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+Saint Domnica the Righteous of Constantinople - January 8
Saint Domnica was from Carthage. During the reign of the Emperor Theodosius the Great, she came with four other virgins to Constantinople, where she was baptized by Nectarius, the Patriarch of Constantinople. She remained in Constantinople and became known for her extreme asceticism, the miracles that she worked, and the grace of prophecy that adorned her. She lived until the days of the Emperors Leo and Zeno, reposing in peace about the year 474.
Epistle Reading for the Day
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13
BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Gospel Reading of the Day
The Gospel According to Matthew 4:12-17
At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
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Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 4:7-13 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα
Ἀδελφοί, ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ λέγει, Ἀναβὰς εἰς ὕψος ᾐχμαλώτευσεν αἰχμαλωσίαν, καὶ ἔδωκεν δόματα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις. Τὸ δέ, Ἀνέβη, τί ἐστιν εἰ μὴ ὅτι καὶ κατέβη πρῶτον εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς; Ὁ καταβάς, αὐτός ἐστιν καὶ ὁ ἀναβὰς ὑπεράνω πάντων τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἵνα πληρώσῃ τὰ πάντα. Καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν τοὺς μὲν ἀποστόλους, τοὺς δὲ προφήτας, τοὺς δὲ εὐαγγελιστάς, τοὺς δὲ ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους, πρὸς τὸν καταρτισμὸν τῶν ἁγίων, εἰς ἔργον διακονίας, εἰς οἰκοδομὴν τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ· μέχρι καταντήσωμεν οἱ πάντες εἰς τὴν ἑνότητα τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, εἰς μέτρον ἡλικίας τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 4:12-17 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι ᾿Ιωάννης παρεδόθη, ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, καὶ καταλιπὼν τὴν Ναζαρὲτ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς Καπερναοὺμ τὴν παραθαλασσίαν ἐν ὁρίοις Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλείμ, ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ ῾Ησαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· γῆ Ζαβουλὼν καὶ γῆ Νεφθαλείμ, ὁδὸν θαλάσσης, πέραν τοῦ ᾿Ιορδάνου, Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν, ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκότειεἶδε φῶς μέγα, καὶ τοῖς καθημένοις ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτουφῶς ἀνέτειλεν αὐτοῖς. ᾿Απὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς κηρύσσειν καὶ λέγειν· μετανοεῖτε· ἤγγικε γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.
READINGS FROM OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS
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+Saint Gregory of Nyssa – January 10
Saint Gregory, the younger brother of Basil the Great, illustrious in speech and a zealot for the Orthodox Faith, was born in 331. His brother Basil was encouraged by their elder sister Macrina to prefer the service of God to a secular career (see July 19); Saint Gregory was moved in a similar way by his godly mother Emily, who, when Gregory was still a young man, implored him to attend a service in honor of the holy Forty Martyrs at her retreat at Annesi on the River Iris. Saint Gregory came at his mother's bidding, but being wearied with the journey, and feeling little zeal, he fell asleep during the service. The Forty Martyrs then appeared to him in a dream, threatening him and reproaching him for his slothfulness. After this he repented and became very diligent in the service of God.
Gregory became bishop in 372, and because of his Orthodoxy he was exiled in 374 by Valens, who was of one mind with the Arians. After the death of Valens in 378, Gregory was recalled to his throne by the Emperor Gratian. He attended the Local Council of Antioch, which sent him to visit the churches of Arabia and Palestine, which had been defiled and ravaged by Arianism. He attended the Second Ecumenical Council, which was assembled in Constantinople in 381. Having lived some sixty years and left behind many remarkable writings, he reposed about the year 395. The acts of the Seventh Ecumenical Council call him 'Father of Fathers."
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+Saint Tatiana the Martyr of Rome - January 12
Saint Tatiana was the daughter of a most distinguished consul of Rome. She became a deaconess of the Church, and for her confession of the Faith of Christ, she endured many torments. As she was suffering, angels punished her tormentors with the same torments they inflicted on her, until they cried out that they could no longer endure the scourges invisibly brought upon them. She was beheaded during the reign of Alexander Severus (111-135).
