Epistle Reading of the Day | |
St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews
6:13-20
BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
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Gospel Reading for the Day | |
The Gospel of Mark 9:17-31
At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."
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Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 6:13-20
Ἀδελφοί, τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ θεός, ἐπεὶ κατʼ οὐδενὸς εἶχεν μείζονος ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσεν καθʼ ἑαυτοῦ, λέγων, Ἦ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε, καὶ πληθύνων πληθυνῶ σε. Καὶ οὕτως μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχεν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἄνθρωποι μὲν γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν, καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὁ ὅρκος. Ἐν ᾧ περισσότερον βουλόμενος ὁ θεὸς ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, ἐμεσίτευσεν ὅρκῳ, ἵνα διὰ δύο πραγμάτων ἀμεταθέτων, ἐν οἷς ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι θεόν, ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν οἱ καταφυγόντες κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος· ἣν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν, καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος· ὅπου πρόδρομος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
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Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 9:17-31
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ λέγων, διδάσκαλε, ἤνεγκα τὸν υἱόν μου πρός σε, ἔχοντα πνεῦμα ἄλαλον. καὶ ὅπου ἂν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ, ῥήσσει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ξηραίνεται· καὶ εἶπον τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσι, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει· ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος, ἕως πότε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετε αὐτὸν πρός με. καὶ ἤνεγκαν αὐτὸν πρὸς αὐτόν. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εὐθέως τὸ πνεῦμα ἐσπάραξεν αὐτόν, καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων. καὶ ἐπηρώτησε τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· πόσος χρόνος ἐστὶν ὡς τοῦτο γέγονεν αὐτῷ; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· παιδιόθεν. καὶ πολλάκις αὐτὸν καὶ εἰς πῦρ ἔβαλε καὶ εἰς ὕδατα, ἵνα ἀπολέσῃ αὐτόν· ἀλλ᾿ εἴ τι δύνασαι, βοήθησον ἡμῖν σπλαγχνισθεὶς ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ εἰ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατὰ τῷ πιστεύοντι. καὶ εὐθέως κράξας ὁ πατὴρ τοῦ παιδίου μετὰ δακρύων ἔλεγε· πιστεύω, κύριε· βοήθει μου τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἐπισυντρέχει ὄχλος, ἐπετίμησε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ λέγων αὐτῷ· τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄλαλον καὶ κωφόν, ἐγώ σοι ἐπιτάσσω, ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ μηκέτι εἰσέλθῃς εἰς αὐτόν. καὶ κράξαν καὶ πολλὰ σπαράξαν αὐτὸν ἐξῆλθε, καὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς κρατήσας αὐτὸν τῆς χειρὸς ἤγειρεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἰσελθόντα αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν κατ᾿ ἰδίαν, ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἐξελθόντες παρεπορεύοντο διὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἵνα τις γνῷ· ἐδίδασκε γὰρ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποκτανθεὶς τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται.
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READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS | |
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Saint John Climacus
The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.
Saints Aristarchos, Pudens, Trophimos the Apostles of the 70 - April 14
Saint Aristarchus is mentioned in the Epistle to the Colossians (4:10), and also in the Epistle to Philemon (v. 24). By his ascetical manner of life, this Saint proved to be another Saint John the Baptist. He became Bishop of Apamea in Syria, and brought many to the Faith of Christ. Saints Pudens and Trophimus are mentioned in II Timothy 4:20-21. Also, Acts 21:29 mentions that Trophimus was from Ephesus. According to sources that Saint Dorotheus of Tyre (celebrated on June 5) found written in Latin in Rome, these Apostles were beheaded in Rome during the reign of Nero (54-68).
Saint Crescens the Martyr - April 15
This Martyr was from Myra of Lycia, born of an illustrious family. Of his own accord he went amidst the idolaters and admonished them to leave off their futile religion and worship the only true God, Who is worshipped by the Christians; for this he was arrested. When asked by the ruler what his name and lineage were, the Saint would answer only that he was a Christian; counseled to offer sacrifice to the idols, he refused. For this, he was hung up and beaten, was scraped, and then was cast into fire, in which he gave up his holy soul into the hands of God, though not even the hair of his head was harmed by the flames.
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O όσιος Ιωάννης ο «Κλίμακος»
Η Εκκλησία επιτελεί σήμερα τη μνήμη ενός από τους πιό μεγάλους και σοφούς από τους πιό γνωστούς και αγαπητούς ασκητάς, του αγίου Ιωάννου του συγγρφέως της Κλίμακος. Στο πρόσωπο του οσίου αυτού ασκητού συνδιάζεται η μεγάλη αγιότης και η μεγάλη σοφία. Το σύγγραμμά του που το ωνόμασε Κλίμακα,επειδή ανεβάζει το μοναχό από τα χαμηλότερα στα ψηλότερα σκαλοπάτια, κι ώς την κορυφή της αρετής, είναι απο τα πιό αγαπητά αναγνώσματα των μοναχών και των ευσεβών χριστιανών.
Ο άγιος Ιωάννης γεννήθηκε στην Παλαιστίνη γύρω στα 523. Μόνασε από νεαρά ηλικία (16ετών). Παρακολούθησε ανώτερο κύκλο μορφώσεως. Στην ζωή της ερήμου Σινά, αξιοποίησε την σοφία του και ανέβηκε σε υψηλές κορυφές αγιότητας. Είχε και το χάρισμα της θαυματουργίας. Σε μεγάλη ηλικία έγινε ηγούμενος της Μονής του Σινά. Συνέγραψε τριάντα λόγους περί αρετής, όπου ο καθένας λόγος περιλαμβάνει και μιά αρετή, ξεκινώντας από τις πιό πρακτικές και ανεβαίνοντας σαν σκαλοπάτια κατέληξε στις θεωρητικά υψηλές. Ο άγιος Ιωάννης κοιμήθηκε στις 30 Μαρτίου το 603, σε ηλικία ογδόντα ετών. Από την αρχή της Σαρακοστής το σύγγραμμά του διαβάζεται σε όλα τα ορθόδοξα Μοναστήρια. Επειδή είναι παγκόσμιο κειμήλιο αναλύσεως όλων των παθών και των αρετών, η Εκκλησία τιμά ιδιαίτερα σε αυτή τη πνευματική περίοδο τον συγγραφέα άγιο Ιωάννη της Κλίμακος και τον προτείνει για ανάγνωσμα. Η πορεία μας προς τη συνάντηση με τον αναστημένο Χριστό πρέπει να συνειδητοποιήσουμε ότι αυτή η πορεία είναι μιά ανεξάντλητη κλίμακα και ότι η συνάντηση μας με το Χριστό δεν εξαρτάται από τη βαθμίδα της τελειότητας στην οποία βρισκόμαστε, αλλά από τον πόθο της συνάντησης.
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This week’s Gift of Light is given in memory of and for the health and
well-being of the Limperis and Seavelis families.
MEMORIAL
40 days for the late Mary Floros
May her memory be eternal!
COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee hour in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy.
GOYA KAFENIO
Children in grades 6th – 12th are invited to join us for our first GOYA Kafenio following the Divine Liturgy in Saint Catherine’s. Coffee, refreshments, and Lenten sweets will be served along with a spiritual discussion with Father Apostolos. We would like to establish Youth Leaders and get ideas for future GOYA and Youth Programs for our Church. Let’s enjoy fellowship together!
HELLENIC MUSEUM TOUR / GREEK ISLANDS
If you have a reservation, the bus will depart from Church at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon and will return to Church at approximately 4:30 p.m.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK
Monday, April 15 - 5:30 p.m., Great Compline Service
Wednesday, April 17 - 9:00 a.m., Service of the 9th Hour followed by
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at 9:30 a.m.
