ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
601 South Central Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60644
Main: 773-626-3114
Fax: 773-626-3141
Father Apostolos N. Georgiafentis – Protopresbyter

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2022 - Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ, 13 ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΥ 2022 - Τελώνου και Φαρσαίου - Αρχή Τριωδίου
Οσίου πατρός Μαρτινιανού - Αγ.Αποστόλων Ακύλα και Πρισκίλλης
READINGS AND PRAYERS
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 for 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."

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.

 Meditation:
It is necessary that the Holy Spirit enter our heart. Everything good that we do, that we do for Christ, is given to us by the Holy Spirit, but prayer most of all, which is always available to us.                                                                                  +St. Seraphim of Sarov
 
COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST - Prayers for: Anastasios, Konstantinos, Olga, Polyxeni, Julia, Helen, Peter, Sophia

O 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 by an Anonymous Donor for the Health and Well-Being of our beloved Church Family of Assumption Panagia.

MEMORIALS
9 months for the late Demetra Spyropoulos
1 year for the late Athanasios (Tom) Gatses
3 years for the late Emmanouel Dimitrakopoulos
6 years for the late Stamatia (Toula) Kokolis
10 years for the late Evangelos M. Glotsos
30 years for the late Anna Korakis
May their memory be eternal!

GODPARENT SUNDAY
Sunday Church School is hosting Godparents' Sunday today. All godparents of our students are invited to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with them and then attend classes with their godchildren. After classes, there will be a special Coffee Hour in Plato Hall hosted by Sunday Church School. Welcome students and godparents! 

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. You may also reach out to our coffee hour coordinator, Jette Georgopoulos at: 708.439.6041. We truly appreciate all your love and support to our beloved parish! February and March dates available: Feb. 20, March 20 and March 27.
**Please note Great Lent begins on March 7. No meat or dairy permitted**

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19
WEDDING
2:00 p.m. - Sydney Rea to Peter Papagiannopoulos

Church office hours are Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας λειτουργή απο Δευτέρα με Παρασκευή 9:30 π.μ. εώς 2:00 μ.μ.


PHILOPTHOCHOS CORNER
Hope to see you at the Glendi! Make your reservation during coffee hour. Payment (Cash or checks to ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH) to accompany reservation.  See attached flyer for details. 

February is National Heart Health month.  Let’s all WEAR RED Sunday, February 13 and take our annual group photo in Plato Hall.

Please plan to attend the general meeting on Sunday, February 20th, in St. Catherine’s meeting room, following the Divine Liturgy.

We look forward to a New Year fulfilling the benevolent mission of Philoptochos by improving the lives of those in need. Enclosed is the 2022 Membership form and LINK: https://forms.gle/K45YDE3ty5M5fy3c8 for online registration. We hope women and men of all ages will join us! 

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR FLOWERS FOR THE ICON OF PANAGIA
As we prepare our Church for this Lenten season, we kindly ask parishioners to help with the cost of flowers. Each week, the icon of Panagia is adorned for the Salutations. We request that one family per week contribute to help continue this tradition. A donation of $250.00 is needed per week. As you may know, decorating the Church is a labor of love. We appreciate your help as we prepare for what is the center of our Orthodox faith, the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. All donors will be recognized in the weekly bulletin. Please contact the Church office if you would like to donate. Thank you and God bless!
 
Χρειαζόμαστε προσφορές δια τον στολισμό με άνθη της εικόνας Της Παναγίας μας κατά τις Παρασκευές των Χαιρετισμών και του Ακαθίστου.

DIVORCE REBUILDERS:   Saints Peter and Paul Divorce Rebuilders offers support, guidance and hope to those who are separated and divorced.  Meetings this Spring of 2022 will be hosted by SS Peter and Paul, Glenview, by ZOOM on Mondays, February 14 through March 21st starting at 7 p.m. for six weeks.  This group provides a place where you can learn, heal and rebuild from the hurt of divorce.  New insights and perspectives will help you create new understandings towards developing new personal, relational and spiritual goals in your life.  Discussion, feedback and support are integral components of this program.  In addition, our group engages in ongoing social activities.  Leader:  Maria Boyle, Counseling, Northwestern University. To enroll in this program please email: sspp.divorcerebuilders@gmail.com or mariaharduvel4@gmail.com and please note in the subject heading:  Divorce Rebuilders. For more information on this program, visit SS Peter & Paul’s website under Ministries and Support.   There is no cost for this program.  
“No Christian should walk through the pain of divorce alone.” 

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.

2022 STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship packets 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 back in the enclosed envelope. Thank you for supporting our beautiful parish of Panagia! 

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. 

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. 

There are many weeks still available. 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. 

FEBRUARY / MARCH WEEKDAY CHURCH LITURGY SCHEDULE
 
Saturday, February 26 - 9:00 a.m. - +1st Saturday of Souls
 
Tuesday, March 1 - 10:30 a.m. - +Agiasmos Service
 
Saturday, March 5 - 9:00 a.m. - 2nd Saturday of Souls
 
Monday, March 7 - 5:30 p.m. - Great Compline
+Clean Monday - Great Lent Begins
 
Wednesday, March 9 - 9:00 a.m. - 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
 
Friday, March 11 - 7:00 p.m. - 1st Salutation Service
 
Saturday, March 12 - 9:00 a.m. - 3rd Saturday of Souls
 
Monday, March 14 - 5:30 p.m. - Great Compline
 
Wednesday, March 16 - 9:00 a.m. - 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
 
Friday, March 18 - 7:00 p.m. - 2nd Salutation Service
 
Monday, March 21 - 5:30 p.m. - Great Compline
 
Wednesday, March 23 - 9:00 a.m. - 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
 
The Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
Friday, March 25 - 8:00 a.m. - Services will be held at the
Annunciation Cathedral - 1017 N. LaSalle Drive in Chicago
 
Friday, March 25 - 7:00 p.m. - 3rd Salutation Service
 
Monday, March 28 - 5:30 p.m. - Great Compline
 
Wednesday, March 30 - 9:00 a.m. - 9th Hour
9:30 a.m. - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, February 12, 11:00 a.m. - Altar Boy Meeting and Lunch at Assumption Church
 
Sunday, February 13, St. Euphrosynos’ Kitchen - A new ministry delivering meals and ecclesiastical items and church information to our homebound parishioner’s and friends of Assumption.
 
Sunday, February 13, 12:00 p.m. - Godparent Sunday and Brunch in Plato Hall
 
Sunday, February 13, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., “Love in a Bag” meal bags will be distributed to the Austin Community. Donations of food items or monetary donations are appreciated. Please drop off items by February 11. See flyer in your bulletin for food items needed. For more information, please contact the church office at: 773.626.3114.
 
Sunday, February 27, Assumption Philoptochos Apokreatiko Glendi following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall. Catered by Greek Islands Restaurant. More information to follow.
 
Monday, February 28, 11:00 a.m. - Tenderhearted Ministry for our senior adults (65 and over) - Gathering begins with a Church Service, followed by lunch and the day’s event. Please contact the church office to reserve a seat.
 
Monday, February 28, 6:00 p.m. - Orthodox Studies - Join us for a monthly study as we explore the mystery of the Holy Spirit and Its Divine Grace through the Divine Liturgy. Refreshments will be provided before Father Apostolos’ presentation.
 
Sunday, March 13, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. YAL Telos - Round Table Talk and Phanouropita Baking - Open to all young adults
 
Tuesday, March 15, 7:30 p.m. - Greek Heritage Night at the United Center - Chicago Blackhawks vs Boston Bruins Please email John Szubert at: shoobs007@hotmail.com for more information
 
Saturday, March 19, 10:00 a.m. - Pre-Marital Seminar for couples getting married in 2022 in Plato Hall
 
Monday, March 21, 6:30 p.m. - Orthodox Studies
 
Monday, March 28, 11:30 a.m. - Tenderhearted Ministry for our senior adults (65 and over)
 
Monday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. - Orthodox Studies
 
Saturday, April 16, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Saturday of Lazarus Family Retreat
 
Monday, April 25, 11:00 a.m. - Tenderhearted Ministry for our senior adults (65 and over)
AA blessed, happy and healthy week to you and your families!

Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
Learn more: assumptionchicago.org