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

Mr. George Demas - Pastoral Assistant

SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2024

+SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS

+KYΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΗΣ ΣΤΑΥΡΟΠΡΟΣΚΥΝΗΣΕΩΣ

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READINGS OF THE DAY

Epistle Reading of the Day

St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews

4:14-16; 5:1-6

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading for the Day

The Gospel of Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Απόστολος της Ημέρας

Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 4:14-16; 5:1-6

Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν· μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν· καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.

Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας

Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8.34-38; 9.1

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.

READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS

+Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

"Glory, O Lord, to the power of Thy Cross, which never fails! When the enemy oppresses me with a sinful thought or feeling, and I, lacking freedom in my heart, make the sign of the Cross several times with faith, suddenly my sin falls away from me, the compulsion vanishes, and I find myself free… For the faithful the Cross is a mighty power which delivers from all evils, from the malice of the invisible foe. +St. John of Kronstadt

Saints Kalliopios the Martyr, Roufinos the Deacon and Akylina the Martyr in Sinope - April 7

The holy Martyr Calliopius was from Perga in Pamphylia, brought up in piety by his godly mother Theocleia. When the persecution of Maximian broke out, Saint Calliopius presented himself of his own accord before the Governor Maximus in Pompeiopolis of Galatia. After he had suffered many torments, his mother visited him in prison and encouraged him in his martyrdom. After this, his thrice-blessed mother, upon learning that he was to be crucified on Holy and Great Thursday, bribed the tyrants to defer it one day, that he might imitate the Lord's Crucifixion on the same day that He suffered it. The holy Martyr Calliopius received the crown of martyrdom on Holy and Great Friday in the year 304, being crucified upside down.

+St Romanos the Melodist - On the Adoration at the Cross

"The Most High planted in the middle of Paradise The thrice blessed wood, the gift of life for us, In order that, in approaching it, Adam might find eternal and immortal life, But he did not strive earnestly to know this life, And he failed to attain it, and revealed death. However, the robber, seeing how the plant in Eden Had been beautifully transplanted in Golgotha, Recognized the life in it and said to himself: `This is what my father lost formerly In Paradise.'"

ΑΓΙΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΟΡΤΕΣ

ΤΗΝ ΤΡΙΤΗ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΩΝ – THΣ ΣΤΑΥΡΟΠΡΟΣΚΥΝΗΣΕΩΣ

«Εορτάζομεν την προσκύνησιν του Τιμίου και Ζωοποιού Σταυρού»

Την Κυριακή αυτή η Εκκλησία, προβάλλει μπροστά μας τον Τίμιο και Ζωοποιό Σταυρό του Χριστού, που είναι η χαρά του κόσμου, η δύναμη των πιστών, το στήριγμα των δικαίων και η ελπίοδα των αμαρτωλών. Να τι λέει το συναξάρι της ημέρας για το λόγο της προβολής μπροστά μας του Τιμίου Ξύλου: «Κάθε κοπιαστικού έργου η εκτέλεσις έχει δυσκολία. Αλλά αυτή η δυσκολία εμφανίζεται πιό μεγάλη κατά τη μέση του. Διότι ο κόπος που καταβάλαμε έως τότε, φέρει αδυναμία. Η δε αδυναμία καθιστά δυσκολώτερο το υπόλοιπο έργο. Και εμείς τώρα φθάσαμε, με τη θεία χάρι, στη μέση περίπου του δρόμου της νηστείας. Έτσι η αδυναμία μας περικύκλωσε και η δυσκολία α’υξησε. Γι’ αυτό λοιπόν η αγία μητέρα μας, η Εκκλησία του Χριστού, μας προβάλλει σήμερα, σαν βοήθημα πανίσχυρο, τον πανάγιο Σταυρό. Ώστε, καταφιλώντας τον, με ευλάβεια, να λάβουν χάρι και δύναμι προς τελείωσι του θείου της νηστείας αγώνος».

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Today’s Daffodils are donated by Nancy and Michael Pilafas in loving memory of their parents, Angeline and George Pilafas. Thank you to our donors and God bless!

COFFEE HOUR

Please join us for coffee hour in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy.

YAL KAFENIO

All young adults are invited to join us following the Divine Liturgy to discuss the Lenten period, as well as the importance of attending services and following the readings. We will be serving Lenten items and coffee in Saint Catherine’s.

12:00 p.m., Saint Euphrosynos Kitchen Meal in Plato Hall.

GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

2:30 p.m., Today is the Greek Independence Day Parade on Halsted in Greektown. We have reserved a float this year and we are #29 in line. Please make every effort to attend so we may represent Assumption Panagia as one big family. Celebrating 99 years of Faith, Hope and Love and marching together towards our 100^th Anniversary next year!

ΧΑΙΡΕ, Ω ΧΑΙΡΕ, ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ! ΖΗΤΩ Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ!

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

Monday, April 8 - 5:30 p.m., Great Compline Service

Wednesday, April 10 - 9:00 a.m., Service of the 9^th Hour followed by

Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at 9:30 a.m.

Friday, April 12 - 7:00 p.m., Salutation Service to the Holy Theotokos

Flowers for Panagia donated by Mr. and Mrs. James and Betty Tsiolis for health and well-being. Thank you to our donor and God bless!

Omitted from March 29 bulletin: Flowers were donated by Ms. Lola Payne in loving memory of Xenophon and Demetra Payne. May their memory be eternal! Thank you to our donor and God bless!

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 on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Thank you for your patience and we're sorry for any inconvenience. Blessed Lent to all!

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

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.

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.

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: April14, 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) - $150 Donated~~

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 Donated~~

~~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 per basket

~~Flowers for the Large Icon of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Saturday) - $400~~

~~Flowers for the Resurrectional Banner, Lavaron (Holy Saturday) - $275.00 Donated~~

11 Large Potted Easter Lilies for Great and Holy Pascha (May 5) - $100 per plant

~~2 Clergy Paschal Candles - $275 per candle Donated~~

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.

Available weeks: April 28 - May 26

Contact the church office for June - December 2024 availability.

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

In observance of the Veneration of the Holy Cross, Philoptochos chapters take a collection with proceeds dedicated to the operating

expenses of the Hellenic College Holy Cross Orthodox School of

Theology. Please support and help perpetuate the mission of

this very worthy institution established in 1937 by Archbishop Athenagoras, "where your sons will be educated as priests and teachers."

UPCOMING . . .EASTER BAKE SALE – APRIL 27 – Order Form attached, also available at Church.

We are baking on Saturday, April 20 at 9:00 a.m. in Plato Hall. Please let us know if you can help assumptionphiloptochos@gmail.com.

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

**Flyers located in the Narthex.

April 14 - 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., GOYA Kafeneio in Saint Catherine’s.

April 14 - 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Hellenic Museum Tour on Halsted Street preceded with lunch at Greek Islands. Seniors 65 & older free - Adults $30, Children 18 & younger $15. Contact George Demas for reservations at george@assumptionchicago.org or call Church Office.

April 20 - 12:30 p.m., Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall

April 21 - Date Change! Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival

April 27, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Saint of Lazarus Family Lenten Retreat in Plato Hall

May 11, YAL Bright Week BBQ/Picnic

May 12 - 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mother’s Day Luncheon.

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.