Friday, April 19 - 7:00 p.m., Akathist Hymn
Flowers for Panagia were donated by an Anonymous Donor for health and well-being. Thank you to our donor and God bless!
Omitted from bulletin: April 5 flowers for Panagia were donated by
The Callahan Family in loving memory of George, Efigenia and James Copitas.
May their memory be eternal! Thank you to our donor and God bless!
Saturday, April 20 - 12:30 p.m., Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall
ATTENTION:
There will be no live streaming of church services this week and until our interior church restoration work is completed.
We hope to broadcast again soon.
Thank you for your patience and we’re sorry for any inconvenience. Blessed Lent to all!
We are seeking enthusiastic young individuals who are eager to serve the Lord and support the Priest in Christ’s ministry by joining the Parish Council. There are currently vacancies on the Parish Board, and if you are interested, please reach out to Father Apostolos or Tom Demos, Parish Council President, for more information. Serving in a leadership capacity within the church is both a joy and a privilege, and we assure you that you will be warmly welcomed as we journey together into the future. Remember, the greatest leadership comes from serving others! It may seem paradoxical, but it's a lifelong aspiration as we continue our ministry.
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THE ARCHIVE COMMITTEE
Dear Parishioners,
As we walk toward our centennial year of 2025, we are collecting photos, artifacts, and stories that contribute to the history of our beloved Panagia, and we ask for your input and help.
We need parishioners who can identify people in our photos, beginning from the wooden church and Sunday school.
In addition, the committee is asking for artifacts and memorabilia from your family history to be copied and recorded. Volunteers are needed to help with sorting and other archival tasks.
Please get in touch with us at archives@assumptionchicago.org
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LIVE STREAM MINISTRY
Our church is actively seeking volunteers to join the Live Stream Ministry. This opportunity involves volunteering once a month on Sundays. If you are interested, kindly reach out to Jack Woods at deltasig8@gmail.com via email.
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LITTLE LAMBS
Join our delightful Little Lambs class at Sunday church school – a special experience designed for toddlers and their parents. We're thrilled to welcome little ones aged 12 months and up, fostering a warm and engaging environment for early spiritual growth. This Parents and Tots SCS Class is designed to nurture faith and provide an opportunity for families to connect with others. Our parent-led class uses age appropriate Orthodox-based resources. Anyone interested in joining Little Lambs may reach out to Katherine Jones at kmjones0402@gmail.com for more information.
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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 for April - June: April 21 – May 19, 26 – June 9, 16, 23, 30
Great Lent March 18 – May 5. Please Lenten items only.
Thank you to our beloved parishioners and friends of Assumption Panagia for your continued love and support!
DONATIONS NEEDED FOR HOLY WEEK SERVICES
Daffodils for Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross (April 7)
1 Wreath for the Veneration of the Holy Cross (April 7) $200
5 sets of Palm Arches for Church Aisle - $200 per set (includes set up and delivery) - see photo.
Palm Leaves for Palm Sunday (April 28) - $750.00
Palm Buds for making of Crosses to be distributed to the faithful on Palm Sunday - $200
Flowers for the Icon of Palm Sunday (April 28) - $200
Flowers for Large Icon of the Last Supper (Eve of Holy Wednesday - May 1) - $400
1 bag of Flour and Olive Oil along with 7 candles for the Sacrament of the Holy Unction (Holy Wednesday - May 1) - $50.00
4 Wreaths (Eve of Holy Thursday May 2) - $300 per wreath
3 sets of Candles for Crucifix (2 upstairs & 1 downstairs) - $60 per set
Rose Petals for the Service of the Apokathelosis (Afternoon of Holy Friday)
Full & King Size Sheet for the Service of the Apokathelosis (Holy Friday)
Red and White Carnations to be distributed to the faithful (Holy Friday Eve) - $250
Flowers for the Icon of the 1st Anastasi (Holy Saturday Morning) - $250
5 Baskets of Flower Petals for 1st Anastasi Service - Mixed large bags of flower petals mixed with Palm leaves strewn in Church during service - $150/basket - 3 baskets left.
Flowers for the Large Icon of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Saturday) - $400
Flowers for the Resurrectional Banner, Lavaron (Holy Saturday) - $275.00
12 Large Potted Easter Lilies for Great and Holy Pascha (May 5) - $100 per plant
2 Clergy Paschal Candles - $275 per candle
FLOWERS FOR THE EPITAPHIO
We need families to contribute toward the cost of flowers for the Epitaphio. You may place your offering in the acrylic box located on the Pangari as you exit the church or visit our website at: www.assumptionchicago.org to donate online. If you would like, you may also contact the Church office to donate. Thank you and God bless!
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.
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
Sincerest thanks to all for your generous donations, last Sunday in support of The Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology. The collection which yielded $625.00, is dedicated to assist with the school’s operating expenses.
UPCOMING . . .EASTER BAKE SALE – APRIL 28 – Order Form attached, also available at Church. Pre-order and payment must be received by April 21, 2024. Orders can be submitted online or on Sunday during coffee hour.
BAKING DAY - Saturday, April 20 at 9:00 a.m. in Plato Hall. Please let us know if you can help assumptionphiloptochos@gmail.com. GENERAL MEETING – Saturday, April 20, noon in Plato Hall.
LENTEN SWEETS - If you are able provide a Lenten dessert for the Palm Sunday Luncheon, April 28, please contact Valerie Green – 847-337-5687 or greenva926@gmail.com.
RED EGGS – Needed for Easter services. Please contact Betty Tsiolis – 847-813-6491 or james.tsiolis@gmail.com if you are able to provide 2 dozen red eggs.
Your help with any activities is most appreciated.
2024 STEWARDSHIP
Thank you to all who have submitted their 2024 Stewardship Pledge Cards. If you have not yet submitted your stewardship card, packets are available on the Pangari in the Narthex.
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!
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.
COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST
Prayers for: Sophia, Panagioti, Madalyn, Petros, Elaine, Kristine, Jon, Steve, Anastasia, Kathryn, Demetri, Andrea, Matthew, Elaine, James, William, Anastasios, Polyxeni, Peter, and 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.
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**Flyers located in the Narthex.
April 20 - 12:30 p.m., Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall
April 21 - Date Change! Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival
April 22 - 12:00 p.m., Tenderhearted Ministry and at 6:30 p.m., Orthodox Studies in Saint Catherine’s
April 27 - 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Saint Lazarus Family Lenten Retreat in Plato Hall
April 28 - Palm Sunday Luncheon following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall. See flyer.
May 5 - Agape Meal following Holy Resurrection Services in Plato Hall
May 11 - YAL Bright Week BBQ/Picnic - More information to follow.
May 20 - Annual Golf Outing - White Pines Golf Course and Banquets – 500 W. Jefferson St., Bensenville, IL 60106. $150 per golfer. See flyer for more information.
SAVE THE DATE!!!
Sunday, October 12, 2025 – Assumption Panagia celebrating 100 years –
More information to come.
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Dear Beloved Stewards and Friends,
Continue the celebration of the Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem by joining us immediately after Divine Liturgy for a wonderful Palm Sunday Luncheon on Sunday, April 28th in Plato Hall!
Greek Islands will be catering some delicious Cod, Briami, Skordalia, Beets, Drinks, Dessert, and more!
RSVP is required! Please RSVP by Clicking Here. Limited tickets available and advance purchase only.
Contribution:
Adults - $17
Children - $10
Click Here to Pay Online or call the Church office at 773.626.3114 / office@assumptionchicago.org
We hope to see you all there! Panagia be with all!
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A blessed week to you and your families!
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Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
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