Announcements
Donation Wishlist
Searching for a way to make a donation to our parish of lasting utility, beauty and meaning? Click here to see the most up to date list of the items needed to enhance our worship space. Persons interested in making a donation are asked to speak with Fr. Iakovos. by phone at 231.668.6583 or email.
Historically, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord known asTheophany
(or Epiphany) was of greater importance than the Feast of the Nativity
(Christmas). As it has happened, though, the Nativity has eclipsed this
commemoration of the Baptism of the Lord in the popular culture as well
as in our church attendance. Most people do not pay much attention to
what is happening following the Christmas services. Yet, the baptism of
the Lord and the sanctification of water that is part of this feast are
essential applications of the consequence of the Incarnation. In our
church, we will commemorate this feast according to the traditions and
customs of the Holy Faith. This observance will include: Royal Hours,
Vespers and Liturgy of St. Basil, Great Compline with the Lesser
Blessing of Water all on the eve of the Feast. On the day itself, we
will celebrate the Holy Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Water.
Finally, we will have the first ever blessing of Grand Traverse Bay by
an Orthodox priest. On the Saturday following the Feast of the
Theophany of the Lord Fr. Iakovos will celebrate the Great Blessing of
Water outdoors at an access point to the West Bay. The outdoor blessing
will take place at 9 AM, Saturday, 10 January. Everyone is welcome to
join us. Watch this space for more information as we prepare to
celebrate this wonderful feast of the Lord. Everyone is encouraged to
make time in their schedule to attend these important services that
commemorate this event that is part of our salvation history.
Youth General Topic Discussion and
Pizza Party Planned
Our religious education department has planned a general topic discussion that will take place within the context of a pizza party for our youth. This will take place on Saturday, 10 January immediately following the out-of-doors blessing of water at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy pier. After the blessing junior high and high school aged youth are invited to join us back at the church community center for an open forum on current topics as well as an opportunity to deal with “tween” and “teen” issues. Youth may bring their friends and it is not necessary to be Orthodox to attend.
On hand for the forum will be Fr. Iakovos and various other adults from our church school. To wrap up the morning’s activities our youth will be treated to a pizza lunch at the community center. Parents are encouraged to make their young people available for the blessing of the bay as well as this event that provides an opportunity for the young people to engage our priest on current issues
that affect them. For more information, contact the parish office at 668-6583.
Fr. Iakovos to Make Theological Presentation at
St. Francis High School
Our priest has been invited to present to the Senior Theology students at St. Francis Traverse City who are in the midst of course work entitled Major World Religions. Father was invited by Ms. Jan McCall, the instructor of this programme, to make a presentation on the Orthodox Faith to her four classes of seniors. In his talk he was asked to provide them with insight into the Eastern Church; especially highlighting differences and similarities between the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic churches. The presentation will be made at classes meeting on Tuesday, 13 January.
Fr. Edwin Thome Retires from
the Father Fred Foundation
The Spiritual Director of the Father Fred Foundation for the past nine years will retire at the end of December. Father Edwin Thome, pastor of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church located on the peninsula, has served as the second spiritual director of the foundation following Father Edwin Frederick, founder of The Father Fred Foundation. A party to fete Fr. Thome will take place on Friday 9 January at the Foundation. The Board of Directors recently appointed Fr. Iakovos to fill the position vacated by Father Thome’s retirement. Fr. Iakovos has been working as the Assistant Spiritual Director of the Foundation since July 2008. We have numerous parishioners who volunteer at the Father Fred Foundation.
The bookstore portion of our website has recently been updated with more information about the bookstore’s mission and details about available items. Please Click here for details.
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