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This Week's Calendar

Saturday, August 10
9:00 am Festival Ground Set-up

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

Monday, August 12
10:00 am Festival food prep: Theples
7:00 pm Paraklesis

Tuesday, August 13
10:00 am Festival food prep: Theples
6:30 pm Greek Dance Practice - Biddies
7:00 pm Paraklesis
7:00 pm Greek Dance Practice - Juniors
7:30 pm Greek Dance Practice - Intermediates
8:30 pm Greek Dance Practice - REVMA

Wednesday, August 14 - Forefeast of the Dormition
10:00 am Festival food prep: Theples (if needed)
6:00 pm Great Vespers for the Dormition @ Assumption Grand Blanc
7:00 pm Great Vespers for the Dormition @ Assumption St. Clair Shores

Thursday, August 15 - The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary
9:00 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
4:00 pm Car Wash Fundraiser for Nativity Dance Program
7:00 pm Festival Volunteer Meeting
7:00 REVMA Dance Practice

Saturday, August 17
Festival ground preparation - Tent set up

Sunday, August 18 - 8th Sunday of Matthew
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy

Parish News and Updates

FESTIVAL GROUND PREP THIS SATURDAY, 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.

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!

SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR FOCUS Detroit - along with the tioletries listed above, we are collecting school supplies for students in Detroit. All items must be new and in original packaging - see graphic below for details.

school supplies for focus

THE TEA ON FESTIVAL BAKING—THEPLES NEXT WEEK - WE'RE IN THE HOME STRETCH!. Schedule for the remaining prep includes:

Week of August 12 - Theples @ 10 am
Week of August 19 - Final Pastry Prep

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.

car wash fundraiser

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER MEETING THURSDAY AUGUST 15 @ 7 pm - Get the latest news on parking and pick up your 2024 Festival Apparel.

festival volunteer meeting

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.

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.

CIGAR SOCIAL

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.

ARE YOU A FRIEND OF THE FESTIVAL? New in 2024 is 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 $500 will be recognized as Friends of the Festival.The "Friends" program helps offset the cost of festival expenses - like food and supplies. your donations help to make our festival more successful.

Over 20 Families have donated nearly $3,700 for the 2024 Friends of the Festival campaign and we think it would be really awesome to grow it to $5,000. Click here to download the Friends Form

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 Second Mode

When the angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary, who was seeking Your immaculate body. Unassailed by Hades, You divested it of spoils. Then You met the Virgin. You granted life. O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Transfiguration in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to Your disciples Your glory as much as they could bear. Do also in us, sinners though we be, shine Your everlasting light, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Giver of light. Glory to You.

Μετεμορθώθης εν τώ όρει Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοίς Μαθηταίς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ήδυναντο, Λάμψον καί ημίν τοίς αμαρτωλοίς, τό φώς σου τό αϊδιον, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, φωτοδότα δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion of the Church in the Fourth Mode

Your Nativity, O Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life.

H yέννησίς σου, Θεοτόκε, χαρὰν ἐμήνυσε πάσῃ τῇ οἰκουμένῃ· ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἀνέτειλεν ὁ ἥλιος τῆς δικαιοσύνης, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν· καὶ λύσας τὴν κατάραν, ἔδωκε τὴν εὐλογίαν· καὶ καταργήσας τὸν θάνατον, ἐδωρήσατο ἡμῖν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον

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 Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 15:1-7.

Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 15:1-7.

Ἀδελφοί, ὀφείλομεν δὲ ἡμεῖς οἱ δυνατοὶ τὰ ἀσθενήματα τῶν ἀδυνάτων βαστάζειν, καὶ μὴ ἑαυτοῖς ἀρέσκειν. Ἕκαστος ἡμῶν τῷ πλησίον ἀρεσκέτω εἰς τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς οἰκοδομήν. Καὶ γὰρ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτῷ ἤρεσεν, ἀλλά, καθὼς γέγραπται, Οἱ ὀνειδισμοὶ τῶν ὀνειδιζόντων σε ἐπέπεσον ἐπʼ ἐμέ. Ὅσα γὰρ προεγράφη, εἰς τὴν ἡμετέραν διδασκαλίαν προεγράφη, ἵνα διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ διὰ τῆς παρακλήσεως τῶν γραφῶν τὴν ἐλπίδα ἔχωμεν. Ὁ δὲ θεὸς τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ τῆς παρακλήσεως δῴη ὑμῖν τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ἐν ἀλλήλοις κατὰ Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν· ἵνα ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐν ἑνὶ στόματι δοξάζητε τὸν θεὸν καὶ πατέρα τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ προσλαμβάνεσθε ἀλλήλους, καθὼς καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς προσελάβετο ὑμᾶς, εἰς δόξαν θεοῦ.

