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For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.
Epistle Reading for the Day
St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40
Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Gospel Reading of the Day
The Gospel of John 1:43-51
At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."
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Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:24-26,32-40
Ἀδελφοί, πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν· μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ· ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γὰρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν· οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον· περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι - ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος - ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες, μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν.
Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 1:43-51
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀκολούθει μοι. ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ᾿Ανδρέου καὶ Πέτρου.εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ὃν ἔγραψε Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται, εὑρήκαμεν, ᾿Ιησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ Φίλιππος· ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε. εἶδεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ· ἴδε ἀληθῶς ᾿Ισραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι, ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε. ἀπεκρίθη Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψει. καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ᾽ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.
ΜΙΚΡΟΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ
Η Αναστήλωση των αγίων Εικόνων - Οι Εκόνες στη ζωή των Ορθοδόξων
Η χρήση των εικόνων είναι μία αρχαία παράδοση της Εκκλησίας. Η λατρεία ανήκει μόνο στο Θεό, ενώ στην εικόνα αρμόζει η τιμητική προσκύνηση στο εικονιζόμενο πρόσωπο και όχι στα υλικά της Εικόνας. Ο Ιωάννης ο Δαμασκηνός, τονίζει την παιδαγωγική αξία των εικόνων, οι οποίες είναι για τους αγράμματους, ό,τι είναι τα βιβλία για τους γραμματισμένους και συνεχίζει: «Προσκυνώ την εικόνα του Χριστού, ώς σαρκωμένου Θεού, την εικόνα της Δέσποινας, ώς μητέρα του Υιού του Θεού, την εικόνα των αγίων, ώς φίλων του Θεού, που πάλεψαν την αμαρτία, ώς το σημείο να δώσουν το αίμα τους. Και τιμώ με σεβασμό και προσκύνηση. Γιατί η τιμή της εικόνας πηγαίνει στο πρωτότυπο, λέγει ο θείος Βασίλειος: Ποιός πρώτος έφτιαξε την εικόνα; Ο ίδιος ο Θεός πρώτος γέννησε το μονογενή Υιό και Λόγο Του, εικόνα του, ζωντανή, φυσική ώς απαράλλακτο χαρακτήρα της αϊδιότητάς Του και δημιούργησε τον άνθρωπο κατ’ εικόνα Του και καθ’ομοίωση».
ΣΤΗΝ ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑ ΜΑΣ Σε χαιρετίζουμε οι πιστοί Θεοτόκε Παρθένε, εσένα το σεπτό κειμήλιο της αγιότητος ολόκληρης της οικουμένης, τη λαμπάδα την άσβεστη, το χωρίο το οποίο χώρισε ο αχώρητος Θεός, ο ναός ο ακατάλυτος του Θεού Λόγος. Σε χαιρετίζουμε σαν αμνάδα από την οποία γεννήθηκε ο Αμνός του Θεού, ο αίρων την αμαρτίαν του Κόσμου. Μεταξύ όλων των γυναικών, όλων των αιώνων και όλων των λαών, η Θεοτόκος είναι η κατ’ εξοχήν ευλογημένη. Αυτή εν μέσω όλης της γυναικείας φύσεως ευρέθη η εκλεκτή για να γίνει μητέρα του Υιού του Θεού. Αυτή εκλέγεται από το Θεό, για να γίνει όργανο ευλογίας στους ανθρώπους. Για τούτο και ονομάζεται «ευλογημένη εν γυναιξί».
READINGS OF OUR HOLY ORTHODOX SAINTS
Our Holy Father Saint Nicholas Planas - March 2
Saint Nicholas Planas was born in 1851 A.D. on the island of Naxos in Greece. He was married as a teenager and soon after ordained to the diaconate and then the priesthood. His wife reposed soon after and so he assumed the burden of being a widowed father and a parish priest. He was known for his zeal in serving the liturgy, especially his habit of serving the Divine Liturgy every day for 50 years. Many altar boys would see him radiating light or raised off the ground while serving the liturgy. Being so revered by his parishioners, he became known as “Papa,” which is an affectionate term for a parish priest. Papa Nicholas reposed in 1932 and was formally canonized as a saint in 1992.
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Prayers for: Elaine, Kristine, Jon, Steve, Anastasia, Kathryn, Demetri, Andrea, Elaine, James, 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 for the health and well-being of
The Takoudis and Foustalieraki Family.
MEMORIALS
10 years for the late Stavroula (Mary) Maniatis
30 years for the late Antonios (Anton) Zogas
May their memory be eternal!
FELLOWSHIP HOUR
Please join us following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.
Today’s Fellowship Hour is sponsored by The Maniatis and Zogas Families in loving memory of Stavroula (Mary) Maniatis and Antonios (Anton) Zogas. May God rest their souls! Thank you to the families for hosting!
SCHEDULE OF LITURGICAL SERVICES THIS WEEK:
Monday, March 6 - 5:30 p.m. Great Compline Service
Wednesday, March 8, 9:00 a.m. Service of the 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. Presanctified Liturgy
Friday, March 10, 6:30 p.m. 2nd Salutation Service
Flowers for Panagia were donated by James and Betty Tsiolis for their health and well-being. Thank you to our donor and God bless!
Thank you also to The Kaldis Family for donating the flowers for the 1st Salutation Service which was held last Friday. God bless!
Saturday, March 11, 10:00 a.m. - Wedding Couple Seminar for couples getting married in 2023 - meeting will be held in Plato Hall
DONATIONS NEEDED FOR FLOWERS FOR THE ICON OF PANAGIA
As we prepare our Church for this Lenten season, we ask parishioners to help with the cost of flowers. Each week, the icon of Panagia is adorned for the Salutations. We request that one family per week contribute to help continue this tradition. A donation of $250.00 is needed per week. As you may know, decorating the Church is a labor of love. We appreciate your help as we prepare for what is the center of our Orthodox faith, the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Please contact the Church office if you would like to donate. Thank you and God bless!
Ecclesiastical Items Needed
As we enter the period of the Great and Holy Fast, preparations are being made so that we may celebrate the remembrance of Our Lord’s Passion and Resurrection.
The following items are needed for Church services as they will enhance its beauty and Liturgical function:
Portable Icon Stand - This solid pine wooded stand will be used to display icons in the middle of the Solea for veneration. Donation $975.00.
Small Chrome Holy Water Font - The font will be used monthly at the beginning of each month. Donation $471.00
Sanctification Cross - The Cross will be used monthly at every Holy Water Blessing. Donation $281.00
Paschal Embroidered Cover Chalice Set - This three-piece set will be used during the forty days of Pascha. A beautifully embroidered icon of the Holy Resurrection is sewn on the Aer (Holy Cloth that covers the Paten and Chalice during the Divine Liturgy). Donation $675.00
Paschal Embroidered Ribbons - These ribbons are for the two candle stands in front of Iconostasion. Donation $125.00
Communion Cloths - Donation $85.00
The above items are available for viewing. See Father Apostolos.
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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 in the Narthex 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!
View Parish Calendar
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UPCOMING WEEKDAY SERVICES | |
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Monday, March 6 - 5:30 p.m. Great Compline Service
Wednesday, March 8, 9:00 a.m. Service of the 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. Presanctified Liturgy
Friday, March 10, 6:30 p.m. 2nd Salutation Service
Monday, March 13 - 5:30 p.m. Great Compline Service
Wednesday, March 15, 9:00 a.m. Service of the 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. Presanctified Liturgy
Friday, March 17, 6:30 p.m. 3rd Salutation Service
Monday, March 20 - 5:30 p.m. Great Compline Service
Wednesday, March 22, 9:00 a.m. Service of the 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. Presanctified Liturgy
Friday, March 24, 6:30 p.m. - Great Vespers and 4th Salutation Service
Saturday, March 25, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+Annunciation of the Holy Theotokos
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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
General Meeting next SUNDAY March 12th: Father Apostolos will give a talk regarding Lent. Also, the 2023 budget will be presented for review and approval.
The Lenten Recipe Collection is available for purchase $25 during coffee hour.
REMINDER: PHILOPTOCHOS MEMBERSHIP - Please submit your membership via mail or on Sunday if you have not already done so.
Easter Bake Sale preorder on Sundays during coffee hour or online here: https://tinyurl.com/EasterBakeSale2023
Pick up orders Sunday, April 9 after church. See flyer.
Metropolis Philoptochos Lenten Retreat - Saturday, April 1st, 9:00 am - 1:30 pm at St. Athanasios Church in Aurora RSVP to our Philoptochos board: assumptionphiloptochos@gmail.com
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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.
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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UPCOMING 2023 EVENTS
March 12 - Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church Celebration of Books. See flyer on Pangari.
March 18 - Nerf Wars Youth Event
March 20 - 6:30 p.m. - Orthodox Studies in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room
March 26, 2:00 p.m. - Greek Independence Day Parade in Greektown on Halsted
March 27, 12:00 p.m. - Tenderhearted Ministry in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room
April 2 - Parish Oratorical Festival
April 8 - Saturday of Lazarus Retreat
April 22, 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. - Feed My Starving Children - 555 Exchange Court, Aurora, IL 60504. 25 Spots have been reserved for Assumption.
April 29, 12:00 p.m. - Panagia Fest - See message below.
May 22, 2023 - Golf Outing - More information to follow.
PANAGIA FEST – SAVE THE DATE!!!
We are excited to host our first "Panagia Fest" on Sunday, April 30th, immediately following Divine Liturgy. Please add this date to your calendar and share this news with your own friends and family, especially if they are former Plato or Assumption SCS families. If you are interested in being a part of the Committee or making donations of food, supplies or helping to underwrite costs, please reach out to Eileen Szubert at PanagiaFest@gmail.com or 708-610-5682. We look forward to reviving a little (but the best) part of our beloved past Festivals!
UPCOMING YAL EVENTS
All young adults are invited and encouraged to attend.
March 26, 12:30 p.m. - Lenten baking in Plato Hall
April - Whirly Ball - TBD weeknight
May 28 - Talk with Father - Topic to be announced.
June - Trivia night at Gulliver’s - TBD
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ΚΑΛΗ ΣΑΡΑΚΟΣΤΗ!!!
A BLESSED AND GREAT HOLY LENT!!!
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Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
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