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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2015-09-20
Bulletin Contents
Eustathi
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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 Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20

BRETHREN, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.


Gospel Reading

Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."


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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 for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.

Apolytikion for Martyr Eustathius & His Companions in the Fourth Mode

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.

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

And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

Nay, the nature of the thing is alone sufficient to attract you." ... For thou oughtest not, O Peter, because thou hast confessed me Son of God, therefore only to expect crowns, and to suppose this enough for thy salvation, and for the future to enjoy security, as having done all. ..."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

"... For although it be in my power, as Son of God, to hinder thee from having any trial at all of those hardships; yet such is not my will, for thy sake, that thou mayest thyself too contribute something, and be more approved."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

The key to knowledge is the humility of Christ. The door of the Kingdom of Heaven is open, not to those who only know in their learned minds the mysteries of faith and the commandments of their Creator, but to those who have progressed far enough to live by them.
St. Bede the Venerable
Unknown, 8th century

To deny oneself means to give up one's bad habits; to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world; not to cherish bad thoughts and desires; to suppress every evil thought; to avoid occasions of sin; not to desire or to do anything out of self-love, but to do everything out of love for God. To deny oneself, according to St. Paul means "to be dead to sin. . . but alive to God."
St. Innocent of Alaska
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th Century

A Christian's . . . duty is to "take up his cross." The word cross means sufferings, sorrows and adversities. To take up one's cross means to bear without grumblings everything unpleasant, painful, sad, difficult and oppressive that ay happen to us in life. . .without expecting any earthly reward in return, but bear it all with love, with joy and with courageous strength.
St. Innocent of Alaska
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th Century

Interior crosses can found at all times, and more easily than exterior ones. You have only to direct your attention to yourself and examine yourself with a sense of repentance, and a thousand interior crosses will at once present themselves to you. . . Interior crosses are sometimes so burdensome that the sufferer can find no consolation whatever in anything. All this can happen to you too! But in whatever position you may be, and whatever sufferings of the soul you may feel, do not despair and do not think that the Lord has abandoned you. NO! God will always be with you and will invisibly strengthen you even when it seems to you that you are on the very brink of perdition.
St. Innocent of Alaska
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 148, 19th Century

When, on this day, we look at the precious Cross of Christ, in faith let us adore it, let us rejoice, and embrace it ardently, beseeching our Lord, who of His own choice gave Himself to be crucified on it, to make us worthy of adoring His most precious Cross so that, free from all defilement, we may attain the day of Resurrection.
Orthros for the Adoration of the Holy Cross

Nothing comes without effort. The help of God is always ready and always near, but is given only to those who seek and work, and only to those seekers who, after putting all their powers to the test, then cry out with their whole heart: "Lord, help us."
St. Theophan the Recluse
19th Century

If you would be victorious, taste the suffering of Christ in your person, that you may be chosen to taste His glory. For if we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him. Blessed are you if you suffer for righteousness' sake. Behold, for years and generations the way of God has been made smooth through the Cross and by death. The way of God is a daily Cross. The Cross is the gate of mysteries.
St. Isaac the Syrian
The Orthodox Way: Revised Edition, SVS Press, p. 129

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Saints and Feasts

Eustathi
September 20

Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife and two children

The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.


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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.

 Memorials:

1 Year ~ James (Demetrios) Demos, Right Rows 1 - 2
10 Years ~ Christ (Xristos) Kantzavelos, Left Rows 1 – 2
10 Years ~ Anthony (Andoni) Kantzavelos, Left Rows 1 - 2

 Sacrament:

 Vivian Paganis and Peter Testa were wed in Holy Matrimony yesterday, Saturday September 26, 2015.  The Sponsors were Frank and Mary Paganis.

Sunday Church School:

Our Panagia Sunday Church School has begun.  Divine Liturgy begins promptly at 9:45am. Sunday Church School classes takes 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 Demos Family in memory of James Demos.  Join us for fellowship in Plato Hall.

Have You Made Your 2015 Stewardship Pledge Yet?

We are approaching the end of the third quarter 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:

Saturday, October 3rd
10:30 am – Metropolis Philoptochos, President and Officer Workshop
at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church

Monday, October 5th
7:00 p.m. – Adult Bible Study will meet in
St. Catherine’s Meeting Room

Wednesday, October 7th
7:00 p.m. – Philoptochos Board Meeting at the Pan-Arcadian Building

Sunday, October 18th
5:00 pm – 90th Anniversary Dinner Dance
at Carlisle Banquets in Lombard, IL

 Monday, October 19th
7:00 p.m. – Adult Bible Study will meet in
St. Catherine’s Meeting Room

Saturday, October 24th
4:00 pm – Harvest Day celebration in Plato Hall

Monday, October 26th
Feast Day of St. Demetrios
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, October 27th
6:00 pm – Metropolitan’s Names Day
Dinner at the Chateau Ritz

 90th CHURCH ANNIVERSARY NEWS UPDATE:

Only three 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:

We hope that everyone enjoyed our Youth Kickoff night this past Friday! Our next youth night will be Friday, October 16th at 7:30pm at the Oak Brook Park District. Also in October will be Harvest Day on Saturday, October 24th at 4pm. We hope that everyone will plan on attending these fun and fruitful events! If you have any questions regarding Assumption Youth Programs, please contact Fr. Dimitri at frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org.

 The Next Orthodox Adult Bible Study Monday October 5, 2015:

Our Adult Bible Study will meet Monday evening, October 5, 2015, at 7:00 pm, in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room.  We will continue with our study of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians.  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.

Sunday Church School 90 Acts of Kindness Challenge:

Our Church School students have successfully completed all 90 Acts of Kindness!!! One month earlier than planned! We are so very proud of all their hard work!!

Act of Kindness #1-89 Completed – Please visit our website or our bulletin board to see who has benefited from these Acts of Kindness

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

Thank you to all our fellow parishioners for the continued support of our 90 Acts of Kindness Program. We invite you to join us at our celebration on Sunday, October 11th. We will look back at all the good we did and meet some of the people that benefited from our Acts of Kindness!!

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.

 Hellenic Bar Association
65th Annual Scholarship Ball

 The Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois’ 65th Annual Scholarship Ball will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 6 PM at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Chicago, awarding scholarships to worthy law students. Honorees at the event will be Tom Demetrio, of the firm of Corboy and Demetrio; Mariyana Spyropoulos, Board President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago, with a special tribute to her father, philanthropist Ted Spyropoulos; Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and recent Lt. Governor candidate; and the 90 Acts of Kindness of the Assumption Church. The Mistress of Ceremonies for the event will be Andrea Darlas, award winning WGN radio and TV personality, with the entertainment of the Linardakis Band and Kosta DJ. Please support this wonderful event!

Tickets may be purchased online at www.Hellenicbar.org, and information for the event can be obtained by calling (312) 913-8649.

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. 22           Dec. 13            Dec. 27                

Nov. 8               Dec. 6             Dec. 20

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:

 

Chris Limperis, Bill J. Vranas, Demetra Lakerdas, Stacy Lynch, Dean Sarantos

 

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