Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Transfiguration in the Fourth Mode

O Faithful, prepare for the Transfiguration of Christ, * and joyously celebrate as we observe on this day * the Forefeast, and cry aloud: * Coming is the day of the divine exultation. * The Master is ascending the holy mountain of Tabor, * in order to shine with the beauty of His divinity.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

On this day of Christ's divine Transfiguration * human nature in advance splendidly shines with light divine, * and with great joy we all cry aloud, "Christ is transfigured in glory and saves us all."

Saints and Feasts

August 05

Eusignius the Martyr of Antioch

This Martyr was from Antioch, and had been a soldier from the time of the reign of Constantius Chlorus (the father of Saint Constantine the Great) to that of Julian the Apostate. He censured Julian's ungodliness and reminded him that he was the nephew of Saint Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor. He reminded him further, that from his tender youth he had been nourished on the milk of piety and instructed in the Faith of Christ, had been a fellow student of Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian, had been a reader of the Church of Nicomedia, and that he had set all these things at nought and become a transgressor of the promises made in his divine Baptism, and had offered to the idols the adoration that is due to God alone. Reminding the Apostate of all these things and reproving him, he was beheaded in the year 361, having lived altogether 110 years, and been a soldier for more than sixty.

August 06

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Our Lord had spoken to His disciples many times not only concerning His Passion, Cross, and Death, but also concerning the coming persecutions and afflictions that they themselves would endure. Since all these evils were near at hand, but the enjoyment of good things which they hoped to receive in their stead was yet to come, our Savior desired to give them full assurance, evidently and openly, concerning that glory which is prepared for those who endure to the end. Therefore, fulfilling that which He had promised shortly before, that "there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom" (Matt. 16:28), He took His three foremost disciples and ascended Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. Suddenly, together with this dread and marvelous effulgence of light, there appeared those pinnacles of the Prophets, Moses and Elias, who spoke with the Lord Jesus concerning His saving Passion which was about to take place. Standing before Him as reverent servants, they showed that He is the Lord of both the living and the dead, for Moses came forth from Hades, having died many centuries before, and Elias, as it were from heaven, whither he had been taken up while yet alive. After a little while a radiant cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud they heard that same voice which had been heard at the Jordan at the Baptism of Christ, testifying to the Divinity of Jesus and saying: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5).

Such are the marvels, truly worthy of God, celebrated in this present feast, which is an image and prefiguring of the future state of the righteous, whose splendor the Lord spoke of, saying: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" (Matt. 13:43). It is because of this that the Kontakion of this Feast is said daily (when there is not a great feast) in the Service of the Typica in perpetual commemoration of the glory that will be the lot of the Saints. According to tradition, the Lord's Transfiguration came to pass forty days before His Crucifixion; this is why the Transfiguration is celebrated forty days before the Exaltation of the Cross.

August 07

The Holy Righteous Martyr Dometius

This Martyr, who lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, was a Persian by race and an idolater by religion. He was catechized by a certain Christian named Abarus. He went to Nisibis, a city of Mesopotamia, where he was baptized and donned the monastic habit in a certain monastery. He afterwards ascended a mountain and there endured in extreme ascetical struggles, working miracles for those that came to him, and converting many unbelievers. Julian the Apostate learned of these things as he was marching against the Persians in 363, and at his command the Saint and his two disciples were stoned to death, as they were chanting the Sixth Hour.

August 08

Emilian the Confessor & Bishop of Cyzikos

This Saint was one of the illustrious Orthodox Bishops called to Constantinople by the holy Patriarch Nicephorus to defend the veneration of the holy icons against Leo the Armenian (see Mar. 8). Saint Emilian was sent into exile by Leo about the year 815, and gave up his soul to the Lord amidst many afflictions and sufferings for the sake of his confession.

August 09

The Holy Apostle Matthias

After Judas by transgression fell from his apostleship (Acts 1: 25), and hanging himself out of despair ended his life with a wretched and shameful death (Matt. 27: 5), then, that the number of the Twelve not be lacking, all the disciples gathered in one place after the Ascension of the Savior (the number of men and women being 120), and they chose two men from among them, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was also surnamed Justus, and Matthias, and they set them in the midst. Then they prayed to God and cast lots, "and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles" (Acts 1: 15-26). And thus, having taken the place of Judas, Matthias fulfilled the work of apostleship and the prophecy concerning Judas, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David: "And his bishopric let another take" (Ps. 108:7). After this, it is said, Matthias preached the Gospel in Ethiopia, and completed his life there in martyrdom.

