Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode

Your Nativity, O Theotokos, imparted joy to the entire earth, for out of you has risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. He nullified the curse and instead gave His blessing; and causing death to be neutralized, He granted us eternal life.

Apolytikion for Synaxis of the Holy Ancestors of God in the Second Mode

As we celebrate the memory of Your righteous Ancestors, through them we importune You, O Lord, that You save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Both Joachim and Anna from their sterility's stigma, and Adam and Eve from their mortality's ruin have been set free, O immaculate Maid, by your holy nativity. For this do your people hold celebration, redeemed from the guilt of transgression as they cry to you, "The barren one bears the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life."

Saints and Feasts

September 09

The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.

September 09

Severian the Martyr of Sebastia

Saint Severian, a senator from Sebastia, was both an illustrious man of wealth and a fearless Christian. Because he encouraged the holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia to stand fast in their confession, he was given over to terrible torments, and received his own crown during the reign of Licinius and Lysius the Duke, about the year 315.

September 10

Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs

These Martyrs, sisters according to the flesh, were from Bithynia. They lived in virginity on a mountain near the Pythian hot springs of Bithynia, devoting themselves to asceticism and prayer. Betrayed to the local governor, Fronto, they were subjected to frightful tortures, and so gave up their holy souls into the hands of God. They contested for the Faith during the reign of Maximian, in the year 304.

September 11

Theodora of Alexandria

This saint lived in the fifth century. Out of remorse for the adultery that she committed with another man, she fled from her husband's house, renamed herself Theodore, clothed herself as a man, and pretending to be a eunuch, entered a monastery of men. Her identity as a woman was discovered only after her death.

September 12

Autonomos the Martyr

This saint was a bishop in Italy. Fleeing from the persecution of Diocletian in 298, he came to Bithynia, where he went from place to place converting many from the idols to the true God. Because of this, one day as he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Archangels, they who worshipped wood and stones fell upon him and beat him to death with staves and stones.

September 13

The Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre)

The church that is honoured far above all others is that of the Holy Resurrection, which Saint Constantine the Great constructed at the place of Golgotha, where our Saviour was crucified and buried. For a long time this place had been purposely buried beneath the earth by the Jews and heathen; furthermore, during the reign of Hadrian (117-138), a temple dedicated to Aphrodite was built over the site so that this sacred place might be even further desecrated and fall into utter oblivion. It was here that the Cross was hidden. However, at the command of the pious Emperor Constantine, excavations were made and the tokens of the saving Passion were found. It was here, then, that the very great and magnificent temple named in honour of Christ God's Resurrection-the Anastasis-was built under the supervision of the blessed Helen, while Dracilian was Eparch of Palestine and Macarius was Archbishop of Jerusalem. It was the latter, also, who exalted the venerable Cross and performed the consecration of this temple in the year 336.

September 13

Cornelius the Centurion & Martyr

Saint Cornelius was a Roman by race, a pagan by religion, a centurion in rank, an inhabitant of Caesarea of Palestine, a man pious and God-fearing who gave many alms to the people and prayed continually unto God. In accordance with an angelic vision granted to him, he sent to Joppa that they might bring the Apostle Peter. Saint Peter catechized him in the Faith of Christ and baptized all his household (Acts, ch.10). This became the beginning and the first fruits of the calling of the nations. It is said that, after this, he became a bishop, as some say, of Caesarea; but others say of Scepsis, which is not far from Troas; and that he died as a martyr.

September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.

September 15

Nikitas the Great Martyr

This Saint was of high birth among the Goths beyond the Danube River. He was taken by Athanaric, pagan ruler of the Goths, and after being tortured, was burned to death for his confession of Christ. According to some, this took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great; according to others, under the Emperor Gratian.

Ecclesiastical Feast

Of the Sunday before the Elevation.

The Synaxis of the Holy and Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna.

Of the Holy Martyr Severian.

Upcoming Church Services

Thursday, September 13

7:00 pm - Vespers AT HOLY CROSS (Farmington Hills)

Friday, September 14

9 & 10 am - Orthros/Liturgy

Saturday, September 15

NO Great Vespers due to wedding

Saturday, September 22

5:00 pm - Great Vespers

Saturday, September 29

5:00 pm - Great Vespers

Saturday, October 6

5:00 pm - Great Vespers

Saturday, October 13

5:00 pm - Great Vespers

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

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 Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

Wisdom of the Fathers

"It is impossible for a man to achieve good through evil means."

St. Isaiah the Solitary

Digging Deeper into the Divine Liturgy

by Fr. Anthony Cook

Part 57

We hinted last week at one of the less obvious but most important implications of the Lord's Incarnation "of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary," namely, that the Lord does not act in this world, and most particularly in human lives, without human cooperation. This is a broader reflection of the point that is often made, that God leaves us free will, and does not force us to be saved, but rather calls us, and awaits our response - but it is made abundantly clear in this most important of instances. For if the salvation of humankind, and of the world itself, could not be accomplished apart from the Lord's entrance into the Creation, then we nonetheless would at first expect Him to simply enter into the Creation. He is God, our Creator, the Almighty One; he is surely capable of such a miracle, to fashion for Himself a human body, full-formed, like the story of Athena's birth from the head of Zeus, full-grown and mature. We know that part of the reason He does not do this is because He desires to fully become human, to take upon Himself the entirety of our nature, of our burden, of our brokenness. But that He does not do even this without the consent and cooperation of the Mother of God - this is profound, for it says that FOR NO REASON will God force Himself upon any of us, even for the most crucial and pivotal event of all existence, His Incarnation.

It is for this reason that many have reflected that perhaps this is why the Virgin Mary was chosen to be the Mother of God, because, in all of humankind's history, she alone was able and willing to say the words that she says at the Annunciation, without reserve, without doubt, without holding anything back: "I am the handmaiden of the Lord - may it be done to me according to your word." And, since it was only by her active cooperation that the Lord become man and came into the world, so too we may and must affirm that our salvation has been accomplished by Christ Jesus our God, but that He was incarnate "of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary."

Part 58

We spoke last week at some length about the miracle that the Lord became incarnate not only through the power of the Holy Spirit, but by the consent, cooperation, and action of the Virgin Mary, and of the implication that every work of the Lord in this world is mediated through a human vessel, that He does not act in despotic force, overwhelming our weakness with His divine power, but rather works together with our will and action to accomplish His wonders, not only respecting, but elevating our free will, when it is properly directed, and perfecting it, in harmony with His own purpose and power, toward a glorious end.

We see this in the manner of the Annunciation, and of the Virgin Mary's participation in the Incarnation, but the other piece of it is what follows, that our Lord and Master, our God and Creator, is incarnate and becomes man. Here too, we see a union of power and of weakness, of divinity with humanity, of glory with poverty. We do not believe that the Divine Word and Son of God merely inhabited a human body, or appeared in human form, or co-opted a human soul. We believe that the Divine Word and Son of God truly, fully, and perfectly became man, that the Creator entered into and became part of His Creation, that the Infinite One set finite and visible limits to His person, all without ceasing to be Word, Son, and God, the Infinite Creator. In Christ, we see revealed to us the fullness of the Godhead, veiled in flesh, but truly become flesh while remaining still fully and perfectly God, a miracle that surpasses our experience and our nature, but in a way that redirects our very nature and destiny toward a divine end.

Part 59

As we resume our examination of the Divine Liturgy, we return specifically to our discussion of the Creed, having left off with the statement that “[He], for us and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man.” This was an appropriate place to conclude last year’s discussion, as this statement of our Lord’s Incarnation, of God’s entrance into His Creation, is the central reality of the Christian Faith, what makes Christianity unique among the religions of the world, and ultimately what makes its Truth meaningful to our lives. No one else believes that the Infinite God limited Himself of His own will and out of His own love, and subjected Himself to the brokenness of this fallen world. Our belief in that historical and present reality, and our participation in the overwhelming Love that it shows to us and to all the world, is what sets us apart.

The next line of the Creed, however, expresses the final mystery and wonder of the Good News of the Lord’s coming - “He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried.” This first statement, that God Himself submitted Himself not only to the point of taking upon Himself the brokenness of our human nature, but even to the full extent of death itself, is, and should always be, a source of wonder for us. Gods, by definition, don’t die. Even the paltry pagan divinities of ancient Greece and Rome enjoyed this perk. To dare to affirm that THE God, the Creator of all, the Beginning and the End, humbled Himself even to the point of death, and a violent, humiliating, ugly death at that, is to take the marvel of the Incarnation to its incredible conclusion. God loves us so much that He joins us in our deepest and most awful brokenness, in order to heal us in it. We will speak more of this, of course, in the weeks to come.

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.

This Friday's Service

For this Friday's Service for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, please bring any sprigs of basil with you to the Liturgy. Thx!

Festival Food Prep Help Needed: This Week!

Help is needed to prepare the following items for the Greek Fest: Tzatziki, Spanakopita, Baklava, and Chicken Kabobs on Wed., Sept. 12 (9:00 am); and Pastitsio and Galatoboureko on Saturday, Sept. 15 (8:00 am).

Greek Fest Bakers Needed

The Philoptochos would like the ladies of the parish to help make cookies & pastries for the Festival. A sign-up sheet is across from the Church office for you to sign-up. Any questions can be directed to Maria Kostaras. Thank you! All cookies & pastries need to be dropped off no later than this Friday, September 14 at 4:00 pm.

Greek Festival Volunteer Sheet

Our Greek Fest will be held next Sunday, September 16, from Noon-7:00 pm. Please turn in your volunteer sheet to the Church office so we can plan accordingly. Thank you!

Greek Fest Yard Signs

It's not too late to display a Yard Sign! If you stored your Greek Fest yard sign from last year's Festival, please pick up a sticker at the Church office with the new date. We ask that you take a yard sign, located across from the Church office, and display it in your front yard. Please sign the sign-out form and either return it after the Festival or store at your home until next year. Thx!

Choir Spaghetti Luncheon

There will be a Choir Spaghetti Luncheon in the Parthenon Hall on Sunday, October 7, following Divine Liturgy. You can reserve your seat today at the Registration Table, or online on our website. See the flyer in today's bulletin.

Sunday School

Our Sunday School will start on September 23! You can register today at the Reservation Table or online.

Byzantine Chant for Kids

Our Byzantine Chant for Kids, ages 6 to 12 years of age, continues from 4:30-5:45 pm, every Saturday except this Sat., Sept. 15. We are teaching the basics of our traditional Church music and then will 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.

FOCUS Detroit Bags of Food for Needy Schoolchildren - Volunteers and Donations Needed!

CORRECTION! WE WILL RESUME THIS MINISTRY IN OCTOBER,

NOT SEPTEMBER AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED.

Please note the new day and time - the third Thursday of each month!

Please use the link below to get to the sign-up sheet for this monthly event. You will notice that you can now sign-up all the way through May if you'd like. Please remember to list how many from your family will be coming to help out. Our goal is to provide enough supplies for all the bags ourselves! Please consider donating any of the following: Boxes of individual oatmeal packets - Cereal bowls or small individual cereal boxes - Fruit cups - Individual Cheez-Its or Goldfish bags - Mac & Cheese Cups - Chef Boyardee/Spaghettios pop top cans or cups - Ramen Noodles - Fruit snacks (the kind with real fruit juice and added Vitamin C 100%) - Cereal bars or ganola bars. Please call Eleni Gikas at 313.300.4903 to let her know what you plan to donate, or if you prefer to make a cash donation. All donated items can be dropped off in the Activity Room.

Our next meeting date will be on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, at 6:00 pm.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044facaa23a0f94-food1

Upcoming Events

Today

11:30 am - Dance Practice

12:00 pm - Organizational Meeting

Wednesday, September 12

9 am-3 pm - Festival Food Prep

Saturday, September 15

8 am-1 pm - Festival Food Prep

NO Byzantine Chant-Kids

Sunday, September 16

Noon-7 pm - GREEK FESTIVAL

Thursday, September 20

Noon - Seniors Luncheon

NO Focus Detroit Food Bag Prep

7:00 pm - Parish Council

Coffee Servers

TODAY: Connie Dupuis

9/16: No Coffee; GREEK FEST

9/23: Connie Dupuis

9/30: 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

Angeliki (Koula) Kiousis - 40 days

Loukas Kollias - 1 year

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 light luncheon and donuts are offered by the families. All are invited.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode

Apolytikion for Synaxis of the Holy Ancestors of God in the Second Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Saints and Feasts

The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

Severian the Martyr of Sebastia

Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs

Theodora of Alexandria

Autonomos the Martyr

The Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre)

Cornelius the Centurion & Martyr

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Nikitas the Great Martyr

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