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St. Spyridon Church
Publish Date: 2020-07-11
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11_ephemia
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St. Spyridon Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (708)385-2311
  • Fax:
  • (708) 385-0166
  • Street Address:

  • 12307 S. Ridgeland

  • Palos Heights, IL 60463
  • Mailing Address:

  • 12307 S. Ridgeland

  • Palos Heights, IL 60463


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Sunday Orthros - 8:00 a.m. followed by the Divine Liturgy

Saturday Vespers - 6:00 p.m.


Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Euphemia the Great Martyr
The Reading is from Mark 5:24-34

At that time, a great crowd followed Jesus and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well." And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who touched my garments?" And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'" And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."


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 Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:1-10.

Brethren, working together with him, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.


Gospel Reading

Euphemia the Great Martyr
The Reading is from Luke 7:36-50

At that time, one of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house, and took his place at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "What is it, Teacher?" "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Great Martyr Euphemia in the Third Mode

O Euphemia, Christ's comely virgin, thou didst fill the Orthodox with gladness and didst cover with shame all the heretics; for at the holy Fourth Council in Chalcedon, thou didst confirm what the Fathers decreed aright. O all-glorious Great Martyr, do thou entreat Christ God that His great mercy may be granted unto us.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
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Saints and Feasts

11_ephemia
July 11

Euphemia the Great Martyr

In 451, during the reign of the Sovereigns Marcian and Pulcheria, the Fourth Ecumenical Council was convoked in Chalcedon against Eutyches and those of like mind with him. After much debate, the Fathers who were the defenders of Orthodoxy, being 630 in number, agreed among themselves and with those who were of contrary mind, to write their respective definitions of faith in separate books, and to ask God to confirm the truth in this matter. When they had prepared these texts, they placed the two tomes in the case that held Saint Euphemia's relics, sealed it, and departed. After three days of night-long supplications, they opened the reliquary in the presence of the Emperor, and found the tome of the heretics under the feet of the Martyr, and that of the Orthodox in her right hand. (For her life, see Sept. 16.)


11_ephemia
July 11

Euphemia the Great Martyr

In 451, during the reign of the Sovereigns Marcian and Pulcheria, the Fourth Ecumenical Council was convoked in Chalcedon against Eutyches and those of like mind with him. After much debate, the Fathers who were the defenders of Orthodoxy, being 630 in number, agreed among themselves and with those who were of contrary mind, to write their respective definitions of faith in separate books, and to ask God to confirm the truth in this matter. When they had prepared these texts, they placed the two tomes in the case that held Saint Euphemia's relics, sealed it, and departed. After three days of night-long supplications, they opened the reliquary in the presence of the Emperor, and found the tome of the heretics under the feet of the Martyr, and that of the Orthodox in her right hand. (For her life, see Sept. 16.)


Olga
July 11

The All-Praised Olga, Equal-to-the-Apostles, Princess of Kiev

Saint Olga, renowned for her wisdom and sobriety, in her youth became the wife of Igor, Great Prince of Kiev, who ruled during the tenth century. After her husband's death, she herself ruled capably, and was finally moved to accept the Faith of Christ. She traveled to Constantinople to receive Holy Baptism. The Emperor, seeing her outward beauty and inward greatness, asked her to marry him. She said she could not do this before she was baptized; she furthermore asked him to be her Godfather at the font, which he agreed to do. After she was baptized (receiving the name of Helen), the Emperor repeated his proposal of marriage. She answered that now he was her father, through holy Baptism, and that not even among the heathen was it heard of a man marrying his daughter. Gracefully accepting to be outwitted by her, he sent her back to her land with priests and sacred texts and holy icons. Although her son Svyatoslav remained a pagan, she planted the seed of faith in her grandson Vladimir (see July 15). She reposed in peace in 969.


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Saint Spyridon Calendar

  • Saint Spyridon Calendar

    July 11 to July 26, 2020

    Saturday, July 11

    The All-Praised Olga, Equal-to-the-Apostles, Princess of Kiev

    8:30AM First Hour & Divine Liturgy

    7:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, July 12

    Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

    8:00AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy

    1:00PM Festival Raffle Drawing

    Monday, July 13

    Saint Stephen of Saint Sava’s Monastery

    9:00AM Church Office Open

    Tuesday, July 14

    Saint Aquila, Apostle of the 70

    9:00AM Church Office Open

    Wednesday, July 15

    The Holy Great Prince Vladimir, Equal of the Apostles

    Fasting Day

    9:00AM Church Office Open

    Thursday, July 16

    Hieromartyr Athenogenes

    9:00AM Church Office Open

    Friday, July 17

    Fasting Day

    Holy Great Martyr Marina

    8:30AM First Hour & Divine Liturgy

    9:00AM Church Office Open

    Saturday, July 18

    Holy Martyr Emilian

    Sunday, July 19

    Saint Macrina

    8:00AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy

    Monday, July 20

    Holy Prophet Elijah

    8:30AM First Hour & Divine Liturgy

    9:00AM Church Office Open

    Tuesday, July 21

    Holy Prophet Ezekiel

    9:00AM Church Office Open

    Wednesday, July 22

    Fasting Day

    Holy Myrrh-Bearer Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene

    9:00AM Church Office Open

    Thursday, July 23

    Holy Martyrs Trophimus & Theophilus

    9:00AM Church Office Open

    Friday, July 24

    Martyr Christina

    Fasting Day

    9:00AM Church Office Open

    Saturday, July 25

    Saint Anna

    Saint Olympias

    8:00AM First Hour & Divine Liturgy

    Sunday, July 26

    Saint Paraskeve

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Coming Events

    Sunday Bulletin

    Sunday Bulletin

    Weekly Sunday Bulletin with news and announcements


    Stewardship Forms 2020

    Stewardship Forms 2020

    Stewardship 2020 With the Covid-19 pandemic impacting everyday life, we thank you for your unwavering support and wish you and your loved ones continued health and joy in our Lord. During this difficult period, your prayers and kind generosity have helped our beloved parish continue its ministry to those in need and to face the various challenges as best we can. Slowly our worship life has resumed while ensuring the safety of the attendees and all our parish members. Given the situation, we are not able to host any social events this summer, including our parish festival which serves as an important event in our community life and a vital fundraiser that supports our parish operations. This reality makes our stewardship support all the more important to the well-being of our parish community. If we can all give our fair share as stewards of our church, while also inviting new stewards to join our parish family, we can hope to achieve our goal where at least half of our parish support comes from stewardship. We wish to thank the 250 Stewards who have committed their stewardship for 2020. Stewardship contributions can be made online at our website: www.Saint-Spyridon.org through Tith.ly or PayPal. You can also send in your stewardship by mail or by stopping by the church during office hours.


    Orthodox Food Store

    Orthodox Food Store

    Dear Faithful of Saint Spyridon, We hope everyone has been healthy and safe in these times of crisis. The Orthodox Christian community has started a new initiative with the guidance of our spiritual leader, his Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael. It is a food relief program in which all twenty-six Chicagoland Greek Orthodox Churches are participating. The program calls for donors to make different "kits" to assist those less fortunate. There are three different kinds of kits: 1. COVID kit (one-gallon Ziploc bags, face masks, latex or plastic gloves, small hand sanitizer, antibacterial bars of soap, Band-Aids, small bottles of hand moisturizer) 2. CARE kit (bottles of water, snack/granola bars, small packs of crackers-sealed, small deodorant, small bars of antibacterial soap, small bottles of shampoo, small tubes of toothpaste, sealed toothbrushes, one-gallon Ziploc bags) 3. DINNER Kit (cans of corn, cans of green beans, pasta – 1- or 2-pounds bags or boxes, jars of pasta sauce, jars of jelly/jam, bags of uncooked rice, cans of beans, boxes of graham crackers) These kits are to be pre-packaged at home with all the necessary materials included. The items for the COVID and Care kits are to be packaged in one large Zip-Lock bag and the Dinner Kit should be put in a large paper bag (ex. Trader Joe's bag). The specific items for each kit are laid out in the image below. You may drop-off kits on Thursdays from 3 PM to 5 PM. Large plastic bins will be placed outside the front doors near the office for kits to be deposited. Our first drop off day will be on Tuesday, June 23rd. For any questions, or if you wish to drop off a kit sometime other than the designated time, please contact the office at (708)-385-2311. Thank you for supporting the Orthodox Store Mini stry.


    Saint Spyridon Festival Raffle Appeal

    Saint Spyridon Festival Raffle Appeal

    Dear Faithful, I pray that you all had a safe and healthy July 4th holiday. As we begin a new week, please note that our Festival Raffle will be drawn next Sunday, July 12th at 1:00 p.m. With the regular festival cancelled due to the pandemic, the Raffle is the only way to make up for the $80,000 budget shortfall for the current year. Please send in your donation or raffle purchase through the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saint-spyridon-greek-festival-raffle-tickets-104984726142. You may also come by the church office during office hours or send your donation by mail. Everyone's help and generosity are greatly appreciated. In Christ's love, Fr. Tilemahos


    Golf Outing - August 18, 2020

    Golf Outing - August 18, 2020

    Our Saint Spyridon Golf Outing has been rescheduled for August 18th at the Odyssey Golf Country Club. Registration forms are posted on our website www.Saint-Spyridon.org


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Wisdom of the Fathers

"But wherefore did Christ admit that harlot?" That He might put away her iniquity; that He might show His lovingkindness; that you might learn that there is no malady which prevails over His goodness. Look not therefore at this only, that He received her, but consider the other point also, how He changed her.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 62 on John 11, 4th Century

There is an old saying: 'Excesses meet.' Too much fasting and too much eating come to the same end. Keeping too long a vigil brings the same disastrous cost as ... sluggishness... Too much self-denial brings weakness and induces the same condition as carelessness. Often I have seen men who would not be snared by gluttony fall, nevertheless, through immoderate fasting and tumble in weakness into the very urge which they had overcome. Unmeasured vigils and foolish denial of rest overcame those whom sleep could not overcome. Therefore, 'fortified to right and to left in the armor of justice,' as the apostle says (2 Cor. 6:7), life must be lived with due measure and, with discernment for a guide, the road must be traveled between the two kinds of excess so that in the end we may not allow ourselves to be diverted from the pathway of restraint which has been laid down for us nor fall through dangerous carelessness into the urgings of gluttony and self-indulgence.
St. John Cassian
Conferences, Conference Two: On Discernment no. 16; Paulist Press pg. 76, 5th century

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Daily Announcements

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Dear Faithful of Saint Spyridon,
Normally, this week would have been our preparation week for the festival. Due to the pandemic, the festival has been cancelled. However, we will draw the raffle next Sunday after the Divine Liturgy.  Please remember to send in your raffle ticket with your donation. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saint-spyridon-greek-festival-raffle-tickets-104984726142
This week, the schedule is as follows:
 
Saturday, July 11th - St. Olga 
First Hour & Divine Liturgy - 8:30 a.m.
Great Vespers - 7:00 p.m.
All services are streamed on the parish website and on our YouTube channel.  Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC68WCiYHUYSTCqlelnAWLvQ
 
In His Service, Fr. Tilemahos
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