Epistle Reading Galatians 2:16-20 page 151. Gospel Reading Mark 8:34-38; 9:1 page 151. Baptism September 23 Nicholas son of Jennifer and Sean Flynn

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1 St. John Greek Orthodox Church Sterling Heights, Michigan Phone: /Emergency Web site: Parish Priest: Father Nicholas Kyritses September 17, 2017 ~ Sunday After Holy Cross Procession of the Holy Cross Love and remember your church in your will! Epistle Reading Galatians 2:16-20 page 151 Gospel Reading Mark 8:34-38; 9:1 page 151 Baptism September 23 Nicholas son of Jennifer and Sean Flynn TODAY Procession of the Holy Cross (bring Vasiliko) Sunday School Classes after the Procession of the Holy Cross Greek School Registration Opportunities for the Week Tuesday, September 19 Greek School 4:30pm/ Agiasmos/ Orientation Thursday, September 21 Greek School 4:30pm Saturday, September 23 1:00 pm Hope and Joy Hayride at Westview Orchard in Washington Twp 7:00pm Great Vespers Panagia Myrtidiotissa Sunday, September 24 Youth Sunday Mark Your Calendar October 14 November 10, 11, 12 November 19 January 20, 2018 February 11, 2018 Goya Dodge Ball Holiday Hoops Tournament Philoptochos Feather Party Annual Dinner Dance Macaronatha

2 Customs and Traditions of the Orthodox Faith Sweet Basil (Vasiliko) Do you know the official flower of your state? Every state has an official flower. The Orthodox Church also has an official flower. It is called Vasiliko. This word in English is called Sweet Basil. Why have we adopted this strange flower as the official flower of our Church? Why do we hold this flower in such great esteem? Many of us have several plants in our homes or in our gardens. Others bring Sweet Basil to Church on certain Feast Days of the Church. What does this particular flower have to do with our Faith? How is it associated with our worship service? Actually, the Basil flower became special to the Church over 1600 years ago. St. Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in the year 329, had journeyed to the Holy Land to rebuild many of the precious Christian Shrines which laid in ruins for many years. She build many Churches and Shrines, which include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; the Church of the Nativity; the Church of the Ascension; and a Tower and Chapel at Mt Sinai for the pious monks. While she remained in Jerusalem, she searched diligently for the area known as Golgotha in the hope of finding the true Cross of Jesus Christ. After many weeks of searching, a beautiful flower was found growing in this area, and St. Helen ordered her soldiers to dig deep into the earth at the exact spot where this unusual flower was growing. It was here that they found the three crosses upon which Jesus and the two thieves were crucified. St. Helen was most anxious to find which of the three crosses was the true cross of Jesus Christ. A very sick person was brought to the area and placed on the crosses. When the afflicted person was finally placed on the third cross, the man was cured of his sickness. This is how they found the True Cross of Christ. Since that day over 1600 years ago, the Basil flower has become the official flower of Orthodoxy. It is used in many of the major Feast Days of the Church. It is used during the epiphany Season; during the Feast Day of the Elvation of the Holy Cross on September 14th and the Third Sunday of Lent, Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross. Do you have Basil growing in your garden? Perhaps you can arrange to have this flower in your garden or potted in your home. You may even bring Vasiliko to Church when it is to be used during the Church Services at the above mentioned times of the year. Now that you know why we have adopted the Basil Flower (Vasiliko) as the official flower of our Church, you may tell your friends about this wonder "custom" and tradition in our Faith.

3 PANAGIA MYRTIDIOTISSA CHAPEL During the building of our Community Center, a donation was made by Mr. Ted N. Souris to erect a chapel in honor of PANAGIA MYRTIDIOTISSA (Virgin Mary). In the south part of Greece between Peloponessos and the Island of Crete is a small island called KYTHERA. During the 14 th century in the south part of Kythera, a pious shepherd found an Icon of the Virgin Mary on the 24 th of September. The facial characteristics of this icon were barely visible. The place of this discovery is called MYRTIDIA (Myrtle Trees), which is how the Icon came to be named PANAGIA MYRTIDIOTISSA. The Kytherians built a majestic church in honor of the Icon and each year they celebrate the finding of the Icon on September 24 th. Theodore Nicholas Souris, along with many other good deeds he did for his island and our Community, decided to bring alive his island s religious tradition by building our Chapel (Panagia Myrtidiotissa) to honor the protector of his island. Everyone is invited to share in the honor with your presence and piety to our Virgin Mary and to remind us of the role she played in the salvation of the human race. September 24 - St. Thekla, Protomartyr and Equal to the Apostles (1st Century) St. Thekla is one of the most famous women of the Christian Church. She was also one of the first martyrs of the Faith (Protomartyr). Ancient manuscripts tell of her life which she dedicated to Christ. According to ancient manuscripts dating back to the first century (Syrian and Greek), we learn that St. Thekla lived in Iconium (Asia Minor).According to the writings of St. Epiphanios, Thekla was converted by St. Paul during his preaching mission in Iconium. Thekla was 18 years of age when she left her family and pagan friends to become a follower of Jesus Christ. She journeyed to many lands preaching the word of God. Her missionary efforts brought her great fame. St. Thekla quickly enraged the pagan ruler who submitted her to many inhuman tortures. The ancient writings tell us that although she was thrown to the wild beasts and cast into flames, she always emerged unharmed. The many difficulties she underwent for her perseverance in the Christian faith are accounted by the Church as the equivalent of martyrdom. She died in a small monastery on Mount Calamon at the age of 90. After her death, she was given the high honor of being proclaimed as a Saint and Isapostolos (equal to the Apostles).

4 Fellow parishioners, ST. JOHN HALL RENOVATION PROJECT As you may have noticed we are nearing the completion of the construction of our renovated hall. We are so thankful to the tireless efforts of our renovation committee shepherded by Larry Stavrou, Evans Caruso and Gus Kondoleon. A special thank you to all the many volunteers who gave of their time and talent in the demolition and cleaning of the hall during this process (the list of volunteers is too large to document here but you all know who you are and you are appreciated!) We want to thank all of those who have given their time, talent and treasure to date and encourage all of those who have not had the opportunity to give, to please prayerfully consider making an offering today. To date we have received pledges and contributions from the following members of our church: Nikos & Mika Backos Donor Mrs Sophia Borgaonkar - Donor John Geottes - Donor Mr Matthew Vasilakis - Donor Mr & Mrs John HanJiantoniou- Donor Michael & Dr.Joyce (Patouhas) Aho- Donor Miss Elena Vasilakis Donor Joann and Timothy Welch - Donor Mr & Mrs Tom Aitas and Family - Friend Diana Chantis Friend Mr Nino Corsetti Friend Mr and Mrs Matthew Giacona - Friend John & Zoy Gilbert - Friend John & Becky Patouhas - Friend J. Gargasoulas/K. Patsarikas Families - Friend Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Theodorou Friend Mr. Gerry Floros Friend Mr & Mrs Bill Andreopoulos - Patron Mr & Mrs George Balalas and Family- Patron Lilian and Gus Demas - Patron Dr Demetri & Dina Demetriou & Family-Patron Mr & Mrs John Papakonstantinou - Patron Dr. Nick and Mrs Papakonstantinou - Patron Mr. & Mrs. George Collins and Family Patron Mr & Mrs Menas (Ted) Georgeson - Patron Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kourtesis and Family Patron Mr. & Mrs. John Kyritses and Family Patron Rev. Father Nicholas Kyritses Patron Mr & Mrs Gregory Marselis - Patron Anne Simopoulos - Patron Mr. & Mrs. Phil Tangalos and Family Patron Mr & Mrs Constantinos Tsitsis- Patron Mr & Mrs John Polyzois and Family- Patron Mr. & Mrs. Nick Prantzalos and Family - Patron Dr. & Mrs. Andy Kotsis and Family Patron Mrs Harriet Shafkalis - Patron St. John Senior Citizen s Patron Alex & Maria Aretakis Supporter Alex & Lind Boosalis Supporter Mr & Mrs Bill Caruso and Family Mr & Mrs Konstantinos C. Marselis -Supporter Mr. & Mrs. John Tangalos and Family - Supporter The Souris Family Visionary Dr. & Mrs. Ted Tangalos and Family Visionary Dr. & Mrs. Steve Kotsonis and Family Visionary St. John Ladies Philoptochos Visionary St. John Youth - Visionary Please select an offering level below and remember that this offering is sincerely requested to be in addition to your current annual Stewardship Offering. Sincerely, St. John s Parish Council Donate today towards the renovation of our Church Hall! Name: phone: Sponsorship Levels $ Donor Up to $500 $ Friend $500 $999 $ Patron $1,000 $2,499 $ Supporter $2,500 $4,999 $ Contributor $5,000 $9,999 $ Benefactor $10,000 $14,999 $ Visionary $15,000 plus WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE ABOVE GROUPS AND PARISHIONERS ABOUT $ 123, WE STILL NEED $65, ALL OUR PARISHIONERS MUST PARTICIPATE IN THIS FUND RAISING

5 The St. John GOYA of Sterling Heights is hosting the DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT 2017 Saturday, October 14, :30 AM Registration 12:00 PM Start Time Cost: $ 10.00/per player Tournament will take place at The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Gym Marter Road, St. Clair Shores, MI Team of 8-10 players Churches may combine to form a team or have more than one team entered to play Please call or to reserve your spot by Wednesday October 11, 2017 Contact Sky Bastounis with any questions or for help combining teams at (586) or greekrx@msn.com

6 PARTICIPANT RELEASE FORM 2017 DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017 GENERAL INFORMATION PARTICIPANT S NAME: ADDRESS: Street and Number City State Zip PHONE: CELL PHONE: DATE OF BIRTH: Male Female EMERGENCY CONTACT #1: First and Last Name Phone Relations MEDICAL INFORMATION Please include a copy of the front AND back of your health insurance card. Trip leader will ONLY use information for emergency purposes. NAME OF POLICY HOLDER: INSURANCE COMPANY: INSURANCE POLICY #: LIST ANY ALLERGIES (MEDICATION ALLERGIES, FOOD ALLERGIES, INSECT BITES, ETC.): ALLERGIES (LIST) DESCRIBE REACTION AND MANAGEMENT OF REACTION PLEASE LIST ANY OTHER MEDICAL INFORMATION WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION (CURRENT MEDICATIONS, PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, PAST MEDICAL CONDITIONS, ETC,): PARENT/GUARDIAN PRINTED NAME: PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE DATE: PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM BY OCTOBER 11TH TO: ST. JOHN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH METRO PARKWAY STERLING HEIGHTS, MI PARTICIPANT AUTHORIZATION: I affirm that all of the information provided about the participant is accurate and complete. He/She is allowed to participate in all activities unless noted otherwise. I give hereby give permission to the event organizers to provide routine health care, administer prescribed medications, and seek emergency medical treatment including x-rays or routine tests. I agree to the release of necessary insurance information.

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11 Invites you to An afternoon at the Orchards Saturday, September 23, 2017 At 1:00 PM Westview Orchards Van Dyke Washington Twp, MI Enjoy an afternoon full of fun filled activities: Wagon Rides, Indoor Maze, Slides, Jumping Pillows, Petting Farm and much more! Each person will receive cider and delicious fresh donuts!! Price per person is: FREE Please us with your reservation: Or respond on our Facebook Page: Hope and Joy, St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Chapter

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