The MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE (847)

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1 The MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE (847) Where there is no vision, the people perish. (Proverbs 29:18) FEBRUARY 2018

2 WORSHIP SCHEDULE February 2018 Friday, Feb 2 The Presentation of our Lord 8:30 am Orthros and Liturgy Sunday, February 4 The Prodigal Son 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Wednesday, Feb 7 7:00 pm Paraclesis to St. Haralambos Friday, Feb 9 Feastday of St. Haralambos 7:00 pm Great Vespers Saturday, February 10 ST HARALAMBOS THE PRIEST MARTYR 8:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy and Saturday of Souls Sunday, February 11 Meat Fare Sunday (Apokreas) 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Followed by our 67th Anniversary Celebration! Saturday, Feb 17 ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ-Saturday of Souls 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, February 18 Cheese-Fare Sunday 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Sunday Evening, February 18 7:00 pm Forgiveness Vespers GREAT LENT BEGINS Monday, February 19 Pure Monday-Καθαρά Δευτέρα 5:00 pm Great Compline 6:30 pm Lenten Dinner Tuesday, February 20 6:00 pm Great Compline Wednesday, February 21 6:00 pm Presanctified Liturgy Thursday, February 22 6:00 pm Great Compline Friday, February 23 7:00 pm Salutations to the Theotokos ((Χαιρετισμοί) Saturday, February 24 Saturday of the Souls 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, February 25 THE SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 IS THE SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY 6:30 pm: Pan-Orthodox Vespers At Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills, Illinois Wednesday, February 28 6:00 pm Presanctified Liturgy Friday, March 2 7:00 pm Salutations to the Theotokos ((Χαιρετισμοί) SACRAMENTS AND BLESSINGS MINISTRY TO PERSONS WHO ARE SICK-We urge Orthodox Christians who would like to receive Holy Sacraments but are unable to attend church (hospitalized or at home) to contact the church office so Holy Sacraments can be administered to them. If your loved one is hospitalized please call us, even if the illness is not serious! In a wholistic approach to healing and well-being, a visit from the priest can be very positive. Most hospitals do not inform us when they receive patients from our parish. We depend on you! BLESSINGS OF INFANTS Forty days after birth, a child and its mother come to church to receive a 40 Day Blessing, imitating Christ who was presented in the Temple 40 days after He was born. Please call the church office to arrange this blessing. BAPTISMS Please call the church office to schedule Baptisms. Plan ahead! there are some days when Baptisms are not performed. Keep in mind that there should be only one Godparent and that a child is supposed to be given one name when he or she is baptized. WEDDINGS Please arrange an appointment with Fr. Dean at least eight months before the proposed wedding date to allow time for all necessary marriage preparation. CONFESSION Confessions are arranged by appointment. Please call the church office to schedule Confession. MEMORIAL SERVICES Memorial Services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Customarily, these services are offered at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at 3 years. When three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls. END OF LIFE ISSUES 1 - A Proper Funeral Conveys Divine Grace to Our Loved One For an Orthodox Christian, a church funeral is a necessity. As we pray, the funeral service brings divine Grace to those who have fallen asleep, for their forgiveness and eternal rest. Our journey toward perfection (Θέωσις) continues after death! A church funeral is an act of love and it is our duty. What good reason can there be to deny our loved ones from God s saving Grace and the honor they deserve? Let us honor our parents and relatives with prayers and a proper Trisagion and funeral. 2 - About Cremation 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. In cases where there is intention for the body of a deceased person to be cremated, thus choosing to disregard our understanding of the Resurrection, the honor of a church funeral is not given, either in the church, or the funeral home or any other place. Additionally, 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 STEWARDSHIP WE ARE THE LOVE OF GOD! 2018 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE As of January families have promised $118, for 2018 Stewardship! Average level of giving is $820.49! Have you become a 2018 Steward yet?

