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NOVEMBER 21 - ENTRANCE OF THE HOLY THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE
According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Today is the prelude of God's pleasure and the proclamation of man's salvation. The Virgin is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice, "Hail, fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.
Icon above is Theotokos’ grandmother Mary, her mother St. Anna and herself with Christ. It is also referred to as the 3 generations of the Theotokos.
Epistle Reading of the Day
St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:14-22
Brethren, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Gospel Reading for the Day
Luke 12:16-21
At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 2:14-22
Ἀδελφοί, Χριστός ἐστιν ἡ εἰρήνη ἡμῶν, ὁ ποιήσας τὰ ἀμφότερα ἕν, καὶ τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ λύσας, τήν ἔχθραν ἐν τῇ σαρκί αὐτοῦ, τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασιν, καταργήσας· ἵνα τοὺς δύο κτίσῃ ἐν ἑαὐτῷ εἰς ἕνα καινὸν ἄνθρωπον, ποιῶν εἰρήνην, καὶ ἀποκαταλλάξῃ τοὺς ἀμφοτέρους ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι τῷ θεῷ διὰ τοῦ σταυροῦ, ἀποκτείνας τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν αὐτῷ· καὶ ἐλθὼν εὐηγγελίσατο εἰρήνην ὑμῖν τοῖς μακρὰν καὶ τοῖς ἐγγύς· ὅτι διʼ αὐτοῦ ἔχομεν τὴν προσαγωγὴν οἱ ἀμφότεροι ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα. Ἄρα οὖν οὐκέτι ἐστὲ ξένοι καὶ πάροικοι, ἀλλὰ συμπολῖται τῶν ἁγίων καὶ οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ, ἐποικοδομηθέντες ἐπὶ τῷ θεμελίῳ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ προφητῶν, ὄντος ἀκρογωνιαίου αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἐν ᾧ πᾶσα οἰκοδομὴ συναρμολογουμένη αὔξει εἰς ναὸν ἅγιον ἐν κυρίῳ, ἐν ᾧ καὶ ὑμεῖς συνοικοδομεῖσθε εἰς κατοικητήριον τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν πνεύματι.
Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 12:16-21
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἀνθρώπου τινὸς πλουσίου εὐφόρησεν ἡ χώρα· καὶ διελογίζετο ἐν ἑαυτῷ λέγων· τί ποιήσω, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ποῦ συνάξω τοὺς καρπούς μου; καὶ εἶπε· τοῦτο ποιήσω· καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας καὶ μείζονας οἰκοδομήσω, καὶ συνάξω ἐκεῖ πάντα τὰ γενήματά μου καὶ τὰ ἀγαθά μου, καὶ ἐρῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου· ψυχή, ἔχεις πολλὰ ἀγαθὰ κείμενα εἰς ἔτη πολλά· ἀναπαύου, φάγε, πίε, εὐφραίνου. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Θεός· ἄφρον, ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ τὴν ψυχήν σου ἀπαιτοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ· ἃ δὲ ἡτοίμασας τίνι ἔσται; οὕτως ὁ θησαυρίζων ἑαυτῷ, καὶ μὴ εἰς Θεὸν πλουτῶν.
ΑΓΙΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΟΡΤΕΣ
Η ΕΝ ΤΩ ΝΑΩ ΕΙΣΟΔΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΥΠΕΡΑΓΙΑΣ ΔΕΣΠΟΙΝΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ - (21 Νοεμβρίου)
Η Άννα η μητέρα της Θεοτόκου, επειδή πέρασε όλη σχεδόν τη ζωή της χωρίς να γεννήσει παιδί, παρακάλεσε προσευχόμενη στο Θεό μαζί με τον άνδρα της Ιωακείμ να τους χαρίσει παιδί, κι αν γινόταν αυτό θα το αφιέρωναν στο Θεό. Πράγματι ο Θεός ευδόκησε και η Αννα γέννησε την Υπεραγία Θεοτόκο Μαρία. Όταν αυτή έγινε τριών χρόνων, την πήραν οι γονείς της και αφιέρωσαν την θυγατέρα τους στο Θεό, αφού την πήγαν στο Ναό. Την παρέδωσαν στον αρχιερέα Ζαχαρία, ο οποίος αφού την παρέλαβε, την εισήγαγε στα ΄Αγια των Αγίων, όπου μόνον ο αρχιερέας έμπαινε μια φορά το χρόνο. Ο Ζαχαρίας γνώριζε δι’ αποκαλύψεως τι έμελλε να συμβεί δια της κόρης αυτής. Εκεί η Παρθένος έμεινε δώδεκα χρόνια. Βγήκε τότε, όταν ήλθε η στιγμή να συμβάλει στη σάρκωση του Σωτήρα Χριστού, που είναι «ο αγαπήσας ημάς και δούς παράκλησιν αιωνίαν και ελπίδα αγαθήν εν χάριτι». ‘Οποιος, δηλαδή μας αγάπησε και μας έδωσε παρηγοριά που δε θα έχει τέλος, αλλά θα είναι αιωνία και μας χάρισε ελπίδα αγαθών ουρανίων. Η Υπεραγία Θεοτόκος κατόρθωσε να μείνει, όχι απλώς ανέπαφος και ανεπηρέαστος από την γύρω Της κακία και διαφθορά,αλλά και να αναδειχθεί Υπεραγία. Να φθάσει εις υπέροχον ύψος ηθικής τελειότητος, ώστε Αυτός ο Πανάγαθος Θεός, δια του Αρχαγγέλου Του, να την ονομάσει κεχαριτωμένη και ο Υιός και Λόγος του Θεού να γεννηθεί εξ Αυτής ως άνθρωπος. «Σήμερον της ευδοκίας Θεού το προοίμιον». Η Παναγία «εισάγεται εν τω οίκω Κυρίου» και ετοιμάζεται με τη συμπαράσταση των αγγέλων του Θεού και των ιερέων του Ναού, «εις κατοίκησιν τω Παμβασιλεί». Διότι την επέλεξεν ο Θεός και «Αύτη υπάρχει σκηνή επουράνιος». ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙΟΝ: Σήμερον της ευδοκίας Θεού το προοίμνιον και της των ανθρώπων σωτηρίας η προκήρυξις, εν Ναώ του Θεού, τρανώς βοήσωμεν, χαίρε της οικονομίας του Κτίστου η εκπλήρωσις.
Η ΑΓΙΑ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗ - (25 Νοεμβρίου)
Η Αγία Αικατερίνη καταγόταν από αριστοκρατική οικογένεια από την Αλεξάνδρεια της Αιγύπτου. Στους διωγμούς των χριστιανών επί αυτοκρατόρων Μαξιμιανού και Μαξεντίου, η Αικατερίνη δεν δίστασε να παρουσιαστεί και να ομολογήσει την πίστη της στο Θεό. Κατά την παράδοση συγκροτήθηκε ειδικό συμβούλιο από φιλοσόφους για να καταρρίψουν τα επιχειρήματα της Αικατερίνης. Η μόρφωσή της όμως ήταν τόσο μεγάλη, που με τη βοήθεια του Αγίου Πνεύματος, από- στόμωσε όλους όσοι δε συμφωνούσαν με την ορθή διδασκαλία. Μάλιστα έκανε πολλούς από αυτούς τούς χριστιανούς. Μπροστά στο θέαμα αυτό, ο έπαρχος αφού τη βασάνισε σκληρά, την αποκεφάλισε. Η Αγία Αικατερίνη αποτελεί κόσμημα στο χώρο των μαρτύρων, Ήταν ωραία στο σώμα αλλά και στην χριστιανική ευσέβεια. Είχε έξοχη ευφυϊα και σε ηλικία 18 χρόνων είχε σπουδάσει άριστα όλες τις ελληνικές επιστήμες, καθώς επίσης και τα δόγματα της χριστιανικής αλήθειας. Κατείχε ακριβέστατα τας χριστιανικά αληθείας και συνεζήτει περί των διγμάτων ως μάλλον εγκρατής αυτών θεολόγος.
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Saints Archippus the Apostles, Philemon the Apostle & his wife, Apphia, Onesimos the Disciple of Paul – November 22
Philemon, who was from Colossae, a city of Phrygia, was a man both wealthy and noble; Apphia was his wife. Archippus became Bishop of the Church in Colossae. All three were disciples of the Apostle Paul. Onesimus, who was formerly an unbeliever and slave of Philemon, stole certain of his vessels and fled to Rome. However, on finding him there, the Apostle Paul guided him onto the path of virtue and the knowledge of the truth, and sent him back to his master Philemon, to whom he wrote an epistle (this is one of the fourteen epistles of Saint Paul). In this epistle, Paul commended Onesimus to his master and reconciled the two. Onesimus was later made a bishop; in Greece he is honoured as the patron Saint of the imprisoned. All these Saints received their end by martyrdom, when they were stoned to death by the idolaters. Saint Onesimus is also commemorated on February 15.
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Saint Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria – November 25
Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.
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Prayers for: Panagioti, Madalyn, Petros, Elaine, Kristine, Jon, Steve, Anastasia, Kathryn, Demetri, Andrea, Elaine, James, William, Anastasios, Polyxeni, Helen, Peter, Sophia
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 the living will be retained on the list for 40 days. Contact Church Office to add names at office@assumptionchicago.org or call Panagia office at 773.626.3114
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MEMORIALS
4 years for the late Peter Panos
5 years for the late Michael Panos
8 years for the late Claudia Panos
May their memory be eternal!
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40 DAY BABY BLESSING
We welcome baby John son of Clarke and Katherine Cooper
for his 40-day baby blessing. Congratulations and God bless you!
COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee hour in Plato Hall following the Divine Liturgy.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Monday, November 20 - 9:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy
5:00 p.m. - Vespers - The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
6:30 p.m. - Orthodox Studies in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room
Tuesday, November 21 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Wednesday, November 22 - 9:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy
Thursday, November 23 - 9:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy
Friday, November 24 - 9:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy
7:00 p.m., Vespers of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr
Artoklasia: Offered by Mr. and Mrs. Vasilios Giannetos and Family
for health and well-being
Saturday, November 25 - 8:30 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy -
+Saint Catherine the Great Martyr
12:00 p.m. - Christmas Tree Lighting
Wedding - 3:00 p.m. - Katherine Kalomas to Alex Knudsen
WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS
We welcome you to worship with us today. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian, or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and Chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians, all are invited to receive the antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The antidoron is not sacramental but is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church.
After the Divine Liturgy this morning, please join us in Plato Hall for fellowship, refreshments and visit with our Clergy, our Parish Council and the Stewards of our Parish.
We hope that you will return often to worship with us and to grow in faith.
SPONSORS NEEDED FOR COFFEE HOUR
Please contact the Church office at:
773.626.3114 or email at: office@assumptionchicago.org if you would like to sponsor a coffee hour in memory of a loved one, a special occasion or just because.
Available dates: November 26 - January 14, 21, 28 - February 4, 11, 18, 25
For later available dates, please contact the church office.
Thank you to our beloved parishioners and friends of Assumption Panagia for your continued love and support!
PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER
Very best wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving!
Blessing bags: We are still in need of:
• 100 small bottled waters
• 100 apple sauce pouches or cups
• 100 soft granola bars
Items are needed by November 26.
Christmas Luncheon reservations can be made in Plato Hall during coffee hour. Contact Francine Kott – 630.336.9442 or frkott@aol.com. All ladies and gentlemen are welcome!
The Christmas Bake Sale will offer many selections to sweeten your holidays. Pre-orders can also be placed at our table during coffee hour or online. Pick up an order form today.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!
Our St. Euphrosynos Kitchen Ministry has grown significantly. We need more volunteers. Currently, we are looking for more people to deliver meals one Sunday a month to our homebound parishioners and friends of Assumption Church. The geographic area that is in the most need of delivery drivers is the Northwest side of Chicago. If you or someone you know is willing to share some time to deliver or would like more information about volunteering for this or any other Outreach ministry, please email Christina Arvanites arvanites795@gmail.com
YOUNG ADULTS
Hello Young Adults (18-35yrs old)! We firstly would like to collect all Young Adult contact information for communication purposes! Parents of Young Adults are encouraged to help submit their child’s contact information too. Please submit your contact information to george@assumptionchicago.org or office@assumptionchicago.org or call the Church Office: 773.626.3114.
GIFT OF LIGHT
Please give the “Gift of Light” to Assumption Panagia’s Church. We need a family or an individual to sponsor, per week, the lighting of our vigil lamps and candles in both of our holy Altars of Panagia and Saint Catherine. This includes the daily lighting of both of our Holy Altars throughout the week. Suggested donation for this ministry is $100.00. Through our Church’s Website, sign up can be made through our Tithe.ly platform. simply click on the big green GIVE button, request your week and make your donation.
Available weeks: November 26 - December 3, 17, 24 - January 7, 14, 21
Please contact the church office for Feb. - Dec. 2024 availability.
Please contact the church office to sponsor a week for the health and well-being of your family or in loving memory of a loved one.
ASSUMPTION PANAGIA BOOKSTORE
Please visit our Religious Bookstore! Not only do we have beautiful Icons for your home and to give as gifts, we also have books for all ages, baby’s bibs for baptisms and much more! Our bookstore is open following the Divine Liturgy on Sundays in Plato Hall.
2023 STEWARDSHIP
Thank you to all who have sent in their Stewardship for 2023! If you haven’t done so already, please pick up a Stewardship packet. Packets are available at the Pangari and in the Church office. Please fill out the pledge card (it is important that you enter a pledge amount) and the information card completely and return it in the enclosed envelope. Thank you for supporting our beautiful parish of Panagia!
ARTOKLASIA – THE BLESSING OF BREAD
The Blessing of Five Loaves of Bread is a brief service of thanksgiving through which we express our gratitude for all the blessings of life. Oil, wine, wheat, and the loaves of bread which are used in the service, are viewed as the most basic elements necessary for life. The Blessing reminds us of the miracle of the multiplication of the bread and fish by which Christ fed the multitude. This Blessing is usually offered during Vespers or after the Divine Liturgy on Feast days and other special occasions. After the Service, the bread is cut and distributed to the congregation. If you would like to offer an Artoklasia, please contact the church office at: 773.626.3114 or email: office@assumptionchicago.org to reserve a date.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Did you know that the Orthodox Church has a prayer service for Wedding Anniversaries? While planning with your spouse what you will do on your day of remembrance, don’t forget to contact the Church Office to set up an appointment for the prayer service with Father Apostolos. While it is suggested that the prayer be read on your Wedding Anniversary, it may also be read on Sundays after Church services.
A WORD ABOUT CREMATION
Orthodox Christians should reject cremation, in accordance with the Church’s teachings about the sanctity of the human body and its role in our salvation. Orthodox Christians believe that in the General Resurrection, our bodies and souls will be restored to each other. Cremation is the deliberate desecration and destruction of what God has made and is viewed as the denial of the Resurrection. Cremation treats the body violently, without the respect due to it as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Those who voluntarily request cremation upon death will not receive an Orthodox funeral, either in the church, or the funeral home or any other place. Memorial services with kolyva are not allowed since the connection of the “kernel of wheat” as a sign of the Resurrection has been intentionally destroyed. It is an honor for Orthodox Christians to have a church funeral - our salvation and the state of our souls and bodies should always be at the forefront in our lives and for the lives of our loved ones.
View Parish Calendar
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NOVEMBER SCHEDULE OF WEEKDAY SERVICES
Monday, November 20 - 1:00 p.m., Vespers of The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Tuesday, November 21 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Friday, November 24 - 7:00 p.m., Vespers of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr
Saturday, November 25 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Saint Catherine the Great Martyr
40 Day Liturgies will be held at our church the week of November 20 thru November 25
beginning at 9:00 a.m. Please submit your names (first names only) of the living and those who have fallen asleep to be commemorated during this time.
UPCOMING 2023 EVENTS
**Flyers are located in the Narthex.
Monday, November 20 - 6:30 p.m., Orthodox Studies in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room.
Saturday, November 25 - 12:00 p.m., Christmas Tree Lighting
Monday, November 27 - 12:00 p.m., Tenderhearted Ministry (Seniors 65 & over) in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room. Presentation by Janice Henry, RN. Topic will be on vaccines.
Saturday, December 2 -12:00 p.m., Philoptochos Christmas Luncheon, Greek Islands, Lombard
Sunday, December 3 - 12:00 p.m., Parish Assembly Meeting in Plato Hall. In order to participate in this meeting, you must be a steward and have submitted a pledge card for 2023.
Assumption Church Loretto Hospital Christmas Toy Drive - Collecting toys, valued at $10 for ages 7 - 9 to be given to children in the Austin community. Please drop off toys in the collection boxes located in the Narthex by December 6. See flyer for more information.
Saturday, December 9 - 2:00 p.m., Philoptochos General Meeting during baking day in Plato Hall
Friday, December 15 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Family Night at Oak Brook Park District, 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523.
Saturday, December 16 - YAL Home Fellowship - TBD
Saturday, December 16 - 12:30 p.m., Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall
Tuesday, December 19 - 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Christmas Party/Gingerbread House at Chicago Police Department with Explorers
Winter Family Weekend Retreat at Saint Iakovos Retreat Center on January 26-27, 2024. Skiing at Wilmont Mountain, Wilmont, Wisconsin. Details to follow.
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A blessed Thanksgiving Day to our beloved Assumption Panagia Family! May we continue to give thanks to our Lord for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate and share our blessings with them. |
Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
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