The Patron of Koliva

St. Theodore the Tyron is celebrated each year on February 24th.

This great fourth-century was born in Pontus by the Black Sea and served as a soldier and legionary in the Roman army during the time that Christians suffered a ghastly persecution under the emperor Maximian. In the first years of his military career, Theodore kept his faith quiet, waiting for to show him the best time at which to make his witness. At some point, while the army was stationed near Helenopontus, Theodore successfully slayed a wild beast that had been tormenting the people of the city. Greek Orthodox Church Understanding this event to be a sign that God now wanted him to 760 West Wattles Road fight the beast of idolatry, Theodore began to make his public Troy, Michigan 48098-4500 confession of faith. (248) 362-9575 Fax: (248) 362-9578 One night, Theodore’s military cohort was ordered to sacrifice to

the Roman . Theodore refused in staunch simplicity, stating Website: www.stnicholastroy.org that: “I adore only Christ, He is the King whom I serve, and to Him Archdiocese Website: goarch.org only am I willing to sacrifice!” As word of Theodore’s faith spread

Rev. Fr. Paul A. Patitsas throughout the army, he was thrown into jail, tortured, and Proistamenos eventually burned in a great fire. All throughout these horrible [email protected] Emergency Phone (248) 525-0711 sufferings, Theodore’s faith remained not simply unwavering, but

joyful. With his final breath, St. Theodore was heard to be Rev. Fr. Michael Manos thanking God! Assistant Priest [email protected] Emergency Phone (313) 590-0354 Not long after his repose, St. Theodore performed a miracle which

we celebrate—knowingly or not—even to this day. In the year Sunday Services 361, the Roman Empire was ruled by a man named Julian the Orthros-8:30 a.m. Apostate, who labored maniacally to reverse the Christianization of Divine Liturgy-9:30 a.m. the Empire and to return Rome to its pagan roots. During the first

Maggie, Office Administrator week of Lent in 361, the emperor Julian commanded that all the [email protected] food in the markets of the Roman capital () be

Catechism School Office sprinkled with the blood of animals sacrificed to the pagan [email protected] pantheon. He did this because he knew that the Christians of

Book Store Constantinople, tired and hungry from their first week of lenten [email protected] fasting, would go to the market to fill their homes with food.

Wishing to preserve the Christians from Julian’s ill-spirited plan,

ECHO STAFF St. Theodore appeared to the Patriarch of Constantinople in a Pulpit………………...Fr. Paul A. Patitsas dream, telling him to instruct the Christians to avoid the market and Council Secretary...... George Manolias instead to boil the wheat in their pantries for food. St. Theodore’s Catechism ...... ….Karen Cosmos Philoptochos ...... Angela Seaborn miraculous appearance and aid is remembered even today, when, Argonauts ………………..…...Lela Filias on the first Saturday of Lent, Orthodox Christians boil wheat and G.O.Y.A…………………..Nina Bologna prepare koliva to bring to the church, where it is offered in memory Y.A.L……………….....Fotini Michalakis of their departed loved ones. May we have St. Theodore’s intercessions, both for our salvation and for the repose of our ERNIE’S CATERING departed family and friends! (586) 286-8435 February 2021 Fr. Michael Manos

Council Report Parish Council 2021-2022 Ernie’s Catering Update The new Council consists of the Catered events are managed separately from following 18 parishioners. Church events by Ernie’s Catering and are subject to the State of Michigan executive orders plus any Katina Cloutier Paula Kalevas Oakland County orders with respect to the Karen Cosmos Mary Lafter pandemic. All catered events require masks and Pat Crosson George Manolias social distancing. Catering remains available, Kaethe Economos Pete Michalakis including take-out/pick-up orders for Nick Feles Guss Pappas Kessie Kaltsounis Ted Souphis events. Please consider Ernie’s if you have a Nick Kaltsounis Maria Spounias catered event coming up. Ernie’s can be reached Stephen Karniotis Ray Tonelli at (586) 286-8435 or via email at Steve Katsaros Greg Zotos [email protected]. Remember that a portion of all sales from all catered events contributes to our parish finances. Announcements

Stewardship 2021 A committee consisting of Father Paul and Father Funerals James Collias + ( Dec 12) Michael along with parishioners Niko Parks, Katie Michael Fiotakis + ( Dec 16) Chaka, George Mortis, Terry Zangkas and Tina Nickolaos Spanos + ( Dec19) Souphis as well as Council members Nick Tony Phillip DeTomaso + (Dec 21) Kaltsounis, Stephen Karniotis, Pat Crosson, Katina Matsios + ( Dec 23) Kaethe Economos, Paula Kalevas and Pete Penelope Teknos + ( Jan 5) Michalakis has been formed. Initiatives are being Haralambos Bobby Floros + (Jan 15) rolled out this Winter to strengthen our Stewardship efforts and broaden our parish Baptism community events and activity. December 19, 2020 Domenico Goulas son of Markos Goulas Budget 2021 & Christina Polychronou Godparent is Lena Drake The Council recently developed and approved a

2021 General Fund budget consisting of Income of $623,500 and Expense of $704,694 for a Net Weddings December 12, 2020 Loss of -$81,194. The net loss is primarily driven Hunter James and Chelsea Chambos by the Coronavirus pandemic causing declining Koumbara is Ashley Tengler contributions which are expected to continue into the first half of 2021. A fundraiser will be Congratulations! required to help offset the decline.

AHEPA SCHOLARSHIP YAL Applications for graduating high school The St. Nicholas Young Adults League (YAL) will seniors and university level (sophomore be making COVID kits on Saturday, February 13 through professional graduate school) are for distribution to church members after liturgy available online www.ahepadistrict10.org on February 14! If you or someone you know may and then select Educational Foundation. The be interested in joining the group or coming to AHEPA Scholarship deadline is April 1, help make kits, please reach out to Fotini Michalakis or Nicole Souphis at 2021. Anyone who needs assistance please [email protected]. call Milton Gust at 248-689-4156. 2

ARGONAUTS The Officers and Membership of the G.O.Y.A. Argonauts hope that you are well. Happy New Year! This past month, our G.O.Y.A. members met

Hopefully, we can soon see you in Church, up in Downtown Rochester to see the lights (socially pray together, and resume our monthly distanced, following COVID protocol, and wearing masks of luncheons. We have to follow the directions of His Eminence, Metropolitan course). We also collaborated with St. Nick’s Young Adults Nicholas. Let’s keep in mind those who group in writing cards to send out for the Nativity Season. may need help during these difficult times. This January, we will be making tie blankets from home! Each Please feel free to contact us at family will sign up to make as many as they desire! As always, [email protected]. We are please keep a look out for upcoming events and messages! in process of updating our mailing list.

OPA DANCING 2021……As we continue to navigate Catechism the COVID-19 pandemic, we are cautiously optimistic The Catechism staff hopes everyone had a about moving forward with hope and safety that we will Blessed and Merry and are looking be able to have OPA Dancing 2021, not sure what the forward to a healthier and prosperous format will be, but working on a backup plan should our New Year. Virtual Catechism classes are circumstances need to change. Please stay tuned in the continuing through the end of the school year. If we do receive permission from the next few weeks for more details... Metropolis to resume in-person classes, we will notify everyone. DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE We had our first Community Service project over the Christmas holiday, and we would like to thank all the students that participated in our Giving Trees to help give someone a warmer winter. We are going to have one more project before the end of the year so watch your email.

AHEPA NEWS 2020 was a very difficult year but, The AHEPA local organizations were active, promoting Hellenism, Christian Faith, Greek Culture and History. AHEPA Aegean Chapter 506 was active in doing many Philanthropic deeds, helping local families in need, donating food, supporting local churches with donations, supporting cultural events (Hellenic Museum-Greek Parade) by getting our youth involved organizing events: fishing, golf, picnics, church events, Greek Parade with Evzones, and supporting Academic Scholarship Awards for our students. The AHEPA organization wishes you a Happy and Healthy year. Join your local AHEPA group in your area!!!! For more information call Milton Gust at 248-689-4156.

Fraternity Vasilios Vouharas President Aegean Chapter 506

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YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is requiring and mandating that all youth workers will have access to Praesidium’s online abuse prevention training and screening packages using the Armatus® Learn to Protect System. The training session/videos needs to be completed every year and the background check every two years. You will be receiving reminder emails from them indicating their records show that you have previously completed training in the past and are due for additional abuse prevention training in Praesidium’s Armatus Learn to Protect System. You will need to log in at http://praesidiuminc.com/login to see your updated requirements. If you cannot remember your password, please click the link on the login screen to reset your password. The Praesidium Support Team is also available help you log in or connect with your organization. Please feel free to reach out to them at [email protected]. Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to a safe environment!

THANK YOU to everyone who supported the Bake Sale and Vasilopita lunches to-go! A special thank you to: Melanie Feles Andrea Feles-Katsimbaris Anne Feles Cindy and Pat Crosson Steve Karniotis Vasiliki Michalakis Brittany Mouzourakis

And the many helping hands that made these two events a success!

Upcoming Events and how to JOIN!

You are invited to join St. Nicholas Philoptochos and help us spread kindness. Below are some easy ways to get involved!

• We will be collecting items for Sanctum House this month. Sanctum House is a safe house for women who have been human trafficked. They provide 24/7 housing, healthcare, dental care, education and so much more. More information will come in the weekly bulletin.

• Join us for our ZOOM meetings held the second Wednesday of each month beginning at 7:00.

• Email us! Let us know you want to get involved at [email protected].

• Make a monetary donation! Mail a check to the Church office, attention Philoptochos or make an online donation at http://www.stnicholastroy.org/ on the Philoptochos page.

 Sunshine Committee –supports the following two main initiatives: • Troy People Concerned which is a referral agency that assists Troy residents who find themselves in a crisis.

• Forget-Me-Not Baskets that are delivered at Christmas, Valentine’s Day and to our parishioners who are not able to join us in person and spread a little sunshine!

 St. Basil’s Academy – bury the indigent immigrants and continues to help those in need • Make prayer blankets.

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LIGHT A VIGIL CANDLE REMOTELY

Following the directives of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the State of Michigan in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Saint Nicholas complex is closed to both parishioners and visitors. ALL Divine Services will be broadcast and can be viewed online at www.stnicholastroy.org. Everyone is adjusting to these challenging circumstances and are seeking ways to maintain some normalcy. With this understanding and intent, the Parish Council can accommodate the requests of people who want to light a vigil candle or candles at Saint Nicholas Church. Please visit the Parish’s website, www.stnicholastroy.org, and click on “Candles Online” to make the request and complete your donation of $5 (USD five dollars) per candle. OR, a donation check can also be mailed, writing vigil candle on memo line, again for $5 (USD five dollars) per candle. A Parish Council member will light the vigil candle at the next Divine Liturgy, after the request is received.

I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

BOOKSTORE Way of the Ascetics

Tito Calliander

Way of the Ascetics is a rich, compact introduction for modern readers to the Eastern Christian spiritual tradition that has been an inspiration to millions for centuries. These compassionate and insightful reflections on self-control and inner peace are meant to lead the readers to fuller union with God. The author makes a generous selection of succinct yet profound extracts from the spiritual Fathers and provides an illuminating commentary and practical applications for daily devotion. He tempers austerity with common sense, warmth, and even humor, as he urges us on our journey toward God. Written for laypersons living fully in the world as much as for clergy, Way of the Ascetics is an excellent resource for daily meditation, authentic spiritual guidance, and a revitalized religious life.

Paperback. 110 pages. Size 5 X 7.25 $15.00

To reserve your copy of these books or any bookstore item please contact Maria Kokkinakis at 248-362-9575 or by Email at [email protected]

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SUNDAY SERVICES THE SAME! Orthros 8:30 am | Divine Liturgy 8:30 am | 9:30 SERVICESOrthros SAME! SUNDAY THE

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Families from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church who have preplanned their arrangements and memorialization with White Chapel are comforted by the knowledge that their final arrangements and memorialization have been made in advance and that their final resting place is adjacent to St. Nicholas. To get more information or to discuss your arrangements and memorialization options, please contact or visit us at ... 621 West Long Lake Rd. • Troy, MI 248-362-7670 • www.WhiteChapelCemetery.com

THIS SPACE IS

Dr. Vasilios Gikas, D.O. Fluent in English & Greek Beaumont Affiliated Physician www.silverpinedocs.com This Space 43455 Schoenherr Ste. 2 53950 Van Dyke Avenue is Available 48801 Romeo Plank (586) 726-4823

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL 248-888-7727 [email protected] LET US PLACE www.cjbpest.com YOUR AD HERE. Contact Larry Burgett to place an ad today! • Animals • Rodents • Ants • Bats • Cockroaches • Drain Flys • Fleas [email protected] or (800) 477-4574 x6268 • General Crawling Insects • Rats • Moles • Mosquitoes • Spiders

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Christ is Risen!