Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

By means of Your Cross, O Lord, You abolished death. * To the robber You opened Paradise. * The lamentation of the myrrhbearing women You transformed, * and You gave Your Apostles the order to proclaim to all * that You had risen, O Christ our God, * and granted the world Your great mercy.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

O Champion General, I your City now inscribe to you Triumphant anthems as the tokens of my gratitude, Being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos. Inasmuch as you have power unassailable, From all kinds of perils free me, so that unto you I may cry aloud: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.

Saints and Feasts

March 22

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

March 22

Basil the Holy Martyr of Ancyra

Saint Basil strove in martyrdom during the short reign of Julian the Apostate, from 361-363. The Saint was denounced as a Christian to Saturninus, Governor of Ancyra, who, when Basil would not deny Christ, had him hanged from a post and scraped on his sides, then beaten, and cast into prison. A few days later, when Julian himself came through Ancyra, the Saint was brought before him and was asked to deny Christ, Whom he rather confessed the more. Julian then had strips cut in his flesh, so that they were left hanging from his body in front and in back. The valiant Martyr tore one of these strips off of his body and cast it into Julian's face. At this Julian commanded that iron spits be heated fiery hot; Saint Basil's belly, his back, and all his joints were pierced with them, and he received the crown of martyrdom.

March 23

The Holy Righteous Martyr Nicon and His 199 Disciples

Saint Nicon was from Neapolis (Naples) in Italy. His father was an idolater and his mother a Christian. At first he was a soldier, but later he went to the East, where he was baptized and in time became a bishop. After some years, he returned to the West and came to Sicily, where he and many of his disciples were put to death by beheading because they would not worship the idols.

March 25

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

March 26

Synaxis in honor of the Archangel Gabriel

This festive Synaxis is celebrated to the glory of the Archangel Gabriel, since he ministered to the marvelous mystery of God's incarnate dispensation.

March 27

The Holy Matrona of Thessalonica

This martyr was the servant of a certain Jewish woman named Pantilla, the wife of the Governor of Thessalonica. When Matrona refused to follow her mistress into the synagogue Pantilla beat her so severly that she died in a few days, and thus received the crown of her confession.

March 28

Hilarion the New

Saint Hilarion took up the monastic life from his youth and lived in seclusion. Later, as Abbot of the Monastery of Pelecete in Asia Minor (believed to be in Bithynia, not far from Triglia), he suffered much from the Iconoclasts, and reposed in the year 754.

Ecclesiastical Feast

For the 3rd Sunday of the Fast (of the Veneration of the Cross).

Of the Holy Hieromartyr Basil, Presbyter of the Church of Ankyra.

Upcoming Church Services

You can watch the Services via live stream at

https://www.youtube.com/c/franthonyc-stgeorgesouthgate

Morning Prayer Service (First Hour) each weekday except Wednesday, March 25

7:00 am

Monday, March 23

5:30 pm - Great Compline

Wednesday, March 25

For the Annunciation

9 & 10 am - Orthros/Liturgy

Friday, March 27

4:00 pm - Salutations to the Theotokos

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

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 Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the 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."

Wisdom of the Fathers

Offer ourselves alone to God, but each other also; for, according to the law of charity, we must seek the good of others as well as our own.

St. Nicholas Cavasilas

Prayer List / Visitation

Please remember in your prayers the following:

Marianthi Pappas, Virginia Sikavitsas, Lillian Constantakis, Nick, Bobbie, & Aleko Tsahtsiris, Bobby Cotton, Vicki Anastasiou, Foula Kotsou, Penelope Kakaris, Koula Stathis, Ari Gaitanis, Marina Kandrevas, Garefo Kollias, Andrew, Jennifer, Nicholas, Gary, George, Nicoletta, Paniotis & Pagonitsa, Paul & Maria

If you would like the Church to pray for you, please contact the Church office to add your name, of the names of your loved ones, to the Prayer List.

It is important to care for the elderly and those whose immune systems are compromised for other reasons among us - ensuring that they have all that they need, and that we check in with them frequently, must be our highest responsibility in this time. Please be attentive to those in the parish who have smaller families or whose families live farther away. Please be proactive to care for them yourselves, and to inform Fr. Anthony or the Church office so that we can add our efforts to yours.

Announcements

From Fr. Anthony

The Church office is closed until further notice. However, Susan or Susie may be present during regular office hours to answer calls or return messages. Susan has 24/7 access to our office email at stgeorgesouthgate@gmail.com and will check the answering machine regularly. The church office phone number is 734.283.8820. In emergency situations, please call me directly at 734.716.2268.

===================================================

Due to recent developments regarding COVID-19, all social events are cancelled.

We are continuing with our scheduled services of services, although the doors will be closed and only the priest and chanter are able to be present. See the schedule under "Upcoming Church Services" or check our website for times. All these services can be viewed on the parish live stream at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/franthonyc-stgeorgesouthgate

===================================================

Communion

Holy Communion will be by appointment after the two weekly Liturgies (Sunday morning after 11:15, and Wednesday eveing at 6:30 pm). If you would like to receive Communion, please email, call, or text Fr. Anthony (franthonyc@mac.com or 734.716.2268) for a time slot for your family to arrive. You should enter the church driveway by the north entrance, by the Apollo hall, and drive around the Church until you reach the church doors. Each family will need to wait until those in front of them have gotten back into their car before getting out and coming for communion. Fr. Anthony will either be outside the doors, or in the Narthex.

Memorial Services

Although we will not have memorial services with koliva, you can still submit the names of your departed loved ones for the priest to read during the Sunday Divine Liturgies. You can also make arrangements for private memorial services at the cemetery with only the priest and immediate family.

Appointments

All appointments will be held via phone or video-conference. You may make an appointment for confession by contacting Fr. Anthony by email (franthonyc@mac.com) or phone (734.716.2268). Fr. Anthony will make pastoral visitations when possible or permitted. Please note that hospitals and nursing homes are limited even clergy access to patients and residents.

Q&A - Open Conversations with Fr. Anthony & Children's Bedtime Story

Fr. Anthony will hold two daily all-parish Q&A sessions on ZOOM, Monday-Saturday (9 am and 7:30 pm) and read a bedtime story to the children in our parish (7 pm). The invitation information for these will be sent via email from Fr. Anthony with the web and phone instructions. Please install the ZOOM app on your phones or computers and stop by to say hello - Fr. Anthony would love to see your faces, hear your voices, and visit for a little while about what he can do for you all.

GOYA - Weekly Virtual "Gathering"

We are working to find appropriate virtual spaces for the young people to meet up and spend time together. Any additional suggestions for platforms and activities would be welcome - in the mean time, we will have a GOYA meet up in the Zoom virtual conference room at 11:00 am on Saturdays. Fr. Anthony will send invitation information directly to the kids and the parents in the GroupMe chat.

Grecian Center

The Grecian Center remains closed, but staff may be present during regular office hours to answer calls or return messages. Any visits to the facility are by appointment only.

Church Beautification

We know these times are very difficult but as we also know that they will not last forever, we will continue to include the announcement below in the hope of better days to come.

Since we began to raise funds for Church Beautification last summer, we have found donors for almost all of the items, including the new Epitaphios, the new Kouvouklion, and the white, gold, and purple Kalimata for the Holy Table and the Proskynitaria. The only color remaining is Green, used on several high occasions throughout the Church year, including feasts of the Forerunner, Palm Sunday, and Pentecost. The Green set will cost $2,435. If you are interested in donating this item, please contact the Church office or speak with Fr. Anthony.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins