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Upcoming Calendar Events

Friday, April 11
6:00 pm Choir Practice
7:00 pm AA Meeting in social hall

Saturday, April 12 Lazarus Saturday (Dress Casually)
9:00 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
11:30 am Pancake Breakfast
12:00 pm Service Projects

Sunday, April 13 Palm Sunday
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
11:30 am Church School & Catechism
12:00 pm 40 day Blessings
12:30 pm - Palm Sunday Plaki Luncheon
7:00 pm Bridegroom Matins

Holy Monday, April 14
10:00 am Presanctified Liturgy
7:00 pm Bridegroom Matins

Holy Tuesday, April 15
10:00 am Presanctified Liturgy
7:00 pm Bridegroom Matins

Holy Wednesday, April 16
3:00 pm Holy Unction
7:00 pm Bridegroom Matins with Holy Unction

Holy Thursday, April 17
6:00 am Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil
6:00 pm Twelve Gospels of the Crucifixion

Holy Friday, April 18
9:00 am Royal Hours
12:00 pm Holy Friday Retreat
3:00 pm Vespers of Apokathelosis
7:00 pm Lamentation Service
7:00 pm AA Meeting in Ed Center

Holy Saturday, April 19
8:30 am Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil
11:00 Matins and Resurrection: Divine Liturgy of Holy Pascha

Sunday, April 20 - Great and Holy Pascha
11:00 am Agape Service and Children's Egg Hunt

Monday, April 21 - Renewal Monday
Church office closed

Parish News and Updates

CHOIR PRACTICE - the next choir practice is Friday, April 11 at 6 pm. All are invited to come and sing and learn the liturgy for Holy Friday - (Engomia - Lamentations).

LAZARUS SATURDAY - Please dress casually for services on Lazarus Saturday.

DAY OF SERVICE ON LAZARUS SATURDAY, April 12 Join us for liturgy at 10 am and break your fast with a pancake luncheon. We’ll be folding palm crosses, cleaning up the church and grounds in preparation for Holy Week, setting up for the Plaki Luncheon and our youth will be sending out the Pascha Card.

LENTEN MARKETPLACE RETURNS ON PALM SUNDAY—Pick up fast friendly food to have on hand during Holy Week. There will also be baked goods for your Pascha celebration.

PALM SUNDAY PLAKI LUNCHEON - on Sunday April 13. On the menu is plaki psari, peas, skordalia, and salad. Adults $20 and Kids $6. Tickets available at church following services or in the church office until April 10. Thanks to George's Senate for supporting this event. Contact John Petrou for more details.

PASCHA EGGS AND BREAD - The ladies of Philoptochos will offer Tsoureki and Eggs for Pascha this year. Tsoureki will be available on Palm Sunday on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like bread or traditional dyed eggs. Egg orders need to be PREPAID. Contact Sophie Vlahakis for more details.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES BEGIN ON SUNDAY EVENING with Bridegroom Matins - see the schedule above for dates and times. Please note the following:

HOLY COMMUNION will be offered on Monday and Tuesday at 10 am (Presanctified Liturgy), Thursday at 6 am (Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil - the working man's liturgy-you can stop by before work to receive communion) and Saturday at 8:30 am (Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil)
HOLY UNCTION will be offered on Wednesday at 3 pm and again at 7 pm during the Bridegroom Matins.

BIBLE STUDY WILL TAKE A BREAK DURING HOLY WEEK AND BRIGHT WEEK - Morning and evening bible study resumes on Tuesday, April 29.

50TH ANNIVERSARY TEAM MEETING is Monday April 28th at 6 pm All who are interested in helping are encouraged to come.

ANNIVERSARY TEAM SEEKING PHOTOS, ALBUMS & MEMORABILIA from the past 50 years of the people, events, etc. of our church. We will use thes items for display at the dinner/dance and/or commemorative book. Contact Georgia Theophelis for more information.

Save the Date

MEN’S CLUB DINNER IS FRIDAY, APRIL 25 Tickets are available from George Zervos, Chris Varlamos or John Floros. They can also be purchased in the church office (cash or check). Price remains the same as last year - $75 for an individual ticket or $125 for couples.

PARISH PICNIC ON SATURDAY, JUNE 7 - SAVE THE DATE and watch for more details.

NATIVITY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA is set for NOVEMBER 1 Please note that this is different from previously published dates.

Notice of Spring Parish Assembly

The Spring Parish Assembly is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, immediately following divine liturgy. We will receive reports from various parish ministries, updates on financials, the Priest’s report and Parish Council report.

PARISH MINISTRY LEADERS—Please submit your reports to Kathy in the church office no later than April 27.

