Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Bulletin

ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

601 South Central Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60644

Main: 773-626-3114

Fax: 773-626-3141

Email: office@assumptionchicago.org

Website: assumptionchicago.org

Father Apostolos N. Georgiafentis – Protopresbyter

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2022 - PALM SUNDAY

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 17 ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΥ 2022 - ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΒΑΪΩΝ

READINGS AND PRAYERS

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today. The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

Epistle Reading for the Day

The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Reading for the Day

The Reading is from John 12:1-8

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Απόστολος της Ημέρας

Πρὸς Φιλιππησίους 4:4-9

Ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε· πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε. Τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις. Ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς. Μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν. Καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν, φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Τὸ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε. Ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί, ταῦτα πράσσετε· καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθʼ ὑμῶν.

Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας

Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 12.1-8

Πρὸ ἓξ ἡμερῶν τοῦ πάσχα ἦλθεν Ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς Βηθανίαν, ὅπου ἦν Λάζαρος ὁ τεθνηκώς, ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐποίησαν οὖν αὐτῷ δεῖπνον ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἡ Μάρθα διηκόνει· ὁ δὲ Λάζαρος εἷς ἦν τῶν ἀνακειμένων σὺν αὐτῷ. ἡ οὖν Μαρία, λαβοῦσα λίτραν μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτίμου, ἤλειψε τοὺς πόδας τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ καὶ ἐξέμαξε ταῖς θριξὶν αὐτῆς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ· ἡ δὲ οἰκία ἐπληρώθη ἐκ τῆς ὀσμῆς τοῦ μύρου. λέγει οὖν εἷς ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ᾿Ιούδας Σίμωνος ᾿Ισκαριώτης, ὁ μέλλων αὐτὸν παραδιδόναι· διατί τοῦτο τὸ μύρον οὐκ ἐπράθη τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ ἐδόθη πτωχοῖς; εἶπε δὲ τοῦτο οὐχ ὅτι περὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ἔμελεν αὐτῷ, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι κλέπτης ἦν, καὶ τὸ γλωσσόκομον εἶχε καὶ τὰ βαλλόμενα ἐβάσταζεν. εἶπεν οὖν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἄφες αὐτήν, εἰς τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνταφιασμοῦ μου τετήρηκεν αὐτό. τοὺς πτωχοὺς γὰρ πάντοτε ἔχετε μεθ᾽ ἑαυτῶν, ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε.῎Εγνω οὖν ὄχλος πολὺς ἐκ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἐστι, καὶ ἦλθον οὐ διὰ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν μόνον, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἴδωσιν ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν.

Μικρός Συναξαριστής

KYΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΒΑΪΩΝ - Την ημέρα αυτή γιορτάζουμε την πανηγυρική είσοδο του Κυρίου Ιησού Χριστού στην Ιερουσαλήμ. Τότε, ερχόμενος ο Ιησούς απο τη Βηθανία στα Ιεροσόλυμα, έστειλε δύο απο τους Μαθητές του Και του έφεραν γαϊδουράκι. Και κάθισε πάνω του για να μπεί στην πόλη. Ο δε λαός, ακούγοντας ότι ο Ιησούς έρχεται πήραν αμέσως στα χέριαμ τους βάγια και φοίνικες και βγήκαν ναν τον υποδεχτούν, άλλοι δε κόβοντας κλαδιά απο τα δέντρα έστρωναν το δρόμο απ’ όπου ο Ιησούς θα περνούσε Και όλοι μαζί ακόμη και τα μικρά παιδιά φώναζαν «Ωσαννά, ευλογημένος ο ερχόμενος εν ονόματι Κυρίου, ο Βασιλεύς του Ισραήλ» (Ιωαν.ΙΒ΄). Η είσοδος του Χριστού στα Ιεροσόλυμα για την σημερινή Εκκλησία και κατά τους Αγίους Πατέρες, δεν είναι ανάμνηση ενός γεγονότος, που κάποτε συνέβη και έχουμε χρέος να το θυμόμαστε,αλλά η επανάλημψη του ιδίου γεγονότος μέσα στα χρονικά τοπικά πλαίσια του παρόντος. Και σήμερα έρχεται ο Χριστός μέσα στην πανηγυρική Θεία Λειτουργία.΄Ερχεται πάλι για να σταυρωθεί και αναστηθεί. Έρχεται για να επαναλάβει το Μυστήριο της Φιλανθρωπίας Του.

