St. George Church
Publish Date: 2025-02-16
Bulletin Contents
Parish Calendar
Church Announcements
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Prayer List
Flyers of Interest

Organization Icon
St. George Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (734) 283-8820
  • Fax:
  • (734) 283-8866
  • Street Address:

  • 16300 Dix Toledo Highway

  • Southgate, MI 48195
  • Mailing Address:

  • 16300 Dix Toledo Highway

  • Southgate, MI 48195

Contact Information

Priest Fr. John Sakellariou


[email protected] | 734-283-8820

Services Schedule

Sundays:

9 am - Orthros

10:15 am - Divine Liturgy

 

Weekday Services:

Please check the Services schedule in the bulletin or call the Church office.

Past Bulletins


Parish Calendar

  • Church Calendar

    February 16 to February 23, 2025

    Sunday, February 16

    No Sunday School

    8:50AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy - Sunday of the Prodigal Son

    12:00PM Greek Dance Practice

    12:00PM GOYA Meeting

    Wednesday, February 19

    5:00PM Grecian Center Meeting

    Thursday, February 20

    12:00PM Senior Luncheon (Activity rm)

    Saturday, February 22

    9:00AM Saturday of the Souls Orthros & Divine Liturgy and Coffee Hour to follow in Memory of Carla Stamatis (40 Day Memorial)

    Sunday, February 23

    8:50AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    12:00PM Meatfare Breakfast & Godparent Sunday

    12:00PM Greek Dance Practice

    12:30PM YAL Meeting in the Activity Room

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Church Announcements

Orthodox Focus -YAL & GOYA Service Outreach

Our YAL & GOYA will assist with meals to the needy at Orthodox Focus Detroit, this Saturday, February 15 at 10 am. For those who would like to volunteer, we will be serving meals to the needy at the Oasis of Hope Christian Church located at 933 W Seven Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48203.


Sunday School

There will be no Sunday school this Sunday, February 16. It will resume next Sunday, the 23rd.


Upcoming Lenten Services

  • 1st Saturday of Souls - Saturday, February 22 @ 9:00 AM Orthros / 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy with coffee hour to follow in loving memory of Carla Stamatis (40 Day Memorial)
  • 2nd Saturday of Souls - Saturday, March 1 @ 9:00 AM Orthros / 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy
  • Clean Monday ~ Lent begins on Monday, March 3 - Great Compline Service  @ 6 PM (w/Lenten meal to follow)
  • 3rd Saturday of Souls - Saturday, March  8 @ 9:00 AM Orthros / 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy
  • Great Vespers of the  Annunciation of the Theotokos @ Annunciation Cathedral - Monday, March  24 @ 7:00 PM
  • Annunciation of the Theotokos - Tuesday, March  25 @ 9:00 AM Orthros / 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy

During Great Lent, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be prayed each Wednesday at 6:00 PM followed by a Lenten Potluck meal. In addition, each Friday we will pray the Salutations to the Theotokos service at 6:00 PM.


Saturday of Souls Services

When submitting names to Fr. John for the Saturday of Souls services, please PRINT the names CLEARLY and avoid using cursive. Thank you!


All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast & Godparent Sunday

See the flyer in today's bulletin and join us after Divine Liturgy next Sunday, Feb. 23.


Lenten & Easter Concert

The Lenten & Easter Concert scheduled for March 1, has been canceled.


Philoptochos Tray - Thank you!

Philoptochos collected $321 in support of the victims of the NC Hurricane Helene and the recent wildfires in California. Thank you for donating! Philoptochos will donate an addtional $1,500 to each relief fund. All donations will be sent directly to the National Philoptochos in New York where funds will be forwarded to the appropriate agencies for distribution.


Rose City Summer Camp

Registration began February 15. Visit www.gomdsc.org to register. All first-time campers receive a $600 scholarship from the parish (parents pay $50) towards the $650 camp fees. Repeat campers receive a $400 scholarship (parents pay $250).

To be reimbursed, please submit a Camp Reimbursement form. You must have met at least half of your stewardship contributions for 2025. Reimbursement forms are now available at the candle counter.

