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, DECEMBER 24, 2023

SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD

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READINGS AND PRAYERS

THE HOLY NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

“I behold a strange and most glorious mystery,” the Church sings with awe, “Heaven, a Cave; the Virgin the Throne of the Cherubim; the Manger a room, in which Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain is laid.” (Irmos of the 9th Ode of the Nativity Canon).

Having given birth to the divine Infant without travail, the Most Holy Virgin “wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger” (Luke 2:7). In the stillness of midnight (Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-15), the proclamation of the birth of the Savior of the world was heard by three shepherds watching their flocks by night.

An angel of the Lord (St Cyprian says this was Gabriel) came before them and said: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). The humble shepherds were the first to offer worship to Him Who condescended to assume the form of a humble servant for the salvation of mankind. Besides the glad tidings to the Bethlehem shepherds, the Nativity of Christ was revealed to the Magi by a wondrous star. St John Chrysostom and St Theophylactus, commenting on St Matthew’s Gospel, say that this was no ordinary star. Rather, it was “a divine and angelic power that appeared in the form of a star.” St Demetrius of Rostov says it was a “manifestation of divine energy” (Narrative of the Adoration of the Magi). Entering the house where the Infant lay, the Magi “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11).

Epistle Reading of the Day

St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40

BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Gospel Reading for the Day

The Gospel of Matthew 1:1-25

The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel"(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

Απόστολος της Ημέρας

Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:9-10; 32-40

Πίστει παρῴκησεν εἰς γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν, ἐν σκηναῖς κατοικήσας μετὰ ᾽ Ισαὰκ καὶ ᾽ Ιακὼβ τῶν συγκληρονόμων τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τῆς αὐτῆς · ἐξεδέχετο γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν, ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δημιουργὸς ὁ θεός. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; ἐπιλείψει με γὰρ διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ, Σαμψών, ᾽ Ιεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρης, ἐδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων · ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν · ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν · ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς · ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρης ἀπέθανον, περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι, ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος, ἐπὶ ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν.

Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας

῾ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 1.1-25

Βίβλος γενέσεως ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ Δαυῒδ υἱοῦ ᾿Αβραάμ.

᾿Αβραὰμ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ισαάκ, ᾿Ισαὰκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιακώβ, ᾿Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιούδαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ,᾿Ιούδας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Φαρὲς καὶ τὸν Ζαρὰ ἐκ τῆς Θάμαρ, Φαρὲς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Εσρώμ, ᾿Εσρὼμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αράμ,᾿Αρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αμιναδάβ, ᾿Αμιναδὰβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ναασσών, Ναασσὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλμών,Σαλμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Βοὸζ ἐκ τῆς ῾Ραχάβ, Βοὸζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ωβὴδ ἐκ τῆς Ρούθ, ᾿Ωβὴδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιεσσαί,᾿Ιεσσαὶ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Δαυῒδ τὸν βασιλέα. Δαυῒδ δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐγέννησε τὸν Σολομῶνα ἐκ τῆς τοῦ Οὐρίου,Σολομὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ῾Ροβοάμ, ῾Ροβοὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αβιά, ᾿Αβιὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ασά,᾿Ασὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσαφάτ, ᾿Ιωσαφὰτ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωράμ, ᾿Ιωρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Οζίαν,᾿Οζίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωάθαμ, ᾿Ιωάθαμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ῎Αχαζ, ῎Αχαζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Εζεκίαν,᾿Εζεκίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Μανασσῆ, Μανασσῆς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αμών, ᾿Αμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσίαν,᾿Ιωσίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιεχονίαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος.

Μετὰ δὲ τὴν μετοικεσίαν Βαβυλῶνος ᾿Ιεχονίας ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλαθιήλ, Σαλαθιὴλ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ζοροβάβελ,Ζοροβάβελ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αβιούδ, ᾿Αβιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελιακείμ, ᾿Ελιακεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αζώρ,᾿Αζὼρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαδώκ, Σαδὼκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αχείμ, ᾿Αχεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελιούδ,᾿Ελιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελεάζαρ, ᾿Ελεάζαρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ματθάν, Ματθὰν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιακώβ,᾿Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἄνδρα Μαρίας, ἐξ ἧς ἐγεννήθη ᾿Ιησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός.Πᾶσαι οὖν αἱ γενεαὶ ἀπὸ ᾿Αβραὰμ ἕως Δαυῒδ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ Δαυῒδ ἕως τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος ἕως τοῦ Χριστοῦ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες.

