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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-12-22
Bulletin Contents
Treejesse
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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (773) 626-3114
  • Fax:
  • (773) 626-3141
  • Street Address:

  • 601 South Central Avenue

  • Chicago, IL 60644-5089


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Sunday -MAIN CHURCH
8:30 am - Orthros
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
Sunday Summer Hours - MAIN CHURCH
8:00 am - Orthros
9:30 am - Divine Liturgy
Sunday Church School 
 9:45 am - Divine Liturgy

Weekday Services
8:30 am - Orthros
9:30 am - Divine Liturgy

 

The Mission of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

Is to lead the faithful into the Kingdom of God by:

Proclaiming and teaching the Gospel in accordance with the Orthodox Faith;

Sanctifying the faithful through God’s grace in worship, the Divine Liturgy and the sacraments;

Enhancing the spiritual life of the faithful;

Adding to the numbers of the faithful by receiving persons into the church through instruction, baptism and/or chrismation.


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Mode

Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.

Apolytikion for Sun. before Nativity in the Second Mode

Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the Three Holy Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd of lions as of sheep. By their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.

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 Third Mode

On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
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Saints and Feasts

Treejesse
December 22

Sunday before Nativity

On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.


Allsaint
December 22

Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ


22_anastasia3
December 22

Anastasia the Great Martyr

This Saint, who was from Rome, was a most comely, wealthy, and virtuous maiden, the daughter of Praepextatus and Fausta. It was her mother who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. The Saint was joined to a man named Publius Patricius, who was prodigal in life and impious in disposition, but she was widowed after a short time. Henceforth, she went about secretly to the dwellings of the poor and the prisons where the Martyrs of Christ were, and brought them whatever was needed for their daily subsistence. She washed their wounds and loosed them from their fetters, and consoled them in their anguish. Also, because the Saint, through her intercessions, has healed many from the ill effects of spells, potions, poisons, and other harmful substances, she has received the name "Deliverer from Potions." Since the fame of her deeds had spread about, she was arrested by Diocletian's minions, and after enduring many torments she was put to death by fire in the year 290.


Allsaint
December 22

Chrysogonos, Theodota, Evodias, & Eutychianus, the Martyrs


Allsaint
December 22

The opening of the gates of the Great Church of God


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40

BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.

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 armies 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 tempted, 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

Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25

The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

The tribes of Judah and Levi were united by a fusion of their lines of descent, and that is why Matthew assigns Christ's family to the tribe of Judah. And the Apostle says, 'for our Lord has sprung out of Judah' (Heb. 7:14).
St. Ambrose of Milan
Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century

Thus, from the tribe of Levi may be counted a heritage that is priestly and filled with holiness, while from the tribe of Judah - to which David and Solomon and the rest of the kings belonged - there shines forth the splendor of a royal descent. And so, by the testimony of the Scriptures, Christ is shown to be at once both king and priest.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century

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Parish News and Events

Sunday- Dec. 22

8:45am Orthros  

10am Divine Liturgy 

Senior Choir Singing

Memorials:               

1yr Lillian K. Stamas

26yrs Louis G. Stamas

Tuesday- Dec. 24

CHRISTMAS EVE

4pm Royal Hours   

5pm Vesperal Liturgy (with Communion)

Wednesday- Dec 25th

CHRISTMAS DAY

8:45am Orthros  

10am Divine Liturgy 

Sunday- Dec 29th

8:45am Orthros  

10am Divine Liturgy   

Wednesday- January 1st

Saint Basil

8:45am Orthros  

10am Divine Liturgy

Friday- January 3rd

Pre-Feast Epiphany

10am Royal Hours   

 
SAINTS COMMEMORATED TODAY:   Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Anastasia the Great Martyr, Chrysogonos, Theodota, Evodias, & Eutychianus, the Martyrs, The opening of the gates of the Great Church of God
 
St. Paul's Second Letter to the Titus 3:8-15
 
The Gospel According to Matthew 1:1-25
 
Open Arms We will be celebrating liturgies in the Main Church on Sundays.  Please make every effort to embrace the children and refrain from scolding or “shushing” someone else’s child.  Fr. Peter will never ask a child to leave the service, and he also asks that you also focus your attention on the services and not other people within the church. In a Christian family we are all different, with differing abilities, working together to pray, and grow.  We need to make all people within our church feel welcome, and Father is asking for your help to do so.
 
Communion Note Please follow the direction of our Parish Council for the new procedure for receiving Holy Communion. A Parish Council member will be on the solea gently directing the lines to approach the Chalice with a steady flow.  Please follow their direction. 
 
Communication and Emergencies If you need to contact Fr. Peter by email, his email is frpspiro999@gmail.com  The emergency number for our church which is on 24/7 is 847-452-5989.  This number is Fr. Peter’s cell phone number if you have an emergency (severe injury, severe pastoral need, or death).  Please do not text important, time sensitive information or emergencies.  For non-emergencies, please either send an email or contact the church office at (773) 626-3114.
 
Fr. Demetri’s Upcoming Transfer The Metropolitan is transferring Fr. Demetri to be the Associate Priest in Merrillville Indiana starting in February.  His last Sunday will be on January 12th. We will have a special coffee hour for him to express our gratitude for his service to Assumption.   God bless you Father Demetri! 
 
Executive Leadership Training Fr. Peter was selected to attend a 4 day leadership course at Tufts University in January through the Metropolis of Chicago.  Father is looking to implement new initiatives and programs that he will develop for our Parish in that program.
 
Parishioner In Need We have a long time parishioner who lives at Cumberland and Lawrence who does not drive. If   anyone is willing to bring them to church please let the office know, call 773.626.3114
 
New Metropolis Website The Metropolis of Chicago has designed a new website that is more visually appealing, easier to navigate, carries more substance. Visit chicago.goarch.org 
 
2 TICKETS LEFT to the Chicago Bulls Group Outing Join your Assumption Family on Monday, December 30th for a night at the United Center as the Chicago Bulls take on the Milwaukee Bucks (and the Greek Freak!). Tip-off is at 7pm. Tickets are $60 and can be reserved by calling the church office or visiting tithe.ly/event-registration/#/1018054.
 
Sermons online Father Peter has his sermons on his YouTube channel.  www.YouTube.com/FatherPeterSpiro
 
See it again Today’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.
 
Prosfora Bakers Needed Our Church is in need of individuals who can offer the weekly Prosforo (Bread) for the Divine Liturgy.  If you are interested in learning how to make Prosforo, please contact Fr. Peter
 
Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed  Please consider hosting a coffee hour so the we can share time together in fellowship. If you have questions please contact Fr. Peter.   Hosts needed for : January 12, 19, 26 - February 2, 9, 16, 23 - March 8, 15
 
Telos Project Please visit https://tinyurl.com/agocya to submit basic contact info for any young adult ages 21-35 with a connection to Assumption. This will help us build our young adult ministry.
 
Dive for the Cross Join the Sunday Church School at Oakbrook Park District on January 11th from 6-8 pm.
 
Office Staff Presbytera Dana is currently working in the office, and Father has hired a new secretary who will be starting after the New Year.   
 
COMING IN 2020  20/20 Vision for ministry and revitalization within our church community.  Keep your “eyes” open for more information in 2020!

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST   (put this in your prayer corner at home)

O 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: William, Nicholas, Alexandra, Momcilo, Jill, Panagiotis, Vasiliki    (Contact Fr. Peter to add names)

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Flyers

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