Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America ~ Metropolis of Detroit The Logos Nativity of Te Virgin Mary

December 2017, Volume 1, No. 9 What’s Inside

Parish Council News ...... 2 Our Unsung Heros ...... 3 Parish News Reel ...... 4 Finance Center ...... 4 Katavasias of Christmas ...... 5 Wisdom of the Saints ...... 5 Nativity Prayer List ...... 5 Nativity Growth Roadmap ...... 6 On Prayer ...... 7 Philoptochos Soup Sunday ...... 8 Greek School - OXI Day ...... 9 Girls Basketball ...... 10 Photo Pages ...... 14-15

Christ is Born, Glorify Him... My beloved in Christ, of course dreaming about the special gifts I would get from St. Nicholas. It We have come to a most was, and still is, a very special time of precious time of year, the year. Our Unsung Hero: especially for Christians. We have come to that period As a priest, I am always reminded of Vasilios Palazis where we prepare to receive how special and important Christmas Interview on Page 3 our Savior into the world is, or what is liturgically called the - Christ. For most of us the Nativity of our Lord. Every time holidays begin with Thanksgiving, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, the a time of family and friends being Nativity is remembered at the Ofering together, including our nation, giving table or the Table of Preparation in Congrats Junior thanks to the Lord for the many the Altar. The icon of the Nativity is Girls Basketball! blessings that we have received. depicted behind every Ofering Table Holiday Hoops Tournament When I was young, it was my family’s in every Altar. The disc, or , tradition to put up the tree right that holds the bread, the Lamb of Champs! See Page 11 after Thanksgiving and prepare the God, which will become His sacred house festively for the Nativity of body in the Liturgy, is the manger in Christ. How magical it was as a child Bethlehem. The Astericos placed over St. Teophan the to witness a change happening, not the Paten is the star that led the Magi Recluse - On Prayer only in our house, but also all around to the cave and the various coverings us. Going to the mall, seeing all the are like swaddling cloths that clothed Part 4 in the Series of 4. Christmas lights and decorations, our Savior. (I will be speaking more in See Page 7 receiving Christmas cards, going to depth about this and what happens at Christmas parties, drinking Eggnog the Ofering Table in an upcoming and eating Christmas cookies, and Orthodox Faith class.) (Continued on page 12) The Logos Parish Council News By Louis Poulos years from large trucks turning Council President around and festival tent wear and tear. We are also getting quotes to The parish council has been build a pole barn on the property working hard all year behind which would house the festival the scenes to complete projects equipment and replace the aging and tasks that not only keep the trailer now being used. church operating, but functional and beautiful as well. Much time is The parish council has determined spent planning, organizing, getting these items need immediate Parish Priest bids, and seeing projects through attention but beyond that, the Rev. Father Nick Marcus to completion and this council has vision for the future of this parish Cell (616) 328-3143 proven up to the task all year. has also been taking shape and [email protected] needs fnalizing. It began earlier As I write this article, we are waiting this year with the strategic planning on two more quotes for replacing retreat held at Mama Mia’s in Pastoral Assistant the twenty-fve-year-old ten ton April and continues currently with William Smith, M.DIV heating and cooling unit in the the creation of a Nativity Road Cell (586) 942-6625 fellowship hall. We are also getting Map (by council member Pete [email protected] quotes for replacing the failed Tsaprazis, see page 6). The road church windows and repaving the map attempts to put on paper North parking lot. The lot has how this vision and plan for the Services incurred much damage over the future could be implemented. But Sunday more input is needed and difcult 8:45am Orthros decisions need to be made if we 10:00am Divine Liturgy are to collectively move forward with a viable growth plan. Wednesday 7:00pm Paraklesis God only knows what the future holds for our parish, but we must seriously consider securing Ofce additional funding while mortgage Kathy Kyriacou, Admin rates are low to prepare for the next Ofce (734) 420-0131 phase of development. Doing so [email protected] could mean laying the foundation for growth to the glory of the Lord, Monday - Friday, 10am to 2pm Fr. Nick introduced new altar servers this month. (From lef) Aristides and Nicholas Kyritses, and and secure Nativity’s future for the William Floros. generations to come. Nativity Bookstore & Fr. George Vaporis Library Hours Tuesday - Saturday, 10am to 2pm Tuesday & Thursday, 6pm to 8pm Sunday, 12noon to 2pm Closed Monday ______Nativity of The Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church 39851 West Five Mile Road Plymouth, Michigan Congratulations to Nicole Caracostas and Congratulations to parish council member Dean Kostas Ekonomopoulos and family at the bap- and Katina Stavrou and family at the baptism of www.nativitygochurch.org tism of son Teodoros. Godparents Konstan- daughter Paraskevi Amalia. Godparents Menas tina Jianis and Soti Michalos. Houstoulakis and Maria Kefallinos. 2 The Logos - Volume 1, No. 9 december 2017 Our Unsung Heroes: An Interview with Mr. Vasilios Palazis by Irene Melabiotis

It was a glorious Sunday morning when, re- plenishing the beeswax candles as an ush- er, I heard someone call my name. Look- ing up, I saw Mr. Vasilios Palazis’s smiling face, handing me pages of handwritten notes in Greek. As I looked through them, he explained that they were his life’s story in a nut- shell that, as writer of the Unsung Heroes column, he wished to share with me. He felt compelled to tell his story after reading the interview article about Mr. George Stefanakis’s experiences serving in the Hel- lenic Navy as a marine engineer (see the July 2017 issue of The Logos). He went on to explain that his experiences paralleled those of his compatriot; He began training at the same Naval Academy for Petty Officers (Υπαξιωματικούς) on the same Greek island of Poros just two years prior to Mr. Stefanakis. To ac- company his notes, he handed me a black and white photo of his younger self, explaining that it was taken while he was in the Academy. Gratefully, I accepted Mr. Palazis’s notes and picture and promised to share his story with our Nativity community in a forthcom- ing issue of The Logos. I am humbled by the oppor- tunity to share with you his story here, in Mr. Palazis’s own words, which reads much like a brief personal was discharged, I boarded a cargo ship, and I traveled memoir: for 7 months to England, Cuba, Japan, Canada. In Canada, however, I got off craftily in Vancouver, and My name is Vasilios Palazis [Βασίλειος Παλάζης]. I slowly, slowly, I made it to Windsor, Ontario, [because come from the village of Apollona [Απόλλωνα] in there were about 60 families there from my village. I Rhodes. When I was 17 years old, I was going to high left everything on the ship. I had no passport. I had school in Rhodes, and I was in Grade 8 [Δευτέρα nothing. I lived for two years in Windsor.] I began to Γυμνασίου]. My father loved the sea a lot because he work secretly and to go to school to learn the [En- was a sponge diver as his profession, so he wanted to glish] language. [I lived fearfully because immigration send me to the Navy and sent me to the island of Po- was looking to find me. They knew that I had left the ros so that I would become, some day, a Petty Officer cargo ship illegally. At that time, ships were charged [Υπαξιωματικός] and, later, an Officer. And, indeed, $2,000 for each person who jumped ship.] that’s what happened! Because I was a good student, and because I spoke the Italian language, I got in When I met my wife, we got married, and I got ac- without difficulty to the Academy. cepted to study in America in 1960, and slowly, slow- ly, I received my diploma as an electrician. I got into The first year as a first-year student passed, and I was Ford, where I worked 25 years [at the Wixom assembly the top student in the class, and as a second-year stu- plant] until I retired [in 1994]. We have two children dent I became the leader of my class and, in this way, – John and Evgenia. John has 3 daughters, Samantha, my second year continued. During this [second] year, Aphrodite, and Vasilia. Evgenia has two children, An- however, I left the Academy and I went back to the gela and Demetri. village in Rhodes where my father did not accept me well because I ruined his dreams! And in this way, I In short, this is my story. I was very happy when I left and came to Athens, and I worked until I became read in your newsletter [in the July 2017 issue of The 22 years old, when they called me again to serve! Logos] the story of my colleague, George Stefanakis. And, in this way, I returned to the Navy for a second Thank you, time, where I served for another two years. When I Vasilios Palazis [Βασίλειος Παλάζης] 3 The Logos

Additional Services Parish News Reel 9am Orthros • Volunteers are needed to take on festival the fellowship hall or Ed Center. 10am Divine Liturgy chair positions as preparations for the 2018 • Nativity’s 26th annual Christmas Auction is festival are set to begin early next year. Vol- scheduled for Friday, Dec. 8th at 6:30pm in Wed, Dec 6th...... St. Nicholas the unteers for the following committees are the fellowship hall. Bring your friends and needed: Festival Co-Chairs, Set Up and family for an evening of fun, fellowship and Wonderworker Tear Down, 50/50 Rafe, & Signs. Please get some Christmas shopping done early! contact the church ofce to help. Many • Mama Mia’s sponsored a GOYA Guys and Tues, Dec 12th...... St. Spyridon the improvements and much assistance are Gals Glendi on Nov 25th in honor of St. Wonderworker needed to secure the future success of our Michael. All proceeds were donated to the festival! Church. Sun, Dec 24th...... 7pm Vesperal Liturgy • Orthodox Faith class went on a feld trip • Greek Dance Ministry sponsored the flm to Detroit Cinema on Thursday, Nov 9th El Greco on Dec 1st in the fellowship hall to see the movie Becoming Truly Human. for Mezethes and a Movie. Mon, Dec 25th...... Nativiy of Christ DVD’s are now available at http://store. • The Ellinomatheia certifcates were pre- ancientfaith.com/becoming-truly-hu- sented on Sunday, Nov. 19th along with Wed, Dec 27th...... St. Stephen the man-flm/. a wonderful luncheon and speech by Fr. First Martyr • Our community needs more volunteers for Philemon on the importance of learning the sacred task of baking Prosphoron. The Greek. The event was sponsored by Larry Mon, Jan 1st...... St. Basil the Great bread is our ofering to God which along Stassinos and family. with the ofered wine mystically transforms • The Men’s Club met for dinner at Big into the Body of Christ every Sunday. Tommy’s Parthenon to plan their 2nd an- Sat, Jan 6th...... Holy Theophany Please see Fr. Nick for recipe and instruc- nual wild game dinner. It will be held on tions if needed. Friday, Feb. 2nd with a ticket price of $75. • Nativity is participating in the Kroger • Congratulations to Panos Papadakos for Community Rewards Program. Register being named All-Star for the boys team at Small Paraklesis online today using your Kroger plus card. the Holiday Hoops basketball tournament. • December is Stewardship month! Listen Wed, Dec 13th...... 7pm for Fr. Nick to speak about the importance Wed, Dec 20th...... 7pm of giving and please fll out your 2018 stew- FINANCE CENTER ardship form prior to the end of the year. as of November 1st, 2017 • Sunday School is sponsoring a holiday food and clothing drive for the Northville Civic 2017 Budget: $360,000 Upcoming Events Concern through the end of the year. All food must be non-perishable and gently Monthly Budget: $30,000 General Assembly...... noon Sun, Dec 3 used clothing for all ages. Drop of items in Parish Oferings* June: $19,532 Metropolis Open House - 2pm Sun, Dec 3 YTD: $239,559 Philoptochos Xmas Party..6pm Mon, Dec 4 St. Nick’s Vespers, Troy - 7pm Tues, Dec 5 Stewardship Christmas Auction...... 6:30pm Fri, Dec 8 Pledged: $194,128 REVMA Secret Santa...7pm Sat, Dec 9 Pledges: 165 Families 269 St. Spyridon Vespers, Troy...... Mon, Dec 11 Members: 551 GOYA Focus Detroit...... 6pm Wed, Dec 13 Family Night...... 6pm Fri, Dec 15 Mortgage (4% APR) GOYA Caroling...... 6:30pm Thu, Dec 21 Paid Monthly: $1557 Christmas Pageant...... noon Sun, Dec 24 ($1057 + $500 principal) Balance: $107,007 Please call the church ofce for *includes candle oferings more information. The Logos ~ Tuesday Group Invitation ~ Nativity of Te Virgin Mary We invite you to please consider joining the Tuesday Group. Following Bible study the group enjoys lunch, fellowship, fun, and playing cards. This gather- Next Deadline: Dec. 15 ing is for and about fellowship. There is no cost to you! Stop in for as long as you are able. We have a lot of laughs and this is a great opportunity to get to Please submit all schedules, events, informa- know each-other better. We look forward to seeing you there! God Bless you! tion and photos by December 15, 2017

for January 2018 edition to: ~ EVERY TUESDAY ~ Fr. Nick and Presbytera Liza [email protected] 11am...... Bible Study Noon...... Fellowship Lunch 4 december 2017 Καταβασίαι τῆς Χριστοῦ Γεννήσεως Αʹ *Katavasias of Christmas I ᾨδὴ αʹ. Ἦχος αʹ. Ode i. Mode 1. NATIVITY Χριστὸς γεννᾶται, δοξάσατε, Χριστὸς ἐξ οὐρανῶν, Christ is born; glorify Him! Christ is come from ἀπαντήσατε, Χριστὸς ἐπὶ γῆς, ὑψώθητε, ᾄσατε τῷ heaven; go and meet Him. Christ is on earth; arise PRAYER LIST Κυρίῳ πᾶσα ἡ γῆ, καὶ ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ, ἀνυμνήσατε to Him. Sing to the Lord, all you who dwell on the λαοί, ὅτι δεδόξασται. earth; and in merry spirits, O you peoples, praise Please Pray for: ᾨδὴ γʹ. His birth. For He is glorifed. Fr. George Vaporis Τῷ πρὸ τῶν αἰώνων, ἐκ Πατρὸς γεννηθέντι Ode iii. ἀρρεύστως Υἱῷ, καὶ ἐπ’ ἐσχάτων ἐκ Παρθένου, To the Son, begotten without fux, of the Father, Soula Metropoulos σαρκωθέντι ἀσπόρως, Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ βοήσωμεν· before the ages, and who was lately made incar- Sandy Zembylas Ὁ ἀνυψώσας τὸ κέρας ἡμῶν, Ἅγιος εἶ Κύριε. nate of the Virgin without seed; to Christ God now ᾨδὴ δʹ. let us cry aloud: You have exalted the horn of our Nick Zembylas Ῥάβδος ἐκ τῆς ῥίζης Ἰεσσαί, καὶ ἄνθος ἐξ αὐτῇς strength. Only You are holy, O Lord. Georgia Theophelis Χριστέ, ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου ἀνεβλάστησας, ἐξ ὄρους Ode iv. Jacob Espinosa ὁ αἰνετός, κατασκίου δασέος, ἦλθες σαρκωθεὶς ἐξ Jesse’s root produced a branch, O Christ, and You ἀπειράνδρου, ὁ ἄϋλος καὶ Θεός, Δόξα τῇ δυνάμει its fower blossomed forth, from the Virgin who Elaine Galbraith σου, Κύριε. by Habakkuk prophetically once was called over- Katherine Beeny ᾨδὴ εʹ. shadowed, dense mountain. From her who knew Cleo Demetriou Θεὸς ὢν εἰρήνης, Πατὴρ οἰκτιρμῶν, τῆς μεγάλης not man You came incarnate, the immaterial God. Βουλῆς σου τὸν Ἄγγελον, εἰρήνην παρεχόμενον, Glory to Your power, O Lord. Alexander Nichof ἀπέστειλας ἡμῖν· ὅθεν θεογνωσίας, πρὸς φῶς Ode v. Steve Kaplantzes ὁδηγηθέντες, ἐκ νυκτὸς ὀρθρίζοντες, δοξολογοῦμέν God of peace and Father of mercies, Your Son You σε, Φιλάνθρωπε. have sent unto us as Your messenger, the Angel of Gus Photsios ᾨδὴ Ϛʹ. great counsel who is granting peace. Therefore Sheri Wilkins Σπλάγχνων Ἰωνᾶν, ἔμβρυον ἀπήμεσεν, ἐνάλιος θήρ, having been guided to the light of godly knowl- Aristotle Zarkin οἷον ἐδέξατο, τῇ Παρθένῳ δέ, ἐνοικήσας ὁ Λόγος καὶ edge, waking from the night to dawn, we sing Your σάρκα λαβών, διελήλυθε φυλάξας ἀδιάφθορον· ἧς glory, O Lover of man. Vasiliki Biselas γάρ, οὐχ ὑπέστη ῥεύσεως, τὴν τεκοῦσαν, κατέσχεν Ode vi. Eva Kocoves Fink ἀπήμαντον. Such as it received Jonah as an embryo, the sea Taylor Zembylas ᾨδὴ ζʹ. beast disgorged him from its bowels intact. With Οἱ Παῖδες εὐσεβείᾳ συντραφέντες, δυσσεβοῦς the Virgin, though, when the Logos had dwelt in Anastasia Kyriazako προστάγματος καταφρονήσαντες, πυρὸς ἀπειλὴν her taking on fesh, He came forth from her pre- Evangelos Bourouris οὐκ ἐπτοήθησαν, ἀλλ’ ἐν μέσῳ τῆς φλογὸς ἑστῶτες serving her yet incorrupt. For from her no fuxion ἔψαλλον, ὁ τῶν Πατέρων Θεὸς εὐλογητὸς εἶ. sufered He, and He kept her unaltered in childbirth. Maria Espinosa ᾨδὴ ηʹ. Ode vii. Maria Kalas Αἰνοῦμεν, εὐλογοῦμεν καὶ προσκυνοῦμεν τὸν Κύριον. The Servants nurtured piously together, with Eleni Vrahnos Θαύματος ὑπερφυοῦς ἡ δροσοβόλος, ἐξεικόνισε contempt regarding the impious king’s decree, in- κάμινος τύπον· οὐ γὰρ οὓς ἐδέξατο φλέγει Νέους, ὡς trepidly faced the threat of holocaust, and while Theodora Bageris οὐδὲ πῦρ τῆς Θεότητος, Παρθένου ἢν ὑπέδυ νηδύν· standing in the midst of fames they chanted thus, Nick Kyriakou διὸ ἀνυμνοῦντες ἀναμέλψωμεν· Εὐλογείτω ἡ Κτίσις saying: O God of the fathers, You are blessed. πᾶσα τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ὑπερυψούτω εἰς πάντας τοὺς Ode viii. Michali Malfs αἰῶνας. We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord. Angeliki Dellas ᾨδὴ θʹ Babylon’s bedewing furnace bore the image of an Andrula Loisides Μεγάλυνον ψυχή μου, τὴν τιμιωτέραν καὶ extraordinary wonder. For it did not burn the youths ἐνδοξοτέραν, τῶν ἄνω στρατευμάτων. Μυστήριον it accepted, nor did the fre of Divinity consume the Jody Stockdale ξένον, ὀρῶ καὶ παράδοξον! οὐρανὸν τὸ Σπήλαιον, Virgin’s womb wherein it went. So let us melodious- Bessie Shell θρόνον Χερουβικόν, τὴν Παρθένον, τὴν φάτνην ly chant in praise: Let all creation bless and extol Nick Morakeas χωρίον, ἐν ᾧ ἀνεκλήθη ὁ ἀχώρητος, Χριστὸς ὁ the Lord, and let it exalt Him supremely to the ages. Θεός, ὂν ἀνυμνοῦντες μεγαλύνομεν. Mia Grace Zembylas *From Digital Chant Stand at www.agesinitiatives.com Catherine Dillon Panagiotis Korellis Wisdom of the Saints Catherine Vardouniotis Carlo Nichof “Parents should love their children as their “There is a sin which is always ‘unto death’ children and not as their idols. That is to say, (1Jn 5:16), the sin for which we do not repent. Gail Koumariotis they should love their children as they are and For this sin, even a saint’s prayers will not be Anna Kyriakou not how they would like them to be - to be like heard.” them.” St. Mark the Ascetic Helen Photsios Elder Epiphanios Theodoropoulos Maria Rifat “If you notice that your mind constantly wan- Freda Nicozisis “For he who is praying as he ought, and fasting, ders of to the various chores you must do has not many wants, and he who has not many [when praying], you must realize that you are Parthena Papadopoulou wants is not covetous. He who fasts is light, not doing well spiritually, and this should alarm William Fitzgerald and winged, and prays with wakefulness, and you because you have distanced yourself from Frank Maroudis quenches his wicked lusts, and propitiates God, God.” and humbles his soul when lifted up. Nothing St. Paisios the Athonite Presbytera Jenny Newlin is mightier than the man who prays sincerely.” Metropolitan Paul “The rich man is not one who possesses much, St. John Chrysostom but one who gives much” Archbishop John St. John Chrysostom (call the ofce to be added) From the Daily Lives, Miracles and Wisdom of the Saints Calendar The Orthodox Calendar Company, www.livesofthesaintscalendar.com 5 The Logos Na#vity Growth Roadmap – current state October 28

Completed Phase 1 (2017-2018 Phase 2 (2019+ Phase 3 (2019+ Ac,ons maintenance and expand the church hall build a gym complex (2016-2017) prepara#on for expansion including commercial with #ming, cost and – seeking es#mates) kitchen capability with scope to be determined). Ø New roof #ming, cost and scope in New complex to include Ø Marble Ø Pay-off current mortgage development). Includes gym, classrooms, Ø New carpe#ng (appx. 105k) reconfigura#on of bookstore & library. This Ø Ø Re-pave parking lot north of Exterior cleaning grounds to incorporate will also involve a Ø Many maintenance office (pursuing quotes) ac#ons inside church Ø Build a pole barn for storage new building (e.g. reconfigura#on of our Ø Tree trimming and remove trailer (tbd cost) changes in parking south current parking lot. Ø Ed Center Upgrades: Ø Replace leaking windows – of current hall). This carpet, front door, need UV protec#on for expands our ability to awning, vinyl siding (tbd cost) support the fes#val and Ø Ø Rough in construc#on for New book store other fundraising. Ø New recep#on office Pantocrator in ceiling (tbd Ø Hearing aid loop cost) Ø Cry room remodeling Ø Make-up air upgrade for Ø Clergy microphone kitchen (tbd cost) upgrade Ø Obtain direc#onal cost es#mates for phase 2/3 Ø Determine financing phase 2 Ø Select iconographer and design

New Iconography and preserva#on of exis#ng iconography is dependent on replacement of current windows and sponsorship from parishioners

6 december 2017 St. Theophan the and all the rest. In about all things, and always strive to be Recluse: On prayer, another place, on the right side. The same thing hap- the same apostle pens in a clock. A clock works properly Homily 4 adorns the soul and shows the correct time only when with bridal cloth- all of the gears and other parts inside Delivered 20 December, 1864 ing as the bride are complete and in their correct place, of Christ, saying, and joined together properly. This is the Three times I have spoken “Put on therefore, same in our inner spiritual mechanism: to you about prayer. (See the as the elect of God, the striving of the soul will be true like preceding homilies: 1, 2, and holy and beloved, an arrow, directed straight toward God, 3 in previous 3 editions of bowels of mercies, when all other parts of the soul are whole The Logos). About how to kindness, hum- and are established in their correct plac- read prayers with attention, bleness of mind, es, so to speak, put in place by virtue. about how to ascend to God meekness, longsuf- mentally and in your heart, fering; Forbearing I will teach you what sort of virtues should and how to stand constantly one another, and surround your prayer, or what sort of before God with a burning forgiving one another, if any man have prayerful, virtuous life a Christian should spirit. The Lord instructed us in various a quarrel against any: even as Christ for- plant in himself, not in my own words, but degrees and types of prayer, so that each, gave you, so also do ye. And above all in the words of the holy hierarch Dimitri according to his strength, could be a par- these things put on charity, which is the of Rostov, who briefy lists these things taker in the goodness of prayer. For the bond of perfection. And let the peace in the following instructions (from Chris- work of prayer is a great work. It is, as I of God rule in your hearts, to the which tian Spiritual Instruction, part 1, p. 288): have said, the testimony of the spiritual also ye are called in one body; and be ye life, and also the food of the spiritual life. thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in 1. When you wake up, let your frst Therefore one must work towards perfec- you richly in all wisdom; teaching and thought be about God, your frst word be tion in prayer more than all other things. admonishing one another in psalms and a prayer to God your creator and keeper hymns and spiritual songs, singing with of your life, Who is always able to give life I have reminded you how to succeed in grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col or destroy it, who can strike with illness each type of prayer. Now I want to remind 3.12-16). In many other places in the and heal, and who can save or destroy. you, as a warning, that it is difcult, if not word of God, prayer is bound up tightly impossible, to succeed in prayer, if we do with all the other virtues, as their queen, 2. Bow and give thanks to God Who not at the same time work on other virtues. after which they all strive, and which raised you from sleep, and Who did not draws all of them after itself, or even allow you to perish in your sins, but with If we compare prayer to a perfume, and better, as their fragrant fower. As it is long-sufering awaited your repentance. the soul to a bottle for perfume, then we necessary for a fower to be covered with will understand that as perfume does leaves as well as having a stem, branches 3. Make a start for better things, saying not keep its fragrance in a container full and root, in order to attract attention, it with the Psalmist: “I said, now I have of holes, also the soul cannot contin- is also necessary for prayer to be accom- made a beginning” (Ps. 76.11) For no one ue to pray if there is a lack of virtue. If panied by other good spiritual inclina- completes the path to heaven except he we compare someone who prays to the tions and labors in order to blossom like a who makes a good beginning everyday. whole body, then we see the following les- fower in the soul; faith is the root, active son: as it is impossible for a man without love is like a stem and branches, and la- 4. From the morning pray like the legs to walk, even if the rest of his body bors of a spiritual-physical nature are like Seraphim, act like the Cherubim, is healthy, so it is impossible to approach leaves. When such a holy tree is planted and be surrounded with angels. God, or reach God in prayer, without ac- in the soul, then in the morning, and in tive virtue. Look in the apostolic teach- the evening, and during the course of 5. Do not waste time any longer. Do ings, and you will see that in them prayer the day, according to its state, the fow- only those things which are necessary. does not stand alone, but together with ers of prayer will freely blossom and fll a whole host of virtues. For example, the all of our inner chambers with fragrance. 6. In all deeds and words, keep your mind apostle Paul arms a Christian in spiritual in God; do not write anything in your battle and dresses him in the full armor I remind you of all of this, so that no mind except Christ, and let no image of God. Look at what this is: The belt one would think: “I labor in prayer, and touch your pure heart except the pure is truth, the armor is righteousness, the that is enough”. No - one must work and image of Christ our God and Savior. shoes are the gospel of peace, the shield is be zealous for all things together, both faith, the helmet is hope, the sword is the praying and working at all the virtues. 7. Awaken yourself to the love of God in word of God (Eph 6.14-17). Such weap- It is true that it is impossible to succeed all things, whenever you are able, especial- ons! After all of this he places his warrior in virtues without prayer, but it is also ly say to yourself with the Psalmist: “in my in prayer as if in some sort of fortress: necessary to work at the virtues while meditation a fre was kindled” (Ps. 38.4). “pray at all times in the spirit with all praying, so that the prayer can show its sorts of prayer and petition” (Eph 6.18). cooperation in these virtues. In order 8. You desire to love God, Whose visita- It is, of course, possible for prayer alone to succeed in prayer, one must pray, but tion you always see and gaze upon with to defeat all enemies, but in order to be the labor of prayer should be used as the your interior eyes, therefore turn away strong in prayer, one must be success- means to virtues. One must be concerned from all evil deeds, words, and thoughts. ful in faith, hope, truth, righteousness, (Continued on page 9) 7 The Logos

Photos By Cleanthe Milojevic TO OP CH IL O H S

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8 december 2017 (St. Theophan from page 7) Do, say, and think all things honorably, humbly, and with the fear of a son.

9. Let meekness with praise and humility with honor be together. Nativity of the Virgin Mary 10. Let your words be quiet, humble, honorable, and useful. Let si- Greek Orthodox Church lence decide the words that you say. From henceforth, let no empty or 39851 Five Mile Rd, Plymouth, MI 734-420-0131 rotten word escape your lips. 26th Annual Christmas Auction 11. If something funny happens, allow yourself only a smile, and this not often.

Friday, December 8, 2017 12. You will fall into prodigality through anger, wrath, and arguing: keep yourself moderate in anger. 6:30pm 13. Always observe moderation in eating and drinking. Church Fellowship Hall 14. Be condescending in all things, and God will bless you, and peo- ple will praise you. Silent & Live Auction Raffe 15. You must pray about your death, which is the end of all things. See what sort of wonderful life is taught to the praying Christian. It Fish Fry is true that in one place we have spoken more about prayer, that is, Hors D’oeuvres of mental and heart-felt turning to God, but in another place, other Cash Bar virtues have been mentioned, and yet without all of them togeth- er, it is impossible to get a foothold in prayer. Let everyone strive in knowledge: standing in prayer and exercising is according to your instruction. How can you stand to pray if you are weighed down with intemperance, or carried away with anger, or if you do not stand in peace, or you are distracted by work and lack of attention and so on? If we are to avoid these things, then we are to strive to attain the opposite: that is, virtue. For this reason, St. John of the Ladder speaks of prayer, saying that it is the mother and the daughter of virtues. Council of Orthodox Christian Churches of Metropolitan Detroit Hearing this, some might say, “what great demands! What a heavy burden! Where can I ever fnd time and the strength?” But be strong, Orthodox churches to sponsor Christmas brethren! Very little is necessary, and one must only take up one thing: concert Dec. 10 zeal for God and salvation in Him in your soul. By its nature, the soul has much good in it and it is only misdirected into all evil things. As DETROIT—The Council of Orthodox Christian Churches of soon as zeal for salvation and the pleasing of God is born in one’s Metropolitan Detroit (COCC) will sponsor its third annual “Christ soul, all of the goodness gathers around this zeal, and immediately no is Born! Glorify Him! A Detroit Orthodox Christmas Concert” on small amount of good appears in the soul. Then zeal, strengthened Sunday, Dec.10 at 6 p.m. at St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Or- by the grace of God, with the help of this initial good, begins to fnd thodox Cathedral, 21931 Evergreen Road (between Eight and Nine more goodness, and enriches itself with it, and all begins to grow by Mile roads), Southfeld, 48075. degrees. Zeal itself has the beginnings of prayer already. It is fed at The frst part of the concert will feature Nativity hymns and carols frst by natural virtue, and then begins to feed on the works of virtue from Greece, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine and other lands sung by se- that it engendered, and grows and becomes strong, and blossoms and lected choirs from local Orthodox churches, including St. Mary the begins to sing and hymn God with a harmonious and prayerful song Protectress; St. George Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, Southfeld; in the heart. and St. Lazarus Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Detroit. An orato- rio-style narration will connect the performances in the concert. May the Lord help you succeed in this. Amen. The second part will feature English-language hymns sung by the par- ticipating choristers with members of the Orthodox Choir of Met- Troparion of St. Theophan ropolitan Detroit and a sing-a-long of popular carols. An afterglow O guide of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and purity, reception will follow. ascetic of Vysha, divinely wise and holy hierarch Theophan:

By thy writings thou didst explain the Word of God, A freewill ofering will be collected during the concert, and attendees are invited to bring canned and non-perishable food for donation to and hast shown the way to salvation unto all the faithful. Orthodox Detroit Outreach Community Pantry at Entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved. Gilbert and Clayton streets. This homily was reprinted from Monachos.net, a web site dedicated to the study The public is invited to attend the concert. For further information, of Orthodox Christianity through its patristic, monastic and liturgical heritage. contact Olga Liss at (248) 252-8184 or [email protected]. 9 The Logos Greek School OXI Day Program ~ Oct. 29th

The Story of OXI Day The free world watched as one by one countries across Europe surrendered to Hitler’s Axis forces. At 3:00 a.m. on Octo- ber 28, 1940, a representative of the Axis forces arrived at the Greek prime minister’s residence and demanded Greece’s surrender. The prime minister replied with one single word – Oxi – No.

A few hours later, the Axis forces descended on Greece, expecting that it would quick- ly fall, but the Greek resistance forced Hitler to change his plans. News of Greece’s victo- ry fooded the radio airwaves and covered the front pages of newspapers around the globe. A grateful world celebrated – no one expected such a small nation to derail the seeming- ly unstoppable Axis forces.

Excerpt & photos taken from the Washington Oxi Day Foundation @ www.oxidayfoundation.org

10 december 2017 NATIVITY GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

NATIVITY

NATIVITY NATIVITY

St. Nicolas AA Nativity vs Toronto W32-15 Nativity vs St. John W25-20 Nativity vs St. Nicholas AA W23-19

MVP AWARD - GRACIE DROZ ~ ALL-STAR AWARD - NIKI SITARAS 11 The Logos (Fr. Nick from page 1) This time period truly reminds us that we must prepare our lives to receive the newborn King. We must prepare our lives to become truly the Lord’s sons and daughters. Galatians 4:4- 7: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son, into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Our hearts cry out to God “Abba, Father!” We are His sons and daughters. We are being called to be born again through adop- tion. Through adoption, we can become everything that God is through the process of Theosis. St. John of Kronstadt in My Life in Christ, beautifully speaks of this. “And so, my brothers, the feast of the Nativity of Christ reminds us that we are born of God, that we are sons of God (1John 3:1), that we have been saved from sin (Matt 1:21) and that we must live for God and At the Ed Center not sin; not for fesh and blood, not for the world which lies in Come and Visit! evil (1John 5:19). What does the incarnation of God require of us? It requires of us to remember and hold in sacred honor the Hours fact that we are born of God; and if we have sullied or tram- Tues - Sat, 10am to 2pm pled upon this birthright, with our sins, we must restore it by Tues, Thurs, 6pm to 8pm washing it with tears of repentance...” Sunday, 12noon to 2pm May we prepare this Nativity to receive the Lord, the King of all! Closed Monday Many blessings and a very Merry Christmas to all, Fr. Nick Advertise in The Logos Promote your business while helping defray the monthly cost of producing and mailing The Logos. Please call the ofce 734-420-0131 or email: [email protected]

12 december 2017

This time period truly reminds us that we must prepare our Council of Ministries lives to receive the newborn King. We must prepare our lives Rev. Fr. Nick Marcus to become truly the Lord’s sons and daughters. Galatians 4:4- Altar Boys 7: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Parish Priest Religious Education Bill Smith Jerry Takis Son born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those (586) 942-6625 (734) 459-9311 who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as Michelle Hunsinger sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of Rev. Fr. Charles Sarelis Book Store (248) 788-3561 Michael Randall His Son, into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore Retired (734) 612-0846 you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir Scouts of America Jerry & Mary Takis Mary Takis of God through Christ.” (734) 459-9311 (734) 459-9311 Kathleen Kyriacou Our hearts cry out to God “Abba, Father!” We are His sons and Ofce Administrator Basketball Senior Citizens daughters. We are being called to be born again through adop- Nondo Basoukeas Costa Kassapis (248) 974-7637 tion. Through adoption, we can become everything that God (734) 261-3479 William Smith is through the process of Theosis. St. John of Kronstadt in My Chanters The Logos Life in Christ, beautifully speaks of this. “And so, my brothers, Pastoral Assistant Dr. Panagiotis Mitsias Louis Poulos the feast of the Nativity of Christ reminds us that we are born Demetri Tzelepis (734) 306-7024 of God, that we are sons of God (1John 3:1), that we have been Holy Cross Seminary, M.DIV (586) 489-7978 Kathy Kyriacou Charlene Galbraith saved from sin (Matt 1:21) and that we must live for God and Fundraisers not sin; not for fesh and blood, not for the world which lies in 2017 Parish Council Angela Kheir evil (1John 5:19). What does the incarnation of God require of (248) 579-6712 Ushers Georgia Koumariotis Mike Fafalios us? It requires of us to remember and hold in sacred honor the (734) 905-4482 fact that we are born of God; and if we have sullied or tram- Louis Poulos pled upon this birthright, with our sins, we must restore it by Greek School President Anna Liakou-Hentnik washing it with tears of repentance...” (248) 425-2321 Committees

May we prepare this Nativity to receive the Lord, the King of Dr. Angelo Patsalis GOYA Beautifcation all! Sofa Zervos, President Vice President Melina Varlamos, Vice Pres. Thekla Szlinis Irmgard Pallas, Secretary Diane Michalakis Many blessings and a very Merry Christmas to all, Roy Hunsinger, Treasurer Fr. Nick Nancy Vardouniotis Irini Marcus, Social Media Fellowship Treasurer Greek Dancers Festival Peggy Collias Thekla Szlinis (586) 945-5246 Angela Kheir Golfo Tzilos Hope/Joy Historical Secretary Presbytera Liza (616) 214-9724 Iconography Denise Stein Diane Michalakis Nikolaos Adonakis (734) 464-3950 Dr. Angelos Katramados Thomas James Library Men’s Club Gale Ford George Zervos Marios Lambi (248) 348-9043 Irene Melabiotis Mary Takis Photography (734) 459-9311 Yianni Petrou Cleanthe Milojevic Dean Stavrou Ladies Philoptochos Stewardship Georgia Theophelis Angela Kheir Pete Tsaprazis (313) 268-0746 Missions Welcoming Board of Auditors Elaine Hamilton Yianni Petrou [email protected] Website Nativity Kiss Tom Foster Ari Papadakos Betsy Basoukeas Evans Ferris Larry Stassinos (248) 974-7654 Dennis Ford Anne Randall Dr. Angelo Patsalis Ted Boloven, CPA (734) 420-2402

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The Logos GOYA Cedar Point ~ Oct. 27th

Holy Trinity Monastery ~ Nov. 7th

Family Night ~ Nov. 17th

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november 2017 GOYA Cedar Point ~ Oct. 27th

James Johnson, DDS Holy Trinity Monastery ~ Nov. 7th

Ellinomatheia Certifcates Presentation ~ Nov. 19th

15 Nativity of The Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church 39851 West Five Mile Road Plymouth, Michigan ph. 734-420-0131 fax. 734-420-0602 www.nativitygochurch.org

Mission Statement - The Logos Ministry To creatively communicateMission and report Statement parish news, - The services, Logos sacraments, Ministry and ministry events to all NativityTo creatively faithful; communicate to advance andthe understandingreport monthly of news, our Orthodox services, sacraments,Faith and sacramental and ministry life events while recordingto all Nativity the historyfaithful; of to our advance parish; the to promoteunderstanding stewardship, of our fellowship,Orthodox Faithcharity, and and sacramental love in Christ life ourwhile God, recording who is theThe history Logos of and our sword parish; of tothe promote Spirit (Ephesians stewardship, 6:17). fellowship, charity, and love in Christ our God, who is The Logos and sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).

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