We want all families to be members of the parish and for all kids to have the opportunity to go to camp. If there are any financial hardships with stewardship or camp tuition, please do not hesitate to speak with Fr. John.


Seniors Luncheon

The 55 & Over Club will meet this Thursday, February 20, at noon, in the Activity room. Lunch is $9. If you plan to attend, you must call Mary Frosinos @ 313.581.7969 to make a reservation (please leave her a voice mail).


Construction Plan Updates

Community Room, Grecian Center Storage

The May 2024 General Assembly approved a budget of $1.5 million and gave authority to the Parish Council to proceed with plans for the expansion of the community room in the school building, expansion of the Grecian Center storage area, and the addition of multi-purpose expansion room. We hope to have final plans by spring and construction starting in the summer. For more information, please see the attached packet.

Parking lot expansion

The October General Assembly approved the addition of parking near the Apollo Hall at the northeast corner of our property – near Dix-Toledo Road. This expansion requires the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) approval. We just learned that EGLE requires a wetlands study to be done because of the Frank and Poet Drain (the open creek) that runs through the property. The expansion needs to be permitted by both EGLE and the city of Southgate. We expect the city to be very cooperative after approval by EGLE.

The wetland study will certainly push back the construction of the parking area, but we don’t know how long. Also, EGLE is notoriously slow with its review. In addition, without plans, we don’t have any update on the estimated construction costs, except that the cost will probably be more than the $175,000 discussed at last October’s General Assembly.

We will update you as we get more information. Please express any thoughts you have on these projects to Fr. John or any Parish Council member.


Memorial Area Pavers - Order Forms

Updated (12/17/24) Memorial Paver Order Forms are available to you on a table in the school hallway along with a granite sample and symbols, and attached to the online bulletin. Any original granite memorial Pavers (made in 2003) will be re-engraved to match the current granite. If you had an original granite Memorial Paver made, please contact Fr. John or the church office.


Family Assistance Fund (FAF)

The church has a separate fund to help those in our community and surrounding areas who are in need of financial help with rent and utilities. You can help donate to this fund on the home page of our website under "support our ministries" or by clicking here.


Visitation for Shutins

If you would like Fr John to visit and spend time with a loved one who's a shut-in, please don't hesitate to contact the church office or to reach out to Fr. John directly to arrange a time. 


Prayer / Candle Requests

If you would like for us to light a candle in the Church in prayer for you and your family, please use the Prayer/Candle Request form found here or on the home page of the church website. You can pay by credit card or send a check in the mail to the Church.


Scholarship Information

Graduating High School Seniors Scholarship

Dear Parents and Sunday School Students,

It is a great joy for the parish of St. George to reward our students for their commitment to our Parish and our Orthodox Faith. The Saint George Scholarship for high school seniors would like to be a part of the child’s success and future as they continue their education. Applications will be made available starting in the early spring of 2025 and be eligible for the Saint George High School Graduating Scholarship, these are the following requirements:

• Family of Student(s) be in good standing (in case of hardship see parish priest).

• Student(s) must be enrolled in Sunday School and must have regular Sunday School attendance which will be determined by the student(s) Sunday School teachers and the parish priest.

• Be active participants in the ministries of the Church such as GOYA, church outreach, and volunteering opportunities for the needy.

Active participation in our religious institutions are valuable and vital building blocks for the individual and the community in large. We are always happy to see these young people grow up in Church and move on to their next chapter in life.

The Scholarship Committee of St. George, Southgate, MI


College Student Scholarships

College Scholarships

Dear Parents and College Students,

The parish of Saint George would like to reward our college students who are actively participating in their Orthodox Faith and being a witness and the light of Christ to the world. This scholarship is available to all our students who are going into their sophomore, junior and senior years of college or continuing education. In addition, this scholarship can be awarded up to three times for those who qualify. Applications will be made available starting in the early spring of 2025. To be eligible for the Saint George College Scholarship, these are the following requirements:

• Students must have been an active member of Sunday School and ministries of the Saint George parish during their high school studies. Exceptions can be made for students who have moved to our parish or have recently been baptized/chrismated in the Orthodox Faith.

