On Thursday, December 24th, we will have a parastos commemorating the 40 day repose of Patriarch Pavle.  The service will start at 11 a.m. at St. Petka's.  Please pass this message to those whom you know would be interested in attending.

         After the service on December 13th, we will have our Annual Church Meeting - Skupština.
        All members who are in 'good standing' (i.e., are Stewards who are #1, baptized Orthodox Christians, #2, regularly partake of communion at St. Petka's [at least 5 times a year] and ideally come to confession, #3, primarily support St. Petka's with their Time, Talent & Treasure, and, #4, are not Stewards of more than one parish/church), can attend, participate and vote at this assembly.  
        We will review the annual reports from our church board, consider the budget proposal for the upcoming year, and elect a new church board for the year 2010.  

Please, make sure you attend this important meeting and take part in this voting.

        This Sunday, December 6th, there will be NO Divine Liturgy at St. Petka's.  Instead, all our parishioners are encouraged to attend the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Lazarus in Detroit that morning to greet our new bishop, His Grace Longin, who will be paying his first episcopal visit to our sister church (and to our entire Metro Detroit community) as our new ruling hierarch.  The service in Detroit will begin at 9:30 a.m. and it will be followed by a banquet in Serbian-American hall in honor of His Grace.  All are welcome.  Please spread the word to as many of our parishioners as possible.

        On Friday, December 4th  (November 21st by the Julian Calendar), we will celebrate the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple - Ваведење Пресвете Богородице. There will be Vigil on Thursday at 6 p.m. with Divine Liturgy on Friday at 10 a.m. Please view this short yet very beautiful presentation (with music) concerning the Entry of the Mother of God -Vavedenje- into the Temple when she was three years old.

        The Nativity fast begins November 28th and lasts until the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ which our holy Church celebrates on January 7th, according to the civil calendar.
        Before mentioning any rules concerning fasting (which can seem very dry and cold), it should be known that our religion is first and foremost a religion of love and freedom ("freedom," in the sense of one's soul).  Though the body may be restricted with prohibitions (such as fasting), the Christian soul is not.  It only grows more toward God with this spiritual pruning done throughout the year with the fasts.  As St. Paul says concerning the necessary restrictions put upon his body, "'Everything is allowed me—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is allowed for me—but I will not be mastered by anything. Food for the stomach and the stomach for food—but God will destroy them both." (1 Corinthians 6:12).  Everything is allowed for us to eat in this world, but not everything is beneficial.  There is a time and place for everything.  This message of St. Paul was said with love and not as some dictatorial order. Rules, on their own (without love), kill the soul...that is what happened to the Pharisees in the Bible.  With this being said (and before getting any details about the physical rules of the Fast), one hopes that there is no need to make any special remarks concerning how important it is to pay attention, first and foremost, to the spiritual side of fasting: abstaining from evil thoughts and deeds, and multiplying the deeds of love and charity.  In this may the Lord help us all.
        During this fast we abstain from all foods of animal origin: milk, eggs and dairy products.  Wednesdays and Fridays we prepare food without oil, whereas on other days we use oil when cooking; on Saturdays and Sundays fish is allowed.  For those who are weak and cannot fast the entire 40 days, then, as a modified rule, please fast for at least one week.  During that one week, have in mind (according to the tradition of our particular parish) to fast from Monday through Wednesday from meat, milk (dairy), and eggs and from Thursday through Saturday from oil and fish, in addition to all other foods of animal origin.  
        Also, we remind the faithful that the neglected practice of Confession before communion is just as important as the fasting we do for our preparation for Holy Communion.  Those who plan to take communion should come to the church for confession no later than 9:40 a.m. on days when there are services (especially Sunday mornings), so that we can preserve church order and start the service on time.  If one fasts the entire 40 days, then one may take communion every Sunday as long as one comes to confession first before the service starts.
        Additional opportunities for Confession can also be arranged with your priest during his office hours (usually 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays).  Please call him directly at 248-819-2016 to make an appointment if one knows one cannot make it on time on Sunday mornings before the service starts.
        Taking into consideration the unique history of the practice of confession with our particular parish, it is mandatory that parishioners between the ages 7 and 32* go to their parish priest of St. Petka's for confession first, before communion. For those who come late on Sunday morning expecting to receive communion (even after one has fasted the entire week), please know that there will be no confessions heard during (that is half-way through) the Liturgy.  This is so that your priest may concentrate on the service at hand and be fair to all those who made an effort to come earlier for confession.  Therefore, if one comes late, one will have to wait and fast for another week in order to receive communion the following Sunday.
        As a general rule (for those who are 7-32 years old) to help you remember: No Confession, No Communion Then (a rule that our beloved †Patriarch Pavle strictly followed).   If one comes late thinking that one can take communion immediately after the service is over along with confession, then please know that in the Orthodox Church communion is only given after the service to those who are seriously sick and bedridden.   Therefore, please understand this appeal most seriously and make every effort to come to the Holy Mystery of Confession on time.  

        On Sunday, November 22nd, after the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Zivko Kajevic and his parishioners of St. Stevan Dečanski in Warren invite all of you in joining them for their church slava with the breaking of the kolach at 1 p.m. in their church hall.  All are welcome.  

        On Saturday, November 21st (Nov. 8th Julian Calendar), we will celebrate ARANĐELOVDAN, the feastday of the Archangel Michael & the Other Bodiless Powers (Angels) of Heaven. There will be Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Also, there will be no Vigil the night before, Friday, on account of Fr. Kristijan performing slavas in parishioners' homes.

        The Orthodox clergy and faithful of Metro Detroit, on the day of the burial of Patriarch Pavle, will have a pomen this Thursday, 6:30 p.m. at St. Lazarus Serbian Orthodox Church in Detroit (located at 4575 E Outer Dr., Detroit, MI 48234).  Please come to this solemn service so that we may all pray for our dearly departed Hierarch. 

        This Thursday, November 19th, the Metro-Detroit pan-Orthodox community will be blessed with the presence  of the wonder-working Port Arthur Icon of the Triumph of the Theotokos. It will arrive at St. Innocent Orthodox Church, 23300 West Chicago, Redford MI (1+ mile south of I-96 and about 1/4 mile east of Telegraph) at 1:00 on Thursday afternoon, 11/19, at which time a Moleben to the icon will be served.
        The miraculous icon will remain at St. Innocent from Thursday until Sunday (19th to the 22nd.) People are welcome to come to venerate the icon between 10 am and 7 pm (or after evening service), and especially during the other Divine Services.  The holy Icon will depart St. Innocent Temple on the 27th, Friday, to return to its residence at Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, West Virginia.
        For further  details and time/place schedule for the icon, or to arrange veneration of the icon at some other time, call Fr. Roman Star: rectory/church: 313-538-1142, and if no answer: cell: 313-319-0590.

Вјечнаја Памјат! Memory Eternal!

The Detroit Chapter of Serbian Unity Congress will celebrate their patron saint's day, that is, their Slava commemorating St. Archangel Michael, on Sunday, November 15th at the St. Lazarus Ravanica Church hall beginning at 1:00 p.m. following Divine Liturgy.  They will also be presenting the 2009 Scholarship Award and the 2009 “Unifier” Award on this occasion. Everyone is invited  to join them for this festive event.

        On Saturday, November 7th, Fr. Kristijan will be blessing the graves of your departed at the cemetery at Van Dyke (Detroit) from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. & will arrive at White Chapel (Troy) a little after 11 a.m.   Please take into consideration this schedule when coming to the cemetery.
        It should be known that the 'spiritual acts of mercy' that we Orthodox Christians are called to perform are to 1) Counsel the doubtful, 2) Instruct the ignorant, 3) Admonish the sinner, 4) Comfort the afflicted, 5) Forgive all offenses, 6) Bear wrongs patiently and 7) Pray for the living and the dead. We specifically pray for the dead on four marked days in the year. These days are called "Zadušnice" or Memorial Saturdays (because they always fall on a Saturday). On this day the faithful come to the cemeteries with boiled wheat (for wheat has to 'die' first before it can be buried and come back to life, symbolic of the General Resurrection of the dead) and wine. Also, various food and drink are distributed by the family to the faithful in the name(s) of the departed. In earlier times, our ancestors gave this food solely to the poor (who could not pay us back) as a 'good work' in the name of the departed, so that the departed soul will go higher up to God (for when we die, we can no longer do any good works to go higher to God; but, our families can do good works in our name so that we may continue to ascend to higher places in Paradise).  So please, come on this Saturday to the cemeteries so that your priest may pray over your departed loved ones and through our collective prayers allow their souls to ascend even higher into the heavens. -Fr. Kristijan

        This Sunday, October 25th, we celebrated the slava of our church, St. Petka, with the breaking of the kolach with our kumovi for this year, Vasko & Vaska Petrovich and family.  Tuesday, October 27/14, the official day of St. Petka, we celebrated with a Divine Liturgy with concelebrating priests Fr. Lev Kopistiansky of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Detroit (OCA) and Fr. Roman Star of St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Church in Redford, MI (Moscow Patriarchate).  

        This Saturday, Oct. 31st (Oct. 18th Julian calendar), we commemorate St. Peter of Cetinje (a great bishop saint from Montenegro). It is a 'red letter' holiday in the calendar, meaning there will be Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.   

        On Sunday, October 18th, immediately after the Divine Liturgy, there will be a quarterly meeting - vanredna skupština with our parishioners concerning refinancing our mortgage as well as hearing reports on current issues. Please make every effort to come to this meeting so as to show your support for your parish family

        There will be a charity basketball game Thursday, Oct. 8 sponsored by the Council of Orthodox Christian Churches of Metropolitan Detroit (COCC) and Wright & Filippis, Inc. to benefit the Michigan Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (MPVA).
        Teams will be the AmpuTeam Spartans vs. the All-Star Saints (a pan-Orthodox Christian team sponsored by the COCC).  They will play at Shrine High School, 3500 W. 13th Mile Road, Royal Oak, Mi.
        Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. and the game will start at 6:00.  Hooper the Horse, the Detroit Pistons mascot, will sign autographs and pose for photographs during before the game and during halftime.
       Tickets can be purchased at the door.  Suggested donations are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and children and youth ages 11-18.  Children 10 and under are free.
      For advance tickets or further information, contact Richard Shebib of the COCC at (734) 422-0278 or paschabooks@sbcglobal.net, or Brad Shebib of Wright & Filippis at (248) 829-8327 or bshebib@wright-filippis.com.
        The Spartans are a team of amputees sponsored by Wright & Filippis and coached by Brad Shebib, a physical therapist at the company and a member of the Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary, Livonia.
        The All-Star Saints are volunteers from COCC member churches.  COCC church members interested in playing for the team may contact Richard Shebib at (734) 422-0278 or paschabooks@sbcglobal.net.
        Proceeds from the event will be donated to the MPVA, "a leadership organization reaching out on behalf of our members (veterans with spinal cord injury or disorders), associate members, and all people with disabilities to provide the highest possible quality of life in Michigan."  The MPVA "has served Michigan for 45 years and is 'making a difference' in the lives of veterans, their families, and the public."

       CHANGE/CORRECTION: At 10 a.m., NOT 11 a.m. (as most of you are accustomed), the funeral service for our departed parishioner Lazar Krstich will begin at St. Petka’s this Saturday.  Please pass this information on.  After the service in the church, the burial will take place at Parkview Memorial Cemetery located on 5 Mile Rd., just east of Farmington Rd., in Livonia.

        Contrary to what was announced this past Sunday, there will be no service this Friday and Saturday.  Fr. Kristijan will be going to our diocesan headquarters in Chicago during this time for a special assembly of all the clergy that was just recently announced to him.  He apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

        The song, Sa Kosova zora sviće, that you are hearing on this page is brought to you by the Russian Nuns of Novo-Tikhvin Monastery in Ekaterinburg, Russia who decided to record this song (in honor of Kosovo) and other patriotic serbian songs and hymns out of their great love for their fellow Orthodox Serbs. Go to their website (in English) to see more why they did it.  Please listen to all 14 patriotic songs and hymns.

        This week, June 8 - 14th, is a fast free week (also known as "compact week" in the Orthodox Church) on account of the upcoming Sts. Peter and Paul (Apostle's) Fast beginning June 15th which lasts about four weeks.  So, please take this into consideration and eat hearty this Wednesday and Friday (and Sunday).

        This June 8th (May 26, 2009 Julian calendar) is Pentecost Monday and June 9th (May 27th, Julian) is Pentecost Tuesday.  There will be Divine Liturgy on both days at 10 a.m.

        Sunday, June 7th, we will be celebrating the village slava of the majority of our parishioners, that is, those who hail from the village of Vratnica.  Please come to the service where you will not only receive, on account of it being Pentecost, green foliage to make your own personal wreaths (which you can hang in your icon corner at home or in your car) but also witness the breaking of the slavski kolach with our kumovi followed by a festive celebration.  All are welcome!  

        On Saturday, June 6th, Fr. Kristijan will be blessing the graves of your departed at the cemetery at Van Dyke (Detroit) from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. & will arrive at White Chapel (Troy) a little after 11 a.m.   Please take into consideration this schedule when coming to the cemetery.
         It should be known that the 'spiritual acts of mercy' that we Orthodox Christians are called to perform are to 1) Counsel the doubtful, 2) Instruct the ignorant, 3) Admonish the sinner, 4) Comfort the afflicted, 5) Forgive all offenses, 6) Bear wrongs patiently and 7) Pray for the living and the dead. We specifically pray for the dead on four marked days in the year. These days are called "Zadušnice" or Memorial Saturdays (because they always fall on a Saturday). On this day the faithful come to the cemeteries with boiled wheat (for wheat has to 'die' first before it can be buried and come back to life, symbolic of the General Resurrection of the dead) and wine. Also, various food and drink are distributed by the family to the faithful in the name(s) of the departed. In earlier times, our ancestors gave this food solely to the poor (who could not pay us back) as a 'good work' in the name of the departed, so that the departed soul will go higher up to God (for when we die, we can no longer do any good works to go higher to God; but, our families can do good works in our name so that we may continue to ascend to higher places in Paradise).  So please, come on this Saturday to the cemeteries so that your priest may pray over your departed loved ones and through our collective prayers allow their souls to ascend even higher into the heavens. 

This Wednesday, June 2nd (May 20th, Julian calendar) we will celebrate the feastday of Sts. Constantine & Helen.  On Tuesday there will be vigil at 6 p.m. and on Wednesday Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.

This Thursday, May 28th (May 14th, Julian calendar) we will celebrate the Ascension of our Lord - Spasovdan.  On Wednesday there will be vigil at 6 p.m. and on Thursday Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.

        On Tuesday, May 21st, the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church came to a decision concerning the redistribution of the current dioceses of North and South America.  Concerning those in the Midwest, which our parish of St. Petka in Troy falls within, the decision is:

        “1. The Metropolitanate of Libertyville and Chicago, with the monastery of St Sava as the seat in Libertyville (consisting of the monastery of St Sava in Libertyville and the Cathedral church of the Resurrection of Our Lord with three parishes), whose Metropolitan [Christopher] is going to be the president of Episcopal, Church-People's and Central council, and ex officio representative of the Serbian Orthodox Church in this area.

        "2.  The Diocese of New Gracanica and Midwestern America, with the monastery of New Gracanica as the seat (consisting of all the parishes based in Chicago [except for the previously mentioned Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord]- and other states of the Midwest which were part of previous Midwestern Metropolitanate, as well as all church-school communities and parishes of the previous Diocese for America and Canada of  the  Metropolitanate of New Gracanica on the area of previous Midwestern Metropolitanate).
        ...
        “The clause 8th of the Constitution of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America is changed by this decision on the redistribution, so with it previous names will not be used anymore: ‘Midwestern American Metropolitanate’ and ‘Diocese for America and Canada of New Gracanica Metropolitanate,’ and there are being established new borders of Dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America.”

        Essentially, what this means is that His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher will be “the first among equals” concerning his fellow Serbian hierarchs here on this continent (being the representative for our Church in North and South America, having his see solely in / around Chicago), while His Grace Kyr Longin will be the new ruling hierarch / bishop over our parish of St. Petka here in Troy.

May God grant both hierarchs Many Years!  Многајa Лета!

Pictures taken by Fr. Dn. Michael Bishop and posted on his website at...

 
The Council of Orthodox Christian Churches of Metropolitan Detroit (C.O.C.C.) invites the community to a Spring

DINNER & DANCE

SUNDAY, May 17, 2009

Location: The Cathedral Cultural Center, St. George Romanian Cathedral

18405 W Nine Mile Rd., Southfield

Live ethnic AND American dancing music with

THE OFFBEATS

Appetizer Buffet 5:00 pm
Dinner & Dancing 6:00 pm
Cash bar
$20 Adult, $10 Teens (13-18 yrs), $1.00 for Children ages 12 & under
Call 248-819-2016 for tickets
 ENJOY A GREAT EVENING WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS WHILE SUPPORTING A WORTHY CAUSE 

On Tuesday, May 12th (April 29th, Julian calendar), we will celebrate the feastday of St. Basil of Ostrog.  There will be Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.

On Wednesday, May 6th (April 23rd, Julian calendar) we will celebrate the feastday of the Holy Glorious Great-martyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker GEORGE, Đurđevdan.  There will be vigil at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and on Wednesday Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. 

        This Sunday, May 3, 2009, our sister church of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Monroe, located at 2330 N. Monroe Street, Monroe, MI 4816, is celebrating its church slava at 1:00 p.m. in their banquet hall.  There will be plenty of music, provided by the Sinisa Trbovic Orchestra, food and drinks for everyone.   All are welcome.    

        The guidelines for the book report contest are the following:    
1. Writer must be 18 years old or younger (Please write your age).
2. There is no limitation on length.
3. Book Report needs to be written in the English language.
4. Report needs to explain why The Forgotten 500 by Gregory Freeman is an important book that must not be ‘for-
gotten’.                                            
         Apart from the generous financial rewards kindly donated by various individuals as the prizes for the top three best book reports, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and the “Runner Up” reports that finish in the “Top Five” will be posted on three websites on the internet dedicated to recognizing and celebrating Serbian heroes, among them General Draza Mihailovich, who was ultimately responsible for the success of the Halyard Mission Rescue Operation and the saving of the American airmen whose story shines in The Forgotten 500.
        The top five book reports will also be forwarded to Mr. Gregory Freeman, author of The Forgotten 500, and he has kindly offered to provide a personalized, signed first edition of the book to the contest winner.

THE FORGOTTEN 500 

The DEADLINE for the book report entries is FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2009

The Announcement of the Winners will be made on Vidovdan, Sunday, June 28, 2009.

To send your book reports via e-mail or to ask any questions,
please contact ravnagora@hotmail.com

To send your book report via postal mail or to contribute to the prize rewards via Donation,
please mail:

Aleksandra Rebic
P.O. Box 95551
Hoffman Estates, IL 60195  

        Did you take any photos, especially of friends and family in church or at the hall, during these past holidays?  Please feel free to share them by sending them to kpetrovich@yahoo.com.  After we receive them, they will soon be posted online for all to see!  

This April 20th (Apr. 7, 2009 Julian calendar) is Bright Monday (the second day of Pascha-Vaskrs) and April 21st (Apr. 8th Julian) is Bright Tuesday (the third day).  There will be Divine Liturgy on both days at 10 a.m.

        This Sunday, April 19th (April 6, 2009 Julian calendar) is PASCHA (BACKRC-VASKRS) celebrating the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Paschal Divine Liturgy will be at 10 a.m. followed by a luncheon at 1:00 p.m. at the Romanian Cultural Center located at 1850 E Square Lake Rd., Troy, Mi 48098.  Price for adults is $20 and for children (under 12) $10.  For reservations please call Svetlana Misajlovich at 734-323-2045 or Mira Petrusevski at 586-264-1693.
        That evening, at 4:00 p.m., there will also be a vespers service.

        This April 18th (April 5, 2009 Julian calendar) is Great & Holy Saturday.  On this day our Lord's soul was in Hades, preparing the righteous of the Old Testament that were held captive there for their imminent release.  There will be Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.  Concerning fasting on this day, this is only Saturday in the year where one does not have any oil (and especially no fish)—in remembrance of our Lord's death with His soul in Hades.
        At 12 A.M. (MIDNIGHT), there will be Resurrection Matins with a procession around the church. 

      This April 17th (April 4, 2009 Julian calendar) is Great & Holy Friday, the day when our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, died and His body laid in a tomb.  At 9 a.m. there will be Royal Hours followed by the Preparing of Christ's Tomb.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BRING FLOWERS & OTHER APPROPRIATE FOLIAGE AT THIS TIME IN ORDER TO DECORATE OUR LORD'S TOMB!
      At 6 p.m. there will be vespers with the placement of Christ's burial sheet followed by a short break with refreshments and at 7:30 p.m. the Funeral Service of our Lord Jesus Christ.
      Concerning fasting on this day: For those who are strong enough, it is recommended that one does not eat or drink anything from the moment one gets up on Great Friday all the way until 3 p.m., which is hour our Lord died on the cross.  After 3 p.m. one is to keep a strict fast (having no oil and absolutely no fish).  Those who are not strong enough not to eat or drink anything from the moment one gets up all the way until 3 p.m., are recommended to fast the entire day refraining from oil (and definitely no fish). 

       This April 16th (April 3, 2009 Julian calendar) is Great & Holy Thursday, when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ celebrated His Mystical Supper with His twelve apostles.  In commemoration of this event, we too will celebrate His Mystical Supper with Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.
        On this day, not only do we commemorate our Lord's establishment of the Mystery of Communion in His Church with His Mystical Supper, but we also remember His washing of the feet of the disciples, His agony in Gethsemane and Judas' finalization of his betrayal, handing our Lord to His captors.
       At 6 p.m. there will be the Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels. "In these readings Christ's last instructions to His disciples are presented, as well as the prophecy of the drama of the Cross, Christ's prayer, and His new commandment."*
      Concerning fasting on Holy Thursday, one can have oil (but no fish).  

       This April 15th (April 2, 2009 Julian calendar) is Great Wednesday - Великa Среда.  There will be Presanctified Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.  

        It is on this day that we commemorate our Lord Jesus Christ being anointed (in anticipation and preparation for His 3 day burial) on two occasions, both times in Bethany according to St. John Chrysostom.  
        The first anointing was by Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and occurred “six day before the Passover,” just preceding our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  On this occasion Judas displayed, for the first time in the Gospel, his true colors and greed when witnessing the first anointing of our Lord.  He complained then, as the treasurer of the group, why the expensive myrrh Mary was using was not sold with its proceeds going into the coffer he was holding.  Judas did not go this time and betray our Lord for silver yet.  
        After the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, our Lord left the city for a time with His disciples and went back to Bethany. This time, on Great and Holy Wednesday, He was anointed by a "sinful" woman (Luke 7:37), "a harlot," that is, not Mary, the sister of Lazarus—because Mary was not a harlot but a friend of Christ.  Judas complained for the second time with the same excuse.  After he experienced the Lord’s second rebuke for his greed, Judas could not take it anymore.  He then went and acted upon his love of silver and betrayed our Lord for money—and that is why all Orthodox Christians fast on Wednesdays, the day Judas betrayed our Lord, throughout the year in commemoration of this sad event.
        In remembrance of our Lord’s anointing which occurred on Great and Holy Wednesday, the orthodox faithful are also anointed on this day with holy oil during the service of Holy Unction.  Subsequently, the BLESSING OF OILS (HOLY UNCTION) -Велико Јелеосвећење with all the Serbian priests of Metro Detroit will be held AT ST. LAZARUS' AT 6 P.M.  Please come to the service to be anointed and to  receive holy oil.

ON GREAT FRIDAY, all are welcome to BRING FLOWERS and other foliage TO DECORATE OUR LORD'S TOMB in our church.  The more, the better!   

    Taking into consideration the unique history of the practice of confession with our particular parish, it is mandatory that parishioners between the ages 7 and 31* go to their parish priest of St. Petka's for confession first before communion. For those who come late on Sunday for Pascha-Vaskrs, they should know that there will be no confessions heard during (that is half-way through) the Liturgy, in order for your priest to concentrate on the service at hand and, as well, to be fair to all those who made an effort to come to confession earlier.
     Just so that there is no confusion, there will neither be confessions heard at the end of the Divine Liturgy on Pascha-Vaskrs nor will communion be given to those in church after the service.  Communion is only given after the service to those who are seriously sick and bedridden.   Therefore, understand this appeal most seriously and make every effort to come to the Holy Mystery of Confession on time.
     Confession, in general, can be heard this Passion Week before or after the many services scheduled prior to Pascha-Vaskrs.  If you cannot make it to any of these services and are planning on coming for confession the morning of Vaskrs, please be in church early in order to confess, no later than 9:45 a.m., so that we can preserve church order and start the service on time.

This Sunday, April 12th (March 30, 2009 Julian calendar) we will celebrate Palm Sunday-CVETI, marking the triumphal entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.  Divine Liturgy will be at 10 a.m.  After the service, branches will be blessed and distributed to the faithful for them to take back to their homes. On this day, along with oil, one can eat fish (one of the two days in Great Lent when one can actually have fish).  

This Saturday, April 11th (April 29, 2009 Julian Calendar) we celebrate Lazarus Saturday - Лазарева субота.  There will be Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.   

A tradition has started these past couple of years whereby some of the sisters from our parish, spearheaded by our own Olga Jakimovich, go to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church to prepare Pascha Bread-"kulich" (that is, sweet bread-cake which will be eaten on Vaskrs).  The sisterhood, brotherhood and members and friends of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, located at 20500 Anglin St, Detroit, MI 48234 (south side of 8 Mile Rd. between Ryan and Dequindre), cordially invite you in Christian fellowship to attend and assist them in  preparing Pascha Bread for your own parish at their church this Friday, April 10 at 9:30 a.m. and Saturday, April 11 at 9:30.  From our parish contact Olga Jakimovich at 586-247-0157 or MaryAnn Dadich of Holy Trinity at 586-498-9096 for more information. 

        We would like to congratulate our parishioners Kristifor and Laura Zdravkovski whose wedding pictures from our church, compliments of our own Ksenija Savic who took the beautiful pictures, have made it into the newest issue of Ambassador magazine which can be found at any local Barnes & Noble, Borders, Krogers, Plum Market, Nino Salvaggio, etc.  Once again, congratulations!

        This Wednesday, there will be Presanctified Liturgy at 6 p.m. at St. Petka's.  One may take communion on Wednesday evening if one is 1) already fasting the entire week (from Monday to Sunday morning) and 2) does not eat or drink anything on Wednesday from noon until communion.  Please follow the guidelines concerning the rule of confession that apply to St. Petka parishioners as well.  
        On Friday, we will have Presanctified Liturgy at our sister church of St. Lazarus at 6 p.m. 

This Tuesday, April 7, 2009 / (March 25, 2009 Julian Calendar), we will celebrate the Annunciation - Благовести.  There will be Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.  One can have fish and oil on this feastday.    

On Sunday, April 5th, immediately after the Divine Liturgy, there will be a quarterly meeting-vanredna skupština with our parishioners concerning refinancing our mortgage as well as hearing reports on current issues. Please make every effort to come to this meeting so as to show your support for your parish family. 

This Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, April 5th, there will be an evening lenten service with all the Serbian priests of Michigan and the faithful of their respective parishes at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Monroe (located at 2330 N. Monroe Street, Monroe, MI 48161) at 6 p.m.  If you plan on attending from MetroDetroit, please keep in mind the closing of parts of I-75 due to construction.  For those living north of I-696, it is recommended that you travel westbound on 696 to I-275 South and take I-275 South until it ends (merges) into I-75 again in Monroe County.

SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT

This Wednesday, there will be Presanctified Liturgy at 6 p.m. at St. Petka's.  One may take communion on Wednesday evening if one is 1) already fasting the entire week (from Monday to Sunday morning) and 2) does not eat or drink anything on Wednesday from noon until communion.  Please follow the guidelines concerning the rule of confession that apply to St. Petka parishioners as well.  
On Friday, we will have Presanctified Liturgy at our sister church of St. Lazarus at 6 p.m.

This Fourth Sunday of Great Lent, March 29, all the Serbian priests of Michigan with the faithful of their respective Serbian parishes will gather together at St. Petka's at 6 p.m. for an evening lenten service.  All are welcome!

        All the Serbian priests of the Midwest, along with all the presidents and elected delegates from their respective parishes, congregated together at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Omaha, Nebraska for the Annual Assembly which was held from March 27-28th. After Presanctified Liturgy and the Convocation of the Holy Spirit, the assembly was held in order to discuss important issues facing the diocese. Representing our parish were Fr. Kristijan Petrovich, president Nikola Miloševich and delegate Zlatko Petrovich.

This Wednesday, there will be Presanctified Liturgy at 6 p.m. at St. Petka's.  One may take communion on Wednesday evening if one is 1) already fasting the entire week (from Monday to Sunday morning) and 2) does not eat or drink anything on Wednesday from noon until communion.  Please follow the guidelines concerning the rule of confession that apply to St. Petka parishioners as well.   
       On Friday, there will be  NO service neither at St. Petka's or at St. Lazarus' because all the Serbian priests of Metro Detroit will be in Nebraska for their annual diocesan assembly. 

On Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. there will be a special prayer service-"moleban" for the suffering people of Serbia (especially those in Kosovo &  Metohija) in commemoration of the sorrowful 10 year anniversary of the NATO bombing on March 24, 1999.  On that sad day, the first NATO bombs fell at 7:45 p.m. in Pristina and they did not end for another 79 days, killing approximately 2,000 Orthodox Christian civilians. At our church we will ring the tolling bell at 7:45 p.m., along with all the churches in Serbia, in remembrance of this event.  

On the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, March 22nd, the priests of the various Orthodox Churches of the Metro Detroit area will be gathering at 6 p.m. to serve lenten vespers (evening services) together at St. George Romanian Cathedral, located on 18405 W 9 Mile Rd, Southfield (just west of the Lodge/M-10 & Southfield Rd/M-39 freeways).  We invite all our parishioners to attend.  Please bring one (or more) canned food item(s) to this service which will go toward feeding the hungry.

FLYER>

On Saturday, March 21st, there will be a lenten vespers service at 6 p.m. at St. Stevan Dečanski on 11 Mile Rd. in Warren.  Guest speaker will be Archimandrite Fr. Leontije, abbot of St. Mark Monastery in Lorain, Ohio.  After the service, they will serve a lenten dinner for the faithful.  Everyone is welcome. 

This 2nd Sunday of Great Lent, March 15th, the priests of the various Orthodox Churches of the Metro Detroit area will be gathering at 6 p.m. to serve lenten vespers (evening services) together on the westside at St. Michael Russian Orthodox Church, located on  26355 W Chicago, Redford (b/t Inkster & Beech Daly).  We invite all our parishioners to attend.

         This Wednesday, there will be Presanctified Liturgy at 6 p.m. at St. Petka's.
         Presanctified Liturgies are special Lenten services served on Wednesdays and Fridays.  Throughout Great Lent we will have these services in cooperation with the priests from St. Lazarus Church.
         In general, the Wednesday services will be held in our church of St. Petka and the Friday ones will be held in the church of St. Lazarus in Detroit.
         The faithful can partake of the Holy Communion at these Presanctified Services by following a special rule of fasting:  Along with fasting the entire week according to the Church rules for Great Lent, on the very day of the Presanctified Liturgy the communicants are not supposed to eat or drink anything from noon until communion.
         Please also follow the guidelines concerning the rule of confession that apply to St. Petka parishioners.   

The priests and faithful of all Orthodox churches in Metro Detroit will gather together to celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy on the 1st Sunday of Great Lent.  We invite all parishioners to join us for this wonderful service on Sunday, March 8th at 6 p.m. at St. Lazarus Church in Detroit. 

Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour before going to sleep Saturday night so that you come to church on time Sunday morning!

On Saturday, March 7th (February 22nd o.s.), the Orthodox Church commemorates the most glorious miracle performed by the holy and glorious Great-martyr Theodore the Tyro, through boiled wheat, žito. Divine Liturgy will be at 10 a.m. 

         We remind the faithful that the neglected practice of Confession before communion is just as important as fasting in our preparation for the Holy Communion.  
        Those who plan to partake of the Holy Mysteries will be able to go to confession before the services as scheduled.  Please be in church early for confession, no later than 9:45 a.m., so that we can preserve church order and start the service on time.  
        Additional opportunities for Confession are Wednesdays and Fridays before service and during priest’s office hours, weekdays 9-1 p.m.

During Great Lent we fast according to the following rules:
      1) On weekdays we prepare lenten food without oil (no fish).
      2) On Saturdays and Sundays, we prepare lenten food with oil (still no fish).
      3) Fish is eaten only two times during Great Lent--on the Feast of the Annunciation, April 7th (March 25th, Julian) and on Palm Sunday, April 12th this year (March 30th, Julian). 

Saints Alive! is a new interactive program, developed by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, which offers colorful Orthodox Christian games and puzzles.  It is a great for children ages 5 and older!  

 
Three fingers put together in confession of the Holy Trinity, just as we do when we cross ourselves, the new church board members are taking the oath before assuming their official duties.

This Sunday, March 1st, after the Divine Liturgy, the new church board and president for 2009 will be sworn in and officially take office. We invite all our parishioners to attend. 

        On Saturday, February 21st, Fr. Kristijan will be blessing the graves of your departed at the cemetery at Van Dyke (Detroit) from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. & will arrive at White Chapel (Troy) a little after 11 a.m.   Please take into consideration this schedule when coming to the cemetery.
         It should be known that the 'spiritual acts of mercy' that we Orthodox Christians are called to perform are to 1) Counsel the doubtful, 2) Instruct the ignorant, 3) Admonish the sinner, 4) Comfort the afflicted, 5) Forgive all offenses, 6) Bear wrongs patiently and 7) Pray for the living and the dead. We specifically pray for the dead on four marked days in the year. These days are called "Zadušnice" or Memorial Saturdays (because they always fall on a Saturday). On this day the faithful come to the cemeteries with boiled wheat (for wheat has to 'die' first before it can be buried and come back to life, symbolic of the General Resurrection of the dead) and wine. Also, various food and drink are distributed by the family to the faithful in the name(s) of the departed. In earlier times, our ancestors gave this food solely to the poor (who could not pay us back) as a 'good work' in the name of the departed, so that the departed soul will go higher up to God (for when we die, we can no longer do any good works to go higher to God; but, our families can do good works in our name so that we may continue to ascend to higher places in Paradise).  So please, come on this Saturday to the cemeteries so that your priest may pray over your departed loved ones and through our collective prayers allow their souls to ascend even higher into the heavens.

International Orthodox Christian Charities (I.O.C.C.) is offering up to four internships this year, most likely in Ethiopia, Lebanon and the Republic of Georgia.

Internships typically last between 10-12 weeks, and IOCC covers airfare, lodging and food. Interns are given a good deal of responsibility: they have opportunities to travel into the field, meet beneficiaries, write stories for IOCC publications, monitor projects, write reports, etc. It’s really a great opportunity for college and graduate students, or recent graduates. The application deadline is February 15.

This event will be held at the hall of the St. Lazarus Serbian Orthodox Church 'Ravanica' located at 4575 East Outer Drive in Detroit, Michigan, 48324.

• A special 'moleban' prayer service for the salvation and survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the St. Lazarus Church
• The cultural program will include a reflection on the importance of Kosovo and Metohija as the historic and spiritual center of Serbia and the Serbian nation, along with certain facts and points of interest regarding Novo Brdo, Strpce, and Velika Hoca.
• The guest of honor is Radmila Micic from Toronto who will perform her moving monodrama "My Children, Where are You?"
• Guests will be entertained by local Serbian folklore dance groups along with the Ratko Ravic Orchestra

Tickets and Dinner:  $25 (includes soft drinks, beer, and wine)
Tickets for children 10-15 years of age are $15, and free for those under 10
 

Popadia Dr. Maggie Hock is a fully licensed and credentialed psychotherapist and mediator.  She specializes in crises, trauma therapy, marital & parenting issues.  She is the Director of the Department of Marriage and Parish Family Ministries for the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese.  She maintains an active private counseling practice.  She holds a B.A. in Organizational Management, a M.A. in Management, a M.Sc. in counseling and a Ph.D. in Psychology.

     This Sunday, January 25th, after the church service we will gather at the Romanian church hall on 19 Mi. & John R. to celebrate the children's Slava of St. Sava with our Kumovi (sponsors) for this year, Zlatko and Ljiljana Velkovski.  Afterward, our head church school teacher, Zana Zavich, would like to invite all of you to listen to a program consisting of our church school children's recital of Serbian poems.  After the recital there will be plenty of music (provided by DJ Tiho) and dancing.  All are welcome to this festive event!
     On Monday, January 26/13, there will be a vigil service at 6 p.m. and on Tuesday, January 27/14, there will be Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. for St. Sava's Day. 

Doca Dimitrijevski, 84, beloved wife of Milutin and mother of Vlado (Jordana), reposed in the Lord on Saturday, January 17, 2008.
Pomen will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday at Harry J. Will Funeral Home located on 37000 6 Mile Rd., Livonia, MI 48152 (just East of Newburgh Rd).  Funeral service will be at St. Petka’s on Thursday at 11 a.m.

On Tuesday, January 20, 2009 (January 7th by the Julian calendar) we will celebrate the Synaxis of St. John the Baptist.  There will be Divine Liturgy at 10 in the morning.  

It is the tradition of all Orthodox Christians throughout the world to have their priest come and bless their homes with Theophany-Богојављење holy water after January 19/6 until Palm Sunday (April 12 for 2009).   If you want Fr. Kristijan to come and bless your home, kindly contact him via his cell phone at 248-819-2016 or email him at kpetrovich@yahoo.com to arrange a suitable time for you and your family to have your home blessed.


   As Jesus sanctified the waters of the Jordan River when He entered it and was Baptized by St. John the Forerunner, so water is bless each year on Theophany (January 19/6), by submerging the cross in it as beautiful prayers are said.  Then the whole church is blessed by this holy water; we are blessed with the water, and we drink the holy water.  We also bring holy water home to use during the year—to drink when sick, or to use for blessing.
   Our homes are little churches, and so it is the Orthodox custom for the priest to come and bless people’s homes with the holy water and to pray for those who live there in a very short service.  It is inconceivable for faithful Orthodox people to live in an [annually] unblessed home.  Theophany is a Great Feast that commemorates the manifestation (revelation or appearance) of God as the Holy Trinity when Jesus accepted Baptism, and the Father’s voice was heard, and the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove....The extremely important Orthodox Feast of Theophany does not exist in Western/Latin practice.

   Before the priest arrives, prepare a place on your dining table: put a white tablecloth or other attractive cloth on it, and place there an icon, a candle, and a bowl for holy water, and a list of the names of the living and the departed whom you wish to be included in the prayers.  Turn off the TV and music.  Have all who live in the home possibly present.  When the priest arrives, light the candle, and have everyone gathered at this prepared place.  Someone whom the family designates should carry the candle in front of the priest and singer and go into each room of your home; the family and others present may follow.  The priest will bless each room of your home with the sprinkling of holy water, while the Troparion for Theophany is being sung repeatedly.  Then everyone gathers again at the prepared table, while a few prayers are said, including prayers for all those who live in the home, and for other living and departed family members.  Everyone is blessed with the holy water and kissed the cross...

On Sunday, January 18th (5th in Julian calendar) we will commemorate KRSTOVDAN-THE FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS. There will be Divine Liturgy with Small Blessing of the Waters at 10 a.m.  Krstovdan is usually a strict fast day but because it falls on a Sunday one may consume lenten foods prepared with oil but no fish this day.  On Monday, January 19th (6th in Julian calendar) we celebrate BOGOJAVLJENJE- THEOPHANY OF THE LORD. There will be Divine Liturgy followed by Great Blessing of the Waters at 10 a.m. (Come and receive Holy Water!)

On Wednesday, January 14th (Jan. 1st in the Julian Calendar) we will commemorate the Circumcision of our Lord and St. Basil the Great's Day.   This day also marks the Serbian New Year.  On Tuesday, the night before the feastday, there will be a vigil service at 6 p.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning. 

Hoping that there will be more of those who want to take communion for the Feast of the Nativity, we ask all our faithful parishioners to come to confession earlier.  There will be an opportunity for this on Sunday, December 28th, before and after the service, as well as the following Sunday, January 4th, and also on Christmas Eve, both in the morning at 9:40 a.m. and right before the evening service at 5:40 p.m. (unfortunately not after the night service due to time constraints).  On the very day of the Feast of the Nativity, Wednesday, confession will be heard before the service starting at 9:30 a.m.  Taking into consideration the unique history of the practice of confession with our particular parish, it is mandatory that parishioners between the ages 7 and 31* go to the priest of St. Petka's for confession first before communion. For those who come late on Nativity day, know that there will be no confessions heard during (that is half-way through) the Liturgy, in order for your priest to concentrate on the service at hand as well as to be fair to all those who made an effort to come earlier for confession.  Just so that there is no confusion, there will neither be confessions heard at the end of the Divine Liturgy on Nativity nor will communion be given to those in church after the service.  Communion is only given after the service to those who are seriously sick and bedridden.   Therefore, understand this appeal most seriously and make every effort to come to the Holy Mystery of Confession on time.
    *31 years of ages is not an arbitrary number.  It happens to be my age. -Fr. Kristijan

We remind all our parishioners that on Badnji Dan, January 6th, we will serve the Divine Liturgy at 10 in morning and in the evening on Nativity Eve, Badnje Veče, there will be an evening service of Great Compline at 6 p.m. with the traditional burning of the badnjak tree in the church yard.  After the service, as always, we will have a Lenten dinner at 8:30 p.m. at the hall of the Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church located on 1850 E. Square Lake Rd., Troy MI 48085 (19 Mile and John R).  For ticket reservations, those who live on the Westside can call Svetlana Misajlovic at (734) 425-3531 and those who live on the Eastside can contact Mira Petrusevski at (586) 264-1693.  The price of admission will be $20.00 for adults, $10.00 for children ages 6-12, and free admission to those who are 5 and younger.  Those who plan on coming to the reception, please remember to bring your own lenten sweets for your respective tables.  No one else will be providing sweets for you.  Once again, remember that these sweets are to be lenten, that is, they are not to have any milk or egg products in them.
       The Nativity Liturgy for Божић-Bozić, January 7 (n.s.) / December 25 (o.s), will begin at 10 in the morning.