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 20, 2022 - SAINT GREGORY PALAMAS

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 20 ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ 2022 - ΓΡΗΓΟΡΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΛΑΜΑ
 
READINGS AND PRAYERS
Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).
Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

Epistle Reading for the Day
St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3
"IN THE BEGINNING, you O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.
 
Gospel Reading for the Day
The Gospel of Mark 2:1-12
At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 1:10-14; 2:1-3
Κατʼ ἀρχάς, Κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί· αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις· καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται· σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. Πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε, Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου; Οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα, εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν; Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως ἡμᾶς προσέχειν τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρρυῶμεν. Εἰ γὰρ ὁ διʼ ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος ἐγένετο βέβαιος, καὶ πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν, πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας; Ἥτις, ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα λαλεῖσθαι διὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη.

Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 2.1-12
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς εἰς Καπερναοὺμ δι᾿ ἡμερῶν καὶ ἠκούσθη ὅτι εἰς οἶκόν ἐστι. καὶ εὐθέως συνήχθησαν πολλοί, ὥστε μηκέτι χωρεῖν μηδὲ τὰ πρὸς τὴν θύραν· καὶ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον. καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς αὐτὸν παραλυτικὸν φέροντες, αἰρόμενον ὑπὸ τεσσάρων· καὶ μὴ δυνάμενοι προσεγγίσαι αὐτῷ διὰ τὸν ὄχλον, ἀπεστέγασαν τὴν στέγην ὅπου ἦν, καὶ ἐξορύξαντες χαλῶσι τὸν κράβαττον, ἐφ᾿ ᾧ ὁ παραλυτικὸς κατέκειτο. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· τέκνον, ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. ἦσαν δέ τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐκεῖ καθήμενοι καὶ διαλογιζόμενοι ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν· τί οὗτος οὕτω λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός; καὶ εὐθέως ἐπιγνοὺς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ ὅτι οὕτως αὐτοὶ διαλογίζονται ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί ταῦτα διαλογίζεσθε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν τῷ παραλυτικῷ, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀφιέναι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἁμαρτίας - λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· σοὶ λέγω, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἠγέρθη εὐθέως, καὶ ἄρας τὸν κράβαττον ἐξῆλθεν ἐναντίον πάντων, ὥστε ἐξίστασθαι πάντας καὶ δοξάζειν τὸν Θεὸν λέγοντας ὅτι οὐδέποτε οὕτως εἴδομεν.

Μικρός Συναξαριστής
Ο ΑΓΙΟΣ ΓΡΗΓΟΡΙΟΣ ο Παλαμάς, Αρχιεπίσκοπος Θεσσαλονίκης, ο Θαυματουργός Δεινός θεολόγος και διαπρεπέστατος ρήτορας και φιλόσοφος ο Γρηγόριος, δεν γνωρίζουμε το χρόνο και τον τόπο της γέννησής του. (Ο Σ. Ευστρατιάδης όμως, στο αγιολόγιό του, αναφέρει ότι ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος γεννήθηκε το 1296 στην Κωνσταντινούπολη, από τον Κωνσταντίνο τον Συγκλητικό και την ευσεβέστατη Καλλονή). Ξέρουμε όμως, ότι κατά το πρώτο μισό του 14ου αιώνα ήταν στην αυτοκρατορική αυλή της Κων/πολης, απ' οπού και αποσύρθηκε στο Άγιο Όρος χάρη ησυχότερης ζωής, και αφιερώθηκε στην ηθική του τελειοποίηση και σε διάφορες μελέτες. Όταν όμως ξέσπασε η περίφημη διχόνοια για τους αγιορείτες Ησυχαστές, κατά των οποίων επετέθη ο μοναχός Βαρλαάμ ο Καλαβρίας, ο Γρηγόριος πήγε στη Θεσ/νίκη και αναδείχτηκε ο ορθόδοξος ηγέτης στη μεγάλη εκείνη θεολογική πάλη. Το ζητούμενο της πάλης αυτής ήταν κυρίως το μεθεκτικόν ή αμέθεκτον της θείας ουσίας. Ο Γρηγόριος, οπλισμένος με μεγάλη πολυμάθεια και ισχυρή κριτική για θέματα αγίων Γραφών, διέκρινε μεταξύ θείας ουσίας αμεθέκτου και θείας ενεργείας μεθεκτής. Και αυτό το στήριξε σύμφωνα με το πνεύμα των Πατέρων και η Εκκλησία επικύρωσε την ερμηνεία του με τέσσερις Συνόδους. Στην τελευταία, που έγινε στην Κων/πολη το 1351, ήταν και ο ίδιος ο Παλαμάς. Αλλά ο Γρηγόριος έγραψε πολλά και διάφορα θεολογικά έργα, περίπου 60. Αργότερα, ο Πατριάρχης Ισίδωρος τον εξέλεξε αρχικά επίσκοπο Θεσ/νίκης. Λόγω όμως των τότε ζητημάτων, αποχώρησε πρόσκαιρα στη Λήμνο. Αλλά κατόπιν ανέλαβε τα καθήκοντά του. Πέθανε το 1360 και τιμήθηκε αμέσως σαν Άγιος. Ο Πατριάρχης Φιλόθεος έγραψε το 1376 εγκωμιαστικό λόγο στο Γρηγόριο Παλαμά, μαζί και ακολουθία. Και όρισε την εκκλησιαστική μνήμη του στη Β' Κυριακή της Μ. Τεσσαρακοστής.
 