Gospel Reading

7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35

At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

7th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 9:27-35

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παράγοντι ἐκεῖθεν τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ δύο τυφλοὶ κράζοντες καὶ λέγοντες· ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, υἱὲ Δαυΐδ. ἐλθόντι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ τυφλοί, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· πιστεύετε ὅτι δύναμαι τοῦτο ποιῆσαι; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ναί, Κύριε. τότε ἥψατο τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν λέγων· κατὰ τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν γενηθήτω ὑμῖν. καὶ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί· καὶ ἐνεβριμήσατο αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς λέγων· ὁρᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω. οἱ δὲ ἐξελθόντες διεφήμισαν αὐτὸν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ γῇ ἐκείνῃ.

Αὐτῶν δὲ ἐξερχομένων ἰδοὺ προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπον κωφὸν δαιμονιζόμενον· καὶ ἐκβληθέντος τοῦ δαιμονίου ἐλάλησεν ὁ κωφός, καὶ ἐθαύμασαν οἱ ὄχλοι λέγοντες ὅτι οὐδέποτε ἐφάνη οὕτως ἐν τῷ ᾿Ισραήλ. οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι ἔλεγον· ἐν τῷ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια.

Καὶ περιῆγεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὰς πόλεις πάσας καὶ τὰς κώμας διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ θεραπεύων πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν ἐν τῷ λαῷ.

Saints and Feasts

August 11

7th Sunday of Matthew

August 11

Our Holy Father Niphonus, Patriarch of Constantinople

August 15

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

Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously. Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy spirit into the hands of her Son and God.

With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that God-receiving body and brought it to the sepulchre, while the Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow. But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens.

These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God (see Oct. 3 and 4).

August 16

Diomedes the Physician & Martyr of Tarsus

The holy Martyr Diomedes was from Tarsus in Cilicia, a physician who treated bodies with his healing art and souls with his piety. In the days of the Emperor Diocletian, about the year 288, Diomedes left Tarsus and came to Nicaea, where he benefited many both as a physician and as a preacher of the Faith. He was accused to Diocletian, who sent men to fetch him. When they arrived, although finding that he had already given up his soul to the Lord, they cut off his head to take it to the Emperor, and because of their inhumanity were stricken with blindness. When Diocletian saw the Saint's head, he commanded them to take it back and put it on the body in its place; when they had done so, they received their sight again. Saint Diomedes is one of the Holy Unmercenaries.

Memorials and Trisagion

3 Year Memorial for Manuela Vassilas

May her memory be eternal.

Thank you to the Vassilas Family for sponsoring Sunday's Coffee Hour.

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

He puts an end to the woman's fear ... He sets her right, in respect of her thinking to be hid ... He exhibits her faith to all, so as to provoke the rest also to emulation ...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 31 on Matthew 9, 4th Century

And then at last He for His part lays His hand upon them, saying, "According to your faith be it unto you." And this He does to confirm their faith, and to show that they are participators in the good work ...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 32 on Matthew 9, 4th Century

Nativity's Gmail Calendar

Nativity of the Virgin Mary Google Calendar

August 11 to August 25, 2024

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

Monday, August 19

10:00AM FESTIVAL FOOD PREP: Final Pastry Prep

Tuesday, August 20

10:00AM FESTIVAL FOOD PREP: Final Pastry Prep

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 21

10:00AM FESTIVAL FOOD PREP: Final Pastry Prep

6:00PM Men's Club Cigar Social

Thursday, August 22

Taste of Greece Festival 2024

Sunday, August 25

9th Sunday of Matthew

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Bulletin Inserts

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins