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The Publican and the Pharisee
The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.
Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights
Epistle Reading for the Day
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15
TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Gospel Reading of the Day
The Gospel According to Luke 18:10-14
The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
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Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 3:10-15 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα
Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν, οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις, οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα· καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος. Καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῇν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται. Πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι. Σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος ἔμαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:10-14 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα προσηύχετο· ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ εἰμὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι, μοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης· νηστεύω δὶς τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα κτῶμαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων· ὁ Θεός, ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος· ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.
READINGS FROM OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS
+Saint Agatha the Martyr - February 5
This Martyr, who was from Panormus (that is, Palermo) or perhaps Catania of Sicily, was a most comely and chaste virgin. After many exceedingly harsh torments, she gave up her spirit in prison at Catania in 251, because she did not consent to the seductions of Quintian, the Governor of Sicily. At her burial, an Angel placed a stone tablet on her grave inscribed with the words, "A righteous mind, self-determining, honor from God, the deliverance of her father-land." The following year this was fulfilled when Mount Etna erupted, spewing forth violent fire from which Catania was manifestly saved by Saint Agatha's prayers. The holy Martyr Agatha, the protectress and chief patroness of Sicily, is, with perhaps the exception of Saint Agnes of Rome, the most highly venerated Virgin Martyr of the West. Saint Damasus, Pope of Rome, and Saint Ambrose of Milan both wrote in praise of her.
+Saint Theodora the Empress - February 11
As for the renowned Empress Theodora, she was from Paphlagonia and was the daughter of a certain Marinus, the commander of a military regiment. While being the wife of the Emperor Theophilus, the last of the Iconoclasts, she adorned the royal diadem with her virtue and piety; as long as her husband Theophilus lived, she privately venerated icons, despite his displeasure. After his death, she restored the holy icons to public veneration; this is commemorated on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the First Sunday of the Great Fast. She governed the Empire wisely for fifteen years, since her son Michael was not yet of age. But in 857 she forsook her royal power and entered a certain convent in Constantinople called Gastria, where she finished the course of her life in holiness and reposed in the Lord. Her sacred incorrupt remains are found in Corfu, in the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos of the Cave, in the capital city of the island (see also Dec. 12).
The soul is greater than the body: the body becomes sick, and with that it is finished. But a spiritual sickness extends into eternity. Deliver us, O lord, from such illness, and grant us healing. +Saint Macarius
"You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other, joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of one who gives and kindles joy in the heart of one who receives." +St. Seraphim of Sarov
"So, read the Fathers, even one or two lines a day. They are very strengthening vitamins for the soul." +St. Paisios of Mount Athos
"A Christian must be courteous to all. His words and deeds must breathe with the grace of the Holy Spirit, which abides in his soul, so that in this way he might glorify the name of God." +St. Nektarios of Aegina
The best prayer is: “Lord! Thou knowest all things. Do with me as Thou willest!”
+St. Theophan the Recluse
ΜΙΚΡΟΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ
ΑΓΙΟΣ ΘΕΟΔΩΡΟΣ - ο Στρατηλάτης - (8 Φεβρουαρίου)
Καταγόταν από τη Μικρά Ασία, αλλά κατοικούσε στην Ηράκλεια του Πόντου.Ασκούσε το επάγγελμα του στρατιωτικού και τα φοβερά ψυχικά και σωματικά χαρίσματα τον οδήγησαν ψηλά στην στρατιωτική ιεραρχία. Ο αυτοκράτορας Λυκίνιος εντυπωσιασμένος από τα χαρίσματά του, διόρισε Στρατηλάτη το Θεόδωρο και ζήτησε πληροφορίες γι’ αυτόν. Οι πληροφορίες ομως ανέφεραν, πώς ο Θεόδωρος ήταν χριστιανός. Ο Λυκίνιος τον κάλεσε μπροστά του και του έκανε γνωστό πως κανένας στρατιώτης δεν επιτρεπόταν να είναι χριστιανός. Ο στρατηλάτης ομολόγησε μπροστά στον αυτοκράτορα το Χριστό. Ύστερα βασανίστηκε φρικτά και σταυρώθηκε, όμως και κατά την διάρκεια των βασανιστηρίων κατάφερε να πείσει πολλούς στρατιώτες να ασπαστούν το χριστιανισμό. Τελικά ο Θεόδωρος αποκεφαλίστηκε, αλλά η μνήμη του παραμένει αειθαλής και αθάνατος.
Ο Ιερομάρτυς Χαράλαμπος - ο Θαυματουργός - (10 Φεβρουαρίου)
Ήταν Ιερέας στη Μαγνησία της Μ. Ασίας. Η ζωή του ήταν μια συνεχής υπηρεσία αφοσίωσης στο Χριστό και αγάπης προς τον πλησίον. Όταν το 198 ο Σεπτίμιος Σεβήρος εξαπέλυσε διωγμό κατά των Χριστιανών, ο έπαρχος Λουκιανός έφερε μπροστά του το Χαράλαμπο και τον απείλησε ότι θα τον βασάνιζε πολύ σκληρά, για να αρνηθεί το Χριστό.O γέροντας Ιερέας χαμογέλασε και απάντησε: "Εμείς οι χριστιανοί, είμαστε εξοικειωμένοι με τους αγώνες και τους πολέμους, όπως οι γενναίοι στρατιώτες δεν επιθυμούν τον ήσυχο θάνατο στο κρεβάτι, αλλά τον δοξασμένο της μάχης. Σε μένα υπάρχουν τα γηρατειά, αλλά να μάθετε καλά ότι στους δικούς μας αγώνες το πάν είναι ή ψυχή, ή αποφασιστικότητα, ή αυταπάρνηση. Αυτά δεν πέφτουν με την ηλικία, αλλά μένουν πάντοτε ανθηρά και νέα. Αμφιβάλλεις, έπαρχε; Δοκίμασε. Και θα δεις ότι με τη χάρη του Κυρίου μου Ιησού Χριστού θα κουρασθούν όλοι οι ακμαίοι δήμιοι σου, χωρίς ο ιερέας Χαράλαμπος να ζητήσει την επιείκεια σου". Εκνευρισμένος από τα λόγια αυτά ο έπαρχος, διατάζει και τον γδέρνουν ζωντανό. Αυτός, όμως, αντί να σπαράζει από τον πόνο, δοξολογούσε το Θεό για την αντοχή πού του έδινε. Τότε πολλοί δήμιοι, πού έβλεπαν αυτό το θαύμα, πίστεψαν στο Χριστό. Φοβισμένος ο έπαρχος τον άφησε ελεύθερο. Αργότερα ο ίδιος ο Σεβήρος, μη μπορώντας να τα βγάλει πέρα μαζί του, τον αποκεφάλισε σε ηλικία 113 ετών.
