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SAINT KOSMAS OF AETOLIA - AUGUST 24
Our holy Father Kosmas was from the town of Mega Dendron (Great Tree) of Aetolia. At the age of twenty, he went to study at the school of the Monastery of Vatopedi on the Holy Mountain. Later, he came to the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou where he was tonsured. With the blessing of his abbot, he departed for Constantinople where he learned the art of rhetoric, and thereafter, he began to preach throughout all the regions of northern Greece, the Ionian Islands, but especially in Albania, for the Christian people there were in great ignorance because of the oppression and cruelty of the Moslems. Finally, in 1776, after having greatly strengthened and enlightened the faithful, working many signs and wonders all the while, he was falsely accused by the leaders of the Jewish people and was executed by strangulation by the Moslem Turks in Albania.
Epistle Reading of the Day
St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12
Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a sister as wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Gospel Reading for the Day
Matthew 18:23-35
The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 9:2-12
Ἀδελφοί, ἡ σφραγὶς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ. Ἡ ἐμὴ ἀπολογία τοῖς ἐμὲ ἀνακρίνουσιν αὕτη ἐστίν. Μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν φαγεῖν καὶ πιεῖν; Μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν ἀδελφὴν γυναῖκα περιάγειν, ὡς καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ ἀπόστολοι, καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τοῦ κυρίου, καὶ Κηφᾶς; Ἢ μόνος ἐγὼ καὶ Βαρνάβας οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν τοῦ μὴ ἐργάζεσθαι; Τίς στρατεύεται ἰδίοις ὀψωνίοις ποτέ; Τίς φυτεύει ἀμπελῶνα, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ καρποῦ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐσθίει; Ἢ τίς ποιμαίνει ποίμνην, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ γάλακτος τῆς ποίμνης οὐκ ἐσθίει; Μὴ κατὰ ἄνθρωπον ταῦτα λαλῶ; Ἢ οὐχὶ καὶ ὁ νόμος ταῦτα λέγει; Ἐν γὰρ τῷ Μωϋσέως νόμῳ γέγραπται, Οὐ φιμώσεις βοῦν ἀλοῶντα. Μὴ τῶν βοῶν μέλει τῷ θεῷ; Ἢ διʼ ἡμᾶς πάντως λέγει; Διʼ ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἐγράφη, ὅτι ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι ὀφείλει ὁ ἀροτριῶν ἀροτριᾷν, καὶ ὁ ἀλοῶν τῆς ἐλπίδος αὐτοῦ μετέχειν ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι. Εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῖν τὰ πνευματικὰ ἐσπείραμεν, μέγα εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῶν τὰ σαρκικὰ θερίσομεν; Εἰ ἄλλοι τῆς ἐξουσίας ὑμῶν μετέχουσιν, οὐ μᾶλλον ἡμεῖς; Ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐχρησάμεθα τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ ταύτῃ, ἀλλὰ πάντα στέγομεν, ἵνα μὴ ἐγκοπήν τινα δῶμεν τῷ εὐαγγελ ίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 18:23-35