• Student(s) must be an active member in their Orthodox Church. If the student is studying and living in another city, the parish priest of that city must provide a letter stating that the student is a participating member of the parish and its ministries.

• Students must be enrolled in OCF and an active participant if available.

Active participation in our religious institutions are valuable and vital building blocks for the individual and the community in large. We are always happy to see these young people grow up in Church and move on to their next chapter in life.

The Scholarship Committee of St. George, Southgate, MI


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants."
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Saints and Feasts

February 16

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.

February 16

Pamphilus the Martyr & his Companions

This Martyr contested during the reign of Maximian, in the year 290, in Caesarea of Palestine, and was put to death by command of Firmilian, the Governor of Palestine. His fellow contestants' names are Valens, Paul, Seleucus, Porphyrius, Julian, Theodulus, and five others from Egypt: Elias, Jeremias, Esaias, Samuel, and Daniel. Their martyrdom is recorded in Book VIII, ch. 11 of Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History, called The Martyrs of Palestine.

February 17

Theodore the Tyro, the Great Martyr

Saint Theodore who was from Amasia of Pontus, contested during the reign of Maximian (286-305). He was called Tyro, from the Latin Tiro, because he was a newly enlisted recruit. When it was reported that he was a Christian, he boldly confessed Christ; the ruler, hoping that he would repent, gave him time to consider the matter more completely and then give answer. Theodore gave answer by setting fire to the temple of Cybele, the "mother of the gods," and for this he suffered a martyr's death by fire. See also the First Saturday of the Fast.

February 18

Leo the Great, Pope of Rome

According to some, this Saint was born in Rome, but according to others in Tyrrenia (Tuscany), and was consecrated to the archiepiscopal throne of Rome in 440. In 448, when Saint Flavian, Archbishop of Constantinople, summoned Eutyches, an archimandrite in Constantinople, to give account for his teaching that there was only one nature in Christ after the Incarnation, Eutyches appealed to Saint Leo in Rome. After Saint Leo had carefully examined Eutyches's teachings, he wrote an epistle to Saint Flavian, setting forth the Orthodox teaching of the person of Christ, and His two natures, and also counseling Flavian that, should Eutyches sincerely repent of his error, he should be received back with all good will. At the Council held in Ephesus in 449, which was presided over by Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria (and which Saint Leo, in a letter to the holy Empress Pulcheria in 451, was the first to call "The Robber Council"), Dioscorus, having military might behind him, did not allow Saint Leo's epistle to Flavian to be read, although repeatedly asked to do so; even before the Robber Council was held, Dioscorus had uncanonically received the unrepentant Eutyches back into communion. Because Saint Leo had many cares in Rome owing to the wars of Attila the Hun and other barbarians, in 451 he sent four delegates to the Fourth Ecumenical Council, where 630 Fathers gathered in Chalcedon during the reign of Marcian, to condemn the teachings of Eutyches and those who supported him. Saint Leo's epistle to Flavian was read at the Fourth Council, and was confirmed by the Holy Fathers as the Orthodox teaching on the incarnate person of our Lord; it is also called the "Tome of Leo." The Saint wrote many works in Latin; he reposed in 461. See also Saint Anatolius, July 3.

February 19

Philothea the Righteous Martyr of Athens

Saint Philothei was born in Athens in 1522 to an illustrious family. Against her will, she was married to a man who proved to be most cruel. When he died three years later, the Saint took up the monastic life and established a convent, in which she became a true mother to her disciples. Many women enslaved and abused by the Moslem Turks also ran to her for refuge. Because of this, the Turkish rulers became enraged and came to her convent, dragged her by force out of the church, and beat her cruelly. After a few days, she reposed, giving thanks to God for all things. This came to pass in the year 1589. She was renowned for her almsgiving, and with Saints Hierotheus and Dionysius the Areopagite is considered a patron of the city of Athens.