ΤΟ ΑΓΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΟ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ - Η ΕΙΣ ΑΔΟΥ ΚΑΘΟΔΟΣ: Μέσα στο ζωοδόχο Τάφο αναπαύεται άφθαρτο το ζωοποιό σώμα του Σωτήρος. Η ψυχή Του ενωμένη με τη θεότητά Του, κατέβηκε κυριαρχικά στον Άδη για να νεκρώση το θάνατο. Είναι ο θριαμβευτής, ο Βασιλιάς, και Σκήπτρο Του είναι ο Σταυρός. Ο θάνατος κατάπιε το θνητό σώμα του Κυρίου και η ψυχή του κατέβηκε, όπως όλων ώς τότε των νεκρών, στον Άδη, αλλά σαν ενωμένα με τη θεία φύση Του, έκαναν να εξαφανισθεί το σκοτάδι του αιωνίου θανάτου,η φθορά της ισχυροποιημένης αμαρτίας και το θράσος του παγγέλαστου πονηρού. Ο Σταυρός και η Ανάσταση είναι δύο όψεις του ιδίου θείου μυστηρίου. Ο Σταυρός είναι ο δρόμος που οδηγεί στην Ανάσταση που είναι το φυσικό τέρμα του δρόμου του Σταυρού. Ούτε ο Σταυρός χωρίς την Ανάσταση ούτε η Ανάσταση χωρίς το Σταυρό! Για αυτό στην Εκκλησία ψάλλομε: « Τον Σταυρό σου προσκυνούμεν, Δέσποτα, και την αγίαν Σου Ανάστασιν δοξάζομεν ».

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST - Prayers for: Tom, William, Anastasios, 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 in loving memory of Helen Collis.

Palm Sunday Luncheon immediately following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall. Today’s luncheon is graciously being underwritten by Archon Louis G. Malevitis. We thank him for his continued love and support of our beloved parish of Assumption Panagia. God bless!

Philoptochos Bake Sale and Pre-Order Pick Up following the Divine Liturgy.

Saint Ephrosinos’ Kitchen will be providing meals today to our homebound, senior parishioners and friends of Assumption. If you or someone you know would benefit from this ministry, or if you would like to deliver a meal or help in preparing the meal, please contact our church office. Next month’s meal will be on May 15.

THIS EVENING:

Service of Christ the Bridegroom

6:30 p.m. - Orthros of Great Monday

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:

HOLY MONDAY, APRIL 18

6:30 p.m. - Orthros of Holy Tuesday

HOLY TUESDAY, APRIL 19

6:30 p.m. - Orthros of Holy Wednesday

HOLY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20

2:30 p.m. - Sacrament of Holy Unction

6:30 p.m. - Orthros of Holy Thursday

(Holy Unction will also be distributed)

HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 21

9:00 a.m. - Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

6:30 p.m. - The Twelve Gospel Readings

αnd the Procession of the Crucified Christ

HOLY FRIDAY, APRIL 22

10:00 a.m. - Royal Hours

3:00 p.m. - Removal of Christ from the

Cross (Apokathilosis) - His Eminence

Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago -

Officiating

6:30 p.m. - Orthros of Holy Saturday -

Epitaphio

HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 23

9:00 a.m. - Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil

11:00 p.m. - Canon of the Holy Resurrection - His

Grace Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion - Officiating

GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA, SUNDAY, APRIL 24

12:00 a.m. (midnight) - Holy Resurrection Service

12:30 a.m. The Paschal Liturgy & Sermon of Saint John Chrysostom -

Agape Meal to Follow

11:00 a.m. - Agape Vespers

Week of April 24: Gift of Light is given in loving memory of Pauline Kavis and

Louis Mitchell.

