Come and Worship!

Join us in person for Liturgy or watch online on our Facebook page or Youtube

This Week's Calendar

Sunday, July 14 - Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy

Monday, July 15
10:00 am Cookie bake

Tuesday, July 16
10:00 am Cookie bake
6:30 pm Greek Dance Practice - Biddies
7:00 pm Greek Dance Practice - Juniors
7:30 pm Greek Dance Practice - Intermediates
8:30 pm Greek Dance Practice - REVMA

Wednesday, July 17
10:00 am Cookie bake

Thursday, July 18
10:00 am Cookie bake
7:00 REVMA Dance Practice
7:00 pm Parish Council Meeting

Friday, July 19
10:00 am Cookie bake

Saturday, July 20 - The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)
9:00 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy

Sunday, July 21- 4th Sunday of Matthew
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy

Parish News and Updates

Χρόνια Πολλά Fr. Nick! And many years to him on the 15th Anniversary of his Holy Ordination! ΑΧΙΟΣ! July 11 was Father Nick's Ordination Anniversary - you are invited to celebrate with Presv. Liza and his family on Sunday during coffee hour. We give thanks for his call to serve the church and leading our parish.

THE TEA ON FESTIVAL BAKING—this week we begin baking cookies— we’ll be making Melomakarona beginning July 15. Mark your calendar and come help us make sweets for the festival.

mellos

MEALS FOR THE ZEMBYLES-HERNANDEZ FAMILY The Zembylas-Hernandez family welcomed their new baby on June 1st! Taylor is the main caregiver for all the little ones (and her mom), while her husband and her father work, so these meals would be most helpful. There are 4 adults in the household and 5 children (not including the newborn). Visit the sign-up genius for more details. For any questions, you may reach out to Anna Liakou-Hentnik: 248-425-2321.

St. Panteleimon Festival and Feast Day - Festival is Sunday, July 21 following Divine Liturgy at 10:30 am (Orthros at 9:30 am) Feast of St. Panteleimon is Saturday, July 27 - Orthros at 9:30 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:30 am with refreshments following. The Chapel is located at 7143 Cedar Rd in Lexington, MI. Fr Nick will be celebrating feast day services on the 27th at St. Panteleimon - you are encouraged to come for divine services. See bulletin insert below for more information.

HELP WANTED - Nativity is seeking someone with website design skills to help update and refresh our web page. It could be as little or as much work as someone would want to take on. In particular, it could be a good opportunity for a student looking to boost their resume. Contact Lynn Perakis <[email protected]> if you can help.

Festival Updates

We are very excited to celebrate our 19^th annual Taste of Greece Festival, and even more thrilled to announce that the 2024 A Taste of Greece Festival will be presented by Global CNC - The Stassinos Family. Thank you to Global CNC—The Stassinos Family for your incredible and continued generosity.

FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL Our parishioners are one of the most important drivers of our festival success each year, and through your volunteerism, support, patronage, and enthusiasm we achieve new heights year after year. Your friendship has brought us to this point and has allowed us to see our 19^th year.

New this year, we have revamped our sponsorship offerings and created a Friends of the Festival recognition for individuals and families who make a monetary contribution in support of the festival. Donors for gifts between $101 and $499 will be recognized as Friends of the Festival. Separately, we will also continue with our yearly Sign Program and business sponsorship program. Forms are attached below or available on the table in the Narthex.

FESTIVAL SIGN SUPPORTERS—Show your support for the festival by ordering your personalized sign for the main tent—New signs are $100 and renewal signs are $50. Forms are attached below or available on the table in the Narthex.

BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP - If you are interested in considering a sponsorship listing for your business, please contact Jasmine Pickens at [email protected] for more information or use the form attached below.

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS - We need volunteers for running the festival, especially in the Cafeteria, Taverna, Admissions and Dining Area. Here’s how you sign up: Contact Georgia Koumariotis at 248-767-0214 or sign up ONLINE using this form: https://bit.ly/NVMFest24 Georgia will contact you by telephone to determine what dates and times work

Thank you for your continued support of our annual A Taste of Greece festival in ways that feel meaningful to you. We look forward to seeing you August 22 - 25. OPA!

