Good Morning, to You, the Parish
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios!
3rd Sunday of Matthew
Idolatry Leads to Anxiety
Ours is an age of anxiety. Many people are overcome with worry about matters large and small. Some certainly do need the help of physicians and psychological counselors in order to cope with their fears. The sickness of our souls remains, however, at the very heart of all our collective and personal brokenness. If our souls are not healthy, we will never find the peace that truly satisfies us as God's children who bear His image and likeness.
The Lord spoke of the health of our souls in terms of vision: "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness!"
If our spiritual vision is clouded and unfocused we will not have the strength to see our problems and challenges in light of the Kingdom. We will instead stumble in the darkness to the point that we make the passing things of this life our constant obsessions, which is a path only to greater worry, anxiety, and fear. Jesus Christ teaches that we are not to worry about our food, drink, and clothing.
This teaching does not condemn reasonable provision for a decent life for ourselves and our families. Instead, it gives us a clear example of how spiritual blindness enslaves us to idolatry, which leads only to constant worry.
If the eyes of our souls are gaining clarity and focus, however, we will not blindly view life's necessities as the highest good, and neither will we make the lack of them the greatest evil. Instead, we will be illumined with the light of Christ to the point that we will see even the worst circumstances of life in this world as opportunities to serve our one true Master.
When we struggle to see that God cares for us in the midst of our challenges, we must remember St. Paul's example of using suffering and difficulty for growth in holiness: "We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance character, and character, hope." Paul's hope is grounded in "the love of God...poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us."
When we are overcome with worry about any problem or threat in life, we must use our weakness as an opportunity to gain greater spiritual strength: as a reminder to guard our thoughts as we turn our attention from obsessing about what we cannot change to an earnest, humble plea for the Lord's healing mercy. That is how we will open ourselves to greater participation in His life and find true peace.
Regardless of the form that darkness takes in our lives, we must not despair. Instead, we must use our weakness and pain as reminders to open ourselves to the light of Christ as best we can. Stumbling around with our eyes closed is a good way to become disoriented and hurt ourselves. Since God created us in His image and likeness, we will never find ultimate satisfaction by looking for fulfillment in the passing things of this world.
Let us open ourselves to the healing light of Christ, trusting that He will respond graciously to even our small, faltering steps to put our lives in the context of His Kingdom. That is the ultimate cure for our worries. If we trust primarily in ourselves and what we can get by using worldly things according to our own designs, we will inevitably be consumed by anxiety and fear. But if we gain the spiritual clarity to behold all things in the light of His glory, we will know peace from the depths of our souls. He makes it possible for us to experience already the joy of heaven even as we live and breathe in this world with all of its and our problems. As the Lord said, "Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well." Excerpt from
Fr. Philip LeMaster, Eastern Christian Insights, 6/19/2018
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Epistle Reading (6/28/2020): Romans 5:1-10
Gospel Reading (6/28/2020): The Gospel According to Matthew 6:22-33
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Church is open for worship,
but with a
limited capacity!
WELCOME IN!
St. Demetrios Parish
Information & Updates
This Week at St. Demetrios...
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As a courtesy reminder, it is necessary to call the Church Office to register for an upcoming service. Please
Read Letter!
Sunday, June 28th
Κυριακή Γ' Ματθαίου
Όρθρος, 8π.μ. & Θεία Λειτουργία, 9:30π.μ.
3rd Sunday of Matthew
Orthros, 8a.m. & Divine Liturgy, 9:30a.m.
Ἀπόστολοι Πέτρος και Παύλος
Μέγας Εσπερινός, 6μ.μ.
Feast of SS. Peter & Paul
Great Vespers, 6p.m.
Monday, June 29th
Ἀπόστολοι Πέτρος και Παύλος
Όρθρος, 8π.μ. & Θεία Λειτουργία, 9π.
μ.
Feast of SS. Peter & Paul
Orthros, 8a.m. & Divine Liturgy, 9a.m.
Σύναξις τών Αγίων Δώδεκα Αποστόλων
Μέγας Εσπερινός, 6μ.μ.
Synaxis of the 12 Holy Apostles
Great Vespers, 6p.m.
Tuesday, June 30th
Σύναξις τών Αγίων Δώδεκα Αποστόλων
Όρθρος, 8π.μ. & Θεία Λειτουργία, 9π.μ.
Synaxis of the 12 Holy Apostles
Orthros, 8a.m. & Divine Liturgy, 9a.m.
Ἀνάργυροι Κοσμάς καί Δαμιανός
Μέγας Εσπερινός, 6μ.μ.
Holy Anargyroi, Cosmas & Damianos
Great Vespers, 6p.m.
Wednesday, July 1st
Ἀνάργυροι Κοσμάς καί Δαμιανός
Όρθρος, 8π.μ. & Θεία Λειτουργία, 9π.μ.
Holy Anargyroi, Cosmas & Damianos
Orthros, 8a.m. & Divine Liturgy, 9a.m.
Saturday, July 4th
Εθνική Εορτή: Αμερικανική Ημέρα Ανεξαρτησίας
National Holiday: American Independence Day
Church Office Closed
Sunday, July 5th
Κυριακή Δ' Ματθαίου
Όρθρος, 8π.μ. & Θεία Λειτουργία, 9:30π.μ.
4th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros, 8a.m. & Divine Liturgy, 9:30a.m.
The services will continue to be LIVE-STREAMED on our:
1. Our Church
Website (Live-Stream Feed)
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A New
Way of Giving
at
St. Demetrios
Click on the link below to go directly to our website for the
online giving page:
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I
t is with great delight that we inform you that
"The Orthodox Store" is now under new management.
Stay tune for details of an upcoming campaign event.
THANK YOU to those of
you who have already made donations for this
exciting ministry.
This ministry, under the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, combines the efforts of 26 parishes across the Chicagoland area to provide bags hope to fellow Orthodox Christians & members of the community at large.
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios has been blessed to be one of these parishes.
It is very simple!
Click on the link provided for information on how you can help.
Just outside the Church Office door are 3 bins in which your donations can be dropped off.
Donation drop-off during Church Office hours, Monday-Friday, 9a.m. - 4p.m..
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Parish Registry as of June 26th:
Baptisms 10 Chrismations 1
Weddings 1 Funerals 21
Shut-Ins 18
Hospital & Home Visitations 410
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2020 Stewardship of The Greek Orthodox Church of
St. Demetrios
Stewardship as of Friday, June 26th - 405
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I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I did not have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me and heavier came each task.
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I wanted to see joy and beauty but the day toiled on, gray and bleak.
I wondered why God didn't show me.
He said, "But you didn't seek."
I tried to come into God's presence; I tried all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, "My child, you didn't knock."
I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.
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Fr. Panagiotis will be Temporarily Filling-In
Fr. Panagiotis will be filling-in as a substitute priest at the parish of St. Athanasios &
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church on Keeler Avenue in Chicago.
The parish of St. Athanasios & St. John the Baptist are in the process of securing a priest for their parish. Fr. George, as agreed upon before his arrival to the parish, left to go back to Greece at the end of May 2020 signifying the end of his tenure. We wish Fr. George the Lord's abundant blessings in his transition back home.
The parish of St. Athanasios and St. John the Baptist approached Fr. Panagiotis to assist liturgically in the interim. Fr. Panagiotis discussed this opportunity with Fr. Andreas, the Chancellor of our Metropolis - The Very Rev. Fr. Timothy Bakakos, and at Fr. Panagiotis' request, specifically with the Executive Members of the Parish Council. Fr. Panagiotis agreed to help our neighboring parish out in their time of need.
However, when Fr. Panagiotis will not be assisting at the parish of St. Athanasios &
St. John the Baptist he will be with us at St. Demetrios during this same time frame. It has been agreed and understood by all parties that when our parish returns to regular capacity and attendance, that Fr. Panagiotis will return to his usual role in the life of our parish.
We wish the parish of St. Athanasios & St. John the Baptist the very best in the search of finding a new priest to lead their community. Likewise, we look forward to Fr. Panagiotis' full return to St. Demetrios.
If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please contact Fr. Andreas directly.
O Π. Παναγιώτης Μαλαμής θα συμπληρώσει ως αναπληρωτής Ιερέας στην
Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία του Αγίου Αθανασίου & του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Βαπτιστού στη λεωφόρο Keeler στο Σικάγο.
H ενορία του Αγίου Αθανασίου και του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Βαπτιστού βρίσκεται στη διαδικασία εξασφάλισης ενός ιερέα για την ενορία τους.
Ο Π. Γεώργιος, όπως συμφωνήθηκε πριν από την άφιξη του στην ενορία, έφυγε για να επιστρέψει στην Ελλάδα στα τέλη Μαϊου 2020 σηματοδώντας το τέλος της θητείας του. Ευχόμαστε στον Π. Γεώργιο ευλογίες Κυρίου στη μετάβασή του!
Η ενορία, στη συνέχεια, πλησίασε τον Π. Παναγιώτη , για να τους βοηθήσει λειτουργικά στο ενδιάμεσο διάστημα.
Ο Π. Παναγιώτης συζήτησε αυτή την ευκαιρία με τον Π. Ανδρέα, τον Πρωτοσύγκελο της Μητρόπολης μας, Παν. Αρχιμανδρίτης Π. Τιμόθεος Μπακάκος, και αφού εξετάστηκε το αίτημα του Π. Παναγιώτη απο τα μέλη του διοικητικού συμβουλίου της Ενορίας μας, ο
Π. Παναγιώτης συμφωνήθηκε να βοηθήσει τη γειτονική Ενορία.
Ωστόσο, όταν δεν θα απαιτείται η παρουσία του Π. Παναγιώτη στην ενορία του Αγίου Αθανασίου και του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Βαπτιστού, τότε θα βρίσκεται κοντά μας στον Αγιο Δημήτριο.
Έχει συμφωνηθεί και κατανοηθεί από όλα τα ενδιαφερόμενα μέλη, ότι όταν η ενορία μας επιστρέψει στην κανονική χωρητικότητα και συμμετοχή της ο Π. Παναγιώτης θα επιστρέψει στο γνώριμο ρόλο του στη ζωή της Ενορίας μας.
Ευχόμαστε στην ενορία του Αγίου Αθανασίου και του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Βαπτιστού το καλύτερο στην αναζήτηση του νέου Ιερέα για να ηγηθεί της κοινότητάς τους.
Παρομοιώς ανυπομονούμε ο Π. Παναγιώτης να επιστρέψει στα καθήκοντά του στον Αγιο Δημήτριο.
Αν έχετε σχόλια, ερωτήσεις ή όποιες ανησυχίες, μη διστάσετε να επικοινωνήσετε άμεσα με τον ΠαπΑνδρέα.
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Please don't forget to visit our Church's Website where you can find all our updated information - from service schedules, live-stream links, Metropolis news, social media links and more...
www.saintdemetrioselmhurst.org
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Y
ou
may NOW register ONLINE!
It is very simple!
Just fill out the online application &
make your deposit via paypal!
Fall Registration 2020
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Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
Communications & Events
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A Partnership With Those Who Have Lost Their
Jobs
Due to Covid-19
The Metropolis of Chicago is partnering with
Medix
, a national workforce solutions firm, to help displaced workers belonging to the Metropolis find work during the pandemic.
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Though the current times have separated us from family, friends & neighbors, we remain united to each other as members of the Body of Christ.
As Orthodox Christians, there are few greater truths present in our faith.
In this spirit, the Metropolis of Chicago will share with the faithful sermonettes, prayers, reflection or stories from the clergy members and others of the Metropolis on a daily basis.
Please visit this webpage every day and share the pastoral messages with your family, friends and neighbors. The Metropolis asks the faithful for their continued prayers for our first responders, doctors, nurses and for the people under their care.
Your Church Office of
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios Elmhurst, IL.
630.834.7010
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