February 20

Leo, Bishop of Catania

This Saint, who was from Ravenna in Italy, lived during the reign of Leo the Wise and his son Constantine Porphyrogenitus (end of the ninth and beginning of the tenth centuries). He struggled especially against the paganism and sorcery still prevalent in those regions.

February 21

Eustathios, Patriarch of Antioch

Saint Eustathius, the great defender of piety and illustrious opponent of Arianism, was from Side in Pamphylia. He became Bishop of Beroea (the present-day Aleppo), and in 325 was present at the First Ecumenical Council. From thence he was transferred to the throne of Antioch. But Saint Constantine the Great, led astray by the slanders directed against the Saint by the Arians, banished him to Trajanopolis in Thrace, where he reposed in 337, according to some. Others say he lived until 360.

February 22

Saturday of Souls

Through the Apostolic Constitutions (Book VIII, ch. 42), the Church of Christ has received the custom to make commemorations for the departed on the third, ninth, and fortieth days after their repose. Since many throughout the ages, because of an untimely death in a faraway place, or other adverse circumstances, have died without being deemed worthy of the appointed memorial services, the divine Fathers, being so moved in their love for man, have decreed that a common memorial be made this day for all pious Orthodox Christians who have reposed from all ages past, so that those who did not have particular memorial services may be included in this common one for all. Also, the Church of Christ teaches us that alms should be given to the poor by the departed one's kinsmen as a memorial for him.

Besides this, since we make commemoration tomorrow of the Second Coming of Christ, and since the reposed have neither been judged, nor have received their complete recompense (Acts 17:31; II Peter 2:9; Heb. 11:39-40), the Church rightly commemorates the souls today, and trusting in the boundless mercy of God, she prays Him to have mercy on sinners. Furthermore, since the commemoration is for all the reposed together, it reminds each of us of his own death, and arouses us to repentance.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20.

Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Thank God every day with your whole heart for having given to you life according to His image and likeness - an intelligently free and immortal life...Thank Him also for again daily bestowing life upon you, who have fallen an innumerable multitude of times, by your own free will, through sins, from life unto death, and that He does so as soon as you only say from your whole heart: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee!' (Luke 15:18).
St. John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ: Part 1; Holy Trinity Monastery pgs. 104-105, 19th century

But if he had despaired of his life, and, ... had remained in the foreign land, he would not have obtained what he did obtain, but would have been consumed with hunger, and so have undergone the most pitiable death: ...
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

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Prayer List

 

Please remember in your prayers the following:

Liana Golematis, Sarah Nitz, Fanis Nikitaras, Nikos Papadakis, Aristea Stamoyloy, Eftihia Kapetanaki

Please contact the church office to add your name to the Prayer List. Thank you.

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Flyers of Interest

    Matins

    Matins

    for Sunday, February 16, 2025

    Divine Liturgy

    Divine Liturgy

    for Sunday, February 16, 2025

    All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast & Godparent Sunday

    All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast & Godparent Sunday

    for Sunday, February 23, 2025.

    Important Update of Church Expansion and Remodel

    Important Update of Church Expansion and Remodel

    We are happy to present the current draft schematics for the expansion and remodel of the Activity room, office space and Sunday School areas. As we continue to work with the architect the plans will be updated as time progresses. We are also interested in feedback from parishioners and especially from ministries of the parish and the particular needs. Any suggestions can be given to a parish council member or emailed to Fr. John.

    MDSC Camper Registration

    MDSC Camper Registration

    Don’t miss this opportunity to give your kids the gift of camp! We look forward to welcoming campers and staff from our Metropolis for a fun, memorable, and safe experience steeped in our Orthodox faith. Please visit www.gomdsc.org. For more information, contact us at [email protected] or 248-909-6372. We are always looking for licensed medical professionals and lifeguards and offer 1/2-week commitments to accommodate working parents.

    Memorial Area Paver Order Form

    Memorial Area Paver Order Form

    Updated December 17, 2024

    Stay connected with YAL

    Stay connected with YAL

    Use the QR code to install and connect to the St. George YAL group for future meetings and events.

    Metropolis of Detroit Friends Program

    Metropolis of Detroit Friends Program

    Metropolis of Detroit Friends Program

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