Thank you to everyone who generously donated towards the flowers for the icon of Panagia during the Salutation Services, Akathist Hymn, daffodils for Holy Cross, flowers (carnations, rose petals, baskets of flower petals) wreaths, Epitaphio flowers, Easter lilies and for all ecclesiastical items needed as we await the Holy Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!

We would also like to thank the following donors for their generous donation of palm leaves and palm buds for today’s service and for flowers for the Holy Week Icons:

The Gilroy Family in loving memory of Gerasimos Vasilatos - Palm Leaves

Jack and Anna Woods - Palm Buds

The Szubert and Papafotopoulos Families - Icon of Palm Sunday

Anonymous Donor - Icon of the Nymphios

Anonymous Donor - Icon of The Last Supper

James and Betty Tsiolis - Icon of the Holy Resurrection for Holy Saturday Morning

Anonymous Donor - Icon of the Holy Resurrection

Anonymous Donor - Resurrectional Banner, Lavaron

Church office hours - 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.

*Please note: Church office will be closed on Bright Monday, April 25

View Parish Calendar

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR THE EPITAPHIO FLOWERS

We need families to contribute toward the cost of flowers for the Epitaphio. You may place your offering in the acrylic box located on the Pangari as you exit the church or visit our website at: www.assumptionchicago.org to donate online. If you would like, you may also contact the church office to donate. Thank you and God bless!

MYROFORES

All girls from second grade through seniors in high school are welcome to be Myrofores for various services during Holy Week. We will practice this Sunday April 10 after Sunday School Class in St. Catherine’s Chapel. For more information, please call or text Voula Spyropoulos at (630)217-0078.

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. We truly appreciate all your love and support to our beloved parish!

Available dates: May 1, 8, 22, 29; June 5, 12, 19, 26; July 3, July 10, July 17, July 24 & July 31

PHILOPTHOCHOS CORNER

Dyed Red Eggs – If you have signed up to dye eggs, please be reminded to bring them to Church between the Saturday of Lazarus, April 16 and Holy Saturday morning, April 23. Please contact Betty Tsiolis - 847-813-6491 for questions and to provide you with ribbon and tulle to wrap your eggs. Your help is very much appreciated!

Epitaphio, Good Friday, April 22 - Decorating the Epitaphio will take place 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Light meal following. Reminder to those who signed up to bring refreshments.

We are pleased to announce that to date our 2022 membership is 92! Thank you for your continued loyalty and support of the Assumption Philoptochos!

Have a blessed Palm Sunday and Kali Anastasi!

JOIN THE ASSUMPTION PANAGIA CHOIR!!!

We welcome choir members to join our Assumption choir ministry once a month in the choir loft. No choral experience is needed. It's a great way to share in the Divine Liturgy spiritually with your fellow parishioners! For more information, contact Marika Panton at mmpanton@comcast.net or 708-337-7435.

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

If you haven’t done so already, please pick up a Stewardship packet 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.

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.

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.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Palm Sunday, April 17 - 8:30 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy followed by

Palm Sunday Luncheon in Plato Hall. Catered by Greek Islands Restaurant.

6:30 p.m. - Orthros of Holy Monday

Holy Monday, April 18 - 6:30 p.m. - Orthros of Holy Tuesday

Holy Tuesday, April 19 - 6:30 p.m. - Orthros of Holy Wednesday

Holy Wednesday, April 20 - 2:30 p.m. - Sacrament of Holy Unction

6:30 p.m. - Orthros of Holy Thursday (Holy Unction will also be distributed)

Holy Thursday, April 21 - 9:00 a.m. - Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil

6:30 p.m. - Orthros of Holy Friday and 12 Gospel Readings

Holy Friday, April 22 - 10:00 a.m. - Royal Hours