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+Saint George of Chozeba - January 8
Saint George the Chozebite was born on the island of Cyprus toward the end of the sixth century. After the death of his parents, he went to Palestine to worship at the holy places. Here he entered into the monastic community of Chozeba between the River Jordan and Jerusalem, and he later became head of this monastery. Saint George presented the monks example in fasting, vigil and physical efforts. Having lived as an angel upon the earth, he died in peace.
St. George Monastery of Chozeba from Judea, also called Wadi Kelt, is an ancient Orthodox monastery bearing the relics of Saint John Jacob of Neamt (the Romanian), called also “the Chozebite” and of Saint George the Chozebite. The monastery is situated approximately twelve miles east of Jerusalem. The valley of “Wadi Kelt” occupies a large part of the Judea desert and runs parallel with the ancient Roman road that once connected Jerusalem to Jericho, a road with biblical connotations – where the parable of the Good Samaritan is situated (Luke 10: 29-37). It is also believed that the prophet Elijah lived in this region during his persecution by King Ahab.
The Monastery was founded in the fifth century by St. John of Thebes. After been tonsured a monk, St. John left Thebes in Egypt and came to the wilderness of Judea, around 480. Here, in a cave, he lived as a hermit. The monastic complex of Chozeba dates back to the late sixth century, and still maintains its chapels and gardens, which are inhabited today by Greek monks. The monastery is carved into a rock wall. The monastery came to be named “St. George of Chozeba” only after this famous monk lived here in the sixth century.
In the spring of 614 the Persians attacked Byzantine held Palestine, sacking Jerusalem and attacking the monastery. Forty holy monk-martyrs were put to death by the Persians and the monastery was abandoned. The holy relics, the bones and skulls of the monks killed by the Persians, are preserved in a chapel near the main church, where the incorrupt relics of St. John Jacob the Romanian are also found, along with the tomb of St. George the Chozebite.
In 1878, a Greek monk named Kalinik, settled in the old monastic walls of the wilderness of Judea, fully restoring the monastery. The repair works were completed in 1901. The oldest part of the monastery preserves a mosaic floor dated back to the late sixth century.
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+Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱέ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν
+Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner
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Prayers for: Anastasia, Katheryn, Demetri, Andrea, 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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ΜΙΚΡΟΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ
Ο ΑΓΙΟΣ ΓΡΗΓΟΡΙΟΣ ο Θεολόγος Επίσκοπος Νύσσης - (10 Ιανουαρίου)
Ένας απο τους Τρείς Μεγάλους Ιεράρχας και Οικουμενικούς Διδασκάλους, είναι ο άγιος Γρηγόριος.
Διδάσκεται τη στοιχειώδη εκπαίδευση στην Καισαρεία. Επειτα πηγαίνει κοντά σε περίφημους διδασκάλους της ρητορικής και τέλος στα Πανεπιστήμια της Αθήνας, όπου βρίσκει συμφοιτητή το Μ.Βασίλειο. Όταν επιστρέφει στην πατρίδα του την Αριανζό, ο πατέρας του επίσκοπος Ναζιανζού τον χειροτονεί πρεσβύτερο, αλλά αυτός προτιμά την ησυχία του αναχωρητηρίου στο Πόντο, κοντά στον φίλο του Βασίλειο, για περισσότερη άσκηση στην πνευματική ζωή. Μετά από θερμές παρακλή σεις των δικών του επιστρέφει στην πατρίδα του και μπαίνει στην ενεργό δράση της Εκκλησίας. Η ψυχή του πληγώνεται απο αλλεπάλληλους θανάτους συγγενικών του προσώπων, πρώτα του αδελ- φού του Καισαρείου, έπειτα της αδελφής του Γοργονίας, μετά του πατέρα του και τέλος της μητέρας του Νόννας. Μετά από αυτές τις θλίψεις, η θεία Πρόνοια τον φέρνει στην Κων/πολη, όπου υπερασπίζεται με καταπληκτικό τρόπο την Ορθοδοξία και χτυπά καίρια τους Αρειανούς, που είχαν πλημμυρίσει την Κωνσταντινούπολη Μετά τον σκληρό αυτό αγώνα ο Μ. Θεοδόσιος τον αναδεικνύει Πατριάρχη Κων/πόλεως. Όταν όμως αμφισβητήθηκε η εκλογή του, ο Άγιος προτίμησε να παραιτηθεί, παρά να τραυματίσει την ενότητα της Εκκλησίας. Έφυγε για να αφιερωθεί στις πνευματικές του θεωρίες. Πόσο άραγε διδασκόμεθα εμείς οι σημερινοί χριστιανοί από τη στάση αυτή του Αγίου; Άφησε μεγάλο συγγραφικό έργο. Είναι ο Θεολόγος, ο ρήτορας, ο πνευματικός άνθρωπος, ο θεωρητικός νους, ο ποιητής, που αντί για τον κοσμικό θόρυβο και την αίγλη των αξιωμάτων προτιμά την ησυχία της ερήμου και την απλότητα του ιδιωτικού βίου. Οι αγώνες για την επικράτηση της Ορθοδόξου πίστεως, τον ανέβασαν στον αρχιεπισκοπικό θρόνο της Νέας Ρώμης.