Ο ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ - 25η ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ - Εθνική εορτή (ιχθύος κατάλυσις)
Ημέρα ορόσημο για τους απανταχού χριστιανούς είναι η 25η Μαρτίου και απαρχή του δρόμου για την πραγματοποίηση της Σωτηρίας τους. Είναι το χαρμόσυνο μήνυμα της θείας ενσάρκωσης, που με τόσο σαφή τρόπο μας το παρουσιάζει ο ευαγγελιστής Λουκάς στο Ευαγγέλιό του. Την ημέρα αυτή, ο θεόσταλτος αρχάγγελος Γαβριήλ παρουσιάζεται και λέε στην Παρθένο Μαρία ότι θα γεννήσει υιό, που θα είναι ο Σωτήρ του κόσμου. Αξίζει όμως να δούμε πώς οι εμπνευσμένοι υμνωδοί της Εκκλησίας μας έψαλαν το κοσμοσωτήριο άγγελμα «Σήμερα πραγματοποιείται η ολοκλήρωση της Σωτηρίας μας και η φανέρωση του μυστηρίου που προαιωνίως υπήρχε. Ο Υιός του Θεού γίνεται Υιός της Παρθένου κα ο αρχάγγελος Γαβριήλ φέρνει την ευχάριστη αγγελία της Θείας Χάρης Χαίρε εσύ που σε έχει επισκιάσει η χάρη του Θεού, ο Κύριος είναι μαζί σου».

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST - Prayers for: William, Anastasios, 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
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
This week’s Gift of Light is given by Joanne Prinz and Pamela Stanis in loving memory of James & Maria Paganis in remembrance of their beloved mother’s birthday.

MEMORIAL
40 days for the late Abbess Vriani    

ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝO
40 ημερών της αειμνήστου Βρυαίνη, Μοναχής      

May her memory be eternal!

COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee and fellowship following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.
 
Today's Coffee Hour is sponsored by the Family of Τom Koulouris in loving memory of Gerontisa Vriani Matsi.

We thank The Tom Koulouris Family for hosting and may the memory of their beloved aunt be eternal! 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:
MONDAY, MARCH 21 
5:30 p.m. - Great Compline                      
6:30 p.m. - Orthodox Studies held in Saint Catherine's Meeting Room

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23                                      
9:00 a.m. - 9th Hour                                               
9:30 a.m. - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy                         
 
FRIDAY, MARCH 25                                                  
6:30 p.m. - 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos        
Flowers for Panagia donated by George and Argiro Saramadis for their health and well-being. Thank you to our donor and God bless!

ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ, 21 ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ
5:30 μ.μ. - Μέγα Απόδειπνον

ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ, 23 ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ
9:00 π.μ. - Ακλουθία Ενάτης ΄Ωρας
9:30 π.μ. - Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία

ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ, 25 ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ
6:30 μ.μ. - Γ’ Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου

Archpastoral Visit - His Eminence Elpidophoros of America
 
Dear Assumption Community!
 
On Friday, March 25th at 6:30 pm, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America will preside over the Salutation services at our Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.  This is an honor for our Church and as a result, the Assumption Community will be hosting a special reception after services. We are opening with the first 150 reservations to our Assumption stewards.  Because this is such a rare event a reservation(s) for the reception is needed. 

Click here to reserve your spot today! You have until March 22nd to pre-register as a steward before we open reservations to anyone outside the community that would like to attend.  
 
Please email thomasdemos@gmail.com with any questions. We look forward to seeing everyone on the 25th.  
 
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 or visit our website at: www.assumptionchicago.org to donate online. 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.


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: April 3, April 10, May 1, May 8, May 22 & May 29
**Please note: No meat or dairy during Great Lent. 

PHILOPTHOCHOS CORNER
Metropolis Philoptochos Lenten Retreat, Saturday, April 2, 9:00 - 1:30 p.m. at St. Sophia's in Elgin. See the attached flyer for details. RSVP to assumptionphiloptochos@gmail.com if you can attend.
 
General Membership Meeting - Sunday, April 3, after church in Saint Catherine’s meeting room.
 
Easter Bake Sale -
preorder your items online here: https://forms.gle/4TaLZMxPrLGpwEXW7
Tsourekia and traditional Greek pastries. Pre-orders are due April 11 and pick up will be Sunday, April 17, after church.

JOIN THE ASSUMPTION PANAGIA CHOIR!!!
We welcome choir members to join our Assumption choir ministry once a month in the choir loft. No choral experience is needed. It's a great way to share in the Divine Liturgy spiritually with your fellow parishioners! For more information, contact Marika Panton at mmpanton@comcast.net or 708-337-7435.
 
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 
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 - 6:30 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

*Please note the time change for the Salutation Services.
Services on Friday evenings will begin at 6:30 p.m.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS:
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)

Sunday, April 10, 4:00 p.m. - A private screening of the movie, Man of God at the Pickwick Theater, 5 S. Prospect Ave. in Park Ridge. $15 per person (Includes ticket, drink, popcorn)
 
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)
A Blessed and Great Holy Lent to you and your families!

Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
Learn more: assumptionchicago.org