Epistle Reading of 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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS | |
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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.
Saint Photini the Samaritan Woman & her martyred sisters: Anatole, Phota, Photis, Paraskevi, & Kyriaki - February 26
Saint Photini lived in 1st century Palestine and was the woman that Christ met at Jacob's Well in Samaria as recorded in the Gospel according to John (4:4-26). After her encounter with Christ, she and her whole family were baptized by the Apostles and became evangelists of the early Church. Photini and her children eventually were summoned before the emperor Nero and instructed to renounce their faith in Christ. They refused to do so, accepting rather to suffer various tortures. After many efforts to force her to surrender to idolatry, the emperor ordered that she be thrown down a well. Photini gave up her life in the year 66. St. Photini is commemorated on three occasions during the year: February 26 (Greek tradition), March 20 (Slavic tradition), and the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman on the 5th Sunday of Pascha.
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Saint Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza - February 26
Saint Porphyrius had Thessalonica as his homeland. He became a monk in Scete of Egypt, where he lived for five years. He went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, after which he spent five years in much affliction in a cave near the Jordan. Stricken with a disease of the liver, he departed to Jerusalem, where he was ordained presbyter and appointed Keeper of the Cross at the age of 45. Three years later he was made Bishop of Gaza. He suffered much from the rulers and pagans of Gaza; but with the friendship of Saint John Chrysostom, and the patronage of the Empress Eudoxia, he razed the temple of the idol Marnas in Gaza and built a great church to the glory of God. He reposed in 450.
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Saint Eudokia the Martyr of Heliopolis - March 1
This Saint, who was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia (Baalbek in present-day Lebanon), was an idolater and led a licentious life. Being beautiful beyond telling, she had many lovers, and had acquired great riches. Yet brought to repentance by a monk named Germanus, and baptized by Bishop Theodotus, she distributed to the poor all her ill-gotten gains, and entered a convent, giving herself up completely to the life of asceticism. Her former lovers, enraged at her conversion, her refusal to return to her old ways, and the withering away of her beauty through the severe mortifications she practiced, betrayed her as a Christian to Vincent the Governor, and she was beheaded, according to some, under Trajan, who reigned from 98 to 117, according to others, under Hadrian, who reigned from 117 to 138.
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ΤΟ ΤΡΙΩΔΙΟ
Από όλες τις εορταστικές περιόδους του ετησίου κύκλου, η πιό κατανυκτική, που περισσότερο ενισχύει τον πνευματικό αγώνα του ορθόδοξου χριστιανού, είναι η περίοδος του Τριωδίου. Αρχίζει δε από τον Εσπερινό της Κυριακής του Τελώνου και Φαρισαίου και τελειώνει το Μέγα Σάββατο με τον Εσπερινό του Πάσχα.
Η ΑΜΕΤΑΝΟΗΣΙΑ
Σε όποιον με ταπείνωση και συντριβή καρδίας εξομολογείται ενώπιον του ιερέως – πνευματικού, συγχωρείτε τελείως κάθε αμαρτία. Δεν υπάρχουν ασυγχώρητες αμαρτίες, όσο σοβαρές και βαριές κι άν είναι. Το μόνο ασυγχώρητο είναι η αμετανοησία, την οποία ο Κύριος χαρακτήρισε «βλασφημία του Αγίου Πνεύματος» .
Η ΘΕΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΥ
Θεώση του ανθρώπου είναι η ανύψωσή του στη θεϊκή σφαίρα, η ένωση του με τον Θεό. Η ένωση αυτή δεν είναι αλλαγή ουσίας. Είναι φυσική, ηθική και κατά χάριν. Είναι ένωση του όλου ανθρώπου με τον Θεό μέσα σε μιά άπειρη ευδαιμονία στη θεία Βασιλεία.
Ο ΑΓΩΝΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΟΥ
Σε οποιονδήποτε άλλο αγώνα η έκβαση είναι άδηλη και αβέβαιη. Στον αγώνα όμως του χριστιανού η νίκη ταυτίζεται με τον αγώνα. Εάν αγωνίζεσαι γι΄αυτό και μόνο είσαι νικητής, διότι νίκη είναι να μην παραδίνεσαι αμαχητί στις προσβολές του εχθρού (διαβόλου). Εφόσον θα αντιδράς στα πάθη και τις αδυναμίες σου ο αγώνας αυτός είναι ήδη νίκη.