ATTENTION NATIVITY DANCERS In preparation for the Festival, Greek Dance Practices will take place TUESDAYS. All young people are invited to participate. Practices are scheduled for the following dates in the parish social hall.

July 16, 23, 30
August 6, 13, 20 (August 20 is an outdoor rehearsal)
Dates subject to change. Additional rehearsals may be added!

BIDDIES - (Grades K-2)    6:30-7:00 pm
JUNIORS - (Grades 3-5)     7:00-7:30 pm
INTERMEDIATES - (Grades 6-8)    7:30-8:30 pm
REVMA - (High School/College/Post College) 8:30-9:30 pm or later

Extra Thursday night rehearsals for REVMA beginning July 18 from 7-9:30 pm

July 18, 25
August 1, 8, 15

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE.

For more information contact Peggy Collias (586-945-5246), Renee Varlamos (248-207-4872) or Cathy Rapp (248-231-5982). Scholarships are available for those with financial needs - speak to Peggy.

INSTAGRAM POST - FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL PROMOTIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA - Hey everyone, please share the above photo on your social media accounts, and like, follow, and share the festival social media accounts. Go to www.MichiganGreekFestival.com for more info. We are also looking for sponsorships for our Festival. If you are interested, reach out to Jasmine Pickens at [email protected].

FESTIVAL INSTAGRAM

FESTIVAL FACEBOOK PAGE

Those in Our Prayers

Nicholas the Bishop, John the Priest, John the Priest, Cassani the Presvytera,Kalliope the Presvytera, Sevi Bertolis, Panayiotis Christodoulos, Mary Christopoulos, Constantin Dumitrescu, Kosta Efthimiou, Tracey Ford, Greg Georvassilis , Randa Istephan, Zoe Jaimee, Kathy Jenaras, Maria Kalas, George & Diane Kotsonas, Panayiota Koutoupa, Gus Kyriakou, Penelope Kyriakoula, Jim Lee, Nick Malamis, Frank Maroudis, Freda Mollasis, Gregory Morakeas, Evelyn Morris, George Mortis, Alexander Nichoff, Marchela Papageorgakis, Stella Papasavva, Nikolia Pappas, Nicholas Pappas, George Peters, Helen Peters, Katerina Peters, Costas Photsios, Penny Poulos, Pam Provgna, Helen Sitaras, Vasillios Sotiropoulos, Rick Stanley & Family, Randa Istephan , Evan Kostonas Stoecklein, Mike & Julia Tate, Jim Tsakos, Evris & Helen Tsaprazis, Pete Tsaprazis, John Vardouniotis, Alexander Varverakis , Jim Vlahakis, Irene Vouharas, Trevor Wilhelmi, Sandy Zembylas, Selina Zembylas-Hernandez, George Zervos, Little Jack, Sofia.

THE CHURCH IS HERE FOR YOU In times of need or times of celebration, there are a number of pastoral situations that warrant contacting Father Nick.

Any Hospital Stay: Illness, Surgery, etc.
Death - Call when a person is dying and at the actual time of death, regardless of the hour!
Substance abuse involving you or a loved one.
Domestic problems of any sort, Marital or children.
When you desire spiritual direction.
Birth of a child, (naming, and 40 day blessing).
When you become engaged and are planning a wedding.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!”

Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Fathers in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Supremely blessed are You, O Christ our God. You established the holy Fathers upon the earth as beacons, and through them You have guided us all to the true Faith, O greatly merciful One, glory be to You.

Ὑπερδεδοξασμένος εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ φωστῆρας ἐπὶ γῆς τοὺς Πατέρας ἡμῶν θεμελιώσας, καὶ δι' αὐτῶν πρὸς τὴν ἀληθινὴν πίστιν, πάντας ἡμᾶς ὁδηγήσας· πολυεύσπλαγχνε, δόξα σοι.

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.

Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 31.11,1.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.
Verse: Blessed are they whose transgressions have been forgiven.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15.

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 31.11,1.
Εὐφράνθητι ἐπὶ Κύριον, καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι.
Στίχ. Μακάριοι, ὧν ἀφέθησαν αἱ ἀνομίαι.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τίτον 3:8-15.