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ὡμοιώθη ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ βασιλεῖ, ὃς ἠθέλησε συνᾶραι λόγον μετὰ τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ. ἀρξαμένου δὲ αὐτοῦ συναίρειν προσηνέχθη αὐτῷ εἷς ὀφειλέτης μυρίων ταλάντων. μὴ ἔχοντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἀποδοῦναι ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ πραθῆναι καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ τέκνα καὶ πάντα ὅσα εἶχε, καὶ ἀποδοθῆναι. πεσὼν οὖν ὁ δοῦλος προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγων· κύριε, μακροθύμησον ἐπ᾿ ἐμοὶ καὶ πάντα σοι ἀποδώσω. σπλαγχνισθεὶς δὲ ὁ κύριος τοῦ δούλου ἐκείνου ἀπέλυσεν αὐτὸν καὶ τὸ δάνειον ἀφῆκεν αὐτῷ. ἐξελθὼν δὲ ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος εὗρεν ἕνα τῶν συνδούλων αὐτοῦ, ὃς ὤφειλεν αὐτῷ ἑκατὸν δηνάρια, καὶ κρατήσας αὐτὸν ἔπνιγε λέγων· ἀπόδος μοι εἴ τι ὀφείλεις. πεσὼν οὖν ὁ σύνδουλος αὐτοῦ εἰς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν λέγων· μακροθύμησον ἐπ᾿ ἐμοὶ καὶ ἀποδώσω σοι. ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελεν, ἀλλὰ ἀπελθὼν ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν εἰς φυλακὴν ἕως οὗ ἀποδῷ τὸ ὀφειλόμενον. ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτοῦ τὰ γενόμενα ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα, καὶ ἐλθόντες διεσάφησαν τῷ κυρίῳ ἑαυτῶν πάντα τὰ γενόμενα. τότε προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ λέγει αὐτῷ· δοῦλε πονηρέ, πᾶσαν τὴν ὀφειλὴν ἐκείνην ἀφῆκά σοι, ἐπεὶ παρεκάλεσάς με. οὐκ ἔδει καὶ σὲ ἐλεῆσαι τὸν σύνδουλόν σου, ὡς καὶ ἐγώ σε ἠλέησα; καὶ ὀργισθεὶς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν τοῖς βασανισταῖς ἕως οὗ ἀποδῷ πᾶν τὸ ὀφειλόμενον αὐτῷ. Οὕτω καὶ ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ ἐπουράνιος ποιήσει ὑμῖν, ἐὰν μὴ ἀφῆτε ἕκαστος τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν καρδιῶν ὑμῶν τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν.
ΑΓΙΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΟΡΤΕΣ
ΣΥΝΑΞΗ ΤΗΣ ΥΠΕΡΑΓΙΑΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ - «έν τώ Πυρσώ της Ευρυτανίας» - Αύγ. 23
Πρόκειται για την εικόνα της Παναγίας της Προυσιώτισσας, που βρίσκεται στο Μοναστήρι του Προυσού. Τη θαυματουργή αυτή εικόνα της Θεοτόκου λέγεται ότι την ζωγράφισε ο Eυαγγελιστής Λουκάς και ήλθε από την Προύσσα της Μικράς Ασίας – σύμφωνα με το χειρόγραφο της ιεράς Μονής Προυσιωτίσσης. Την έφερε από την Προύσσα κάποιος ευγενής νέος στα χρόνια της εικονομαχίας (829), επί εικονομάχου βασιλέως Θεοφίλου. Το δρόμο όμως για την Ελλάδα, τον έχασε και η εικόνα αποκαλύφθηκε, θαυματουργικά σε ένα τσοπανόπουλο, με μιά στήλη φωτός σας πυρσός γι’ αυτό πήρε και την επωνυμία Πυρσός – στο μέρος όπου ήταν κρυμμένη. Ο νέος που είχε εγκατασταθεί στην Πάτρα, όταν το έμαθε θέλησε να την πάρει. Αλλά η εικόνα θαυματουργικά γύρισε και πάλι στο άγιο μέρος της Ευρυτανίας, όπου αποκαλύφθηκε στους ντόπιους βοσκούς. Τότε ο νέος μαζί με ένα υπηρέτη του, πήγαν και αυτοί εκεί, όπου έγιναν μοναχοί μετανομασθέντες Διονύσιος και Τιμόθεος αντίστοιχα. Στο Μοναστήρι αυτό γίνεται μέχρι σήμερα μεγάλο πανηγύρι και πλήθος κόσμου συρρέει για να προσκυνήσει τη θαυματουργή αυτή εικόνα της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου.
