|
ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
601 South Central Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60644
Main: 773-626-3114
Email: office@assumptionchicago.org
Website: assumptionchicago.org
Father Apostolos N. Georgiafentis - Protopresbyter
Mr. George Demas - Pastoral Assistant
SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2024 - SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC
ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 26 ΜΑΙΟΥ 2024 - ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΡΑΛΥΤΟΥ
ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!!! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!!!
CHRIST IS RISEN!!! TRULY HE IS RISEN!!!
To view or print services please click here
| |
Epistle Reading of the Day | |
Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42
IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
| |  |
Gospel Reading for the Day | |
Gospel According to John 5:1-15
At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.
Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.
| |
|
Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 9:32-42
Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, ἐγένετο Πέτρον διερχόμενον διὰ πάντων κατελθεῖν καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἁγίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Λύδδαν. Εὗρεν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπόν τινα Αἰνέαν ὀνόματι, ἐξ ἐτῶν ὀκτὼ κατακείμενον ἐπὶ κραββάτῳ, ὃς ἦν παραλελυμένος. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος, Αἰνέα, ἰᾶταί σε Ἰησοῦς ὁ Χριστός· ἀνάστηθι καὶ στρῶσον σεαυτῷ. Καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἶδον αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες Λύδδαν καὶ τὸν Ἀσσάρωνα, οἵτινες ἐπέστρεψαν ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον. Ἐν Ἰόππῃ δέ τις ἦν μαθήτρια ὀνόματι Ταβηθά, ἣ διερμηνευομένη λέγεται Δορκάς· αὕτη ἦν πλήρης ἀγαθῶν ἔργων καὶ ἐλεημοσυνῶν ὧν ἐποίει. Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἀσθενήσασαν αὐτὴν ἀποθανεῖν· λούσαντες δὲ αὐτὴν ἔθηκαν ἐν ὑπερῴῳ. Ἐγγὺς δὲ οὔσης Λύδδης τῇ Ἰόππῃ, οἱ μαθηταὶ ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Πέτρος ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῇ, ἀπέστειλαν πρὸς αὐτόν, παρακαλοῦντες μὴ ὀκνῆσαι διελθεῖν ἕως αὐτῶν. Ἀναστὰς δὲ Πέτρος συνῆλθεν αὐτοῖς· ὃν παραγενόμενον ἀνήγαγον εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον, καὶ παρέστησαν αὐτῷ πᾶσαι αἱ χῆραι κλαίουσαι καὶ ἐπιδεικνύμεναι χιτῶνας καὶ ἱμάτια ὅσα ἐποίει μετʼ αὐτῶν οὖσα ἡ Δορκάς. Ἐκβαλὼν δὲ ἔξω πάντας ὁ Πέτρος θεὶς τὰ γόνατα προσηύξατο· καὶ ἐπιστρέψας πρὸς τὸ σῶμα, εἶπεν, Ταβηθά, ἀνάστηθι. Ἡ δὲ ἤνοιξεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῆς· καὶ ἰδοῦσα τὸν Πέτρον, ἀνεκάθισεν. Δοὺς δὲ αὐτῇ χεῖρα, ἀνέστησεν αὐτήν· φωνήσας δὲ τοὺς ἁγίους καὶ τὰς χήρας, παρέστησεν αὐτὴν ζῶσαν. Γνωστὸν δὲ ἐγένετο καθʼ ὅλης τῆς Ἰόππης, καὶ πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.
