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
Saint Steven passed his life in ascetical discipline in the Monastery of Saint Sabbas, from whence also he received the name Sabbaite. He was consecrated bishop and reposed about the year 790, bequeathing to the Church a number of melismatic troparia.
The Feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the tenth century, as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ's sake. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.
In the Greek tradition, this feast is celebrated on October 28, while in the Slavic tradition, this feast is celebrated on October 1.
Both the country and the time of the martyrdom of these holy Martyrs are unknown. All were beheaded, after having endured many bitter torments.
Saint Anastasia, who was young in age and lived in a convent, was seized by the impious. Confessing Christ openly and with boldness and enduring manifold torments, she was beheaded in the year 256, during the reign of Valerian.
Our Righteous Father Abramius, born in Edessa in Mesopotamia in 296, took up the monastic life and brought many pagans to Christ. Mary, his niece, upon the death of her parents, joined Abramius at his hermitage and under his guidance advanced swiftly in the love of God. Through the wiles of the evil one, however, she fell into sin, and falling from them into despair, she left her uncle and became a harlot. When he learned where his niece was, Abramius put on the clothes of a man of the world and went to visit her in disguise. Through his exhortations, Mary returned to her first hope in the mercy of God, was rescued from the life of harlotry, and ended her life in great holiness. He himself reposed in the year 366. Saints Abramius and Mary were friends of Saint Ephraim the Syrian, and it was he who wrote their account.
These Saints were from Aegae in Cilicia, brought up in piety by their parents. Zenobius was a physician, and healed many freely by the power of God; because of his virtue he was consecrated Bishop of Aegae. With his sister he was taken by Lysias the Governor, and after many tortures they were beheaded, about the year 290, during the reign of Diocletian.
Of these holy Apostles, Stachys became the first Bishop of Byzantium, consecrated by the Apostle Andrew. Having shepherded his people for sixteen years, he reposed in the Lord. As for the others, each one shone forth in the episcopal see appointed to him: Apelles, Bishop of Heraclea; Amplias, Bishop of Odyssopolis; Urban, Bishop of Macedonia; Narcissus, Bishop of Athens; and Aristobulus, Bishop of Britain.
These Saints were from Asia (that is, Asia Minor). After the death of their father, their Christ-loving mother Theodota reared them in piety and in all manner of virtue, and had them instructed in every science, especially that of medicine. This became their vocation, and they went about healing every illness and malady, bestowing healing freely on both men and beasts alike; because of this, they are called "Unmercenaries." And thus, having completed the course of their life, they reposed in peace.
These Martyrs contested in Persia about the year 330, in the reign of Sapor (Shapur) II, King of Persia (325-379). Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus, Persian Christians, confessed Christ before the King, and were put to many torments. Aphthonius and Elpidephorus, drawn to the Faith of Christ through the Martyrs, were beheaded with another 7,000. Saints Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus were at last burned to death. Two churches were dedicated in their honour in Constantinople. As is often the case in church hymns, there is a play on the meanings of the Saints' names here. Acindynus means "unimperilled"; Pegasius is derived from pegazo--"to gush forth"; Aphthonius is derived from aphthonos-"abundant"; Elpidephorus means "hope-bearing"; Anempodistus means "unhindered." These are all Greek translations of their Persian names.
Of the 7th Sunday of Luke.
The Feast of the Holy Protection of the All-Holy Theotokos.
Of the Holy Martyrs Terence and Eunice, and of our Righteous Father Stephen the Sabbaite.
Of our Fathers among the Saints Arsenios and Athanasios, Patriarchs of Constantinople, from Androusa in Messinia.
Of Angeli, Manuel, George, and Nicholas the New Martyrs, who were martyred in Rethymni.
Of the Holy Rostislavos. the Great Enlightened Duke of Moravia.
Saturday, November 3
5:00 pm - Great Vespers
Thursday, November 8
9 & 10 am - Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Saturday, November 10
5:00 pm - Great Vespers
Saturday, November 17
5:00 pm - Great Vespers
Wednesday, November 21
9 & 10 am - Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Saturday, November 24
NO Great Vespers
Saturday, December 1
5:00 pm - Great Vespers
Eleventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:14-25
At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after he was raised from the dead, and he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."
Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So, the word went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die; but Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
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.
7th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:41-56
At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
by Fr. Anthony Cook
Part 66
We discussed previously the Ascension of the Lord, that in the Ascension, we see the confirmation that He, the One Who was crucified and rose from the dead, is indeed Eternal God, and has returned to the place He has always been, at the right hand of God the Father. We then went deeper and noted that, being the Eternal God, the Lord never, in fact, left the right hand of the Father, even as He entered into the Creation and assumed our humanity to Himself, and that what is in fact being celebrated in the Ascension is the elevation of the human nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, the God-Man, to the right hand of the Father on high. Thus, the Ascension celebrates the fact that the very atoms and molecules of this physical world are united with the Godhead in our Lord Jesus Christ, that He remains united with us even as He has apparently left us, that truly, He is with us always, even to the end of the age, as He said to His apostles when He ascended.
