Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2024-12-29
Bulletin Contents

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Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (313)965-2988
  • Fax:
  • (313) 965-2428
  • Street Address:

  • 707 E. Lafayette Blvd.

  • Detroit, MI 48226


Contact Information








Services Schedule

Sunday Service
Matins 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When You descended to death, O Immortal Life, then, the light of Your divinity destroyed Hades. When You raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers cried out, "Glory to You our Christ, the Giver of Life."

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Mode

Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath shined the light of knowledge upon the world; for thereby they that worshipped the stars were instructed by a star to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Sun. after Nativity in the Second Mode

O Joseph, proclaim the wonders to David, the ancestor of God. Thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; thou hast given glory with the shepherds; thou hast worshipped with the Magi; and thou hast been instructed through an Angel. Entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

Today, the Virgin bears Him who is transcendent, and the earth presents the cave to Him who is beyond reach. Angels, along with shepherds glorify Him. The Magi make their way to Him by a star. For a new child has been born for us, the God before all ages.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:12-35

At that time, [Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. That very day] 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 not it necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into this 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.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19.

Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.


Gospel Reading

Sunday after Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 2:13-23

When the wise men departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more." But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaos reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."


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Saints and Feasts

December 29

Sunday after Nativity

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the twenty-sixth of this month, we make commemoration of Saints Joseph, the Betrothed of the Virgin; David, the Prophet and King; and James, the Brother of God. When there is no Sunday within this period, we celebrate this commemoration on the 26th.

Saint Joseph (whose name means "one who increases") was the son of Jacob, and the son-in-law - and hence, as it were, the son - of Eli (who was also called Eliakim or Joachim), who was the father of Mary the Virgin (Matt. 1:16; Luke 3:23). He was of the tribe of Judah, of the family of David, an inhabitant of Nazareth, a carpenter by Trade, and advanced in age when, by God's good will, he was betrothed to the Virgin, that he might minister to the great mystery of God's dispensation in the flesh by protecting her, providing for her, and being known as her husband so that she, being a virgin, would not suffer reproach when she was found to be with child. Joseph had been married before his betrothal to our Lady; they who are called Jesus' "brethren and sisters" (Matt. 13:55-56) are the children of Joseph by his first marriage. From Scripture, we know that Saint Joseph lived at least until the Twelfth year after the birth of Christ (Luke 2:41-52); according to the tradition of the Fathers, he reposed before the beginning of the public ministry of Christ.

The child of God and ancestor of God, David, the great Prophet after Moses, sprang from the tribe of Judah. He was the son of Jesse, and was born in Bethlehem (whence it is called the City of David), in the year 1085 before Christ. While yet a youth, at the command of God he was anointed secretly by the Prophet Samuel to be the second King of the Israelites, while Saul - who had already been deprived of divine grace - was yet living. In the thirtieth year of his life, when Saul had been slain in battle, David was raised to the dignity of King, first, by his own tribe, and then by all the Israelite people, and he reigned for forty years. Having lived seventy years, he reposed in 1015 before Christ, having proclaimed beforehand that his son Solomon was to be the successor to the throne.

The sacred history has recorded not only the grace of the Spirit that dwelt in him from his youth, his heroic exploits in war, and his great piety towards God, but also his transgressions and failings as a man. Yet his repentance was greater than his transgresssions, and his love for God fervent and exemplary; so highly did God honour this man, that when his son Solomon sinned, the Lord told him that He would not rend the kingdom in his lifetime "for David thy father's sake" (III Kings 12:12). Of The Kings of Israel, Jesus the Son of Sirach testifies, "All, except David and Hezekias and Josias, were defective" (Ecclus. 49:4). The name David means "beloved."

