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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2015-11-29
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Parish News and Events
Allsaint
Organization Icon
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

Proistamenos Very Rev. Timothy Bakakos

frtimothy@assumptionchicago.org | 773-626-3114

Associate Pastor Rev. Fr. Dimitrios Burikas


frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org | 773-626-3114

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

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 5:8-19.

Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.

Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27

At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

When the stone had been sealed by the Jews and the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate Body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life unto the world. Wherefore, the powers of the Heavens cried out to Thee, O Lifegiver: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ. Glory to Thy Kingdom. Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Friend of man.

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.

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

Love of money is the worship of idols, a daughter of unbelief, an excuse for infirmities, a foreboder of old age, a harbinger of drought, a herald of hunger.
St. John Climacus
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century

He who has conquered this passion has cut out care; but he who is bound by it never attains to pure prayer ...
St. John Climacus
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
November 29

Paramonus, Philumenus, and their 370 Companion Martyrs in Bithynia

Saint Paramonus contested for piety's sake during the reign of Decius, in the year 250. A ruler named Aquilinus, seeking relief from a bodily malady, visited a certain therapeutic hot spring. He brought with him captive Christians from Nicomedia, and commanded them to offer sacrifice in the temple of Isis. When they refused, he had them all slaughtered, to the number of 370. Saint Paramonus, beholding their murder, boldly cried out against such an act of ungodliness. When Aquilinus heard this, he sent men to take the Saint. Some smote him with spears, others pierced his tongue and body with sharp reeds, until he died.

Saint Philumenus' contest in martyrdom took place during the reign of Aurelian, in the year 270. Coming from Lycaonia, he was conveying a load of wheat into Galatia when he was denounced as a Christian to Felix, Governor of Ancyra. Nails were driven into his hands, feet, and head, and he was commanded to run. While running in the road, he fell and gave up his holy soul into the hands of God.

Andrewap
November 30

Andrew the First- Called Apostle

This Saint was from Bethsaida of Galilee; he was the son of Jonas and the brother of Peter, the chief of the Apostles. He had first been a disciple of John the Baptist; afterwards, on hearing the Baptist's witness concerning Jesus, when he pointed Him out with his finger and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1.29,36), he straightway followed Christ, and became His first disciple; wherefore he is called the First-called of the Apostles. After the Ascension of the Saviour, he preached in various lands; and having suffered many things for His Name's sake, he died in Patras of Achaia, where he was crucified on a cross in the shape of an "X," the first letter of "Christ" in Greek; this cross is also the symbol of Saint Andrew.

Barbara1
December 04

Barbara the Great Martyr

Saint Barbara was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia and lived during the reign of Maximian.

She was the daughter of a certain idolater named Dioscorus. When Barbara came of age, she was enlightened in her pure heart and secretly believed in the Holy Trinity. About this time Dioscorus began building a bath-house; before it was finished he was required to go away to attend to certain matters, and in his absence Barbara directed the workmen to build a third window in addition to the two her Father had commanded. She also inscribed the sign of the Cross with her finger upon the marble of the bath-house, leaving the saving sign cut as deeply into the marble as if it had been done with an iron too. (When the Synaxarion of Saint Barbara was written, the marble of the bath-house and the cross inscribed by Saint Barbara were still preserved, and many healings were worked there.) When Dioscorus returned, he asked why the third window had been added; Barbara began to declare to him the mystery of the Trinity. Because she refused to renounce her faith, Dioscorus tortured Barbara inhumanely, and after subjecting her to many sufferings he beheaded her with his own hands, in the year 290.

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Parish News and Events

PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS

Memorials:
40 Days ~ John Floros, Right Rows 1 - 2
1 Year ~ Mary (Maria) Lamperis, Right Rows 3 - 4
15 Years ~ Bessie (Vasiliki) Kouretas, Left Row 1
15 Years ~ Magdalene Dervis, NO PEWS
30 Years ~ Alexandra Dervisis, NO PEWS
49 Years ~ Vasilios Dervisis, NO PEWS
61 Years ~ Mary Dervis Sothras, NO PEWS

Coffee Fellowship:

Today's coffee fellowship is hosted by the Dervis Family in memory of their parents and sisters.  Please join us in Plato Hall for fellowship.

Sunday Church School:

Our Panagia Sunday Church School 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.

Dates to Remember:

Monday, November 30th
Feast Day of St. Andrew
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy

Friday, December 4th
Feast Day of St. Barbara
8:30 am - Orthros
9:30 am - Divine Liturgy

Saturday, December 5th
11:30 am - Philoptochos Christmas Luncheon
at the Greek Islands Restaurant-Lombard
$35.00 per person, RSVP to Vi Skuteris, 630-782-2101

Sunday, December 6th
Feast Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Monday, December 7th
7:00 pm - Adult Bible Study
will meet in St. Catherine's Meeting Room

Tuesday, December 8th
Philoptochos will be at Annunciation Cathedral for
the Feed the Hungry

Wednesday, December 9th
Conception of the Theotokos
8:30 am - Orthros
9:30 am - Divine Liturgy

Saturday, December 12th
Feast Day of St. Spyridon
8:30 am - Orthros
9:30 am - Divine Liturgy

Saturday, December 12th
Philoptochos will be Baking in Plato Hall

Sunday, December 13th
Philoptochos' Annual Christmas Bake Sale

Sunday, December 13th
Metropolis Open House

Monday, December 14th
7:00 pm - Adult Bible Study
will meet in St. Catherine's Meeting Room

Friday, December 25th
Christmas Day
8:30 am - Orthros
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy

Saturday, December 26th
Synaxis of the Theotokos
8:30 am - Orthros
9:30 am - Divine Liturgy

Ladies Philoptochos Membership Drive November and December:

During the months of November and December, the Ladies Philoptochos will be holding its “2016 Membership Drive”.  All ladies of our Parish of Panagia are invited and encouraged to become a member and participate in the many good works and acts of philanthropy that this organization is involved in.  There will be a table set up in Plato Hall each Sunday during coffee fellowship hour, and Demetra Lakerdas and Pat Karabas will be available to answer any questions as well as register you.  In addition, all current members of Philoptochos are encouraged to pay their 2016 dues.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands and Constantinople:

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 lead a Twelve Day Pilgrimage from September 19th through 30th, 2013.  This pilgrimage will include the Holy Lands in Jerusalem and Israel, with an added side trip to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Shrines, and Orthodox historical sites in Constantinople (present day Istanbul).  Among the many places/sites to be visited include the great and historic Cathedral St. Sophia, St. Savior in Chore Church, Topkaki Palace, Blue Mosque, Grand Covered Bazaar,  Caesarea, Haifa, Mt. Tabor, Nazareth, Cana, boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Tabgha, Mount of Beatitudes, Jordan River, Jericho, Mount of Temptation, Monastery of St. Gerasimos, Monastery of St. George Hotzevitis, Dead Sea, Qumran, Mount of Olives, Church of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, Tomb of Virgin Mary, Via Dolorosa, Pool of Bethesda, St. Ann’s Church, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Golgotha, St. Elias Monastery, Bethlehem, Shepherd’s Field, Room of the Last Supper, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Monastery of the Holy Cross, a visit/audience with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and much more.

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.

 The Next Orthodox Adult Bible Study Monday December 7, 2015:

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

Youth Ministries:

We are off to a great start to our ministry year and hope to continue growing as the year goes on. Our next youth night (Joy, Jr. GOYA and GOYA) will be Friday, December 18th at 7:30pm at the Oak Brook Park District. We look forward to seeing everyone there! If you have any questions regarding Assumption Youth Programs, please contact Fr. Dimitri at frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org.

5th/6th Basketball Team – Practice Schedule

Our 5th/6th Basketball Team will playing in the division of the Greek Orthodox Athletic League.  The following is the where and when the practices will be held.  If you have any questions, please see either Fr. Dimitri or Tom Demos.

Fri Dec 4, 2015 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Basketball Practice - Bulls/Sox Academy6200 River Bend Dr., Lisle, IL,

Sun Dec 6, 2015 4:15pm – 5:15pm
3rd G.O.A.L. Game - 5649 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660

Sun Dec 13, 2015 4:15pm – 5:15pm
4th G.O.A.L. Game - 5649 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660

Sat Dec 19, 2015 4:15pm – 5:15pm
5th G.O.A.L. Game - 133 S Roselle Rd, Palatine, IL 60067

Sun Jan 3, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
6th G.O.A.L Game - 5649 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660

Fri Jan 8, 2016 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Basketball Practice - Bulls/Sox Academy6200 River Bend Dr., Lisle, IL

Sat Jan 9, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
7th G.O.A.L. Game - 5649 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660

Sat Jan 16, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
8th G.O.A.L. Game - St Haralambos Greek Orthodox, 7373 N Caldwell Ave, Niles, IL 60714

Sun Jan 24, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
9th G.O.A.L. Game - Saint Spyridon's Hellenic Orthodox Church, Worth Township, 12307 S Ridgeland Ave, Palos Heights, IL 60463

Fri Jan 29, 2016 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Basketball Practice - Bulls/Sox Academy6200 River Bend Dr., Lisle, IL

Sat Jan 30, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
10th G.O.A.L Game - 5649 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660

Fri Feb 5, 2016 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Basketball Practice - Bulls/Sox Academy6200 River Bend Dr., Lisle, IL

Sat Feb 6, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
11th G.O.A.L. Game - 11025 S Roberts Rd, Palos Hills, IL 60465

 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.

Annual Christmas Food Drive:

Our Parish will again collect non-perishable and dry food items that will be part of food baskets for those individuals/families in special need this Christmas Season.  Beginning today, and through December 6th, we ask that you please bring your items and leave them in the Narthex of the main Church or in Saint Catherine's Chapel Narthex on Sundays.  As an alternative, those individuals wishing to make a monetary donation towards perishable items that will be included in the food baskets are invited and encouraged to do so as well (you can make your check payable to the Assumption Church, indicating it for the Christmas Food Drive).  We ask that you please be part of this effort and contribute what you can.  The Sunday Church School high school students will help in the collection and transportation.  A Flyer is included in this weekly bulletin further explaining the ‘Food Drive’.

Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed:

Have you considered selecting a day to host the Weekly Fellowship Hour following Worship Services on a specific Sunday in 2016?  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 2016 are:

Jan. 3           Feb. 28           April 3             May 22           June 26

Jan. 31         March 6          April 10           May 29

Feb. 7          March 13         April 17           June 5

Feb. 14        March 20         May 8             June 12

Feb. 21        March 27         May 15           June 19

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 rates:  $1,995.00 (members), and $2,295.00 (non-members).  Our Parish has only twenty-six (26) 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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