ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

601 South Central Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60644

Main: 773-626-3114

Email: office@assumptionchicago.org

Website: assumptionchicago.org

Father Apostolos N. Georgiafentis - Protopresbyter

Mr. George Demas - Pastoral Assistant

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022 - ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 30 ΟΚΤΟΒΡΙΟΥ 2022

5TH SUNDAY OF LUKE

READINGS AND PRAYERS

+Saints Kosmas and Damian the Unmercenaries and their mother Saint Theodoti – November 1

Kosmas and Damian were unmercenaries and miracle-workers. They were brothers both in the flesh and in the spirit, born somewhere in Asia Minor of a pagan father and a Christian mother. After their father's death, their mother Theodotia devoted all her time and effort to educating her sons and raising them as true Christians. God helped her, and her sons matured as sweet fruit and luminaries of the world. They were learned in the art of medicine and ministered to the sick without payment, not so much with medicine as by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were called ``unmercenary physicians,'' that is, unpaid physicians, for they healed freely and thus fulfilled the commandment of Christ: Freely ye have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8). So careful were they in healing men free of charge that Cosmas became very angry with his brother Damian because he accepted three eggs from a woman, Palladia, and ordered that he not be buried alongside his brother Damian after his death. In fact, St. Damian did not accept these three eggs as a reward for healing the ailing Palladia, but rather because she adjured him in the name of the Most-holy Trinity to accept these three eggs.

Nevertheless, after their death in the town of Fereman, they were buried together according to a revelation from God. The holy brothers were great miracle-workers both during their life and after their death. A snake crawled through the mouth and into the stomach of a certain farm laborer during his sleep, and the unfortunate man would have died in the greatest pain had he not, in the last moment, invoked the help of Saints Cosmas and Damian. Thus, the Lord glorified forever the miracle-working of those who glorified Him on earth by their faith, purity and mercy."

Epistle Reading for the Day

St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19

Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.

Gospel Reading of the Day

The Gospel according to Luke 16:19-31

The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'

Απόστολος της Ημέρας

Πρὸς Γαλάτας 1:11-19

Ἀδελφοί, γνωρίζω ὑμῖν τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον τὸ εὐαγγελισθὲν ὑπʼ ἐμοῦ ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν κατὰ ἄνθρωπον· οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐγὼ παρὰ ἀνθρώπου παρέλαβον αὐτό, οὔτε ἐδιδάχθην, ἀλλὰ διʼ ἀποκαλύψεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. 'Ηκούσατε γὰρ τὴν ἐμὴν ἀναστροφήν ποτε ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσμῷ, ὅτι καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν ἐδίωκον τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ ἐπόρθουν αὐτήν, καὶ προέκοπτον ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσμῷ ὑπὲρ πολλοὺς συνηλικιώτας ἐν τῷ γένει μου, περισσοτέρως ζηλωτὴς ὑπάρχων τῶν πατρικῶν μου παραδόσεων. Ὅτε δὲ εὐδόκησεν ὁ Θεός, ὁ ἀφορίσας με ἐκ κοιλίας μητρός μου καὶ καλέσας διὰ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ ἀποκαλύψαι τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ, ἵνα εὐαγγελίζωμαι αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, εὐθέως οὐ προσανεθέμην σαρκὶ καὶ αἵματι, οὐδὲ ἀνῆλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα πρὸς τοὺς πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἀποστόλους, ἀλλὰ ἀπῆλθον εἰς Ἀραβίαν, καὶ πάλιν ὑπέστρεψα εἰς Δαμασκόν. ῎Επειτα μετὰ τρία ἔτη ἀνῆλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἱστορῆσαι Πέτρον, καὶ ἐπέμεινα πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡμέρας δεκαπέντε· ἕτερον δὲ τῶν ἀποστόλων οὐκ εἶδον, εἰ μὴ Ἰάκωβον τὸν ἀδελφὸν τοῦ Κυρίου.

Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας

Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 16:19-31

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· ῎Ανθρωπος δέ τις ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐνεδιδύσκετο πορφύραν καὶ βύσσον εὐφραινόμενος καθ᾿ ἡμέραν λαμπρῶς. πτωχὸς δέ τις ἦν ὀνόματι Λάζαρος, ὃς ἐβέβλητο πρὸς τὸν πυλῶνα αὐτοῦ ἡλκωμένος καὶ ἐπιθυμῶν χορτασθῆναι ἀπὸ τῶν ψιχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τοῦ πλουσίου· ἀλλὰ καὶ οἱ κύνες ἐρχόμενοι ἀπέλειχον τὰ ἕλκη αὐτοῦ. ἐγένετο δὲ ἀποθανεῖν τὸν πτωχὸν καὶ ἀπενεχθῆναι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἰς τὸν κόλπον ᾿Αβραάμ· ἀπέθανε δὲ καὶ ὁ πλούσιος καὶ ἐτάφη. καὶ ἐν τῷ ᾅδῃ ἐπάρας τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ, ὑπάρχων ἐν βασάνοις, ὁρᾷ τὸν ᾿Αβραὰμ ἀπὸ μακρόθεν καὶ Λάζαρον ἐν τοῖς κόλποις αὐτοῦ. καὶ αὐτὸς φωνήσας εἶπε· πάτερ ᾿Αβραάμ, ἐλέησόν με καὶ πέμψον Λάζαρον ἵνα βάψῃ τὸ ἄκρον τοῦ δακτύλου αὐτοῦ ὕδατος καὶ καταψύξῃ τὴν γλῶσσάν μου, ὅτι ὀδυνῶμαι ἐν τῇ φλογὶ ταύτῃ. εἶπε δὲ ᾿Αβραάμ· τέκνον, μνήσθητι ὅτι ἀπέλαβες σὺ τὰ ἀγαθά σου ἐν τῇ ζωῇ σου, καὶ Λάζαρος ὁμοίως τὰ κακά· νῦν δὲ ὧδε παρακαλεῖται, σὺ δὲ ὀδυνᾶσαι· καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσι τούτοις μεταξὺ ἡμῶν καὶ ὑμῶν χάσμα μέγα ἐστήρικται, ὅπως οἱ θέλοντες διαβῆναι ἔνθεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς μὴ δύνωνται, μηδὲ οἱ ἐκεῖθεν πρὸς ἡμᾶς διαπερῶσιν. εἶπε δέ· ἐρωτῶ οὖν σε, πάτερ, ἵνα πέμψῃς αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου· ἔχω γὰρ πέντε ἀδελφούς· ὅπως διαμαρτύρηται αὐτοῖς, ἵνα μὴ καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔλθωσιν εἰς τὸν τόπον τοῦτον τῆς βασάνου. λέγει αὐτῷ ᾿Αβραάμ· ἔχουσι Μωϋσέα καὶ τοὺς προφήτας· ἀκουσάτωσαν αὐτῶν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· οὐχί, πάτερ ᾿Αβραάμ, ἀλλ᾿ ἐάν τις ἀπὸ νεκρῶν πορευθῇ πρὸς αὐτούς, μετανοήσουσιν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ· εἰ Μωϋσέως καὶ τῶν προφητῶν οὐκ ἀκούουσιν, οὐδὲ ἐάν τις ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῇ πεισθήσονται.

READINGS OF OUR HOLY ORTHODOX SAINTS

+Saints Zenobios & Zenobia the Martyrs – October 30

These Saints were from Aegae in Cilicia, brought up in piety by their parents. Zenobius was a physician, and healed many freely by the power of God; because of his virtue he was consecrated Bishop of Aegae. With his sister he was taken by Lysias the Governor, and after many tortures they were beheaded, about the year 290, during the reign of Diocletian.

+Saint David the Righteous of Evia – November 1

From a young age, he was devoted to the Holy Scripture and the tradition of the Church. At the age of 15, he was discipline of Elder Akakios, a virtuous and experienced spiritual father, whom he met due to the Providence of the Lord. In the monastery of Elder Akakios, Saint David lived as a member of the brotherhood for five years. God deemed him worthy to perform many miracles through the Holy Spirit both in life and after death.

The synaxarion notes that “just as the Prophet and King David killed Goliath with the stone, so David killed the passions of human nature with the prayer.”

He foresaw his death in a divine revelation and fell asleep in peace. The Monastery of Saint David the Elder is in Chalkida, Euboea, where one can find the tomb of the modern Venerable Saint Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Euboea, the New Ascetic, abbot of the monastery, who fell asleep in the Lord on November 21, 1991.

+Saints Acindynos, Pegasios, Aphthonios, Elpidophoros, and Anempodistos of Persia –

Nov. 2

These Martyrs contested in Persia about the year 330, in the reign of Sapor (Shapur) II, King of Persia (325-379). Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus, Persian Christians, confessed Christ before the King, and were put to many torments. Aphthonius and Elpidophoros, drawn to the Faith of Christ through the Martyrs, were beheaded with another 7,000. Saints Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus were at last burned to death. Two churches were dedicated in their honour in Constantinople. As is often the case in church hymns, there is a play on the meanings of the Saints' names here. Acindynus means "unimperilled"; Pegasius is derived from pegazo--"to gush forth"; Aphthonius is derived from aphthonos-"abundant"; Elpidophoros means "hope-bearing"; Anempodistus means "unhindered." These are all Greek translations of their Persian names.

ΜΙΚΡΟΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ

ΑΓΙΟΙ ΑΝΑΡΓΥΡΟΙ ΚΟΣΜΑΣ και ΔΑΜΙΑΝΟΣ και της μητρός αυτών Θεοδότης -

(1Νοεμβρίου)

Κατάγονταν απο την Ασία. Σε μικρή ηλικία έμειναν ορφανοί από πατέρα.΄Εκτοτε η μητέρα τους Θεοδότη αφιέρωσε τη ζωή της στην ανατροφή και την μόρφωση των παιδιών της. Τα δύο αδέλφια διδάχθηκαν πολλές επιστήμες, αφιερώθηκαν όμως στην ιατρική, την οποίαν εξασκούσαν θεραπεύοντες τους φτωχούς ανθρώπους χωρίς ποτέ να ζητούν αμοιβή.΄Οποιος μπόρεσε να απαλλαγεί απο την αγάπη προς το χρήμα, απο τη φιλαργυρία, νίκησε το πρώτο και μεγάλο κακό στη ζωή,ξερίζωσε από μέσα του τη ρίζα «πάντων των κακών».Σήμερα ηΕκ- κλησία αναπέμπει τις δεήσεις της, στους αγίους αυτούς, οι οποίοι ανάλωσαν τη ζωή τους στην υπηρεσία του ανθρώπινου πόνου με τη δύναμη της πίστεώς τους στον Χριστό. Μιά ζωή προσφοράς στο συνάνθρωπο δίχως υλικές αμοιβές, παρά μόνο το λαμπρό φωτοστέφανο των αγίων. Η ζωή των αγίων είναι η ίδια η ζωή του Χριστού, η οποία επαναλαμβάνεται με διάφορο τρόπο σε κάθε άγιο. Γι’ αυτό και η Εκκλησία μας όχι, χωρίς λόγο και με βαθύτερη σημασία έδωσε τον τίτλο των «αναργύρων» στους αγίους Κοσμά και Δαμιανό.

Η ΕΛΕΗΜΟΣΥΝΗ - είναι φάρμακο των αμαρτημάτων μας. Η χαρά που αισθάνεται ο ελεήμων δεν συγκρίνεται με καμμιά χαρά του κόσμου. Είναι το ευχαριστώ του ιδίου του Χριστού, Τον οποίον ελεήσαμε στο πρόσωπο του πάσχον τος αδελφού μας.

Η ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑ - ο εκχριστιανισμός Ελληνισμός δεν είναι άλλος απο αυτό που ονομάστηκε «Ορθοδοξία Ορθοδοξία είναι στην ουσία της ελληνικής: βάση της είναι ο εκχριστιανισμός απο τους Πατέρες, ελληνισμός και δεν συμβιβάζεται με καμμιάς μορφής εθνικισμό.

Η ΥΠΑΚΟΗ - είναι η πρώτη απαίτηση του πλάστη Θεού από τα δημιουργήματά του.

Η ΜΕΤΑΝΟΙΑ - στην ελληνική γλώσσα σημαίνει κατά λέξη «αλλαγή σκέψεως - μεταβολή του νού». Μετανοώ σημαίνει μεταβάλλω γνώμη. Παίρνω την ειλικρινμή απόφαση να μην ξαναγυρίσω στα αμαρτωλά έργα μου, και στρέφω την ζωή μου προς τον Θεό.

Το αποτέλεσμα της Προσευχής: Προπαντός στις δύσκολες στιγμές έχουμε ανάγκη την προστασία του Θεού, που μας δίνεται όχι μόνο σαν αποτέλεσμα της προσευχής, αλλά και κατά τη διάρκεια της, σαν δώρο παρηγοριάς και ενισχύσεως.

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Prayers for: Andrea, Matthew, Elaine, James, Tom, William, Anastasios, Polyxeni, Julia, Helen, Peter, Sophia

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 in loving memory of Helen P. Collis.

MEMORIALS

1 year for the late Helen P. Collis

1 year for the late John Karasi

2 years for the late Despina Elia

32 years for the late Kostantinos Elia

38 years for the late Andreas Elia

39 years for the late Maria Christou

May their memory be eternal!

COFFEE HOUR

Please join us for coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.

Today’s Coffee Hour is sponsored by The Demos Family.

Thank you for your continued love and support of our beloved Assumption Panagia.

AUSTIN COMMUNITY FALL FESTIVAL

Austin Community Fall Festival today from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. outside on church grounds. Please join us as we celebrate fall together with our beloved community. See insert for details.

PARKING AVAILABILTY FOR SUNDAY

Please note: There will be no parking available in Plato School parking lot due to the Fall Festival activities. Parking is available at the Northeast corner of Central and Harrison, the Gravel Lot across the street on Harrison and you may also park on the street.

SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:

Monday, October 31, 11:30 a.m. - Tenderhearted Ministry

Tuesday, November 1, 10:30 a.m. - Agiasmos Service (Blessing of the waters)

Baptism

Saturday, November 5, 11:00 a.m. - Children of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kott

Annual Harvest Day Celebration

Saturday, November 5, 5:00 p.m. – Please join us for our Annual Harvest Day Celebration and Trivia Challenge. Food, fun and fellowship! Adults: $12 and Children under 12: $8

For reservations, please fill out the form online at:

https://form.jotform.com/212797269584170

or contact the church office at: 773-626-3114

View Parish Calendar

PARISH MINISTRIES AND EVENTS

UPCOMING 2022 EVENTS:

October 29 & 30 - Austin Community Fall Festival - 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

October 31 - 11:30 a.m. - Tenderhearted Ministry in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room

November 5 - 5:00 p.m. - Annual Harvest Day Celebration in Plato Hall

November 12 - GOYA Gathering at Altitude Trampoline Park - 481 E. Roosevelt Rd in Lombard beginning at 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. $40 per jumper, pizza and soda included

November 13 - Saint Euphrosynos’ Kitchen Meal

November 20 - Thanksgiving in a Bag - Supporting local neighborhood families in need

December 3 - 12:00 p.m. - Philoptochos Christmas Luncheon at Greek Islands in Lombard

December 3 - 5:00 p.m. - Christmas Tree Lighting and YAL Santa Letter Writing

December 13 - 11:30 a.m. - Philoptochos Feed the Hungry at Annunciation Cathedral

December 15 - 6:00 p.m. - YAL Christmas Party at Gulliver’s Pizza, 17W517 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace

January 13 & 14 - Family Ski Trip *Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, WI* See insert for more information

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

Thank you for supporting our Loukoumades sale. The proceeds will benefit the Hurricane Ian Relief Fund, Aid to Greece and Cyprus and other charities.

November 6th – Philoptochos Sunday – Memorial commemorating our departed sisters, Artoklasia and coffee hour. Special collection - Patriarchate Fund. Hope you can attend.

Christmas Luncheon – Saturday, December 3rd, Greek Islands, Lombard. See the enclosed flyer for details. All are invited! Please bring a bag of wrapped candy for December Feed the Hungry goodie bags.

SPONSORS NEEDED FOR HOSTING

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.

Available dates: November 13, & 27; December 11

*Please note: Nativity Fast begins Nov. 15 - Dec. 25. Please Lenten items only during fast.

New procedures for sponsoring coffee hour are as follows:

Please note, we no longer can purchase or order items on your behalf for coffee hour. If you are unable to shop for the food items, we have a list of vendors that will be able to deliver on Sunday mornings (delivery please by 11:30 a.m. for 75-100 people), or you may order from other places that you would like and have them delivered.

Additionally, we request a fee of $75 made directly to Assumption Church for set-up, clean-up, tablecloths, plates, napkins, coffee, and supplies.

Thank you to our beloved parishioners and friends of Assumption Panagia for your continued love and support!

NOVEMBER WEEKDAY SERVICES

Tuesday, November 1, 10:30 a.m. - Agiasmos (Blessing of the waters)

Wednesday, November 9, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy

+Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker

Thursday, November 24, 7:00 p.m. - Vespers of +Saint Catherine the Great Martyr

Friday, November 25, 8:30 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy

+Saint Catherine the Great Martyr

40 Day Liturgies will be held at our church the week of November 21 thru November 26

beginning at 9:00 a.m. Please submit your names of the living and those who have fallen asleep to be commemorated during this time.

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.

Weeks available: January 8, 15 & 22

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.

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.

“The wealthy have become poor and gone hungry but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.”

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Did you know that the Orthodox Church has a prayer service for Wedding Anniversaries? While planning with your spouse what you will do on your day of remembrance, don’t forget to contact the Church Office to set-up an appointment for the prayer service with Father Apostolos. While it is suggested that the prayer be read on your Wedding Anniversary, it may also be read on Sundays after Church services.

2022 STEWARDSHIP

If you haven’t done so already, please pick up a Stewardship packet which is located on the Pangari or contact the church office and we will mail you one. 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 beloved parish of Panagia!

LET’S STAY IN TOUCH - If you would like to receive information about services, activities and events that are happening at our church, please visit our website at: assumptionchicago.org to sign up or call the church office and submit your email address.

SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

Sunday Church School has begun. It's not too late to sign up your children. Please register your children using the following link. Click here for registration link

A BLESSED WEEK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!!

Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago

Email us: office@assumptionchicago.org

Learn more: assumptionchicago.org