ask for your username and password. These are the same ones you used last year to complete the training.

Please log onto the website and complete these two training courses as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline of February 28. Only after your training is completed will you be a certified youth safety worker allowed to work with children in the parish. If you completed a background check last year, there is no need to complete one again this year.

If you did not receive your certification last year and would like to receive it now, please get in touch with me, Christina Tzilos. I can be reached via email at ctzilos@gmail.com or by telephone at 248-798-3627.

FAITH LIKE A MUSTARD SEED - Have you pondered how to pass Orthodox faith and heritage to your children, godchildren or grandchildren? Or, have you made observations about formal religious education and wondered if there is something that could more deeply connect children to their innate relationship with God? Beginning in March, Vicki Tarazi will be leading a Zoom Book study based on the book The Religious Potential of the Child: Experiencing Scripture and Liturgy with Young Children. Click here for the Introductory Video. Contact Vicki at bookstudy@nativitygochurch.org if you would like more information.

NATIVITY FOOD PANTRY - Specific needs: canned chicken, veggies and pasta sauce!

Canned soups, cereals, pasta/sauce, Mac and Cheese (the kind that doesn't require milk and butter), Toilet paper, Paper towels, soap.

If you need assistance feel free to reach out to Father Nick, the church office or Parish Council President, Pete Tsaprazis at any time. Your needs will be kept confidential.

Keep track of Feasts, Fasts, Saints and Celebrations in 2021- Pick up a new Ecclesiastical Calendar. Thanks to Charles R. Step Funeral Home for sponsoring them for Nativity.

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY Did you know that Fr. Nick offers a Zoom Bible study on Tuesdays at 11:00 am? He'd love to have you join the lively discussion. Click here to join the zoom session.

"THE THREE HIERARCHS" GREEK SCHOOL RESUMES CLASSES ONLINE - You may contact Anna Liakou-Hentnik for more specific information at nativity_greek_school@yahoo.com

ALTAR BOYS Please arrive no later than 9:45 am if you plan to serve. Masks are required, social distance must be maintained. Contact Bill Smith if you have any questions.

NEWS FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL Visit our web page to read about a potential property development near the church. Contact Kathy in the office if you need to have a letter printed out for you to mail.

Those in Our Prayers

Nicholas the Bishop, George the Priest, Philemon the Priest, Svetomir the Priest, Cassani the Presvytera, Adel Boles and Family, Mary Caracostas, Brandi Cauthen, Angeliki Dellas, Maria Dionyssopoulos, Constantin Dumitrescu, Kosta Efthimiou, Maria Espinosa, George Fine, Donna Hollis, John Houstoulakis, Gail Jaska, Kathy Jenaras, Maria Kalas, Helen Kaneris, Pat Karimalis, Ted Kithes, Constantine Kondyles, Panagiotis Korelis, George Kotsonis, Soula Koumariotis, Panayiota Koutoupa, Anastasia Kyriazako, Andrula Loisides, John and Julie Long, Anyssa Mahfoud, Wade Mahfoud, Anna Marcus, Bessie Marcus, Angela Mareskas, Frank Maroudis, David Meadors, Chris Milianis, Freda Mollasis, Evelyn Morris, Donka Nanovski, Pavle Nanovski, Alexander Nichoff, Carlo Nichoff, Freda Nicozisis, Marcy Papageorgakis, John Pappas, Marilyn Popyk, Penny Poulos, Maria Rifat, Helen Sitaras, Joan Stockdale, Evan Kostonas Stocklane, Mike Tjilos, Rick Tobin, Jim Tsakos, Evris and Helen Tsaprazis, John and Catherine Vardouniotis, Maryann Varverakis, Jim Vlahakis, Irene Vouharas, Sheri Wilkins, Irene Yiannati, Sandy Zembylas, Lisa Zervos, Hunsinger Family, Constandina “Michele”, Kyriakos “Chaz”, Stephanos “Roy”, Norma and Basom.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.

Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Auxentios of the Mountain in the First Mode

As a citizen of the desert and an angel incarnate * and a wonder-worker you shone forth, O Afxentios, our God-bearing father. * Since you received the spiritual gifts * by fasting and vigilance and prayer, * you can cure those who are ailing and heal the souls * of those who run to you with faith. * Glory to Him who gave His might to you; * glory to Him who placed a crown on you; * glory to Him who operates through you, providing cures to all.