Τοῦ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γέννησις οὕτως ἦν. μνηστευθείσης γὰρ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ ᾿Ιωσήφ, πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα ἐκ Πνεύματος ῾Αγίου.᾿Ιωσὴφ δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, δίκαιος ὢν καὶ μὴ θέλων αὐτὴν παραδειγματίσαι, ἐβουλήθη λάθρα ἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν.ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατ᾿ ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ λέγων· ᾿Ιωσὴφ υἱὸς Δαυΐδ, μὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαριὰμ τὴν γυναῖκά σου· τὸ γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ Πνεύματός ἐστιν ῾Αγίου.τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦν· αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν.Τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· ἰδοὺ ἡ παρθένος ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει καὶ τέξεται υἱόν,καὶ καλέσουσι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Εμμανουήλ,ὅ ἐστι μεθερμηνευόμενον μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός. Διεγερθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιωσὴφ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕπνου ἐποίησεν ὡς προσέταξεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου καὶ παρέλαβε τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ,καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἔτεκε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐκάλεσε τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦν.

ΑΓΙΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΟΡΤΕΣ

Η ΓΕΝΝΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ ! Η ΘΕΙΑ ΕΝΑΝΘΡΩΠΗΣΗ! ΤΟ ΜΕΓΑ ΜΥΣΤΗΡΙΟ - 25 ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ

Η Γέννηση του Χριστού,σημαίνει ότι για πρώτη φορά στην ανθρώπινη φύση (πήρε πραγματικό ανθρώπινο σώμα και ψυχή). Το σώμα του Χριστού είναι το πρώτο ανθρώπινο σώμα που έφτασε τελικά στην Ανάσταση, νίκησε τη φθορά και το θάνατο.Με τη Γέννησή Του ο Χριστός «πήρε μορφή δούλου κι έγινε άνθρωπος», διότι «δεν ήρθε για να τον υπηρετήσουν, αλλά για να υπηρετήσει και να προσφέρει τη ζωή του». Με τη γέννησή Του«οι άνθρωποι που κατοικούν στο σκοτάδι είδαν φώς δυνατό και γιά όσους μένουν στη χώρα που τη σκιάζει ο θάνατος ανέτειλε ένα φώς για χάρη τους». Τώρα αυτή τη στιγμή «γεννάται» ο Χριστός, ετοίμασε το σπήλαιό σου. Ο Θεός γίνεται τέλειος και αληθινός άνθρωπος χωρίς να παύσει να είναι τέλειος και αληθινός Θεός, για να κάνει τον άνθρωπο τέλειο υιό Του Θεού και Θεόν κατά χάριν. Η Γέννηση του Χριστού σημαίνει ότι φια πρώτη φορά στην ιστορία ενώθηκε ο Θεός και ο άνθρωπος. Το σώμα του Χριστού είναι το πρώτο ανθρώπινο σώμα που έφτασε τελικά στην Ανάσταση, νίκησε τη φθορά και το θανάτο. Η γέννηση του Χριστού κατά σάρκα απο την Παρθένο Μαρία είναι ένα μεγάλο ανερμήνευτο γεγονός πέρα από τα όρια της ανθρώπινης λογικής. Τα Χριστούγεννα εορτάζονται και πανηγυρίζονται σαν τα σωτήρια του κόσμου, η γενέθλιος ημέρα της ανθρωπότητας, η κοινή εορτή πάσης «Κτίσεως» (Μ. Βασίλειος). Ο Θεός γίνεται τέλειος και αληθινός άνθρωπος «άνθρωπος εν πληγή», χωρίς να παύση να είναι τέλειος και αληθινός Θεός, για να κάνει τον ανθρωπο πλήρη και τέλειο υιό του Θεού και Θεόν κατά χάριν. Η εορτή των Χριστουγέννων είναι το κεντρικό μυστήριο όλης της θείας Οικονομίας. «Ο αχώρητος παντί, εν τη γαστρί της Παρθένου εχωρήθη!».

Η ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΑ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ – Η ΕΟΡΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΤΡΟΤΗΤΟΣ - Η Σύναξις της Θεοτόκου!

Τιμάμε και δοξάζουμε την Παναγία γιατί είναι Θεοτόκος.Γιατί αξιώθηκε,άνθρωπος Αυτή,να γεννήσει τον Υιό και Λόγο του Θεού. Το Θεό! Αυτή είναι η πηγή της Χάρης Της, αυτή είναι η αφορμή της τιμής μας,από εκεί αντλεί τη δυνατότητα της πρεσβείας Της. Δεν την λατρεύουμε σαν Θεό,αλλά την τιμάμε σαν Μητέρα του Θεού.O Mεσσίας, λυτρωτής του κόσμου, ο Χριστός ήλθε «γενόμενος εκ γυναικός». Και η γυναίκα αυτή είναι η εκλεκτή του Θεού, η Παναγία Παρθένος, την οποία η Εκκλησία εορτάζει σε ιδιαίτερη λειτουργική πράξη.

Ο Άγιος Στέφανος ο Πρωτομάρτυρας - 27 Δεκεμβρίου

Ο Άγιος Στέφανος ο Πρωτομάρτυρας, ήταν Ιουδαίος και ένας από τους πιό διακεκριμένος μεταξύ των επτά διακόνων που εξέλεξε η πρώτη χριστιανική Εκκλησία και χειροτόνισαν οι ίδιοι οι Απόστολοι. Έργο τους ήταν η φροντίδα των φτωχών και η διανομή των ελεημοσυνών. Ο Στέφανος ήταν γεμάτος πίστη και είχε δυνατό χάρισμα ευγλωττίας. Εκανε μεταξύ του λαού θαύματα που προκαλούσαν κατά- πληξη και αποδείκνυαν την αλήθεια της χριστιανικής πίστης. Επειδή απέδειξε με στοιχεία απο τις Γραφές την έλευση του «δικαίου» του οποίου οι Εβραίοι υπήρξαν «προδόται και φονείς» εκείνοι τον έβγαλαν έξω απο την πόλη και τον θανάτωσαν με λιθοβολισμό

Saint Eugenia the Righteous Nun-martyr of Rome and those with her

This Martyr was the daughter of most distinguished and noble parents named Philip and Claudia. Philip, a Prefect of Rome, moved to Alexandria with his family. In Alexandria, Eugenia had the occasion to learn the Christian Faith, in particular when she encountered the Epistles of Saint Paul, the reading of which filled her with compunction and showed her clearly the vanity of the world. Secretly taking two of her servants, Protas and Hyacinth, she departed from Alexandria by night. Disguised as a man, she called herself Eugene while pretending to be a eunuch, and departed with her servants and took up the monastic life in a monastery of men. Her parents mourned for her, but could not find her. After Saint Eugenia had laboured for some time in the monastic life, a certain woman named Melanthia, thinking Eugenia to be a monk, conceived lust and constrained Eugenia to comply with her desire; when Eugenia refused, Melanthia slandered Eugenia to the Prefect as having done insult to her honour. Eugenia was brought before the Prefect, her own father Philip, and revealed to him both that she was innocent of the accusations, and that she was his own daughter. Through this, Philip became a Christian; he was afterwards beheaded at Alexandria. Eugenia was taken back to Rome with Protas and Hyacinth. All three of them ended their life in martyrdom in the years of Commodus, who reigned from 180 to 192. ~Commemorated on December 24

Saint Stephen, Archdeacon & First Martyr – December 27

Saint Stephen was a Jew, by race, and, as some say, a disciple of Gamaliel, the teacher of the Law mentioned in Acts 5:34 and 22:3. He was the first of the seven deacons whom the Apostles established in Jerusalem to care for the poor, and to distribute alms to them. Being a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, he performed great signs and wonders among the people. While disputing with the Jews concerning Jesus, and wisely refuting their every contradiction, so that no one was able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit whereby he spake, he was slandered as a blasphemer and was dragged off to the Sanhedrin of the elders. There with boldness he proved from the divine Scriptures the coming of the Just One (Jesus), of Whom they had become the betrayers and murderers, and he reproved their faithless and hardheartedness. And finally, gazing into Heaven and beholding the divine glory, he said: "Lo, I see the Heavens opened and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God." But when they heard this, they stopped up their ears, and with anger cast him out of the city and stoned him, while he was calling out and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then, imitating the long-suffering of the Master, he bent his knees and prayed in a loud voice for them that were stoning him, and he said, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," And saying this, he fell asleep (Acts 6, 7), thus becoming the first among the Martyrs of the Church of Christ.

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Prayers for: Panagioti, 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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

"Thy Nativity, O Christ our God,

Has shone to the world the light of wisdom.

For by it, those who worshipped the stars

Were taught by a star to adore Thee, The Sun of Righteousness,

And to know Thee, the Orient from on high.

O Lord, glory to Thee!"

This week’s Gift of Light is given in loving memory of Despina Elia.

MEMORIAL

21 years for the late George Nicolopoulos

May his memory be eternal!

COFFEE HOUR

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

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THIS WEEK:

Monday, December 25 - 8:30 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy

+The Nativity of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

Tuesday, December 26 - Church Office Closed

**Please note: Church office will be closed Christmas, December 25 and 26 and New Year’s Day, January 1 and 2.

CUTTING OF THE VASILOPITA 2024

Sunday, January 7, 2018, following the Divine Liturgy, please join us for our

Parish Vasilopita Cutting.

THE GIVING TREE

Above all things: Forget not the poor but support them to the extent of your means. Give to the orphan, Protect the widow, and permit the mighty to destroy no man. Take not the life of the just or the unjust, nor permit him to be killed. Destroy no Christian soul, even though he be guilty of murder.” (The Primary Chronicle, A.D. 1096.) – Vladimir Monomakh in his Testament to his children. The Christmas tree located in Saint Catherine’s has been designated as the charity tree of our parish. Money that has been clipped onto the tree will be distributed to the poor through our Outreach Ministry. We ask that you give generously so we can brighten the holiday season of those who are not as blessed as we are.

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: January 14, 21 - February 4, 11, 18, 25

For later available dates, please contact the church office.

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

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: January 21 and February 4, 18, 25

Please contact the church office for Mar. - Dec. 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

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year! Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Καλή Χρονιά!

Heartfelt thanks for your generous support of our Christmas Bake Sale! Και του Χρόνου!

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.

2024 STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship packets for 2024 have been mailed out. 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!

DID YOU KNOW? - Many people think that a non-Orthodox Christian becomes an Orthodox Christian when they get married in the Greek Orthodox Church. This is false. The only time a person becomes an Orthodox Christian is when they are Catechized, Baptized and Chrismated in the Orthodox Church. Otherwise, they cannot partake of any of the Sacraments or the service of the Funeral.

Here is another false notion. Many people think that a Greek Orthodox Christian remains Greek Orthodox even if they marry outside of the Church (i.e. Civil Hall, any non-Orthodox Christian Church or Religious Cults). This again is false. The reason why it is wrong is because he or she has severed their life from the Sacramental life of the Church, meaning that they cannot receive any of the Sacraments or be buried properly in the Orthodox Faith.

If you have a civil divorce, you are not in good standing ecclesiastically until you apply for and receive an Ecclesiastical Divorce. Persons who have received only a civil divorce are not allowed to receive any of the Sacraments in the Church; this includes the Funeral Service. If you or another person(s) have fallen into any of these (or other) predicaments, please contact Fr. Apostolos and he will direct you with information needed to attain complete restoration in the Church.

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.

UPCOMING 2023 EVENTS

**Flyers located in the Narthex.

January 6 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Theophany Swim at Oak Brook Park District

January 7 - Parish Vasilopita in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy

Winter Family Weekend Retreat at Saint Iakovos Retreat Center on January 26-27, 2024. Skiing at Wilmont Mountain, Wilmont, Wisconsin.

March 10 - Parish Oratorical Festival

MAY YOUR CHRISTMAS BE BLESSED WITH HEALTH, PEACE, AND HAPPINESS!!!

ΕΥΛΟΓΗΜΕΝΑ ΚΑΙ ΕΙΡΗΝΙΚΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ!!!

Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago

Email us: office@assumptionchicago.org

Learn more: assumptionchicago.org