 | |
SAINT PHANOURIOS THE GREAT MARTYR - Little is known of the holy Martyr Phanurius, except that which is depicted concerning his martyrdom on his holy icon, which was discovered in the year 1500 among the ruins of an ancient church on Rhodes, when the Moslems ruled there. Thus he is called "the Newly Revealed." The faithful pray to Saint Phanurius especially to help them recover things that have been lost, and because he has answered their prayers so often, the custom has arisen of baking a Phaneropita ("Phanurius-Cake") as a thanks-offering.
The story behind this is said to be that the Saint’s mother is said to have been a tough, and hard woman especially towards the poor, and behaved inhumanly and The Archangel Michael, along with Agios Fanourios, tried to help her change but couldn’t. Agios Fanourios begged and prayed not for himself but for his mother to be forgiven and for her soul to rest in peace and this is said to have been heard by God. So now the faithful also turn to Agios Fanourios to intercede for them and to pray for them when they lose objects and ask for him to reveal them or to bring them something they desire, especially good health, fertility, or even a for a husband and wife for those who are single.
There is a special church dedicated to Agios Fanourios, which is located at Lake Doxa, which is an artificial lake in western Corinthia, Greece. It is situated at an elevation of 900 m, in the municipal unit Feneos, near the village Archaia Feneos. Construction was completed in the late 1990s. It is fed and drained by the small river Doxa, which empties into the plain of Feneos. In the heart of the lake on a small peninsula features the small church of Agios Fanourios.
Epistle Reading of the Day
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 6:10-17
Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Gospel Reading for the Day
The Gospel According to Matthew 19:16-26
At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 6:10-17
Ἀδελφοί, ἐνδυναμοῦσθε ἐν κυρίῳ, καὶ ἐν τῷ κράτει τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ. Ἐνδύσασθε τὴν πανοπλίαν τοῦ θεοῦ, πρὸς τὸ δύνασθαι ὑμᾶς στῆναι πρὸς τὰς μεθοδείας τοῦ διαβόλου. Ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρὸς αἷμα καὶ σάρκα, ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὰς ἀρχάς, πρὸς τὰς ἐξουσίας, πρὸς τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου, πρὸς τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις. Διὰ τοῦτο ἀναλάβετε τὴν πανοπλίαν τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα δυνηθῆτε ἀντιστῆναι ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ πονηρᾷ, καὶ ἅπαντα κατεργασάμενοι στῆναι. Στῆτε οὖν περιζωσάμενοι τὴν ὀσφὺν ὑμῶν ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν θώρακα τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ ὑποδησάμενοι τοὺς πόδας ἐν ἑτοιμασίᾳ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τῆς εἰρήνης· ἐπὶ πᾶσιν ἀναλαβόντες τὸν θυρεὸν τῆς πίστεως, ἐν ᾧ δυνήσεσθε πάντα τὰ βέλη τοῦ πονηροῦ τὰ πεπυρωμένα σβέσαι. Καὶ τὴν περικεφαλαίαν τοῦ σωτηρίου δέξασθαι, καὶ τὴν μάχαιραν τοῦ πνεύματος, ὅ ἐστιν ῥῆμα θεοῦ·
Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 19:16-26 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, νεανίσκος τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ, γονυπετῶν αὐτόν, καὶ λέγων· Διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ἀγαθὸν ποιήσω ἵνα ἔχω ζωὴν αἰώνιον; ‘O δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. εἰ δὲ θέλεις εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωήν, τήρησον τὰς ἐντολάς. λέγει αὐτῷ· ποίας; ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε· τὸ οὐ φονεύσεις, οὐ μοιχεύσεις, οὐ κλέψεις, οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις, τίμα τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα, καὶ ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ νεανίσκος· πάντα ταῦτα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου· τί ἔτι ὑστερῶ; ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ ῾Ιησοῦς· εἰ θέλεις τέλειος εἶναι, ὕπαγε πώλησόν σου τὰ ὑπάρχοντα καὶ δὸς πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ νεανίσκος τὸν λόγον ἀπῆλθε λυπούμενος· ἦν γὰρ ἔχων κτήματα πολλά. ῾Ο δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι δυσκόλως πλούσιος εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν. πάλιν δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν, εὐκοπώτερόν ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυπήματος ῥαφίδος διελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. ἀκούσαντες δὲ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐξεπλήσσοντο σφόδρα λέγοντες· τίς ἄρα δύναται σωθῆναι; ἐμβλέψας δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· παρὰ ἀνθρώποις τοῦτο ἀδύνατόν ἐστι, παρὰ δὲ Θεῷ πάντα δυνατά ἐστι.
ΑΓΙΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΟΡΤΕΣ
ΠΟΙΜΕΝΟΣ και ΟΣΙΟΥ ΦΑΝΟΥΡΙΟΥ του ΝΕΟΦΑΝΟΥΣ - 27 ΑΥΓΟΥΣΤΟΥ
Άγνωστος στους αρχαίους Συναρξαριστές. Έγινε γνωστός από τυχαία εύρεση της εικόνας
Του, τον 140 αιώνα στη Ρόδο, όταν έσκαβαν παλιά σπίτια στο νότιο μέρος του παλιού τείχους. Εκεί βρέθηκε αρχαίος ναός με πολλές κατεστραμμένες εικόνες και μεταξύ αυτών και η καλά διατηρημένη εικόνα επί της οποίας, ο τότε Μητροπολίτης Ρόδου Νείλος ο Β΄, ο Διασπωρινός διάβασε το όνομα του Αγίου «ο άγιος Φανώ». Ο άγιος παριστανόταν ώς Νεαρός στρατιώτης, κρατώντας στο δεξί του χέρι σταυρό, πάνω στον οποίο ήταν λαμπάδα αναμμένη, γύρω δε από την εικόνα τα 12 μαρτύρια του. Τον αρχαίο αυτό Ναό ανοικοδόμησε ο Νείλος και τον αφιέρωσε στο όνομα του αγίου Φανουρίου, που όπως φαίνεται συννέταξε και την Ακολουθία του. Οι πιστοί χριστιανοί προσεύχονται στον Άγιο να τους βοηθήσει να βρούν χαμένα αντικείμενα. Εις ανταπόδωση της προσευχής των έχει επικρατήσει το έθιμο να προσφέρουν ειδική πίτα (Φανουρόπιτα) ώς έκφραση ευχαριστίας.
ΑΠΟΤΟΜΗ ΚΕΦΑΛΗΣ ΤΙΜΙΟΥ ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΥ - 29 Αυγούστου (Νηστεία εκ πάντων)
"Ουκ έξεστί σοι έχειν, την γυναίκα του αδελφού σου." Δεν σου επιτρέπεται από το νόμο του Θεού να έχεις τη γυναίκα του αδελφού σου, ο όποιος ζει ακόμα. Λόγια του Τιμίου Προδρόμου, που αποτελούσαν μαχαιριές στις διεφθαρμένες συνειδήσεις του βασιλιά Ηρώδη Αντίπα και της παράνομης συζύγου του Ηρωδιάδος, που ήταν γυναίκα του αδελφού του, Φιλίππου. Ο Ηρώδης, Σε κάποια γιορτή όμως των γενεθλίων του, ο Ηρώδης υποσχέθηκε με όρκο να δώσει στην κόρη της Ηρωδιάδος ό,τι ζητήσει, διότι του άρεσε πολύ ο χορός της. Τότε η αιμοβόρος Ηρωδιάς είπε στην κόρη της να ζητήσει στο πιάτο το κεφάλι του Ιωάννη. Πράγμα που τελικά έγινε. Έτσι, ο ένδοξος Πρόδρομος του Σωτήρα θα παραμένει στους αιώνες υπόδειγμα σε όλους όσους θέλουν να υπηρετούν την αλήθεια και να αγωνίζονται κατά της διαφθοράς, ανεξάρτητα από κινδύνους και θυσίες.Και να τι λένε οι 24 πρεσβύτεροι της Αποκάλυψης στο Θεό για τους διεφθαρμένους: "ήλθεν... ο καιρός των εθνών κριθήναι... και διαφθείραι τους διαφθείροντας την γήν". Ήλθε, δηλαδή, ο καιρός της ανάστασης των νεκρών για να κριθεί ο κόσμος και να καταστρέψεις (Θεέ μου) εκείνους, που με τη διεφθαρμένη ζωή τους διαφθείρουν και καταστρέφουν τη γή.
Η ΚΑΤΑΘΕΣΙΣ της Τιμίας Ζώνης της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου - 31 ΑΥΓΟΥΣΤΟΥ
Ιερό κειμήλιο αναμνηστικό πολύτιμο η τιμία Ζώνη της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου. Ασπαζόμενοι σήμερα αυτήν, ας δεσμεύσουμε τον εαυτόν μας με την υποχρέωση να αγωνισθούμε - συν Θεώ και δια των πρεσβειών Αυτής – πρός απόκτηση μιας πεποικιλμένης ζωής, με ποικίλμα- τα αδαμάντινα και πολύτιμα τις χριστιανικές αρετές, ίνα ή όντως τιμία αυτή Ζώνη γίνει και για μάς στέφανος δόξης και ζωής αιωνίου, εν Χριστώ Ιησού τω Κυρίω ημών.
READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS
| |
|
Apolytikion of Beheading of the Forerunner - August 29 - Strict Fast Day - Second Tone
The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou was granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.
Kontakion of Beheading of the Forerunner - Plagal of the First Tone
The glorious beheading of the Forerunner was a certain divine dispensation, that the coming of the Saviour might also be preached to those in Hades. Let Herodias lament, then, that she demanded a wicked murder; for she loved not the Law of God, nor eternal life, but one false and fleeting.
| |
 | |
Saints Alexander, John, and Paul the New, Patriarchs of Constantinople
Saint Alexander was sent to the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea as the delegate of Saint Metrophanes, Bishop of Constantinople (see June 4), to whose throne he succeeded in the year 325. When Arius had deceitfully professed allegiance to the Council of Nicaea, Saint Alexander, knowing his guile, refused to receive him into communion; Arius' powerful partisans threatened that they would use force to bring Arius into the communion of the Church the following day. Saint Alexander prayed fervently that God might spare the Church; and as Arius was in a privy place relieving nature, his bowels gushed forth with an effusion of blood, and the arch-heresiarch died the death of Judas. Saint Alexander was Bishop from 325 until 337, when he was succeeded by Saint Paul the Confessor, who died a martyr's death at the hands of the Arians (see Nov. 6). The Saint John commemorated here appears to be the one who was Patriarch during the years 562-577, surnamed Scholasticus, who is also commemorated on February 21. He was from Antioch, where he had been a lawyer (scholasticus); he was made presbyter, then was sent to Constantinople as representative (apocrisiarius) of the Patriarch of Antioch, and was appointed Patriarch of Constantinople by the Emperor Justinian. Saint Paul was Bishop of Constantinople during the years 687 - 693, in the reign of Emperor Justinian II, and presided over the Quinisext Council in 692. ~Commemorated on August 30
| |
|
Prayers for: Madalyn, Petros, Elaine, Kristine, Jon, Steve, Anastasia, Kathryn, Demetri, Andrea, Elaine, James, William, Anastasios, Polyxeni, Julia, 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
| | |
 | |
This week’s Gift of Light is given in loving memory of Efstratios and Antigoni Koulouris.
MEMORIAL
3 years for the late Panagiotis (Peter) Spyropoulos
May his memory be eternal!
COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall. We will be serving various Phanouropites. Thank you to all who baked and provided these delicious cakes. May the Holy Saint Phanourious and Great Martyr pray for all of us!
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:
August 29 - 9:00 a.m. Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+Beheading of Saint John the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist
September 1 - 10:30 a.m. Agiasmos (Blessing of the Water)
+Ecclesiastical New Year
2023 SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL
On Sunday, September 10, we start the beginning of the 2023 New Sunday School Year. We will welcome our children signing up for Sunday School with a fiesta eating tacos and hitting a piñata.
Join us and make sure you sign-up your children for Sunday School so they may enter into further connection with our Lord through education and have greater knowledge of their Orthodox identity.
|  | |
|
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. We will also be having our kick-off meeting on Sunday, October 1 in St. Catherine’s Hall at our Kafeneio Table. We will be enjoying Greek coffees and sweets and will speak about this year’s events and plans together.
Please submit your contact information to george@assumptionchicago.org or office@assumptionchicago.org or call the Church Office: 773.626.3114.
GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO DIVE FOR THE CROSS
‘Metropolis of Chicago Dive for the Cross and BBQ’ that will be held on Saturday, September 16th, at Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church (Chicago, IL), from 10:30am – 1:30pm. All parishes are encouraged to bring their JOY, JR. GOYA, GOYA, Sunday and Greek School children, and YAL/OCF to participate in the blessing of the waters of Lake Michigan, followed by the Holy Cross thrown into the Lake for the Youth of our Holy Metropolis of Chicago to retrieve. Prizes will be awarded for each group, followed by a BBQ lunch at Saint Andrew’s. You are asked to RSVP no later than September 12th to get a count for food. For reservations, please contact church office at (773) 626-3114.
DIVORCE REBUILDERS: SS. Peter and Paul’s Divorce Rebuilders offers support, guidance and hope to those who are separated and divorced. Meetings will begin this Fall starting on Monday, October 16 through November 20, 2023, 7-8:30 p.m. for six consecutive weeks in the church library. ZOOM will be available for those who cannot attend in person. This group provides a place where you can learn, heal and rebuild from the hurt of divorce. New insights and perspectives will help you create new understandings towards developing new personal, relational and spiritual goals in your life. Discussion, feedback and support are integral components of this program. In addition, our group participates in ongoing social activities. Leader: Maria Boyle, Counseling, Northwestern University. To enroll in this program,
please email: mariaharduvel4@gmail.com or divorcerebuilders@ssppglenview.org and please note in the subject heading: Divorce Rebuilders. There is no cost for this program. “No Christian should walk through the pain of divorce alone.”
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.
There are many weeks available. 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.
View Parish Calendar
| |
|
PHILOPTHOCHOS CORNER
Please join us for The Annual Metropolis of Chicago Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Luncheon - Saturday, September 23, Concorde Banquets, Kildeer – Fellowship Hour 11:00 a.m. – Lunch 12:00 p.m.
Tickets are $60.00. If you wish to attend and be seated at the Assumption table, please contact Jeanne Jurasek (630-399-6244) and submit your payment (262 S. Linden Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126) as quickly as possible.
SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE OF WEEKDAY SERVICES
September 8 - 9:00 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+Nativity of the Holy Theotokos
September 9 - 9:00 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
September 12 - 9:00 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+Apodosis (Leave Taking) of the Nativity of the Theotokos
September 14 - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+The Elevation of The Holy Cross
September 26 - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros & Divine Liturgy
+Falling Asleep of Saint John The Theologian
| |
SPONSORS NEEDED FOR HOSTING | |
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 in September and October: September 3, 17 & 24 and October 1, 8, 22 & 29
Thank you to our beloved parishioners and friends of Assumption Panagia for your continued love and support!
| | |
|
UPCOMING 2023 EVENTS
Sunday, September 10 - Save the Date! Taco Bout a welcome back! It’s a Sunday School Fiesta in Plato Hall!
Saturday, September 16 - 12:30 a.m., Austin Community Meal in Plato Hall.
Sunday, September 17 - 12:00 p.m. Saint Euphrosynos Kitchen Meal. Please contact the church office if you would like to volunteer or if you know of someone in need of this ministry.
Friday, September 22 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Family Night at Oak Brook Park District, 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523. Join us for some food, fellowship, spiritual talk with Father Apostolos and play some basketball and games. Please reserve to: office@assumptionchicago.org or contact the church office. All youth, people and families are welcome!
Sunday, October 1 - YAL (Young Adults ages 18-35) Kick-off Meeting in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room following Divine Liturgy. Join us for Greek coffees and sweets as we discuss and plan this year’s upcoming events.
Saturday, October 28 - 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Community Fall Fest/Pumpkin Patch.
Sunday, October 29 - 6:00 p.m., Grand Raffle Dinner Celebration at Venuti’s Italian Restaurant & Banquet Hall, 2251 W. Lake Street, Addison, IL 60101. You may purchase tickets during the week, by contacting the church office at: (773) 626-3114. Tickets are also available every Sunday during the coffee hour in Plato Hall. Please see flyer for additional details.
| |
|
A BLESSED WEEK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!!
|
Assumption Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago
| | | | |
