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Saint Averkios, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Wonderworker, Bishop of Hierapolis
Saint Abercius, Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia in the times of Marcus Aurelius, was adorned with the grace of wonderworking and with apostolic zeal. During a festival in honour of Apollo, the chief deity of Hierapolis, the holy bishop was instructed in a revelation to destroy the idols. He went to the temple by night and overturned the statues of Apollo and the others. When this was discovered, the Saint boldly cried out that the gods, becoming drunk from the wine of the libations offered them, had struck one against another in their confusion. A multitude of furious pagans came to avenge the insult to their gods, but when the Saint cast the demons out of three afflicted young men, fear fell upon the idolaters and they with the whole city became Christian. After many labours, and afflictions, Saint Abercius reposed in peace about the year 167 (or, according to some, 186). ~Commemorated on October 22
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Seven Holy Martyred Youths of Ephesus - October 22
The Seven Youths hid themselves in a certain cave near Ephesus in the year 250, to escape the persecution of Decius. By divine grace, a sleep came upon them and they slept for 184 years, until the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger, when the doctrine of the resurrection was being assailed by heretics. They then awoke, that is, were resurrected, confirming in the sight of all the bodily resurrection; and again after a short time, by divine command, they reposed in the Lord in the year 434.
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Epistle Reading of the Day
St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19
BRETHREN, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
Gospel Reading for the Day
The Gospel according to Luke 8:26-39
At that time, as Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me." For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Γαλάτας 1:11-19
Ἀδελφοί, γνωρίζω δὲ ὑμῖν, ἀδελφοί, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τὸ εὐαγγελισθὲν ὑπʼ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν κατὰ ἄνθρωπον. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐγὼ παρὰ ἀνθρώπου παρέλαβον αὐτό, οὔτε ἐδιδάχθην, ἀλλὰ διʼ ἀποκαλύψεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Ἠκούσατε γὰρ τὴν ἐμὴν ἀναστροφήν ποτε ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσμῷ, ὅτι καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν ἐδίωκον τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ ἐπόρθουν αὐτήν· καὶ προέκοπτον ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσμῷ ὑπὲρ πολλοὺς συνηλικιώτας ἐν τῷ γένει μου, περισσοτέρως ζηλωτὴς ὑπάρχων τῶν πατρικῶν μου παραδόσεων. Ὅτε δὲ εὐδόκησεν ὁ θεὸς ὁ ἀφορίσας με ἐκ κοιλίας μητρός μου καὶ καλέσας διὰ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ, ἀποκαλύψαι τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ ἵνα εὐαγγελίζωμαι αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, εὐθέως οὐ προσανεθέμην σαρκὶ καὶ αἵματι· οὐδὲ ἀνῆλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα πρὸς τοὺς πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἀποστόλους, ἀλλὰ ἀπῆλθον εἰς Ἀραβίαν, καὶ πάλιν ὑπέστρεψα εἰς Δαμασκόν. Ἔπειτα μετὰ ἔτη τρία ἀνῆλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἱστορῆσαι Πέτρον, καὶ ἐπέμεινα πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡμέρας δεκαπέντε. Ἕτερον δὲ τῶν ἀποστόλων οὐκ εἶδον, εἰ μὴ Ἰάκωβον τὸν ἀδελφὸν τοῦ κυρίου.
Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 8:26-39
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθόντι τῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς τὴν χώραν τῶν Γαδαρηνῶν, ἥτις ἐστὶν ἀντίπερα τῆς Γαλιλαίας. ἐξελθόντι δὲ αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ ἀνήρ τις ἐκ τῆς πόλεως, ὃς εἶχε δαιμόνια ἐκ χρόνων ἱκανῶν, καὶ ἱμάτιον οὐκ ἐνεδιδύσκετο καὶ ἐν οἰκίᾳ οὐκ ἔμενεν, ἀλλ᾿ ἐν τοῖς μνήμασιν. ἰδὼν δὲ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν καὶ ἀνακράξας προσέπεσεν αὐτῷ καὶ φωνῇ μεγάλῃ εἶπε· τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, ᾿Ιησοῦ, υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου; δέομαί σου, μή με βασανίσῃς. παρήγγειλε γὰρ τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ ἐξελθεῖν ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. πολλοῖς γὰρ χρόνοις συνηρπάκει αὐτόν, καὶ ἐδεσμεῖτο ἁλύσεσι καὶ πέδαις φυλασσόμενος, καὶ διαρρήσσων τὰ δεσμὰ ἠλαύνετο ὑπὸ τοῦ δαίμονος εἰς τὰς ἐρήμους. ἐπηρώτησε δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς λέγων· τί σοί ἐστιν ὄνομα; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· λεγεών· ὅτι δαιμόνια πολλὰ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς αὐτόν· καὶ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν ἵνα μὴ ἐπιτάξῃ αὐτοῖς εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον ἀπελθεῖν. ἦν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἀγέλη χοίρων ἱκανῶν βοσκομένων ἐν τῷ ὄρει· καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν ἵνα ἐπιτρέψῃ αὐτοῖς εἰς ἐκείνους εἰσελθεῖν· καὶ ἐπέτρεψεν αὐτοῖς. ἐξελθόντα δὲ τὰ δαιμόνια ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου εἰσῆλθον εἰς τοὺς χοίρους, καὶ ὥρμησεν ἡ ἀγέλη κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ εἰς τὴν λίμνην καὶ ἀπεπνίγη. ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ βόσκοντες τὸ γεγενημένον ἔφυγον, καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν εἰς τὴν πόλιν καὶ εἰς τοὺς ἀγρούς. ἐξῆλθον δὲ ἰδεῖν τὸ γεγονός, καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν καὶ εὗρον καθήμενον τὸν ἄνθρωπον, ἀφ᾿ οὗ τὰ δαιμόνια ἐξεληλύθει, ἱματισμένον καὶ σωφρονοῦντα παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν. ἀπήγγειλαν δὲ αὐτοῖς οἱ ἰδόντες πῶς ἐσώθη ὁ δαιμονισθείς. καὶ ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν ἅπαν τὸ πλῆθος τῆς περιχώρου τῶν Γαδαρηνῶν ἀπελθεῖν ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν, ὅτι φόβῳ μεγάλῳ συνείχοντο. αὐτὸς δὲ ἐμβὰς εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ὑπέστρεψεν. ἐδέετο δὲ αὐτοῦ ὁ ἀνήρ, ἀφ᾿ οὗ ἐξεληλύθει τὰ δαιμόνια, εἶναι σὺν αὐτῷ· ἀπέλυσε δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς λέγων· ὑπόστρεφε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου καὶ διηγοῦ ὅσα ἐποίησέ σοι ὁ Θεός. καὶ ἀπῆλθε καθ᾿ ὅλην τὴν πόλιν κηρύσσων ὅσα ἐποίησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς.
ΑΓΙΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΟΡΤΕΣ
ΑΓΙΟΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ Ο ΜΥΡΟΒΛΥΤΗΣ - (26 Οκτωβρίου)
Ο άγιος Δημήτριος, τη μνήμη του οποίου η Εκκλησία μας σήμερα τιμά είναι πολιούχος και προστάτης της Θεσσαλονίκης και ένας από τους μεγαλύτερους μάρτυρες της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας μας. Με το βίο του και τη γενναιότητά του στάθηκε πρότυπο για τον άγιο Νέστορα και στέκεται και μέχρι τις μέρες μας παράδειγμα αγιότητας και αγάπης προς τον Χριστό. Καταγόταν από ονομαστή οικογένεια της Θεσσαλονίκης και ήταν στρατιωτικός στα χρόνια του Διοκλητιανού. Πρωτοστατούσε ανάμεσα στους νέους της Θεσσαλονίκης στη χριστιανική κίνηση και ζωή. Το έτος 303 μ.Χ. εκδόθηκε αυτοκρατορικό διάταγμα ενάντια στους χριστιανούς και ο Δημήτριος φυλακίστηκε. Εκείνη την εποχή γινόνταν αγώνες στη Θεσσαλονίκη. Οι ειδωλολάτρες εκμεταλλευόμενοι τη δύναμη κάποιου Λυαίου, προσκαλούσαν τους χριστιανούς να τον αντιμετωπίσουν. Ένας νεαρός χριστιανός, τότε ονόματι Νέστωρ που ανήκε στη συντροφιά του Δημητρίου και αφού πήρε την ευχή του απο τη φυλακή, αντιμετώπισε και νίκησεν το σωματώδη Λυαίο. Όταν έμαθε ο Διοκλητιανός τα αίτια της ήττας του Λυαίου, διέταξε τη θανάτωση του Δημητρίου. Έτσι, λογχίστηκε στα πλευρά από τους απεσταλμένους του βασιλιά μέσα στη φυλακή. Εξαιτίας της ιδιάζουσας μυρωδιάς που αναβλύζει από το άγιο λείψανό του, ονομάστηκε και «Μυροβλύτης».