His melodious Psalter is the foundation of all the services of the Church; there is not one service that is not filled with Psalms and psalmic verses. It was the means whereby old Israel praised God, and was used by the Apostles and the Lord Himself. It is so imbued with the spirit of prayer that the monastic fathers of all ages have used it as their trainer and teacher for their inner life of converse with God. Besides eloquently portraying every state and emotion of the soul before her Maker, the Psalter is filled with prophecies of the coming of Christ. It foretells His Incarnation, "He bowed the heavens and came down" (Psalm 17:9), His Baptism in the Jordan, "The waters saw Thee, O God, The waters saw Thee and were afraid" (76:15), His Crucifixion in its details, "They have pierced My hands and My feet .... They have parted My garments amongst themselves, and for My vesture have they cast lots" (21:16, 18). "For My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink" (68:26), His descent into Hades, "For Thou wilt not abandon My soul in Hades, nor wilt Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption" (15:10) and Resurrection, "Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered" (67:1). His Ascension, "God is gone up in jubilation" (46:5), and so forth.

As for James, the Brother of God, see October 23.


December 29

14,000 infants (Holy Innocents) slain by Herod in Bethlehem

The infant-slaying Herod mentioned here is the same one that ruled at the time of Christ's Nativity. In those days, certain Magi, who were wise and noble men, perhaps even kings, set forth from the East, and came to Jerusalem, seeking the King of the Jews, Who had been born; and they said that in the East, where their homeland was, an unusual and strange star had appeared two years before, which, according to an ancient oracle (Num 24:17), was to signify the birth of some great king of the Jews. "For we have seen His star in the east," they said, "and have come to worship Him" (Matt. 2:2). Hearing these things, Herod was troubled, and the whole city together with him. Then, having inquired and been informed by the high priests and scribes of the people that, according to the prophecies, Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, he sent the Magi thither and ordered them that, when they would find the Child, to inform him, so that he also - as he affirmed - might go and worship Him. But the Magi, after they had worshipped, departed by another way to their own country by a divine command. Then Herod was wroth and sent men to slay all the infants of Bethlehem and the parts round about, from two years old and under, thinking that with them he would also certainly slay the King Who had been born. But this vain man who fought against God was mocked, since Jesus the Child, with Mary His Mother, under the protection of Joseph the Betrothed, fled into Egypt at the command of an Angel. As for those innocent infants, they became the first Martyrs slain in behalf of Christ. But their blood-thirsty executioner, the persecutor of Christ, came down with dropsy after a short time, with his members rotting and being eaten by worms, and he ended his life in a most wretched manner.


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Parish News & Announcements

NO COFFEE HOUR TODAY

No coffee hour today.


SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

  • No Sunday School on December 29, 2024 and January 5, 2025.  Sunday School will resume Sunday, January 12, 2025.

  • We wish all families a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year! 

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

  • No Coffee Hour on December 29, 2024.

  • Memorial Coffee Hour Fees: Parishioners of the Annunciation $150.00, Non-parishioners $200.00.  This includes 2 tables of 8 completely set with 8 plates of food, utensils, and beverages (coffee and water).  Additional tables of 8 are $25.00 each.  

  • Cookbooks: Amaze your family and friends with your cooking skills! The Joy of Greek Cooking cookbooks are for sale once again! The book contains hundreds of authentic recipes from the kitchens of our parishioners. Price remains affordable at $20, or $24 which includes shipping. Porch pickup is also available in Farmington Hills.

BOOK CLUB

We are happy to announce the return of the Annunciation Cathedral Book Club. This was a regular occurrence prior to Covid but has not been restored until now. We will be doing “The Orthodox Way” by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware. For those who have already read this book (3 times for me), you understand what a great read it is. In order to get the most out of it, we will divide it into 3 parts. Those who join us will not regret it.  The Cathedral has purchased a number of copies of the book which you can grab when you come to the liturgy.

Our first book club meeting was held on Thursday, December 12.   We had a good attendance (14 people) and was enjoyed by everyone.  Our next meeting will be in January, please see future bulletin for more details.


GREENING THE PARISH INITIATIVE

The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are sponsoring a Greening the Parish Initiative.  The goals are to create greater awareness of the leadership of His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholemew on issues of the environment and creation.  We are looking to inspire engagement and working-together within our parish communities.  Together, we can create an attitude and culture of caring for creation within the entire Greek Orthodox community. 

Today's message is: 

Rewild your garden. A small simple pond encourages birds and other helpful insects. Plant native wildflowers to attract bees. Grow your herbs from your yard. Let leaves decay in your garden beds to add nutrients and promote healthy cycles.


MESSINIAN ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN

02/02/2025

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2025 - THE MESSINIAN ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN will be having their annual Memorial, Artoklasia and Coffee Hour on Sunday, February 2, 2025 honoring the Feast day of their region “Ypapanti - Presentation of our Lord” (Feast day February 2nd). 


EPIROTIC SOCIETY OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN

02/23/2025

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2025 – EPIROTIC SOCIETY OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN will be having their annual Memorial, Artoklasia and Coffee Hour on Sunday, February 23, 2025 honoring the Feast of their 55 Patron Saints.


ICON OF PANAGIA SOUMELA OF DETROIT

We have the pleasure to announce that the Architect/Project Manager, Mr. Christos Pavlides of Upstate New York, on behalf of “Panagia Soumela” Pontian Society of Detroit, Michigan will be generously donating an authentic copy of Panagia Soumela of Pontos, which is kept in Veria Greece. Please see "Bulletin Inserts" section for flyer.

This Holy Icon was brought from Panagia Soumela Monastery to Veria after the monastic Soumela brotherhood was forced to abandon the Monastery, under the command of the Turkish government. Please see "Bulletin Inserts" section for picture of the Icon.

The “Panagia Soumela” Pontian Society of Detroit, Michigan will be celebrating and venerating Panagia Soumela of Pontos each ecclesiastical year around the date, May 19th, in memory of the tragic holocaust of the Pontian Greeks of Euxinus Pontos.

It is an honor for all to keep the memory of the holocaust of our fellow Greeks of Pontos and instill and inherit to the younger generations the heroic sacrifices of all the Pontians who gave their lives to save their land and their families and eventually to become war refugees abandoning their own homeland and live in diaspora.

The icon of Panagia Soumela of Detroit will be escorted and gifted to the Annunciation Cathedral by the Architect/Project Manager, Mr. Christos Pavlides in person on January 19, 2025.


EPIROTIC ICON STAND

  • We have the pleasure to announce that the Epirotic Icon Stand has arrived and has been setup.  There are some items that have not yet arrived, such as the plaques with name of donors, small carpet, the decorative ceiling inside the Icon Stand above the already hung oil lamp.
  • Fr. Georgios Manias journey to the Metropolis of Ioannina for the arrangements of the transfer of Holy Relic of St. Georgios the New Martyr, Patron Saint of the city of Ioannina, was successful. A letter according to the protocol for the request of the transfer, under the guidance of the offices of the Metropolis of Ioannina and Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, have been composed, signed and sent to the Metropolis of Detroit. The process of the request officially started on September 20, 2024, and we hope that our request will be forwarded to His Eminence Archbishop Elipidophoros of America from our beloved Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit.
  • Let us all pray that this letter will find its final destination and answered positively and promptly for the Glory of God and the spiritual prosperity of our Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral family and all the Orthodox Christians of America.
  • Please see attached the corresponding letter that has been sent to His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, as well as the letter of thanks and gratitude to the Annunciation Cathedral Family from the president of the Panepirotic Federation of America, Mr. Ioannis Katsimbaris.
  • His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sends his greetings in Christ, and his blessings for a successful bestowal of the Holy Relic of St. Georgios the New Martyr, Patron Saint of the city of Ioannina, alongside with his pastoral love to all the parishioners, friends and faithful of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Detroit.
  • You can view the letters in our e-bulletin, along with pictures from Fr. Georgios Manias journey to Ioannina and Constantinople.

ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRAL CHOIR - WE NEED YOU!

Annunciation Cathedral Choir – WE NEED YOU!

Your choir will be starting another year in song and we ask you to join us – young and old are welcome in the choir loft.  It’s a great way to actively participate in the Liturgy, and you do not have to read Greek to sing.  We practice approximately once per month.  Come sing with us!  Any questions can be directed to your nearest choir member or Kim Lianos at kim.lianos04@gmail.com.

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O most High:  to show forth Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.”  Psalm 92:1-2


LIONS GAMES

On the Sundays that the Lions are playing a 1:00 PM home game, parishioners are kindly asked to leave the parking lot immediately after church. There will be no coffee hour.  If you leave your car in the lot for any reason, you will be required to pay for parking at the posted rates.   The church leases the parking lot to Park-Rite.  This is our single largest source of income.  On non-game days, you can stay parked in the lot until 2:00 pm. 


BULLETIN ARTICLES

All articles to be included in the Sunday Bulletin must be submitted by 12pm on Thursdays.
Please call the Church office at 313-965-2988 or email: [email protected].


HELP NEEDED

Looking for a caregiver for and elderly women.  Please call Eleni Giannopoulos at 586-436-8588.


STEWARDSHIP

"As the Father has sent me, so I send you." John 20:21. Christian stewardship is a commitment to God through our time, talent, and treasure. Your 2024 Stewardship pledge card is available in the Narthex. Please take the time to complete your card and place it in the Stewardship box.


HOLY RELICS - 'ΑΓΙΑ ΛΕΙΨΑΝΑ

The 9 Holy Relics are on display in the reliquary of the Annunciation Cathedral of Detroit for embracement and veneration for whomever wishes to do so.  The Holy relics have been safe guarded in the sanctuary of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral for over one hundred years, and it is now the time for them to be venerated and presented to all the faithful Christians.


CONFESSION

Any individual wishing to schedule an appointment for Confession with Fr. Georgios Manias may do so by contacting Father at 313-588-0829.


SACRAMENTS AND SPECIAL LITURGICAL SERVICES

Please call Fr. Georgios Manias or the Church Office to schedule and confirm in advance, Sacraments and special Liturgical services, such as Memorials and Trisagion in order to honor your beloved ones. 


MEETINGS

Meetings with Father Georgios Manias are by appointment only. Please schedule meetings through the church office or by contacting Father at 313-588-0829.  Thank you! 


LIVE STREAM OF SERVICES

Live streaming of the Annunciation Cathedral services begin at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday.  

Please go directly to our website: http://www.annunciationcathedral.org and click the link: Annunciation Cathedral Services.


DONATIONS

To contribute to our Cathedral electronically. You can either go to our website's home page and click on the "Donate" button with the following link:

http://www.annunciationcathedral.org/

Or, you can click on the following link to go directly to the "Donate" PayPal page:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5LRXU8CDMKJW&source=url

You also still have the option of sending your donation by check directly to the Cathedral. In this tough economic time, we greatly appreciate any contribution towards your stewardship.

707 EAST

For all your catering needs, call Ernie's direct at 586-286-8435.

Please tell your neighbors and friends of our beautiful event venue.

 


CEMETERY PLOTS

There are two (2) cemetery plots available at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, MI.  They are located in the Garden of Religious Liberty section.  Each plot is $1,600.  For more information, contact Marsha Ponkey at 313-469-6977 or 313-213-7181.


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Bulletin Inserts

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Calendar of Annunciation

  • Annunciation Calendar

    December 29, 2024 to January 12, 2025

    DECEMBER

    Sunday, December 29

    No Choir

    NO COFFEE HOUR

    9:00AM Matins

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    JANUARY

    Wednesday, January 1

    St. Basil the Great

    New Year's Day

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

    Sunday, January 5

    9:00AM Matins

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    8:15PM Lions Game

    Monday, January 6

    Holy Theophany

    Tuesday, January 7

    7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

    Sunday, January 12

    9:00AM Matins

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

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Archdiocese News

The Department of Religious Education (DRE) Is Getting You Ready for the 12 Days of Christmas

12/27/2024

In the spirit of giving, the Department of Religious Education (DRE) of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is getting you ready for its renowned Sermon Series. The DRE is kicking off its Nativity Sermon Series for the 12 days of Christmas, which begins on Christmas!


Christmas Eve at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

12/26/2024

On Christmas Eve 2024, the community of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, led by the Dean of the Cathedral V. Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Gilbert, welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for the Divine Liturgy.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Nathanael too enters ... saying, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" ... Nevertheless, He is not ashamed to be named even from thence, signifying that He needs not ought of the things of men; and His disciples also He chooses out of Galilee.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 9 on Matthew 2, 4th Century

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