St. George Church
Publish Date: 2025-03-16
Bulletin Contents

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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



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

    March 16 to March 23, 2025

    Sunday, March 16

    8:50AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy - Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

    12:00PM GOYA Meeting

    12:00PM Greek Dance Practice

    Wednesday, March 19

    6:00PM Liturgy of the Presanctified (followed by Lenten meal)

    Thursday, March 20

    12:00PM Senior Luncheon (Apollo hall)

    6:30PM Greek Dance Practice

    Friday, March 21

    6:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos

    7:00PM YAL Game Night & Lenten Meal

    Saturday, March 22

    YAL Outdoor Hike

    11:00AM GOYA Lenten Retreat

    Sunday, March 23

    Greek Independence Day Program & Lenten Meal

    No Sunday School

    8:50AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy - Sunday of the Holy Cross

    12:00PM Greek Dance Practice

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Church Announcements

Memorial Service

Stephen Colovos - 6 months

May the Lord our God grant rest to his soul where the righteous repose, in a place where there is no pain, no sorrow, and no suffering, but rather everlasting life. May his memory be eternal. The coffee is offered by the family in the Activity room.


Seniors Luncheon

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


GOYA Lenten Retreat

The GOYA Lenten retreat will be at St. George, Bloomfield Hills on Saturday, March 22. To register, Click here.


Greek Independence Day Celebration

Save the date for the Greek Independence program that will be offered after Liturgy next Sunday, March 23, by our Greek dancers and Sunday School students. A Lenten meal will also be offered by the parish to all in attendance. 


Upcoming Lenten Services

  • 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. Please see the attached flyer each week for the food item to bring according to your last name.

In addition, each Friday we will pray the Salutations to the Theotokos service at 6:00 PM.


Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon

The Philoptochos will host their Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon on April 13. See the attached flyer. You can make reservations with a Philoptochos member, the church office or online here.


Easter/Feast Day Flowers - Donations Needed

Donations are needed for Easter and Feast Day flowers to help defray the costs associated with these events. You can make donations online on our website, by check (in memo line: Easter/Feast Day flowers), by cash (please give us your name), or HERE.


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 or on our website under Ministries/Sunday School.

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.

Week Zero: June 22 – June 28, 2025
Week 1: June 29 – July 5, 2025  ** CLOSED **
Week 2: July 6 – July 12, 2025
Week 3: July 13 – July 19, 2025
Week 4: July 20 – July 26, 2025
Week 5: July 27 – August 2, 2025  Fr John will be attending Week 5


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.


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.


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 Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Light of Orthdoxy, pillar and teacher of the Church, adornment of monastics, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory thou wonderworker, boast of Thessalonica, herald of grace: ever pray that our souls be saved.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
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Saints and Feasts

March 16

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.


March 16

Sabine the Martyr of Egypt

The holy Martyr Sabine was from Hermopolis in Egypt, and was known for his zeal and piety. During the persecution of Diocletian, he concealed himself with other Christians in a small dwelling outside the city. But when he was discovered, and professed his faith in Christ, he was taken before Arian the Governor, and after he had been tortured he was drowned in the river. Concerning Arian the Governor, See also December 14.


March 16

Christodulus the Wonderworker of Patmos

Saint Christodulus, who was from the region of Nicaea of Bithynia, was the son of Theodore and Anna, and was given the name John. He assumed the monastic habit in his youth and was renamed Christodulus ("slave of Christ" in Greek). At first, he lived the ascetical life in various places, then he received permission and monetary aid from the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus (reigned 1081-1118), and built on the island of Patmos a church and monastery named in honour of Saint John the Evangelist. These buildings stand to this day. However, when the Arabs attacked that place, he fled with his disciples and went to Euboia (Euripus), where also he completed the course of his life about the end of the eleventh century on the 16th of March. The disciples of this righteous man took his sacred incorrupt remains and transferred them to his own monastery, where they repose to this day for the sanctification of those who have recourse to them with faith.


March 17

Alexios the Man of God

Saint Alexis was born in old Rome of illustrious parents named Euphemianus and Aglais, and at their request was joined to a young woman in marriage. However, he did not remain with her even for one day, but fled to Edessa, where he lived for eighteen years. He returned to Rome in the guise of a beggar and sat at the gates of his father's house, unknown to all and mocked by his own servants. His identity was revealed only after his death by a paper that he had on his person, which he himself had written a little before his repose. The pious Emperor Honorius honoured him with a solemn burial. The title "Man of God" was given to him from heaven in a vision to the Bishop of Rome on the day of the Saint's repose.


March 17

Patrick the Enlightener of Ireland

Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish, was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart. In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, "After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm." After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life at Auxerre in Gaul, under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ. His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, "my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord - so many thousands of people," he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much "weariness and painfulness," long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times. When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner.


March 18

Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem

This Saint was born in 315, and succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem in 350. He was zealous for the Orthodox Faith, and was a defender of the poor. He was exiled three times by the Arian Emperors Constantius and Valens. But after their death, he was recalled to his throne; he reposed in peace in 386. Of his writings, the most prominent are his catechetical lectures, which are considered the most ancient systematic summary of Christian teaching. Before Saint Cyril, there had been two dioceses, one of Jerusalem, and one of Holy Sion; under Saint Cyril, they were united into one bishopric. See also May 7.


March 19

Chrysanthos & Daria the Martyrs

Saint Chrysanthus, who was from Alexandria, had been instructed in the Faith of Christ by a certain bishop. His father, who was a senator by rank and a pagan, had him shut up in prison for many days; then, seeing the unchanging disposition of his mind, he commanded that a certain young woman named Daria be brought from Athens. She was a very beautiful and learned maiden, and also an idolater, and Chrysanthus' father wedded him to her so that he might be drawn away from the Faith of Christ because of his love for her. Instead of this however, Chrysanthus drew Daria unto piety, and both of them boldly proclaimed Christ and received the crown of martyrdom in 283, during the reign of Numerian, when they were buried alive in a pit of mire.


March 20

Righteous Fathers slain at the Monastery of St. Savas

The Righteous Martyrs were put to death by the barbarians during the reign of Emperor Heraclius, when Saint Modestus was Patriarch of Jerusalem (632-634).


March 20

Photini the Samaritan Woman

Saint Photini lived in 1st century Palestine and was the woman that Christ met at Jacob's Well in Samaria as recorded in the Gospel according to John (4:4-26). After her encounter with Christ, she and her whole family were baptized by the Apostles and became evangelists of the early Church. Photini and her children eventually were summoned before the emperor Nero and instructed to renounce their faith in Christ. They refused to do so, accepting rather to suffer various tortures. After many efforts to force her to surrender to idolatry, the emperor ordered that she be thrown down a well. Photini gave up her life in the year 66.

St. Photini is commemorated on three occasions during the year: February 26 (Greek tradition), March 20 (Slavic tradition), and the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman on the 5th Sunday of Pascha.


March 21

James the Confessor

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth in the Monastery of Studium, where he became a disciple of Saint Theodore the Studite. Later he became bishop and suffered many afflictions and torments at the hands of the Iconoclasts. Saint Theodore composed a homily in honour of this Saint James (PG 99, 1353-1356).


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:12-35

At that time, [Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. That very day] two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And He said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" and they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see." And He said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was not it necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into this glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So He went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you.
St. Peter Chrysologus
Homily 50.6. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol. 2: Mark. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2005, p. 27.

Now Matthew indeed saith, that "they brought him," but the others, that they also broke up the roof, and let him down. And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing, but committing the whole to Him.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 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, March 16, 2025


    Divine Liturgy

    Divine Liturgy

    for Sunday, March 16, 2025


    Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon

    Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon

    for Palm Sunday, April 13, 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.


    Memorial Area Paver Order Form

    Memorial Area Paver Order Form

    Updated December 17, 2024


    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.


    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


    Hellenic College Info

    Hellenic College Info

    Hellenic College---which shares a campus with Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology---is a four-year private Orthodox Christian liberal arts undergraduate college. We offer six different majors, including Theology and Literature and History. We also have an extensive offering of courses in the Greek language, with modern and ancient Greek classes. Our graduate school, Holy Cross, offers Biblical Greek as well. We would love to extend an invitation to learn more or apply for anyone in your Greek school or your parish who might be interested in furthering their Greek studies, or simply learning in an Orthodox Christian environment.


    2025 Detroit Lenten Vespers Series

    2025 Detroit Lenten Vespers Series

    The Council of Orthodox Christian Churches of Metropolitan Detroit (COCC) will resume its annual series of Vespers services on the five Sundays of Orthodox Christian Great Lent in 2025. The first one will be held on March 9, Sunday of Orthodoxy, at 6 p.m. at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 707 E. Lafayette Blvd. in Detroit, with His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit as the invited Main Celebrant and Guest Speaker


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