Those in Our Prayers

Nicholas the Bishop, John the Priest, John the Priest, Cassani the Presvytera, Kalliope the Presvytera, , Panayiotis Christodoulos, Mary Christopoulos, Constantin Dumitrescu, Kosta Efthimiou, Tracey Ford, Gregory Georvassilis, George Hrisoulis, Charles Hunsinger, Michelle Hunsinger, Roy Hunsinger, Kathy Jenaras, Maria Kalas, Abraham Kalasse, Kanella Katsikas, Diane Kotsonas, Elias Koumariotis, Panayiota Koutoupa, Gus Kyriakou, Penelope Kyriakoula, Jim Lee, Nick Malamis, George Margaritis, Frank Maroudis, Freda Mollasis, Gregory Morakeas, Evelyn Morris, Alexander Nichoff, Niko Nikolakis, Marchela Papageorgakis, Stella Papasavva, James Pappas, Nikolia Pappas, Nicholas Pappas & Family, George Peters, Katerina Peters, Costas Photsios, Penny Poulos, Hayden Schils, Rick Stanley & Family, Evan Kotsonas Stoecklein, Mike and Julia Tate, Jim Tsakos, Evris and Helen Tsaprazis, Nicholas Valice, Steve Valice, Chris Vardouniotis, John Vardouniotis, Jim Vlahakis, Irene Vouharas, Sandy Zembylas, Selina Zembylas-Hernandez, Carrie, Little Jack, and Marie.

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.

Youth and Young Adult Ministry

MYROPHORA (MYRRH BEARERS) FOR HOLY FRIDAY - Attention Parents! We would like to invite your daughter to serve as a Myrrh-bearer (Myrophora) in the Holy Friday evening service. If you would like your daughter to participate, please call Sophia Zervos at 248.916.6922 or Mary Takis at 734.262.5144, no later than Palm Sunday.

PREPARING FOR THE FEAST - A guide for families during Holy Week is available on the archdiocese web page. Click here to read more.

HOLY FRIDAY RETREAT INFORMATION
WHO: School aged children up to grade 12 (friends also welcome)
WHERE: Nativity of the Virgin Mary
WHEN: April 18 at 12:00 pm (following Royal Hours)
COST: no charge
SIGN-UP: Required - Click here to download the permission slip

ORTHODOX YOUTH BASKETBALL BANQUET–The annual basketball banquet is scheduled for April 26 at St. Catherine of Siena Academy (28200 Napier Rd, Wixom, MI 48393) Contact Lynn Perakis for details.

GOYA SERVES AT FOCUS DETROIT/OASIS OF HOPE

focus detroit

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the First Mode

To confirm the general resurrection before Your Passion, You resurrected Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God. Therefore imitating the children, carrying the symbols of victory, we cry out to You the Victor over death: “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are You, the One, who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Τὴν κοινὴν Ἀνάστασιν πρὸ τοῦ σοῦ Πάθους πιστούμενος, ἐκ νεκρῶν ἤγειρας τὸν Λάζαρον, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός· ὅθεν καὶ ἡμεῖς ὡς οἱ Παῖδες, τὰ τῆς νίκης σύμβολα φέροντες, σοὶ τῷ Νικητῇ τοῦ θανάτου βοῶμεν· Ὡσαννὰ ἐν τοῖς ὑψίστοις, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου.

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Mode

We were buried with You through Baptism, O Christ our God, and thus by Your Resurrection we have been granted immortal life, and extolling You we cry aloud, “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are You, the One who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Συνταφέντες σοι διὰ τοῦ Βαπτίσματος, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, τῆς ἀθανάτου ζωῆς ἠξιώθημεν τῇ Ἀναστάσει σου, καὶ ἀνυμνοῦντες κράζομεν· Ὡσαννὰ ἐν τοῖς ὑψίστοις, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

In heaven upon the throne, on earth upon the colt, * You were carried, O Christ our God; * and the praise of the Angels, and the hymns of the children, You received as they cried to You, * “Blessed are You, the One, who is coming to call Adam back again.” AUTOMELON

Τῷ θρόνῳ ἐν οὐρανῷ, τῷ πώλῳ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἐποχούμενος Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, τῶν Ἀγγέλων τὴν αἴνεσιν, καὶ τῶν Παίδων ἀνύμνησιν προσεδέξω βοώντων σοι· Εὐλογημένος εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος, τὸν Ἀδὰμ ἀνακαλέσασθαι.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 117.26,1.
Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου.
Στίχ. Στίχ. Ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Φιλιππησίους 4:4-9.

Ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε· πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε. Τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις. Ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς. Μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν. Καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν, φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Τὸ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε. Ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί, ταῦτα πράσσετε· καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθʼ ὑμῶν.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Palm Sunday
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 12:1-18

Πρὸ ἓξ ἡμερῶν τοῦ πάσχα ἦλθεν Ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς Βηθανίαν, ὅπου ἦν Λάζαρος ὁ τεθνηκώς, ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐποίησαν οὖν αὐτῷ δεῖπνον ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἡ Μάρθα διηκόνει· ὁ δὲ Λάζαρος εἷς ἦν τῶν ἀνακειμένων σὺν αὐτῷ. ἡ οὖν Μαρία, λαβοῦσα λίτραν μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτίμου, ἤλειψε τοὺς πόδας τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ καὶ ἐξέμαξε ταῖς θριξὶν αὐτῆς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ· ἡ δὲ οἰκία ἐπληρώθη ἐκ τῆς ὀσμῆς τοῦ μύρου. λέγει οὖν εἷς ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ᾿Ιούδας Σίμωνος ᾿Ισκαριώτης, ὁ μέλλων αὐτὸν παραδιδόναι· διατί τοῦτο τὸ μύρον οὐκ ἐπράθη τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ ἐδόθη πτωχοῖς; εἶπε δὲ τοῦτο οὐχ ὅτι περὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ἔμελεν αὐτῷ, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι κλέπτης ἦν, καὶ τὸ γλωσσόκομον εἶχε καὶ τὰ βαλλόμενα ἐβάσταζεν. εἶπεν οὖν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἄφες αὐτήν, εἰς τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνταφιασμοῦ μου τετήρηκεν αὐτό. τοὺς πτωχοὺς γὰρ πάντοτε ἔχετε μεθ᾽ ἑαυτῶν, ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε.

