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, NOVEMBER 13, 2022 - ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 13 ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 2022

8TH SUNDAY OF LUKE

We welcome His Grace Bishop Timothy of Hexamillion and Rev. Fr. Deacon Antoun

READINGS AND PRAYERS

+Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople – Nov. 13

Saint John Chrysostom was the Archbishop of Constantinople and one of the greatest preachers of the early Christian Church. For his wisdom and eloquence, Saint John received the name Chrysostom, which translates from Greek as “golden-mouthed”.

Saint John was born around 347 A.D. in Antioch in a very noble family. John’s father, a military officer, died soon after the birth of his son, and John’s mother became a widow when she was only twenty years old. She did not remarry, but devoted herself to her child. Saint John received an excellent education. Later he studied theology and in 381 became a deacon.

Saint John had a deep understanding of the Holy Bible. He explained the moral teaching of the Scriptures in a simple way. People loved to listen to him, and they learned to be good Christians. Many pagans, after they heard Father John, converted to Christianity.

In 398 Saint John was called to be the Bishop of Constantinople. As bishop, he led a life of humility. He spoke against rich and powerful people who did not help the poor. His words made many people angry. The Empress of Byzantium hated Saint John so much that she wanted to put him to death.

Saint John’s enemies expelled him from the city and sent him to Armenia. The Saint continued to preach in his letters to Constantinople. This angered his enemies even more, and they sent him to Pitiunt, a region in Georgia. Saint John died on his way there in the year 407 A.D. His last words were, “Glory be to God for all things!”

Epistle Reading for the Day

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2

Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.

Gospel Reading of the Day

The Gospel According to Luke 10:25-37

At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Απόστολος της Ημέρας

Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 7:26-28, 8:1-2 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα

Ἀδελφοί, τοιοῦτος γὰρ ἡμῖν ἔπρεπεν ἀρχιερεύς, ὅσιος, ἄκακος, ἀμίαντος, κεχωρισμένος ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ ὑψηλότερος τῶν οὐρανῶν γενόμενος· ὃς οὐκ ἔχει καθʼ ἡμέραν ἀνάγκην, ὥσπερ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς, πρότερον ὑπὲρ τῶν ἰδίων ἁμαρτιῶν θυσίας ἀναφέρειν, ἔπειτα τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ· τοῦτο γὰρ ἐποίησεν ἐφάπαξ, ἑαυτὸν ἀνενέγκας. Ὁ νόμος γὰρ ἀνθρώπους καθίστησιν ἀρχιερεῖς, ἔχοντας ἀσθένειαν· ὁ λόγος δὲ τῆς ὁρκωμοσίας τῆς μετὰ τὸν νόμον, υἱὸν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τετελειωμένον. Κεφάλαιον δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς λεγομένοις· τοιοῦτον ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα, ὃς ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θρόνου τῆς μεγαλωσύνης ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, τῶν ἁγίων λειτουργός, καὶ τῆς σκηνῆς τῆς ἀληθινῆς, ἣν ἔπηξεν ὁ κύριος, καὶ οὐκ ἄνθρωπος·

Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας

Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 10:25-37 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, νομικός τις ἀνέστη ἐκπειράζων αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων· διδάσκαλε, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; ὁ δὲ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· ἐν τῷ νόμῳ τί γέγραπται; πῶς ἀναγινώσκεις; ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· ἀγαπήσεις Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ἰσχύος σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας σου, καὶ τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν· εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ· ὀρθῶς ἀπεκρίθης· τοῦτο ποίει καὶ ζήσῃ. ὁ δὲ θέλων δικαιοῦν ἑαυτὸν εἶπε πρὸς τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν· καὶ τίς ἐστί μου πλησίον; ὑπολαβὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν· ἄνθρωπός τις κατέβαινεν ἀπὸ ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ εἰς ῾Ιεριχώ, καὶ λῃσταῖς περιέπεσεν·οἳ καὶ ἐκδύσαντες αὐτὸν καὶ πληγὰς ἐπιθέντες ἀπῆλθον ἀφέντες ἡμιθανῆ τυγχάνοντα. κατὰ συγκυρίαν δὲ ἱερεύς τις κατέβαινεν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ἀντιπαρῆλθεν. ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ Λευΐτης γενόμενος κατὰ τὸν τόπον, ἐλθὼν καὶ ἰδὼν ἀντιπαρῆλθε. Σαμαρείτης δέ τις ὁδεύων ἦλθε κατ᾿ αὐτόν, καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ προσελθὼν κατέδησε τὰ τραύματα αὐτοῦ ἐπιχέων ἔλαιον καὶ οἶνον, ἐπιβιβάσας δὲ αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὸ ἴδιον κτῆνος ἤγαγεν αὐτὸν εἰς πανδοχεῖον καὶ ἐπεμελήθη αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν αὔριον ἐξελθών, ἐκβαλὼν δύο δηνάρια ἔδωκε τῷ πανδοχεῖ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἐπιμελήθητι αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὅ τι ἂν προσδαπανήσῃς, ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ ἐπανέρχεσθαί με ἀποδώσω σοι. τίς οὖν τούτων τῶν τριῶν πλησίον δοκεῖ σοι γεγονέναι τοῦ ἐμπεσόντος εἰς τοὺς λῃστάς; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· ὁ ποιήσας τὸ ἔλεος μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ. εἶπεν οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· πορεύου καὶ σὺ ποίει ὁμοίως.

