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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, NOVEMBER 20, 2022
9TH SUNDAY OF LUKE
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ENTRANCE OF THE HOLY THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE - NOVEMBER 21
According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Today is the prelude of God's pleasure and the proclamation of man's salvation. The Virgin is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice, "Hail, fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.
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Epistle Reading for the Day
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10
Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Gospel Reading of the Day
Luke 12:16-21
At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
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Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 2:4-10 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα
Ἀδελφοί, ὁ θεός, πλούσιος ὢν ἐν ἐλέει, διὰ τὴν πολλὴν ἀγάπην αὐτοῦ ἣν ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς, καὶ ὄντας ἡμᾶς νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν συνεζωοποίησεν τῷ Χριστῷ - χάριτί ἐστε σεσωσμένοι - καὶ συνήγειρεν, καὶ συνεκάθισεν ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ· ἵνα ἐνδείξηται ἐν τοῖς αἰῶσιν τοῖς ἐπερχομένοις τὸν ὑπερβάλλοντα πλοῦτον τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ ἐν χρηστότητι ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ· τῇ γὰρ χάριτί ἐστε σεσῳσμένοι διὰ τῆς πίστεως, καὶ τοῦτο οὐκ ἐξ ὑμῶν· θεοῦ τὸ δῶρον· οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων, ἵνα μή τις καυχήσηται. Αὐτοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν ποίημα, κτισθέντες ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἐπὶ ἔργοις ἀγαθοῖς, οἷς προητοίμασεν ὁ θεός, ἵνα ἐν αὐτοῖς περιπατήσωμεν.
Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 12:16-21
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἀνθρώπου τινὸς πλουσίου εὐφόρησεν ἡ χώρα· καὶ διελογίζετο ἐν ἑαυτῷ λέγων· τί ποιήσω, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ποῦ συνάξω τοὺς καρπούς μου; καὶ εἶπε· τοῦτο ποιήσω· καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας καὶ μείζονας οἰκοδομήσω, καὶ συνάξω ἐκεῖ πάντα τὰ γενήματά μου καὶ τὰ ἀγαθά μου, καὶ ἐρῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου· ψυχή, ἔχεις πολλὰ ἀγαθὰ κείμενα εἰς ἔτη πολλά· ἀναπαύου, φάγε, πίε, εὐφραίνου. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Θεός· ἄφρον, ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ τὴν ψυχήν σου ἀπαιτοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ· ἃ δὲ ἡτοίμασας τίνι ἔσται; οὕτως ὁ θησαυρίζων ἑαυτῷ, καὶ μὴ εἰς Θεὸν πλουτῶν.
THANKSGIVING DAY PRAYER
Lord, behold our family and friends here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow; for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends and family in all parts of the earth who are not here with us today. Amen. (May be used as prayer before Thanksgiving Dinner.)
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READINGS OF OUR HOLY ORTHODOX SAINTS
+Saint Catherine the Great Martyr – Commemorated on November 25
Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.
Love is not measured by what you give, but according to how you give.
Love is not stretching out your hand only, but giving your heart as well. If you know how to share with others, then you know how to love.
“For God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9: 7), declares the Apostle Paul.
God loves the merciful person who gives eagerly, with a cheerful face, and on his own accord. Alms offered with sorrow and reluctance are unacceptable and are spurned. The root of charity is found in the heart. It originates from our heart and ends in the palm of our hands. +Elder Ephraim of Philotheou
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ΜΙΚΡΟΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ
Η ΑΓΙΑ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗ - (25 Νοεμβρίου)
Η Αγία Αικατερίνη καταγόταν από αριστοκρατική οικογένεια από την Αλεξάνδρεια της Αιγύ- πτου. Στους διωγμούς των χριστιανών επί αυτοκατόρων Μαξιμιανού και Μαξεντίου,η Αικα- τερίνη δεν δίστασε να παρουσιαστεί και να ομολογήσει την πίστη της στο Θεό.Κατά την παράδοση συγκροτήθηκε ειδικό συμβούλιο από φιλοσόφους για να καταρρίψουν τα επιχειρήματα της Αικατερίνης.Η μόρφωσή της όμως ήταν τόσο μεγάλη, που με τη βοήθεια του Αγίου Πναύματος, από- στόμωσε όλους όσοι δε συμφωνούσαν με την ορθή διδασκαλία.Μάλιστα έκανε πολλούς από αυτούς τούς χριστιανούς. Μπροστά στο θέαμα αυτό,ο έπαρχος αφού τη βασάνισε σκληρά,την αποκεφάλισε.
Η Αγία Αικατερίνη αποτελεί κόσμημα στο χώρο των μαρτύρων, Ήταν ωραία στο σώμα αλλά και στην χριστιανική ευσέβεια. Είχε έξοχη ευφυϊα και σε ηλικία 18 χρόνων είχε σπουδάσει άριστα όλες τις ελ- ληνικές επιστήμες, καθώς επίσης και τα δόγματα της χριστιανικής αλήθειας. Κατείχε ακριβέστατα τας χριστιανικάς αληθείας και συνεζήτει περί των διγμάτων ως μάλλον εγκρατής αυτών θεολόγος.
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Prayers for: Demetri, 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
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This week’s Gift of Light is given by an Anonymous Donor for health and well-being.
MEMORIALS
40 days for the late Bishop Elias Katre
3 years for the late Hieromonk Ephraim
9 months for the late Presbytera Alexandra Foustalieraki
May their memory be eternal!
VESPERS - today at 1:00 p.m. for The Entrance of the Holy Theotokos into the Temple
COFFEE HOUR
Thank you to our beloved Philoptochos for hosting today’s coffee hour. Join us in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy and sample some of the recipes from their Lenten cookbook. Don’t forget to pick up a copy for yourself. They also make great Christmas gifts!
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SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: | |
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SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Monday, November 21, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+The Entrance of the Holy Theotokos into the Temple
5:00 p.m. - Paraklesis to +Saint Catherine the Great Martyr
6:00 p.m. - Orthodox Studies - Join us as we explore the mystery, significance and Feast Day of The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos. Food and refreshments will be provided before Mr. George Demas’ presentation. Join us in Saint Catherine’s Chapel.
Tuesday, November 22, 9:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy
6:00 p.m. - Sacrament of Holy Unction
Wednesday, November 23, 9:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy
Thursday, November 24, 9:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy
7:00 p.m. - Great Vespers of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr
Friday, November 25, 8:30 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+Saint Catherine the Great Martyr
Saturday, November 26, 9:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy
A blessed Thanksgiving Day to our beloved Assumption Panagia Family!
May we continue to give thanks to our Lord for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate and share our blessings with them.
View Parish Calendar
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PARISH MINISTRIES AND EVENTS | |
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POINSETTIAS
We are asking for families to donate a poinsettia this year for our Christmas season as we decorate our church and await the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Donation: $120 per family. If you are interested in donating, please contact the church office at:
773-626-3114 or email: office@assumptionchicago.org
Thank you for your continued love and support of our beloved Assumption Panagia!
UPCOMING 2022 EVENTS:
Please see your inserts for more information.
December 3 - 12:00 p.m. - Philoptochos Christmas Luncheon at Greek Islands in Lombard
3:00 p.m. - YAL Santa Letter Writing - Meet in Plato Hall and then join us immediately following for the tree lighting. RSVP to Katherine at: kcelik3@yahoo.com or 847-208-6013. Anyone else who would like to volunteer to write letters on behalf of Santa please contact Christina Arvanties at: arvanites795@gmail.com
5:00 p.m. - Deck the Hall and Christmas Tree Lighting
December 9 - GOYA LOCK-IN (Grades 6-12) - Partnered with and hosted by St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago. Begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends December 10 at 8:00 a.m.
December 11 - General Assembly Meeting. Must be current Stewards of Assumption Church in order to participate. Meeting will be held in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy.
December 13 - 11:30 a.m. - Philoptochos Feed the Hungry at Annunciation Cathedral
December 15 - 6:00 p.m. - Annual YAL Christmas Party at Gulliver’s Pizza, 17W517 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181. RSVP no later than Dec. 10 to Katherine Celik 847-208-6013 or YAL@Assumptionchicago.org
December 18 - 11:30 a.m. - Sunday Church School Christmas Pageant.
12:00 p.m. - Toy Drive Giveaway in Plato Hall and Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale
January 13 & 14 - Family Ski Trip *Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, WI* See insert for more information
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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
Sunday, November 20th - General Meeting during Coffee Hour - we’ll be serving Lenten recipes from our Lenten Recipe booklet. Pick up a copy for ideas to switch up your Lenten meals or gifts!
Christmas Luncheon - Saturday, December 3rd, Greek Islands, Lombard. See the enclosed flyer for details. All are invited! Please bring a bag of individually wrapped candy for December Feed the Hungry goodie bags. RSVP during coffee hour today.
Christmas Bake Sale, Sunday December 18th - See the form enclosed to order your favorite holiday sweets! Numerous ways to order and pay!
Donations for Feed the Hungry, December 13th - We need 100 pairs of warm, unisex, one size fits all gloves. Collection box in St. Catherine’s narthex.
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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: December 11, January 15, 22, & 29
*Please note: Nativity Fast begins Nov. 15 - Dec. 25. Please Lenten items only during fast.
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 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!
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NOVEMBER WEEKDAY SERVICES
Monday, November 21, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
5:00 p.m. - Paraklesis to Saint Catherine
Tuesday, November 22, 6:00 p.m. - Holy Unction
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 (first names only) of the living and those who have fallen asleep to be commemorated during this time.
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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 15 & 22, Feb. 26, Mar. 5, 12 & 26
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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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
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A BLESSED WEEK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!! |
Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
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