Ο ΑΓΙΟΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΜΑΡΤΥΣ ΝΕΣΤΩΡ - (27 Οκτωβρίου) - Αποφάσισε να καταπολεμήσει με τη βοήθεια του Θεού το θηριώδη μονομάχο Λυαίο,ο οποίος χλεύαζε τους χριστιανούς και τους καλούσε να τους αντιμετωπίσει στους αγώνες της Θεσσαλονίκης, ζήτησε μάλιστα και την βοήθεια του Δημητρίου που βρισκόταν στη φυλακή. Ο Δημήτριος προσευχήθηκε για τον Νέστωρα και του είπε ότι θα αξιωθεί να μαρτυρήσει για την πίστη του επί Διοκλητιανού και Μαξιμιανού. Ο Νέστωρ ενθαρρυμένος από τα λόγια του Αγίου Δημητρίου εισήλθε στο στάδιο και κατατρόπωσε το Λυαίο μέ ένα χτύπημα στην καρδιά. Ο Μαξιμιανός, ο οποίος παρακολουθούσε τον αγώνα θεώρησε προσωπική προσβολή το γεγονός και διέταξε να θανατώσουν με τη λόγχη τους δύο άντρες, τον Δημήτριο και τον Νέστορα. Η δε μητέρα Εκκλησία περιβάλλεται «ώς πορφύραν καί βύσσον τα αίματα των μαρτύρων της».
Το ΟΧΙ της 28ης Οκτωβρίου και το έπος του ‘40
Εξαιρετική είναι η συγκίνηση που αισθάνονται όλοι οι Έλληνες, όταν καλούν στην μνήμη τους αναμνήσεις από τα ένδοξα γεγονότα του 1940. Πράγματι τα μεγάλα και φωτεινά αυτά γεγονότα, επισφράγισαν με ανεξίτηλη δόξα την ιστορική πορεία του έθνους μας.
Το ελληνικό Έθνος αισθάνεται ιδιαίτερη υπερηφάνεια, για το μεγάλο ΟΧΙ της 28ης Οκτωβρίου του 1940, το οποίο αντέταξε ο Ελληνικός λαός κατά τον βαθύ όρθρο της ιστορικής εκείνης ημέρας. Ήταν η αρχή μιας εκστρατείας που ονομάστηκε «Έπος» που κάλυψε ένα ένδοξο μέρος της μακραίωνης ελληνικής ιστορίας μας.
Η γενιά του '40 απέδειξε για μια ακόμη φορά, ότι το ιερό πάθος για την ελευθερία της Πατρίδας είναι υπέρτατο καθήκον όλων των Ελλήνων, που επανειλημμένα το έχουν αποδείξει κατά τη διάρκεια της μακραίωνης ύπαρξής τους και δεν θα σταματήσουν να το αποδεικνύουν, όσο υπάρχουν, σε αυτή την όμορφη χώρα.
READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS
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Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer & Great Martyr of Thessaloniki – October 26
Saint Demetrius was a Thessalonian, a most pious son of pious and noble parents, and a teacher of the Faith of Christ. When Maximian first came to Thessalonica in 290, he raised the Saint to the rank of Duke of Thessaly. But when it was discovered that the Saint was a Christian, he was arrested and kept bound in a bath-house. While the games were under way in the city, Maximian was a spectator there. A certain friend of his, a barbarian who was a notable wrestler, Lyaeus by name, waxing haughty because of the height and strength of his body, boasted in the stadium and challenged the citizens to a contest with him. All that fought with him were defeated. Seeing this, a certain youth named Nestor, acquaintance of Demetrius', came to the Saint in the bath-house and asked his blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handed. Receiving this blessing and sealing himself with the sign of the precious Cross, he presented himself in the stadium, and said, "O God of Demetrius, help me!" and straightway he engaged Lyaeus in combat and smote him with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving the former boaster lifeless upon the earth. Maximian was sorely grieved over this, and when he learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded straightway and Demetrius was pierced with lances while he was yet in the bath-house, As for Nestor, Maximian commanded that he be slain with his own sword.
