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

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.

The office will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:00am - 3:00pm, beginning July 27th to September 1st. 

You can leave a message or email and your call will be answered promptly.

Have a wonderful and blessed Summer!

PLEASE WELCOME REV. FR. MICHAEL BUTLER, WHO IS SUBSTITUTING FOR FR. GEORGE THIS WEEKEND.

Demetra Monolidis, 10 years

Theodore Monolidis, 11 years 

May their memory be eternal

Coffee hour offered today by the Monolidis/Viscomi Family.

Sermon will now take place immediately after the Gospel reading.

Please be aware of this order when Holy Communion is offered:

1.    Altar boys, Presvytera, chanters

2.    Children + Sunday school students

3.    Choir members

4.    Parishioners who need assistance

5.    Ushers will then release everyone else, pew by pew

BEST WISHES  to Sabastian Dorn, one of the new members of our parish, who is heading to MIT in Cambridge, MA, to study aerospace engineering.  His wonderful smile and presence every Sunday will be missed.  But, not to worry, we will see him during holiday break.  God's speed, Sabastian!!!

Sunday School: Preparing to Welcome New and Returning Families for 2026-2027

We are excited to announce that Sunday School will begin on Sunday, September 20.  On this first day, Father George will offer a special Back-to-School blessing for all students as they begin a new school year. Following the blessing, families are invited to enjoy an ice cream social during Coffee Hour.

We plan to offer the following classes (based on registration):

Preschool Program (Ages 3-4)

Primary Program (Ages 5-7)

Elementary Program (Ages 8-11)

High School Program (Ages 12-16)

This year, students will be learning from the Archdiocese’s newly released curriculum, which features weekly lesson plans for children and teens and has been thoughtfully designed for the next generation of Orthodox Christians. Our teachers have been reviewing the materials and are preparing for another year of learning.

Registration: Come to register on September 13 or September 20. Families may also request a registration form by emailing [email protected]

The Annunciation Cathedral Parish Council is planning a group event to attend the Detroit Tigers vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday August 30, 2026.  The game starts at 1:40pm and we will meet after church to head over to Comerica Park for the game.  We will need to purchase tickets in advance at a group rate of approximately $40 per ticket.  If you would like to go to the game with us, please email your RSVP to Will Lianos at [email protected] or talk to Will Lianos or Pano Papalekas after church during the next 3 weeks.  We hope you can join us!

HOLY TRINITY MONASTERY TRIP – SMITH CREEK, MICHIGAN – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Similar to last year, we have scheduled a bus trip to visit the Holy Trinity Monastery on September 26^th.  We will have a bus departing from the church parking lot at 9:00am sharp with a projected arrival at the Monastery at 10:00am.  The group will be attending a short prayer service in the chapel, followed by a discussion with Father Joseph and lunch served by the monks.  If time allows, a short tour of the property and grounds will be given.  The plan is to leave the Monastery at 2:30pm and return to the church parking lot at 3:30pm.  Donations to the church to help offset the cost of the bus ($32 per person) should be made out to the Annunciation Cathedral.  Please RSVP by email or phone to Will Lianos – [email protected] or 313-850-6251.  We hope you can join us!

The Cathedral’s annual Cash Raffle is scheduled for Thursday, October 15,2026. The drawing will be held at 8:00 p.m. in 707 East. Everyone is urged to purchase their raffle ticket and join in the excitement of attending the reverse raffle drawing with a separate purchase of a dinner and drinks ticket. The raffle ticket price remains at $100.00 with a grand prize of $4,000.00. The open bar and buffet dinner ticket also remains at the same price as 2025 of $70.00.

Most Parish Council members have both raffle and dinner tickets for you to purchase. Additionally, you may call the Church office to purchase a ticket or if you have any questions. Remember, this is the Cathedral’s only annual fund-raiser and your support is greatly appreciated.

Please see flyer in our "Bulletin Inserts" section.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 18, 2026

We will introduce the icons of St. Cristina that was donated in memory of Christine (Tina) Tapazoglou and St. Nicholas that was donated for the physical and spiritual health of all the parishioners and every Christian. Our ordained Orthodox Lector (Reader), Nicolaos Tapazoglou, will be speaking on our Faith. Prayers will be offered for the repose of Tina's soul. Coffee and light edibles will be offered. Please mark your calendars.

Do you shop at Kroger?  If so, chances are you have a frequent shopper card or the Kroger app on your phone.  Did you know that Kroger will donate a percentage of your purchases (every time you shop) to our beloved Cathedral?

Go to your Kroger rewards account online from the Kroger.com website.  Click and follow the online instructions as follows:  

Go to kroger.com or krogercommunityrewards.com.

Find the “Community Rewards" section on the left side of your account landing page. Select “Annunciation Cathedral," and your done.  It literally takes one minute. 

Please share this simple and easy way to contribute to our church with family and friends.  The more people that participate the greater the percentage Kroger will donate.

As you know, we began our 2026 Stewardship Campaign a few months ago.  While we are grateful to all who have submitted forms, we are still accepting commitment forms.

If you have not yet filled one out, we urge you to do so.  Our 2026 operating expenses, like yours at home, continue to go up.  In addition, unexpected but necessary building maintenance and improvement projects, are taking a toll on our treasury.  Today more than ever in our past, we need to have a clear understanding of our financial position in order to prioritize and continually evaluate our options.  We pride ourselves on being fiscally responsible and good stewards of our funds.  In order to continue to do this, we need everyone’s input.  If you need a stewardship form, they are available on the church website as well as in the church Narthex. 

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. God bless you and your families.

Annunciation Cathedral Stewardship Committee.

Nicholas & Megan Ahee
Shofique & Maria Ali
Gregory & Marilyn Balog
Chris & Vicky Boloven
Jim & Angie Boloven 
Evangeline Bournias
Dr. James G. Contos
John & Susan Cook
Pauline Cook
Michael Fafalios
George & Anna Gaggos
Harry & Irene Gaggos
Mary Gaggos
Mary K. Gaggos
Olivia & Ian Gappy
Nicholas & Angela Gogonis
Harry & Christine Harris
James & Beverly Karagon
Bill & Becky Lianos 
Ethel Lianos
Will & Kim Lianos
Mary A. Markus
Irene Naida
Tony & Julie Panson
Carey Papalekas
Pano & Helen Papalekas
Nia & Dimitris Paskaris
Marika Pehlivanidis
Dean Politis
Elias Politis
Peter Rageas
Soula & Paul Serra
Nick Siringas
Jamie Spriet
Thomas Stathopoulos
Catherine Szuba
Nicolaos Tapazoglou
George & Dimitra Theodorou
Anastassios Tsantis
Panagiotis Tsantis 
Michael & Deborah Tyler
Gregory & Christina (Monolidis) Viscomi
Kasiani Zikos

"Sharing food with the less fortunate" is our newest philanthropic initiative. We have undertaken this as an on-going parish-wide activity.  Our objective is to maintain 2 bags of groceries in our pantry at all times for distribution to those who need a bit of help.  

Some requested items include:  peanut butter, pasta sauce, pasta, canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, canned or dry milk, crackers, cooking oil, sugar, flour, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, kleenex, paper toweling body soap, moisturizer, dish soap, etc.

You will find a container in the Narthex for your donations.  Please ensure items are not expired, packaging is intact and no glass containers.   "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed" (Proverbs 19:17).  

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.

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: 

Consolidate your errands. Planning your errands in one trip — and mapping the most efficient route — saves fuel, reduces emissions, and saves you time.

The parish council has decided it is important to establish a cathedral security and safety committee, especially with the recent tragedy that occurred at a church in Grand Blanc in September. Anyone who is interested (especially those who have any security or police experience or medical training) please contact Jim Boloven at 734-777-5541.

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].

Holy Relics of St. Theoktisti and St. Kirykos, Patron Saints of Ikaria -The Holy Relics of St. Theoktisti and St. Kirykos, along with the Holy Relics of St. Gregory the Gravanos and St. Sisoes the spiritual father(ο πνευματικός) have arrived at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Detroit. 

The inauguration of the Holy Relics will take place on November 8, 2026 with a procession during the Divine Liturgy and the presence of all the members of the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood and all the faithful.  For more information, please contact Mr. Nick Tsalis at 734-776-1027, president of The Pan-Icarian Brotherhood, Chapter 9 “Spanos/Areti” of Detroit.

Icon and Icon Stand of the Patron Saints of Thessalia – The Pan-Thessalian Union of Metro Detroit  -  The  Kostandinos  Ropotos family, owners of “WaterMark Bar and Grille” and “The Whiskey Six”, will be donating on behalf of the Pan-Thessalian Union of Metro Detroit, an Icon and Icon Stand of the Patron Saints of Thessalia: St. Seraphim, Patron Saint of Karditsa, St. Vissarion, Patron Saint of Trikala, St. Achillios, Patron Saint of Larissa, St. Riginos, Patron Saint of Skopelos, St. Nicholas, Patron Saint of Volos.

We will be receiving the Icon and Icon Stand in 2026 and will celebrate the Patron Saints of Thessalia, every year on December 4, starting in the Ecclesiastical year 2026, the Feastday of St. Seraphim, Patron Saint of Karditsa, in order to honor the donors, the Ropotos family, who are from Karditsa.

Icon and Icon Stand of St. Paisios and St. Porphyrios - Francesco Adamopoulos family, owner of the “The Jagged Fork”, will be donating an Icon and Icon Stand of St. Paisios and St. Porphyrios, which will be placed under the iconography of St. Paisios and St. Porphyrios on the right-hand side of the Solea. We will be celebrating the Feastday of St. Paisos and St. Porphyrios every year on December 2^nd,  starting in the Ecclesiastical year 2026.  

Icon and Icon Stand of St. Christina

Icon and Icon Stand of St. Nicholas

Gold plated Candlestick of St. Panteleimon

Gold plated Candlestick of Panagia Tsambika

Gold plated Candlestick of St. Demetrios

Icon and Icon Stand of the Patron Saints of Thessalia

Icon Stand of Panagia Soumela Patron Saint of Pontus

Icon and Icon Stand of St. Paisios and St. Porphyrios

Reliquary Vessel for the Holy Relics of the Patron Saints of Ikaria

Our parking lot management company, Park Rite, has installed gates at the three entrances to our parking lot (Monroe Street, I-375 service drive, and Lafayette Street). The gates will be open for Sunday services. For any church visits during the week, please use the Monroe Street entrance. When the parking lot attendant comes to the gate, please let him know you are there for a church visit, and he will raise the gate for you. You will NOT be charged any fee for parking in the lot for any church related visit. Also, the Lafayette gate will be open for any church sacrament event (weddings, funerals, etc.). Please note in the unlikely scenario that you pay for parking during a personal church visit, please advise the church office and your credit card charge will be reversed.

The 12 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.

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

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 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! 

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

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

In the historic Church of St. Paraskevi in Constantinople on its patronal feast, July 26, 2026, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew spoke movingly about the holy martyrs, and reflected upon the grim reality of the persecution of Christians today.

In the course of his remarks, the Ecumenical Patriarch lamented once again that the Russian government is waging an unjust war against its “Orthodox neighbor,” Ukraine, with the full approval of the Moscow Patriarchate, which has even blessed the conflict as a “holy war.” His All-Holiness has warned on numerous occasions that the concept of a “holy war” is incoherent, and that there can never be such a war.

His All-Holiness declared forthrightly that “truth is under attack. The followers of the Risen Lord are once again being persecuted, especially in the Middle East, the cradle of Christianity, which continues to give birth to new martyrs of the faith in our own time.” He noted disapprovingly that some have even dared to wage war in the name of the “Prince of Peace,” and continue to do so today.

It was tragic, said the Ecumenical Patriarch, that “the Orthodox Russian Federation turned against its Orthodox neighbor,” and that the Moscow Patriarchate described this conflict, a product of Russian aggression, as a “holy war,” even going so far as to bless weapons and promise eternal life to Russian Orthodox soldiers who fought against “their Ukrainian brothers.”