Τής ερήμου πολίτης, καί εν σώματι Άγγελος, καί θαυματουργός ανεδείχθης, θεοφόρε Πατήρ ημών Αυξέντιε, νηστεία, αγρυπνία, προσευχή, ουράνια χαρίσματα λαβών, θεραπεύεις τούς νοσούντας, καί τάς ψυχάς τών πίστει προστρεχόντων σοι, Δόξα τώ δεδωκότι σοι ισχύν, δόξα τώ σέ στεφανώσαντι, δόξα τώ ενεργούντι διά σού πάσιν ιάματα.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that never falls, intercession with the Creator that never fails, we sinners beg you, do not ignore the voices of our prayers. O good Lady, we implore you, quickly come unto our aid, when we cry out to you with faith. Hurry to intercession, and hasten to supplication, O Theotokos who protect now and ever those who honor you.

Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1.

Brethren, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

Προκείμενον. Third Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 46.6,1.
Ψάλατε τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν, ψάλατε.
Στίχ. Πάντα τὰ ἔθνη κροτήσατε χεῖρας.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 6:16-18, 7:1.

Ἀδελφοί, ὑμεῖς ἐστε ναὸς Θεοῦ ζῶντος, καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ θεός ὅτι Ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω· καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι λαός. Διὸ, Ἐξέλθετε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει κύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε· κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς πατέρα, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ. Ταύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, ἀγαπητοί, καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος, ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ θεοῦ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Canaanite
The Reading is from Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Sunday of the Canaanite
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 15:21-28

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐξελθὼν ἐκεῖθεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη Τύρου καὶ Σιδῶνος. καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ Χαναναία ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων ἐκείνων ἐξελθοῦσα ἐκραύγαζεν αὐτῷ λέγουσα· ἐλέησόν με, Κύριε, υἱὲ Δαυΐδ· ἡ θυγάτηρ μου κακῶς δαιμονίζεται. ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῇ λόγον. καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἠρώτων αὐτὸν λέγοντες· ἀπόλυσον αὐτήν, ὅτι κράζει ὄπισθεν ἡμῶν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· οὐκ ἀπεστάλην εἰ μὴ εἰς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου ᾿Ισραήλ. ἡ δὲ ἐλθοῦσα προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ λέγουσα· Κύριε, βοήθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· οὐκ ἔστι καλὸν λαβεῖν τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων καὶ βαλεῖν τοῖς κυναρίοις. ἡ δὲ εἶπε· ναί, Κύριε· καὶ γὰρ τὰ κυνάρια ἐσθίει ἀπὸ τῶν ψυχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τῶν κυρίων αὐτῶν. τότε ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῇ· ὦ γύναι, μεγάλη σου ἡ πίστις! γενηθήτω σοι ὡς θέλεις. καὶ ἰάθη ἡ θυγάτηρ αὐτῆς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης.

Memorials and Trisagion

27 Year Trisagion for Christ G. Nicozisis.

Loving husband of Afroditi Nicozisis and beloved Father of Kay, Maria and Gregory.

May his memory be eternal.

Wisdom of the Fathers

She had a great perfection of faith. She had no uncertainty about His divine majesty. She had no small measure of the virtue of patience. Yet the pitying Physician of the pitiful disdained her petitions. He kept her waiting for answer in order to demonstrate to us the perseverence of this woman that we can always imitate. She had the characteristics of constancy and humility. She willingly embraced the indignity she received, and even confirmed the Lord`s statement. This woman rightly signifies the faith and devotion of the Church gathered from the nations

Saint Bede

Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216, 217.

He kept her waiting for an answer in order to declare that the minds of His disciples should also be merciful. As human beings they were ashamed of the clamor of the woman as she pursued them publicly, but He Himself knew the character of His mercy.

St. Bede

Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216

Saints and Feasts

February 14

Sunday of the Canaanite

February 14

Holy Father Auxentius of the Mountain

This Saint, who was from the East, lived during the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger. In 442 he enlisted in the Fourth Military Company of the Scholarii, that is, the Imperial Guard. Afterwards, he became a monk on a certain mountain in Bithynia (which later took his name), not far from Chalcedon. On becoming the archimandrite of the monastics gathered there, and proving himself to be most enduring in asceticism and most Orthodox in his faith, he reposed during the reign of the Emperor Leo the Great of Thrace, who reigned from 457 to 474.

February 15

Onesimus the Apostle of the 70

This Apostle, who was from Colossae, was a bond-servant of that Philemon to whom the Apostle Paul addressed his epistle. Onesimus escaped from Philemon and fled to Rome, where he became a disciple of Saint Paul. Saint Paul brought him to the Faith of Christ, and then sent him back to his master, who in turn gave him his freedom and sent him back to Rome again, where he ministered to Saint Paul. Later, he was seized because he was a Christian and was sent to Puteoli, where he was beaten to death with clubs. Saint Onesimus is also commemorated on November 22 with the holy Apostles Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus.