Τέκνον Τίτε, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος, καὶ περὶ τούτων βούλομαί σε διαβεβαιοῦσθαι, ἵνα φροντίζωσιν καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι οἱ πεπιστευκότες θεῷ. ταῦτά ἐστιν καλὰ καὶ ὠφέλιμα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις · μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις καὶ γενεαλογίας καὶ ἔριν καὶ μάχας νομικὰς περιΐστασο, εἰσὶν γὰρ ἀνωφελεῖς καὶ μάταιοι. αιῥετικὸν ἄνθρωπον μετὰ μίαν καὶ δευτέραν νουθεσίαν παραιτοῦ, εἰδὼς ὅτι ἐξέστραπται ὁ τοιοῦτος καὶ ἁμαρτάνει, ὢν αὐτοκατάκριτος. Ὅταν πέμψω Ἀρτεμᾶν πρὸς σὲ ἢ Τυχικόν, σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν πρός με εἰς Νικόπολιν, ἐκεῖ γὰρ κέκρικα παραχειμάσαι. Ζηνᾶν τὸν νομικὸν καὶ Ἀπολλῶν σπουδαίως πρόπεμψον, ἵνα μηδὲν αὐτοῖς λείπῃ. μανθανέτωσαν δὲ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας, ἵνα μὴ ὦσιν ἄκαρποι. Ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ μετ ᾽ἐμοῦ πάντες. Ἄσπασαι τοὺς φιλοῦντας ἡμᾶς ἐν πίστει. ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Matthew 5:14-19

The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 5:14-19

Εἶπεν ὁ Κὐριος τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ μαθηταῖς· ῾Υμεῖς ἐστε τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου. οὐ δύναται πόλις κρυβῆναι ἐπάνω ὄρους κειμένη· οὐδὲ καίουσι λύχνον καὶ τιθέασι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον, ἀλλ᾿ ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν, καὶ λάμπει πᾶσι τοῖς ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ. οὕτω λαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅπως ἴδωσιν ὑμῶν τὰ καλὰ ἔργα καὶ δοξάσωσι τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν τὸν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς. Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον καταλῦσαι τὸν νόμον ἢ τοὺς προφήτας· οὐκ ἦλθον καταλῦσαι, ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι. ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ, ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεραία οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου ἕως ἂν πάντα γένηται. ὃς ἐὰν οὖν λύσῃ μίαν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων καὶ διδάξῃ οὕτω τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, ἐλάχιστος κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ποιήσῃ καὶ διδάξῃ, οὗτος μέγας κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν.

Saints and Feasts

July 14

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the 19th of the present month, we chant the Service to the 630 Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together for the 4th Ecumenical Council who assembled in Chalcedon in 451, to condemn Eutyches, who taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into communion and deposed Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had excommunicated Eutyches.

In the Slavic tradition, on this Sunday, the Fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils are all commemorated.

July 17

Marina the Great Martyr of Antioch

This Martyr lived during the reign of Claudius II (268-270). She was from Pisidia of Cilicia and was the only daughter of a certain priest of the idols. On being orphaned by her mother, she was handed over to a certain woman who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. When she was fifteen years old, she was apprehended by the ruler of Olmbrius, and when asked her name, homeland, and faith, she answered: "My name is Marina; I am the offspring of the Pisidia; I call upon the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ." Because of this she endured bonds, imprisonment, and many whippings, and was finally beheaded in the year 270. Saint Marina is especially invoked for deliverance from demonic possession.

July 18

Emilianos of Bulgaria

This Martyr was from Dorostolum in Thrace, the servant of a certain pagan in the days of Julian the Apostate (361-363). As a fervent Christian, Emilian abominated the error of the pagans, and one day entered the temple and broke all the idols with a hammer. Seeing that others were arrested and beaten for this, he gave himself up of his own accord. He was mercilessly whipped, then cast into a fire, in which he gave up his soul without his body suffering harm.

