SAINT SPYRIDON

Hellenic Orthodox Church

Sunday of Orthodoxy

This Sunday, we encourage all of our youth and parishioners to bring their favorite Holy Icon from home so that we can raise them up when we read the Synodikon (Proclamation) of the 7th Ecumenical Council.

All of our youth will participate in a procession with their Holy icon near the end of the Divine Liturgy. If you don't have an icon, the church will provide one for your child.

We did not meet the necessary quorum for our Spring General Assembly. Therefore, our make-up meeting will take place

Saturday, March 30 at 11 a.m.

All stewards are encouraged

and welcomed to attend!

EPISTLE READING

Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

GOSPEL READING

John 1 : 43 - 51



At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Saturday, March 23rd

3rd Saturday of the Souls - Orthros & Divine Liturgy

8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.



Pan-Orthodox Vespers at St. John the Baptist,

Des Plaines - 6:30 p.m.— 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 24, 2024 - Sunday of Orthodoxy

Orthros - 8:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy - 9:30 a.m.

*** Youth procession of Icons will take place toward the end of the Divine Liturgy

Great Vespers at Annunciation , Kankakee - 6:00 p.m.

(296 N Washington Ave, Kankakee, IL)

Monday, March 25th - Annunciation of the Theotokos

Orthros & Divine Liturgy -- 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Compline—6:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 27th

Pre-sanctified Liturgy—6:00 p.m.—7:30 p.m.

*** Presanctified Potluck hosted by the Parish Council

Friday, March 29th

Salutations to the Theotokos—6:30 p.m.—7:45 p.m.

Saturday, March 30th

****Make-up General Assembly -- 11:00 a.m.



Vespers--5:00 p.m.

AWARDS

National finalists are eligible to receive the following:

St. John Chrysostom Festival Scholarship: $500 to $2,000

FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism: to be announced

SCHOLARSHIPS

Finalists at any level are eligible to receive the following:

Chrysostorm Scholarship to Hellenic Collage: $2,500 up to $30,000 per year

As part of our ongoing commitment to the spiritual growth and development of our youth, we are excited to announce the upcoming Oratorical Festival at our parish. This enriching event will take place after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, April 14th immediately following the Divine Liturgy.  

The Oratorical Festival is a tradition within our parish, designed to offer our young people a platform to express their faith and explore their creative talents in a supportive and nurturing environment. 



Categories include: Speech, Poetry, Iconography, Vocal Chant, and Vocal Solo for students in grades 7-12. 

• Junior Division for  grades 7–9
• Senior Division for grades 10–12.

Students in grades 1-6 are highly encouraged to participate. Projects should be rooted in Orthodox teachings. All projects are due by Sunday, April 7 to ensure that we have enough time to prepare them for display during the Oratorical Festival. Examples of projects: posters, dioramas, icons, drawings, prayer journal, storybook, shadow box

Topics 

• The Life of a Saint
• The Meaning of a Holy Day
• A Miracle of the Orthodox Church
• My Favorite Bible Story 
• The Importance of Prayer
• Icons and their Significance

Please direct any questions to Maria Baltsas, Oratorical Chair (773) 615-1719 or englishteacher30@yahoo.com

Family Night Ministry

Join us for our next Family Night on Monday, April 8

from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

FANARI CAMP LENTEN RETREAT

DATE: Saturday, April 13, 2024

Time: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Fanari Camp is excited to continue our Metropolis-wide Fanari Lenten Retreat. The retreat will be a day in the life of camp, and will include: Worship, Orthodox Life, games, Song Night, and much more! 

All 5th-12th graders are invited to join us!

LOCATION:

SS. Constantine & Helen, Palos Hills, IL

Enroll your children in “Πλούταρχος» Academy Greek School, and watch them flourish in the beauty of Greece's heritage! Classes are offered Mondays and Fridays, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. For more information please call 708-385-2311 or email us at office@saint-spyridon.net

Ellinomatheia: 6th grade Greek School graduates can take this Greek Language Seminar to prepare for the Ellinomatheia exam. The Ellinomatheia certificate can be used to receive a seal of Biliteracy. For more information, please see the flyer below.

Consider offering one hour of service to the church every week or every two weeks (not including worship).

We wish to thank the 150 Stewards who have made a stewardship commitment for 2024. 

Stewardship materials for 2024 are available at the church office and on our website.

We apologize that last week's bulletin had the wrong link for the March 2024 Voice. Please click the link below to access the correct VOICE Newsletter.

Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church

12307 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Palos Heights, IL 60463

708.385.2311