+Saint Pelagia the Righteous – October 8
This Saint was a prominent actress of the city of Antioch, and a pagan, who lived a life of unrestrained prodigality and led many to perdition. Instructed and baptized by a certain bishop named Nonnus (Saint Nonnus is commemorated Nov. 10), she departed for the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, where she lived as a recluse, feigning to be a eunuch called Pelagia. She lived in such holiness and repentance that within three or four years she was deemed worthy to repose in an odour of sanctity, in the middle of the fifth century. Her tomb on the Mount of Olives has been a place of pilgrimage ever since.
Epistle Reading of the Day
St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6-11
Brethren, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Gospel Reading for the Day
Luke 7:11-16
At that time, Jesus went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!"
Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 9:6-11
Ἀδελφοί, ὁ σπείρων φειδομένως, φειδομένως καὶ θερίσει· καὶ ὁ σπείρων ἐπʼ εὐλογίαις, ἐπʼ εὐλογίαις καὶ θερίσει. Ἕκαστος καθὼς προαιρεῖται τῇ καρδίᾳ· μὴ ἐκ λύπης ἢ ἐξ ἀνάγκης· ἱλαρὸν γὰρ δότην ἀγαπᾷ ὁ θεός. Δυνατὸς δὲ ὁ θεὸς πᾶσαν χάριν περισσεῦσαι εἰς ὑμᾶς, ἵνα ἐν παντὶ πάντοτε πᾶσαν αὐτάρκειαν ἔχοντες περισσεύητε εἰς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθόν· καθὼς γέγραπται, Ἐσκόρπισεν, ἔδωκεν τοῖς πένησιν· ἡ δικαιοσύνη αὐτοῦ μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. Ὁ δὲ ἐπιχορηγῶν σπέρμα τῷ σπείροντι, καὶ ἄρτον εἰς βρῶσιν χορηγήσαι, καὶ πληθύναι τὸν σπόρον ὑμῶν, καὶ αὐξήσαι τὰ γενήματα τῆς δικαιοσύνης ὑμῶν· ἐν παντὶ πλουτιζόμενοι εἰς πᾶσαν ἁπλότητα, ἥτις κατεργάζεται διʼ ἡμῶν εὐχαριστίαν τῷ θεῷ.
Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Λουκᾶν 7:11-16
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐπορεύετο εἰς πόλιν καλουμένην Ναΐν· καὶ συνεπορεύοντο αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἱκανοὶ καὶ ὄχλος πολύς. ὡς δὲ ἤγγισε τῇ πύλῃ τῆς πόλεως, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐξεκομίζετο τεθνηκὼς υἱὸς μονογενὴς τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὕτη ἦν χήρα, καὶ ὄχλος τῆς πόλεως ἱκανὸς ἦν σὺν αὐτῇ. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὴν ὁ Κύριος ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ᾿ αὐτῇ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· μὴ κλαῖε· καὶ προσελθὼν ἥψατο τῆς σοροῦ, οἱ δὲ βαστάζοντες ἔστησαν, καὶ εἶπε· νεανίσκε, σοὶ λέγω, ἐγέρθητι. καὶ ἀνεκάθισεν ὁ νεκρὸς καὶ ἤρξατο λαλεῖν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὸν τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ. ἔλαβε δὲ φόβος πάντας καὶ ἐδόξαζον τὸν Θεόν, λέγοντες ὅτι προφήτης μέγας ἐγήγερται ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ ὅτι ἐπεσκέψατο ὁ Θεὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ λόγος οὗτος ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ᾿Ιουδαίᾳ περὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν πάσῃ τῇ περιχώρῳ.
ΑΓΙΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΟΡΤΕΣ
O AΓΙΟΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΣ ο Απόστολος - ένας από τους επτά Διακόνους - 11 Οκτωβρίου
Καταγόταν από την Καισάρεια της Παλαιστίνης και ήταν διάκονος μεταξύ των επτά διακόνων της πρώτης Εκκλησίας στην Ιερουσαλήμ. Επίσης ήταν έγγαμος και είχε τέσσερις θυγατέρες, προικισμένες με προφητικό χάρισμα.Ο Φίλιππος όμως δεν στάθηκε μόνο στην Ιερουσαλήμ. Πήγε στη Σαμάρεια και κήρυξε το Ευαγγέλιο, σαν γνήσιος και αυτός «απόστολος Ιησού Χριστού κατά πίστιν εκλεκτών Θεού και επίγνωσιν αληθείας της κατ’ ευσέβειαν».Εκεί στη Σαμάρεια, δια του κηρύγματος του, βάπτισε χριστιανό και το Σίμωνα το μάγο.΄Επειτα ο Φίλιππος συνάντησε στο δρόμο του τον Ευνούχο της βασίλισσας Κανδάκης, και αφού τον κατήχησε, βάπτισε και αυτόν Χριστιανό. Κατόπιν πήγε στις Τράλλεις της Μικράς Ασίας, όπου με τη διδασκαλία του έπεισε όλους σχεδόν τους κατοίκους της πόλης να πιστέψουν στο Χριστό. Ο Φίλιππος στην πόλη αυτή αφού έκτισε και χριστιανικό ναό, παρέδωσε την ψυχή του.
O AΓΙΟΣ ΣΥΜΕΩΝ ο Νέος Θεολόγος - 12 Οκτωβρίου
΄Ηταν απο την Παφλαγονία και έζησε τον 10ον αιώνα. Οι γονείς του Βσίλειος και Θεοφανώ, φρόντισαν για την καλλή του εκπαίδευση, τις δε σπουδές του συμπλλήρωσε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη με την κηδεμονία ισχυρού θείου του στην Αυλή. Με την επιμονή του θείου του, μπήκε και αυτός στην Αυκλή. ΄Οταν όμως πέθανε ο θείος του, άφησε την Αυλή του Παλατιού και ζήτησε να εισαχθεί στην περίφημη Μονή του Στουδίου. Δεν τον δέχτηκαν λόγω του νεαρού της ηλικίας του. Αργότερα όμως τον δέχτηκαν.Εκεί μαθήτευσε κοντά στον ομώνυμο προϊστάμενό του Συμεών με τις οδηγίες του οποίου ευδοκιμούσε στις θεολογικές μελέτες και στην πνευματική ζωή Συναντάμε κατόπιν τον Συμεών στη Μονή του αγίου Μάμαντα, όπου πήρε το μοναχικό σχήμα και στη συνέχεια έγινε ηγούμενος της. Επειδή όμως θέλησε να επιβάλει τους μοναχικούς κανόνες του Μεγάλου Βασιλείου, συνάντησε ζωηρή αντίδραση και παραιτήθηκε. Ασχολήθηκε αποκλειστικά με θεολογικές μελέτες και συγγραφές. Κατηγορήθηκε απο τον Μητροπολίτη Νικομηδείας Στέφανο, ότι γιόρταζε από μόνος του σαν επίσημο ΄Αγιο τον γέροντά του Συμεών και η περιπέτεια αυτή του κόστισε έξι χρόνια ταλαιπωρίες. Τελικά διατάχθηκε να πάει σ’ έν μοναχικό παρεκκλήσι της Αγίας Μαρίνας, στην Ασιατική όχθη της Προποντίδας,όπου και πέθανε σε γεροντική ηλικία. Από τις συγγραφές του σώζονται 92 λόγοι, 282 πρακτικά και θεολογικά κεφάλαια, καθώς και θρησκευτικά ποιήματα. Για τη θεολογική του δεινότητα ονομάστηκε: νέος Θεολόγος.
READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS
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Saint Theophanes the Confessor, Bishop of Nicaea - October 11
Saint Theophanes, the brother of Saint Theodore the Branded, was a Palestinian by race. Both were monks at the Monastery of Saint Sabbas. They were called "the Branded" because Theophilus, the last of the Iconoclast emperors, had twelve iambic verses branded by hot irons on their foreheads and then sent them into exile, where Theodore died in the year 838. After the death of Theophilus in 842, Theophanes was elected Bishop of Nicaea. Both brothers composed many canons and hymns, thereby adorning the services of the Church.
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Saints Provos, Andronicus, & Tarachos, Martyrs of Tarsus - October 12
The holy Martyrs contested for Christ during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 296 or 304. Tarachus was advanced in years, of Roman birth, and had been a soldier; Probus was from Side in Pamphylia, and Andronicus from Ephesus. They were taken together in Cilicia and subjected to manifold exceedingly cruel tenures. Tarachus was beaten on his cheeks and neck with stones, his hands were burned, he was hanged on a post and smoke was put underneath him to choke him; vinegar was forced down his nostrils; after enduring further tortures, he was carved to pieces. Probus was thrashed with whips, his feet were burned with red hot irons, his back and sides were pierced with heated spits; finally he also was cut up with knives, and received the crown of martyrdom. Andronicus suffered similar tortures, and also finished his course being cut to pieces, commending his soul into the hands of God.
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Saint Kosmas the Hagiopolite - October 14
Saint Kosmas was from the Holy City, Jerusalem, and was a contemporary and peer of Saint John of Damascus (Dec. 4), with whom also he was reared when, because of his orphanhood he was adopted by Sergius, Saint John's father, and with whom he had the same instructor. About the year 743, he was elected Bishop of Maiuma, a coastal city of Palestine, aforetime under the jurisdiction of Gaza, with the name Port Gaza. During the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, it became a separate township and at that time was renamed Constantia, after Constantine, the son of the Emperor (see Sozomen, Eccl. Hist., V:3). Kosmas became an excellent hymnographer, from whence he is called "the Composer and Melodist," Among his many compositions are the Canon of the Cross (Sept. 14) and the Canon for the Nativity of Christ, "Christ is born, give ye glory."
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Prayers for: Panagioti, Kathy, 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
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This week’s Gift of Light is given for the health and well-being of
Nicholas and Nikki Georgiafentis and many blessings for a lifetime of love and happiness.
MEMORIALS
40 days for the late Basille (Vasiliki) Efantis
40 days for the late Jim (Demetrios) Bost
May their memory be eternal!
COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.
WEDDING
2:00 p.m. - Nikki Fousekis to Nicholas Georgiafentis
Congratulations! Να ζήσετε!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Monday, October 9 - Church Office Closed
Friday, October 13 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Family Night at Oak Brook Park District, 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523.
Saturday, October 14:
· The Hoy Apostles Caregivers half day Seminar for Caregivers at Holy Apostles Church. Please see flyer for information
· 12:30 p.m. - Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall
· 5:00 p.m. - Harvest Day and Trivia Night in Plato Hall
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 in November and December: November 19, 26 and
December 3, 10, 17
Please note: November 15 Christmas Fast begins. Only Lenten items during the fast.
Thank you to our beloved parishioners and friends of Assumption Panagia for your continued love and support!
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!
Our St. Euphrosynos Kitchen Ministry has grown significantly. We need more volunteers. Currently, we are looking for more people to deliver meals one Sunday a month to our homebound parishioners and friends of Assumption Church. The geographic area that is in the most need of delivery drivers is the Northwest side of Chicago. If you or someone you know is willing to share some time to deliver or would like more information about volunteering for this or any other Outreach ministry, please email Christina Arvanites arvanites795@gmail.com
YOUNG ADULTS
Hello Young Adults (18-35yrs old)! We firstly would like to collect all Young Adult contact information for communication purposes! Parents of Young Adults are encouraged to help submit their child’s contact information too. Please submit your contact information to george@assumptionchicago.org or office@assumptionchicago.org or call the Church Office: 773.626.3114.
TO OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS
The vision of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is to be the loving presence of Christ and the Orthodox Church on college campuses; to be an integral part of students’ spiritual formation by challenging them to explore the Faith; and to inspire students to commit to living an Orthodox Christian way of life daily. Through national programs, weekend retreats, virtual gatherings, and over 250 on-campus chapters, OCF is an invitation to thrive during your time in school. Orthodox Christian Fellowship offers college students rich community in Christ, inspiring a life-long love of God and neighbor. To get connected, visit ocf.net/get-connected
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.
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.
View Parish Calendar
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PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER
Please join us in worship and coffee hour fellowship on Sunday, November 5. Information regarding future events is forthcoming.
Meanwhile, please Save the Date for the Christmas Luncheon – Saturday, December 2nd, Greek Islands, Lombard. Details to follow. All ladies and gentlemen are welcome!
GOAL BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL (STAG TEAM)
We have some exciting news! Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Christian Church is teaming up again with the STAG (St. Andrew, St. George, Annunciation and Assumption churches) basketball and volleyball teams for boys and girls in 3rd to 12th grade. If you are interested in learning more or having your kid play you must contact me, George Demas george@assumptionchicago.org (or reply to this email)/ 773.626.3114 so I can approve through the pastoral team and then also sign-up with Stavros Lazos at stavroslazos@hotmail.com / 773.251.5933 who is in charge of introductions, registrations as well as team scheduling and organization.
*Please remember that at least one of the player’s parents/guardians or the player himself/herself, must be a member in good standing of our parish.
The STAG official kick-off and open gym is Thursday, Oct 5th at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church with basketball, volleyball, pizza and fellowship.
Practice during the year will be every Thursday at St. Andrew’s designated sometime within 6-9pm.
Games will start on November 11 and will be played on either Saturday or Sunday (after church) during the season.
We thank you for your love and support of all Panagia's programs.
UPCOMING 2023 EVENTS
Saturday, October 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Open House Chicago
Sunday, October 15 - 12:00 p.m., Saint Euphrosynos Kitchen Meal.
Saturday, October 28 - 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Community Fall Fest and Pumpkin Patch.
Sunday, October 29 - 6:00 p.m., Grand Raffle Dinner Celebration at Venuti’s Italian Restaurant & Banquet Hall, 2251 W. Lake Street, Addison, IL 60101. You may purchase tickets during the week, by contacting the church office at: (773) 626-3114. Tickets are also available every Sunday during the coffee hour in Plato Hall. Please see flyer for additional details.
Sunday, November 5 - Fall Parish Assembly Meeting in Plato Hall
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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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