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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-02-28
Bulletin Contents
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Message from Fr. Jon
Upcoming Events
Assumption Parish Calendar
Allsaint
Organization Icon
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (502) 425-7775
  • Street Address:

  • 930 Ormsby Lane

  • Louisville, KY 40242

Contact Information

Presiding Priest Rev. Fr. Jon S. Boukis


priest@agoclou.org | (502) 425-7775

Services Schedule

Orthros - Sunday 8:450am

Divine Liturgy- Sunday 10:00am

Past Bulletins


Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
February 28

Jonah the Righteous Martyr of Lerios

Prodson
February 28

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.

Allsaint
February 28

Kyranna the New Martyr of Thessaloniki

Allsaint
February 28

Basil the Confessor

Saints Procopius and Basil, fellow ascetics, lived about the middle of the eighth century, during the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741), from whom they suffered many things for the sake of the veneration of the holy icons. They ended their lives in the ascetical discipline.

Allsaint
February 28

Righteous John Cassian the Confessor

Note: If it is not a leap year the hymns of Saint John are transferred to the 28th.

This Saint was born about the year 350, and was, according to some, from Rome, according to others, from Dacia Pontica (Dobrogea in present-day Romania). He was a learned man who had first served in the military. Later, he forsook this life and became a monk in Bethlehem with his friend and fellow-ascetic, Germanus of Dacia Pontica, whose memory is also celebrated today. Hearing the fame of the great Fathers of Scete, they went to Egypt about the year 390; their meetings with the famous monks of Scete are recorded in Saint John's Conferences. In the year 403 they went to Constantinople, where Cassian was ordained deacon by Saint John Chrysostom; after the exile of Saint Chrysostom, Saints Cassian and Germanus went to Rome with letters to Pope Innocent I in defence of the exiled Archbishop of Constantinople. There Saint Cassian was ordained priest, after which he went to Marseilles, where he established the famous monastery of Saint Victor. He reposed in peace about the year 433.

The last of his writings was On the Incarnation of the Lord, Against Nestorius, written in 430 at the request of Leo, the Archdeacon of Pope Celestine. In this work he was the first to show the spiritual kinship between Pelagianism, which taught that Christ was a mere man who without the help of God had avoided sin, and that it was possible for man to overcome sin by his own efforts; and Nestorianism, which taught that Christ was a mere man used as an instrument by the Son of God, but was not God become man; and indeed, when Nestorius first became Patriarch of Constantinople in 428, he made much show of persecuting the heretics, with the exception only of the Pelagians, whom he received into communion and interceded for them to the Emperor and to Pope Celestine.

The error opposed to Pelagianism but equally ruinous was Augustine's teaching that after the fall, man was so corrupt that he could do nothing for his own salvation, and that God simply predestined some men to salvation and others to damnation. Saint John Cassian refuted this blasphemy in the thirteenth of his Conferences, with Abbot Chairemon, which eloquently sets forth, at length and with many citations from the Holy Scriptures, the Orthodox teaching of the balance between the grace of God on one hand, and man's efforts on the other, necessary for our salvation.

Saint Benedict of Nursia, in Chapter 73 of his Rule, ranks Saint Cassian's Institutes and Conferences first among the writings of the monastic fathers, and commands that they be read in his monasteries; indeed, the Rule of Saint Benedict is greatly indebted to the Institutes of Saint John Cassian. Saint John Climacus also praises him highly in section 105 of Step 4 of the Ladder of Divine Ascent, on Obedience.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35

At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 1st Tone. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

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.'"

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Tone

Let us the faithful give praise and worship to the Logos, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for of His own goodwill he consented to ascend the cross in the flesh and endured death and raised the dead by His glorious resurrection.

Apolytikion of Dormition in the 1st Tone

In giving birth, you remained a virgin, and in your dormition, you did not forsake this world, O Theotokos. For as the Mother of Life, you have yourself passed into life. And by your prayers deliver our souls from death.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Tone

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."
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Message from Fr. Jon

Fr-jon-4

Pastoral Message from the February Beacon

02/01/2021

My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For the most part, politics and religion should remain separate.  There is no need for the two to intersect except when sanctity of life is infringed upon, i.e., issues as in capital punishment, abortion, certain scientific practices (like embryonic stem cell research), or fringe medical practices (like euthanasia).  In November and December we were reminded of this issue with the string of federal executions; this past week, we were again reminded by the executive order rescinding the Mexico City policy.  The Mexico City policy requires foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to certify that they will not “perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning” using funds from any source (U.S. and non-U.S.), if they are to be eligible to receive any U.S. government funding for family planning.  As Orthodox Christians, it is important that we understand our faith and the truths it proclaims.  The faith is for the protection of life in all cases – from conception to natural death.