Η ΑΓΙΑ ΤΑΤΙΑΝΗ - (12 Ιανουαρίου)
Όπως είναι γνωστό, ή αρχαία Εκκλησία είχε και γυναίκες διακόνους. Βέβαια, δε μετείχαν σε κανένα βαθμό ιεροσύνης. Ή αποστολή τους ήταν κυρίως φιλανθρωπική ή και κατηχητική, δίπλα στις γυναίκες πού είχαν ανάγκη διδασκαλίας. Το ήθος αυτών των διακονισσών, να πώς το θέλει ο θεόπνευστος Απ. Παύλος: "Οι γυναίκες διάκονοι πρέπει και αυτές να είναι σεμνές, ελεύθερες από το αμάρτημα της κακολογίας και διαβολής, εγκρατείς και προσεκτικές, αξιόπιστες σε όλα Μια τέτοια διακόνισσα ήταν και ή Άγια Τατιανή. Ή ευγενής καταγωγή της και ο πολύς ζήλος με τον όποιο εκτελούσε τα διακονικά της καθήκοντα, καθώς επίσης και ή αποστροφή των κοσμικών βλέψεων, έδωσαν στην Τατιανή ξεχωριστή θέση μεταξύ των χριστιανών, προκάλεσαν, όμως, και το φθόνο των ειδωλολατρών. Και όταν το 202 ο Σεπτίμιος Σεβήρος (κατ άλλους Αλέξανδρος Σεβήρος, 222-235 μ.Χ.) εξαπέλυσε ανελέητο διωγμό κατά των χριστιανών, ή Τατιανή συλλαμβάνεται. Ξυρίζουν το κεφάλι της, αφαιρώντας τα θαυμάσια μαλλιά της, με την ελπίδα ότι θα πτοηθεί." Όμως, δεν πτοείται, στέκεται στο ύψος του χριστιανικού της ήθους και το πρόσωπο της ομορφαίνει και ακτινοβολεί περισσότερο από πρώτα. Τότε, βασανίζεται σκληρά με πολλούς τρόπους. Όμως, δε λυγίζει και τελικά αποκεφαλίζεται, παίρνοντας το αμάραντο και αθάνατο στεφάνι του μαρτυρίου.
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This week’s Gift of Light is given in loving memory of George K. Nicolopoulos.
MEMORIALS
1 year for the late Christoforos Karakostas
1 year for the late Maria Lappas
10 years for the late Alexandros Karfis
May their memory be eternal!
ARTOKLASIA
Offered by: The Kaldis Family for Health and Well Being
PARISH VASILOPITA CUTTING
Parish cutting of the Vasilopita (St. Basil’s Sweet Bread) will take place today following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall. Please join us in this joyous church family celebration.
+SAINT EUPHROSYNOS KITCHEN MEAL
Following the Divine Liturgy, preparation, and delivery of meals to our homebound parishioners. If you would like to volunteer or if you know someone who can benefit from this ministry, please contact the church office at: 773-626-3114.
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THIS WEEK: | |
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Friday and Saturday, January 13 & 14, - Assumption Family Ski Trip
Grand Geneva Resort Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
We have 12 rooms reserved and we have another 6 rooms that we need to fill. Please see insert for details and the link to reserve your rooms. It is very important that the rooms be booked ASAP. Do not miss out on this fun family trip!
https://tinyurl.com/usx7zbpj
View Parish Calendar
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PARISH MINISTRIES AND EVENTS | |
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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.
2023 STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship packets have been mailed out and are also available at the Pangari and in the Church office. 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!
TENDERHEARTED MINISTRY
A ministry for our senior adults 65 years and older, Tenderhearted Ministry! We will host monthly meetings. Please join us on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Each meeting will begin with a Church Service, followed by lunch and the day’s presentation. Please contact the church office at: 773.626.3114 or email: office@assumptionchicago.org to reserve a seat for each month.
ORTHODOX STUDIES – LIVING THE DIVINE LITURGY
Please join us for our next monthly study on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in Saint Catherine’s Chapel. Refreshments will be provided before Father Apostolos' presentation.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
January 8 - Annual Parish Vasilopita Cutting following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall
January 8 - Saint Euphrosynos’ Kitchen Meal Delivery - If you are interested in volunteering to cook or deliver a meal, please contact the church office.
January 13 & 14 - Family Ski Trip *Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, WI* See insert for more information.
January 15 - Metropolis Vasilopita Sunday at Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church
January 22 - General Assembly Meeting. Must be current Stewards of Assumption Church to participate. Meeting will be held in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy.
January 22 - YAL Coffee Round Table following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall
January 28 - Youth Trampoline Event - More information to come
January 30 - 12:00 p.m. - Tenderhearted Ministry (seniors 65 years and older) - meeting in Saint Catherine’s
January 30 - 6:00 p.m. - Orthodox Studies - meeting in Saint Catherine’s
February 12 - Sunday Church School Godparents Sunday - See insert for more information
March 11 - 10:00 a.m. - Wedding Couple Seminar for couples getting married in 2023 - meeting will be held in Plato Hall
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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
Today - Collection for Saint Basil Academy - The proceeds will benefit St. Basil's Academy in Garrison, New York, a “home away from home” for Orthodox young people who come from broken homes, or are victims of poverty, abuse or abandonment. Through the caring generosity of our parishes and Philoptochos chapters, these young people are able to receive an education, be loved and have a home that all children deserve.
Sunday, January 29 -The Philoptochos New "Membership" Year Celebration will take place after church in Plato Hall. More details to follow.
SAVE THE DATE – FEBRUARY 19 - Apokreatiko Glendi Luncheon
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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 January and February dates: January 15 & 29, February 26
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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JANUARY WEEKDAY SERVICES
Tuesday, January 17, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+Saint Anthony the Great
Wednesday, January 18, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+Saints Athanasios and Cyril, Patriarchs of Alexandria
Monday, January 30, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+Three Hierarchs
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SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS
Register your children for Sunday School. Please use the following link. Click here for registration link
DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR FAMILY SKI TRIP BOOKING
**** The deadline to book your room for the Assumption Family Ski Trip to receive the group room rate has been extended to JANUARY 1ST! So far 12 rooms have been booked and we are looking to fill the additional 6 rooms available.
Rooms can be booked directly through the Grand Geneva Resort via the provided phone number in the flyer or through the QR code / web link here - https://tinyurl.com/usx7zbpj
Please RSVP to Andriana Filippou (847828588 / andrianagilroy@gmail.com) once you have booked your room and please fill out the RSVP form (see QR code in flyer) or click here - https://forms.gle/WKsJ9jMxLPnpWZVe9
If we reach capacity for the 20 room block you will still be able to book rooms at the regular rate.
If you choose to make your own accommodation arrangements that is fine please just let us know in the RSVP form and you are welcome to join in for the Friday evening dinner and talk as well as skiing at the resort the next day, Saturday.
Update on the Friday 1/13 dinner and talk at 7pm: It will be held at the Lake Como Clubhouse in Lake Geneva, WI (see flyer for address) We will be serving Lenten pasta for adults and pizza for children.
Reach out to Andriana Filippou with any additional questions.
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A BLESSED, HEALTHY, PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2023!!!
ΕΥΛΟΓΗΜΕΝΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΙΡΗΝΙΚΟΣ Ο ΚΑΙΝΟΥΡΓΙΟΣ ΧΡΟΝΟΣ 2023 ΓΕΜΑΤΟΣ ΥΓΕΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΧΑΡΑ!!!
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Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
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