Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Bulletin

ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

601 South Central Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60644

Main: 773-626-3114

Email: office@assumptionchicago.org

Website: assumptionchicago.org

Father Apostolos N. Georgiafentis – Protopresbyter

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2022 - ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 11 ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 2022

READINGS AND PRAYERS

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross - September 14

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place. Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.

Epistle Reading for the Day

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Gospel Reading

The Gospel According to John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

Απόστολος της Ημέρας

Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα

Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.

Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας

Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.

READINGS OF OUR HOLY ORTHODOX SAINTS

The Life of Saint Euphrosynos the Cook - September 11

A monk named Euphrosynos lived in a monastery. He served the other monks by laboring in the kitchen, practicing obedience, and fasting. He treated the other monks with great humility, not as men, but as if they were God Himself. A certain priest who lived at the monastery prayed to God. He asked to see the heavenly reward for those who love God. The priest soon had a dream that he was standing in a beautiful garden! There were trees filled with delicious fruits, and pretty flowers. And there in the beautiful garden was Euphrosynos!

The monk walked over and said, “Brother Euphrosynos, what is this place?” Saint Euphrosynos replied, “It is paradise!” and gave the priest three apples. The saint wrapped them in a kerchief. At that moment the priest woke up to the sound of Matins beginning. He thought that he had been dreaming, but there in his kerchief were the three apples! A beautiful fragrance came from the apples. The priest placed them in his bed and went to church, in search of Euphrosynos.

“Tell me, brother, where were you last night?” the priest asked. “Forgive me, Father; I have been in that place where we saw one another.” he replied. “What did you give me in Paradise when I spoke to you?” the priest asked. “I gave you three fragrant apples which you have placed on your bed in your cell. Forgive me!”

After Matins had finished, the priest told the monks what had happened the night before, and showed them his apples from paradise. All were amazed. But when they looked for Saint Euphrosynos, he had disappeared! No one could find him. The apples were cut into many pieces and shared among the monks. They also gave away pieces to people, especially those who were unwell.

Saint Sophia & her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love - September 17

These Saints were from Italy and contested for the Faith about the year 126, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Faith was twelve years old, Hope, ten, and Love, nine; each was tormented and then beheaded, from the eldest to the youngest. Their mother Sophia mourned at their grave for three days, where she also fell asleep in peace; because of her courageous endurance in the face of her daughters' sufferings, she is also counted a martyr. The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek; as for her daughters' names, Faith, Hope, and Love (Charity), they are Pistis, Elpis, and Agape in Greek, and Vera, Nadezhda, and Lyubov in Russian.

ΜΙΚΡΟΣ ΣΥΝΑΞAΡΙΣΤΗΣ

ΣΤΑΥΡΟΣ: Ο Φύλαξ πάσης της Οικουμένης - Σταυρός Το Αήττητο Τρόπαιο:

(14 Σεπτεμβρίου)

Ο Σταυρός του Κυρίου υπενθυμίζε σε όλον τον κόσμο και σε μας ότι, όταν διαλέξουμε το Σταυρό ώς τρόπο της ζωής μας, ώς πολίτευμα του εκκλησιατικού μας βίου, τότε έχουμε και την Ανάσταση. Τότε έχουμε την αληθινή μας ελευθερία, την αληθινή ανάπαυσή μας μέσα στην αγάπη του Θεού και την αγάπη των αδελφών μας, την αληθινή ειρήνη της ψυχής. Ο Σταυρός του Βασιλέως της δόξης για εμάς τους χριστιανούς δεν είναι το ξύλον της κατάρας, αλλά ο θρόνος της δόξης του Χριστού, δεν είναι το επαίσχυντον τέλος του βίου του Ιησού, αλλά η θύρα προς την ένδοξον ανάστασιν Του. Δια τούτο η Εκκλησία ψάλλουσα, προσκυνεί τον Σταυρόν και δοξάζει την ανάστασιν: «Τον Σταυρόν Σου προσκυνούμεν, Δέσποτα και την αγίαν σου Ανάστασιν, δοξάζομεν». Ο Σταρός εμπνέει θάρρος. Άς υψώσομεν και εφέτος εν βαθεία ευλαβεία και θρησκευτική κατάνυξει τον Ζωοοιόν Σταυρόν με το ευώδες φυτόν εις ανάμνησιν των δύο ιστορικών υψώσεων του Μεγ. Κωνσταντίνου και του Ηρακλείου. Εις στιγμάς θλύψεων, αναζητούμεν βοήθειαν, δύναμιν, αντίληψιν. Καταφεύγομεν εις τον Παντοδύναμον. Παρ’ ΄Εκείνου ζητούμεν και λαμβάνομεν. Του ομιλούμεν διότι ακούει. προστρέχομεν διότι δέχεται. Ερχόμεθα εις τον Σταυρόν Του, για να αντλήσωμεν από την αστείρευτον πηγήν Του ολίγον θάρρος δια την ζωήν, υπομονή δια τας καθημερινάς θλίψεις μας, παρηγορίαν δι’ όσα προσφιλή απολέσαμεν και ελπίδα εις τους κινδύνους. Ιδού ο Σταυρός. Η «δύναμις Θεού» της σωτηρίας η πηγή, ο πολύτιμος θησαυρός, το σεπτόν φυλακτήριον της χριστιανωσύνης, ο φύλαξ πάσης της οικουμένης, το στήριγμα των πιστών, το σέμνωμα των αγίων, «το κεφάλαιον της σωτηρίας της ημετέρας, η των μυρίων αγαθών υπόθεσις», ως λέγει ο χρυσούς την γλώσσαν πατήρ. Η δύναμις του Σταυρού ας πληρώσει την καρδίαν μας χαράς, φωτός και γαλήνης. Επ’ αυτού καθηλώθη ο Σωτήρ και υπέμεινεν αγογγίστως την οδύνην του Σταυρικού Μαρτυρίου Του. Οι αγωνιζόμενοι πιστοί θεωρούν το λόγο του Σταυρού δύναμη του Θεού, όπλο αήττητο και στήριγμα ζωής. Αυτοί καυχώνται σαν τον Απόστολο Παύλο και διακηρύττουν: «Εμοί δε μή γένοιτο καυχάσθαι εί μη εν τω Σταυρώ του Κυρίου ημών Ιησού Χριστού». Καυχώνται γιατί πιστεύουν στο Θεό. Αισθάνονται υπερήφανοι γιατί ανήκουν στην Εκκλησία.

Οι άγιες αδελφές Πίστις, Ελπίς και Αγάπη

17 Σεπτεμβρίου

Τή μνήμη τριών αδελφών αγίων παρθένων και της μητέρας των Σοφίας, εορτάζει και τιμά η Εκκλησία μας. Οι τρείς αδελφές στάθηκαν με γενναιότητα μπροστά στον ειδωλολάτρη τύραννο, ομολόγησαν το Χριστό κι επισφράγισαν την ομολογία τους με μαρτυρικό θάνατο. Η μητέρα τους αντίκρυσε με θαυμαστή καρτερία το μαρτύριο των θυγατέρων της, εκήδευσε με καύχημα τα τίμια σώματά τους και όπως το ευχήθηκε, απέθανε επάνω στον τάφο τους, και ακολούθησε και αυτή, τέταρτη στο μαρτύριο τα τέκνα της. Τέτοιες θυσίες είναι που αγιάζουν τον κόσμο και το αίμα τέτοιων Μαρτύρων είναι που ξεπλένει τις ντροπές που λερώνουν το πρόσωπο της γής. Για το θάνατο τέτοιων αγίων ανέχεται ο Θεός και ζούν τόσοι αμαρτωλοί κάτω από τον ουρανό. Και είναι πάντα πολύ περισσότεροι οι ΄Αγιοι στον κόσμο και γύρω απο εμάς, παρ’ όσο εμείς νομίζουμε.

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Prayers for: Matthew, Elaine, James, Tom, 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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARTOKLASIA

Given for the feast day of Saint Euphrosynos and for the health and well-being of Police Officers

Welcome Sunday Church School students, teachers and parents!

CHICAGO 15TH DISTRICT POLICE APPRECIATION SUNDAY

Please join us in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy for a luncheon as an appreciation for Chicago 15th District Police Department. Thank you to our police officers for serving and protecting our community and for risking their lives every day to save ours. We appreciate you!

COLLEGE STUDENTS

Best of luck as you either begin or continue your college career. Father Apostolos, your family and friends at Assumption would like to keep in touch with you. Please provide our church office with your new contact information. As always, you will continue to be in our prayers and we look forward to seeing you from time to time when you visit home.

SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy

+Elevation of the Holy Cross

ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ, 14 ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ - 9:00 π.μ. - Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία

+Η Ύψωσις του Τιμίου Σταυρού

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy

+Saint Sophia and her three daughters: Faith, Hope and Love

ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ, 17 ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ - +Σοφίας, Πίστεως, Ελπίδας και Αγάπης

9:00 π.μ. - Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία

WEDDING

Saturday, September 17, 3:00 p.m. - Angelica Kladis to Panagiotis Kailis

View Parish Calendar

PARISH MINISTRIES AND EVENTS

UPCOMING 2022 EVENTS:

More information on the following events to follow.

September 11 - Chicago 15th District Police Appreciation Sunday. Please join us following the Divine Liturgy for a luncheon in Plato Hall. Thank you to our police officers for serving and protecting our community and for risking their lives every day to save ours. We appreciate you!

September 11 - Saint Euphrosynos’ Kitchen - If you or someone you know would benefit from this ministry, or if you would like to deliver a meal or help in preparing the meal, please contact the church office at: 773-626-3114.

September 17 - Metropolis of Chicago Dive for the Cross - All Parishes are invited to join Metropolitan Nathanael as he blesses the Waters of Lake Michigan and then throw the Cross into the Lake for the Youth of the Metropolis to Dive in and retrieve. Please see insert for more information.

September 19, 6:30 p.m. - Orthodox Studies - We will continue discussion on the Divine Liturgy. Refreshments followed by Father Apostolos’ presentation in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room. Please contact the church office at: 773.626.3114 or email: office@assumptionchicago.org for reservations. Please join us!

September 24 - Family Retreat from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Saint Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, Wisconsin - Please join us for Divine Liturgy, discussion, lunch, arts and crafts, nature walk and outdoor activities. Reservations needed by this Friday, September 16.

September 25 - YAL Coffee Chat during coffee hour - Assumption YAL wants to see you there!

September 26, 11:30 a.m. - Tenderhearted Ministry is a ministry for seniors 65 and older. Each gathering begins with a Church Service, followed by lunch and the day’s event. Please contact the church office at: 773.626.3114 or email: office@assumptionchicago.org for reservations. All seniors are encouraged to attend. Please join us!

October 3 - Annual Golf Outing - White Pines Golf Course, 500 W. Jefferson St., Bensenville, IL. Register online at: https://tinyurl.com/agocgolf2022 Please see insert for more information.

October 20 - Grand Raffle Dinner Celebration at Café La Cave, 2777 S. Mannheim Road in Des Plaines. Please see insert for more information.

October 28, 29 & 30 - Outreach Pumpkin Patch

November 5 - Harvest Day

November 20 - Thanksgiving in a Bag

December 3 - Christmas Tree Lighting

DONATION NEEDED FOR HOLY ALTAR ITEM

Anointing Brushes and Anointing Brush for Hospital (please see photo). Pure silver and handmade in Ioannina, Greece. Donation: $320 ($120 for Anointing Brushes and $200 for Anointing Brush for Hospital). If anyone is interested, please see Father Apostolos.

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology Scholarship Fund Collection - Sunday, September 11, 2022

We kindly ask for your generous support for the HCHC Scholarship Fund. Scholarships are awarded to worthy and dedicated students, both men and women at Hellenic College and seminarians at Holy Cross to assist with tuition expenses. Hellenic College is working hard to increase the number of students.

The Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Luncheon

Saturday, September 24, Empress Banquets,11:00 am, $50. If you would like to attend and be seated at Assumption tables, please let us know via our email assumptionphiloptochos@gmail.com by Sunday, September 11th.

Lenten Recipes

Send in your go-to fasting recipes by September 27th via our email assumptionphiloptochos@gmail.com to be included our booklet collection. Do you know of a printer we could work with to produce this recipe collection.

Feed the Hungry, October 18^th - Annunciation Cathedral

Dark colored crew socks are needed to distribute along with the to-go meal we are providing. Please deposit your donations in the collection box in St. Catherine’s narthex. Monetary donations in any amount are also appreciated to underwrite the cost of Feed the Hungry.

Loukoumathes Sundays!

October 9th and 23rd after church in coffee hour. Come and enjoy this delicious

treat.

Volunteers needed to help with the events.

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.

Available dates: September 18 & 25; October 16 & 30; November 13, 20 & 27

New 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 75-100 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!

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.

2022 STEWARDSHIP

If you haven’t done so already, please pick up a Stewardship packet which is located on the Pangari or contact the church office and we will mail you one. 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 beloved parish of Panagia!

LET’S STAY IN TOUCH - If you would like to receive information about services, activities and events that are happening at our church, please visit our website at: assumptionchicago.org to sign up or call the church office and submit your email address.

SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

First day of Sunday Church School begins this Sunday, September 11. It's not too late to sign up your children. Please register your children using the link below.

Click here for registration link