Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, 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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants."

Saints and Feasts

February 16

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.

February 16

Romanos the Younger

February 16

Flavianos, Patriarch of Constantinople

February 16

Pamphilus the Martyr & his Companions

This Martyr contested during the reign of Maximian, in the year 290, in Caesarea of Palestine, and was put to death by command of Firmilian, the Governor of Palestine. His fellow contestants' names are Valens, Paul, Seleucus, Porphyrius, Julian, Theodulus, and five others from Egypt: Elias, Jeremias, Esaias, Samuel, and Daniel. Their martyrdom is recorded in Book VIII, ch. 11 of Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History, called The Martyrs of Palestine.

February 17

Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr

Saint Theodore who was from Amasia of Pontus, contested during the reign of Maximian (286-305). He was called Tyro, from the Latin Tiro, because he was a newly enlisted recruit. When it was reported that he was a Christian, he boldly confessed Christ; the ruler, hoping that he would repent, gave him time to consider the matter more completely and then give answer. Theodore gave answer by setting fire to the temple of Cybele, the "mother of the gods," and for this he suffered a martyr's death by fire. See also the First Saturday of the Fast.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20

Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Wisdom of the Fathers

But if he had despaired of his life, and, ... had remained in the foreign land, he would not have obtained what he did obtain, but would have been consumed with hunger, and so have undergone the most pitiable death: ...

St. John Chrysostom

AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

... but since he repented, and did not despair, he was restored, even after such great corruption, to the same splendour as before, and was arrayed in the most beautiful robe, and enjoyed greater honours than his brother who had not fallen.

St. John Chrysostom

AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

Parish News and Events

Sunday- Feb. 16

8:45am Orthros

10am Divine Liturgy

Female Choir Singing

Memorials:

1yr Father George Zervos

1yr Evangelos Glotsos

4yr Stamatia Kokolis

30yr Nikolaos Korakes

Metropolis Bronze Cross announcement

Philoptochos Drive during coffee hour

Saturday Feb.22

Saturday of Souls

9am Orthros

10am Divine Liturgy Saturday of Souls Memorial Service

Sunday Feb.23

8:45am Orthros

10am Divine Liturgy

Integrated Choir

Memorials:

22yr James Karabas

22yr Peter Karabas

Apokreatiko Glendi Luncheon after church Youth Room Grand Opening today!

SAINTS COMMEMORATED TODAY: Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Pamphilus the Martyr & his Companions, Flavianos, Patriarch of Constantinople, Romanos the Younger

Epistle Reading: St. Paul's Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20

Gospel Reading: Luke 15:11-32

Greeting before the Sermon-Father will say “Christ is in our Midst.” The response from the parish is “He Was, Is, and Always Shall Be.”

Special Welcome The welcome Presbytera Zervos and her family to Assumption today. Fr. George Zervos passed away last year after serving our Lord for over 50 years. The Zervos family has a history at Assumption and now is in DeKalb. Please welcome and embrace them with love and prayerfulness.

The Philoptochos Membership Drive Today is Feb-16 and coincides with Heart Healthy month! Calling all Ladies to stop by our table in Plato Hall during coffee hour to meet the new Board, share in some sisterly fellowship and renew or initiate your membership!

Calling all 21-35 year olds currently in our community or who were in the past! Please come join us for appetizers on Thursday February 27 at 7pm at Lake Street Bar and Grill. Bring a friend or two, and join us to reconnect and create new memories together. We hope to see you there! RSVP to Katherine Celik at kcelik3@yahoo.com or 847-208-6013 by February 26.

Philoptochos OfficersAdvisor: Valerie Green, President: Catherine Karabas, Patricia Karabas, Demetra Lakerdas, Treasurer: Melia Linardos, Vice President: Evelyn Maggos, Betty Tsiolis.

Apokreatiko/Mardi Gras Reservations are now being accepted for this year’s Apokreatiko Glendi Luncheon, to be held in Plato Hall on Feb-23 following Liturgy. We invite everyone to please stop by our table in Plato Hall during coffee hour for the next 3 Sundays. Reservations ensure we have ample food for everyone! Adults $15; Children 12 and under eat free!! Proceeds from the luncheon will support our new youth game room which will have its grand opening on the 23rd!

Sit back and get to coffee hour Please know that we have a chair lift to make sure that all people can get to coffee hour in Plato Hall. If you need to use it, please don’t hesitate to contact a Parish Council Member. Remember too, we also have an elevator. Take advantage of these tools to help get you where you need to be in church.

"We've come this far through Faith" and are planning a wonderful evening to celebrate! Ready to reminisce, dine, and dance? Don't miss this Gala. We look forward to seeing everyone... Young and young-at-heart together for this event and milestone. Please mark your calendar and help our church family celebrate 95 years! October 11th, 2020 Concorde Banquets Kildeer.

Nursery/Cry Room is COMING! A dedicated Nursery/cry room is being developed for our church. The room will have video transmission of the service, and also a comfortable area for moms and children. If you have items to donate to the Nursery/Cry room, please contact Father Peter directly.

Coffee Hour ItemsWe would like to have parishioners bring a box of cookies so we can stock our coffee hour supplies. Please consider bringing some sealed cookies to church on occasion or hosting a coffee hour.

Altar Renewal Father Peter is going to purchase and have some altar items repaired and re-plated. Some parishioners have asked about the specific items and cost. New clear acrylic top for altar table, $400. New Altar table Candlestands 2@$1,000 each. Repair and replacing of large lanterns behind altar table. $600. 2nd Chalice Set-Donated. Hot water “Zeon” gold pitcher,-Donated. Repair and Replating tabernacle-Donated. Gospel Book rebinding and replating- Donated. Cherubim Set and cross behind altar table, $1850 Donated. THANK YOU TO ALL THESE DONORS!!!!

Assumption Scholarship and Ionian Village Opportunity If your senior in High School, or current student it interested in applying for a scholarship, please contact the church office for a current application. If your young adult is interested in attending Ionian village, please contact the church office or Fr. Peter. There is a scholarship to attend IV for 2020.

Assumption Communications Department If you have questions, ideas, or talents to volunteer to Assumption's communications efforts, please contact us at communications@assumptionchicago.org

HOLY LIGHT Father Peter has brought to us the Holy Light from the Tomb of Christ in Jerusalem that is miraculously lit every Easter Service at the tomb of Christ. The light was brought to America and given to Father. If you would like to take the light home with you, please bring a lantern candle or purchase a 3 day candle, and Father will give out the light on Sunday after church. You can read more about the “Holy Fire” online.

Stewardship Father is very grateful and thanks all of you for your stewardship over the years. For those who have already submitted your stewardship for 2020. Thank you!!!

Church Order Please come into the church prior to the start of the sermon, but remain in the back if the sermon has started. Please follow the direction of our Parish Council for the new procedure for receiving Holy Communion.

Shut-insInterested in supporting our shut-in program? Contact Christina Arvanites to get more information on helping.

YouTube Father recommends watching the interview with Elder Thaddeus on his YouTube Channel under educational videos. Elder Thaddeus has also written a book, “Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives.” www.YouTube.com/FatherPeterSpiro

Open ArmsWe will be celebrating liturgies in the Main Church on Sundays. Please make every effort to embrace the children and refrain from scolding or “shushing” someone else’s child. Fr. Peter will never ask a child to leave the service, and he also asks that you also focus your attention on the services and not other people within the church. In a Christian family we are all different, with differing abilities, working together to pray, and grow. We need to make all people within our church feel welcome, and Father is asking for your help.

Metropolis Men’s and Women’s Retreat for 2020 through the Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis Please go to https://www.gocfamilysynaxis.org for information and to register.

Youth Game Room We will be developing a youth game room. If you have any table top games or fun items for the game room, please contact Fr. Peter.’

Communication for Emergencies If you need Fr. Peter because of an emergency, please call 847-452-5989. 24/7.

Crossroad High School Summer Institute -High School juniors and seniors explore life’s biggest questions- Who am I? Who is God? Who is my neighbor? visit crossroadinstitute.org for more information. July 20-30 in Chicago.

Choir- Please consider joining our choir and making our choir loft full! Fr. Peter would like everyone to know that children and teens are welcome to join. Give it a try!

Fanari Summer Camp Registration will open February 12, 2020 at 11am. Dates and other information can be found at www.fanari.camp.

Lighthouse, a camp for 12th Grade Grads: will be launched June 7-14, 2020! A program to help prepare our grads for college. Registration is open now at: https://chicago.goarch.org/light-house

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST (put this in your prayer corner at home)

O Lord our God, Who by word alone did heal all diseases, Who cured the mother in law of Peter, You Who chastise with pity and heal according to Your goodness; grant aid to these Your servants (Names) and heal them of every sickness of which they are grieved; lift them up from their pain, and send down upon them Your great mercy. For to you we send up Glory: to Father, and to Son, and to Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR: William, Momcilo, Jill, Panagiotis, Vasiliki, Elizabeth, Panagiota, Betty, Dimitri, Alexander, Vasiliki, Eleni, Panagiotis, George, Thomas, Nicholas, Sophia, Susan, Mary Lou, Rosemary (Contact Fr. Peter to add names)