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This Week's Calendar

Sunday, August 4 - 6th Sunday of Matthew
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy

Monday, August 5 - FOREFEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
10:00 am Visitation and Funeral Fotini Kanakis
10:00 am Festival food prep: KOULOURAKIA

Tuesday, August 6 - TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD
9:00 am - Orthros
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
10:00 am Festival food prep: KOULOURAKIA
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, August 7
10:00 am Festival food prep: KOULOURAKIA
7:00 pm Paraklesis

Thursday, August 8
10:00 am Festival food prep: KOULOURAKIA
7:00 pm Paraklesis
7:00 REVMA Dance Practice

Friday, August 9
7:00 pm Paraklesis

Saturday, August 10
9:00 am - festival ground preparation

Sunday, August 11 - 7th Sunday of Matthew
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy

Parish News and Updates

FOCUS Detroit Update (Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve) has an ongoing need for Toiletry items such as:

soap/washcloths
combs/brushes
toothpaste/tooth brushes
deodorant
shampoo
women's hygiene products
adult diapers
baby diapers
new socks
new undergarments of all sizes

There is also a current need for new or gently used and clean:

Boys clothes of all sizes
Middle school sized girls clothes
Baby / toddler clothes
Men's clothes, esp. XL and XXL

No coats or blankets needed at this time. Please place your items in the bin outside of the social hall Thank you and God bless!

THE TEA ON FESTIVAL BAKING—KOULOURAKIA BAKE NEXT WEEK - watch for details for upcoming baking days. Schedule for the remaining prep includes:

Week of August 5 - Koulourakia @ 10 am
Week of August 12 - Final Pastry Prep

FESTIVAL GROUND PREP AUGUST 10—It will soon be time to put up the fencing and preparing the grounds for festival—contact Bill Smith if you can help.

ASSUMPTION GREEK FEST is coming August 15-18. See bulletin insert below for details.

NATIVITY DANCERS CAR WASH FUNDRAISER - Thursday, August 15 from 4-8 pm. Donations welcome - proceeds will help purchase the next round of new costumes.

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.

GENTLEMEN - SAVE THE DATE! The men's group has scheduled a cigar social on Wednesday, August 21. Cost is $35.00 - includes dinner, beverages - Beer/wine/drinks, and a cigar! RSVP to George Zervos 248-613-2551.

CHILD CARE PROVIDER NEEDED Greek family of 3 in Novi seeking a nanny to take care of our 20-month-old son. Schedule: Tues-Friday 9-5pm, but we can be flexible. Ideally seeking a permanent position. If interested, please contact Elizabeth Pittos at 734-560-5609 or [email protected].

THE CRY OF THE FORERUNNER - Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in Livonia, MI, is pleased to host our second annual men's retreat on September 27-29. Called "The Cry of the Forerunner," it will focus on the life and preaching of St John the Baptist as a model for men to deepen their Orthodox faith. See bulletin insert attached below or on the bulletin board in the hallway for details or visit https://www.avg2alpha.com/cry-of-the-forerunner/

SAVE THE DATE - 25th Anniversary Enthronement Banquet celebrating His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Westland. See Bulletin insert below.

Festival Updates

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.

festival volunteer meeting

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.

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

August 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, Elias Koumariotis, 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, 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 Plagal First Mode

As the Father and Spirit are unoriginate, * so the Word, who was born from the Virgin for us. * Let us praise Him, O believers, and let us worship Him. * For our salvation He was pleased * to be crucified in the flesh, * and to undergo death, * and to resurrect the dead, by His glorious resurrection. (Αὐτόμελον. Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον)

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

Upon the mountain were You transfigured, and Your disciples beheld Your glory as far as they were able, O Christ our God; so that when they would see You crucified they might understand that Your Passion was deliberate, and declare to the world that in truth You are the Father’s radiance.

Επί τού όρους μετεμορφώθης, καί ως εχώρουν οι Μαθηταί σου τήν δόξαν σου, Χριστέ ο Θεός εθεάσαντο, ίνα όταν σε ίδωσι σταυρούμενον, τό μέν πάθος νοήσωσιν εκούσιον, τώ δέ κόσμω κηρύξωσιν, ότι σύ υπάρχεις αληθώς, τού Πατρός τό απαύγασμα.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 12:6-14.

Brethren, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Προκείμενον. Plagal First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 11.7,1.
Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 12:6-14.

Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες δὲ χαρίσματα κατὰ τὴν χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσαν ἡμῖν διάφορα, εἴτε προφητείαν, κατὰ τὴν ἀναλογίαν τῆς πίστεως· εἴτε διακονίαν, ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ· εἴτε ὁ διδάσκων, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ· εἴτε ὁ παρακαλῶν, ἐν τῇ παρακλήσει· ὁ μεταδιδούς, ἐν ἁπλότητι· ὁ προϊστάμενος, ἐν σπουδῇ· ὁ ἐλεῶν, ἐν ἱλαρότητι. Ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος. Ἀποστυγοῦντες τὸ πονηρόν, κολλώμενοι τῷ ἀγαθῷ. Τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ εἰς ἀλλήλους φιλόστοργοι· τῇ τιμῇ ἀλλήλους προηγούμενοι· τῇ σπουδῇ μὴ ὀκνηροί· τῷ πνεύματι ζέοντες· τῷ κυρίῳ δουλεύοντες· τῇ ἐλπίδι χαίροντες· τῇ θλίψει ὑπομένοντες· τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτεροῦντες· ταῖς χρείαις τῶν ἁγίων κοινωνοῦντες· τὴν φιλοξενίαν διώκοντες. Εὐλογεῖτε τοὺς διώκοντας ὑμᾶς· εὐλογεῖτε, καὶ μὴ καταρᾶσθε.