| | |
|
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 5:1-15
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀνέβη ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα. Ἔστι δὲ ἐν τοῖς ῾Ιεροσολύμοις ἐπὶ τῇ προβατικῇ κολυμβήθρα, ἡ ἐπιλεγομένη Ἑβραϊστὶ Βηθεσδά, πέντε στοὰς ἔχουσα. ἐν ταύταις κατέκειτο πλῆθος πολὺ τῶν ἀσθενούντων, τυφλῶν, χωλῶν, ξηρῶν, ἐκδεχομένων τὴν τοῦ ὕδατος κίνησιν. ἄγγελος γὰρ κατὰ καιρὸν κατέβαινεν ἐν τῇ κολυμβήθρᾳ, καὶ ἐταράσσετο τὸ ὕδωρ· ὁ οὖν πρῶτος ἐμβὰς μετὰ τὴν ταραχὴν τοῦ ὕδατος ὑγιὴς ἐγίνετο ᾧ δήποτε κατείχετο νοσήματι. ἦν δέ τις ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖ τριάκοντα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη ἔχων ἐν τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ αὐτοῦ. τοῦτον ἰδὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς κατακείμενον, καὶ γνοὺς ὅτι πολὺν ἤδη χρόνον ἔχει, λέγει αὐτῷ· θέλεις ὑγιὴς γενέσθαι; ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ὁ ἀσθενῶν· Κύριε, ἄνθρωπον οὐκ ἔχω, ἵνα ὅταν ταραχθῇ τὸ ὕδωρ, βάλῃ με εἰς τὴν κολυμβήθραν· ἐν ᾧ δὲ ἔρχομαι ἐγώ, ἄλλος πρὸ ἐμοῦ καταβαίνει. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἔγειρε, ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει. καὶ εὐθέως ἐγένετο ὑγιὴς ὁ ἄνθρωπος, καὶ ἦρε τὸν κράβαττον αὐτοῦ καὶ περιεπάτει. ἦν δὲ σάββατον ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ. ἔλεγον οὖν οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι τῷ τεθεραπευμένῳ· σάββατόν ἐστιν· οὐκ ἔξεστί σοι ἆραι τὸν κράβαττον. ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς· ὁ ποιήσας με ὑγιῆ, ἐκεῖνός μοι εἶπεν· ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει. ἠρώτησαν οὖν αὐτόν· τίς ἐστιν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ εἰπών σοι, ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ὁ δὲ ἰαθεὶς οὐκ ᾔδει τίς ἐστιν· ὁ γὰρ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξένευσεν ὄχλου ὄντος ἐν τῷ τόπῳ. μετὰ ταῦτα εὑρίσκει αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἴδε ὑγιὴς γέγονας· μηκέτι ἁμάρτανε, ἵνα μὴ χεῖρόν σοί τι γένηται. ἀπῆλθεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ ἀνήγγειλε τοῖς ᾿Ιουδαίοις ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὸν ὑγιῆ.
| |
READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS | |
 | |
Sunday of the Paralytic
Close to the Sheep's in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.
It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.
Saints Carpos and Alphaeus, Apostles of the 70 – May 26
This holy Apostle was numbered with the Seventy, and ministered unto the holy Apostle Paul, journeying with him and conveying his epistles unto those to whom they were written. He became Bishop of Beroea in Thrace, where he endured great tribulations while bringing many of the heathen to holy Baptism, and also suffered martyrdom there. Saint Paul mentions him in II Timothy 4:13.
Hieromartyr Helladius – May 27
Concerning Saint Helladius, little is known except that he was a bishop who refused to sacrifice to idols, and that during his martyrdom our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him and healed him of his wounds, after which he was cast into fire and was preserved unharmed, suffered further torments, and finally was beaten to death with the blows of fists.
Saint John the Russian of Evia – May 27
The Holy New Confessor John, a native of Russia, was captured during the Russian campaign against the Turks in 1711 and was thereafter sold into slavery in Asia Minor. In this condition he struggled to serve God in piety even while he served his earthly master in all that was needful. He remained steadfast in the Christian Faith in the face of the many enticements the Moslems provided to lure him to their error, and was granted the grace to work miracles by his prayers. He reposed in peace in 1730. His relics remained incorrupt and are found at New Procopion of Euboia in Greece.
