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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-03-10
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Eden
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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

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 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 of the Church in the First Mode

In giving birth, O Theotokos, you have retained your virginity, and in falling asleep you have not forsaken the world. You who are the Mother of Life have passed over into life, and by your prayers you deliver our souls from death.

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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.


Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Here it were well to sigh aloud, and to wail bitterly: for not only do we imitate the hypocrites, but we have even surpassed them.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 20 on Matthew 6, 4th Century

For I know, yea I know many, not merely fasting and making a display of it, but neglecting to fast, and yet wearing the masks of them that fast, and cloaking themselves with an excuse worse than their sin.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 20 on Matthew 6, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Eden
March 10

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.


Theotyrn
March 16

First Saturday of Lent: The Commemoration of the Miracle of Kollyva wrought by Saint Theodore the Tyro

Julian the Apostate, knowing that the Christians purify themselves by fasting most of all during the first week of the Fast -- which is why we call it Clean Week -- planned to defile them especially at that time. Therefore he secretly commanded that during those days the markets be filled with foods that had been defiled with the blood of animals offered in sacrifice to idols. But by divine command the Martyr Theodore (see Feb. 17) appeared during sleep to Eudoxius, then Archbishop of Constantinople. The Saint revealed to him the tyrant's plan, then told him to call the faithful together immediately on Monday morning and prevent them from purchasing those foods, but rather to make kollyva to supply their needs. The bishop asked what kollyva might be, and the Saint answered, "Kollyva is what we call boiled wheat in Euchaita." Thus, the purpose of the Apostate was brought to nought, and the pious people who were preserved undefiled for the whole of Clean Week, rendered thanks to the Martyr on this Saturday, and celebrated his commemoration with kollyva. These things took place in 362. Wherefore, the Church keeps this commemoration each year to the glory of God and the honour of the Martyr.


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Parish News and Events

Memorials

40 Days ~  Nicolaos Georgiafentis
 
Sacrament
Saturday March 9
Wedding ~ Dimitria Siliras to Santino Scarlato
Sponsor ~ John Vranas
 
Coffee Fellowship

Coffee Fellowship will be hosted by the Georgiafentis Family in memory of Nicolaos Georgiafentis. 

Dates to Remember  

Saturday, March 9
Second Saturday of the Souls
8:30 am Orthros
9:30 am Divine Liturgy
 
Monday, March 11
Clean Monday Lenten Meal
immediately following Great Compline
5:30 pm
 
Saturday, March 16
Third Saturday of the Souls
8:30 am Orthros
9:30 am Divine Liturgy
Lenten Family Retreat 
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Plato Hall
 
Lenten/Easter Needs:
As we enter the Lenten Period we again look for donors for the flowers that are used during the Lenten/Easter Season.  Should you wish to offer a donation for one of the items below, please call the Church Office - 773-626-3114
 
Icon for The Salutations to the Theotokos (5 Friday’s)                                  4 weeks DONATED
March 15th, March 22nd, March 29th, April 5th, April 12th                         $195 per week 
Jonquils for the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, March 31st           DONATED
Palm Leaves for Palm Sunday, April 21st                                                        DONATED
Icon for Bridegroom Services, April 22nd- 24th                                              DONATED
Large Icon of the Last Supper, April 25th                                                        $400
2 Wreaths for Holy Thursday, April 25th                                                         $340 each
Rose Petals, Holy Friday, April 26th                                                                 DONATED 
Carnations, Holy Friday, April 26th                                                                  DONATED
Lavaro, April 27th & 28th                                                                                    DONATED
26-Easter Lilies for Holy Pascha, April 28th                                                     $25 each/8 DONATED
2 Priest Pascal Candles                                                                                         DONATED
 
Welcome Metropolitan Nathanael:

We welcome His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael as He visits our parish, leading us in worship services this morning and also commemorating the 40 day memorial of our Niko Georgiafentis, our beloved protopsalti, who faithfully served this parish for 55 years.

Outing to the National Hellenic Museum
The Assumption Church will be visiting the National Hellenic Museum, the repository of greatest collection of Greek American in the world, on Sunday, March 31st. After having a Lenten box lunch in Plato Hall, we will be travelling by bus to the Museum. We will be met by tour guides who will provide age-appropriate explanations of the artifacts for both children and adults.
Panagia has strong ties to the NHM, as three of the exhibits are sponsored by Assumption stewards! They include: “The Greek Story in America” (the late Angela Paterakis), which details the Greek-American experience; “Monumental” (Alice and the late Dr. Andrew Kopan), which introduces ancient Greek architecture to children; and “Change: The Story of Coins” (George Dervis), a collection of authentic ancient coins from Alexander to Rome.
The cost of the event is $10 for adults and $5 for children. We will be returning to the Church at approximately 4:30 PM.
To make reservations, please call the Church Office at 773-626-3114.

Funding for this event is being provided, in part, from the Hellenic Foundation.

Stewardship 2019

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, completed their 2018 Stewardship, to do so.