ΤΑ ΖΩΟΠΟΙΑ ΜΥΣΤΗΡΙΑ
Η ζωή μας με τον Χριστό δεν είναι ασφαλώς κάτι το θεωρητικό. Είναι η ίδια η ζωή της
Εκκλησίας μας, τα ζωοποιά μυστήρια Της. Το Μυστήριο του Βαπτίσματος, το οποίο για τον ανθρωπο είναι γέννηση μιάς καινούργιας ζωής. Το Μυστήριο της ιεράς Εξομολογήσεως, στο οποίο ο άνθρωπος ενδύεται «την στολήν την πρώτην». Το μέγα Μυστήριο της θείας Ευχαριστίας, το οποίο τροφοδοτεί τον πιστό με το άσπιλο Σώμα και το τίμιο Αίμα του Κυρίου ημών Ιησού Χριστού.
+Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱέ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν
+Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner
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GIFT OF LIGHT
This week’s Gift of Light is given in loving memory of George Galouzis.
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MEMORIAL
40 days for the late Aphrodite Brucato
May her memory be eternal!
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COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee hour in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy.
Today’s coffee hour is hosted by the Takoudis/Foustalieraki Family in loving memory of Presbytera Alexandra Foustalieraki. May God rest her soul! Thank you for hosting!
| 12:00 p.m. - Sunday School Teachers Meeting in Saint Catherine’s | |
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Monday, February 26 - 12:00 p.m., Tenderhearted Senior Ministry in Saint Catherine’s. Please bring your Wedding photo!
Wednesday, February 28 - 10:00 a.m., Paraklesis - Supplicatory Service to the
Holy Theotokos
Friday, March 1 - 10:30 p.m., Agiasmos Service (Blessing of the water)
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THE ARCHIVE COMMITTEE
Dear Parishioners,
As we walk toward our centennial year of 2025, we are collecting photos, artifacts, and stories that contribute to the history of our beloved Panagia, and we ask for your input and help.
We need parishioners who can identify people in our photos, beginning from the wooden church and Sunday school.
In addition, the committee is asking for artifacts and memorabilia from your family history to be copied and recorded. Volunteers are needed to help with sorting and other archival tasks.
Please get in touch with us at
archives@assumptionchicago.org
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+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. Upcoming Saturday of Souls: March 9, March 16, March 23
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LIVE STREAM MINISTRY
Our church is actively seeking volunteers to join the Live Stream Ministry. This opportunity involves volunteering once a month on Sundays. If you are interested, kindly reach out to Jack Woods at deltasig8@gmail.com via email.
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LITTLE LAMBS
Join our delightful Little Lambs class at Sunday church school – a special experience designed for toddlers and their parents. We're thrilled to welcome little ones aged 12 months and up, fostering a warm and engaging environment for early spiritual growth. This Parents and Tots SCS Class is designed to nurture faith and provide an opportunity for families to connect with others. Our parent-led class uses age appropriate Orthodox-based resources. Anyone interested in joining Little Lambs may reach out to Katherine Jones at kmjones0402@gmail.com for more information.
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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: March 24, 31 April 7, 14, 21 - May 12, 19, 26
Great Lent March 18 – May 5. Please Lenten items only.
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: April 7, 14, 28 - May 5, 12, 26
Contact the church office for June - December 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
Fast approaching . . .
Time for the Apokreatiko Glendi "Safari" Sunday March 10 in Plato Hall. – A festive luncheon and fellowship are on the itinerary.
Reservations required. See attached flyer.
Philoptochos Membership 2024----due March 10th--please support our philanthropy. The form is attached, available at Church or register here: http://tinyurl.com/philomembership
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
Thank you to all who have submitted their 2024 Stewardship Pledge Cards. If you have not yet submitted your stewardship card, packets are available on the Pangari in the Narthex.
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!
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.
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.
COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST
Prayers for: Panagioti, Madalyn, Petros, Elaine, Kristine, Jon, Steve, Anastasia, Kathryn, Demetri, Andrea, Matthew, Elaine, James, William, Anastasios, Polyxeni, Peter, and 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.
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**Flyers located in the Narthex.
March 10 - Parish Oratorical Festival
March 10 - Apokreatiko Glendi, Safari Sunday in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy
March 16 - 12:30 p.m., Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall
March 30 - 10:30 a.m., Wedding Couple Seminar for couples getting married this year
April 7 - 2:30 p.m., Greek Independence Day Parade on Halsted in Greek town
May 12 - Mother’s Day Luncheon. More information to follow.
May 20 - Annual Golf Outing - White Pines Golf Course and Banquets – 500 W. Jefferson St., Bensenville, IL 60106. $150 per golfer. See flyer for more information.
SAVE THE DATE!!!
Sunday, October 12, 2025 – Assumption Panagia celebrating 100 years –
More information to come.
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A blessed week to you and your families!!!
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Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
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