Saint Theodosia, Virgin-Martyr of Constantinople – May 29
The Righteous Martyr Theodosia, having Constantinople as her homeland, struggled in asceticism in her own convent, which was located in that same imperial city. Filled with zeal for the veneration of the holy icons, she withstood Emperor Leo the Isaurian's impious command that the icons be destroyed. She received the martyr's crown when a soldier of the imperial guard plunged a ram's horn through her throat, about the year 717.
| |
Saint Hermias the Martyr at Comana – May 31
According to some, this Martyr strove in contest during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, also called Antoninus (161-180); according to others, it was in the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161). Already an old man, the Saint was brought before Sebastian, Proconsul in Comana of Cappadocia, and because he would not renounce his confession of Christ, his tormentors showing no reverence to his grey hairs, broke his jaw, tore the flesh from his face, pierced his eyes with a sharp instrument, subjected him to many other torments, and finally, after three days of such torture, beheaded him.
| |
|
ΜΙΚΡΟΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ
ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ TOY ΠΑΡΑΛΥΤΟΥ
Το περιστατικό του παραλύτου, που αναφέρεται την τρίτη Κυριακή μετά το Πάσχα, δείχνει αφ’ ενός την ψυχοσωματική ενότητα του ανθρώπου, αφ’ ετέρου το ότι ο Χριστός είναι ο ιατρός των σωμάτων και των ψυχών και ότι η δύναμη Του, πάνω στην ύλη και πάνω στο πνεύμα είναι αδιαίρετες. Η καθαρτική δύναμη της θείας Χάριτος εμφανίζεται αρχικά σαν δύναμη καθαρισμού του ανθρώπου από τη φυσική αρρώστια και κατόπιν, σαν πνοή πνευματικής αναγέννησης. Όταν ο Ιώβ ήταν πλούσιος, στάθη κε αληθινός, άμεμπτος, δίκαιος και θεοσεβής, κι όταν τα έχασε όλα, παιδιά, πλούτο, κι έμεινε λεπρός και πληγωμένος μακριά από τους ανθρώπους, κι έξυνε μ’ένα όστρακο τα έλκη του σώματος του, έλεγε διαρκώς κι επαναλάμβανε: « Άς είναι ευλογημένο το όνομα του Κυρίου. ΄Αν δεχτήκαμε τα καλά από τον Θεό, τα κακά δεν θα τα υποφέρουμε;». Στην αρχή κάθε θλίψη μας κάνει, να υποφέρουμε και να βασανιζόμαστε. Όταν όμως την δεχτούμε με ταπείνωση και την υπομείνουμε με καρτερία, βλέπουμε στο τέλος ότι έχει κατάληξη ειρηνική.
| | | |
|
GIFT OF LIGHT
This week’s Gift of Light is given for the health and well-being of the Flanary Family and Christine Giannoulis.
MEMORIAL
3 years for the late George Harokopos
May his memory be eternal!
COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee and fellowship following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.
SCHEDULED EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Monday, May 27 - Memorial Day - Trisagion Service at Elmwood Cemetery. Father Apostolos will be at the cemetery from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Church Office Closed
Tuesday, May 28 -12:00 p.m., Tenderhearted Ministry (seniors 65 and older) Please join us for our last meeting before summer break. We invite all our Panagia Seniors to join us for prayer, a presentation or discussion, and a final special catered BBQ ribs and chicken meal by The Patio! Reservation required. Contact the church office.
