Καλό Πάσχα! Come and Worship!

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

Upcoming Calendar Events

Sunday, May 11, 2025 Sunday of the Paralytic
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45am Orthros
10am Divine Liturgy
11:30am Church School & Catechism

Tuesday, May 13, 2025
11am Morning Bible Study
12pm Nativity Senior Lunch
5pm Youth Greek Classes (in person)
6:30pm Adult Greek Classes (online)
6pm Orthodox Men's Mixer at Karl's Cabin

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - Mid-Pentecost
9am Orthros
10am Divine Liturgy

10am Festival Prep Baking Tsoureki Bread

Thursday, May 15, 2025
6:30pm Adult Greek Classes (online)
7pm Parish Council Meeting

10am Festival Prep Baking Tsoureki Bread ( If Needed )

Friday, May 16, 2025
6pm Hope & Joy Family Night
7pm AA Meeting in Ed Center

10am Festival Prep Baking Tsoureki Bread( If Needed)

Saturday May 17th 2025

1pm 50th Anniversary Planning Meeting @Nativity Church Hall

Sunday, May 18, 2025 Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45am Orthros
10am Divine Liturgy
11:30am Church School & Catechism

Parish News and Updates

A Night of Brotherhood, Food & Purpose — You’re Invited to Focus Detroit’s Second Pan-Orthodox Christian Men’s Mixer—a fast-free evening of fellowship, food, and faith-filled connection. Join Orthodox Christian men from across the Detroit area for a Post-Paschal Party at Karl’s Cabin Restaurant. Enjoy a meal prepared by Chef Louis, meet brothers from local parishes, and reconnect in the joy of Pascha. All proceeds support FOCUS Detroit, helping us provide food, clothing, and care to neighbors in need. Your evening out makes a real impact.

Event Details: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 6-9 pm. $75.00 per person
Questions? Email [email protected]
Click here to reserve your spot now.

BIBLE STUDY NEWS—Tuesday Evening Bible study WILL NOT MEET on May 13. Tuesday Morning Bible study WILL MEET on May 13. The morning session at 11 am focuses on the The Gospel of Luke . Nativity Senior Lunch follows at noon. All are welcome to attend in person or via the zoom platform. We now have ONE LINK for both bible studies: CLICK HERE TO JOIN BIBLE STUDY Meeting ID: 340 526 4067 Passcode: bible.

MID-PENTECOST IS MAY 14 - The fourth Wednesday after the Feast of Holy Pascha is commemorated as Mid-Pentecost. This feast marks the halfway point between Pascha and the Feast of Pentecost. Join us for Divine services with Orthros at 9 am and Divine Liturgy at 10 am. Click here to learn more.

FESTIVAL FOOD PREP Wednesday, May 14 at 10:00am Baking Tsoureki Bread - all are welcome to come and help. Thank you to all who helped with the Dolmathes last week.

50th Anniversary Commemorative Book Team is compiling information for to celebrate our anniversary—contact Golfo Wernette for more information

50TH ANNIVERSARY TEAM is planning our anniversary gala. Contact Georgia Theophelis for more information. 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 these items for display at the dinner/dance and/or commemorative book. Leave them in the container in the hallway—be sure to include your contact information so we can return the items to you.

50TH ANNIVERSARY 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.

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

The Metropolis of Detroit Summer Camp is still looking for people to fill staff positions. Particularly - if any college students are interested in the medical field, we are looking for a six week medical director. This is a great resume builder and a great way to meet other providers in the medical field and have fun while networking. Please see the camp website for details. https://gomdsc.org/

ATTENTION NATIVITY DANCERS! Dance practice for the 2025 Greek Festival starts in June. See the bulletin insert attached below for details and watch your email for details about registration, payments and snacks.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC

CHURCH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND RECOGNITION OF 2025 GRADS IS SUNDAY, JUNE 1 FOLLOWING LITURGY - SAVE THE DATE!

CONGRATULATIONS TO NATIVITY GRADS We would like to celebrate them! Please send us the following information to the church office email: Photograph of your senior, name, name of school attending, plans for the summer and/or name of school attending in the fall.

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens be glad. Let the earth rejoice exceedingly. For the Lord has shown strength with his arm. He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead. Out of the belly of Hades, He has rescued us, and to the world He has granted the great mercy.

Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and You called out “Rejoice” to the Myrrh-bearing women, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection.

Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42.

In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Προκείμενον. Third Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 46.6,1.
Ψάλατε τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν, ψάλατε.
Στίχ. Πάντα τὰ ἔθνη κροτήσατε χεῖρας.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 9:32-42.

Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, ἐγένετο Πέτρον διερχόμενον διὰ πάντων κατελθεῖν καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἁγίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Λύδδαν. Εὗρεν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπόν τινα Αἰνέαν ὀνόματι, ἐξ ἐτῶν ὀκτὼ κατακείμενον ἐπὶ κραββάτῳ, ὃς ἦν παραλελυμένος. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος, Αἰνέα, ἰᾶταί σε Ἰησοῦς ὁ Χριστός· ἀνάστηθι καὶ στρῶσον σεαυτῷ. Καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἶδον αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες Λύδδαν καὶ τὸν Ἀσσάρωνα, οἵτινες ἐπέστρεψαν ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον. Ἐν Ἰόππῃ δέ τις ἦν μαθήτρια ὀνόματι Ταβηθά, ἣ διερμηνευομένη λέγεται Δορκάς· αὕτη ἦν πλήρης ἀγαθῶν ἔργων καὶ ἐλεημοσυνῶν ὧν ἐποίει. Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἀσθενήσασαν αὐτὴν ἀποθανεῖν· λούσαντες δὲ αὐτὴν ἔθηκαν ἐν ὑπερῴῳ. Ἐγγὺς δὲ οὔσης Λύδδης τῇ Ἰόππῃ, οἱ μαθηταὶ ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Πέτρος ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῇ, ἀπέστειλαν πρὸς αὐτόν, παρακαλοῦντες μὴ ὀκνῆσαι διελθεῖν ἕως αὐτῶν. Ἀναστὰς δὲ Πέτρος συνῆλθεν αὐτοῖς· ὃν παραγενόμενον ἀνήγαγον εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον, καὶ παρέστησαν αὐτῷ πᾶσαι αἱ χῆραι κλαίουσαι καὶ ἐπιδεικνύμεναι χιτῶνας καὶ ἱμάτια ὅσα ἐποίει μετʼ αὐτῶν οὖσα ἡ Δορκάς. Ἐκβαλὼν δὲ ἔξω πάντας ὁ Πέτρος θεὶς τὰ γόνατα προσηύξατο· καὶ ἐπιστρέψας πρὸς τὸ σῶμα, εἶπεν, Ταβηθά, ἀνάστηθι. Ἡ δὲ ἤνοιξεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῆς· καὶ ἰδοῦσα τὸν Πέτρον, ἀνεκάθισεν. Δοὺς δὲ αὐτῇ χεῖρα, ἀνέστησεν αὐτήν· φωνήσας δὲ τοὺς ἁγίους καὶ τὰς χήρας, παρέστησεν αὐτὴν ζῶσαν. Γνωστὸν δὲ ἐγένετο καθʼ ὅλης τῆς Ἰόππης, καὶ πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from John 5:1-15

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Sunday of the Paralytic
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 5:1-15

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀνέβη ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα. Ἔστι δὲ ἐν τοῖς ῾Ιεροσολύμοις ἐπὶ τῇ προβατικῇ κολυμβήθρα, ἡ ἐπιλεγομένη Ἑβραϊστὶ Βηθεσδά, πέντε στοὰς ἔχουσα. ἐν ταύταις κατέκειτο πλῆθος πολὺ τῶν ἀσθενούντων, τυφλῶν, χωλῶν, ξηρῶν, ἐκδεχομένων τὴν τοῦ ὕδατος κίνησιν. ἄγγελος γὰρ κατὰ καιρὸν κατέβαινεν ἐν τῇ κολυμβήθρᾳ, καὶ ἐταράσσετο τὸ ὕδωρ· ὁ οὖν πρῶτος ἐμβὰς μετὰ τὴν ταραχὴν τοῦ ὕδατος ὑγιὴς ἐγίνετο ᾧ δήποτε κατείχετο νοσήματι. ἦν δέ τις ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖ τριάκοντα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη ἔχων ἐν τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ αὐτοῦ. τοῦτον ἰδὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς κατακείμενον, καὶ γνοὺς ὅτι πολὺν ἤδη χρόνον ἔχει, λέγει αὐτῷ· θέλεις ὑγιὴς γενέσθαι; ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ὁ ἀσθενῶν· Κύριε, ἄνθρωπον οὐκ ἔχω, ἵνα ὅταν ταραχθῇ τὸ ὕδωρ, βάλῃ με εἰς τὴν κολυμβήθραν· ἐν ᾧ δὲ ἔρχομαι ἐγώ, ἄλλος πρὸ ἐμοῦ καταβαίνει. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἔγειρε, ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει. καὶ εὐθέως ἐγένετο ὑγιὴς ὁ ἄνθρωπος, καὶ ἦρε τὸν κράβαττον αὐτοῦ καὶ περιεπάτει. ἦν δὲ σάββατον ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ. ἔλεγον οὖν οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι τῷ τεθεραπευμένῳ· σάββατόν ἐστιν· οὐκ ἔξεστί σοι ἆραι τὸν κράβαττον. ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς· ὁ ποιήσας με ὑγιῆ, ἐκεῖνός μοι εἶπεν· ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει. ἠρώτησαν οὖν αὐτόν· τίς ἐστιν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ εἰπών σοι, ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ὁ δὲ ἰαθεὶς οὐκ ᾔδει τίς ἐστιν· ὁ γὰρ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξένευσεν ὄχλου ὄντος ἐν τῷ τόπῳ. μετὰ ταῦτα εὑρίσκει αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἴδε ὑγιὴς γέγονας· μηκέτι ἁμάρτανε, ἵνα μὴ χεῖρόν σοί τι γένηται. ἀπῆλθεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ ἀνήγγειλε τοῖς ᾿Ιουδαίοις ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὸν ὑγιῆ.

