Today our parish in Lake Odessa celebrates its second feast day (the main feast day is July 27/August 9 annually). This is the only parish in our diocese named after St. Herman of Alaska. Do you know about this first American saint? If not, please read below to learn more. We should know the saints of the parishes in our state – especially the first American saint – the Venerable Herman!

Congratulations for Fr. Michael, Fr. Elias and the faithful in Lake Odessa with their third Pascha!

LIFE OF ST. HERMAN OF ALASKA

Today our parish in Traverse City celebrates its feast day. This is the only parish in the world named after St. Sebastian of Jackson. Do you know about this contemporary saint? If not, please read below to learn more. We should know the saints of the parishes in our state - let's start with St. Sebastian!

Congratulations for Fr. Micah and the faithful in Traverse City with their second Pascha!

LIFE OF ST. SEBASTIAN OF JACKSON

Why does this matter to people in the Michigan Deanery who are not close to Ann Arbor?

ANSWER: This is the FIRST Orthodox School in Michigan - not the last. This is the BEGINNING of Orthodox education in Michigan! As the Ann Arbor Orthodox Classical Academy grows and strengthens it will help found other Orthodox schools in Michigan. And we plan to offer on-line and hybrid options beginning in 2022. Would you like an Orthodox School in your region? Help make that happen by supporting the Ann Arbor Orthodox Classical Academy today!

JOIN US! Establish a recurring donation at the link below. Just $10/month = $120/year ≈ $2/week. Or even $5/month! Many small donations build a strong foundation for the school. Visit this link to establish your monthly donation and assure that Orthodox education in Michigan has a firm foundation:

SUPPORT ORTHODOX EDUCATION IN OUR DEANERY!

Congratulations to Priest Micah Chisholm, his wife Stephanie, their family, and the St. Sebastian Mission in Traverse City! Fr. Micah was ordained a priest today, the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, by His Eminence Archbishop Peter at the Diocesan Cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God in Des Plaines, IL. Fr. Micah is assigned to the St. Sebastian Mission and God-willing will serve his first Divine Liturgy there this coming Sunday. Fr. Micah is pictured here with the Dean of Michigan parishes, Fr. Gregory Joyce.

Congratulations to the newly-ordained Deacon Micah Chisholm, his wife Stephanie, their family, and the St. Sebastian Mission family in Traverse City where Fr. Micah will be serving. Fr. Micah was ordained at the Divine Liturgy in Des Plaines, IL on the feast of the Transfiguration by His Eminence, Archbishop Peter. God-willing, Deacon Micah will be ordained a priest by Archbishop Peter later this month. Fr. Micah is pictured here with Archbishop Peter and Fr. Gregory Joyce, Dean of Michigan parishes.

According to Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-160, due to a doubling of the 7 day rolling average of positive cases or novel corona virus in our state over the last month, indoor gatherings are now limited to 10. This is a step back towards quarantine – a strengthening of the regime. Parishes that have questions or need resources are asked to contact the Dean of Michigan Parishes, Fr. Gregory Joyce.

Sunday was a big day for the Michigan Deanery at the Diocesan Cathedral! Left to right: Fr. Gregory Joyce (Dean of Michigan ROCOR parishes), Hierodeacon Alexei (new graduate of the Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America - PSDCMA), Subdeacon Micah Chisholm (new graduate of PSDCMA), Deacon Colin Bower (ordained deacon Sunday and new graduate of PSDCMA), Reader Elijah Naasko (tonsured Reader Sunday). Congratulations to all!

ALL PHOTOS OF THE WEEKEND

According to Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-110 it is permissible to gather in groups of 100 or less OUTSIDE as of June 1, 2020. Parishes that have questions or need resources to take the next steps out of quarantine in response to these orders are asked to contact the Dean of Michigan Parishes, Fr. Gregory Joyce.

According to Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders 2020-96 and 2020-97 it is permissible to gather in groups of 10 or less as of May 21, 2020. Parishes that have questions or need resources to take the first steps out of quarantine in response to these orders are asked to contact the Dean of Michigan Parishes, Fr. Gregory Joyce.

Today people in our Deanery are suffering greatly. Flood waters are expected to reach record levels in Midland – twice as high as any previously recorded flood. Many people will lose all material possessions. Some people will likely lose their lives. Please pray for the suffering people of this area of our state who are undergoing a crisis in the time of pandemic. May the Lord be with them all today! Donations to support the relief effort can be made to the Red Cross:

MICHIGAN RED CROSS