6:30 p.m. - Orthodox Studies in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room
Wednesday, May 29 - Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Mid-Pentecost
Saturday, June 1 - 11:30 a.m., Agiasmos Service (Blessing of the water)
Baptism -1:00 p.m. - Child of Dr. and Mrs. Philip Gerasimos Gilroy
|
|
JUNE / JULY - SCHEDULE OF WEEKDAY SERVICES
Saturday, June 1 - 11:30 a.m., Agiasmos Service (Blessing of the water)
Thursday, June 13 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Holy Ascension
Saturday, June 22 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros & Divine Liturgy - Saturday of Souls
Monday, July 1 - 10:30 a.m., Agiasmos Service (Blessing of the water)
Friday, July 12 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Saint Paisios
Saturday, July 20 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Prophet Elias
Thursday, July 25 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Dormition of the Righteous Anna, mother of the Most Holy Theotokos
Friday, July 26 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Saint Paraskeve
Saturday, July 27 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Saint Panteleimon
|
|
GRADUATES SUNDAY
Our parish is compiling a list of names to honor students that are Graduating this year, 2024, from public or private schools: 8th grade, High School, Bachelor Degree, Master Degree, Doctorate Degree or other Graduate Degrees. A day of acknowledgement will take place on Sunday, June 2, 2024, immediately after Church services recognizing the achievements of our parishioners who have successfully completed their academic requirements. A certificate, as well as a gift from our Parish, will be given to those who participate. If you are graduating this year, please submit your name, school that you attend(ed) and your grade of completion or Degree received, and (if applicable) school/university attending in the future to the church office by May 28. Please contact the church office at: (773) 626-3114 or email the information to: office@assumptionchicago.org
THE ARCHIVE COMMITTEE
Dear Parishioners,
As we walk toward our centennial year of 2025, we are collecting photos, artifacts, and stories that contribute to the history of our beloved Panagia, and we ask for your input and help.
We need parishioners who can identify people in our photos, beginning from the wooden church and Sunday school.
In addition, the committee is asking for artifacts and memorabilia from your family history to be copied and recorded. Volunteers are needed to help with sorting and other archival tasks.
Please get in touch with us at archives@assumptionchicago.org
| |
|
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 for June - July: June 9, 23, 30 and July 7, 14, 21
Thank you to our beloved parishioners and friends of Assumption Panagia for your continued love and support!
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.
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.
PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER
Χριστός Ανέστη!
As we take advantage of a restful holiday weekend, let us not forget the true meaning of Memorial Day - to honor America’s military men and women who lost their lives in service to their country, safeguarding the freedom we enjoy. Originally called Decoration Day, the early tradition was to decorate graves with flowers, wreaths and flags. May you have a blessed day!
On Saturday, June 29 we will be back at the Oak Park Farmers Market! As we have done in the past, we will be baking for this event. The date is soon to be determined and will be communicated. We hope you can help!
2024 STEWARDSHIP
Thank you to all who have submitted their 2024 Stewardship Pledge Cards. If you have not yet submitted your stewardship card, members of the Parish Council will be handing out stewardship packets today.
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!
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.
COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST
Prayers for: Sophia, Panagioti, Madalyn, Petros, Elaine, Kristine, Jon, Steve, Anastasia, Kathryn, Demetri, Andrea, Matthew, Elaine, James, William, Anastasios, Polyxeni, Peter, and 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.
| |
|
**Flyers located in the Narthex.
June 2 - Sunday School Graduation and Graduates Sunday. You DONUT want to miss this!
June 15 & July 20 -12:30 p.m., Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall
June 16 & July 21 - 12:00 p.m., Saint Euphrosynos Meal - Meal Preparation and Delivery
June 23 - Pentecost Sunday plus Kneeling Vespers - YAL and GOYA joint Kafenio to follow
June 23 - General Assembly Meeting following the Divine Liturgy & Pentecost Kneeling Vespers
June 26 - Chicago White Sox vs LA Dodgers Outing - Only 50 tickets available!
July 14 - YAL Kafenio in Saint Catherine’s following the Divine Liturgy
July 20 - 12:30 p.m., Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall
July 23 - 7:00 p.m., Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers - Only 40 tickets available!
SAVE THE DATE!!!
Sunday, October 12, 2025 – Assumption Panagia celebrating 100 years!!!
More information to come.
| | |
|
A BLESSED WEEK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!!
|
Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
| | | | |