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Mother Gavrilia, the Ascetic of Love, is canonized (Gerontissa Gavrilia Papagiane +1992) – Newly Canonized Orthodox Saint on October 3, 2023
Mother Gavrilia passed from this world on March 28, 1992. Only the angels could count the number of lives that God touched and changed through her. Everyone who knew Mother Gavrilia realized that God has not left us without His saints, even in the present day. She never sought a reputation and she never allowed anything about her to be published during her long life. Those whom God touched through her called her Gerontissa [Gr. Elderess]; she never thought of herself as anything but the nun Gavrilia. She was known as humility and love incarnate. Her 'ecumenism' served as a model for many Orthodox; she was completely loving and open to all people, she worked gladly with other Christians, Moslems, Buddhists and Hindus in service to others while witnessing to her Orthodox faith through charity and humility.
The following quotes are taken from her notebooks:
“Every place may become the place of the Resurrection. It is enough that you live the humility of Christ”.
“When God created us, He gave us life and breathed His Spirit into us. That Spirit is Love. When we lack love, we become corpses and are altogether dead”.
“The Christian must respect the mystery of the existence of everyone and everything”.
“To reach nonexistence, love, love, and love—and so identify completely with the Other, with every other. Then at the end of the day you ask yourself, "Do I want anything? No. Do I need anything? No. Do I lack anything? No." That’s it!”
“Whoever lives in the past is as if dead. Whoever lives in the future in his fantasy (or imagination) is naive, because the future belongs only to God. The Joy of Christ is found only in the present, in the Eternal Present of God.”
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The Holy Protection of the Theotokos
October 28
The Feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the early sixth century, as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ's sake. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.
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Prayers for: Panagioti, Kathy, Madalyn, Petros, Elaine, Kristine, Jon, Steve, Anastasia, Kathryn, Demetri, Andrea, Elaine, James, William, Anastasios, Polyxeni, 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 in loving memory of Helen P. Collis.
MEMORIALS
3 months for the late Dimitrios Mantis
1 year for the late Diana (Artemisia) Harokopos
May their memory be eternal!
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COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee hour in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy.
Today’s coffee hour is sponsored by The Mantis Family in loving memory of Dimitrios Mantis. May God rest his soul and may his memory be eternal! Thank you for hosting!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THIS WEEK:
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23
6:30 p.m., Join us for Orthodox Studies. We will be meeting in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room. Presentation will be on The Canonization of Saints. Coffee and sweets will be offered.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28
9:00 a.m. - Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+Holy Protection of the Theotokos
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Community Fall Fest and Pumpkin Patch
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - YAL Home Fellowship - Ages 18-35 are invited to join us for fellowship, spiritual discussion, and a bonfire to kick off the autumn season. We will meet at The Fousekis Home. See flyer for more information.
WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS
We welcome you to worship with us today. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian, or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and Chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians, all are invited to receive the antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The antidoron is not sacramental but is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church.
After the Divine Liturgy this morning, please join us in Plato Hall for fellowship, refreshments and visit with our Clergy, our Parish Council and the Stewards of our Parish.
We hope that you will return often to worship with us and to grow in faith.
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 in November and December:
November 19, 26 and December 3, 10, 17
Please note: November 15 begins the Christmas Fast. Only Lenten items during the fast.
Thank you to our beloved parishioners and friends of Assumption Panagia for your continued love and support!
PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER
On Sunday, November 5, please join us in worship as we recognize National Philoptochos Sunday with a memorial for members who have fallen asleep, an artoklasia for the health and well-being of our members and parishioners and a coffee hour for everyone to enjoy.
Also, please Save the Date for the Christmas Luncheon – Saturday, December 2nd, Greek Islands, Lombard. Details are forthcoming. All ladies and gentlemen are welcome!
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!
Our St. Euphrosynos Kitchen Ministry has grown significantly. We need more volunteers. Currently, we are looking for more people to deliver meals one Sunday a month to our homebound parishioners and friends of Assumption Church. The geographic area that is in the most need of delivery drivers is the Northwest side of Chicago. If you or someone you know is willing to share some time to deliver or would like more information about volunteering for this or any other Outreach ministry, please email Christina Arvanites arvanites795@gmail.com
YOUNG ADULTS
Hello Young Adults (18-35yrs old)! We firstly would like to collect all Young Adult contact information for communication purposes! Parents of Young Adults are encouraged to help submit their child’s contact information too. Please submit your contact information to george@assumptionchicago.org or office@assumptionchicago.org or call the Church Office: 773.626.3114.
TO OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS
The vision of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is to be the loving presence of Christ and the Orthodox Church on college campuses; to be an integral part of students’ spiritual formation by challenging them to explore the Faith; and to inspire students to commit to living an Orthodox Christian way of life daily. Through national programs, weekend retreats, virtual gatherings, and over 250 on-campus chapters, OCF is an invitation to thrive during your time in school. Orthodox Christian Fellowship offers college students rich community in Christ, inspiring a life-long love of God and neighbor. To get connected, visit ocf.net/get-connected
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.
There are many weeks available. 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.
ASSUMPTION PANAGIA BOOKSTORE
Please visit our Religious Bookstore! Not only do we have beautiful Icons for your home and to give as gifts, we also have books for all ages, baby’s bibs for baptisms and much more! Our bookstore is open following the Divine Liturgy on Sundays in Plato Hall.
2023 STEWARDSHIP
Thank you to all who have sent in their Stewardship for 2023! If you haven’t done so already, please pick up a Stewardship packet. Packets are available at the Pangari 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 in the enclosed envelope. Thank you for supporting our beautiful parish of Panagia!
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.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Did you know that the Orthodox Church has a prayer service for Wedding Anniversaries? While planning with your spouse what you will do on your day of remembrance, don’t forget to contact the Church Office to set up an appointment for the prayer service with Father Apostolos. While it is suggested that the prayer be read on your Wedding Anniversary, it may also be read on Sundays after Church services.
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.
View Parish Calendar
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NOVEMBER SCHEDULE OF WEEKDAY SERVICES
Wednesday, November 8 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Synaxis of the Holy Archangels
Thursday, November 9 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker
Friday, November 10 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia
Monday, November 20 - 1:00 p.m., Vespers of The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Tuesday, November 21 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Friday, November 24 - 7:00 p.m., Vespers of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr
Saturday, November 25 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Saint Catherine the Great Martyr
GOAL BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL (STAG TEAM)
We have some exciting news! Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Christian Church is teaming up again with the STAG (St. Andrew, St. George, Annunciation and Assumption churches) basketball and volleyball teams for boys and girls in 3rd to 12th grade. If you are interested in learning more or having your kid play you must contact me, George Demas george@assumptionchicago.org (or reply to this email)/ 773.626.3114 so I can approve through the pastoral team and then also sign-up with Stavros Lazos at stavroslazos@hotmail.com / 773.251.5933 who is in charge of introductions, registrations as well as team scheduling and organization.
*Please remember that at least one of the player’s parents/guardians or the player himself/herself, must be a member in good standing of our parish.
The STAG official kick-off and open gym is Thursday, Oct 5th at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church with basketball, volleyball, pizza and fellowship.
Practice during the year will be every Thursday at St. Andrew’s designated sometime within 6-9pm.
Games will start on November 11 and will be played on either Saturday or Sunday (after church) during the season.
We thank you for your love and support of all Panagia's programs.
UPCOMING 2023 EVENTS
Sunday, October 29 - 6:00 p.m., Grand Raffle Dinner Celebration at Venuti’s Italian Restaurant & Banquet Hall, 2251 W. Lake Street, Addison, IL 60101. You may purchase tickets during the week, by contacting the church office at: (773) 626-3114. Tickets are also available every Sunday during the coffee hour in Plato Hall. Please see flyer for additional details.
Monday, October 30 - 12:00 p.m., Tenderhearted Ministry for seniors ages 65 and over. Join us in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room for lunch and a small presentation. Call the church office for reservations.
Sunday, December 3 - 12:00 p.m., Parish Assembly Meeting in Plato Hall. In order to participate in this meeting, you must be a steward and have submitted a pledge card for 2023.
Winter Family Weekend Retreat at Saint Iakovos Retreat Center on January 26-27, 2024. Skiing at Wilmont Mountain, Wilmont, Wisconsin. Details to follow.
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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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