3 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE: 847/ From Father Dean Dear Stewards and Friends of St. Haralambos, February 2018 February! What a busy and wonderful month it will be! The Feastday of our patron Saint Haralambos falls on Saturday, February 10, and we will honor his memory with a Paraclesis to St. Haralambos on Wednesday, February 7, Great Vespers on the 9th, and Divine Liturgy on February 10th. Plan to join us in honoring our Patron Saint! It will also be the First Saturday of the Souls, so we will also have the chance to remember our parents, relatives and friends who have fallen asleep in the Lord as we honor our Saint Haralambos. We will continue the festivities with a Luncheon Banquet and Silent Auction on Sunday afternoon, February 11 at the Chicago/Northbrook Hilton (Allgauer s). We will have a delicious brunch, entertainment for the kids, an exciting Silent Auction and Dancing! If you have not already made reservations, hurry! There will also be an Ad Book; your support would be appreciated! We will be kicking off a new series of talks and presentations, organized by our Inreach Committee. Plan to attend a special showing of the film, BecomingTruly Human on Wednesday evening, February 28, following the Presanctified Liturgy. Refreshments will be served, and their will be a short discussion afterwards. By the way, have you noticed the new washroom facilities in our community center? People seem pleased! We expect to see other improvements soon. The Triodion (pre-lent) began on Sunday, January 28th, and the first day of Great Lent will be Monday, February 19. We look forward to all the special observances that characterize this pre-lenten season, and especially our annual Tsiknopempti Dinner which our Philoptochos ladies will host on Thursday, February 8. During the first weeks of Triodion, according to our Orthodox Christian tradition, we ease into Great Lent gradually. There is no fasting permitted in the first week of Triodion (Jan 28-Feb 4). The second week (Feb 4-11), we are to fast on Wednesday and Friday; the other days we are permitted all foods, but Sunday, February 11 is Meat-Fare (Απόκρεας) Sunday the last day of eating meat until Pascha. The week of February is Cheese-Fare week, and all manners of milk and cheese products are prescribed every day, with February 18 as Cheese-Fare Sunday, or the day we say good-bye to dairy products. On that evening we have the Vespers of Forgiveness, and the next day is Pure Monday (Καθαρά Δευτέρα), the first day of the Great Fast, which we observe with a modest Lenten community meal. I would like to remind you of the importance of making your 2018 Stewardship Commitment. This commitment is an expression of our support for our church for one full year, whether we commit in January or in December. We are so grateful to those stewards who have lifted their level of giving to $93 per month or more. If everyone committed this level of Stewardship, all our operational expenses would be covered! About 25% of our 2018 Stewards understand this and are contributing this much or more! Thank you all! I would like to thank our advertisers who make our monthly VISIONS Newsletter possible. Please read through our list of sponsors, and patronize them! We hope that you will dive in and enjoy all the wonderful things that are coming up! HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH NILES, ILLINOIS Proistamenos Fr. Constantine P. Botsis Synefimerios Fr. George Lamberis Pastoral Assistant Deacon John G. Suhayda Chanter Nick Harisiadis Parish Council Officers President Richard Kozlowski Vice President..... Nick Andrews 2nd Vice-President... George Giolas Treasurer.... David Loomos Secretary Krystal Ioannou Phase III Chairman... Perry Giannopoulos Stewardship George Giolas Audit Committee Chairman George Houpis Budget Committee Chairman... Perry Giannopoulos Building & Grounds Chairman.. Michael Pontikes and Theodoros Karabatsos Decor Committee Chairman...Stephan Aliferakis Finance Committee Chairman.... Tom Sikoral Outreach Committee John Pierce Inreach Committee... Voula Asimacopoulos, and Elaine Loomos Communication Committee...George Giolas Board Chairman...Olympia Bournias Food Fest Chairman. Philoptochos President.... Georgia Litsogiannis PTA Co-Presidents (Afternoon )....Eleni Gonzalez and Mona Giolas PTA President (Preschool)..... Serena Coines PTA Co-Presidents (Saturday )....Melina Papadopoulos and Dimitra Mihalopoulos Greek Principal... Mrs. Anastasia Liapi Saturday Director..Mrs. Andrianna Panayiotou Preschool Director Mrs. Rita Petratos Sunday Directors..Presvytera Georgia Botsis and Anna Sikoral Athletic Director David Loomos Scoutmaster Vasili Zimbrakos Asst Cubmaster John Frake Little Angels.Anastasia Liapi / Presvytera Diana YAL President......Christina Pappadis GOYA President... Maria Hartas Jr. Goya Advisor Father George Family Night. Father George Bookstore Manager Jolynn Ruggerio Web Master and IT George Houpis Facebook.. Elizabeth Kotis/Christina Botsis Office Staff.... Barbara Skaouris, Alexandra Grivas, Anna Sikoral Maintenance Staff... Juan Caro and Carolina Contreras IN THIS ISSUE: Letter from our Priest (pg 3) Announcements/Ανακοινώσεις (pg 4-5) The Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers (pg 6) Community Snapshots (pg 7) New Inreach Committee Program (pg 8) Passages: Remembering 2017 (pg 9) Calendar (pg 10)

4 COMMUNITY NEWS ST HARALAMBOS 67th ANNIVERSARY On Sunday afternoon, February 11, we will celebrate our parish s 67th Anniversary with a Festive Luncheon Banquet at Allgauers at the Hilton in Northbrook (2855 Milwaukee Avenue)! Please make your reservations and plan to attend with your family! TSIKNOPEMPTI DINNER Join us Thursday, February 8 at 6:00 pm for a delicious dinner hosted by our Philoptochos. This is the last weekday on which meat is served before Great Lent begins. Please call the church office for reservations! PARISH COUNCIL OFFICERS Congratulations to the newly officers of the 2018 Parish Council: President: Richard Kozlowski Vice President: Nick Andrews 2nd Vice-President: George Giolas Treasurer: David Loomos Secretary: Krystal Ioannou Asst. Treasurer: Bill Bozikis Asst Secretary: Argy Koutsikos 2nd Asst Treas: Anthony Rizos Members: Christos Agalliu, Dr. Thomas Bournias, Angelo Demeros, Nick Gianaris, Perry Giannopoulos, George Houpis, Thomas Kanelos, Theodoros Karabatsos, Eleni Kiriazopoulos, Lambros Konstantellos, John Pierce, Tom Sikoral and Mike Pontikes. We congratulate the officers and all the members of the Parish Council, and wish them much success! THE BIBLE ANSWER MAN, Hank Hanegraff, will be the main speaker at a workshop offered by the Dept of Religious Education