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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2015-09-06
Bulletin Contents
Miracleatchonae
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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

Worship Hours:

Sunday

8:30 am - Orthros

10:00 am - Divine Liturgy

Sunday Summer Hours
8:00 am - Orthros

9:30 am - Divine Liturgy

Sunday Church School 

 9:30 am - Divine Liturgy

Weekday Services

8:30 am - Orthros

9:30 am - Divine Liturgy


Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:1-4

BRETHREN, it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

But I call God to witness against me - it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.


Gospel Reading

14th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 22:2-14

The Lord said this parable, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.' But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.' And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

Apolytikion for Miracle of Michael in Colossae in the Fourth Mode

Supreme Commanders of the Hosts of Heavens, we, the unworthy, importune and beseech thee that by thy supplications thou encircle us in the shelter of the wings of thine immaterial glory, guarding us who now fall down and cry to thee with fervour: Deliver us from dangers of all kinds, as the great marshal of the heavenly hosts on high.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."

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.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

For unto Christ he would pass all on, saying, "He must increase, I must decrease;" by the Son Himself again, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you;" ... But not by words only, but also by actions did He bid them.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 69 on Matthew 22, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Miracleatchonae
September 06

The Commemoration of the Miracle Wrought by Archangel Michael in Colossae (Chonae)

The feast today in honour of the Archangel Michael commemorates the great miracle he wrought when he delivered from destruction a church and holy spring named for him. The pagans, moved by malice, sought to destroy the aforesaid church and holy spring by turning the course of two rivers against them. But the Archangel appeared and, by means of the Cross and a great earthquake that shook the entire area, diverted the waters into an underground course. Henceforth, the name of that place changed from Colossae to Chonae, which means "funnels" in Greek.


Vmnativt
September 08

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.


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Parish News and Events

PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS

Sunday Worship Hours:

Please NOTE that our Fall/Winter schedule for Worship Services has begun. Orthros begins at 8:30 am, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00am.  The Sunday Church School Divine Liturgy begins at 9:45 am in Saint Catherine Chapel on Sunday, September 13th.

Sunday Church School Begins Today, September 13th:

We announce that our Panagia Sunday Church School begins today SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th.  Divine Liturgy will begin promptly at 9:45am. Sunday Church School classes will take place immediately following the Divine Liturgy in Plato School.  If you have not, as yet, registered your child for the 2015-16 school year, please do so by contacting the Church Office, securing a registration form online at our Church’s Website (www.assumptionchicago.org), or by speaking with our SCS Director, Mrs. Christina Arvanites.

Coffee Fellowship:

Today’s Coffee Fellowship is hosted by the Assumption Community. Join us for fellowship in Plato Hall.

Have You Made Your 2015 Stewardship Pledge Yet?

We closed the end of the first half of 2015.  We thank and are appreciative to all stewards who have pledged and remained committed to our beloved Parish of Panagia.  The Parish Council reminds all stewards and supporters of our beloved Panagia Parish to complete your stewardship pledge card for 2015 and return it to the church office.  Pledge cards and info can be found at the Pangari in the Church Narthex.  May our Lord continue to bless us abundantly.

Dates to Remember:

Sunday, September 13th
Sunday Church School Begins

Monday, September 14th
Elevation of the Holy Cross
8:30 a.m. – Orthros
9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
The Liturgy will be broadcast live on
the internet starting at 9:15 a.m.

Thursday, September 17th
7:00 p.m. – Philoptochos General meeting
a Fun and interactive presentation at the
Pan Arcadian Building, 880 N. York Road, Elmhurst.
Guest speaker Maria Delis RD LDN (Registered and Licensed Dietician).

Saturday, September 19th
Metropoulos Philoptochos Luncheon
at Café La Cave, Des Plaines, IL.
11:00 am Fellowship - 12:00 pm Lunch

Monday, September 21st
7:00 p.m. – Adult Bible Study Begins
Bible Study meets in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room

Friday, September 25th
7:30 p.m. – Youth Kickoff Night at
the Oak Brook Park District.

 90th CHURCH ANNIVERSARY NEWS UPDATE:

Only five weeks remain until our blessed Parish of Panagia celebrates its Ninetieth Anniversary.  This gala event will take place on the evening of October 18, 2015, at the Carlisle Banquets in Lombard, Illinois.  The Theme for this evening of celebration and joy is “Panagia:  Honoring the Past – Embracing the Future”.  In addition, on this evening, our Panagia Community will be honoring our Proistamenos, Father Timothy Bakakos, in celebration of his thirty five years of ordained Ministry to the Church, and also Nicholas Georgiafentis for fifty years as Protopsalti of the Parish.  The 90th Anniversary Committee would like to update you on the following:

The Reservations Committee is asking that all reservations be accompanied with payment so that collection on the night of the event will not be necessary.  Table seating and placement are assigned as the reservation/payment is received.  For further info, please speak with Betty Tsiolis (847.813.6491) or Ann Dervis (630.627.2895).  Reservations may also be made during the Coffee Fellowship Hour each Sunday in Plato Hall following Worship Services.

The Patron Book/Ad Book Committee reminds everyone that the final day to submit entries for inclusion into the Patron Book/Ad Book is Friday, October 2nd.  You are invited to join this celebration by participating in our Patron Book of “Assumption Angels.” There can be no greater recognition of the angels of the past, than to become an angel of the present.  The enclosed Patron Book form should be returned to the Church Office by October 2, 2015.  A form can be found in this bulletin and also will be available in Plato Hall where reservations are being taken.

For further information, please feel free to contact the Church office (773.626.3114), or see the General Chairman, Dr. Peter J. Panton.  The Church appreciates the continued support and love from all our faithful stewards.

Youth Ministries:

Another year of our youth ministries is here! We are happy to announce that we will be having our first youth night on Friday, September 25th at the Oak Brook Park District at 7:30pm. Since we will be having all of our groups (GOYA, Jr. GOYA, Joy) meeting on the same night this year, we will need some extra hands to facilitate smooth and enjoyable sessions. If you are interested in committing to be an adviser for one of our youth groups this year, please call the church office or speak to/email Fr. Dimitrios at frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org.

 Adult Bible Study To Begin Monday September 21, 2015:

Our Adult Bible Study will meet Monday evening, September 21, 2015, at 7:00 pm, in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room.  We will continue with our study of the Epistles written by Saint Paul the Apostle.  This class is open to all, and it is hoped that you will avail yourself to the opportunity to study the Bible in-depth.  All you need to bring along with you is your Bible.  For further information and/or questions, please see Father Timothy.

Philoptochos News:

Are you eating a nutritious, healthy diet?

Our next Philoptochos general meeting will feature guest speaker Maria Delis RD LDN (Registered and Licensed Dietician) discussing the importance of the Mediterranean diet and health. 

Join us for a fun and interactive presentation on Thursday, September 17, at 7:00 p.m. at the Pan Arcadian Building, 880 N. York Road, Elmhurst.

Refreshments will be served.  Guests and spouses are welcome.  RSVP to Vi Skuteris 630-782-2101 or Ann Dervis 630-627-2895

Sunday Church School 90 Acts of Kindness Challenge:

Our 90 Acts of Kindness Challenge continues to progress!  Thank you to all our fellow parishioners for the continued support of our Sunday Church School and its events. Together we are making a positive difference one kind act at a time!

Act of Kindness #1-84 Completed – Please visit our website or our bulletin board to see who benefited from these Acts of Kindness

Act of Kindness #85 On Sunday, September 13th we will make “party in a box” kits working with Humanitarian Service Project. HSP operates five programs to fulfill its mission of alleviating the burdens of poverty of children and seniors.  For more information on HSP visit www.humanitarianservice.org Kits will be given to one of the low income families that HSP services.

Act of Kindness #86 On Sunday, September 13th we will make “Senior Personal Care” kits working with Humanitarian Service Project. HSP operates five programs to fulfill its mission of alleviating the burdens of poverty of children and seniors.  For more information on HSP visit www.humanitarianservice.org Kits will be given to one of the low income families that HSP services

Act of Kindness #87 – On Sunday, September 13th we will be making “Blessings Bags” for area homeless.  These bag will be filed with some necessities that will provide comfort and hope to these individuals.

Act of Kindness #88 On Sunday, September 13th we will be making home care kits for several of the residential homes that Helping Hand operates. Helping Hand Center owns 13 residential homes serving 80 adults in our community. Helping Hand provides services for adults and children with disabilities. For more information visit www.hhcenter.org

Act of Kindness #89 We are taking our Acts of Kindness on the road. We will be in Champaign-Urbana on Saturday, September 19th for the U of I day of Service. We will be doing various tasks at the OCF- NIKA House. NIKA House is a residence for men and women attending U of I. It is owned and operated by the Orthodox Christian Alumni in Action. For more information on NIKA House please visit www.nikahouse.com Accommodations have been made for those that wish to travel down on Friday, September 18th. For more information and to volunteer please see Christina Arvanites.

Act of Kindness #90 Completed and will be presented at the Anniversary Gala on October 18th. Be sure to make your reservation!!

We have identified all of our 90 Acts of Kindness! By September 19th our Church School students will have successfully completed all 90 Acts one month ahead of schedule. We are so very proud of all their hard work!!

Church School on FACEBOOK:

Our Sunday Church School has created a FACEBOOK page. Like our page: Assumption Sunday Church School! See our progress on our Acts of Kindness Challenge, keep up to date on upcoming events and view photos from recent events.

Hellenic Link-Midwest Scholarship:

A number of scholarships, $2,000 or more each, will be awarded for the academic year 2015-16.  Awards will be presented to the recipients during the Annual Dinner Dance and Scholarship Award celebration in January 2016.  Only college level and university level students, undergraduate or, when need is show, graduate students, are considered. Applicants must be residents of a Midwestern state (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio or Wisconsin), must have completed at least one year (as of June 2015) full time study at an accredited college or university, have at least one parent of Greek descent and should not have received a Hellenic Link-Midwest scholarship in the past.  Call the Church Office, 773-626-3114 to receive the Scholarship Application Form.  Applications and all related materials and documents must be post-marked no later than November 1, 2015.

Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed:

Have you considered selecting a day to host the Weekly Fellowship Hour following Worship Services on a specific Sunday in 2015?  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 first half of 2015 are:

Oct. 18              Nov. 15           Dec. 6              Dec. 20                

Nov. 8               Nov. 22          Dec. 13             Dec. 27

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.

  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.

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.

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

Cemetery Graves Update:

Individuals/Families interested in purchasing graves at Elmwood Cemetery, please be advised of the following prices:  $1,995.00 (members), and $2,295.00 (non-members).  Our Parish has only forty-six (46) graves remaining in the Panagia section, and the Church pricing is about 50% less than the graves that are being sold at Elmwood.  For more information, please call the Church office and speak with Gail (773.626.3114).

Proper Church Etiquette:

Worship Services are vital instruments and components to our prayer development.  In order to help us achieve this, we need to be cognizant of our fellow parishioners and all those around us.  Therefore, please make sure that cell phones are completely turned off during Services.  In addition, while we most welcome children to participate in the liturgical life of the Church, it remains the responsibility of parents to make sure that children do not become a distraction to those around them.  Therefore, if a child is crying, or in some way in need of attention, please feel free to take him/her to the Narthex or Cry Room.  You are most welcome to enter and exit the Church proper as many times as necessary.  By doing this, all who are in attendance will be afforded the opportunity to worship and pray together. (Please keep in mind that we are also privileged to have a complete Sunday School Liturgy celebrated in Saint Catherine’s Chapel each week for your use as well).  We ask for your cooperation.  Ushers will be available to help you, if needed.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Ushers:

Andrew Kanel, Tom Poulos, Chris Caprio, Diane Berbas, Dr. Peter J. Panton

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