ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
601 South Central Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60644
Main: 773-626-3114
Fax: 773-626-3141
Father Apostolos N. Georgiafentis – Protopresbyter
SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2022
Sunday of the Holy Fathers
Saint Marina the Great Martyr – Saints Speratos and Veronika, Martyrs
ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 17 ΙΟΥΛΙΟΥ 2022
Πατέρων της Δ΄ Οικουμενικής Συνόδου
Μαρίνα Μεγαλομάρτυς – Σπεράτος και Βηρονίκη
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Reading: Sunday of the Holy Fathers
On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the 19th of the present month, we chant the Service to the Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together in the Seven Ecumenical Councils, that is: the First Council, of the 318 Fathers who assembled in Nicaea in 325 to condemn Arius, who denied that the Son of God is consubstantial with the Father; the Fathers of the First Council also ordained that the whole Church should celebrate Pascha according to the same reckoning; the Second Council, of the 150 Fathers who assembled in Constantinople in 381 to condemn Macedonius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who denied the Divinity of the Holy Spirit; the Third Council, of the 200 Fathers who assembled in Ephesus in 431, to condemn Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who called Christ a mere man and not God incarnate; the Fourth Council, of the 630 who assembled in Chalcedon in 451, to condemn Eutyches, who taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into communion and deposed Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had excommunicated Eutyches; the Fifth Council in 553, of the 165 who assembled in Constantinople for the second time to condemn Origen and Theodore of Mopsuestia, the teacher of Nestorius; the Sixth Council in 680, of the 170 who assembled in Constantinople for the third time, to condemn the Monothelite heresy, which taught that there is in Christ but one will, the divine; and the Seventh Council in 787, of the 350 who assembled in Nicaea for the second time to condemn Iconoclasm.
Epistle Reading for the Day
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15
TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful. All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 5:14-19
The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
READINGS OF OUR HOLY SAINTS
+SAINT MARINA THE GREAT MARTYR OF ANTIOCH - JULY 17
This Martyr lived during the reign of Claudius II (268-270). She was from Pisidia of Cilicia and was the only daughter of a certain priest of the idols. On being orphaned by her mother, she was handed over to a certain woman who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. When she was fifteen years old, she was apprehended by the ruler of Olmbrius, and when asked her name, homeland, and faith, she answered: "My name is Marina; I am the offspring of the Pisidia; I call upon the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ." Because of this she endured bonds, imprisonment, and many whippings, and was finally beheaded in the year 270. Saint Marina is especially invoked for deliverance from demonic possession.
SAINT MARKELLA, THE VIRGIN-MARTYR OF CHIOS - JULY 22
Saint Markella was born in the 14th century on the island of Chios and was the daughter of the mayor of her town. She was raised in the Christian faith by pious parents but lost her mother at a young age. This was especially difficult for her father who fell into depression. The young Markella was devoted to Christ and strove to preserve her virginity, fighting off numerous temptations from the Devil. Seeing he could make no progress with Markella, the Evil One turned his attention to her father, and enflamed within him an unnatural lust for his daughter.
One day he declared his desire for her at which she ran away in tears and fear. Arriving at the edge of the water and with nowhere to run, a rock opened up for Markella to enter so that her lower half could be enclosed within the rock. When her father arrived in pursuit of her, he was furious to have been deprived of his desire and beheaded his daughter there. The miraculous rock remains on Chios in the church dedicated to Saint Markella the Virgin-Martyr and is said to spring healing waters.
Meditations:
“As there is fire and water in this brick in the same way there are three Persons in the one Godhead.” +Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker
“Let this always be the aim of your conduct: to be courteous and respectful to all.”
+Saint Isaac the Syrian
“If you begin to guard wealth, it will not be yours. But if you begin to distribute it, you will not lose it.” +Saint Basil the Great
“Don’t ever pay attention to anything earthly and unstable. Strive for the union of your soul with God.” +Elder Amphilochios of Patmos
“Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life has and this requires transforming greed into gratitude.” +St. John Chrysostom
COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST - Prayers for: Elaine, Angeliki, James, Tom, William, Anastasios, Polyxeni, Julia, Helen, Peter, Sophia
O 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 Litsa Panos and Family.
COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.
Today’s coffee hour is hosted by The Demos Family in honor of the Feast Day of Saint Marina the Great Martyr. May Saint Marina continue to bless and guide your family!
Xronia Polla!
Thank you for your continued love and support of our beloved parish of Assumption Panagia!
Saint Ephrosinos’ Kitchen will be providing meals today to our homebound, senior parishioners and friends of Assumption. 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 our church office. Next month’s meal will be on August 21.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:
SATURDAY, JULY 23
WEDDING
1:30 p.m. - Laura Gaden to Alexander Apostol
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:
and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24
JULY WEEKDAY CHURCH SERVICES:
Monday, July 25, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+Dormition of the Righteous Anna, mother of the Most Holy Theotokos
+Holy Righteous Martyr Paraskeve
Wednesday, July 27, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+Holy Great-martyr and Healer Panteleimon
Thursday, July 28, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+Saint Irene, Abbess of the Convent of Chrysovalantou
Church Office Hours - Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Church office closed on Thursdays.
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PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER
Would you like to help with the receptions before and after Panagia’s Feast Day services, August 14 and 15? Please contact Evie Maggos at 847-791-5644.
Lenten Recipe Booklet – Please submit your favorite Lenten recipes to share in the Lenten Recipe Booklet, a great reference for Lenten meals! Please refer to the flyer enclosed for further information.
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.
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.
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 summer dates: July 31, August 7, August 14, August 28
*Please note: August 1 – 15 is the Panagia fast. Please only Lenten items.
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, utensils, and coffee.
We thank our beloved parishioners and friends of Assumption Panagia for your continued love and support!
ARTOKLASIA – THE BLESSING OF BREAD
The Blessing of Five Loaves of Bread is a brief service of thanksgiving through which we express our gratitude for all the blessings of life. Oil, wine, wheat, and the loaves of bread which are used in the service, are viewed as the most basic elements necessary for life. The Blessing reminds us of the miracle of the multiplication of the bread and fish by which Christ fed the multitude. This Blessing is usually offered during Vespers or after the Divine Liturgy on Feast days and other special occasions. After the Service, the bread is cut and distributed to the congregation. If you would like to offer an Artoklasia, please contact the church office at: 773.626.3114 or email: office@assumptionchicago.org to reserve a date.
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.
CHURCH ETIQUETTE: Please turn off or silence your cell phones.
God has once again blessed us with the return of the summer months and with summer comes warmer weather. Although it is appropriate to wear more open clothing during these sometimes extremely heated months, we must all remember to attend church wearing “respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control” (1 Timothy 2:9). This means men should come to church wearing dress pants with a sleeved shirt (no tanks, flip-flops, or shorts). Women should attend church wearing skirts that fall no higher than right above the knee; dress shoes/dress sandals, and sleeved tops (no flip-flops, sleeveless shirts, spaghetti straps, halter/tube tops, low-cut dresses/tops and mini skirts). While it easy for us to put on apparel that makes us comfortable, I pray that you understand the importance of dress when worshipping the Lord in His holy sanctuary. Have a Blessed and Safe Summer!
ANNUAL GOLF OUTING - MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2022
White Pines Golf Course - 500 Jefferson Street - Bensenville, IL 60106
Includes lunch, golf with cart and awards dinner
Early Bird Rate: $125 or $150 Day of Event - $40 Dinner Only
To register and for more information, please use the following link:
Payments can be made online or by contacting the church office
at: 773.626.3114 – Please see flyer for more information.
SAVE THE DATE!
Nothing Sweeter than the start of Sunday Church School
First Day of Classes August 28!
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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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