ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
601 South Central Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60644
Main: 773-626-3114
Fax: 773-626-3141
Father Apostolos N. Georgiafentis – Protopresbyter
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2022 - ORTHODOX SUNDAY
ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 13 ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ 2022 - ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑΣ
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For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.
Epistle Reading for the Day
St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40
Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Gospel Reading for the Day
The Gospel of John 1:43-51
At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."
Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:24-26,32-40
Ἀδελφοί, πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν· μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ· ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γὰρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν· οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον· περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι - ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος - ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες, μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν.
Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 1:43-51
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀκολούθει μοι. ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ᾿Ανδρέου καὶ Πέτρου.εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ὃν ἔγραψε Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται, εὑρήκαμεν, ᾿Ιησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ Φίλιππος· ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε. εἶδεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ· ἴδε ἀληθῶς ᾿Ισραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι, ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε. ἀπεκρίθη Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψει. καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ᾽ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.
Μικρός Συναξαριστής
Η Αναστήλωση των αγίων Εικόνων - Οι Εκόνες στη ζωή των Ορθοδόξων
Η χρήση των εικόνων είναι μία αρχαία παράδοση της Εκκλησίας. Η λατρεία ανήκει μόνο στο Θεό, ενώ στην εικόνα αρμόζει η τιμητική προσκύνηση στο εικονιζόμενο πρόσωπο και όχι στα υλικά της Εικόνας. Ο Ιωάννης ο Δαμασκηνός, τονίζει την παιδαγωγική αξία των εικόνων, οι οποίες είναι για τους αγράμματους, ό,τι είναι τα βιβλία για τους γραμματισμένους και συνεχίζει: «Προσκυνώ την εικόνα του Χριστού, ώς σαρκωμένου Θεού, την εικόνα της Δέσποινας, ώς μητέρα του Υιού του Θεού, την εικόνα των αγίων, ώς φίλων του Θεού, που πάλεψαν την αμαρτία, ώς το σημείο να δώσουν το αίμα τους. Και τιμώ με σεβασμό και προσκύνηση. Γιατί η τιμή της εικόνας πηγαίνει στο πρωτότυπο, λέγει ο θείος Βασίλειος: Ποιός πρώτος έφτιαξε την εικόνα; Ο ίδιος ο Θεός πρώτος γέννησε το μονογενή Υιό και Λόγο Του, εικόνα του, ζωντανή, φυσική ώς απαράλλακτο χαρακτήρα της αϊδιότητάς Του και δημιούργησε τον άνθρωπο κατ’ εικόνα Του και καθ’ομοίωση».
ΣΤΗΝ ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑ ΜΑΣ Σε χαιρετίζουμε οι πιστοί Θεοτόκε Παρθένε, εσένα το σεπτό κειμήλιο της αγιότητος ολόκληρης της οικουμένης, τη λαμπάδα την άσβεστη, το χωρίο το οποίο χώρισε ο αχώρητος Θεός, ο ναός ο ακατάλυτος του Θεού Λόγος. Σε χαιρετίζουμε σαν αμνάδα από την οποία γεννήθηκε ο Αμνός του Θεού, ο αίρων την αμαρτίαν του Κόσμου. Μεταξύ όλων των γυναικών, όλων των αιώνων και όλων των λαών, η Θεοτόκος είναι η κατ’ εξοχήν ευλογημένη. Αυτή εν μέσω όλης της γυναικείας φύσεως ευρέθη η εκλεκτή για να γίνει μητέρα του Υιού του Θεού. Αυτή εκλέγεται από το Θεό, για να γίνει όργανο ευλογίας στους ανθρώπους. Για τούτο και ονομάζεται «ευλογημένη εν γυναιξί».
Meditations:
“Only the Religion of Christ unites and all of us must pray that they come to this. Thus union will occur, not by believing that all of us are the same thing and that all religions are the same. They are not the same…our Orthodoxy is not related to other religions.”
