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Upcoming Calendar Events

Sunday, July 13 - Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45am Orthros
10am Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, July 15
6:30pm Greek Dance Practice: Biddies
7pm Greek Dance Practice: Juniors
7:30pm Greek Dance Practice: Intermediates
8:30pm Greek Dance Practice: Revma

Thursday, July 17
7pm Parish Council Meeting

Friday, July 18
7pm AA Meeting in Social Hall

Sunday, July 20 - 6th Sunday of Matthew
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45am Orthros
10am Divine Liturgy

Parish News and Updates

PASTORAL CARE IN FR. NICK'S ABSENCE Please contact the church office if you are in need of pastoral care during Fr. Nick’s vacation.

VISITING PRIESTS We extend a warm welcome to Fr. John Artemis on July 13 and 20 as our visiting priests.

EMAIL PROBLEMS IN CHURCH OFFICE We are having difficulties sending email to some email addresses. We are working with our web/email hosting service to fix it.

BOTH MORNING AND EVENING BIBLE STUDY WILL BE ON BREAK IN JULY AND AUGUST.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WOMEN RETREAT Annual OCW Retreat - July 19, 2025 at Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction - Weathering the Hurricanes of Life. See the bulletin insert attached for more information or email [email protected].

CHECK OUT OUR PHOTOSTREAM! New photos have been uploaded - click here to take a peek. Do you have photos to share? Email your photos to [email protected]

The 2025 Festival is coming up fast! Here are some ways to support our Festival:

FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL - Our parishioners are one of the most important drivers of our festival success each year, and through your support, patronage, and enthusiasm we achieve new heights year after year. Your friendship has brought us to this point and has allowed us to celebrate our 20th year.

We have revamped our sponsorship offerings and Friends of the Festival offers recognition for individuals and families who make a monetary contribution in support of the festival. Donors for gifts between $101 and $999 will be recognized as Friends of the Festival. Click here for the form or find them on the table in the Narthex.

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. Click here for the form or find them on the table in the Narthex.

BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP - If you are considering a sponsorship listing for your business, please contact Jasmine Pickens at [email protected] for more information. Click here for the form or find them on the table in the Narthex.

VOLUNTEER - 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/2025NVMFESTIVAL. Georgia will contact you by telephone to determine what dates and times work best. Ask your friends and family to volunteer!

PRAY - Please keep the festival volunteers and the Festival Planning Team in your prayers along with prayers for the weather to cooperate from festival set up week through clean up.

SEEKING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY FOR OUR COMMEMORATIVE BOOK!
We would love to include your Family History as a parishioner of our Nativity of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in our commemorative book! Share any details about your family, faith, and experiences as a parishioner at Nativity and you can include pictures! For example, you may want to share about baptisms/chrismations, weddings, memories as a volunteer, honoring our Greek Orthodox faith and heritage.

All histories are welcome, regardless of how long you have been a member of our parish! Samples are available at the church hall. We are kindly asking for a $100 contribution for one-page to help offset the associated costs. Please send your Family History by email to [email protected] or see Golfo Wernette or Charlene Galbraith before August 20, 2025.

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.

FOCUS Detroit Back-to-School Supply Collection - FOCUS Detroit serves students throughout the school year during our Tuesday afternoon arts program and dinner at Commonwealth Community Development Academy. Additionally we have programs that many of you support, like our Christmas gift collection, field trips, tutoring & mentoring, uniform sponsorship, and other initiatives!

One of our biggest ministries of the year is our annual school supply collection, and we are inviting you to be a part of it! The best part about it? It's super easy to get involved! Leave your donations in the Focus Detroit bin in the hallway.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE - Blood Drive at Sts Constantine and Helen on Sunday, July 20.

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, Ephraim Kosta, Diane Kotsonas, Elias Koumariotis, Panayiota Koutoupa, Gus Kyriakou, 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, Helen Tsaprazis, Nicholas Valice, Steve Valice, Chris Vardouniotis, John Vardouniotis, Jim Vlahakis, Irene Vouharas, Nicodemus Williams, Sandy Zembylas, Selina Zembylas-Hernandez, Little Jack.

