Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Plagal Fourth Mode

In you, O Mother, is preserved undistorted what was made in the image of God; for taking up the cross, you followed Christ and by example taught, that we should overlook the flesh, since it passes away, and instead look after the soul, since it is immortal. And therefore, O devout Mary, your spirit rejoices with the angels.

Apolytikion for the Church in the Fourth Mode

Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

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

April 05

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed.

April 05

Monk-Martyrs Claudius, Diodore, Victor, Victorinus, and those with them

Of these Martyrs, Saint Claudius died when his arms and legs were severed; Saint Diodore was burned alive; Saints Victor, Victorinus, and Nicephorus were crushed to death by a large boulder; Saint Serapion was burned alive; Saint Pappias was cast into the sea. According to some accounts, they contested in Corinth under Decius in 251; according to others, in Diospolis in Egypt under Numerian in 284.

April 06

Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople

Born in Theia Kome of Phrygia, Eutychius was the son of illustrious parents, from whom he received a pious upbringing. He studied in Constantinople, and became a monk in a certain monastery of Amasia. In 552 he was chosen Patriarch of New Rome, but was exiled in 565 as a result of the machinations of the Origenists. In 577 he was restored to his throne and reposed on April 6, 582.

April 07

Calliopus and Akylina the Martyrs

The holy Martyr Calliopius was from Perga in Pamphylia, brought up in piety by his godly mother Theocleia. When the persecution of Maximian broke out, Saint Calliopius presented himself of his own accord before the Governor Maximus in Pompeiopolis of Galatia. After he had suffered many torments, his mother visited him in prison and encouraged him in his martyrdom. After this, his thrice-blessed mother, upon learning that he was to be crucified on Holy and Great Thursday, bribed the tyrants to defer it one day, that he might imitate the Lord's Crucifixion on the same day that He suffered it. The holy Martyr Calliopius received the crown of martyrdom on Holy and Great Friday in the year 304, being crucified upside down.

April 07

Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Enlightener of North America

Born in 1865 in the region of Pskov, our Father among the Saints Tikhon was tonsured a monk in 1891 and ordained to the priesthood in the same year. In 1897 he was consecrated Bishop of Lublin, and a year later appointed Bishop of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, with his see extending to all of North America from 1900 onwards. He did much to unite the Orthodox Christians of a great many ethnic backgrounds in North America, so that there was indeed one flock under one shepherd. In 1907 he was made Archbishop of Yaroslavl and Rostov, and in 1913, Archbishop of Lithuania.

In 1917, when he was Metropolitan of Moscow, he was elected to be the first Patriarch of Russia in over 200 years, in times that could not have been more difficult. After the Revolution of 1917, the persecution of the Russian Church by the atheist government grew more bold and more fierce with every year. By nature a meek and peace-loving man, Tikhon sought to determine, while giving only to God that which is God's, what could be given to Caesar to preserve peace and avoid the shedding of blood. At his departure on the feast of the Annunciation in 1925, Saint Tikhon made the sign of the Cross thrice, pronouncing the words, "Glory to Thee, O God!" Because of the many unspeakable sufferings he endures as Patriarch, he is honoured as a Confessor.

Note: St. Tikhon's repose was on the Feast of the Annunciation according to the Old Calendar (March 25), but on the New Calendar his repose falls on April 7.

April 07

George, Bishop of Lesvos

The righteous George struggled in behalf of the holy icons, and reposed in peace about the year 821.

April 08

The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermes

The Apostle Herodion, whom Saint Paul mentions in his Epistle to the Romans (16:11) and calls his "kinsman," was ordained presbyter and then Bishop of New Patras, where he was slain by Jews and pagans. Saint Agabus is mentioned in Acts 21:10-11, where he prophesied Saint Paul's arrest in Jerusalem at the hands of the Jewish leaders. In Acts 11:27-28 it is mentioned also that this Saint foretold the great famine that would come to pass in the time of Claudius Caesar. Having preached the Gospel throughout various regions, he departed to the Lord. The Apostle Rufus became Bishop of Thebes in Greece. The Apostles Asyncritus and Phlegon preached Christ in many places, suffered many afflictions at the hands of the pagans and Jews, and departed unto the Lord. The Apostle Hermes is mentioned with them in the Epistle to the Romans (16:13-14).

April 09

The Holy Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea

This holy Martyr was from the parts of Cappadocia, and lived a blameless life with his wife. During the reign of Julian the Apostate, this blessed one was filled with divine zeal and, with other Christians, destroyed the pagan temple dedicated to Fortune. Because of this he received the crown of martyrdom by beheading in the year 362.

April 10

Terence and his Companions beheaded at Carthage

These Saints were from Africa, and they all contested during the reign of Decius, in 251. After many torments, they were beheaded at the command of Fortunatus the Governor.

April 11

Lazarus Saturday

Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, the friends of the Lord Jesus, had given Him hospitality and served Him many times (Luke 10:38-4z; John 12:2-3). They were from Bethany, a village of Judea. This village is situated in the eastern parts by the foothills of the Mount of Olives, about two Roman miles from Jerusalem. When Lazarus - whose name is a Hellenized form of "Eleazar," which means "God has helped," became ill some days before the saving Passion, his sisters had this report taken to our Saviour, Who was then in Galilee. Nonetheless, He tarried yet two more days until Lazarus died; then He said to His disciples, "Let us go into Judea that I might awake My friend who sleepeth." By this, of course, He meant the deep sleep of death. On arriving at Bethany, He consoled the sisters of Lazarus, who was already four days dead. Jesus groaned in spirit and was troubled at the death of His beloved friend. He asked, "Where have ye laid his body?" and He wept over him. When He drew nigh to the tomb, He commanded that they remove the stone, and He lifted up His eyes, and giving thanks to God the Father, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." And he that had been dead four days came forth immediately, bound hand and foot with the grave clothes, and Jesus said to those standing there, "Loose him, and let him go." This is the supernatural wonder wrought by the Saviour that we celebrate on this day.

According to an ancient tradition, it is said that Lazarus was thirty years old when the Lord raised him; then he lived another thirty years on Cyprus and there reposed in the Lord. It is furthermore related that after he was raised from the dead, he never laughed till the end of his life, but that once only, when he saw someone stealing a clay vessel, he smiled and said, "Clay stealing clay." His grave is situated in the city of Kition, having the inscription: "Lazarus the four days dead and friend of Christ." In 890 his sacred relics were transferred to Constantinople by Emperor Leo the Wise, at which time undoubtedly the Emperor composed his stichera for Vespers, "Wishing to behold the tomb of Lazarus . . ."

April 11

Antipas, Bishop of Pergamum

Saint Antipas was a contemporary of the holy Apostles, by whom he was made Bishop of Pergamum. He contested during the reign of Domitian, when he was cast, as it is said, into a bronze bull that had been heated exceedingly. The Evangelist John writes of him in the Book of Revelation, and says (as it were from the mouth of Christ, Who says to the Angel [that is, the Bishop] of the Church of Pergamum): "I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is; and thou holdest fast My Name, and hast not denied My Faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth" (Rev. 2:13). The faithful pray to this Saint for ailments of the teeth.

Ecclesiastical Feast

Of the Fifth Sunday of the Fast, in which we commemorate our devout Mother Mary of Egypt.

Of the holy martyrs Claudius, Diodoros, Victor, Victorinus, Pappias, Serapion, and Nikephoros, of our devout mother Theodora of Thessaloniki, of the holy martyrs Theodora and Didymos, of the Holy martyr Thermos, the Holy martyr Pompey, and the Holy martyr Zeno.

Of the holy martyrs Maximus and Terence.

Of the holy five young women martyrs of Lesbos.

Of the Holy, glorious George the Neomartyr of New Ephesus.

Upcoming Church Services

You can watch the Services via live stream at

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

Monday, April 6

5:30 pm - Great Compline

Wednesday, April 8

4:00 pm - Presanctified Liturgy

Lazarus Saturday, April 11

8:50 & 10 am - Divine Liturgy

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14.

BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45

At that time, Jesus took his twelve disciples, and he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Wisdom of the Fathers

"The time of repentance is short; the kingdom of heaven has no end."

St. Ephraim the Syrian

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.

SPECIAL PRAYERS

Besides our local ongoing service live streams (and those of countless other churches around the world) there are two ongoing efforts at united prayer by ALL the Faithful. Locally, our Faithful are urged to join together in singing the Troparion of the Holy Cross (Σῶσον Κύριε…) each evening at 6 pm. Around the world, the monastic Fathers of Mount Athos invite all the Orthodox Faithful to join in praying “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on Your world” between 10 and 10:15 pm each day.

Announcements

From Fr. Anthony

The church office will remain closed until further notice. However, Susan or Susie may be present during regular office hours to answer calls or return messages - however, they will not be able to let anyone into the building. Please note that 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 Fr. Anthony directly at 734-716-2268.

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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

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Our Students' Feast Days

We wish our students celebrating their Feast Days in April 'Chronia Polla.' May God grant them many years.

15th – Leopold Abellera, Leonidas (Leo) Asimakopoulos

23rd – George Assimacopoulos, Yiorgos Golematis, Yeorgia (Georgina) Souders, Giorgia Tsipras

24th – Elisabeth Bittner, Zoё Evangelia Compos

25th – Marek (Gabriel) Tougas

Communion

We can no longer distribute Holy Communion, either during a pastoral visit, or at the Church. All pastoral visits are prohibited outside of dire emergencies. In these circumstances, we urge all our Faithful to begin a discipline of prayer within the home, either by participating in the Live Streams, or (even better) by beginning or increasing their family rule of prayer in the home. As we are kept away from the Church for this time, we have the opportunity to make each of our homes into a Church, and turn these difficult circumstances into an opportunity to draw closer to the Lord and to one another. You can find texts for Services that can be done without a priest at all times of the day at http://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html. It is possible to do any service except the Divine Liturgy and other sacraments without a priest - you simply say “Lord, have mercy” three times every time there is a set of petitions, and say “Through the Prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us” every time there is a prayer or exclamation by the Priest. If you have questions regarding how to do Readers’ Services - please call or email me. I would love to help you all develop this beautiful practice in your homes!

Subscriptions

In this time of lockdown, we have limited ways of keeping in touch with all of you. If you know of anyone who is not on the Listserv list, please provide their email address to Susan or Fr. Anthony, or urge them to do so. If you use Facebook, please like and begin to follow our parish page (https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgeGOCSouthgate/). You can also befriend Fr. Anthony on Facebook, if you wish, to keep touch with him more easily through this time (https://www.facebook.com/franthonyc). Finally, we urge you all to subscribe to our Youtube channel, so that you may receive notifications every time we begin a Live Stream. The channel may be found at https://www.youtube.com/c/franthonyc-stgeorgesouthgate.

Prayer/Candle Requests (updated)

If you would like for us to light a candle in the Church in prayer for you and your family, please use the folowing Google Form: Prayer/Candle Requests: http://www.stgeorge.mi.goarch.org/about-us/prayer-requests-candle-lighting

You can pay by credit card or send a check in the mail to the Church.

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).

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

Fr. Anthony will hold daily all-parish Q&A sessions on ZOOM, each day (at 7:30 pm) and read a bedtime story to the children in our parish (3 pm). 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. See the information at the end of the announcements on how to participate in a ZOOM session.

**NEW** Orthodox Life (Bible Study)

Fr. Anthony will now have two sessions each week. One will be at the normal time, Tuesday at 6 pm, and the other will be Saturday at 1 pm. Please install the ZOOM app on your phones or computers. See the information at the end of the announcements on how to participate in a ZOOM session.

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.

Parishioner Restaurants List (updated)

In these extraordinary times, we know that those Faithful who own or operate restaurants are in need of our support - and carry-out/food delivery is one way in which we are able to give that support. Fr. Anthony would like all parishioner business-owners to send him the information for how orders can be placed, so that we can provide a single space for all of our Faithful to access menus and place orders. Please see a list of parishioner owned restaurants at the end of announcements.

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.

Basic Information for St. George "Shelter in Place"

Church Website: http://stgeorge.mi.goarch.org

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

Service Texts: http://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html

Prayer/Candle Requests: http://www.stgeorge.mi.goarch.org/about-us/prayer-requests-candle-lighting

Parish Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgeGOCSouthgate/

Fr. Anthony Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/franthonyc

Fr. Anthony Cell Phone: 734-716-2268

Archdiocese Resources/Activities/Lessons/Crafts for this Sunday: https://www.goarch.org/-/religious-ed-at-home-week-2?inheritRedirect=true&redirect=%2Fdepartments%2Freligioused

PARISH ZOOM INFORMATION

Zoom Meeting Join: https://zoom.us/j/9419524282

Zoom Phone Numbers:

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)

Then enter the Meeting ID: 941 952 4282

Zoom App Downloads:

Zoom Installation Links

Parishioners Restaurant Information

Auburn Cafe

313-381-8133

Curbside Pickup Only

11a to 8p

Souvlaki Greek Street Food

Open for curbside pickup and delivery Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm

Link to our website for pickup and delivery is https://www.souvlakistreetfood.com/

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Apolytikion for the Church in the Fourth Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

Saints and Feasts

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

Monk-Martyrs Claudius, Diodore, Victor, Victorinus, and those with them

Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople

Calliopus and Akylina the Martyrs

Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Enlightener of North America

George, Bishop of Lesvos

The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermes

The Holy Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea

Terence and his Companions beheaded at Carthage

Lazarus Saturday

Antipas, Bishop of Pergamum

Ecclesiastical Feast

Upcoming Church Services

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Wisdom of the Fathers

Prayer List / Visitation

Announcements