Fr. Anastasios' Message

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

In this beautiful period of the year, we are actively celebrating the Resurrection from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ and his utter victory over death. During this period, we greet each other daily with the greeting Christ is Risen! We should greet our family with this greeting every morning when we wake up, when we see them after being apart, and just for fun! During this period, those of us who have been struggling to maintain an active prayer life should take solace in that there is no better prayer than to sing the most powerful and important prayer in our arsenal - Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down death, and upon those in the tombs he has granted life!

If we desire to be even more mindful of this period, we can pay special attention to the 11 "Eothina" Gospels - the 11 recorded instances in the Gospel of the Lord appearing to His disciples after the Resurrection. During these 40 days after Pascha as we celebrate the Resurrection, we are attentive to these sacred 40 days where the risen Christ revealed himself frequently to the Disciples.

During this period, we celebrate the feast of Mid-Pentecost, which is situated halfway between Holy Pascha and Pentecost. During this feast, we commemorate Christ's visit to the Temple in Jerusalem as a young child, where he was left alone and found teaching all about the scriptures. In this way, he revealed himself to be the author of the scriptures themselves.

Finally, the 40 day Paschal period concludes with the celebration of the Lord's Ascension into the Heavens where he is seated at the right hand of the Father. With this, we conclude our remembrance of the forty days where Christ walked freely with his disciples, revealing himself to them 11 times after the resurrection. Thus, we cease to sing the beautiful hymn, that is the cornerstone of our faith, Christ is risen, until our next celebration of Pascha, and anticipate his presence in a new way, in the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Fr. Anastasios

Parish Council President's Message

Christos Anesti, Christ Has Risen! I cannot find the words to express how moving and beautiful all the services leading up to Pascha were this year. Everyone’s efforts were priceless.

The new Kouvaklion is beautiful and the Memory lanterns are now included in Good Friday evening services. Thank you all for your participation and encouragement!

We are very fortunate to have Father Tasso with all his energy and spiritual guidance as our priest, here at All Saints! All Saints has grown in many ways since he joined us in 2019.

Please join us on Sunday, May 7 at social hour to recognize Father Tasso who is celebrating 8 years in the priesthood. AXIOS, Father Tasso!

Please join me congratulating Natalie Almasi and Julia Ghantous as they were both nominated for the Women in Leadership Award sponsored by the Community Foundation.

On Saturday, May 20, 11:00 AM at church we will hold the third annual Pet Blessing Service.

All pets are welcome! Bring your dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, fish, etc. My two kids, Alex and Essie are looking forward to seeing their 4 legged friends and know they are in need of a blessing from Father! 

Saturday, June 3 All the ladies of our church are invited to attend a baby shower for Presvytera Elizabeth. Details for the baby shower may be found in the Sunday bulletin.

All Saints Day is June 11. Information is forthcoming. Please plan to join us at the annual church family picnic. 

Best regards, Nikki

Great and Holy Week!

We are grateful for this amazing community who came together to make Holy Week 2023 truly beautiful and memorable. First and foremost, thank you to our chanters, who truly offer up the entire week as a sacrifice to God on behalf of our community. We are also grateful to the Sarraf Family and Frank and Katena Lagouros for the donation of our new Kouvouklkon in memory of Marie Sarraf and Sandra Manias. We also thank Frank and Katena for the donation of the new Altar Linens that adorned the Holy Altar for Pascha. Thank you to all those who decorated the Kouvoklion, led by Katena Lagouros: Anna Tilikis, Dimitra Randitsas, Koula Kakouris, Robin Manias, Aaron Skelly, Zachary Davis, Frank Lagouros, Presvytera Elizabeth, and Ginny Pratt. Thank you to those who coordinated our Good Friday Luminaries: Nikki Vulgares-Rodriguez, Becky Lagouros, Julia Ghantous, Zach Davis, and Anthony Shadid. Thank you to our Myrrh Bearers. Thank you to all who helped prepare Easter Eggs, Koula Kakouros, Katie McKinnie, Kondello Willerton, Chris Lenrow, Julia Ghantous, Lydia Slesareva and the Gerontes Family. Thank you to all who helped decorate the Church on Lazarus Saturday, especially Leo Sarraf for preparing the meal that morning. Thank you also to Mary Patton who once again coordinated our Palm Sunday Soup Luncheon and to all those who brought soups for us to enjoy. These celebrations and holy days clearly take a village to celebrate properly. Thank you to all who joined us in prayer this beautiful and amazing week.

Our May Philoptochos Meeting will take place at Lisa's Lakehouse on Saturday, May 13.

All Saints Pet & Animal Blessing

This year's animal blessing will take place on Saturday May 20 at 11:00 am. We invite all to bring their Pets and Animals to the North Lawn of the Church so that our beloved animals may be blessed as is all God's Creation.

"Better Together" Senior's Club

Our Senior's club will meet at noon on Tuesday, May 9. We will meet at the Dog House Biergarten on University just south of Glen. Please contact Father or Nikki if you plan on attending.

Baby Shower for Presvytera Elizabeth

Please join us in celebrating the newest addition to Father Tasso’s and Presbytera Liz’ family by attending a baby shower on Saturday, June 3rd at 12:00 noon at the home of Becky and Pete Lagouros, 4809 N. Grandview Drive, Peoria Heights (corner of Grandview Drive and Miller Ave).

Presbytera is registered at Amazon, but in lieu of a baby gift, would also welcome and

appreciate a donation to Philoptochos to be directed to Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank and CASA of Central Illinois.

Loving Bottoms is an organization that provides diapers for families in need. CASA is an advocacy organization that appoints advocates for at risk youth.

bring a check made out to Philoptochos and indicate  

Please RSVP by May 20 th by calling or texting Myrna Ghantous at (309) 231-6633.

Hoping to see you on June 3rd ! Your hostesses: Tatiana Chaikin, Lisa Gerontes-Bowe, Myrna

Ghantous, Julia Issa-Ghantous, Becky Lagouros, Emily Simms, and Nikki Vulgaris-Rodriguez.