2019 pledge Commitment Packets were mailed to all current stewards last month.  If you have not submitted your pledge card, please do so at your earliest convenience.  Stewardship Pledge Cards and information is located on the Pangari in the Narthex.  Please consider making your gift.  Thank you.

Philoptochos

Thank you for celebrating the pre-Lenten Apokreatiko Glendi festivities as a church family last Sunday. Due to efforts of Marina Demos and her entire family, Nikki Massouras, Maria Kartsimas and Demetra Lakerdas, children and adults enjoyed a fun filled evening of crafts, treats, food, dancing. Kudos and special thanks to this great team! Please see the church website for photos of the event and some great costumes! Kai tou chronou!

On Sunday, March 17th and 31st the Assumption Parish Children and Philoptochos will be hosting a ‘Lemonade and Loukoumathes’ fundraiser for the Children’s Medical Fund, originally established to provide medical assistance to critically ill children, whose families are unable to afford the necessary medical treatment. Biennially, the National Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon fundraiser is hosted by a different Metropolis Philoptochos. In November, the Chicago Metropolis Philoptochos has the distinction of hosting this event which is expected to be widely attended by Philoptochos members from Metropolises throughout the United States. More importantly, grants will be awarded to children’s hospitals and special programs which will benefit children within our Metropolis who are sick or who are unable to help themselves.

On Sunday, February 28th, Maria Kartsimas, Assumption Philoptochos Corresponding Secretary and teacher by profession, presented a video in St. Catherine’s Chapel, demonstrating the importance and significance of our children raising funds to help children – thus the Lemonade fundraiser. Likewise, the Assumption Philoptochos will be participating with the sale of Loukoumathes. We hope you enjoy the refreshments offered on these two Sundays and that you will support the Children’s Medical Fund.

The Assumption Philoptochos is sponsoring their annual Easter Bake Sale and currently accepting orders. Order forms are available on the Pangari, in Plato Hall and included in the bulletin. Please note that payments must accompany all orders and no orders will be taken after April 14th. Please submit your completed order forms at the Philoptochos table on Sundays in Plato Hall. All orders will be available for pick up following the Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday, April 21, 2019.

Lastly, a reminder that the next Philoptochos General Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 21st, 10:30 a.m. in St. Catherine’s Chapel. Father Dimitrios will be presenting an informative and inspirational Lenten Lecture. Please attend this special meeting.

Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday)

On Monday, March 11th, our Church begins its journey through this solemn Season of Great Lent. On this day, which is called Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday), Church Services will be held on the first evening of Lent beginning at 5:30 pm with the Great Compline Service. Following this solemn Worship Service, the traditional Lenten Meal will be served in Plato Hall. Suggested donation is $10.00. A Flyer can also be found in this Weekly Bulletin. To RSVP, please call the Church Office at 773-626-3114.

Lenten Retreat March 16th

On Saturday, March 16th, we will be having our annual Lenten Retreat from 11am-2pm (immediately following the Divine Liturgy for the Saturday of Souls). The theme for the retreat will be, "The Humility of Christ in Holy Week". This year, we are offering an expanded version of the retreat for both high schoolers and adults, too! On top of our usual youth sessions, crafts, and service projects, we will have a movie screening for high schoolers and a spiritual reflection for adults. Whether you have no kids or a family of eight, all are welcome! Come join us as we continue our Lenten journey to Pascha as one spiritual journey! Please RSVP to Fr. Dimitri at frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org. 

Thinking of Converting to Orthodoxy?

If you, a family member, or friend who are not of the Orthodox Faith may be considering conversion to Orthodoxy, please contact the Church Office (773.626.3114) or speak with Fr. Timothy or Fr. Dimitrios.  If there is a need and interest, a Confirmation/Chrismation Class will be formed to prepare those who have expressing an 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.

Adult Bible Study

The next gathering of our Adult Bible Study will take place on Monday, March 18th, at 7 p.m., in Saint Catherine’s meeting room.  You need only to bring your Bible.  We continue with our study of the O.T. Book of Psalms. All are welcome!   Future dates:  April 1 - April 15

Adult Education Program

Fr. Dimitri will be conducting monthly religious education lectures for adults on the following dates after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy in St. Catherine's Chapel. This year's theme is "Send down your Holy Spirit: The Sacraments of the Orthodox Church". The tentative dates for the lectures are:    March 24th - April 7th - May 5th

Young Adult League

The Assumption Church is revitalizing their Young Adult ministries. In order to do so, we are asking young adults (ages 18-27 who are out of high school) and families with young adults to contact the church to provide contact information. All we need is a name, phone number, and email address to create a young adult database for our parish. Please email contact info to frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org. Our hope is to periodically organize social events for the young adults and support the Metropolis of Chicago YAL events and programs.

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.

Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed

Have you considered selecting a day to host the Weekly Fellowship Hour following Worship Services on a specific Sunday in 2019?  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 2019 Year:            

April      14

May        5, 19, 26

June        2, 9, 30

July        7, 14, 21, 28

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 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, 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?  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, 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:  Andrew Kanel, Peter Panton

 

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Flyers

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