July 20

Elias the Prophet

Elias of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God's command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel, that they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for human nature. He foretold the destruction of the house of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias; and as for the two captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he burned them for their punishment, bringing fire down from Heaven. He divided the flow of the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus passed through as it were on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though into heaven, whither God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence also, after seven years, by means of an epistle he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: "And there came a message in writing to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). According to the opinion of the majority of the interpreters, this came to pass either through his disciple Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6).

Memorials and Trisagion

40 Day Memorial for Steven Glavas

3 Year Trisagion for Zorine Manos
5 Year Trisagion for Thomas Manos
8 year Trisagion for Constantino Manos

May their memory be eternal

Thank you to the Family of Steven Glavas for sponsoring Sunday's coffee hour.

Wisdom of the Fathers

The Lord says to His disciples, 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven' (Matt. 5:16). He does not say this to urge them to show off, but to urge them to organize their lives as is pleasing to God. Just as light effortlessly attracts people's gaze, so a way of life pleasing to God draws their minds along with their eyes. We do not praise the air which shares in the brilliance of the sunlight, but the sun which is the source of this brilliance and bestows it on us. Even if we do praise the air for its brightness, we praise the sun much more. So it is when someone makes the brilliance of the Sun of righteousness (Mal. 4:2) visible through his virtuous deeds. As soon as anyone looks at him, they are immediately led towards the glory of the Father in heaven of Christ, the Sun of righteousness.

St. Gregory Palamas

Homilies Vol. 1, Homily Ten para. 14; Saint Tikhon's Seminary Press pgs. 110-111, 14th century

Every work which does not have love as its beginning and root is nothing.

St. John Chrysostom

Unknown, 4th century

Nativity's Gmail Calendar

Nativity of the Virgin Mary Google Calendar

July 14 to July 28, 2024

Sunday, July 14

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

Memorials and Trisagion

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, July 15

10:00AM FESTIVAL BAKING: COOKIES

Tuesday, July 16

10:00AM FESTIVAL BAKING: COOKIES

6:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Biddies

7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

7:00PM Greek Dance Practice: Juniors

7:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Intermediates

8:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Revma

Wednesday, July 17

10:00AM FESTIVAL BAKING: COOKIES

Thursday, July 18

10:00AM FESTIVAL BAKING: COOKIES

7:00PM REVMA DANCE PRACTICE

Friday, July 19

Church office closed

10:00AM FESTIVAL BAKING: COOKIES

Saturday, July 20

The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)

9:00AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy

Sunday, July 21

Memorials and Trisagion

4th Sunday of Matthew

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, July 23

7:00PM Trisagion - Pete Tsaprazis

8:30PM REVMA DANCE PRACTICE

Wednesday, July 24

10:00AM Visitation (10 am) and Funeral (11 am) Pete Tsaprazis

6:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Biddies

7:00PM Greek Dance Practice: Juniors

7:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Intermediates

8:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Revma

Thursday, July 25

Dormition of St. Anna, mother of the Theotokos

9:00AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy - St Anna

Friday, July 26

Church office closed

Saturday, July 27

Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer

Sunday, July 28

Memorials and Trisagion

5th Sunday of Matthew

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:45AM 40 day Blessing Jose Hernandez

Bulletin Inserts

Friends of the Festival

A new way to support Nativity's 19th Annual A Taste of Greece Festival.

Festival Sign Supporter

Use this form to order or renew your personalized sign for the festival main tent.

Festival Sponsorship

Use this form to sponsor the Festival at various levels.

Nativity Dance Practice Schedule

Nativity Dance practice begins June 4.

St. Panteleimon Festival and Feast Day

St. Panteleimon Festival and Feast Day - Festival is Sunday, July 21 following Divine Liturgy at 10:30 am (Orthros at 9:30 am) Feast of St. Panteleimon is Saturday, July 27 - Orthros at 9:30 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:30 am with refreshments following. The Chapel is located at 7143 Cedar Rd in Lexington, MI

Stewardship information

Stewardship letter and commitment card. Please be sure to update all information. We are missing contact information for members because they have moved or changed their phone number.

Ushers and Coffee Hour

Would your family be willing to host coffee hour during the summer months? Sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway or contact the church office.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins