Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 1:10-17.

BRETHREN, I appeal to you by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispos and Gaius; lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Gospel Reading

8th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:14-22

At that time, Jesus saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers' lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion of Silas, Silvan, Crescens, Epenetus and Andronicus of the 70 in the Third Tone

O Holy Apostles, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Kontakion of Silas, Silvan, Crescens, Epenetus and Andronicus of the 70 in the Fourth Tone

Ye have appeared as great and fruit-bearing branches of Christ the Vine, O God-proclaiming Apostles, bearing the virtues in great clusters, wisdom's fruit, which pour forth upon us all the sweet wine of salvation; which when we receive within, we are drunken with gladness, and celebrate your honoured memory. Pray that our sins be forgiven and we be saved.

Apolytikion of the Church in the First Mode

In giving birth, O Theotokos, you have retained your virginity, and in falling asleep you have not forsaken the world. You who are the Mother of Life have passed over into life, and by your prayers you deliver our souls from death.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.

Apolytikion of Great Martyr Catherine in the Plagal of the First Tone

Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine Catherine, protectress of Sinai, our aid and our help. For, she brilliantly silenced the eloquence of the impious by the sword of the spirit, and now, crowned as a martyr, she asks great mercy for all.

Kontakion of Great Martyr Catherine in the Second Tone

O friends of martyrs, now divinely raise up a renewed chorus, praising the all-wise Catherine. For, she proclaimed Christ in the arena, trampled on the serpent, and spat upon the knowledge of the orators.

Wisdom of the Fathers

And another thing too we learn, the self-restraint of the disciples which they practised in necessary things, and how little they accounted of food.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 49 on Matthew 14, 4th Century

For being twelve, they had five loaves only and two fishes; so secondary to them were the things of the body: so did they cling to the things spiritual only. And not even that little did they hold fast, but gave up even it when asked.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 49 on Matthew 14, 4th Century

Saints and Feasts

July 30

Silas, Silvan, Crescens, Epenetus and Andronicus the Apostles of the 70

Saint Silas was a companion and fellow labourer of the Apostle Paul: "And Paul chose Silas and departed...and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches" (Acts 15:40-41). He later became Bishop of Corinth, and reposed in peace. Saint Silvanos became Bishop of Thessalonica, and also reposed in peace. Saint Crescents, whom Saint Paul mentions in his Second Epistle to Timothy(4:10), became Bishop of Chalcedon, and brought many to the Faith. As for him whom the Apostle of the Nations praises as "my well-beloved Epenetus, the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ" (Roman 16:5), he became Bishop of Carthage, and after enduring many afflictions from the idolators, and bringing many of them to Christ, he departed to the Lord.

August 01

Procession of the Precious Cross

Because of the many diseases that occur in the month of August, the custom prevailed of old in Constantinople to carry the precious Wood of the Cross in procession throughout the city for its sanctification and its deliverance from illnesses. It was brought forth from the imperial treasury on the last day of July and placed upon the Holy Table of the Great Church of the Holy Wisdom; and beginning today, until the Dormition of the Theotokos, it was carried in procession throughout the city and was set forth for veneration before the people.

August 01

The Holy Seven Maccabee Children, Solomone Their Mother, and Eleazar Their Teacher

The names of the Holy Maccabees are Abim, Anthony, Guria, Eleazar, Eusebona, Achim, and Marcellus. They were Jews by race and exact keepers of the Laws of the Fathers. They lived during the reign of Antiochus, who was surnamed Epiphanes ("Illustrious"), the King of Syria and an implacable enemy of the Jews. Having subjugated their whole nation and done many evil things to them, not sparing to assail the most sacred matters of their Faith, he constrained them, among other things, to partake of swine's flesh, which was forbidden by the Law. Then these pious youths, on being apprehended together with their mother and their teacher, were constrained to set at nought the Law, and were subjected to unspeakable tortures: wrackings, the breaking of their bones, the flaying of their flesh, fire, dismemberment, and such things as only a tyrant's mind and a bestial soul is able to contrive. But when they had endured all things courageously and showed in deed that the mind is sovereign over the passions and is able to conquer them if it so desires, they gloriously ended their lives in torments, surrendering their life for the sake of the observance of the divine Law. The first to die was their teacher Eleazar, then all the brethren in the order of their age. As for their wondrous mother Solomone, "filled with a courageous spirit, and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly wrath" (II Macc. 7:21), she was present at her children's triumph over the tyrant, strengthening them in their struggle for the sake of their Faith, and enduring stout-heartedly their sufferings for the sake of their hope in the Lord. After her last and youngest son had been perfected in martyrdom, when she was about to be seized to be put to death, she cast herself into the fire that they might not touch her, and was thus deemed worthy of a blessed end together with her sons, in the year 168 before Christ.

August 02

Translation of the Relics of Stephen the Protomartyr

After the First Martyr had been stoned to death (see Dec. 27), Gamaliel, his teacher, encouraged certain of the Christians to go by night and take up the Saint's body and bury it in his field, which was at a distance of some twenty miles from Jerusalem and was called by his name, "Kaphar-gamala," that is, "the field of Gamala," where Gamaliel himself was later buried. About the year 427, a certain pious man called Lucian, who was the parish priest of a church near to that field, received from God a revelation in a dream concerning the place where the First Martyr was buried. He immediately made this known to John, the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Thus, coming to the place indicated, and digging there, they found a box with the word "Stephen" in Aramaic letters. On opening it, they took these most sacred relics and transferred them to Jerusalem with great honor and in the company of a very great multitude of the faithful.

August 03

Isaacius, Dalmatus, & Faustus, Ascetics of the Dalmation Monastery

Of these, Saint Isaacius is celebrated also on May 30. He became a monk at an early age and was a worker of every virtue; a zealot for the Orthodox Faith, he was also deemed worthy of the gift of prophecy. The Saint dwelt in a small hut near Constantinople. When Valens the Arian marched against the Goths, who were at the Danube River, this righteous one went out himself to meet the Emperor and, taking in hand the reins of the Emperor's horse, said to him with boldness that God had incited the barbarians to come against him, since he himself had incited many to speak against God in blasphemy, and had driven God's true worshippers out of the divine houses of prayer. Furthermore, he told him, if he ceased fighting against God by means of heresy and returned the good shepherds (that is, the Orthodox bishops) to the flock of Christ, he would easily gain the victory over his enemies. However, if he did not desist from these things, nor have God as his ally, at the very outset of the battle both he and his army would certainly be destroyed. "Learn from experience," he said, "that it is hard to kick against the pricks. Thou shalt not return, and this expedition will be destroyed." But the Emperor became angry and had the righteous one locked in prison that he might punish him and put him to death on his return after he conquered the barbarians. But he was utterly defeated and was burned alive in a certain village in the year 378 (Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Eccl. Hist., ch. 4: 31-32). When his surviving soldiers returned from the war, wishing to tempt the Saint, they came to him and said, "Prepare to make thy defense before the Emperor, who is coming to fulfil what he spoke against thee." But the Saint answered, "It has already been seven days that I smelled the stink of his bones, which were burned in the fire." Thus the righteous one was released from prison. All marveled because of his prophecy, and he became even more wondrous by means of the zeal he displayed in behalf of Orthodoxy in 381, when the Second Ecumenical Council was convoked. After this, a monastery was built in Constantinople for him, and he piously shepherded those struggling with him in asceticism. Having served as an example of the monastic life for them, he reposed in peace about the end of the fourth century, leaving Dalmatus as his successor.

As for Saint Dalmatus, he was at first a soldier in the second division of the soldiers known as the Scholarii. Later, however, he forsook all things and taking his son Faustus, went to the above-mentioned monastery of Saint Isaacius, where he donned the monastic habit. Through his virtue he became venerable in the sight of all. He was present at the Third Ecumenical Council that was convoked in Ephesus in 431, and there displayed his zeal for Orthodoxy against Nestorius. The Council elected him Archimandrite of the monasteries in Constantinopie. Having lived for more than eighty years, he reposed in the Lord.

August 04

Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus

The Seven Youths hid themselves in a certain cave near Ephesus in the year 250, to escape the persecution of Decius. By divine grace, a sleep came upon them and they slept for 184 years, until the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger, when the doctrine of the resurrection was being assailed by heretics. They then awoke, that is, were resurrected, confirming in the sight of all the bodily resurrection; and again after a short time, by divine command, they reposed in the Lord in the year 434.

Parish News and Events

PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS

Summer Sunday Worship Hours:

Please make note that we are presently in our summer schedule for Sunday Worship Services. Orthros begins at 8:00 am, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am. We will return to our regular schedule on Sunday, September 10th.

Coffee Fellowship:

The Coffee fellowship is hosted by the Assumption Community. All are invited to stay, and enjoy fellowship.

Church School on FACEBOOK:

Our Sunday Church School has created a FACEBOOK page. Like our page: Assumption Sunday Church School! Keep up to date on upcoming events and view photos from recent events.

Sunday Church School – Help Needed!

Just around the corner is the start of our Sunday Church School year, September 10th to be exact. Now more than ever we need your help!

We are in need of teachers and assistants to join our team. Specifically grades 5 and 6. Unfortunately, if these teaching slots are not filled there will be no Church School for the children of 5th or 6th grade. In addition we have several teachers who could use the assistance of aides. I ask that you prayerfully and lovingly consider giving some of your time and talent back to our church. Our program can only succeed and grow with your participation and dedicated involvement, the teachers and I cannot continue to do it on our own.

If you have any questions or if you need more detailed information regarding joining our team please feel free to contact Mrs. Christina Arvanites.

Ministry, Ministry, Ministry!

Every Christian who has accepted salvation has also accepted the responsibility of working in the ministry of the Church. The clergy have been called apart and given the grace and blessing to perform the specific sacramental functions of the church, but all Christians, clergy and laity alike, have been called to serve in our Lord’s ministry. If this is not what the Church is doing, then we have entered into serious error. Everything that we do as a Church should be in direct support of Christ’s ministry of salvation. If we build buildings, they should be to support ministry. Any event sponsored by the Church should be ministry or in support of ministry. The Church’s budget should be driven by its ministry, not the ministry to be limited by its budget.

Stewardship:

2017 Stewardship Pledge commitment are due. We ask that you please prayerfully consider your pledge commitment for 2017, complete the pledge card and mail it to the Church Office. We are forever grateful to the many loving stewards, supporters, and friends of this Parish who stand tall in their commitment to our Lord, the Blessed Panagia and this ministry.

2018 EPIPHANY PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LANDS:

It is with great joy and love in our Lord Jesus that Fr. Timothy, along with Fr. John Kalomas from the St. Andrew Church (Chicago), will again be leading an Eleven Day Pilgrimage from January 15th through 25th, 2018. This pilgrimage will exclusively include the Holy Lands in Jerusalem, Israel, and Palestine. Among the many places/sites to be visited include the Church and Tomb of St. George in Lydda, the Holy Sepulcher where we will see the Holy Calvary, Holy Tomb, Chapel of Mary Magdalene, Temporary Prison of Christ, Saint Loginos, Finding of the Cross, Column of the Thorns, and the Chapel of Adam. We then will walk to the Patriarchate to meet His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerualem, Theophilos III, follow Jesus’ footsteps on “Via Dolorosa” the Way of the Cross, Pretorium, Lithostrotos, the House of Nicodemos, the Prison of Saint Peter, the birthplace of Theotokos and the House of Saint Ann. Continue to the Tomb of Most Holy Mother of God in Gethsemane. We will visit Saint Stephanos, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Last Prayer.

We also will visit the Jordan River where we will enter the Holy Site of the Original Baptismal Site of Jesus Christ in the borders of Israel-Jordan. We will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany at Jordan River with His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, who will bless the water. We then visit St. Gerasimos, Mt. of Temptation in Jericho and the Dead Sea.

The following morning we will attend the Patriarchal Celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany in the Holy Sepulcher. After the Divine Liturgy, we will visit Mount Zion, the Last Supper & Upper Room, King David’s Tomb, the Wailing Wall and the House & Tomb of Saint Simeon the Righteous in Katamonas. We then will visit the Monastery of the Holy Cross and the House of Saint John the Baptist in Oreini.

In addition, we will visit the Mount of Olives for a panorama view of the Jerusalem, visit the Church of the Ascension, and small Galilea Saint Thedosius, Shepherds Field, Monastery of Saint Sabbas. We then return to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, the Holy Cave and the Manger of Christ, and the tombs of the infants killed by King Herod.

We then will depart for Tiberias, stopping first to visit the Tomb of Lazarus in Bethany and the Monastery of Martha & Maria. We continue through the Jordan Valley to Tiberias where we will spend the night. The next morning we will cross the Sea of Galilee by boat to Capernaum. Here we will visit the ruins of the city where Jesus started His ministry, and see the site of the Synagogue where He was teaching. We proceed to Tabgha, site of the Multiplication of Five Loaves and Two Fishes. From here, we will then drive to Mount of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee and visit the Monastery of the twelve Apostoles in Capernaum. We then return to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight. The next morning, we again visit Jordan River for our baptism (becoming a hatzi - a true pilgrim).

In this email as well as on our website (www.assumptionchicago.org), you will find a Flyer and Fact Sheet detailing the Trip, including dates, places, pricing, and other particulars. Also included in this email is the brochure that describes each day's activities. Because there is special pricing/discount given for registering early, you are urged to reply as soon as you can if you are interested in participating in this trip. Should you have any questions, I urge that you please call me immediately. Fr. John is advertising this Pilgrimage Trip in his own Parish, and we have decided to limit the size of this group, so space will be limited. Again, if you have any questions, please see/speak to Fr. Timothy as soon as possible.

College Students -- Check Out OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship):

To our young people who are going away to college for the first time, or to those returning to school to continue their studies, Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is the organization which keeps you connected to your Church and your Orthodox Faith. OCF has 300 chapters in colleges and universities throughout North America. So be sure to check out their web site to locate and find out about your chapter -- WWW.OCF.NET. We also encourage our college young people to share their e-mail addresses with our Church so that we may keep them informed of their “Spiritual Home” while they are away. And always remember, your Assumption Church’s weekly Divine Liturgy Services are just a click away on your computer each Sunday as we now broadcast live each Sunday. Just access it by going to our website at: www.assumptionchicago.org

Also, our parish is starting a database of all college students in the community. If you have a college student in your family or if you are a college student, please send your name, school, area of study, address, and email address to Fr. Dimitri at frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org..

Metroplis of Chicago Family Synaxis Retreat:

Labor Day Weekend Family Retreat: Join other Orthodox families at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Wisconsin over Labor Day Weekend for a fun-filled time reconnecting with your family and reconnecting with God. Retreat leader Fr. Stephen Freeman, a priest, author, blogger and podcaster (learn more at GloryToGodForAllThings.com), will present workshops on the theme Living the Mystery. Children’s workshops will also be provided, as will childcare for babies. Find more information and register online at www.GOCFamilySynaxis.org or email Chicago.Family.Synaxis@gmail.com . Register by Aug. 18 for the best rate.

Registration for the Family Synaxis Labor Day Weekend Retreat is now open. Register today to ensure the lodging you prefer. There is limited lodging space available onsite and we are assigning accommodations in the order that registrations are received (i.e., first-come-first-booked). Registrations are time stamped as they come in, so we will have the information we need to do so. You will indicate your lodging preferences on your registration form.

Registration costs for those registering by August 18, 2017, will be as follows:

Base registration fee: $225 - this fee covers the oldest two members of your family (i.e., the couple, or one adults and oldest child)

Children age 12+: $50 each
Children age 3-11: $25 each
Children under 3: free
*Cost will be capped at $375/family.

Due to the popularity of the speaker and the lodging space limitations of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center, we are offering a Saturday-only rate this year (price includes Saturday lunch and workshops). The cost is $125/family (up to 5 people) plus $12/additional family member ages 4+. Day rate is capped at $150.

When you register, you will let us know who is attending and their ages. From this information, we will generate an invoice for you, which you'll receive via email within a few days. You may pay this with any credit card online, or by printing it out and sending a check to St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plains, IL.

We look forward to spending Labor Day weekend with you! Please spread the word to your family and friends.

…........................................

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Eleni Anast at 708-250-0034 or chicago.family.synaxis@gmail.com.

In Christ’s Abiding Love,
Family Synaxis Planning Committee of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago

Byzantine Music Class:

This fall, our parish will be introducing a Byzantine Music class for all those interested in learning the art of Orthodox music. Classes will be led by Fr. Dimitri and are for students in middle school through college. If interested in registering or if you have any questions, please contact Fr. Dimitri at frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org.

Dates to Remember:

2017 August Religious Calendar
Abstinence Begins
For The Feast Of The Dormition
Of The Virgin Mary

Tuesday, August 1
The Procession of the Precious Cross
8:30 a.m. – Orthros
9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
6:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
7:00 p.m. – Small Paraklesis Service

Wednesday, August 2
Removal of Relics of 1st Martyr, Deacon Stephen
6:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
7:00 p.m. – Great Paraklesis Service

Thursday, August 3
Sts. Dalmatos, Faustos & Isaakios
6:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
7:00 p.m. – Small Paraklesis Service

Friday, August 4
7 Youths of Ephesus, Martyrs Eudokia and Ia
6:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
7:00 p.m. – Great Paraklesis Service

Saturday, August 5
Forefeast of the Transfiguration
NO SERVICES – Vespers at Holy Transfiguration
Monastery, Harvard, IL.

Sunday, August 6
The Holy Transfiguration
Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ
8:00 a.m. – Orthros
9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy

Monday, August 7
Dometios of Persia, Wonderworker Nikanor
6:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
7:00 p.m. – Small Paraklesis Service

Tuesday, August 8
Emilian, Bishop of Cyzikos, Myron the Wonderworker
Triandaphyllos the New Martyr
6:00 p.m. Great Paraklesis Service
(There is No Holy Confession)

Wednesday, August 9
Apostle Matthias, Apostle of the 70
Anthony of Alexandria
6:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
7:00 p.m. – Small Paraklesis Service

Thursday, August 10
Archdeacon Laurentios, Sixtus of Rome
6:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
7:00 p.m. – Great Paraklesis Service

Friday, August 11
Martyr Eupius the Deacon
7:00 p.m. – Akathist Hymn, Epitaphios and
Lamentations to the Virgin Mary

Monday, August 14
Forefeast of the Falling Asleep of the Theotokos
8:00 a.m. – Orthros
9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
7:00 p.m. – Hierarchical and Panegyric Great
Feast Day Vespers

ALL NIGHT VIGIL
11:00 p.m. – Small Supplication to the Theotokos
12:00 a.m. – Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
(Names of the living inaudibly commemorated.)

Monday, August 15
ALL NIGHT VIGIL CONTINUES
THE FALLING ASLEEP OF OUR MOST HOLY LADY
THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER VIRGIN MARY
2:00 a.m. – Sacrament of Holy Unction

First Divine Liturgy
4:30 a.m. – Orthros
5:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy

Second Divine Liturgy
8:30 a.m. – Hierarchical Orthros
10:00 a.m. – Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Annual Panagia Names Day Appeal:

The Annual Panagia Appeal has been sent to all parishioners/stewards/supporters of our blessed Parish of Assumption. As we approach the Feast of the Dormition of the Panagia, we respectfully ask that you remember your Church and the Patron Saint of this Parish, the Blessed Theotokos, with your prayers and loving gift. It is because of your continued support and love that allows this Church, through the intercession of the Theotokos, to minister and continue to spread the Grace, Love and Word of Jesus Christ. Included in the packet being mailed will also include the complete schedule of Worship Services during the fifteen day Panagia period, as well as a form to write the names of your loved ones to be remembered/commemorated at these Services. Blank prayer list forms for your departed souls and living loved ones can also be found on the Pangari, as well as offering envelopes.

Annual Blessing of the Grapes on August 6th (Feast of The Transfiguration):

The Annual Blessing of the Grapes will take place at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 6th. This tradition occurs in our Orthodox Churches on August 6th each year, giving thanks to our Lord for the ‘first fruits of harvest’ given to us by our God. Should you wish to contribute to defray the expense of the grapes, please call the Church office at 773-626-3114.

Panagia Feast Day Flowers:

We are forever grateful for the love and support of our parishioners and friends of Panagia who generously defray the expenses of the flowers that so beautifully adorn our Icons of our Patron Saint, the Blessed Theotokos, on Her Feast Day. If you are interested in making this gift specifically for the flowers decorating the Icons of the Panagia, please inform the Church Office (773.626.3114), or see Father Timothy.

Artoclasia Service for Panagia Feast Day Observance:

As is the tradition, our Parish honors the Feast Day of the Dormition of the Panagia with the Service of Artoclasia at BOTH the Great Vespers on Monday evening, August 14th, and the Divine Liturgy on Tuesday morning, August 15th. Those individuals/families wishing to offer the bread (artos), oil, and wine for the health of their family are asked to call the Church Office (773.626.3114), or see Father Timothy.

Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed:

Have you considered selecting a day to host the Weekly Fellowship Hour following Worship Services on a specific Sunday in 2017? You might want to celebrate a family event, a memorial, or just want to share time with the Church family. Please call the Church Office (773.626.3114) to book a date and for more information. Available dates for the 2017 Year:

Aug. 6 Sept. 10 Oct. 8 Nov. 12

Aug. 13 Sept. 17 Oct. 15 Nov. 19

Aug. 20 Sept. 24 Oct. 22 Nov. 26

Sept. 3 Oct. 1 Oct. 29 Dec.

Assumption Prayer Ministry:

The Assumption Adult Bible Study Group has developed an idea that may be of interest to parishioners and friends of our Panagia Parish. They are interested in being able to form a ministry comprised of individuals who would like to pray for the health of those individuals who may be ill or experiencing health issues. Our Orthodox Faith teaches us that the ‘power of prayer’ literally works miracles, and Jesus instructs us in the Bible that we should “always pray for one another in the fellowship of love and through the Holy Spirit”. As a Panagia Parish, we are united as brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are encouraged to pray for one another as any family would do. So, how do we plan to do it? It’s simple, easy, and spiritually uplifting and rewarding. Here is what we can all do:

If you are interested in participating, you need only submit your name and email address to the Church Office or Fr. Timothy.
When a name is submitted to be prayed for, you will be contacted by email, given the first name of the person to be prayed for, along with the prayer to be read by you, offering the prayer for the intercession of God upon that individual, and asking that the afflicted be healed by God’s abundant blessing.
Your prayer, together along with the many others who are offering a prayer for the person who is ill, will bring comfort beyond comprehension.

Just think about that….our prayers collectively praying for a person who needs the loving and tender Hand of God during his/her special time of need. It’s that simple. Just provide us with your email address, and you can join this ministry team who will pray for the person who needs help the most. It costs nothing, takes only a few seconds to do, but will make us all part of a spiritual family that looks and cares for one another.

Prosfora Bakers Needed:

One of the blessings of Stewardship that we are given is the ability to serve our Church in a number of ways. Our Church is in need of individuals who can offer the weekly Prosforo (Bread) for the Divine Liturgy. Should you be able to offer your service, please inform the Church office or see either Fr. Timothy or Mrs. Demetra Spyropoulos. With the help of each steward/member, we come together as a Church family to better offer our thanks to our Lord.

Bookstore:

Do you need gifts for your family or relatives? Then please visit the Bookstore in Plato Hall after the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. There you will find unique gifts for everyone, such as books for children and adults, icons of your or your children’s patron saints, crosses, key chains and other beautiful items, which will make much appreciated gifts this year. Please stop in and browse, you’ll be glad you did.

Holy Communion Announcement:

While we pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all the world’s Christians, the reality remains that there is still no intercommunion between our Orthodox Churches and the Churches of the West. This means that only baptized, chrismated, and observant Orthodox faithful are allowed to receive Holy Communion in our churches. At the same time, we warmly welcome all non-Orthodox to join us in prayer and celebration, and humbly offer to all present the Antidoro bread of fellowship at the end of the worship service. We offer this important symbol ‘instead of the Gifts’, in the words of the Apostle Paul, ‘Till we all come to the unity of the Faith’ (Eph. 4.13).

Website News:

In addition our Parish’s website, we encourage you to keep abreast on the latest news and happenings about Orthodoxy from our Metropolis of Chicago and our Holy Archdiocese.

Please use the links below to access any of the three sites:

Assumption Church:               www.assumptionchicago.org
Metropolis of Chicago:           www.metropolisofchicago.org
Archdiocese of America         www.goarch.org

All three websites will provide you with articles and resources for the Orthodox Church. They include the history of Orthodoxy, special Services and Blessings, Spirituality, Teachings of the Orthodox Church, how to become a member of the Orthodox Church, the meaning and celebration of The Holy Eucharist, the form and characteristics of Orthodox worship, the Sacrament of Confession, Holy Week Meditation and Study Guide, Fasting, the Orthodox Calendar, and much more. Specifically, on our Parish’s website, we have uploaded past and current editions of the Assumption Newsletter and the St. Catherine Newsletter, and are available for reading online.

We Need Your E-mail Address:

Are you receiving the weekly bulletin online in your e-mail mailbox each week? How about our Assumption Church’s Newsletter and the Saint Catherine’s Newsletter? If not, please give the Church Office your e-mail address so that you can stay informed about the schedule of religious services, events, and news of our Community.

Our Sunday Church Services are broadcast live on the Internet each week:

A reminder to all, our Parish of Panagia began broadcasting live to the internet each Sunday. This is of particular benefit to our shut-ins, elderly, college students, and vacationers who are away from home, yet need to receive the benefit and blessing of the weekly Divine Liturgy experience. All you need to do is log on to our website www.assumptionchicago.org, and click the link to begin watching the Worship Service live. We have also archived our Services allowing anyone to click and watch the Service/sermon at their leisure. We encourage you to give it a try.

NOTE: Please note that this morning’s Divine Liturgy, as well as prior Divine Liturgies, are available for rebroadcast. Simply log on to our Parish’s website (www.assumptionchicago.org), and click on the “Watch Worship Services Online” link.

Ushers:

Dean Bastounes, Tom Demos, Nick Mansour, Dean Sarantos, John Vassiliades

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins