Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for Conception of the Forerunner in the Fourth Mode

Sing now, O barren one who did not bear before, * for you have indeed conceived the burning lamp of the Sun; * and he will illuminate * all the world afflicted * with spiritual blindness. * Dance, O Zacharias, and now openly cry out: * "The one who is to be born is a Prophet of the Most High God."

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.

Saints and Feasts

September 23

The Conception of St. John the Baptist

This came to pass fifteen months before the birth of Christ, after the vision of the Angel that Zacharias, the father of the Forerunner, saw in the Temple while he executed the priest's office in the order of his course during the feast of the Tabernacles, as tradition bears witness. In this vision, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and said to him, "Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Knowing that Elizabeth was barren, and that both he and she were elderly, Zacharias did not believe what the Angel told him, although he had before him the example of Abraham and Sarah, of Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel, and of other barren women in Israel who gave birth by the power of God. Hence, he was condemned by the Archangel to remain speechless until the fulfilment of these words in their season, which also came to pass (Luke 1:7-24).

September 24

Thecla the Protomartyr & Equal to the Apostles

This saint was from the city of Iconium. When she was eighteen years of age, she was instructed in the Faith of Christ and the hope of the resurrection by the Apostle Paul, whom also she followed, forsaking her betrothed and espousing a life of virginity for the sake of the Heavenly Bridegroom. Having preached Christ in various cities and suffered many things, she reposed in Seleucia of Cilicia at the age of 90.

September 25

Euphrosyne of Alexandria

Our righteous Mother Euphrosyne, who lived during the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger (408-450), was the daughter of Paphnutius of Egypt. Forsaking her father and his wealth, she renamed herself Smaragdus, and pretending to be a eunuch of the imperial palace, she dressed herself as a man and entered a monastery of men where her identity remained unknown until her repose thirty-eight years later.

September 25

Our Righteous Father Sergius of Radonezh

Our righteous Father Sergius was born in Rostov, north of Moscow, about the year 1314. Named Bartholomew in Baptism, he was brought up in Radonezh, and at the death of his parents he withdrew to the wilderness to become a monk. It is notable that without having been trained in a monastery, he was of such a spiritual stature as to be able to take up the perilous eremitical life from the beginning, without falling into delusion or despondency. When he had endured with courage the deprivations of the solitary life, other monks began to come to him, for whom he was made abbot against his will. On the counsel of Philotheus, Patriarch of Constantinople, he organized his monks according to the cenobitic life, appointing duties to each. While Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev, and the other righteous Fathers before Sergius, had established their monasteries near to cities, Sergius was the leader and light of those who went far into the wilderness, and after his example the untrodden forests of northern Russia were settled with monks. When Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy was about to go to battle against the invading Tartars, he first sought the blessing of Saint Sergius, through whose prayers he was triumphant. Saint Sergius was adorned with the highest virtues of Christ-like humility and burning love for God and neighbour, and received the gift of working wonders, of casting out demons, and of discretion for leading souls to salvation. When he served the Divine Liturgy, an Angel served with him visibly; he was also vouchsafed the visitation of the most holy Theotokos with the Apostles Peter and John. He was gathered to his Fathers on September 25, 1392. At the recovery of his holy relics on July 5, 1422, his body and garments were found fragrant and incorrupt. His life was written by the monks of Epiphanius, who knew him.

September 26

The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian

This Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Saviour's Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100. He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10).

September 27

Callistratus the Martyr & his 49 Companions

These Martyrs contested for the Faith during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 288. Saint Callistratus was arrested as a Christian, and after being tormented, was enclosed in a sack and cast into the sea. The sack burst, and the Saint came to dry land safe and sound. Forty-nine soldiers, seeing this, also confessed Christ, and with him were cast into prison, then beheaded.

September 28

Chariton the Confessor

Saint Chariton was born in the city of Iconium during the reign of Aurelian, about the year 274. He was arrested, tortured, and condemned to death because of his Christian Faith, but finally set free by imperial edict. He came to Palestine, where he took up the ascetic life. He also brought many Jews and pagans to the Faith. Having dwelt in the desert of Judea for many years, and established several monasteries throughout the region, he reposed in peace.

September 28

Baruch the Prophet

The Prophet Baruch was the son of Nerias, and the disciple of the Prophet Jeremias ( Jer. 39:12; 43:4 LXX). The extant prophetical book that he wrote is divided into five chapters; it was composed in the fifth year of the Babylonian Captivity of the Jews during the years of Sedekias, 583 B.C. The prophetic lection that is read on the eve of the Feast of Christ's Nativity, which bears Jeremias' name, is taken from the prophecy of Baruch (Bar. 3:35-4:4). His name means "blessed."

September 29

Cyriacus the Hermit of Palestine

This Saint was born in Corinth in 448. He went to Palestine to the Lavra of Euthymius the Great, but because of his youth was sent by Saint Euthymius to Saint Gerasimus; after the death of Saint Gerasimus he returned to the Lavra of Saint Euthymius. Later he took on a more rigorous life of asceticism in the wilderness of Natoufa, where there was nothing to eat except the exceedingly bitter wild herb called squills, which, however, through his prayers, God made sweet for him and his disciple. He lived 107 years and reposed in the year 555.

Ecclesiastical Feast

Of the 1st Sunday of Luke.

Conception of the Honoroable, Glorious, Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist, John.

Upcoming Church Services

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

Saturday, October 27

5:00 pm - Great Vespers

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53

At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27.

Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."

Gospel Reading

1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11

At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Wisdom of the Fathers

"If a person wants to get an idea about the pyramids of Egypt, he must either trust those who have been in immediate proximity to the pyramids, or he must get next to them himself. There is no third option. In the same way a person can get an impression of God: He must either trust those who have stood and stand in immediate proximity to God, or he must take pains to come into such proximity himself."

St. Nicholas of Serbia

Digging Deeper into the Divine Liturgy

by Fr. Anthony Cook

Part 61 (repeat)

We touched last time on the affirmation in the Creed that the Lord "was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried," and summed up the central tenets of this passage:

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.

We talked about point 1 a few weeks ago, that the Lord was crucified, in that way uniting Himself to the deepest brokenness of our nature, that on the Cross, God is with us, even in the darkest moments of our lives.

Point 2 is equally important, since the facts of the Lord's Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection are often called into question by skeptics of the Christian Faith. It is clear that the Fathers, in composing the Creed, anticipated that question and criticism. The inclusion of the name of the Roman governor who oversaw the trial, sentencing, and crucifixion of the Lord is a way of affirming the historical reality of what we believe. It really happened. We do not simply say that God loves us so much that He WOULD die for us, if He had the opportunity, (although of course He doesn't have the opportunity, since He happens to be immortal and infinite, and only we are subject to death). Rather, we affirm the impossible, that He actually did die, and actual people saw Him die, and bear witness to the truth of what happened, to the miracle that God submitted to death, out of love for us. That is why we talk about Pontius Pilate in the Creed.

Part 62

We continue with the next phrase of the Creed, that "He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures."

We understand intrinsically that this primarily speaks of the most essential "Good News" of the Christian Faith, that the Lord didn't just join us in our suffering, expressing "merely" solidarity with us, but that He passed through death, conquered it, and in rising from the dead leads us into newness of life. But there are two aspects that we may easily miss.

1) This phrase marks the beginning of the "second half" of the Creed. If you look at the Creed in your Liturgy books, you will see that this sentence is about halfway through the Creed, but there is a theological significance to this as well. The first half of the Creed speaks, broadly, of the "past," of the fundamental nature of the Holy Trinity, the basics of Creation, and the visible, historical ministry of Christ, prior to His Crucifixion. The second half speaks of the Resurrection, and goes on to outline the conclusion of the Lord's visible presence in the world with His Ascension into heaven and sitting at the right hand of the Father, but goes on further to speak of the active and ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit, and then continues to speak about the Church, and of our fundamental relationship with the Church, and of what we anticipate and expect in the future. Hence we have outlined in the Creed the entirety of Creation's history, with the Lord's Resurrection marking the mid-point, the transition from how things have been to how things will be, by the grace and love unto death through which the Lord has renewed our nature and even now calls us to live in that renewal and transformation.

2) The other "less normal" point, which we will examine more next time, is what it means for the Resurrection to be "according to the Scriptures."

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.

Sunday School

Our Sunday School starts today. Children must be 3 years old by today to enter the pre-K classroom. Thank you for your understanding. If you have not registered your child, please do so at the Reservation Table.

Greek School News!

There will be a Parent/Teacher meeting this Tuesday, September 25, at 5:30 pm. Please try and be in attendance to hear what the teachers have planned for this year!

DeBuck's Corn Maze

The Ladies of Lydia have planned an outing to DeBuck's Corn Maze next Sunday, Sept. 30, after Church. Your child has been given a flyer to bring home with all the details!

Greek Fest THANK YOU!

We definitely could not have had our Greek Festival last week without YOU! All the countless volunteers who gave hours of pre-prep time to baking and cooking, not to mention set-up and take down, as well as those who volunteered on the day of the event! Thank you!

Greek Fest Yard Signs

If you displayed a yard sign for last Sunday's Festival, please either 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

In as little as 2 weeks, we'll have our 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.

Orthodox Life

We will be resuming a parish Bible Study this fall, Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7. We will begin October 2, in the Library of the Church. We hope to see you all there!

Coffee Servers

Please sign-up outside the Church office next to the bulletin board to help serve Coffee on Sunday mornings during Coffee Hour. We need at least 3 individuals each week. Thank you!

Philoptochos' Sponsors

We continue to welcome you to become a Sponsor of any of the Philoptochos luncheons for the year. Please speak with Maria Kostaras if you would like to become a sponsor.

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.

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

Sunday School Begins

12:15 pm - Sunday School Teachers

5:00 pm - Game Night/Social Night

Tuesday, September 25

5:30 pm - Greek School Parent/Teacher Meeting

7:00 pm - Deaconess

Saturday, September 29

4:30-5:45 pm - Byzantine Chant-Kids

Sunday, September 30

DeBuck's Corn Maze - After Sunday School

Tuesday, October 2

5:30-7:30 pm - Greek School Begins

6:00 pm - Orthodox Life

Coffee Servers

TODAY: Connie Dupuis

9/30: Aphrodite Kostopoulos, Magda Voltzikos

10/7: Choir Spaghetti Luncheon

10/14: Lauren Tougas

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

There are no memorials today.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Apolytikion for Conception of the Forerunner in the Fourth Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

Saints and Feasts

The Conception of St. John the Baptist

Thecla the Protomartyr & Equal to the Apostles

Euphrosyne of Alexandria

Our Righteous Father Sergius of Radonezh

The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian

Callistratus the Martyr & his 49 Companions

Chariton the Confessor

Baruch the Prophet

Cyriacus the Hermit of Palestine

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