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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-11-19
Bulletin Contents
Allsaint
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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 -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


Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

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

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:14-22.

Brethren, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.


Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 12:16-21

The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."


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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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.

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

I cannot be silent about the story of Hesychius the Horebite. He passed his life in complete negligence, without paying the least attention to his soul. Then he became extremely ill, and for an hour he left his body.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

And when he came to himself, he begged us all to leave him immediately. And he built up the door of his cell, and he stayed in it for twelve years without ever uttering a word to anyone, and without eating anything but bread and water.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
November 19

Obadiah the Prophet

The Divine Scriptures do not tell us with any certainty when the Prophet Obadiah lived nor what was his homeland. Thus, some say that he is that Obadiah who was Ahab's steward, who, because of Jezebel's wrath, hid one hundred prophets in a cave and fed them with bread and water (III Kings 18:4), and that he later became a disciple of Elias the Prophet about 903 B.C. But others surmise from the words of the same prophetical book that he is somewhat later than Joel (celebrated on Oct. 19). He is also called Obdiu, or Abdiu, or Obadiah; his name means "servant of God." His book of prophecy, which consists of only one chapter, is ranked fourth among the minor Prophets.


Allsaint
November 19

Martyrs Barlaam of Caesarea and Heliodorus

Saint Barlaam, who was from a certain village near Antioch in Syria, was advanced in years and a husbandman by occupation. Because of his confession of Christ, he was brought before the judge, who had him scourged with whips and then scraped with iron claws. Since this could not break his constancy, he was forcibly haled to the idols' temple, and live coals with incense were placed in his right hand. The judge thought that he would cast them down because of the pain, thus seeming to have offered a sacrifice of incense to the idols. But Saint Barlaam stood unmoving until his hand was thoroughly burned by the coals; he fell to the ground, and so gave up his soul into the hands of the Lord. He contested in martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). Saint Basil the Great and Saint John Chrysostom both gave homilies in his honour.


Vmentrnc
November 21

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.


Katherin
November 25

Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria

Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.


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Parish News and Events

PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS

Artoclasia:

Today, The Artoclasia is being offered for the Health and Welfare of the Members of the Daughters of Penelope, Homer Chapter #98 and their families.

Daughters Of Penelope Founder’s Day – 88 Years!

The Daughters of Penelope were founded on November 16, 1929 in San Frisco, CA.  This year we celebrate 88 years in existence.  Founder, Alexandra Apostolides formed the first chapter Eos #1 and 95 additional chapters.  She became the first Grand President and advocated the pursuit of knowledge and higher learning for Greek women.  She emphasized the importance of ethnicity and patriotism and consistently stresses the significance of kindness and love towards one another.  Homer #98 is proud to be part of this wonderful philanthropic organization.

Coffee Fellowship:

Today’s coffee fellowship is hosted by the Sunday Church School.  All are invited to stay and enjoy fellowship.

Ministry, Ministry, Ministry!

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

Quote for the Week:

When evening comes, collect your thoughts and ponder over the entire course of the day: observe God’s providential care for you; consider the grace He has wrought in you throughout the whole span of the day; consider the rising of the moon, the joy of daylight, all the hours and moments, the divisions of time, the sight of different colors, the beautiful adornment of creation, the course of the sun, the growth of your own stature, how your own person has been protected, consider the blowing of the winds, the ripe and varied fruits, how the elements minister to your comfort, how you have been preserved from accidents, and all the other activities of grace. When you have pondered on all this, wonder of God’s love toward you will well up within you, and gratitude for His acts of grace will bubble up inside you.”                        – John the Solitary, The Syriac Fathers on Prayer and the Spiritual Life

Scripture for the Week:

“... rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!... Let all people know your patient endurance.... ineverything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”                                                              - Philippians. 4: 4 - 8

Questions for the Week:

Have I truly been able to give thanks in all of my circumstances?  Are there situations in my life for which I am unable to produce a thankful heart?  What steps could I take today to re-examine these circumstances and re-frame them to view them from God's perspective?  Am I willing to pray for a thankful heart in these areas?

Stewardship 2017:

We are forever grateful to our many stewards who faithfully contribute their stewardship gift to our Panagia Church without fail.  It is with the support of each member, supporter, and friend to Panagia and Her Church that allows this Parish to continue to offer its ministry to the faithful who enter its doors.

Stewardship is our way to give to back to God a portion of the ‘never-ending blessings’ that He unceasingly give to us each and every day.  That is a gift that can only be measured by us, and God expects us to make that determination honestly and with an open and loving heart.  Our Parish of Panagia is grateful to the vast majority who understand how we are expected to be ‘caretakers’ of His Earthly Church.  We call upon those individuals and families who have not, as yet, made your stewardship contribution for the year 2017, to consider doing that today.  Stewardship cards and information is located on the Pangari in the Narthex.  Please consider making your gift.  Thank you.

Christmas Offering Appeal and Parish Christmas Card Signup:

The Annual Appeal for Christmas where our faithful and supporters are able to make their prayerful gift to our Panagia Parish and our Lord’s Ministries will be mailed this week to all stewards and friends of this Parish.  We ask that you please consider and remember your Spiritual Home with your gift of love.

