Sacramental Guidelines
Offerings for Divine Liturgy:
If you would like to bring Prosphora to be used for Divine Liturgy please bring it during the week before, or no later than 8:30am on the Sunday in which you would like it to be used. Feel free to include names of both the living and dead to be commemorated in the preparations (Proskomide) of the Holy Gifts.
If you would like to bring Wine, it needs to be a sweet red, preferably Nama. If you cannot find it or would like to donate toward it, you may donate $20 for communion wine to the Church.
Baptisms: Baptisms are normally scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays after the Divine Liturgy, and the parents will need to meet with the priest to plan the baptism. The God-parent must be a pledged and practicing Orthodox Christian in good standing with his or her parish, and a letter of good standing will need to be obtained if they are not a member at St. George. An infant's first or middle name should be a Saint's name. There is a Baptismal Guidelines and Checklist available from the priest or secretary. This needs to be reviewed by the parents before meeting with the priest to schedule the baptism. Non-pledged members pay a facilities fee of $500.00 for parish use, and all people pay $75.00 for a chanter.
Pledged members and non-members who have lost original sacramental documents pay a reproduction fee of $75.00 for Greek and $50.00 for English.
Marriages: Marriages are solemnized on Saturdays and Sundays. The couple will need to meet with the priest regularly as part of their preparation for this Sacrament. Consult with the priest at least six months in advance and before plans have been made for the wedding and the reception.
- AT LEAST SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO A WEDDING, an appointment must be made with the priest in order to prepare paperwork required by the Church. A couple is required to apply for an ecclesiastical marriage license from the Metropolis of Detroit. This paperwork must be completed at least two months before your wedding.
- The bride and groom must provide copies of their baptismal certificates. These certificates must verify that the bride or groom is Orthodox and if necessary, that the non-Orthodox party has been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- If the bride or groom is divorced a copy of the civil divorce must be presented at the time of preparation of the wedding papers. If the bride or groom has been married in the Orthodox Church and divorced, he or she must have an original copy of the ecclesiastical decree of divorce. This can be obtained from your parish priest or from the Metropolis of Detroit.
- It must be verified that you are a member in good standing of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. If the bride or groom belongs to another Orthodox Church, a letter of good standing signed by the parish priest must be provided.
- Verification of ecclesiastical good standing for your sponsor (i.e., koumbaroi) is also required. If they are members of our parish, we will have that information. If they belong to another Orthodox parish, their good standing must be stated in writing by their parish priest.
- If the Orthodox bride or groom is from another metropolis or parish, or came to the United States from abroad after their 16th birthday, a "Pistopioitikon Eleftherogamias" will be required from the Metropolis in which he or she was born and signed by the Metropolitan or his designated agent.
- A civil wedding license must be presented to the Church office one week prior to the marriage so that it can be prepared for signatures the day of the wedding. A marriage cannot be celebrated without this document. It should be obtained from the County Clerk's Office in your area of residence. A civil wedding license is good for up to 30 days prior to your wedding day. Any and all questions can be directed to the parish priest.
Pledged members and non-members who have lost original sacramental documents pay a reproduction fee of $75.00 for Greek and $50.00 for English.
Church Funerals: Non-pledged members pay a facilities fee of $500.00 for its use, and all people pay $75.00 for a chanter.
Confession: Confessions are scheduled by appointment with the priest.
Hospitalization/Sick Calls: Because of recent changes in confidentiality laws, the hospitals have become less timely in their notification of clergy about hospital admissions. Please inform the priest about any hospitalizations or need for visitation by calling the office or his cell phone.