on Saturday, February 17 at St. Demetrios in Elmhurst, beginning at 10:30 am. Mr. Hanegraff is a very well-known radio personality, and a recent convert to the Orthodox Faith. Registration fee is only $20. Make your reservations by Feb 14! FORGIVENESS VESPERS ON SUNDAY EVENING, February 18. Plan to attend this beautiful and moving service of forgiveness, which always takes place on the eve of the first day of Great Lent. It is a fitting and beautiful way to begin our Lenten journey. Forgiveness Vespers will begin at 7 pm next Sunday. LENTEN DINNER ( KOULOUMA )--Following the Great Compline Service on Monday evening, February 19th, the First Day of Lent, we will have our a modest Lenten Dinner, at 6:30 pm in our Community Center. This affords us the opportunity to be together and observe the beginning of Great Lent with a Lenten meal. Plan to be join us; there will be no charge for this lenten dinner! (Free will offering may be given.) TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY PAN-ORTHODOX VESPERS- -will take place at 6:30 pm on SUNDAY, February 25th at Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills to celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy. Plan to join our Orthodox Christian Hierarchs, priests and deacons, the beautiful Pan- Orthodox Choir, and our brother and sister Orthodox Christians in this annual commemoration of the restoration of the Holy Icons! DIVORCE REBUILDERS offers support, guidance and hope to those who are separated and divorced. Meetings will take place from 7-8:15 pm on Mondays, beginning February 12 through March 26 (no mtg on 2/19) at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Oak Lawn. This group will provide a place to hear and discuss valuable information to help navigate, deal and heal from the hurt of divorce. New insights will help develop new personal, relational and spiritual goals to rebuild life. Leader: Maria Boyle, MS Counseling, Northwestern University. There is no cost! To enroll, please mariaharduvel@aol.com and please note as subject: DIVORCE REBUILDERS. VASILOPITA CELEBRATION OF OUR COMMUNITY Warmest thanks and congratulations to the St. Haralambos Philptochos for the excellent Vasilopita Luncheon on January 14. The Luncheon was SOLD OUT, the food was delicious, and the Vasilopita was cut. WHO GOT THE COIN? The Phase 3 Committee! Hmmm. WE Are THE LOVE OF God Stewardship in 2018 As we begin year 2018, St. Paul reminds us that we are all called to do whatever we do with all our heart! What value is there in a project that is not our best effort? What value is there in a relationship that is shallow and insincere? What value is there in an offering to God that is not genuine and heartfelt? By now, you have received Stewardship information for Through genuine Stewardship, please empower your church so it can better serve you, your family and all who call upon us! WINTER FANARI CAMP 2017 The Metropolis Youth Office is hosting Fanari Winter Camp on the weekend of March 2-4, 2017 at the Saint Iakovos Retreat Center! Camp will be offered for youth in the 6th through 11th grades! Winter Camp is limited to 75 campers. The cost is $175 per camper (includes transportation, food & housing). Visit for more information.!