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

SAVE THE DATE - TUESDAY, JULY 29 FOR TIGERS V. DIAMONDBACKS - All GOYA and Altar boys are invited to attend. More details coming soon!

ATTENTION NATIVITY DANCERS! Dance practice for the 2025 Greek Festival continues on Tuesday evenings. Rehearsal times - 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.

Your child’s grade is the grade that he/she will be entering in the Fall.

We would like everyone to register and pay before/when dance practice begins. To register and pay for your dancers, please click on the link below. The cost is $50 a dancer (if you have any financial difficulties, please see Ms. Peggy; the Men’s Club will cover your cost.) Click here to register.

Finally, we are asking dance parents to please sign up for a date to bring and serve a healthy nut-free snack for your child's dance group. Click here to sign up for snacks.

See the bulletin insert attached below for more information and watch your email for details about registration, payments and snacks.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

When the women disciples of the Lord heard the Angel joyously proclaim the resurrection, they cast aside the ancestral verdict, and boasting in glory they said to the Apostles, “Death has been despoiled! Christ God has risen, granting the great mercy to the world!”

Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

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.

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 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 13

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 13

Synaxis of Archangel Gabriel

It is believed that the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel was transferred to this day from March 26 so that it could be celebrated more festively than in the period of the Great Fast; and, in fact, all the miracles of the Archangel are celebrated on this feast day, which has been listed here in the church books since the ninth century.

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

Holy New Martyrs Elizabeth the Grand Duchess and the Novice Barbara

Grand Duchess Elizabeth, a grand-daughter of Queen Victoria of England and elder sister of Empress Alexandra of Russia (see July 4), was one of the most illustrious women of her day, known throughout Europe not only for her high birth and graceful beauty, but also for her modesty and goodness of heart. After marrying Grand Duke Sergius Alexandrovich, she converted to Orthodoxy, although this was not required of her by her position. After the assassination of her husband in 1905, Grand Duchess Elizabeth withdrew from public life, founding the convent of Saints Martha and Mary, of which she became the superior. There she dedicated herself to prayer, fasting, tending the sick, and caring for the poor. After the Bolsheviks seized power, she was exiled to the Urals, where she and those with her were martyred in 1918 when they were cast alive into an abandoned mine. The Novice Barbara followed Saint Elizabeth into exile. When she was separated from the Grand Duchess, Barbara asked to be allowed to join her again; to terrify her, the Bolsheviks told her that she would be allowed to do this, but only if she were prepared for unheard-of torments and a violent death. To their amazement, she consented, and was deemed worthy of martyrdom with the Grand Duchess. Their holy relics were recovered and taken through Russia to China, and came to rest in the Convent of Saint Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem. When their reliquaries were opened in 1981, their bodies were found to be partially incorrupt, and sweet with the odour of sanctity. With them are also commemorated their fellow Martyrs: Grand Duke Sergius Mikhailovich; Princes John, Constantine, and Igor, the brethren; Prince Vladimir Paley; and Theodore Remez.

Memorials and Trisagion

40 Day Memorial for Glen Wahrman

May his memory be eternal

Thank you to the Wahrman family for sponsoring today’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 13 to July 28, 2025

Sunday, July 13

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, July 14

7:00PM Festival Sponsorship Meeting

Tuesday, July 15

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 17

7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

Friday, July 18

7:00PM AA Meeting in Social Hall

Sunday, July 20

6th Sunday of Matthew

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, July 22

6:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Biddies

7:00PM Greek Dance Practice: Juniors

7:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Intermediates

8:30PM Greek Dance Practice: Revma

Friday, July 25

Dormition of St. Anna, mother of the Theotokos

9:00AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy - St Anna

7:00PM AA Meeting in Social Hall

Sunday, July 27

7th Sunday of Matthew

Memorials and Trisagion

Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, July 28

Prochoros, Nicanor, Timon, & Parmenas the Apostles of the 70

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