SAYINGS OF OUR HOLY ORTHODOX SAINTS

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM: Be ashamed when you sin, not when you repent

Do not be ashamed to enter again into the Church. Be ashamed when you sin. Do not be ashamed when you repent. Pay attention to what the devil did to you. These are two things: sin and repentance. Sin is a wound; repentance is a medicine. Just as there are for the body wounds and medicines, so for the soul are sins and repentance. However, sin has the shame and repentance possesses the courage.

Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God’s mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.” +Saint John Chrysostom

ΜΙΚΡΟΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ

Ο ΙΕΡΟΣ ΧΡΥΣΟΣΤΟΜΟΣ - (13 Νοεμβρίου )

Ο άγιος Ιωάννης ο Χρυσόστομος γεννήθηκε στην Αντιόχεια από γονείς ευεβείς το στρατηγό Σεκούνθο και την Ανθούσα. Ήταν μαθητής του φιλοσόφου Ανδραγαθίου και του σοφιστή Λιωανίου. Χειροτονήθηκε αρχιεπίσκοπος Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Υπήρξε αυστηρός κριτής και ελεγκτής κάθε παρανομίας, γεγονός που προκάλεσε την αντίδραση της αυτοκράτειρας Ευδοξίας που τον εξόρισε τρείς φορές. Κατά την διάρκει της τελευταίας εξορίας του, από τις πολλές κακουχίες και τα βάσανα υπέκυψε και παρέδωσε την ψυχή του στα Κόμανα της Καππαδοκίας στις 14 Σεπτεμβρίου του 407. Η παράδοση τον ονόμασε ¨Χρυσόστομο» λίγα χρόνια μετά το θάνατό του,λόγω της μεγάλης ρητο- ρικής και διδασκαλικής του δεινότητας. Η ζωή του, οι διωγμοί του και οι θλίψεις του φανέρωσαν τη σύνεση και την καρτερία του και ανέδειξαν την λαμπρότητα της αγιότητάς του. Αυτή του η αγιασμένη μορφή, καθώς και οι λόγοι του είναι οι πολύτιμη κληρονομιά του στην Εκκλησία. Ο ιερός Χρυσόστομος είναι ο κυριώτερος εξηγητής της Αγίας Γραφής, στον οποίο στηρίζεται η Εκκλησία και η Θεολογία μας, καθώς επίσης και ο βασικότερος διαμορφωτής της ορθοδόξου εκκλησιαστικής γραμμής μιάς λειτουργικής πνευματικότητας. Μιάς πνευματικότητας η οποία στηρίζεται κυρίως στη λειτουργική ζωή και στα μυστήρια της Εκκλησίας. «Ού πενίαν δέδοικα, ού πλούτον επιθυμώ, ού θάνατον φοβούμαι, ού ζήσαι εύχομαθ, εί μη δια την υμετέραν προκοπήν». Αυτά είναι μερικά από τα θεία λόγια που βγήκαν από το στόμα 5του μεγαλύτερου διδασκάλου και ρήτορα της Εκκλησίας μας, του Ιερού Χρυσόστομου.

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Prayers for: Demetri, Andrea, Matthew, 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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

This week’s Gift of Light is given in loving memory of Alexandra Mitchell.

MEMORIALS

1 year for the late Nicholas Thalassinos

1 year for the late Constantine Thalassinos

May their memory be eternal!

ARTOKLASIA

Offered by: Daughters of Penelope – Homer Chapter #98

For the health and well-being of its members and their families

WEDDING

1:00 p.m. - Miss Kim Voulgarakis to Mr. Keith Williams

+SAINT EUPHROSYNOS KITCHEN MEAL

Following the Divine Liturgy, preparation and delivery of meals to our homebound parishioners. If you would like to volunteer or if you know someone who can benefit from this ministry, please contact the church office at: 773-626-3114. Our next meal is on December 11.

BEARS WATCH PARTY

Join us following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall and cheer on the Chicago Bears as they beat the Detroit Lions. Kickoff is at Noon, and the big screen TV will be ready to broadcast. Pizza and Pasta will be available for lunch. GO BEARS!!!

SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THIS WEEK:

Saturday, November 19, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Food Give Away and much more. Please see insert for more information.

For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, “I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:31-40

View Parish Calendar

PARISH MINISTRIES AND EVENTS

POINSETTIAS

We are asking for families to donate a poinsettia this year for our Christmas season as we decorate our church and await the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Donation: $120 per family. If you are interested in donating, please contact the church office at:

773-626-3114 or email: office@assumptionchicago.org

Thank you for your continued love and support of our beloved Assumption Panagia!

UPCOMING 2022 EVENTS:

Please see your inserts for more information.

November 19 - Food Giveaway and much more - 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Please see insert for details.

December 3 - 12:00 p.m. - Philoptochos Christmas Luncheon at Greek Islands in Lombard

December 3 - 3:00 p.m. - YAL Santa Letter Writing - Meet in Plato Hall and then join us immediately following for the tree lighting. RSVP to Katherine at: kcelik3@yahoo.com or 847-208-6013. Anyone else who would like to volunteer to write letters on behalf of Santa please contact Christina Arvanties at: arvanites795@gmail.com

December 13 - 11:30 a.m. - Philoptochos Feed the Hungry at Annunciation Cathedral

December 15 - 7:00 p.m. - Annual YAL Christmas Party at Gulliver’s Pizza, 17W517 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181. RSVP no later than Dec. 10 to Katherine Celik 847-208-6013 or YAL@Assumptionchicago.org

December 18 - Sunday Church School Christmas Pageant following the Divine Liturgy

January 13 & 14 - Family Ski Trip *Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, WI* See insert for more information

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

Thank you for contributing to the collection for the Patriarchate, over $600 was collected. The funds will help provide assistance for the Balukli Hospital and Home for the Aged, which recently suffered a fire, adding great challenges. It is one the few hospitals that serves Greek Orthodox Christians in Constantinople. Since 1935, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has helped support The Sissitio (Soup Kitchen/Cafeteria) of the Church of Aghia Triada, which feeds children who attend Greek Orthodox Schools. Our contributions will help continue to provide 320 meals, served daily to the children attending nursery, elementary, middle and high schools.

Sunday, November 20^th – General Meeting during Coffee Hour – we’ll be serving Lenten recipes from our Lenten Recipe booklet. Pick up a copy for ideas to switch up your Lenten meals or gifts!

Christmas Bake Sale, Sunday December 18^th – See the form enclosed to order your favorite holiday sweets! Numerous ways to order and pay!

Christmas Luncheon – Saturday, December 3^rd, Greek Islands, Lombard. See the enclosed flyer for details. All are invited! Please bring a bag of individually wrapped candy for December Feed the Hungry goodie bags.

Donations for Feed the Hungry, December 13^th – We need 110 pairs warm unisex gloves. Collection box in St. Catherine’s narthex.

Thank you for your continued support of our fund-raising activities!

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.

Available dates: December 11, January 8, 15, 22, & 29

*Please note: Nativity Fast begins Nov. 15 - Dec. 25. Please Lenten items only during fast.

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, coffee, and supplies.

Thank you to our beloved parishioners and friends of Assumption Panagia for your continued love and support!

NOVEMBER WEEKDAY SERVICES

Monday, November 21, 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

5:00 p.m. - Paraklesis to Saint Catherine

Tuesday, November 22, 6:00 p.m. - Holy Unction

Thursday, November 24, 7:00 p.m. - Vespers of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr

Friday, November 25, 8:30 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy

+Saint Catherine the Great Martyr

40 Day Liturgies will be held at our church the week of November 21 thru November 26

beginning at 9:00 a.m. Please submit your names (first names only) of the living and those who have fallen asleep to be commemorated during this time.

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.

Weeks available: January 15 & 22, Feb. 5 & 26, Mar. 5, 12 & 26

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.

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.

“The wealthy have become poor and gone hungry but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.”

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.

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.

SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

Sunday Church School has begun. It's not too late to sign up your children. Please register your children using the following link. Click here for registration link

A BLESSED WEEK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!!

Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago

Email us: office@assumptionchicago.org

Learn more: assumptionchicago.org