Thus, according to the faith:

¨ Life begins at conception: “And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41)

¨ Abortion is not a healthcare decision or contraception, it is the termination of a life.  There are times when economia (pastoral compassion and sensitivity) must be extended (as in an ectopic pregnancy when there is obvious peril to the mother’s life).

¨ The premature ending of a life (capital punishment/euthanasia) takes away time from a person. Time in which a person could have discovered a relationship with God resulting in salvation.

May we always be “Icons of Christ” in our love for one another - those who are alike in belief and those who are not.  But may we also know and express the truths of our faith.  For it is by our love, humility, and integrity that the Church can truly effect a change on the hearts and minds of our community. (John 13:35)

With love and respect, I remain in Service of our Lord who took on carnal flesh that we may achieve salvation,

Fr. Jon


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Upcoming Events

Sunday School

11/01/2020

Dear parents,
 
This is just a friendly reminder regarding Sunday School.  We are very excited to be able to deliver religious education over Zoom this year.
 
If you haven't registered, don't worry, your children can still attend!
 
Class Schedule:
6th Grade - 12th Grade (12:00 noon -12:30 p.m.)
1st - 6th Grade (12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m.)
Preschool - Kindergarden (1:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.)
 
 
Zoom link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5024257775?pwd=WmtrWFZJenhXWldIcDBoK2hjY29DUT09

Meeting ID: 502 425 7775
Passcode: 930
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,5024257775# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,5024257775# US (New York)
 
If there are any questions please contact Chuck at 502.264.7728 or charles.h.shuff@gmail.com

Assumption Covid Guidelines

10/01/2020

Assumption Covid Guidelines

 

Before Coming to Church

  • †  Consider your risk.  Those who are at risk (persons with pre-existing health conditions and those over the age of 65) are strongly encouraged to stay at home.
  • †  Assess your health.  Anyone who is currently experiencing any symptoms of illness must stay at home.
  • †  Make sure you have a mask. (Masks for children under the age of 7 are not required but preferred. Note: Children 2 and under should not wear masks.)

 

Upon Arrival at Divine Liturgy

A Parish Council Member will greet you to:

  • †  Verify all who enter the church have a mask.
  • †  Take your temperature with a touchless thermometer (anyone with a temperature of 100.5° or above will not be permitted to enter).
  • †  Provide hand sanitizer.
  • †  Ask you the following:  Have you had a fever or other symptoms of Covid-19 in the past 72 hours? Have you been in contact with anyone that tested positive or exhibited symptoms of Covid-19 in the last 14 days?
  • †  Open the door and direct you to your seat.

 

At Divine Liturgy

  • †  The Icons will remain on the Solea.  One may bow to show respect.  Please do not kiss any icon.
  • †  Seating (social distanced at 6 feet apart) will numbered and assigned.
  • †  There will be no choir. (Chanter only)
  • †  No paper bulletins will be distributed.  Bulletins will continue to be sent electronically.
  • †  No liturgical books will be in the pews.
  • †  Procedures for receiving Holy Communion will be announced prior to Holy Communion (procedures, given by the Metropolis of Detroit are listed below). The Eucharist will be distributed to those wishing to partake. Parishioners are reminded not to judge others based on their individual decision in this regard.
  • †  No tray will be passed (the tray will be at the candle stand).
  • †  Antidoron will be distributed in plastic bags. The hand of the priest is not to be venerated with a kiss.  One may bow to show respect.

 

General Applicable Guidelines

  • †  The Commonwealth of Kentucky allows for upto 50% of capacity (=120 people). Family units must maintain a distance of at least 6 feet.
  • †  There will be no gatherings on church premises aside from Divine Liturgy.  Fellowship groups, religious education and any other meetings that are typically held on church grounds will remain virtual (Zoom).
  • †  The priest may offer pastoral counsel and provide the sacraments of Communion, Unction, and Confession on an appointment basis. Proper precautions for limiting contact and proximity must be observed.
  • †  Weddings, Baptisms, and Funerals may also be conducted according to the capacity limitations and rules for each phase.
  • †  No one is allowed be in any church facility without the express permission of the priest.

