Sundays:
9 am - Orthros
10 am - Divine Liturgy
Weekday Services:
Please check the Sacred Services schedule in the bulletin or call the Church office.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Fr. Seraphim Dedes
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Fr. Seraphim Dedes
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Fr. Seraphim Dedes
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Fr. Seraphim Dedes
Saint Euphemia was from Chalcedon and lived in virginity. According to some, she suffered martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian, in 303; according to others, in 307. Her sacred relics are preserved in the Patriarchate in Constantinople.
These Saints were from Italy and contested for the Faith about the year 126, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Faith was twelve years old, Hope, ten, and Love, nine; each was tormented and then beheaded, from the eldest to the youngest. Their mother Sophia mourned at their grave for three days, where she also fell asleep in peace; because of her courageous endurance in the face of her daughters' sufferings, she is also counted a martyr. The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek; as for her daughters' names, Faith, Hope, and Love (Charity), they are Pistis, Elpis, and Agape in Greek, and Vera, Nadezhda, and Lyubov in Russian.
This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth, and later became Bishop of Gortynia in Crete. He travelled to Rome, and to Thebes in Upper Egypt, where through his prayers he ended a drought; there also, after working many miracles, he reposed in deep old age. His holy relics were returned to Gortynia and buried at the place called Raxos.
In 278, during the reign of Probus, Saints Trophimus and Sabbatius came to Antioch, and seeing the city celebrating the festival of Apollo at Daphne lamented the blindness of the people, and presented themselves as Christians to Atticus the Governor. Saint Trophimus was stripped of his clothing, and was stretched out and beaten until the earth was red with his blood. Then he was hung up, scraped on his sides, and imprisoned in torments. Saint Sabbatius was tortured so savagely that he gave up his spirit in his sufferings. Trophimus was sent to Synnada, wearing iron shoes fitted with sharp iron nails within; he was further tormented without mercy, then cast into prison. Dorymedon, a counsellor, and a pagan, came to the prison and cared for Trophimus. When a certain feast came, Dorymedon was asked why he did not sacrifice to the idols; he proclaimed himself a Christian, for which he was imprisoned, pierced with heated spits, frightfully punished, and finally beheaded with Saint Trophimus.
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.
The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.
Saint Quadratus was a disciple of the Apostles, and became Bishop of Athens. According to the Synaxaristes, he contested for the Faith in the year 117, in the reign of Hadrian (117-138), but according to others, in the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161-180).
The Prophet Jonah, the son of Amathi, of the town of Geth-hopher (IV Kings 14:25), was of the tribe of Zabulon; he prophesied during the years 838-810 before Christ. God commanded him to go to Nineveh, the great city of the Assyrians, and to proclaim that its destruction was nigh at hand because of the sins of its people. But he, as a Prophet who knew the great compassion of God, feared that at his preaching the Ninevites would repent; that God, accepting their repentance in His love for man, would not fulfill Jonah' threats; and that he would be branded a false prophet. So he disobeyed the divine command, and boarded a ship and departed elsewhere. Yet, the sudden and fearful sea-storm and the revelation of Jonah' disbedience caused the sailors to cast him into the sea. A great sea-monster appeared straightway by divine providence, and swallowed him up. For three days and nights he was found in its belly and he prayed, saying the words, "I cried aloud in my affliction unto the Lord my God..." (Jonah 2:3, the Sixth ode of the Holy Psalter). The sea-monster then vomited him up on dry land and he again heard God's command. Wherefore, he went and preached, saying, "In three days, Nineveh shall be destroyed." The people became terrified and all repented. The great, the small, babes at the breast, and even the irrational beasts themselves fasted, and thus, having found mercy from God, they were spared His wrath. Jonah' book of prophecy is divided into four chapters, and is placed fifth in order among the twelve minor Prophets. His three-day sojourn in the sea-monster's belly is an image of our Saviour's three-day burial and His life-bringing Resurrection (Matt. 12:39-40). His name means "dove."
This saint was known for the many miracles he worked and for his apostolic zeal in shepherding the flock of Sinope. He contested for the Faith during the reign of the Emperor Trajan, in the year 102, when he was burned to death in a bath-house. A homily in his honour was composed by Saint John Chrysostom. The translation of his holy relics is celebrated on July 23.
Of the Sunday after the Elevation.
Of the Holy Great-Martyr and All-famed Euphemia.
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
Saturday, October 20
5:00 pm - Great Vespers
Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35
At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.
Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Sunday after 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."
by Fr. Anthony Cook
Part 60
We touched last week, for the first time, on what is the central reality and mystery of the Christian Faith - that we believe in a God Who has submitted Himself to death. The line of the creed that refers to this is "He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried." This reality is connected to the mystery of the Lord's Incarnation, in the sense that it is the logical conclusion and completion of the work that the Lord began when He lowered Himself in His love for us and took our nature upon Himself in His conception in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and in His growth through all the stages of human life in His birth, His childhood, His work, His baptism, His preaching, His miracles, His hunger, His thirst, and His relationships with the Disciples and all those who encountered Him. We emphasize this truth, that the Lord has submitted Himself to everything that it means to be human, even to temptation to sin (but without sin), and even to death – and it is this presence of God in our life and brokenness that becomes for us a source of new life. Since it is in this sharing in our nature, in all its facets, that He saves us, we must understand that His death was always a part of His plan, since death is an unescapable reality of our life.
There are a few central tenets of this death of God which we confess. 1) Christ was crucified. 2) This crucifixion happened at a historically verifiable time, during the governorship of Pontius Pilate. 3) He suffered, experiencing the brokenness of fallen humanity. 4) He was buried.
All of these points are ultimately connected, but they may be approached as distinct emphases. Point 1, the death by crucifixion of the Lord, immediately expresses the worst sort of death in this fallen world. It is striking that the Lord did not come to earth, live a long and peaceful life, and expire in old age. Theologians sometimes argue whether the human nature which the Eternal God assumed would have been mortal, had the Lord lived such a "normal" life. But it is important that He did not live such a life, for ultimately, such a life does not partake in the fullness of the brokenness of the Fall, which is bound by violence, pain, and death.
Instead, the Lord submitted Himself to a process of betrayal, humiliation, castigation, torture, and death. There were no surprises for Him in this - it was precisely because He knew what was coming that He struggled, in His humanity, in the Garden of Gethsemane, dreading the agony and humiliation that was to come. But He had come for precisely this reason - to follow Adam and Eve, and all their children, into the uttermost depths of brokenness, degradation, and horror that human sin had brought upon the human race. And in His crucifixion, we see the Lord standing in solidarity with every innocent (and every guilty) person who has suffered from the dawn of time until now. On the Cross, God is with us.
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.
Greek Fest Today!
Our Greek Fest will be held today immediately following the Divine Liturgy, from Noon-7:00 pm. Go out to our beautiful Park and enjoy the food, music, a great fellowship!
Greek Fest Yard Signs
If you displayed a yard sign for today's Festival, please store it at your home until next year, or bring it to the office and we will store it. Mark your name if you returned it on the sign-out form, so we'll know. Thank you!
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 at the literature rack.
Sunday School
Our Sunday School will start next Sunday, 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. 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.
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.
Our Website: stgeorgesouthgate.org
We have a live calendar, video and audio recordings of sermons, services, and other events, and an archive of the last two months' Sunday bulletin. You can also reserve and pay for your seat to any upcoming lunch or dinner.
Email Info: stgeorgesouthgate@gmail.com
If you would like our weekly bulletin emailed to you, or to receive any other pertinent information from the Church, please call or e-mail us your information.
"Like" Us on Facebook!
Be sure to "like" the Church's facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgeGOCSouthgate/)! Events and happenings are posted here as well as on our website.
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
Today
Noon-7 pm - GREEK FESTIVAL
Thursday, September 20
Noon - Seniors Luncheon
NO Focus Detroit Food Bag Prep
7:00 pm - Parish Council
Saturday, September 22
4:30-5:45 pm - Byzantine Chant-Kids
Sunday, September 23
Sunday School Begins
5:00 pm - Game Night/Social Night
Tuesday, September 25
7:00 pm - Deaconess
Saturday, September 29
4:30-5:45 pm - Byzantine Chant-Kids
TODAY: No Coffee; GREEK FEST
9/23: Connie Dupuis
9/30: Aphrodite Kostopoulos, Magda Voltzikos
10/7: Choir Spaghetti Luncheon
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!
George Bourkoulas - 1 year
May the Lord our God grant rest to his soul where the righteous repose, in a place where there is no pain, no sorrow, and no suffering, but rather everlasting life.
May his memory be eternal.
Due to the Greek Fest today, the family made a $500 lamb donation in his memory in lieu of coffee and donuts.