In addition, the annual invitation to include your name and be part of our Parish Family Christmas Card will also be mailed to all steward’s homes this week as well.  For your convenience, a form can also be found in this week’s bulletin.  If you would like to have your name added to the Christmas Card, please complete the form and return it together with your check in the amount of $25.00 made payable to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.  Deadline for inclusion in the Parish Family Christmas Card is Monday, December 15th, 2017.

ASSUMPTION CHRISTMAS ‘SHARE THE GIFT OF LIFE’ FUNDRAISER:

For the first time in our Church’s History we will decorate and Light the Tree to celebrate Christmas.  We will transform the 60-foot Spruce Tree in front of the Church into a joyful tree of light.

December 9th will be a special night for the Panagia community.

Join us for “Decorate the Hall” festivities and light the tree to celebrate Christmas.  The tree lighting symbolizes an outpouring of love for our community and the surrounding Austin Community, along with the Good we can do Where we Give.

A flyer is included in the bulletin with more information.

Assumption Basketball Season:

Once again, it's basketball season! If you have questions about this program contact Tom Demos at thomasdemos@gmail.com.

Below is the basketball schedule for our grade school team.

Game Times are at 4:30 pm

Sun 12/9 v Sts. Constantine & Helen (Westchester Park District)
Sun 12/10 v St Nectarios (Westchester Park District)
Sun 12/17 v St Andrews (Westchester Park District)
Sun 1/7 v. St Demetrios Elmhurst
Sat 1/13 at Holy Trinity
Sun 1/14 v St Johns (Westchester Park District)
Sat 1/20 at St Demetrios - Chicago
Sat 1/21 v. Holy Apostles (Westchester Park District)

Philoptochos:

On Friday and Saturday, November 24th and 25th, the Philoptochos will host the St. Catherine’s Vespers and Feast Day fellowships.  If you are able to assist serving either day, please contact Francine Kott.

Please make your reservations for the annual Christmas Party and Sing-a-Long on Saturday, December 2nd, at the Greek Islands Restaurant, Lombard with festivities beginning at 11:30 a.m.  Details found in the flyer printed in the bulletin.  This year, we have a surprise . . . a talented young musician to accompany and lead us in song along with Father Timothy and Father Dimitrios!

Volunteers are also needed for Feed the Hungry at Annunciation Cathedral, Tuesday, December 12th.  We meet at Annunciation at 9:30 a.m.  For a truly heartwarming experience, please join us!  If interested, contact any Board member.

Last but not least, on Saturday, December 16th, 9:30 a.m., we will be baking for the Christmas Bake Sale on Sunday, December 17th in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy.  If you would like to donate home baked goods, please bring them on Saturday, December 16th.  Join us for a lively day of baking, packaging, wrapping and comradery.

INCLUSION AWARENESS SUNDAY TODAY:

Our beloved Panagia Parish hosts Inclusion Awareness Sunday. Inclusion Awareness Sunday is a day when our Parish opens its doors to people with special needs of all kinds for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the coffee hour fellowship to follow.  Of course, people with special needs are welcomed in our parish and all Orthodox parishes on every day of the year, but this is a ‘special day’ with the goal of raising awareness of how we can be more welcoming and inclusive to people with special needs in our church.

On Inclusion Awareness Sunday, we celebrate the Divine Liturgy as one Parish family in the main church of Panagia's.  To accommodate the event, Our Sunday Church School children will also be upstairs in the main Church, and will be siting with their families for the Divine Liturgy and stay until the end, as this will be an extension of the SCS classroom.  There is a designated seating section for families and individuals with special needs to sit, a guide booklet with ways we as Christians can better welcome people with special needs, and a program of speakers at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. A Coffee Fellowship Hour will be hosted by our Sunday Church School where all will be welcome.  Parish council members and ushers will be stationed at the elevator in the church as well as in the narthex, with additional Parish Council and Philoptochos ladies to assist our guests getting to Plato Hall.  Please note that the chair lift in Plato Hall will also be available to assist people to and from the Church Service and coffee fellowship hour.

This opportunity is a rich blessing for our Community, and it is hoped that we all come together to have our faith deepened and our hearts and minds opened by our Lord. 

With love in Christ,

+ Very Rev. Timothy G. Bakakos   +Fr. Dimitri Burikas                    
              Proistamenos                        Presbyter                        

Dr. Voula Stavropoulos
Outreach Inclusion Chairperson

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

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

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

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

Byzantine Music Class:

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

Dates to Remember:

 Monday, November 20th
7:00 pm – Adult Bible Study will be
held in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room

Tuesday, November 21st
Entrance of the Theotokos

8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy

Friday, November 24th
7:00 pm – St. Catherine Vespers

Coffee Fellowship to follow

Saturday, November 25th
Feast Day of St. Catherine

8:30 am – Orthros
10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
Feast Day Reception to follow

Thursday, November 30th
Feast of St. Andrew

8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy

    Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed:

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

Dec. 31         

Assumption Prayer Ministry:

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

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

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

 Prosfora Bakers Needed:

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

Bookstore:

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

Holy Communion Announcement:

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

 Website News:

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

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

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

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

We Need Your E-mail Address:

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

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

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

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

Ushers:

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

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