Τα κυριαρχούντα σημεία του μαρτυρίου του Αγίου Χαραλάμπους, είναι η παροιμιώδης χριστιανική γαλήνη του γέροντα Πρεσβυτέρου της Εκκλησίας, παρά τα φρικτά βασανιστήρια και η χριστιανική συγχώρηση που έδωσε στους ίδιους τους βασανιστές του.Παράδειγμα αφοσίωσης στον Ιησού Χριστό,καρτερικότητας και εσωτερικής δύναμης.
Η προσφορά των κολλύβων είναι συμβολική και αναφέρεται στην κοινή ανάσταση των νεκρών. Ο συμβολισμός προέρχεται από το λόγο του Χριστού με την εξής σημασία: «Όπως ο σπόρος του σιταριού που σπέρνεται και θάβεται στη γή, δεν χάνεται, αλλά φυτρώνει ξανά, έτσι και ο άνθρωπος μετά την ταφή του θα αναστηθεί, άφθαρτος και αθάνατος!
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Prayers for: Steve, Anastasia, Kathryn, Demetri, Andrea, 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
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This week’s Gift of Light is given in loving memory of Dimitrios George Tsiribas.
MEMORIALS
2 years for the late Dimitrios George Tsiribas
2 years for the late Dena Zarkos
May their memory be eternal!
COFFEE HOUR
Please join us following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.
Today’s Coffee Hour is sponsored by The Tsiribas Family in loving memory of the late Dimitrios George Tsiribas. Thank you for hosting and may God rest his soul!
STEWARDSHIP BREAKFAST
In appreciation of our Stewards, we invite the entire community to join us this Sunday for our Annual Stewardship Brunch. Please join us in Plato Hall after the Divine Liturgy. Our menu will include eggs, sausage, waffles, and more. We will have a short stewardship presentation to follow.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Friday, February 10, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Altar Boy Appreciation Dinner at
The Patio BBQ in Lombard
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PARISH MINISTRIES AND EVENTS | |
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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.
2023 STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship packets have been mailed out and are also available in the Narthex 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 back in the enclosed envelope. Thank you for supporting our beautiful parish of Panagia!
View Parish Calendar
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UPCOMING WEEKDAY SERVICES | |
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Saturday, February 18, 9:00 a.m. Orthros and Divine Liturgy - +1st Saturday of Souls
Saturday, February 25, 9:00 a.m. Orthros and Divine Liturgy - +2nd Saturday of Souls
Clean Monday, February 27 - 5:30 p.m. Great Compline Service - Great Lent Begins
Wednesday, March 1, 9:00 a.m. Service of the 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. Presanctified Liturgy
11:00 a.m. Agiasmos - Blessing of the waters
Friday, March 3, 6:30 p.m. 1st Salutation Service
Saturday, March 4, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros and Divine Liturgy - +3rd Saturday of Souls
+SATURDAY OF SOULS
It is a Tradition in the Orthodox Church to offer prayers for the souls of all of our loved ones who have departed this life, in the hope of the Resurrection to Eternal Life. There are four Saturdays of the year that are dedicated specifically to this purpose. They are three Saturdays before and at the beginning of Lent and the Saturday before Pentecost. Everyone is encouraged to submit the names of their loved ones to be commemorated at the services. And you are all encouraged to attend these services (and bring Kolyva-boiled wheat) if you are able, as a way of honoring the people in your family who have passed.
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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
NEXT SUNDAY, February 12 - Wear RED for our ‘Go Red FOR Healthy Hearts’ group photo!
TODAY DURING COFFEE HOUR – Make your reservations for the Apokreatiko Glendi Luncheon! Also, we continue to receive membership registration through the month of February.
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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.
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 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!
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UPCOMING 2023 EVENTS
February 12 - Sunday Church School Godparents Sunday
February 19 - Philoptochos Apokreatiko Glendi following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.
February 19 - Saint Euphrosynos Kitchen Meal. Please contact the church office if you would like to cook or volunteer.
February 24 - Kolyva Lesson for Youth and Family. More information to come.
March 11 - 10:00 a.m. - Wedding Couple Seminar for couples getting married in 2023 - meeting will be held in Plato Hall
April 22, 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. - Feed My Starving Children - 555 Exchange Court, Aurora, IL 60504. 25 Spots have been reserved for Assumption.
UPCOMING YAL EVENTS
All young adults are invited and encouraged to attend.
Feb 26 - 12:00 p.m. - Coffee Table Discussion at coffee hour
March 26, 12:30 p.m. - Lenten baking in Plato Hall
April - Whirly Ball - TBD weeknight
May 28 - Talk with Father - Topic to be announced.
June - Trivia night at Gulliver’s - TBD
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A blessed week to you and your families!!! |
Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
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