Publish-header
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-03-18
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Parish News and Events
Flyers
Climicus
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. Dimitrios Burikas


frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org | 773-626-3114

Services Schedule

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

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

 

The Mission Statement of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

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

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

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

Enhancing the spiritual life of the faithful;

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

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal Fourth Mode

With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O John our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Apolytikion of Great Martyr Catherine in the Plagal of the First Tone

Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine Katherine, 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.
BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from Mark 9:17-31

At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

Seest thou how He now proceeds to lay beforehand in them the foundation of His doctrine about fasting? ... See, at any rate, how many blessings spring from them both. For he that is praying as he ought, and fasting, hath not many wants, and he that hath not many wants, cannot be covetous; ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

... he that is not covetous, will be also more disposed for almsgiving. He that fasts is light, and winged, and prays with wakefulness, and quenches his wicked lusts, and propitiates God, and humbles his soul when lifted up. Therefore even the apostles were almost always fasting.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Climicus
March 18

Sunday of St. John Climacus

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.

Allsaint
March 18

Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem

This Saint was born in 315, and succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem in 350. He was zealous for the Orthodox Faith, and was a defender of the poor. He was exiled three times by the Arian Emperors Constantius and Valens. But after their death, he was recalled to his throne; he reposed in peace in 386. Of his writings, the most prominent are his catechetical lectures, which are considered the most ancient systematic summary of Christian teaching. Before Saint Cyril, there had been two dioceses, one of Jerusalem, and one of Holy Sion; under Saint Cyril, they were united into one bishopric. See also May 7.

Allsaint
March 18

Trophimos & Eukarpion, Monk-martyrs of Nicomedea

Allsaint
March 18

Edward the Martyr, King of England

BACK TO TOP

Parish News and Events

Memorials:

40 Days ~ Elias Loulousis ~ Right Rows 1-2

 1 Year ~  James Paganis ~ Right Rows 3-4

 2 Years ~ Paul (Pavlos Vasilios) Basil Javaras ~ No Pews

 3 Years ~ Eleftheria Fillis ~ Left Rows 1-2

 6 Years ~ Efthimia Gekas ~ No Pews

11 Years ~ Michael Gekas ~ No Pews

30 Years ~ Ploumou Glotsou ~ Left Row 3

Coffee Fellowship:

Please join us in Plato Hall after the Divine Liturgy for Coffee Hour Fellowship! The coffee hour is being hosted by the Gekas and Dervis families in memory of their parents and grandaprents Michael and Efthimia Gekas.

Lenten/Easter Needs:

In just a few weeks we will be entering into the solemn and Holy Week that leads us up to the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We are humbly appreciative of the outpouring of love by individuals and families who replied to the request of our blessed Panagia Community, and gratefully announce that all items which had been listed in past weekly bulletins have now been donated.  We thank each of those individuals/families who responded to the Church's request.

Additionally, all parishioners, supporters, and friends of Panagia are welcome to donate to the general Pascha Appeal.  Envelopes may be found at the Church pangaria both upstairs in the main Church as well as in Saint Catherine's Chapel.  Again, thank you to all who remember their Church during this most solemn time of the year.

Philoptochos:

You are welcome to join us as we prepare for our Bake Sale.  On Saturday, March 24th, we will be baking in Plato Hall at 9:30 a.m.  On March 31st, following the Saturday of Lazarus services, we will be packaging baked goods.  Please come if you are available! Order forms for the Easter Bake Sale are available on the Pangari in the main church, in St. Catherine’s chapel or in Plato Hall.  The final day orders will be accepted is Sunday, March 25th.  Orders will be ready for pick up on Palm Sunday, April 1st in St. Catherine’s meeting room.

Also, Sunday, March 25th is the last Sunday to enjoy warm and delicious Loukoumathes during the coffee fellowship.  Proceeds to benefit Philoptochos charitable endeavors.

Last but not least, our Philoptochos Chapter is delighted to announce their 20th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, April 26, 2018.  We cordially invite you to join us for A Mystery Dinner Theater experience at Maggiano’s in Oak Brook as we honor our founders who paved the way for the Assumption Philoptochos.  Please gather friends and family, donning your 1920’s attire to enjoy a fabulous meal, professional entertainment and plenty of laughs as we solve the mystery of “who-done-it?”  We look forward to seeing you and celebrating this milestone event to raise funds to benefit our philanthropic endeavors.  Invitations are forthcoming.

Annual Palm Sunday Luncheon:

Please reserve Sunday, April 1, 2018 for our Annual Palm Sunday Luncheon in Plato Hall.  Donation:  Adults $12.00, Children $6.00.  For reservations, please contact either Mrs. Demetra Spyropoulos: 630-789-4559 or 630-833-1773, call the Church Office at 773-626-3114, or stop by the Church’s Bookstore in Plato Hall during the Coffee Fellowship Hour.  The cost of luncheon has been graciously underwritten by an anonymous donor.  Proceeds will benefit the Orthodox Mission in Kenya, under the care of Bishop Neofitos Kongai  Please join us in Plato Hall to enjoy fellowship.

Pascha Agape Meal

Following the Midnight Resurrection and Divine Liturgy services, join us at the Agape Pascha Meal in Plato Hall. The meal is generously underwritten by an anonymous donor. We hope that everyone will stay and enjoy fellowship together on this most holy day.

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 website 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 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.

Hepzibah House Service Outing

On Sunday, April 29, the community will be catering Sunday dinner at the Hephzibah House in Oak Park.  We will prepare the meal in our kitchen at 3pm and bring the food at 4:30.  Volunteers will meet at Assumption to prepare the food and travel to Hephzibah House to begin to set up and serve.  Our visit ends around 6:30.  We need 15 volunteers from 7th grade to Senior Citizens to help prepare, serve, and visit with the children.  Everyone who has participated in the past has been emotionally impacted and spiritually rewarded.  We will serve approximately 50 people (children, staff, and volunteers) and need paper goods (plated, napkins,uplastic utensils) and food items.  Please contact Nick Papafotopoulos at 630-956-0533 or npapafot@hotmail.com to volunteer or donate items for the meal.  To Learn more about Hephzibah House, please visit https://www.hephzibahhome.org/   

Dates to Remember:

Monday, March 19th
6:00 pm – Great Compline

7:00 pm - Adult Bible Study 

Wednesday - March 21st

6:00 pm - Presanctified Liturgy & Lenten Lecture

Friday, March 23th
7:00 pm – Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Saturday, March 24th

11:00 am - Enthronement of Metropolitan-Elect Nathanael

Annunciation Cathedral, Chicago

Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonides Elected Metropolitan of Chicago

Metr

Ecumenical Patriarchate Announcement - Under the chairmanship of His All-Holiness, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate convened today, Wednesday February 7, 2018, for its regularly scheduled meeting and reviewed all the items in the agenda.

During this meeting, following the recommendation of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod duly casted their votes in the Sacred Patriarchal Church electing unanimously the Very Rev. Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonides, clergyman of the Holy Archdiocese of America, as Metropolitan of Chicago. 

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America will enthrone metropolitan-elect Nathanael on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Annunciation Cathedral with the service beginning at 11:00 a.m.  A celebratory luncheon will follow at the Hilton Chicago. Luncheon Tickets are $125.00. Individual and Ministry Sponsorships are available for $1,000.00. To reserve seating and/or purchase a sponsorship, or for more information, please call the Church Office (773.626.3114).

Movie Outing

Take time out of your busy schedule to come enjoy a night at the movies with your fellow Panagia parishioners! On Tuesday, March 20th, we will be going to see the movie "I Can Only Imagine" at 6:30pm at the AMC Yorktown in Lombard. Tickets are only $5 per person, and we have currently secured 16 tickets (we may be able to get more if needed, but they are very limited). Because the content of the movie is heavy, we recommend that we limit children to be 15 years old or older and attend with their parents if they are under 17. If you would like to join us, please RSVP to Fr. Dimitri at frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org. 

Lenten Lecture

Following the Pre-Sanctified Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, March 21st, join us for a Lenten Lecture on the theme of "Forgive Us, As We Forgive" by Dn. Perry Hamalis. Liturgy will begin at 6:00p.m. and the lecture will follow at 7:30p.m.  Deacon Hamalis is a renowned speaker and professor at North Central College.  Refreshments will be served.  We hope that everyone can take advantage of this worthwhile event.  Please RSVP to church office - 773.626.3114.

Annual Golf Outing

Mark your calendars! The Assumption Golf Outing will be held on Monday, May 14, 2018 at 11:00 am at the White Pines Golf Course.  Contact office@assumptionchicago.org or call 773.625.3114.  Information and registration packet can be found on Pangari in Narthex. 

Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed:

Have you considered selecting a day to host the Weekly Fellowship Hour following Worship Services on a specific Sunday in 2018?  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 2018 Year:

April 29 

May 13, 27

June 3, 10, 24

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29                 

August 5, 19, 26

We are in the Loop!

Through a generous donation by Mr. and Mrs. Chris Maniates in memory of Mrs. Helen Maniates, we are delighted to announce that we are now part of a growing number of places with a hearing loop. If you need assistance, please see one of the Parish Council Ushers for assistance.

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 with the many others who are offering a prayer for the person who is ill, will bring comfort beyond comprehension.

Just think about that….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 Fr. Dimitrios.  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).

Thinking of Converting to Orthodoxy?

If you, a family member, or friend, who are not of the Orthodox Faith, and may be considering conversion to Orthodoxy, please contact the Church Office (773.626.3114) or speak with Fr. Timothy or Fr. Dimitrios. A Confirmation/Chrismation Class is being formed to prepare those who have expressed interest to convert to Orthodoxy.  This also includes couples who are planning to be married in the Orthodox Church in the near future, and where one of the couple is contemplating converting to the Orthodox Faith.  We plan to begin this process in late March.

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, which 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, Nicholas Mansour, Dean Sarantos, John Vassiliades

BACK TO TOP

Flyers

BACK TO TOP