Circumcision of our Lord – January 1
Since the Mosaic Law commands that if a woman give birth to a male child, he should be circumcised in the foreskin of his flesh on the eighth day (Lev. 12:2-3), on this, the eighth day from His Nativity, our Saviour accepted the circumcision commanded by the Law. According to the command of the Angel, He received the Name which is above every name: JESUS, which means "Saviour" (Matt. 1:21; Luke 1:31 and 2:21).
Apolytikion of Circumcision of Jesus Christ in the First Tone
Our human form hast Thou taken on Thyself without change, O greatly-compassionate Master, though being God by nature; fulfilling the Law, Thou willingly receivest circumcision in the flesh, that Thou mightest end the shadow and roll away the veil of our sinful passions. Glory be to Thy goodness unto us. Glory be to Thy compassion. Glory, O Word, to Thine inexpressible condescension.
Kontakion of Circumcision of Jesus Christ in the Third Tone
Now the Lord of all that is doth undergo circumcision, in His goodness cutting off the sins and failings of mortals. He this day doth give salvation unto the whole world; and
the hierarch and bright daystar of the Creator now rejoiceth in the highest, Basil the wise and divine initiate of Christ.
Epistle Reading of the Day
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8
TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Gospel Reading for the Day
The Gospel According to Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 4:5-8
Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, νῆφε ἐν πᾶσιν, κακοπάθησον, ἔργον ποίησον εὐαγγελιστοῦ, τὴν διακονίαν σου πληροφόρησον. Ἐγὼ γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀναλύσεως ἐφέστηκεν. Τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλὸν ἠγώνισμαι, τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα, τὴν πίστιν τετήρηκα· λοιπόν, ἀπόκειταί μοι ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος, ὃν ἀποδώσει μοι ὁ κύριος ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, ὁ δίκαιος κριτής· οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐμοί, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάσιν τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσιν τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ.
Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 1:1-8
᾿Αρχὴ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ. ῾Ως γέγραπται ἐν τοῖς προφήταις, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου· φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ, ἐγένετο ᾿Ιωάννης βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶσα ἡ ᾿Ιουδαία χώρα καὶ οἱ ῾Ιεροσολυμῖται, καὶ ἐβαπτίζοντο πάντες ἐν τῷ ᾿Ιορδάνῃ ποταμῷ ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐξομολογούμενοι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν. Ἦν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιωάννης ἐνδεδυμένος τρίχας καμήλου καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐσθίων ἀκρίδας καὶ μέλι ἄγριον. Καὶ ἐκήρυσσε λέγων· ἔρχεται ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου ὀπίσω μου, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς κύψας λῦσαι τὸν ἱμάντα τῶν ὑποδημάτων αὐτοῦ· ἐγὼ μὲν ἐβάπτισα ὑμᾶς ἐν ὕδατι, αὐτὸς δὲ βαπτίσει ὑμᾶς ἐν Πνεύματι ῾Αγίῳ.
ΑΓΙΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΟΡΤΕΣ
Ο Μέγας Βασίλειος – (1 Ιανουαρίου)
Γεννήθηκε στην Καισάρεια της Καππαδοκίας από γονείς ευγενείς με ισχυρή χριστιανική πίστη. Σπούδασε φιλοσοφία, ιατρική, αστρονομία και γεωμετρία, κατακτώντας έτσι σχεδόν όλες τις επιστήμες του καιρού του. Με το πολύτιμο πνευματικό του έργο προσπάθησε να συντελέσει στην ηθική εξύψωση των ανθρώπων και σε ενδυνάμωση του χριστιανικού φρονήματος. Ανεκτίμητη είναι η κοινωνική του προσφορά, καθώς την περιουσία του την μοίρασε στους φτωχούς, ενώ έξίσου πολύτιμο είναι και το συγγραφικό του έργο. «Ασκητικά», η πασίγνωστη «Βασιλειάδα», «Θεία Λειτουργία» και πάρα πολλές επιστολές. Η μοναχική και ασκητική ζωή του τελείωσε στα πενήντα χρόνια του, αφού στα σαράντα του εκλέχτηκε επίσκοπος αφήνοντας στη χριστιανοσύνη μία τεράστια κληρονομιά.
ΤΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ – (6 Ιανουαρίου)
Γιορτάζουμε τη Βάπτηση του Χριστού, από τον άγιο Ιωάννη τον Πρόδρομο, στον Ιορδάνη ποταμό. Ο Χριστός τηρώντας κατά πάντα το «νόμο», θέλησε να δείξει στους ανθρώπους ότι είναι «Θεός έν σώματι», «Υιός του Θεού γνήσιος και ομοούσιος τω Πατρί». Εκείνος για τον οποίο οι προφήτες με πολλή προσδοκία εκήρυξαν, ο Σωτήρας του κόσμου. Ο Ιωάννης ο Πρόδρομος μετά απο διαταγή του Θεού, βάπτιζε και εξομολογούσε στα νερά του ποταμού Ιορδάνη. Μιά μέρα ο Χριστός πήγε σε αυτόν και του ζήτησε να τον βαπτίσει. Τότε ήταν που έλαβε χώρα η παράδοξη και μεγαλιώδης σκηνήΤο Πνεύμα του Θεού κατέβηκε με τη μορφή περιστεριού και κάθησε επάνω στον Ιησού Χριστό, ενώ ακούστηκε και η θεία φωνήξ να βεβαιώνει: «Ού έστιν ο Υιός μου ο αγαπητός». Θεοφάνεις λοιπόν Είναι η φανέρωση του Θεού και του Μυστηρίου της Αγίας Τριάδος. Από τότε, οι χριστιανοί δε βαπτίζονται στο νερό, όπως βάπτιζε ο Ιωάννης, αλλά «έν Πνεύματι Αγίω για να «καθαριστούν» και να γίνουν κληρονόμοι της βασιλείας του Θεού.
Η ΑΞΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΟΝΟΥ
Το παρόν είναι δικό μας το μέλλον δεν γνωρίζουμε άν μας ανήκει «έρχεται νύξ ότε ουδείς δύναται εργάζεσθαι» (Ιωάν.θ΄4). Σήμερα έχουμε υγεία και μπορούμε να εργασθούμε για τη δόξα του Θεού. Ίσως αύριο χάσουμε τη δύναμη. Σήμερα έχουμε τα μέσα και τον τρόπο, αύριο ίσως να χάσουμε τις ευκαιρίες.
READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS
“When you sit down to eat, pray. When you eat bread, do so thanking Him for being so generous to you. If you drink wine, be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness. When you dress, thank Him for His kindness in providing you with clothes. When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars, throw yourself at God’s feet and adore Him who in His wisdom has arranged things in this way. Similarly, when the sun goes down and when it rises, when you are asleep or awake, give thanks to God, who created and arranged all things for your benefit, to have you know, love and praise their Creator.” +Saint Basil the Great – Commemorated on January 1
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Saint Melania the Younger, Nun of Rome December 31
Saint Melania the Younger, who was born in 388, was the grand-daughter of Saint Melania the Elder (see June 8). Her father Publicola was an Eparch of Rome. She was joined in wedlock to a husband and became the mother of two children, both of which she lost shortly thereafter. Thus, having agreed with her husband to pass the rest of their lives in abstinence and chastity, and taking her mother Albina with her, she went off to Africa. They ransomed 8,000 captives; furthermore, they built two monasteries - one for men and one for women - in the city of Tagaste, which was in the district of Tunis. After seven years they moved to Jerusalem. Thereafter Melania shut herself up in a small and narrow hermitage by the Mount of Olives, and wearing away her body with fasting and vigil, she reposed in 434.
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The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ – January 6
About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Saviour according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens.
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Prayers for: Panagioti, Madalyn, Petros, Elaine, Kristine, Jon, Steve, Anastasia, Kathryn, Demetri, Andrea, Elaine, James, William, Anastasios, Polyxeni, 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 in loving memory of Bessie (Vasiliki) Kouretas.
COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee hour in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Monday, January 1 - +Saint Basil the Great
Services will be held at Saint Basil’s Church
Friday, January 5 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+Eve of the Theophany
Saturday, January 6 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+The Holy Theophany of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Theophany Swim at Oak Brook Park District
**Please note: Church office will be closed New Year’s Day, January 1 and 2.
CUTTING OF THE VASILOPITA 2024
Sunday, January 7, 2024, following the Divine Liturgy, please join us for our
Parish Vasilopita Cutting.