Άγιος Κοσμάς ο Αιτωλός - Αύγ. 24
Ο Άγιος Κοσμάς υπήρξε φωτοφόρος απόστολος του Ευαγγελίου, στα μαύρα χρόνια της τουρκικής σκλαβιάς. Η Εκκλησία του Χριστού, για να τιμήσει τον αγώνα και την προσφορά του, τον ονόμασε Ισαπόστολο. Ο Άγιος γνωρίζοντας ότι το Έθνος κινδύνευε, δεν ησύχαζε και φλεγόταν νύχτα-μέρα από τον πόθο να βγει και να διδάξει στους σκλαβωμένους Έλληνες τα Άγια Γράμματα. Όμως, θεωρούσε τον εαυτό του ταπεινό και αδύνατο να επωμισθεί τέτοιο φορτίο. Με θεία αποκάλυψη, πήγε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη, όπου συνάντησε τον αδελφό του Χρύσανθο, που ήταν δάσκαλος. Αυτός του έκανε μερικά μαθήματα ρητορικής, που θα βοηθούσαν τον Κοσμά στο κήρυγμα. Έπειτα, αφού πήρε την άδεια του Πατριάρχη Σεραφείμ, όργωσε στην κυριολεξία την Ελλάδα, διδάσκοντας στους «ραγιάδες» το λόγο του Θεού. Τελικά, ο φθόνος των Εβραίων, σε συνεργασία με τους Τούρκους, είχε σαν αποτέλεσμα τον απαγχονισμό του Αγίου στο Κολλιόνται, στα χώματα της Βορείου Ηπείρου το 1779 μ.Χ. Το λείψανο του το έριξαν στα νερά του πόταμου Άψου. Παρά την πέτρα που του είχαν δέσει στον λαιμό, το λείψανο επέπλεε. Βρέθηκε από τον ιερέα Μάρκο κι ενταφιάσθηκε στη μονή της Θεοτόκου Αρδονίτσας Β. Ηπείρου, όπου και ανευρέθη.
READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS
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Panagia Prousiotissa - August 23
The icon named Panagia Prousiotissa is a miraculous icon believed to be written by St. Luke the Evangelist. This story goes back to the year 829 in the city of Proussa, in modern-day Turkey, when icons were being destroyed. A faithful nobleman and Christian fled the city with the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary to protect the icon from destruction. In transport, the icon was lost and miraculously found in a cave on a very rugged mountainside by a young shepherd boy. When the nobleman heard the news, he retrieved the icon. He felt responsible to protect it, take it to a more convenient location, and to build a chapel to honor the Mother of God. After a day’s journey down the mountain, the icon left his custody once more and was found back in the cave as before. The young man, confused and ashamed for losing the icon again, heard the Virgin Mary explain that she was more comfortable in the wilderness with the peasants and shepherds than in the city with the politicians. She also invited him to stay with her in a life of peace. He honored her request and spent the rest of his life near the chapel he built for her in the rugged mountain, which was the start of a monastery that continues to exist today. Faithful make pilgrimages to venerate the icon between August 15-23 for the Feast of the Dormition and the feast’s apodosis in thanksgiving for prayers answered throughout the year.
Saints Adrian & Natalia the Martyrs & their 33 Companion Martyrs in Nicomedea - August 26
The holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalie confessed the Christian Faith during the reign of Maximian, in Nicomedia, in the year 298. Adrian was a pagan; witnessing the valor of the Martyrs, and the fervent faith with which they suffered their torments, he also declared himself a Christian and was imprisoned. When this was told to his wife Natalie, who was secretly a believer, she visited him in prison and encouraged him in his sufferings. Saint Adrian's hands and feet were placed on an anvil and broken off with a hammer; he died in his torments. His blessed wife recovered part of his holy relics and took it to Argyropolis near Byzantium, and reposed in peace soon after.
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Prayers for: Madalyn, Petros, Elaine, Kristine, Jon, Steve, Anastasia, Kathryn, Demetri, Andrea, Elaine, James, 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
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This week’s Gift of Light is given by Thalia Karabis and Family in loving memory of George C. Karabis.
MEMORIAL
40 days for the late Eleni Tziotziou
May her memory be eternal!
COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.
SAINT EUPHROSYNOS’ KITCHEN MEAL
12:00 p.m. Saint Euphrosynos Kitchen Meal. Please contact the church office if you would like to volunteer or if you know of someone in need of this ministry.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Wednesday, August 23 - 9:00 a.m. Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Apodosis of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos
+SAINT PHANOURIOS THE GREAT MARTYR
Sunday, August 27, our church celebrates St. Phanourios the Great Martyr. We are asking each family to please bring one Phanouropita ("Phanourios-Cake") to church for the blessing of the Phanouropites.
Κυριακή, 27 Αυγούστου, η Εκκλησία μας γιορτάζει τον Μεγαλομάρτυρα Φανούριο. Παρακαλούμε θερμά, κάθε οικογένεια να προσφέρει την ημέρα αυτή από μία Φανουρόπιτα.
2023 SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL
On Sunday, September 10, we start the beginning of the 2023 New Sunday School Year. We will welcome our children signing up for Sunday School with a fiesta eating tacos and hitting a piñata.
Join us and make sure you sign-up your children for Sunday School so they may enter into further connection with our Lord through education and have greater knowledge of their Orthodox identity.
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DIVORCE REBUILDERS: SS. Peter and Paul’s Divorce Rebuilders offers support, guidance and hope to those who are separated and divorced. Meetings will begin this Fall starting on Monday, October 16 through November 20, 2023, 7-8:30 p.m. for six consecutive weeks in the church library. ZOOM will be available for those who cannot attend in person. 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 participates in ongoing social activities. Leader: Maria Boyle, Counseling, Northwestern University.
To enroll in this program,
please email: mariaharduvel4@gmail.com or divorcerebuilders@ssppglenview.org and please note in the subject heading: Divorce Rebuilders. There is no cost for this program.
“No Christian should walk through the pain of divorce alone.”
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 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.
ASSUMPTION PANAGIA BOOKSTORE
Please visit our Religious Bookstore! Not only do we have beautiful Icons for your home and to give as gifts, we also have books for all ages, baby’s bibs for baptisms and much more! Our bookstore is open following the Divine Liturgy on Sundays in Plato Hall.
2023 STEWARDSHIP
Thank you to all who have sent in their Stewardship for 2023! If you haven’t done so already, please pick up a Stewardship packet. Packets are available at the Pangari and in the Church office. 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.
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.
View Parish Calendar
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PHILOPTHOCHOS CORNER
Our warmest thanks to all who helped with preparations, baking, serving and welcoming our guests for the Feast Day receptions of our Church’s namesake, The Dormition of the Virgin Mary. May Panagia bless and protect each and every one now and always.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE OF WEEKDAY SERVICES
August 29 - 9:00 a.m. Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+Beheading of Saint John the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist
September 1 - 10:30 a.m. Agiasmos (Blessing of the Water)
+Ecclesiastical New Year
September 8 - 9:00 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+Nativity of the Holy Theotokos
September 9 - 9:00 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
September 12 - 9:00 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+Apodosis (Leave Taking) of the Nativity of the Theotokos
September 14 - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+The Elevation of The Holy Cross
September 26 - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+Falling Asleep of Saint John The Theologian
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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 in September and October: September 3, 17 & 24 and October 1, 8, 22 & 29
Thank you to our beloved parishioners and friends of Assumption Panagia for your continued love and support!
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UPCOMING 2023 EVENTS
Sunday, August 20 - 12:00 p.m. Saint Euphrosynos Kitchen Meal. Please contact the church office if you would like to volunteer or if you know of someone in need of this ministry.
Sunday, September 10 - Save the Date! Taco Bout a welcome back! It’s a Sunday School Fiesta in Plato Hall!
Saturday, September 16 - 12:30 a.m., Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall.
Saturday, October 28 - 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Community Fall Fest/Pumpkin Patch.
Sunday, October 29 - 6:00 p.m., Save the Date! - Grand Raffle Dinner Celebration at Venuti’s Italian Restaurant & Banquet Hall, 2251 W. Lake Street, Addison, IL 60101. More info to follow.
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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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