Epistle Reading of the Day | |
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.
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Gospel Reading for the Day | |
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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Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 4:7-13
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.
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Ἐκ τοῦ Ματθαῖον 4:12-17
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.
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READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS | |
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Saint Anthony the Great Martyr - January 17
“A Teacher of Teachers”
St. Anthony the Great is considered to be one of the most prominent monastic saints of the Orthodox Church. Most of his 105 years were spent living a life of asceticism in the deserts of Egypt. Still, for all of his contributions to the development of monasticism, Anthony is, perhaps, best remembered for his role as a wise counselor and a brilliant teacher. People from all walks of life and from all parts of the known world would seek him out, eagerly searching for advice and for answers to troubling questions. What is most amazing about this is that St. Anthony had no formal education! Much of what he knew concerning the meaning of man’s existence simply came from memorizing the Scriptures. Here is an example of the profound advice that St. Anthony would pass on to his followers: “LEARN TO DESIRE HUMILITY, FOR THAT WILL COVER ALL YOUR SINS. ALL SIN IS HATEFUL TO GOD, BUT THE MOST HATEFUL OF ALL IS PRIDE OF HEART. DO NOT CONSIDER YOURSELF LEARNED OR WISE, OR ALL YOUR TOIL WILL BE LOST AND YOUR SHIP WILL ARRIVE EMPTY AT THE SHORE.” St. Anthony knew well the importance of humility. He was keenly aware that pride in one’s own accomplishments was contrary to the lifestyle that Christ established for us. Our Lord Himself warned us that: “HE WHO HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED, AND HE WHO EXALTS HIMSELF WILL BE HUMBLED.” (Matthew 23:12) It is no wonder that the Church refers to St. Anthony the Great as “an educator of educators, and a teacher of teachers.” This beloved Desert Father fell asleep in the Lord in 356 A.D.
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Saint John the Cave Dweller - January 15
Saint John, who was from Constantinople, was the son of illustrious parents -- Eutropius the Senator and Theodora. At twelve years of age he departed secretly from his home and went to the Monastery of the Unsleeping (see Dec. 29). Aflame with longing for his parents, he returned after six years to his father's home in the guise of a pauper and beggar. Living in a small hut at the gates of his parents' house (wherefrom he is called "hut-dweller"), he remained unknown therein for many years, and suffered mockery at the hands of those who had been his own servants. Foreknowing his death, he revealed himself to his parents, and within a few moments reposed, about the year 450.
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Saint Euthymios the Great - January 20
This Saint, who was from Melitene in Armenia, was the son of pious parents named Paul and Dionysia. He was born about 377. Since his mother had been barren, he was named Euthymius-which means "good cheer" or "joy"-for this is what his parents experienced at his birth. He studied under Eutroius, the Bishop of Melitene, by whom he was ordained and entrusted with the care of the monasteries of Melitene. Then, after he had come to Palestine about the year 406, he became the leader of a multitude of monks. Through him, a great tribe of Arabs was turned to piety, when he healed the ailing son of their leader Aspebetos. Aspebetos was baptized with all his people; he took the Christian name of Peter, and was later consecrated Bishop for his tribe, being called "Bishop of the Tents." Saint Euthymius also fought against the Nestorians, Eutychians, and Manichaeans. When Eudocia, the widow of Saint Theodosius the Younger, had made her dwelling in Palestine, and had fallen into the heresy of the Monophysites which was championed in Palestine by a certain Theodosius, she sent envoys to Saint Symeon the Stylite in Syria (see Sept. 1), asking him his opinion of Eutyches and the Council of Chalcedon which had condemned him; Saint Symeon, praising the holiness and Orthodoxy of Saint Euthymius near whom she dwelt, sent her to him to be delivered from her error (the holy Empress Eudocia is commemorated Aug. 13). He became the divine oracle of the Church, or rather, "the vessel of divine utterance," as a certain historian writes. He was the instructor and elder of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified. Having lived for ninety-six years, he reposed in 473, on January 20.
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Ο ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΟΣ - 17 Ιανουαρίου
Γεννήθηκε από γονείς χριστιανούς που κατείχαν μεγάλη περιουσία. Απο την παιδική του ηλικία έδειχνε με όλη του την διαγωγή έκτακτη ανθρώπινη ύπαρξη. Σε ηλικία 18 ετών χάνει τους γονείς του και δοκιμάζει μεγάλη θλίψη και οδύνη. Συνέρχεται γρήγορα και συγκεντρώνει όλη την προσοχή του στη θεία θεωρία και στην φροντίδα της μικρής αδελφής του. Καθώς μιά Κυριακή άκουγε από το Ευαγγέλιο την περικοπή σχετικά με τον πλούσιο νεανίσκο στον οποίο ο Κύριος του είπε «άν θέλεις να γίνεις τέλειος, πήγαινε πώλησε τα υπάρχοντά σου και μοίρασέ τα στους φτωχούς και θα έχεις θησαυρό στον ουρανό. Και έλα να με ακολουθήσεις.» Αφού πρώτα τακτοποίησε τη μικρότερη αδελφή του, μοίρασε στους φτωχότερους οικογενειάρχες όλη του την πατρική του περιουσία και ανεχώρισε στην έρημο για την πνευματική και ηθική του τελειότητα. Ο αγώνας του μέσα στην έρημο αποδίδει πλουσίους πνευματικούς καρπούς. Γίνεται ο ασκητής των ασκητών, απ΄όλα τα μήκη και πλάτη της χριστιανικής γής έρχονται να τον ακούσουν και να τον συμβουλευτούν. Μεταξύ αυτών και δύο πολύφωτοι αστέρες της Εκκλησίας μας, ο Μ. Βασίλειος και ο Μ. Αθανάσιος. Σε ηλικία περίπου 105 χρόνων ο Μέγας Αντώνιος παραδίδει προς το Θεό την ψυχή του. Ο Μ. Αντώνιος δεν έμαθε γράμματα, μα η πίστη και η ασκησή του, για την οποία ονομάσθηκε μέγα ασκητής, τον έκαναν σοφότερο των σοφών.
ΟΙ ΑΓΙΟΙ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΚΥΡΙΛΛΟΣ - 18 Ιανουαρίου
Οι άγιοι Αθανάσιος και Κύριλλος έγιναν και οι δύο, σε διαφορετικά χρόνια, Πατριάρχες Αλεξανδρείας. Πολέμισαν με δύναμη και πίστη τις αιρέσεις της εποχής τους και με την αγιότητα του βίου και της σοφίας τους αναδείχθηκαν Πατέρες και Διδάσκαλοι της Οικουμένης. «Ο αγιώτερος των ηρών και ηρωϊκώτερος των αγίων, Μέγας Πατήρ, Στύλος της Ορθοδοξίας”. Τίτλοι που απενεμήθηκαν στο πολύφωτο άστρο της Εκκλησίας μας τον Άγιο Αθανάσιο. Σε ηλικία 25 χρόνων χειροτονείται διάκονος απο τον Πατριάρχη Αλεξανδρείας, Αλέξανδρο, παίρνει μέρος στην Α΄Οικουμ. Σύνοδο στη Νίκαια και συντρίβει την αίρεση του Αρείου.Το 328 πεθαίνει ο Αλέξανδρος και για τον Αθανάσιο πλησίασε μία μεγάλη ώρα. Στο 33 έτος της ηλικίας του, κλήρος και λαός τον εκλέγουν πανηγυρικά Πατριάρχη Αλεξανδρείας. Αμέσως ο Άγιος άντιμετωπίζει ένα φοβερό και ανελέητο πολεμο των αιρετικων του Αρείου. Πέντε σκληρές εξορίες περιλαμβάνει η πολυτάραχη ζωή του απο τον Αρειανό αυτοκράτορα Κωνσταντίνο. Με πίστη, θάρρος , υπομονή και αγωνιστικότηυτα, βγαίνει νικητής και συντρίβει τους «λύκους» της Ορθοδοξίας μας. Ο Μ. Αθανάσιος διακρίθηκε και ώς συγγραφεύς πολυγραφότατος. Διάκονος ακόμη έγραψε τις πραγματίες του κατά των εθνικών και περί ενανθρωπήσεως του Λόγου. Στα «πολεμικά» του κατατάσσονται: «Εκθεσις πίστεως», «Οι Λόγοι κατά των Αρειανών», «Η επιστολή προς τους Επισκοπούς Αιγύπτου και Λιβύης». Θεμελίωσε την Δογματική Διδασκαλία της Εκκλησίας στην θεότητα του δευτέρου προσώπου της Αγίας Τριάδος,του Υιού και Λόγουν του Θεού.
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GIFT OF LIGHT
This week’s Gift of Light is given in loving memory of
George P. and Demetra G. Karahalios.
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MEMORIALS
40 days for the late James (Demetrios) Georgalas
2 years for the late Christophoros Karakostas
2 years for the late Maria Lappas
3 years for the late Eleni Tsigolis
11 years for the late Alexandros Karfis
39 years for the late Georgios Tsigolis
56 years for the late Angela (Evangelia) Tsigolis
May their memory be eternal!
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COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee hour in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy. Today’s coffee hour is sponsored by the Tsigolis Family in loving memory of their loved ones.
May God rest their souls. Thank you for hosting!
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YAL JANUARY KAFENEIO
Young Adults (ages 18 - 35) are invited to join us following the Divine Liturgy in Saint Catherine’s for frappes, coffee, snacks, fellowship and spiritual discussion.
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Wednesday, January 17 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+Saint Anthony the Great
Saturday, January 20 - 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Austin Community Meal
| 2024 CALENDARS - 2024 Calendars have been mailed out to all Assumption stewards. | |
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: 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: February 4, 25 - March 10, 17, 24, 31
Please contact the church office for April - December 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
We are grateful and appreciate your thoughtful and generous donations last Sunday in support of Saint Basil Academy. Our collection totaled $720.00! Thank you very much.
We welcome all returning members and prospective members to join us for coffee and doughnuts Sunday, January 28 in Plato Hall during coffee hour. Learn about the good works we do together as a team. Receive a small ‘blooming’ gift with membership!
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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**Flyers located in the Narthex.
Monday, January 22 - 6:30 p.m., Orthodox Studies in Saint Catherine’s. Father Apostolos will present on the Second Beatitude, “Blessed are those who mourn…” followed by, “Mourning for those who grieve”.
Monday, January 29 - 12:30 p.m., Tenderhearted Meeting in Saint Catherine’s. Presenter, George Demas, Pastoral Assistant.
Winter Family Weekend Retreat at Saint Iakovos Retreat Center on January 26-27, 2024. Skiing at Wilmot Mountain, Wisconsin.
Sunday, February 11 - YAL February Kafeneio following the Divine Liturgy in St. Catherine’s
Saturday, February 17 - Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall.
Sunday, February 18 - Saint Euphrosynos’ Kitchen Meal. Please contact the church office if you would like to volunteer or if you know of someone who would benefit from this ministry.
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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