5 ΕΝΟΡΙΑΚΕΣ ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ ΗΜΕΙΣ ΕΙΜΑΣΤΕ Η ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ STEWARDSHIP ΔΙΑ ΤΟΥ 2018 Καθώς αρχίζουμε το καινούργιο χρόνο του 2018, ο Άγιος Παύλος μας θυμίζει ότι όλοι καλούμεθα να πράξουμε ό,τιδήποτε με ολη την καρδιά μας. Τι αξία έχει ένα έργο όταν δεν έχουμε προσπαθήσει ολόψυχα; Τι αξία έχει μια σχέση όταν είναι επιφανειακή και ανειλικρινής; Τι αξία έχει η προσφορά μας στον Θεό αφού δεν είναι γνήσια και ειλικρινής; Θα έχετε λάβει τις πληροφορίες για το 2018 Stewardship. Με την ειλικρινή προσφορά σας προς το Stewardship, παρακαλούμε όπως ενδυναμώσετε την εκκλησία σας δια να μπορέσει να εξυπηρετήσει καλύτερα εσάς, την οικογένειά σας και όλους όσους χρειάζονται την βοήθειά μας! ΕΟΡΤΑΣTIKO ΓΕΥΜΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΠΕΤΕΙΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΕΝΟΡΙΑΣ ΜΑΣ- Την Κυριακή, 11 Φεβρουαρίου θα εορτάσουμε την 67 ην επέτειον της ενορίας μας με ένα εορταστικό γεύμα! Θα είναι μια ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΑΚΗ ΕΚΔΗΛΩΣΗ. Σημειώστε την ημερομηνία και ελάτε με την οικογένειά σας! Επίσης θα τυπωθή Ad Book και διατίθενται συμβόλαια διαφημίσεων δια το Ad Book εις το γραφείο της εκκλησίας. Η λήξη της προθεσμίας είναι η 4 η Φεβρουαρίου. Χρειαζόμαστε την υποστήριξή σας! NEΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΤΩΧΟΥ-Θερμά συγχαρητήρια στις Κυρίες της Φιλοπτώχου μας δια την επιτυχία του γευστικότατου Γεύματος της Βασιλόπιτας της 14 ης Ιανουαρίου! Άρχισαν οι προετοιμασίες δια τον εφετεινό εορτασμό της Τσικνοπέμπτης (8 Φεβρουαρίου) και το εφετεινό Σαρακοστιανό Δείπνο το οποίο θα λάβει χώραν την 19 Φεβρουαρίου! TA ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΑ Τα Σάββατα 10ην Φεβρουαρίου, 17ην Φεβρουαρίου και 24 ης Φεβρουαρίου ονομάζονται Ψυχοσάββατα. Καθώς προετοιμαζόμεθα δια τον εορτασμό του Πάσχα, κατά τηv παράδoση της Ορθoδόξoυ Χριστιαvικής πίστης μας, συvηθίζεται vα αφιερώvoυμε τα Σάββατα εις μvήμηv τωv ψυχώv, των οποίων προσδοκούμε την Ανάσταση εις το όνομα του Κυρίου. Είναι μεγάλη ευλογία που η Πίστη μας κατανοεί την αναγκαιότητα να μνημονεύονται οι απελθόντες γονείς μας, συγγενείς, δάσκαλοι και φίλοι. Σχεδιάστε να λάβετε μέρος και εσείς εις αυτή την παράδοση. ΔΕΙΠΝΟ ΤΣΙΚΝΟΠΕΜΠΤΗΣ--Η Φιλόπτωχός μας του Αγ. Χαραλάμπους σας προσκαλεί στο ετήσιο και νοστιμώτατο Δείπνο της Τσικνοπέμπτης, την Πέμπτη, 8 Φεβρουαρίου εις την Κοινοτικήν Αίθουσα. Σύμφωνα με την Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη παράδοση, είναι η τελευταία καθημερινή ημέρα που τρώμε κρέας πριν αρχίσει η Μεγάλη Σαρακοστή. Δια κρατήσεις θέσεων παρακαλούμε όπως τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας. ΠΕΡΙ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΕΥΧΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΜΥΣΤΗΡΙΩΝ ΕΥΧΕΣ ΝΕΟΓΕΝΝΗΤΩΝ ΤΕΚΝΩΝ--Κάθε μάνα και το παιδί της, σαράντα ημέρες μετά την γέννησή του προσέρχονται στην εκκλησία για να λάβουν την Ευλογία των 40 Ημερών, κατά μίμησην του Ιησού Χριστού ο οποίος παρουσιάσθηκε στον Ιερόν Ναόν σαράντα ημέρες μετά την γέννησή του. Παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας για να κανονίσετε την ευλογία αυτή. ΒΑΠΤΙΣΕΙΣ Παρακαλούμε όπως τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να προγραμματίσετε Βαπτίσεις. Σχεδιάστε πολύ ενωρίτερα!-υπάρχουν μερικές μέρες που δεν γίνονται βαπτίσεις. ΓΑΜΟΙ Παρακαλούμε όπως κανονίζετε συνάντηση με τον π. Κωνσταντίνο τουλάχιστον οκτώ μήνες πριν την προτεινόμενη ημερομηνία του γάμου δια τις απαιτούμενες προετοιμασίες. ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΗ Οι Εξομολογήσεις κανονίζονται κατόπιν ραντεβού. Δια να προγραμματίσετε εξομολογήσεις, παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας. ΜΕΡΙΜΝΑ ΑΡΡΩΣΤΩΝ Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί που θα ήθελαν να λάβουν τα Άγια Μυστήρια και δεν μπορούν να έλθουν στην εκκλησία (βρίσκονται εις νοσοκομεία ή ανήμποροι εις τα σπίτια τους) παρακαλούνται να επικοινωνούν με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να μπορέσουν να μεταλάβουν. Παρακαλούμε να επικοινωνείτε με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας εαν κάποιος συγγενής σας είναι στο νοσοκομείο! Τα νοσοκομεία πλέον δεν μας πληροφορούν όταν έχουν αρρώστους από την ενορία μας. ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ Επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις γίνονται για την αιώνιον ανάπαυση των τεθνεώντων. Συνήθως, αυτές οι δεήσεις γίνονται κατά τις 40 ημέρες, τους 6 μήνες, τον 1 ον χρόνο και τον 3 ον χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια, είναι πιο αρμόζον να ενθυμούμεθα τους αποθανόντας κατά τα Ψυχοσάββατα. END OF LIFE ISSUES Η Θρησκευτική Κηδεία Είναι Δικαίωμα μας και τιμή Η κηδεία μέσα στην Εκκλησία είναι μεγάλη τιμή. Όταν μια κηδεία δεν λαμβάνει χώρα στην εκκλησία, υποδεικνύει ότι κάποιος δεν είναι εντάξει με τους κανόνες της εκκλησίας. Δυστυχώς, μερικές φορές (λόγω ευκολίας), σκεφτόμεθα να παραλείψουμε την εκκλησιαστική κηδεία των αγαπημένων μας, κυρίως των ηλικιωμένων, χωρίς να καταλαβαίνουμε ότι τους στερούμε την απονομή της τιμής που τους αρμόζει. Ας τιμήσουμε τους γονείς και τους συγγενείς μας με τον σεβασμό που τους αρμόζει! Αποτέφρωσις Νεκρού Οι Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί πιστεύουμε ότι, στην Γενική Ανάσταση, τα σώματά μας και οι ψυχές μας θα γίνουν ένα. Η καύσις (αποτέφρωσις) του νεκρού είναι μία εσκεμμένη βεβήλωση και καταστροφή του σώματος, που θεωρείται ως άρνηση της Αναστάσεως. Σε περιπτώσεις όπου υπάρχει πρόθεσις αποτέφρωσης του αποθανόντος, αποφασίζοντας κατά αυτόν τον τρόπο να παραβλέψουμε την σημασία της Αναστάσεως, δεν αποδίδεται τιμή της εκκλησιαστικής κηδείας είτε στην εκκλησία είτε στο νεκροπομπείο ή σε οποιοδήποτε άλλο μέρος. Επιπροσθέτως, επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις με κόλυβα δεν επιτρέπονται, αφού ο σύνδεσμος «του πυρήνα του σίτου» ως σύμβολο της ανάστασης έχει εσκεμμένα καταστραφεί.

6 Photo of Vasilopita coin Photo of altar boys

7 COMMUNITY SNAPSHOTS Καλή Χρονιά! Happy New Year from the Saturday Greek Staff! St Haralambos Altar Boy Alumni pose at the Young Adult Christmas Cruise VASILOPITA! Fr Dean and Fr George cut Vasilopitas in each of the classrooms for all three Greek, the PTA, the Philoptochos and others over 20 Vasilopitas! Below left, four children from the Morning holding up their Vasilopita coins! Below right, the Vasilopita Coin went to Phase 3 at our Community Vasilopita on January 14!! The Phase 3 Committee holds up the coin along with some members of our Parish Council. On the left, our Afternoon Greek held a Holy Unction Service on January 19. Students participated by reading the Epistles during the service. On the right, young students from the Afternoon Greek reciting their poem at the Three Hierarchs Greek Letters Program on January 26.