Gospel Reading

6th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:1-8

At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

6th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 9:1-8

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον διεπέρασε καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ προσέφερον αὐτῷ παραλυτικὸν ἐπὶ κλίνης βεβλημένον· καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν εἶπε τῷ παραλυτικῷ· θάρσει, τέκνον· ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. καὶ ἰδού τινες τῶν γραμματέων εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς· οὗτος βλασφημεῖ. καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις αὐτῶν εἶπεν· ἵνα τί ὑμεῖς ἐνθυμεῖσθε πονηρὰ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί γάρ ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας - τότε λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· ἐγερθεὶς ἆρόν σου τὴν κλίνην καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἐγερθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ. ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ὄχλοι ἐθαύμασαν καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεὸν τὸν δόντα ἐξουσίαν τοιαύτην τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.

Saints and Feasts

August 04

6th Sunday of Matthew

August 04

Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus

The Seven Youths hid themselves in a certain cave near Ephesus in the year 250, to escape the persecution of Decius. By divine grace, a sleep came upon them and they slept for 184 years, until the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger, when the doctrine of the resurrection was being assailed by heretics. They then awoke, that is, were resurrected, confirming in the sight of all the bodily resurrection; and again after a short time, by divine command, they reposed in the Lord in the year 434.

August 06

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Our Lord had spoken to His disciples many times not only concerning His Passion, Cross, and Death, but also concerning the coming persecutions and afflictions that they themselves would endure. Since all these evils were near at hand, but the enjoyment of good things which they hoped to receive in their stead was yet to come, our Savior desired to give them full assurance, evidently and openly, concerning that glory which is prepared for those who endure to the end. Therefore, fulfilling that which He had promised shortly before, that "there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom" (Matt. 16:28), He took His three foremost disciples and ascended Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. Suddenly, together with this dread and marvelous effulgence of light, there appeared those pinnacles of the Prophets, Moses and Elias, who spoke with the Lord Jesus concerning His saving Passion which was about to take place. Standing before Him as reverent servants, they showed that He is the Lord of both the living and the dead, for Moses came forth from Hades, having died many centuries before, and Elias, as it were from heaven, whither he had been taken up while yet alive. After a little while a radiant cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud they heard that same voice which had been heard at the Jordan at the Baptism of Christ, testifying to the Divinity of Jesus and saying: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5).

Such are the marvels, truly worthy of God, celebrated in this present feast, which is an image and prefiguring of the future state of the righteous, whose splendor the Lord spoke of, saying: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" (Matt. 13:43). It is because of this that the Kontakion of this Feast is said daily (when there is not a great feast) in the Service of the Typica in perpetual commemoration of the glory that will be the lot of the Saints. According to tradition, the Lord's Transfiguration came to pass forty days before His Crucifixion; this is why the Transfiguration is celebrated forty days before the Exaltation of the Cross.

Blessings, Baptisms and Weddings

40 Day Blessing

Congratulations Maria and Menas Houstoulakis

as they bring their daughter Katerina

for her 40 day Blessing

on Sunday, August 4

Three Hierarchs Greek School

Χαίρετε!

Hello everyone!

Greek School registration is now open! More details coming soon.

Quick links for registration

Children: YOUTH Student Registration 2024-2025

Adults: ADULT Student Registration 2024-2025

Regards,

Anna Liakou-Hentnik
Director/Teacher
[email protected]

Wisdom of the Fathers

Through the toil of prayer and the anguish of your heart commune with those who are grieved at heart, and the Source of mercy will be opened up to your petitions.

St. Isaac of Syria

Unknown, 7th century

If your heart is brazenly confident of your works and knowledge, then know that this foreshadows impending tribulation.

St. Isaac of Syria

The Four Books, 7th century

Nativity's Gmail Calendar

Nativity of the Virgin Mary Google Calendar

August 4 to August 18, 2024

Sunday, August 4

🍇 6th Sunday of Matthew

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:30AM 40 Day Blessing - Katerina Houstoulakis

Monday, August 5

☦️ Forefeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

10:00AM FESTIVAL FOOD PREP: Koulourakia

10:00AM Visitation (10 am) Funeral (10:30 am) Fotini Kanakis

Tuesday, August 6

🐟 Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

9:00AM Holy Transfiguration - Orthros and Divine Liturgy

10:00AM FESTIVAL FOOD PREP: Koulourakia

6:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Biddies

7:00PM Greek Dance Practice: Juniors

7:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Intermediates

8:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Revma

Wednesday, August 7

7:00PM Paraklesis

Thursday, August 8

7:00PM Paraklesis

7:00PM REVMA DANCE PRACTICE

Friday, August 9

7:00PM Paraklesis

Saturday, August 10

9:00AM FESTIVAL GROUND PREPARATION

Sunday, August 11

🍇 7th Sunday of Matthew

Memorials and Trisagion

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, August 12

10:00AM FESTIVAL FOOD PREP: Theples

7:00PM Paraklesis

Tuesday, August 13

10:00AM FESTIVAL FOOD PREP: Theples

6:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Biddies

7:00PM Paraklesis

7:00PM Greek Dance Practice: Juniors

7:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Intermediates

8:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Revma

Wednesday, August 14

☦️ Forefeast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

10:00AM FESTIVAL FOOD PREP: Theples

6:00PM Great Vespers For the Dormition of the Theotokos (Grand Blanc)

7:00PM Great Vespers For the Dormition of the Theotokos (St. Clair Shores)

Thursday, August 15

The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

9:00AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy: Dormition of the Theotokos

4:00PM Nativity Dance Car Wash Fundraiser

7:00PM REVMA DANCE PRACTICE

7:00PM Festival Volunteer Meeting

Sunday, August 18

8th Sunday of Matthew

Memorials and Trisagion

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy