ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, MARQUETTE, MI

PUBLISH DATE: APRIL 14, 2013

ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

235 W. Ridge St. Marquette, MI 49855 Email: assumptionmqt@gmail.com Website: www.goarch.org Proistamenos: Alternating from the Detroit Archdiocese

CONTENT INDEX:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Message from Archbishop Demetrios Gospel and Epistle Readings Saints and Feasts Commemorated Apolytikion and Kontakion Hymns Wisdom from the Church Fathers Parish News and Events Archdiocese News and Events

GOSPEL AND EPISTLE READINGS

Epistle Reading
St. Pauls Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20 BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Gospel Reading
Mark 9:17-31 Sunday of St. John Climacus At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS

March 27, 2013 Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Greek Independence Day Parade Protocol 38/13 March 25, 2013 Greek Independence Day Parade To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in the tri-state area Beloved Omogeneia, As brothers and sisters in Christ we anticipate with excitement and joy once again the inspiring celebration of Greek Independence Day through our participation in the annual parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. This years parade will be held on Sunday, April 7, and I strongly encourage and urge all of our parishes and organizations to participate fully and enthusiastically in this very important event. Our parade is a unique witness of both our faith and our Hellenic heritage. As we march together, we will commemorate the struggle of our forefathers and ancestors who made great sacrifices in order to establish freedom in our country after four centuries under foreign occupation. Faith in God, commitment to His will, and awareness of His great power and wisdom inspired our ancestors to stand for liberty, justice, human dignity, and life. Certainly, these were longings of many generations who suffered under occupation and oppression; but in 1821 these blessings of freedom began to become a reality for the people of Greece. On this day when we remember their offering, we will affirm the power of faith in God and offer an inspiring witness of this faith and of our cherished legacy and inheritance as Hellenes. As we vigorously prepare for our parade and celebration may we also be mindful of how this event can inspire and guide our youth and children. Through our observance of Greek Independence Day and a Parade full of power and enthusiasm, we have a blessed opportunity to teach them the significance of our Greek Orthodox heritage and the vital role our faith has had in shaping our Orthodox-Hellenic identity. Let no one be left behind. Let all of us be present at the Parade of April 7 and proclaim with strong voices our adherence to the eternal and universal values of Hellenism, like freedom and justice, and our faith in the rejuvenating power of Orthodoxy. With paternal love in Christ, DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America

WISDOM FROM THE CHURCH FATHERS

Seest thou how He now proceeds to lay beforehand in them the foundation of His doctrine about fasting? ... See, at any rate, how many blessings spring from them both. For he that is praying as he ought, and fasting, hath not many wants, and he that hath not many wants, cannot be covetous; ... -St. John Chrysostom, Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century ... he that is not covetous, will be also more disposed for almsgiving. He that fasts is light, and winged, and prays with wakefulness, and quenches his wicked lusts, and propitiates God, and humbles his soul when lifted up. Therefore even the apostles were almost always fasting. -St. John Chrysostom, Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century He that prays with fasting hath his wings double, and lighter than the very winds. ... For nothing is mightier than a man who prays sincerely. ... But if thy body be too weak to fast continually, still it is not too weak for prayer, nor without vigor for contempt of the belly. For although thou canst not fast, yet canst thou avoid luxurious living. -St. John Chrysostom, Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

SAINTS AND FEASTS COMMEMORATED

Sunday of St. John Climacus The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast. Copyright Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved Icon copyright St. Isaac of Syria Skete

PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS

Father Peter Bistolarides will be officiating Holy Week -Sunday, April 27th (Palm Sunday) through Saturday, May 4th (Anastasis and Divine Liturgy Service) Details of services and times during Holy Week will follow shortly.

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS AND EVENTS

Archbishop Demetrios Convened Meeting with Representatives of the "Omogeneia" for Support to Cyprus April 4, 2013
Thirty six representatives of the major Greek-American and Cypriot-American federations, institutions, and organizations participated in a special meeting. NEW YORK Thirty six representatives of the major Greek-American and Cypriot-American federations, institutions, and organizations participated in a special meeting convened by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America yesterday April 3, at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The purpose of the meeting was to express the support and solidarity to the people of Cyprus, in light of the recent and great difficulties they are facing. During the meeting, the participants expressed the deep pain and consternation of the Omogeneia for the hardship imposed upon the people of Cyprus and their unwavering commitment to support them and stand by them. While it was recognized that a certain percentage of responsibility for this recent crisis is rooted in various other factors, the representatives of the Omogeneia condemned the manner with which international economic powers have imposed unbearable measures that put in immediate danger the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of people in Cyprus. In the course of the meeting such an attitude was condemned, and the need for a struggle on many levels was emphasized in order to change or lift such measures and to address the related problems. The Foreign Minister of Cyprus, Yiannis Kasoulidis participated via telephone for about an hour and a half in the meeting, which lasted a total of two and a half hours. Mr. Kasoulidis gave an overview of the situation in Cyprus, presented and explained a series of measures his government is taking and answered questions of the participants. The exchange made evident the need for solidarity and support in addressing, on one hand, immediate humanitarian needs (food, medicines and supplies) and on the other, purely economic support, which can include growth programs in the areas of technology, agriculture and investment. Additionally, it was stated that great vigilance is required to avoid any engagement of the pending national issue in Cyprus, under the present conditions. It was also stated that the humanitarian support should be channeled through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and coordinated with the Church of Cyprus. The work of this specially convened meeting will continue with a new meeting after Pascha.