Perhaps it has been some time since you came to Church – maybe even since your childhood. Please know that we WELCOME you at St. Vladimir’s. The Church is here for you – our Lord became incarnate for the salvation of all. If you have been away for a while please consider this your invitation: we WELCOME you at St. Vladimir’s! Please contact Fr. Gregory at 734-649-5746 or ogrisha@stvladimiraami.org with questions or concerns. Rest assured – you will be welcome as a part of our parish family!

Forgiveness Sunday is this coming Sunday. There are lots of logistics to manage regarding Forgiveness Vespers itself, which is held immediately after the Divine Liturgy on this day. Here are the details – God willing this limited approach will only have to happen this one year!

1. Forgiveness Vespers will take place after each Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 14, 2021

2. Generally we bow down, kiss, and embrace each other one at a time during the rite of Forgiveness. This year only we will prostrate ourselves in our own place in four directions led by the priest, each time saying “forgive me a sinner” and answering also “God forgives – forgive me a sinner”. You are welcome to prostrate to the ground if you like, but please note that the cement floor in the winter worship space is likely to leave you dirty, no matter how well we clean it, and likely also damage your clothes.

3. After these group prostrations the choir will sing “Let God arise...” according to the tradition of the Church. All will remain in their places. When this hymn is complete the Vespers service will come to an end.

We thank all for their attention to this modified approach to Forgiveness Vespers for this year. May the merciful Lord forgive us all as we forgive each other, and bless us to enter into the holy days of Great Lent striving together as a parish family not against each other, but against our sins, our weaknesses, and our falls. If we support each other in our Great Lenten struggle, we can have great hope that this year’s Pascha will be for us the most blessed we have ever experienced!

We have a new Bible Study at Deacon Colin's home in Ypislanti. The Bible Study will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursdays. Please contact Fr. Colin to learn more. Masks are required (except for the meal part of the program). Fr. Colin's contact information is: (313) 949-5490, or cmbower10@gmail.com. The Bible Study is limited to 8 people, so reach out soon!

We present here a short educational offering for both children and adults on the upcoming Sunday's principle Gospel reading so that all can better prepare for the Divine Services. Parents are asked to review the children’s portion with their children. It is very important for us to attend the Divine Services on Sundays and whenever else we are able, but in addition it is our spiritual responsibility to educate ourselves and our families in the faith. It is our hope that this mid-week offering will be an aid in this regard. Please contact Fr. Gregory with questions or suggestions.

For Adults: from the writings of Blessed Theophylact

For Youth: from the Antiochian Archdiocese (various age groups)

On THURSDAY evenings after the Evening Service (NEW DAY!) Fr. Joseph will lead a book discussion on the book “Great Lent – Journey to Pascha” by Fr. Alexander Schmemann. Those who would like to participate in this discussion group are asked to email confirmation to info@stvladimiraami.org not later than March 10, 2021. It is necessary to order the appropriate number of books, thus the need for a deadline.

OK - it isn't a NEW posting. But it is an important one! Please read and act according to your ability. If you need a ride to church please reach out: info@stvladimiraami.org or 734-475-4590.

FORGIVENESS SUNDAY - A MUST ATTEND

This year we will hold Forgiveness Vespers after both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy. Join us for one - or even both!

The week before Great Lent (this week) has a unique fasting guideline. This week we are allowed to eat fish and dairy products, but no meat. Here the Holy Church is helping us to prepare ourselves for a good start to Great Lent by allowing us to remove all the dairy products from our homes before Great Lent begins. Fasting is, essentially, the only regular obedience that we, as adult Orthodox Christians, have. And obedience is crucial to progress in the spiritual life. So let us thank God for the opportunity He gives us through His Holy Church to begin our fast this week by easing into it, and let us embrace this great opportunity for obedience: the diligent following of the Church's fasting guidelines.