Our Hierarch & Pastor
His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel
Archbishop of Chicago & the Midwest
V. Rev. John Baker
Rector
The Parish Council
The Parish Council helps to foster and encourage a properly functioning church community. Members assist the priest to ensure that the finances are in order and the temple and grounds are maintained.
Those selected for participation on the Parish Council pledge the following before God and the people to do their best to serve as examples to all in the community for living the mystical life in Christ:
Having been elected to the parish council of St Mark Orthodox Christian Church, we solemnly promise to Almighty God, before His Holy Gospel and Lifecreating Cross, that we will zealously, honestly, voluntarily, and with diligence and the fear of God, fulfill the duties of our office according to the Holy Tradition of the Church, the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America, and the by-laws of this parish, not for personal interest, but to the glory of God, the welfare of His Holy Church, and eternal salvation, remembering that for all of this we will give an answer before the Judgment Seat of Christ.
We promise to look after the cleanliness and adornment of the holy temple, and to uphold the pursuit of peace, tranquility, and Christian love among the brethren of this parish community.
In witness of this, my solemn promise, I kiss the Holy Gospel and Lifecreating Cross of our Lord God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Scott Wassell, Council President
Steve Lionas, Council Vice President
Jamie Gialanella, Secretary
Steve Johnson, Treasurer
Ron Kozlowski, Financial Secretary
Nancy Herman, Corresponding Secretary
Nora Creek, Ministries & Outreach
Shaun Wassell, Buildings & Grounds
Children's Programs
The Christian Education for our children is a priority at our parish. We offer several different programs children's programs throughout the year. We now offer the montessori based program, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for our youngest children, Sunday School, Vacation Church School and other Retreats throughout the year. Our goal is to educate our children in their Holy Orthodox Faith and prepare them for a life of service in the Church.
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
Liturgical Life
"And so God, through worship, stretches out towards me, and I, through prayer, stretch out towards Him, until our total union comes about." ~ Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra
Sunday- Divine Liturgy, 9am
Wednesday- Vespers, 6pm
Thursday- Divine Liturgy, 8am
Saturday- Great Vespers, 5pm
Vigil is served the last Saturday of each month and on the eves of the Feasts of the Church
Adult Education
The process of catechism and entrance into the Orthodox Christian Church is a deeply personal experience. Father John works on an individual basis with each person interested in joining the Church.
The study of Holy Scripture takes place on a weekly basis on Thursday mornings.
Father John leads adult discussion groups and Orthodox enrichment classes take place on a seasonal basis at St Mark Parish.
Fellowship
Understanding the importance of Christian fellowship and friendship, we strive to offer opportunities to build fellowship among families and singles people in the parish. Monthly bonfires, outings to baseball games, movie nights, cookouts and pilgrimages to monasteries are some of the opportunities offered to get to know your parish family better.
Outreach & Ministries
Altar Servers- boys & young men have the opportunity to serve in the altar with the hope and goal of fostering vocations to the priesthood
Choir-St Mark has a talented group of singers, who sing not only for the Glory of God, but by doing so, they also profess doctrine and theology of the Church
Sunshine Ministry- offers outreach and visitation to our homebound parishioners
Rochester House- is a one of the many local charities our parish supports
Seminarian Support- our parish is committed to fostering vocations to the priesthood and offers yearly support to married seminarian families from our diocese
Orthodox Detroit Outreach- "ODO" provides a venue for Orthodox parishes to serve a hot meal and love our neighbors in need in SW Detroit at Ss Peter & Paul Orthodox Church
Christmas Basket Program- each year we provide food and gifts for 250-300 families in the Metro Detroit area
Transparency
History & Vision
St. Mark Orthodox Church was founded in 1980. Services were first held at the Avondale Nursing Home Chapel, and later a high school gymnasium was rented out as the congregation outgrew the chapel. Land was purchased in Rochester Hills and in 1983, blessed for construction by Bishop Boris. In 1986, a multi-purpose building was constructed and our present temple was built in 2000. The iconography of the temple was completed in the Spring of 2022.
Fr. John Dresko was the first assigned priest of St. Mark's parish, serving from 1980 until 1983. Fr Kyril Riggs followed him from 1983 to February of 1987. Fr. Andrew Yavornitzky served from 1987 until his retirement in 2020. Our current pastor, Fr. John Baker, began his ministry to our community of St. Mark in June of 2021.
St. Mark's focuses on a robust liturgical life and emphasizes stewardship concerning all the blessings that God has bestowed upon us. Our parish family is made up of people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We delight in exercising hospitality towards all who enter our doors and invite you to become an integral part of our future.