+Saint Porphyrios
Do you fast? Then feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick, do not forget the imprisoned, have pity on the tortured, comfort those who grieve and who weep, be merciful, humble, kind, calm, patient, sympathetic, forgiving, reverent, truthful and pious, so that God might accept your fasting and might plentifully grant you the fruits of repentance. Fasting of the body is food for the soul. +Saint Basil the Great
COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST - Prayers for: William, Anastasios, Konstantinos, Olga, Polyxeni, Julia, Helen, Peter, Sophia
O Lord our God, Who by word alone did heal all diseases, Who cured the mother in law of Peter, You Who chastise with pity and heal according to Your goodness; grant aid to these Your servants (Names) and heal them of every sickness of which they are grieved; lift them up from their pain, and send down upon them Your great mercy. For to you we send up Glory: to Father, and to Son, and to Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers for the living will be retained on the list for 40 days. Contact Church Office to add names at office@assumptionchicago.org or call Panagia office at 773.626.3114
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This week’s Gift of Light is given in loving memory of Michael and Effie Gekas.
MEMORIALS
10 years for the late Efimia (Effie) Gekas
15 years for the late Michael (Mihail) Gekas
May their memory be eternal!
COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee and fellowship following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.
Today's Coffee Hour is hosted by The Gekas and Dervis Families in remembrance of
Michael and Effie Gekas.
We thank The Gekas and Dervis Families for hosting and may the memory of their loved ones be eternal!
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:
MONDAY, MARCH 14
5:30 p.m. - Great Compline
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16
9:00 a.m. - 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
FRIDAY, MARCH 18
7:00 p.m. - 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos
Flowers for Panagia donated by an Anonymous Donor for health and well-being.
Thank you to our donor and God bless!
ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ, 14 ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ
5:30 μ.μ. - Μέγα Απόδειπνον
ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ, 16 ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ
9:00 π.μ. - Ακλουθία Ενάτης ΄Ωρας
9:30 π.μ. - Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία
ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ, 18 ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ
7:00 μ.μ. - B’ Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου
SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY
Our Parish along with all the Orthodox Parishes around the world will be celebrating the Sunday of Orthodoxy, this Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Sunday of Orthodoxy marks a historic event in the life of the Orthodox Church: The restoration of Icons as an important way of living and expressing the Christian faith. We ask for all the faithful in attendance to bring an Icon of their choice from home so that they may participate in the procession of Icons during the liturgy.
YAL TELOS
Round Table Talk & Phanouropita Baking today following the Divine Liturgy.
PAN-ORTHODOX VESPERS
Triumph of Orthodoxy, Pan-Orthodox Vespers will be held this Sunday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1220 S. 60th Court, Cicero, IL 60804. Homilist: His Grace Bishop Maxim, Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Clergy Association of Greater Chicago. Responses chanted by The Pan Orthodox Choir of Greater Chicago Gordana Tribuhovich, Director.
HOLY APOSTLES CELEBRATION OF BOOKS
Celebration of Books at Holy Apostles Church, 2501 South Wolf Road, Westchester, IL 60154. Beginning March 20 thru March 27. “More Than Just a Kiss: on the Betrayal of Judas”, presentation by Dr. John Fotopoulos. March 20 - Vespers at 6:30 p.m. followed by presentation at 8:00 p.m.
DONATIONS ARE NEEDED FOR THE EPITAPHIO FLOWERS
We need families to contribute toward the cost of flowers for the Epitaphio. You may place your offering in the acrylic box located on the Pangari as you exit the church. If you would like, you may also contact the church office to donate. Thank you and God bless!
Church office hours - Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας λειτουργή απο Δευτέρα με Παρασκευή 9:30 π.μ. εώς 2:00 μ.μ.
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SPONSORS NEEDED FOR COFFEE HOUR
Please contact the Church office at: 773.626.3114 or email at: office@assumptionchicago.org if you would like to sponsor a coffee hour in memory of a loved one, a special occasion or just because. We truly appreciate all your love and support to our beloved parish!
Available dates: March 27, April 3, April 10, May 1, May 8, May 22 & May 29
**Please note: No meat or dairy during Great Lent.
PHILOPTHOCHOS CORNER
Please be reminded that registration to join Philoptochos is requested by Tuesday, March 15th. Enclosed is the 2022 Membership form and LINK: https://forms.gle/K45YDE3ty5M5fy3c8 for online registration. Women and men of all ages are welcome to join!
STEWARDSHIP PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, Thou are the Good Steward, who redeemed Adam and Eve of their failed stewardship by offering Thyself for the life of the world. Thou didst teach us in the feeding of the multitudes that whatever we give to God is returned to us manifold. Thou didst praise those good and faithful servants in the parable of the talents who returned to the Master their gifts multiplied. So help us to learn the joy of stewardship, remembering that everything we have comes from Thee. For Thou art the Good Steward and to Thee we offer thanksgiving, praise and glory, together with Thy Father who is everlasting and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit now and ever and onto the ages of ages. Amen.
2022 STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship packets have been mailed out. Please fill out the pledge card (it is important that you enter a pledge amount) and the information card completely and return it back in the enclosed envelope. Thank you for supporting our beautiful parish of Panagia!
ARTOKLASIA – THE BLESSING OF BREAD
The Blessing of Five Loaves of Bread is a brief service of thanksgiving through which we express our gratitude for all the blessings of life. Oil, wine, wheat, and the loaves of bread which are used in the service, are viewed as the most basic elements necessary for life. The Blessing reminds us of the miracle of the multiplication of the bread and fish by which Christ fed the multitude. This Blessing is usually offered during Vespers or after the Divine Liturgy on Feast days and other special occasions. After the Service, the bread is cut and distributed to the congregation. If you would like to offer an Artoklasia, please contact the church office at: 773.626.3114 or email: office@assumptionchicago.org to reserve a date.
GIFT OF LIGHT
Please give the “Gift of Light” to Assumption Panagia’s Church. We need a family or an individual, to sponsor, per week, the lighting of our vigil lamps and candles in both of our holy Altars of Panagia and Saint Catherine. This includes the daily lighting of both of our Holy Altars throughout the week. Suggested donation for this ministry is $100.00. Through our Church’s Website, sign up can be made through our Tithe.ly platform. simply click on the big green GIVE button, request your week and make your donation.
Please contact the church office to sponsor a week for the health and well-being of your family or in loving memory of a loved one.
MARCH WEEKDAY CHURCH LITURGY SCHEDULE
Saturday, March 12 - 9:00 a.m. - 3rd Saturday of Souls
Monday, March 14 - 5:30 p.m. - Great Compline
Wednesday, March 16 - 9:00 a.m. - 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
Friday, March 18 - 7:00 p.m. - 2nd Salutation Service
Monday, March 21 - 5:30 p.m. - Great Compline
Wednesday, March 23 - 9:00 a.m. - 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
The Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
Friday, March 25 - 8:00 a.m. - Services will be held at the
Annunciation Cathedral - 1017 N. LaSalle Drive in Chicago
Friday, March 25 - 7:00 p.m. - 3rd Salutation Service
Monday, March 28 - 5:30 p.m. - Great Compline
Wednesday, March 30 - 9:00 a.m. - 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Sunday, March 13, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. YAL Telos - Round Table Talk and Phanouropita Baking - Open to all young adults Click here for info
Saturday, March 19, 10:00 a.m. - Pre-Marital Seminar for couples getting married in 2022 in Plato Hall
Monday, March 21, 6:30 p.m. - Orthodox Studies
Monday, March 28, 11:30 a.m. - Tenderhearted Ministry for our senior adults (65 and over)
Monday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. - Orthodox Studies
Saturday, April 16, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Saturday of Lazarus Family Retreat
Monday, April 25, 11:00 a.m. - Tenderhearted Ministry for our senior adults (65 and over)
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Saint Ephraim the Syrian Lenten Prayer
O Lord and Master of my life!
Take from me the spirit of sloth,
faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity,
humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
Yea, Lord and King!
Grant me to see my own errors
and not to judge my brother,
for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
Αγίου Εφραίμ του Σύρου
Κύριε και Δέσποτα της ζωής μου, πνεύμα αργίας, περιεργείας, φιλαρχίας και αργολογίας μη μοι δως.
Πνεύμα δε σωφροσύνης, ταπεινοφροσύνης, υπομονής και αγάπης, χάρισαί μοι τω σω δούλω.
Ναι, Κύριε βασιλεύ, δώρησαί μοι του οράν τα εμά πταίσματα και μη κατακρίνειν τον αδελφόν μου, ότι ευλογητός ει εις τους αιώνας των αιώνων.
Αμήν.
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A Blessed and Great Holy Lent to you and your families! |
Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
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