February 17

Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr

Saint Theodore who was from Amasia of Pontus, contested during the reign of Maximian (286-305). He was called Tyro, from the Latin Tiro, because he was a newly enlisted recruit. When it was reported that he was a Christian, he boldly confessed Christ; the ruler, hoping that he would repent, gave him time to consider the matter more completely and then give answer. Theodore gave answer by setting fire to the temple of Cybele, the "mother of the gods," and for this he suffered a martyr's death by fire. See also the First Saturday of the Fast.

February 18

Leo the Great, Pope of Rome

According to some, this Saint was born in Rome, but according to others in Tyrrenia (Tuscany), and was consecrated to the archiepiscopal throne of Rome in 440. In 448, when Saint Flavian, Archbishop of Constantinople, summoned Eutyches, an archimandrite in Constantinople, to give account for his teaching that there was only one nature in Christ after the Incarnation, Eutyches appealed to Saint Leo in Rome. After Saint Leo had carefully examined Eutyches's teachings, he wrote an epistle to Saint Flavian, setting forth the Orthodox teaching of the person of Christ, and His two natures, and also counseling Flavian that, should Eutyches sincerely repent of his error, he should be received back with all good will. At the Council held in Ephesus in 449, which was presided over by Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria (and which Saint Leo, in a letter to the holy Empress Pulcheria in 451, was the first to call "The Robber Council"), Dioscorus, having military might behind him, did not allow Saint Leo's epistle to Flavian to be read, although repeatedly asked to do so; even before the Robber Council was held, Dioscorus had uncanonically received the unrepentant Eutyches back into communion. Because Saint Leo had many cares in Rome owing to the wars of Attila the Hun and other barbarians, in 451 he sent four delegates to the Fourth Ecumenical Council, where 630 Fathers gathered in Chalcedon during the reign of Marcian, to condemn the teachings of Eutyches and those who supported him. Saint Leo's epistle to Flavian was read at the Fourth Council, and was confirmed by the Holy Fathers as the Orthodox teaching on the incarnate person of our Lord; it is also called the "Tome of Leo." The Saint wrote many works in Latin; he reposed in 461. See also Saint Anatolius, July 3.

February 19

Philothei the Righteous Martyr of Athens

Saint Philothei was born in Athens in 1522 to an illustrious family. Against her will, she was married to a man who proved to be most cruel. When he died three years later, the Saint took up the monastic life and established a convent, in which she became a true mother to her disciples. Many women enslaved and abused by the Moslem Turks also ran to her for refuge. Because of this, the Turkish rulers became enraged and came to her convent, dragged her by force out of the church, and beat her cruelly. After a few days, she reposed, giving thanks to God for all things. This came to pass in the year 1589. She was renowned for her almsgiving, and with Saints Hierotheus and Dionysius the Areopagite is considered a patron of the city of Athens.

Stewardship and Online Giving

Thank you Faithful Stewards! - 2020 Giving Statements were sent by Email to members who have addresses in their member profile. Paper copies will be mailed early next week. If you do not receive your giving statement or if corrections are needed, contact the Parish Office.

We can set up your electronic giving - it's safe, easy and means more accuracy and less work for our offering counters and office staff. Just print out the attached enrollment form and return it to Kathy in the Parish Office.

abundant giving

Introducing Abundant Online Giving

Nativity's new online giving service! You can donate by App (available for Apple or Android devices) by web (link on our web page) by ACH/EFT (Kathy will set it up for you) or by texting the keyword "nativitygochurch" to 73256 followed by your desired gift amount. This program connects directly with our parish data system - so your stewardship gifts are imported directly into your record. Contact Kathy in the church office if you have questions.

Nativity's Gmail Calendar

Nativity Calendar

February 14 to March 1, 2021

Sunday, February 14

Memorial & Trisagion

Sunday of the Canaanite

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, February 15

Onesimus the Apostle of the 70

Tuesday, February 16

Pamphilus the Martyr & his Companions

11:00AM Zoom Bible Study

Wednesday, February 17

Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr

7:00PM Paraklesis

Thursday, February 18

Leo the Great, Pope of Rome

Friday, February 19

The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and Onesimus

Saturday, February 20

Leo, Bishop of Catania

Sunday, February 21

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, February 22

Fast Free

The Finding of the Precious Relics of the Holy Martyrs in the Quarter of Eugenius

Tuesday, February 23

Fast Free

Polycarp the Holy Martyr & Bishop of Smyrna

11:00AM Zoom Bible Study

Wednesday, February 24

Fast Free

First & Second Finding of the Venerable Head of John the Baptist

7:00PM Paraklesis

Thursday, February 25

Fast Free

Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople

Friday, February 26

Fast Free

Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza

Saturday, February 27

Fast Free

Procopius the Confessor of Decapolis

3:00PM Drive-Thru Lamb Dinner

Sunday, February 28

Fast Free

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, March 1

Fast Free

The Holy Righteous Martyr Eudocia the Samaritan

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