August 10

Laurence the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Rome

This Saint, who was born in Spain, was the Archdeacon of the Church of Rome, caring for the sacred vessels of the Church and distributing money to the needy. About the year 257, a harsh persecution was raised up against the Christians by Valerian. Pope Sixtus, who was from Athens, was commanded to worship the idols, and refused; before his martyrdom by beheading, he committed to Laurence all the sacred vessels of the Church. When Laurence was arrested and brought before the Prefect, he was questioned concerning the treasures of the Church; he asked for three days' time to prepare them. He then proceeded to gather all the poor and needy, and presented them to the Prefect and said, "Behold the treasures of the Church." The Prefect became enraged at this and gave command that Laurence be racked, then scourged with scorpions (a whip furnished with sharp iron points - compare II Chron. 10:11), then stretched out on a red-hot iron grill. But the courageous athlete of Christ endured without groaning. After he had been burned on one side, he said, "My body is done on one side; turn me over on the other." And when this had taken place, the Martyr said to the tyrants, "My flesh is now well done, you may taste of it." And when he had said this, and had prayed for his slayers in imitation of Christ, he gave up his spirit on August 10, 258.

August 11

Euplus the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Cantania

This Martyr was from Catania in Sicily and contested during the reign of Diocletian. He presented himself of his own accord to Calvisianus the Governor, who put him to exceedingly harsh torments. As Euplus was on the rack, Calvisianus commanded him to worship Mars, Apollo, and Aesculapius; he answered he worshipped the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He was beheaded in the year 304.

Ecclesiastical Feast

Of the 10th Sunday of Matthew.

The Forefeast of the Divine Transfiguration of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Of the Holy Martyr Evsignios and of our righteous Father Evgenios the Aitolian, and of our Father among the Saints Evthymios, Patriarch of Constantinople.

Of the Holy New-Martyr Chrestos of Preveza.

Upcoming Church Services

Monday, August 6

PLEASE NOTE: LITURGY TIMES CHANGED DUE TO FUNERAL:

8 & 9 am - Orthros/Liturgy

Tuesday, August 7

6:00 pm - Small Paraklesis

Thursday, August 9

6:00 pm - Small Paraklesis

Saturday, August 11

5:00 pm - Great Vespers

Monday, August 13

6:00 pm - Small Paraklesis

Tuesday, August 14

7:00 pm - Great Vespers AT ASSUMPTION (St. Clair Shores)

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. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16.

Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Gospel Reading

10th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 17:14-23

At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."

Wisdom of the Fathers

"Whatever helps us to achieve purity of heart, we must follow with all our might; whatever hinders us from it, we must shun as a dangerous and hurtful thing."

St. Moses the Ethiopian

Digging Deeper into the Divine Liturgy

by Fr. Anthony Cook

Part 52

Last week we recounted the second portion of the article of the Creed discussing the Son of God, and its character as a summary of the Lord's actions in the world in his Incarnation. We begin with the phrase, "Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man."

It is significant that we start with a statement of the Lord's purpose in coming into this world - the only time that a reason is given in the Creed for any of God's actions. It is for our sake, for the salvation of humankind, that the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. In short, although the word is not used in the Creed, the reason that God has done all that He has done is love, His love for us, who He created in His image and likeness.

The second thing that we should note is that, while most of the Creed describes the fairly static reality of what we know about God, the Trinity, this clause is full of action and movement, beginning with the most remarkable movement of all, that of God, the Creator, from heaven to earth, from Infinite Being to the constrained plane of this limited Creation. It is this movement, this action, this apparent change in the relationship of God with Creation, that stands at the heart of the Gospel.

Part 53

Last time we commented on the significance of the movement indicated in the clause of the Creed dealing with the Lord's Incarnation. It must be remembered how remarkable this is, that God, Who is infinite, perfect, and unchanging, is described now in motion, entering into His Creation and becoming man. We should understand that this motion of the Son of God is the fundamental action at the heart of all existence - some have said, and said rightly, that in a very real sense, the Lord's Incarnation is the primary act of Creation. This places the Cross at the center of existence - we will talk more about this in the coming weeks.

Part 54

We have discussed in general terms the significance of the Lord's Incarnation as it is discussed in the Creed, as expressing the sacrificial love of the Lord for His Creation, and the movement and action inherent in that love as the central reality of all existence, itself summed up in the image and action of the Cross. We will begin from here to look at the Creed's words themselves, in detail.

"Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man."

There has been a great deal of controversy in recent years over the best way to translate the first four words above. The Greek reads, "Τὸν δι᾿ ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους..." and the Greek work ανθρωπος does not mean "man" (as in male) but rather "human." Some had suggested that we simply translate it "Who for us and for our salvation," and leave it implied that the "us" spoken of is "humanity." Others have proposed "for us human beings," or (more in jest than seriously) "for us earthlings," but none of those options express the appropriate gravity, poetry, and grandeur. The current solution "for us men" must nonetheless be clearly understood to refer to all humankind, with no implication of preference for males over females - Christ came for all of us: men and women, old and young.

Announcements

From Fr. Anthony - Office Hours

The Church's office hours are 9-5 Monday-Friday, and you can stop by to speak with the office staff any time during those hours. If you have a specifically Church-related question, you should speak with Susan Solo, who is in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday. If you need to meet with me, however, it's best to call first, as I may already be with another appointment, and am frequently called away to other visitations and appointments. If you prefer, I am happy to arrange a time in advance if you prefer. Please note that I am available for hospital visitations, but hospitals no longer give patient information to clergy. Please call me, or have someone in your family call me, so that I can come to visit you.

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.

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR ANGELIKI KIOUSIS

It is with sorrow that we announce the falling asleep in the Lord of Angeliki (Koula) Kiousis, wife of the late John, mother of Sam and Pete (Melissa) Kiousis. We pray that her soul may find rest with the righteous, and that her grieving family may find comfort in the hope and assurance of the Resurrection, and in the communion of the Faithful of St. George. (Gifts to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Monastery, 125 Sturdevant Rd., Smiths Creek, MI 48074)

Funeral arrangements as follows:

Visitation: Today from 4:30-8:30 pm at Molnar Funeral Home, Southgate Chapel
Trisagion: Tonight at 7:00 pm

Service: Monday, August 6
St. George Church, Southgate
Instate: 10:30 am
Service: 11:00 am

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE FUNERAL, TOMORROW'S LITURGY TIMES HAVE CHANGED:

Orthros at 8:00 am
Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am

Our Students' Feast Days

We wish our students celebrating their Feast Days this month 'Chronia Polla.' May God grant them many years. See the list on the display board in the school hallway!

Lost & Found Table

There is a table set up in the nave of the Church with items that have been left in the Church and school. Please look over and take what is yours. At the end of August, these items will be donated or thrown out.

Dance Practice

Stella Kircos will begin Dance practice today after Church with the Beginners from approximately 11:30 am - Noon; the Juniors from Noon-12:30 pm; and the Seniors from 12:30-1:00 pm. Practices will be every Sunday now until Sept. 9, to get ready for our Greek Festival on the 16th. There will be no practice on Sun., August 19. You can contact Stella at 586.219.1683 with questions.

Byzantine Chant for Kids

Our Byzantine Chant for Kids, ages 6 to 12 years of age, will resume this Saturday, August 11, from 4:30-5:45 pm. We will teach the basics of our traditional Church music and then chant the Vespers service for that evening. Those older young people who may be interested, should speak with Fr. Anthony to arrange an opportunity for teaching them.

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.

FOCUS Detroit Backpack Program

If you took a backpack to fill for school children this fall, your FILLED backpack needs to be dropped off in the activity room no later than the end of this month so it can be delivered on time. You can pick up an "idea" sheet at the literature rack.

Literature Rack - Added Interest

To help make the Narthex area/candle counter congestion less, all flyers and news of interest, like festivals, fundraisers, etc., from our church and other churches will now be on the literature rack. Please look over the information that may be of interest to you. Added this week: Festivals at Natvity and Assumption (St. Clair Shores). High Tea at Sts. Constantine & Helen to benefit FOCUS Detroit.

FOCUS DETROIT SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM 

"June through August FOCUS Detroit has a variety of hours, times (morning and evening), and days (even a couple Sunday nights) when you, your family or your group can volunteer to help prepare, assemble and serve children summer meals in person." We urge you all to sign-up at least once and take part in this wonderful opportunity. Please feel free to speak with Fr. Anthony, Eleni Gikas, Christian Tougas, or Bernie Malonson with any questions about what is involved, as we have all gone at least once.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b48adaf2cabff2-help

Upcoming Events

Sunday, August 5

11:30 am - Dance Practice

Saturday, August 11

4:30 pm - Byzantine Chant for Kids

Sunday, August 12

11:30 am - Dance Practice

Thursday, August 16

Noon - Seniors Luncheon

7:00 pm - Parish Council

Saturday, August 18

4:30 pm - Byzantine Chant for Kids

Sunday, August 19

NO Dance Practice

Saturday, August 25

NO Byzantine Chant for Kids

Coffee Servers

8/5: We Need Servers

8/12: We Need Servers

8/19: We Need Servers

8/26: Aphrodite Kostopoulos, Magda Voltzikos

Volunteers are needed!

Please sign-up outside the Church office next to the bulletin board.

We need coffee servers during the coffee hour on Sundays. Please consider serving our Lord in this capacity. Thank you!

Memorial Service

Soula Bizas - 40 days
Demetrios Kollias - 40 days

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.

The coffee is offered by both families.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Transfiguration in the Fourth Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Saints and Feasts

Eusignius the Martyr of Antioch

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

The Holy Righteous Martyr Dometius

Emilian the Confessor & Bishop of Cyzikos

The Holy Apostle Matthias

Laurence the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Rome

Euplus the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Cantania

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

Announcements

Upcoming Events

Coffee Servers

Memorial Service