On May 20, 2026, His All-Holiness further explained the absolute incompatibility between the concepts of holiness and war: “The new creation bestowed upon us by the risen Lord allows no room for hatred and enmity, only love, love without limits, compassion and understanding. By this shall all know that we are true disciples of the risen one: if we have love for one another and for all people. We must always proclaim peace and brotherhood among peoples and nations, not war, even if we baptize it as ‘holy’ to please an authoritarian secular power. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a ‘holy war’! Holiness and war are, by their very nature, mutually incompatible concepts incapable of coexisting in any form!”

In remarks on March 24, 2026, the eve of the Feast of the Annunciation, His All-Holiness called upon the faithful to beseech the Most Holy Theotokos for an end to wars: “Let us fervently implore the Virgin Mary tonight to drive wars away from our world. May she bring an end to bloodshed, atrocities, violence, and our inhumanity. Her virtue and intercession can restrain human wickedness, for she was deemed worthy by God to take an active part in the salvation of us all. Today, the Theotokos becomes the new earth and the new heaven, from which a new world arises—a world of beauty, virtue, and salvation.”

His All-Holiness added: “May the joy of the Incarnation of the Word of God spread everywhere, so that peoples may advance in harmony and brotherhood and walk together toward enduring love, true justice, and the longed-for peace. Only these bring lasting and inalienable joy to humanity and to the nations of the earth—this is the message proclaimed by the Church: ‘Rejoice, O earth, with great joy; praise, O heavens, the glory of God!’”

The Ecumenical Patriarch concluded with a thoughtful reference to the Feast of the Annunciation: “The Annunciation is a consoling teaching, a voice of optimism, a proclamation of joy—the glad tidings of God’s goodwill and peace on earth.” The peace that the Annunciation brings to the earth is antithetical to the very ethos of war. War is, therefore, fundamentally opposed to the Christian Faith.

“History,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch in August 2025, “is replete with violence and cruelty,” but “never before has humanity been able to destroy so many lives and so much of the planet’s resources simultaneously.” He accordingly called upon Christians to reject war “as a political and national necessity,” saying that peace was “an existential and spiritual demand.”

“Peace,” he said, “always—and ultimately—starts in the heart. It takes time, toil, and tears. Nevertheless, it is our only hope for survival as individuals, as nations, and as a species.”

His All-Holiness reminded his audience of the Lord Jesus’ words: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Let us meditate upon these words anew in light of his explanation of them: “To be ‘peacemakers’ is to move away from what serves our own interests to what embraces the rights of others.” To do that consistently and in a thoroughgoing manner would indeed transform the world.

See the original article here.

The post No such thing as a ‘holy war,’ says Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

In response to the commitment His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America made during his Opening Remarks at the 48th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress, the Parish Planned Giving Matching Grant application is now available. 

> Previously: At Clergy-Laity Congress, Archbishop Elpidophoros exhorts faithful to “Rise & Build”

10 initial grants of $25,000, made possible through the generosity of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, are the first in a series of grants available to support parishes who take the strategic initiative to plan for fiscal sustainability by inviting planned gifts through a dedicated endowment. 

This initial round of grants will prioritize parishes who have attended one of the 10 regional workshops scheduled throughout the year across the Archdiocese. Eligible parishes will demonstrate how they established their program, its intent to serve the long-term sustainability of the parish, and the commitment of funds to match the grant total. 

This initiative is part of an intentional shift toward Generosity and Giving at the Archdiocese in direct response to the CARA survey date indicating that 62% of Parish Council Presidents identified parish financial generosity, sustainability and stewardship strategies and materials as resources most in need of improvement in their parishes. To that end, Archdiocesan programming on stewardship, capital endeavors, and planned giving will now align within a comprehensive model designed to inspire holistic fiscal sustainability. 

Look for more opportunities to learn about Generosity and Giving through parish planned giving, stewardship, and capital endeavors to secure a more sustainable future for your community.  

The Matching Grant application, registration opportunities for regional workshops, and planned giving resources are currently accessible at www.goarch.org/plannedgiving. 

The post $250,000 available as GOARCH launches Parish Planned Giving Matching Grant appeared first on Orthodox Observer.