Epistle Reading of the Day | |
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4
Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.
| |  |
Gospel Reading for the Day | |
The Gospel According to Matthew 6:14-21
The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
| |
|
Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 13:11-14, 14:1-4 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα
Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαμεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν· ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώμεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν, μὴ κώμοις καὶ μέθαις, μὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, μὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν μὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυμίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν. Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω· ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ· δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.
| | |
|
Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 6:14-21 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· ᾿Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν. ῞Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί· ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν. σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι, ὅπως μὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσι καὶ κλέπτουσι· θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν· ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν.
| |
READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS | |
 | The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation. |  | |
Saint Patrick the Enlightener of Ireland - March 17
Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish, was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart. In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, "After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm." After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life at Auxerre in Gaul, under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ. His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, "my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord - so many thousands of people," he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much "weariness and painfulness," long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times. When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner.
| |
Saint Alexios the Man of God - March 17
Saint Alexis was born in old Rome of illustrious parents named Euphemianus and Aglais, and at their request was joined to a young woman in marriage. However, he did not remain with her even for one day, but fled to Edessa, where he lived for eighteen years. He returned to Rome in the guise of a beggar and sat at the gates of his father's house, unknown to all and mocked by his own servants. His identity was revealed only after his death by a paper that he had on his person, which he himself had written a little before his repose. The pious Emperor Honorius honoured him with a solemn burial. The title "Man of God" was given to him from heaven in a vision to the Bishop of Rome on the day of the Saint's repose.
Saint Nikon the Holy Martyr &his 200 Companion Martyrs - March 23
Saint Nikon was from Neapolis (Naples) in Italy. His father was an idolater and his mother a Christian. At first he was a soldier, but later he went to the East, where he was baptized and in time became a bishop. After some years, he returned to the West and came to Sicily, where he and many of his disciples were put to death by beheading because they would not worship the idols.
|  | | | |
|
H Λειτουργία των Προηγιασμένων
Η θεία Λειτουργία των Προηγιασμένων, ονομάζεται έτσι, διότι τα τίμια δώρα, είναι ήδη αγιασμένα από τη Λειτουργία της προηγουμένης Κυριακής . Η γενεσιουργός αιτία της Λειτουργίας αυτής, είναι ο πένθιμος χαρακτήρας της Μεγ. Τεσσαρακοστής κατά την οποία οι χριστιανοί δεν επιτρέπεται να τελούν πανηγυρική Λειτουργία, εκτός Σαββάτου ακι Κυριακής. Τελείται αυτή κάθε Τετάρτη και Παρασκευή της Μεγ. Τεσσαρακοστής, καθώς και σε ορισθείσες εκ του Τυπικού εορτές, μετά τις Ώρες με τον Εσπερινό.
Α΄ ΧΑΙΡΕΤΙΣΜΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ – Από την κατάρα της Εύας στη χαρά της Παναγίας
Χαίρε αναστάεως τύπον εκλάμπουσα – Χαίρε των Αγγέλων τον βίον εμφαίνουσα!
Ο ιερός υμνογράφος του Ακάθιστου Ύμνου παραλληλίζει τη χαρά της παναγίας με την άρα (κατάρα) της Εύας. Η Εύα με την αλόγιστη παρακοή της έγινε κατάρα για το ανθρώπινο γένος καταδικάζοντάς το στο θάνατο. Η Παναγία αντίθετα, με την υπακοή της στο θέλημα του Θεού, μετέτρεψε την κατάρα σε ευλογία, την πίκρα του Θανάτου σε χαρά ζωής. Ω! Πάνσεπτε Υπεραγία Θεοτόκε μεσίτευσε τις προσευχές μας στον Υιόν σου και Θεό και ικέτευε Αυτόν δια μέσου εσού να σώσει την ψυχήν μας.
ΤΟ ΠΝΕΥΜΑΤΙΚΟ ΝΟΗΜΑ ΤΗΣ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑΣ
Νηστεία σωματική χωρίς την πνευματική δεν είναι νηστεία, αλλά υποκρισία. Αληθινή νηστεία είναι η εκκοπή των παθών, η απομάκρυνση απο την αμαρτία, η εκρίζωση των κακών συνηθειών, η εγκράτεια των αισθήσεων. Τι ωφελεί να νηστεύει το στομάχι και ο λογισμός να είναι βυθισμένος στην ακολασία. Ποιό το κέρδος να νηστεύει η κοιλιά και η γλώσσα να κατεσθίει με την καταλαλιά της υπολήψεις των συνανθρώπων;
Meditation
Do you fast? Then feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick, do not forget the imprisoned, have pity on the tortured, comfort those who grieve and who weep, be merciful, humble, kind, calm, patient, sympathetic, forgiving, reverent, truthful and pious, so that God might accept your fasting and might plentifully grant you the fruits of repentance. Fasting of the body is food for the soul. +Saint Basil the Great
|
|
|
GIFT OF LIGHT
This week’s Gift of Light is given in loving memory of George Galouzis.
| |
MEMORIAL
40 days for the late Alexander Vroustouris
May his memory be eternal!
| |
COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee and fellowship hour in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy. Thank you to Assumption Panagia Young Adults for hosting!
Solemn Vespers to be held today at 1:00 p.m.
Please join us in prayer and forgiveness.
VESPERS OF FORGIVENESS
Metropolis of Chicago invites you to attend Vespers of Forgiveness on
Sunday, March 17 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church –
893 N. Church Road, Elmhurst, IL. All are welcome to attend.
| |
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THIS WEEK
+Great Lent Begins - Clean Monday, March 18 - 5:30 p.m.
Service of the Great Compline
Wednesday, March 20 - 9:00 a.m. Service of the 9th Hour followed by
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
Friday, March 22 - 7:00 p.m.
1st Salutation Service to the Holy Theotokos
Saturday, March 23 - 9:00 a.m.
3rd Saturday of Souls
| |
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
| |
+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 23
| |
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.
| |
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.
| |
|
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 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!
DONATIONS NEEDED FOR FLOWERS FOR THE ICON OF PAN
As we prepare our Church for this Lenten season, we kindly ask parishioners to help with the cost of flowers. Each week, the icon of Panagia is adorned for the Salutations. We request that one family per week contribute to help continue this tradition. A donation of $250.00 is needed per week. As you may know, decorating the Church is a labor of love. We appreciate your help as we prepare for what is the center of our Orthodox faith, the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. All donors will be recognized in the weekly bulletin. Please contact the Church office if you would like to donate. Thank you and God bless!
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
Thank you for attending the Glendi and hope you enjoyed the safari! Shortly, we will announce the charitable organizations which will benefit from the proceeds of the event. Heartfelt thanks for your generosity!
Today, Sunday, March 17, we will have Lenten food items available for purchase during coffee hour. Be ready for the start of Great Lent. Lenten cookbooks will also be available for purchase. Kali Sarakosti!
We’re still accepting Philoptochos Membership 2024----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 THE FIVE LOAVES
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: Sophia, 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.
| |
|
**Flyers located in the Narthex.
Tuesday, March 26 - 11:45 a.m., Tenderhearted Ministry (Seniors 65 and older)
6:30 p.m., Orthodox Studies in Saint Catherine’s
March 30 - 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wedding Couple Seminar for couples getting married this year at Assution Panagia.
April 7 - 12:00 p.m., YAL Kafenio in Saint Catherine’s following the Divine Liturgy
April 7 - 12:00 p.m., Saint Euphrosynos Kitchen Meal in Plato Hall.
April 7 - 2:30 p.m., Greek Independence Day Parade on Halsted in Greek town
April 14 - 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Hellenic Museum Tour on Halsted Street preceded with lunch at Greek Islands. Seniors 65 & older free - Adults $30, Children 18 & younger $15. Contact George Demas for reservations at george@assumptionchicago.org or call Church Office.
April 20 - 12:30 p.m., Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall
April 21 - Date Change! Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival
April 27, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Saint Lazarus Family Lenten Retreat
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.
| | |
|
A blessed week to you and your families!!!
|
Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
| | | | |