THE GIVING TREE
Above all things: Forget not the poor but support them to the extent of your means. Give to the orphan, Protect the widow, and permit the mighty to destroy no man. Take not the life of the just or the unjust, nor permit him to be killed. Destroy no Christian soul, even though he be guilty of murder.” (The Primary Chronicle, A.D. 1096.) – Vladimir Monomakh in his Testament to his children. The Christmas tree located in Saint Catherine’s has been designated as the charity tree of our parish. Money that has been clipped onto the tree will be distributed to the poor through our Outreach Ministry. We ask that you give generously so we can brighten the holiday season of those who are not as blessed as we are.
WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS
We welcome you to worship with us today. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian, or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and Chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians, all are invited to receive the antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The antidoron is not sacramental but is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church.
After the Divine Liturgy this morning, please join us in Plato Hall for fellowship, refreshments and visit with our Clergy, our Parish Council and the Stewards of our Parish.
We hope that you will return often to worship with us and to grow in faith.
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.
Available dates: January 14, 21 - February 4, 11, 18, 25
For later available dates, please contact the church office.
Thank you to our beloved parishioners and friends of Assumption Panagia for your continued love and support!
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.
Available weeks: January 21 and February 4, 18, 25
Please contact the church office for Mar. - Dec. 2024 availability.
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.
PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER
Happy New Year and Happy Nameday to all who celebrate!
Our membership registration for 2024 will begin Sunday, Jan. 28 in Plato Hall.
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.
2024 STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship packets for 2024 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 in the enclosed envelope. Thank you for supporting our beautiful parish of Panagia!
DID YOU KNOW? - Many people think that a non-Orthodox Christian becomes an Orthodox Christian when they get married in the Greek Orthodox Church. This is false. The only time a person becomes an Orthodox Christian is when they are Catechized, Baptized and Chrismated in the Orthodox Church. Otherwise, they cannot partake of any of the Sacraments or the service of the Funeral.
Here is another false notion. Many people think that a Greek Orthodox Christian remains Greek Orthodox even if they marry outside of the Church (i.e. Civil Hall, any non-Orthodox Christian Church or Religious Cults). This again is false. The reason why it is wrong is because he or she has severed their life from the Sacramental life of the Church, meaning that they cannot receive any of the Sacraments or be buried properly in the Orthodox Faith.
If you have a civil divorce, you are not in good standing ecclesiastically until you apply for and receive an Ecclesiastical Divorce. Persons who have received only a civil divorce are not allowed to receive any of the Sacraments in the Church; this includes the Funeral Service. If you or another person(s) have fallen into any of these (or other) predicaments, please contact Fr. Apostolos and he will direct you with information needed to attain complete restoration in the Church.
A Word about Cremation
Orthodox Christians should reject cremation, in accordance with the Church’s teachings about the sanctity of the human body and its role in our salvation. Orthodox Christians believe that in the General Resurrection, our bodies and souls will be restored to each other. Cremation is the deliberate desecration and destruction of what God has made and is viewed as the denial of the Resurrection. Cremation treats the body violently, without the respect due to it as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Those who voluntarily request cremation upon death will not receive an Orthodox funeral, either in the church, or the funeral home or any other place. Memorial services with kolyva are not allowed since the connection of the “kernel of wheat” as a sign of the Resurrection has been intentionally destroyed. It is an honor for Orthodox Christians to have a church funeral - our salvation and the state of our souls and bodies should always be at the forefront in our lives and for the lives of our loved ones.
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UPCOMING 2023 EVENTS
**Flyers located in the Narthex.
January 6 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Theophany Swim at Oak Brook Park District
January 7 - Parish Vasilopita in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy
Winter Family Weekend Retreat at Saint Iakovos Retreat Center on January 26-27, 2024. Skiing at Wilmont Mountain, Wilmont, Wisconsin.
March 10 - Parish Oratorical Festival
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A BLESSED, HEALTHY, PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2024!!!
ΕΥΛΟΓΗΜΕΝΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΙΡΗΝΙΚΟΣ Ο ΚΑΙΝΟΥΡΓΙΟΣ ΧΡΟΝΟΣ 2024!!!
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Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
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