Saints and Feasts

May 11

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.

May 13

Glykeria the Virgin-martyr of Heraclia

This Martyr contested in 141 in Trajanopolis of Thrace, during the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius. At a heathen festival, when Sabine the Governor of Trajanopolis was offering sacrifice, Saint Glyceria entered the temple and declared herself to be a handmaid of Christ. Sabine commanded her to sacrifice. She went to the statue of Zeus and overturned it, dashing it to pieces. She was subjected to many horrible tortures, and finally was cast to wild beasts; bitten once by one of them, she gave up her soul into the hands of God.

May 15

Achilles, Bishop of Larissa

Saint Achillius was one of the 318 God-bearing Fathers who were present at the First Ecumenical Council; after returning to Larissa he cast down many pagan temples, delivered many from the demons, and raised up churches to the glory of God. He reposed about the middle of the fourth century.

May 15

Pachomios the Great

Saint Pachomius was born of pagan parents in the Upper Thebaid of Egypt. He was conscripted into the Roman army at an early age. While quartered with the other soldiers in the prison in Thebes, Pachomius was astonished at the kindness shown them by the local Christians, who relieved their distress by bringing them food and drink. Upon inquiring who they were, he believed in Christ and vowed that once delivered from the army, he would serve Him all the days of his life. Released from military service, about the year 313, he was baptized, and became a disciple of the hermit Palamon, under whose exacting guidance he increased in virtue and grace, and reached such a height of holiness that "because of the purity of his heart," says his biographer, "he was, as it were, seeing the invisible God as in a mirror." His renown spread far, and so many came to him to be his disciples that he founded nine monasteries in all, filled with many thousands of monks, to whom he gave a rule of life, which became the pattern for all communal monasticism after him. While Saint Anthony the Great is the father of hermits, Saint Pachomius is the founder of the cenobitic life in Egypt; because Pachomius had founded a way of monasticism accessible to so many, Anthony said that he "walks the way of the Apostles." Saint Pachomius fell asleep in the Lord before his contemporaries Anthony and Athanasius the Great, in the year 346. His name in Coptic, Pachom, means "eagle."

Wisdom of the Fathers

In that case [Matt 9:2] there was remission of sins, (for He said, "Thy sins be forgiven thee,") but in this, warning and threats to strengthen the man for the future; "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 37 on John 1, 4th Century

Nativity's Gmail Calendar

Nativity of the Virgin Mary Google Calendar

May 11 to May 26, 2025

Sunday, May 11

Sunday of the Paralytic

Mother's Day

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:30AM Church School & Catechism

Tuesday, May 13

11:00AM Morning Bible Study with Father Nick

12:00PM Senior Lunch Group

5:00PM Youth Greek Classes (in person)

6:30PM Adult Greek Classes (online)

7:00PM Evening Bible Study with Fr. Nick

Wednesday, May 14

4th Wednesday after Pascha - Mid-Pentecost

9:00AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy - Mid-Pentecost

10:00AM Festival Prep Tsoureki Baking 10am

Thursday, May 15

6:30PM Adult Greek Classes (online)

7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

Friday, May 16

6:00PM Hope/Joy Family Night

7:00PM AA Meeting in Ed Center

Saturday, May 17

1:00PM 50th Anniversary Planning Meeting Church Hall

Sunday, May 18

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:30AM Church School & Catechism

Tuesday, May 20

6:00PM Youth Greek Classes (Pizza and Ice Cream Party)

6:30PM Great Vespers for Sts Constantine & Helen

Wednesday, May 21

Constantine and Helen, Equal-to-the Apostles

9:00AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy (At Ss. Constantine & Helen)

Thursday, May 22

6:30PM Adult Greek Classes (online)

Friday, May 23

7:00PM AA Meeting in Social Hall

Sunday, May 25

Sunday of the Blind Man

Memorials and Trisagion

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

12:30PM Cemetery Visit - St. Hedwig, Dearborn Heights

2:30PM Cemetery Visit - Woodlawn, Detroit

Monday, May 26

Memorial Day - Church office Closed

Bulletin Inserts

May Calendar and Events

Handy reference for upcoming events. Always check the weekly announcements and e-news for the most up-to-date information.

Ushers and Coffee Hour - May & June

list of ushers and coffee hour servers for the next two months.

Attention Nativity Dancers

Dance practice for our 2025 festival begin in June!

Focus Detroit Fundraiser at Karl's

You’re invited to our Second Pan-Orthodox Christian Men’s Mixer—a fast-free evening of fellowship, food, and faith-filled connection on Tuesday, May 13. Join Orthodox Christian men from across the Detroit area for a Post-Paschal Party at Karl’s Cabin Restaurant. Enjoy a meal prepared by Chef Louis, meet brothers from local parishes, and reconnect in the joy of Pascha.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins