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On Sunday, January 12, 2008, Donna Abramczyk, Religion Section Editor (and an excellent writer) published a wonderful article in the The News-Herald Newspaper (which serves the entire Downriver area) about the Nativity of Our Lord. She also included a very nice picture of Sasha Boyar with some of the women of Holy Ascension Serbian Orthodox Church. The way that I have attached it should allow it to be enlarged, so you can read it. Thank you Donna - It was very cool, and I appreciate you so much!!
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On Saturday, February 2, 2007, we had a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr Victor Trotskyy (from the Dormition Cathdral in Ferndale) at the Holy Ascension Serbian Orthodox Church in Ecorse, Michigan. This was our third Liturgy as a group, and were blessed to have 14 people attend, many of whom had Holy Communion - CONGRATULATIONS!!! Charles and Cody were great Altar Servers (in actual Orthodox Altar Boy robes), and Claudia and Sasha helped make the choir sound so great, and they were so great at reading the Kontakians and Troparians. It was great to see a few people from Holy Ascension join us, too. Sonia Boyar did a phenominal job directing the little choir we had. Everything in English! Afterwards, we all enjoyed a nice little luncheon. The following day, Sunday, we also had a Reader's Service, where 16 people attended, followed by our first Church School class, and of course, snacks. We then went to Belmar Lanes (in Lincoln Park - what a great place and nice people) where our 7 youth enjoyed a couple of games of bowling. Enjoy the pictures, and please consider joining us. Our schedule is always posted here, or you can call/e-mail anytime. .
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 Fr Viktor starting | Fr Viktor starting |
|  Girls are ready | Girls are ready |
|  Blessed in the Name of the Father . . . | Blessed in the Name of the Father . . . |
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 Our Choir | Our Choir |
|  Altar Boys | Altar Boys |
|  Caitlyn wants out | Caitlyn wants out |
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 Father's Blessing | Father's Blessing |
|  The Gospel | The Gospel |
|  The Gifts | The Gifts |
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February 3rd was a wonderful, spiritual day at All Saints. We had 16 people visit and participate with us in our Reader's Service at Holy Ascension. Many people were getting into the act with us. Today was also the First Day of our Church School. This is a 10 week program that although is structured, enjoys the fact that each week will be a class independant within itself. Today's lesson for the Older ones was What is Orthodoxy?, and the younger ones learned about Baptism.
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 Setting Up | Setting Up |
|  Our Altar Boys | Our Altar Boys |
|  Lighting Candles | Lighting Candles |
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 Through the Prayers . . | Through the Prayers . . |
|  Boys working hard | Boys working hard |
|  Finishing up | Finishing up |
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 Hi Caitlyn | Hi Caitlyn |
|  Kris and Ruthie | Kris and Ruthie |
|  Cousins: Claudia and Nate | Cousins: Claudia and Nate |
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 Church School - Older Group | Church School - Older Group |
|  Happy Faces | Happy Faces |
|  Church School - Younger Group | Church School - Younger Group |
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After a big weekend in our new home, we decided that the kids deserved a fun time out. Belmar Lanes (in Lincoln Park) was a great place. They gave our kids their shoes for free, and allowed us to bowl past the closing time. The kids had a great time. Charles won the first game, although Ruthie gave him a run for his money. Claudia rolled a 100, too. The second game went to Cody. He was a sleeper all the way to the end with his side arm delivery. After, we stopped at McDonalds and on to the Super Bowl party.
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 Cody's Up | Cody's Up |
|  Charles the Professional | Charles the Professional |
|  Come on Sasha | Come on Sasha |
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 Claudia's a Hit | Claudia's a Hit |
|  Group Shot | Group Shot |
|  Ruthie's Strike Face | Ruthie's Strike Face |
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 The Cheerleaders | The Cheerleaders |
|  My Turn | My Turn |
|  Like This | Like This |
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It was a historical First for our Mission, and what a Beautiful Service it was!! Our First Sunday Divine Liturgy was lead by Father Svetislav Mirolovich, who came all the way from Cleveland, Ohio to be with us. We had a new record attendance of 21 people (8 children), who helped celebrate in many ways. Some sang, some read, most of us had Holy Communion, and Eli was phenomenal as our Altar Boy. After a few group photos, we all went downstairs to enjoy a Spaghetti Dinner that was prepared to perfection by Alex Kapetan. It was great - Thank you Alex! The kids then learned about the Publican and Pharisee and colored some pictures that were posted up on the bulletin board for everyone to enjoy.
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 Our Chapel | Our Chapel |
|  The Gospel | The Gospel |
|  Our Trio Choir | Our Trio Choir |
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 Eli | Eli |
|  The Great Entrance | The Great Entrance |
|  Alex is Always Here | Alex is Always Here |
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 Claudia | Claudia |
|  Diane and Nathaniel | Diane and Nathaniel |
|  Dobinka and Dominic | Dobinka and Dominic |
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 Patricia | Patricia |
|  Nick | Nick |
|  Our Special People | Our Special People |
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 Special Prayers | Special Prayers |
|  We Thank Thee | We Thank Thee |
|  Our Kids | Our Kids |
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 Father Bless | Father Bless |
|  Caitlyn and Company | Caitlyn and Company |
|  Group Shot | Group Shot |
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 Father's Sermon . . | Father's Sermon . . |
|  . . and Everyone is listening | . . and Everyone is listening |
|  Another Group Shot | Another Group Shot |
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Along with the largest group to attend our Divine Liturgy (see article above), we also had a representative from the local newspaper taking photographs, and again, a wonderfully written article by Donna Abramczyk Religious Editor of the News Herald Newspaper. Please click on this scanned article. The actual article was over a half page in size, however was reduced to fit into our format. Again, Thank you Donna - We really appreciate everything you have done for us.
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On March 9, 2008, Orthodox Christians across the world continue the long journey in preparation for our Holy Pascha, but this Sunday is very important also because we are given the opportunity to ask forgiveness to everyone for any and all things that we have done to hurt or offend. This special Vespers really enables us to enter into a special part of our lives. By asking (and giving forgiveness - As God would), we open our hearts and minds to begin a new, fresh, clean opportunity of living as He would. This also officially starts our 40 days of fasting, studying, and praying. As you glance over these photos, look at the happiness and fulfillment on everyone's faces.
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 Look at the glow in our Chapel | Look at the glow in our Chapel |
|  Through the Prayers . . . | Through the Prayers . . . |
|  Lord Have Mercy | Lord Have Mercy |
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 Look at all of the babies | Look at all of the babies |
|  Sasha is reading | Sasha is reading |
|  Nice shot from the back | Nice shot from the back |
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 Millie reads the Epistle | Millie reads the Epistle |
|  Sub-Deacon Michael shares the Holy Gospel | Sub-Deacon Michael shares the Holy Gospel |
|  Please Forgive Me | Please Forgive Me |
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| Sub-Deacon Michael Merren |
| During the Wednesdays of Great Lent, All Saints Orthodox Mission Church was proud to have sponsored a Very Interesting Lenten Series. Seminarian Sub-Deacon Michael Merren hosted a Catechetical monograph on the passage "Who do people say that am I?" which is written in Mark 8:27; Matthew 16:13.
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In lieu of Presanctified Liturgies, we celebrated with a Reader's Service Vespers, followed by a small reception at which time the Sub-Deacon began the program.
Sub-Deacon Michael has an MA in Theology from the Papal Academy of Theology in Krakow, Poland; has done course work with the St. Stephen's Program of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, and most recently studied in the Pastoral School of the ROCOR Chicago, Diocese. He is assigned to the St Vladimir Orthodox Church in Ann Arbor .
He currently lives in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area with his wife, Danell, and three children, Micah (6), Kaiah (5), and Maya (2). .
Below are some on-going photos from our event
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And Congratulations on a very successful and entertaining symposium, and fulfilling the requirements for your degree. You will be a very positive influence, and some parish is going to be really blessed to have you.
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Even with an unexpected 7 inches of snow that arrived this fine Spring morning, Fr Zivko Kajevic, of St Stevan Decanski (Warren, MI) and our Holy Ascension (Ecorse, MI), led 14 of us in a beautiful Divine Liturgy (where we also prayed for Soul Saturday). It was a wonderful intimate service with a beautiful choir, 2 people receiving Holy Confession and most Holy Communion. Poor Fr Zivko was suffering with a tremendous amount of pain in his foot, but managed to get through everything, and had a little time to share coffee with us. As we enjoy these beautiful photographs, please stop for a second and pray for Fr Zivko's health - He was Great . . . . . and don't forget about praying in Memory of our many family and friends whom we honored today.
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 Fr Zivko getting started | Fr Zivko getting started |
|  Time for Confession | Time for Confession |
|  Beautiful Choir | Beautiful Choir |
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 The Gospel | The Gospel |
|  Our Girls | Our Girls |
|  The Great Entrance | The Great Entrance |
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 I Believe in One God . . | I Believe in One God . . |
|  Seva and Caitlyn | Seva and Caitlyn |
|  Claudia | Claudia |
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 Sasha | Sasha |
|  Patty | Patty |
|  Charles | Charles |
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 Lining up at the end | Lining up at the end |
|  Long Day | Long Day |
|  We have some great news . . | We have some great news . . |
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After a very nice Vesperal Service (in English and Slavonic) on Saturday Night, We adorned the Cross with Beautiful Carnations for the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent.
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What a Special Weekend! We were blessed to have Sub-Deacon Michael Merren, his wife Danell, and their 3 daughters come and serve with us on this Beautiful Spring Day in Downriver Detroit. They woke up when it was still dark, and drove over 3 hours (each way) just to be with us. What a wonderful family, and What a nice time we had inside and out.
 Getting Ready (Micah is peeking) | Getting Ready (Micah is peeking) |
|  Danell and Maya | Danell and Maya |
|  Kaiah | Kaiah |
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 What is Cody looking at? | What is Cody looking at? |
|  Sasha | Sasha |
|  Caitlyn | Caitlyn |
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 Sub-Deacon Michael Boyar reads the Epistle | Sub-Deacon Michael Boyar reads the Epistle |
|  From Abobe | From Abobe |
|  Sub-Deacon Michael Merren shares the Holy Gospel | Sub-Deacon Michael Merren shares the Holy Gospel |
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 Sharing thoughts in a sermon | Sharing thoughts in a sermon |
|  Mission Core Group meeting . . . | Mission Core Group meeting . . . |
|  . . . giving/getting ideas | . . . giving/getting ideas |
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Sonia Boyar taught a class of all ages the art of "Pysanky" which is an Eastern European custom of Artwork dedicated for Pascha, on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at the Holy Ascension Serbian Orthodox Banquet Facility where we had 35 people come in. This is the 5th year we have gotten together to do (although) it is the first time for many in our mission. | 
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 Sonia showing how to do it | Sonia showing how to do it |
|  Madison, Cody, and Claudia | Madison, Cody, and Claudia |
|  Dean and Sasha | Dean and Sasha |
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 Diane helping the kids | Diane helping the kids |
|  Millie | Millie |
|  Try this one Mom | Try this one Mom |
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 Dobie | Dobie |
|  Sharing Ideas | Sharing Ideas |
|  Trying to decide a good one to do | Trying to decide a good one to do |
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 Charles | Charles |
|  Kris and Ruth | Kris and Ruth |
|  Vicki | Vicki |
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 Helping Nate | Helping Nate |
|  Getting Late | Getting Late |
|  Dobie proudly showing Fr Zivko | Dobie proudly showing Fr Zivko |
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What a beautiful day we had. The sun was shining. the temperature was warm, and everyone had energy. After a very nice Reader's Service and Church School, we all gathered outside to start the laborious task of washing Winter away. So many of our families came, brought their friends, and everyone worked so hard to make our place so Beautiful. Stop by and take a look around. The place looks Great. Thank you to everyone who came by to help.
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Christ Is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen!
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