The Creed continues with the affirmation that, "He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom shall have no end." The point of this is first and foremost to express the natural consequence of the Lord's ongoing union with this Created World. Being Eternal God, the Creator and Fashioner of all that is, and having restored the Creation's communion with Him, its Creator, in Himself through His Incarnation, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension, He, and He alone, has dominion over all of Creation, and over all those who live and have lived.
What this means for us is that the union of the Lord with us is not merely an invisible truth, something we confess and affirm, but something ultimately irrelevant to our daily life. The Lord is continuing to work, to act within the world, most especially in the Church, His own Body and people, and He is working toward a perfection, an end goal for the world. The final consummation of that goal will be His glorious return, visible and known to all.
When He returns, the Church confesses that that return, His undeniable presence before all humankind, both living and dead, will be a moment of crisis, a moment of judgment, a moment when all of us, and all that we have built (or failed to build) upon the foundation of the Gospel that was laid in our hearts when we were created, will be weighed and measured. The truth that the single ultimate principle of existence is not wealth, or power, or position, or even the external good works of the Christian life, but is simply the presence or absence of a relationship with the Lord. If we are found to be in communion with Him, then we will be with Him always. If our existence is found to be built upon a consistent rejection of His person, His love, and His mercy, then we will be unable to continue to exist in that parasitical way, siphoning off His existence for our own selfish ends. For His Kingdom, and His Kingdom alone, will have no end - and if we are not existing as faithful citizens of that kingdom, there will be no where left for us to be. This confession is a reminder that the purpose and destiny of all Creation is to be the temple and dwelling place of God. It will prove impossible to forever twist existence to any other end.
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.
Forty-Day Blessing
The Forty-Day blessing today is for Eleanor Karaboyas and her mother, Sharon. Congratulations to Angelo & Sharon on the birth of their daughter!
Orthodox Life
We will resume our Bible study this Tuesday, October 30, at 6:00 pm, in the Library.
Daylight Saving Time Ends
Daylight Saving Time ends early next Sunday morning. Be sure to move your clocks back one hour late Saturday night!
Feather Party!
The Ladies of Philoptochos Feather Party will be held on Thursday, November 15, from 7:00-9:00 pm, in the Parthenon Hall (doors open at 6:00 pm). You can now purchase your tickets from a Philoptochos member.
Christmas Play - last day to sign-up!
Please sign-up your child for this year's Christmas Play (Sun., Dec. 23) on the wall across from the Church office. All parts are first come, first serve basis. Rehearsals start next Sun., Nov. 4, from 12:30-1:15 pm, in the Activity Room (except Sun., Nov. 25). Your child MUST ATTEND at least 4 rehearsals. Final Dress rehearsal will be Sat., Dec. 22, in the Grecian Center at noon. Please call Alesia Grinstead with questions at 734.341.4116.
Giving Tree
Please take an "ornament" from the Giving Tree to purchase a clothing item and/or a toy to bless a Penrickton Center for the Blind child! Look for the tree in its usual spot--next to the Bookstore! Please place your unwrapped gift under the Giving Tree no later than Sun., Nov. 18. The Ladies of Lydia will wrap and deliver on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 5:00 pm. You are welcome to participate.
Baptism for Emma Cook
The baptism for Fr. Anthony and Presvytera Elisabeth's daughter, Emma, will be at 2 pm on Sunday, November 11th. The entire parish is welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served afterward in the Grecian Center.
Coffee Servers
Please sign-up outside the Church office next to the bulletin board to help serve Coffee on Sunday mornings during Coffee Hour.
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.
FOCUS Detroit Bags of Food for Needy Schoolchildren - Volunteers and Donations Needed!
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, NOV. 8, at 6:00 pm (up one week due to Feather party).
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044facaa23a0f94-food1
Today
12:15 pm - Altar Boy Orientation
5:00 pm - Game Night/Social Night (all are welcome!)
Tuesday, October 30
5:30-7:30 pm - Greek School
6:00 pm - Orthodox Life
7:00 pm - Investment Oversight
Saturday, November 3
4:30-5:45 pm - Byzantine Chant for Kids
Sunday, November 4
12:15 pm - Sunday School Teachers
12:30-1:15 pm - Christmas Play Practice
Tuesday, November 6
5:30-7:30 pm - Greek School
6:00 pm - Orthodox Life
TODAY: Aphrodite K., Magda V.
11/4: Connie Dupuis, George Kaltsas
11/11: George Kaltsas
11/18: George Kaltsas
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!
Michael St. Charles - 5 years
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.
The coffee and donuts are offered by the family.