῎Εγνω οὖν ὄχλος πολὺς ἐκ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἐστι, καὶ ἦλθον οὐ διὰ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν μόνον, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἴδωσιν ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐβουλεύσαντο δὲ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἀποκτείνωσιν, ὅτι πολλοὶ δι᾽ αὐτὸν ὑπῆγον τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων καὶ ἐπίστευον εἰς τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν.

Τῇ ἐπαύριον ὄχλος πολὺς ὁ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν ἑορτήν, ἀκούσαντες ὅτι ἔρχεται ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα, ἔλαβον τὰ βαΐα τῶν φοινίκων καὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς ὑπάντησιν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔκραζον· ὡσαννά, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου, ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. εὑρὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὀνάριον ἐκάθισεν ἐπ᾽ αὐτό, καθώς ἐστι γεγραμμένον· μὴ φοβοῦ, θύγατερ Σιών· ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεται καθήμενος ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου.

Ταῦτα δὲ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ τὸ πρῶτον, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτε ἐδοξάσθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, τότε ἐμνήσθησαν ὅτι ταῦτα ἦν ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ γεγραμμένα, καὶ ταῦτα ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ. ᾿Εμαρτύρει οὖν ὁ ὄχλος ὁ ὢν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ ὅτε τὸν Λάζαρον ἐφώνησεν ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου καὶ ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν. διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ὄχλος, ὅτι ἤκουσαν τοῦτο αὐτὸν πεποιηκέναι τὸ σημεῖον.

Saints and Feasts

April 13

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

Wisdom of the Fathers

But observe the wisdom of the Evangelist, how he is not ashamed to parade their former ignorance. That it was written they knew, that it was written of Him they knew not. For it would have offended them if He being a King were about to suffer such things, and be so betrayed.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

Besides, they could not at once have taken in the knowledge of the Kingdom of which He spake; for another Evangelist saith, that they thought the words were spoken of a kingdom of this world. (Matt. xx. 21.)

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

Blessings, Baptisms and Weddings

40 Day Blessings on Sunday, April 13

Zaharoula Karatsinides
Daughter of Georgeanne and Andreas Karatsinides

Theodore Schnoes
Son of Arielle Javarinis and Matthew Schnoes

Congratulations to the parents of these beautiful children and a warm and loving welcome to the newest members of our parish.

Nativity's Gmail Calendar

Nativity of the Virgin Mary Google Calendar

April 13 to April 27, 2025

Sunday, April 13

No Memorials

Lenten Marketplace

🐟 Palm Sunday

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:30AM Church School & Catechism

12:00PM 40 Day Blessing Zaharoula Karatsinides and Theodore Schnoes

12:30PM Palm Sunday Plaki Luncheon

7:00PM Bridegroom Matins

Monday, April 14

☦️ Holy Monday

10:00AM Presanctified Liturgy

7:00PM Bridegroom Matins

Tuesday, April 15

☦️ Holy Tuesday

10:00AM Presanctified Liturgy

7:00PM Bridegroom Matins

Wednesday, April 16

☦️ Holy Wednesday

3:00PM Holy Unction

7:00PM Bridegroom Matins with Holy Unction

Thursday, April 17

🍇 Holy Thursday

6:00AM Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil

6:00PM Twelve Gospels of the Crucifixion

Friday, April 18

☦️ Holy Friday

9:00AM Royal Hours

12:00PM Holy Friday Retreat

3:00PM Vespers of Apokathelosis

7:00PM Lamentation Service

Saturday, April 19

☦️ Holy Saturday

8:30AM Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil

11:00PM Matins and Resurrection: Divine Liturgy of Holy Pascha

Sunday, April 20

No Memorials

Great and Holy Pascha

11:00AM Agape Service

12:00PM Children's egg hunt

Monday, April 21

Church Office Closed - Easter Monday

Renewal Monday

Tuesday, April 22

6:30PM Great Vespers for St. George

Wednesday, April 23

Renewal Wednesday: George the Great Martyr and Triumphant

9:00AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

6:00PM 50th Commemorative Book Team

Thursday, April 24

7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

Friday, April 25

Renewal Friday: Theotokos of the Life-giving Spring

9:00AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

6:00PM Men's Club Spring Dinner

Saturday, April 26

12:00PM Nativity Basketball Banquet

Sunday, April 27

Thomas Sunday

No Memorials

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:30AM Church School & Catechism

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