 ________________________________

 Holy Communion Procedures (Metropolis of Detroit)

It is clearly understood that the Holy Communion is the very Body and Blood of Christ which cannot be tainted by any harmful thing, and that those who receive it with proper intent of mind and heart cannot be harmed by it. However, for the pastoral reason that we do not want people to allow their fear of the coronavirus to separate them from the chalice, clergy are to drop the sacrament into the opened mouths of the faithful, being careful that the spoon not come into contact with the person. If accidental contact with the individual is made, the spoon will be immediately sanitized by dipping it in grain alcohol (140 proof or more) for at least 30 seconds,  dipping it in a rinse of water, and wiping it dry prior to the next use.


Livestreaming Services

For the next few weeks, Livestreaming our services on Facebook will be the new normal.  It is truly important that we, as the Body of Christ, continue to pray together during these trying times.
 
You do not need to register with Facebook to watch our livestream or view the daily video postings that have been uploaded. (In order to post, “like,” or comment, you must be “on” Facebook.)  One merely needs to navigate to the page and scroll down.  Facebook will have a pop-up asking you to register, but you need not register. I do not have Facebook, nor will I register.
 
Click on this link (www.facebook.com/AGOCLou) and bookmark our page in your browser.  Faith is foundational in our lives and, when so many thinks around us are changing, it is steadfast.  I have offered thanksgiving to God that we have such great technology for our faithful to stay connected.

Orthodox Bible Study

Bible Study is an opportunity for us to apply the Scriptures to our everyday lives. The Bible is the “Good News” that enriches our faith and deepens our understanding of every issue that we face. This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!!

The Wednesday Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Wednesday Evenings via ZOOM Teleconference (check calendar or email for link) from 6:00pm-7:30pm (please check calendar to verify times). Make a commitment to learning His Word!


Communication Upgrades

01/01/2021

  • We have migrated our email service to a new platform.  This should provide more reliable email service and greater management flexibility.  Our new emails are all @agoclou.org. They are... priest, president, announcements, stewardship, office and Philoptochos.
  • We are also making enhancements to our streaming service.  In a few days, internet service will be installed directly to the church which will increase our bandwidth substantially.  Our increase capability will allow us to stream in HD to our website (see next item), Facebook and to the Archdiocese App on Roku! More options and better quality!
  • Our website is currently being updated to give it a better appearance with more dynamic content.  The goal is to add streaming to the site and develop ecommerce to accept donations online!!!

 


Amazon Smile

Great News!!!  Amazon Smile will donate .5% of your purchases to the Assumption!!!
 
All you have to do is enter through the link below and shop as usual!!!
 
Don’t forget to bookmark it on all your devices!!!
 

Kroger Community Rewards®

Are you already Kroger shopper?
Your current shopping could be benefitting the Assumption!

Kroger Community Rewards® makes fund-raising easy...all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!

______________________________________________________

TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

· Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus Card (if you are already registered, click “Sign In” instead of “Create an Account.”)

· Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions

· You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.

· Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.

· Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number. If you use your phone number at the register instead of a card, call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.

· Update or confirm your information.

· Enter “Assumption” or our NPO number of AT066 and select us from the list and click on confirm.

· If enrollment is complete, you will see Assumption’s name on the right side of your information page.

· That’s it!!! Use your registered Kroger Plus card or phone number at the register and our parish benefits!!!

By registering online, coupons can be electronically attached to your Plus Card. Not only do you help the Church, but you save money. Talk to everyone you know about registering to benefit our parish!!!


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Assumption Parish Calendar

  • Assumption Calendar

    February 28 to March 7, 2021

    Sunday, February 28

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    12:00PM Sunday School (Seniors)

    12:30PM Sunday School (Mids)

    1:00PM Sunday School (Juniors)

    3:00PM Greek School

    Wednesday, March 3

    6:00PM Orthodox Bible Study

    Saturday, March 6

    9:30AM Orthros of the Saturday of the Souls

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy of the Saturday of the Souls

    Sunday, March 7

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    12:00PM Sunday School (Seniors)

    12:30PM Sunday School (Mids)

    1:00PM Parish Council Meeting

    1:00PM Sunday School (Juniors)

    3:00PM Greek School

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