8 2018 INREACH We are happy to announce that a new series of talks and presentations is being lined up by our Inreach Committee! Just as we have an Outreach Committee, our Inreach Committee programs talks and presentations for the internal, spiritual growth of ourselves and our families. Come to these presentations: Film: First Presentation: Wednesday, February 28 (following the Presanctified Liturgy) Becoming Truly Human followed by group discussion Second Presentation: Wednesday, March 14 (following the Presanctified Liturgy) Topic: The End of Orthodoxy: Deification in a Secular Age Speaker: Mr. Christian Gonzalez Christian Gonzalez is the Young Adult Ministries Coordinator for the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Department of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. His primary focus is forming a theologically grounded vision for Orthodox Christian Ministry with youth and young adults. Join us! Refreshments will be offered on both evenings! GREAT LENT BEGINS ΟΝ FEBRUARΥ 19 Great Lent is unique and special season that can bring us indescribable joy and growth it is not something to be dreaded! Just like Stewardship, we are all called to do whatever we do with all our heart! During Great Lent, we take time out from the busy-ness of our normal routine; time out for ourselves, our souls, our peace of mind, our relationship to God. What value is there in a project that is not our best effort? What value is there in an offering to God that is not genuine and heartfelt? Let s make it our best effort! It can be a season to become more real, more truly human! Prayer, thanksgiving, almsgiving and fasting are the special tools that build a more authentic life in Christ. The First Week of Great Lent opens the door. Try to attend these services: Monday, February 19 Pure Monday-Καθαρά Δευτέρα 5:00 pm Great Compline 6:30 pm Lenten Dinner Tuesday, February 20 6:00 pm Great Compline Wednesday, February 21 6:00 pm Presanctified Liturgy Thursday, February 22 6:00 pm Great Compline Friday, February 23 7:00 pm Salutations to the Theotokos ((Χαιρετισμοί) Saturday, February 24 Saturday of the Souls 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, February 25 THE SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy

9 PASSAGES... REMEMBERING 2017 As time marches on, it is good to reflect on the year which has come to a close. We will remember 2017 for its joys and its sorrows. During the year 2017, our parish registry books recorded 38 births and baptisms, 1 chrismation, 14 weddings, and 34 deaths BAPTISMS Michael Korolis Leonidas Skoufis Eirini Vrakas Leisa Marino Peter Adrian Benetatos Alexandra Frentzos Alexandra Fotini Vukajlovic Katerina Koumarelos Eugenios Anginas Matthew Bryce Robertson Ephraim Kapogiannis Emilia Markus Nikolas Jaramillo 2017 CHRISMATIONS Dorotha Papagiannis Kelly Sharp Lakis Leonidas Fuentes Ioanna Paschos Anastasia Sotiropoulos Mattheos Zervas Athena Corfias Margaret Petruleas Agapi Savannah Orlando Melia Hoxhaj Haralambos Katsantonis Damara Diamond Lazaros Tsatsanis Laura Miller Kotsiovos Demetra Anastasiadis Eleni Johnson Zoe Milicevic Alexandros Haley Emmanuella Keane Luca Klippel Savvas Koumousidis Konstantina Kapsalis Stefanos Drebos Angelos Travis Demirovic Athanasios Eberhardt Eleni Najera ΝΑ ΜΑΣ ΖΗΣΟΥΝ! 2017 WEDDINGS Stevani Jacob and Savas Bournias Laura Bednarz and Nikolas Sfikas Christina Pappadis and Chris Botsis Kelly Anne Sharp and Dean Lakis Stamatina Bozikis and Ioannis Bertsos Athena Balaban and Blake Stamper Tina Theodorakakis and George Hatzistavridis Laura Miller and George Kotsiovos Anne Marie Heeren and Gregory Suhayda Teresa Bozikis and Craig Hoffman Arietta Rantis and John Iuhas Tabatha Kmiec and Christopher Christopoulos Georgia Velissaropoulos and Eleftherios Koumousidis Maryanna Callas and Ian Michael Sehr ΝΑ ΖΗΣΟΥΝ! 2017 DEATHS Gregory Diakos Vasilios T. Reglis Victoria Lygiros Andreas Anyfiotis Theodoros Froustis William Pappas Nicholas E. Karnezis Georgia Macres Dimitra J. Bonoros Theodora Katsaros Mike Marinos G. Pagones Sam Tsagalis Dimitrios Tsagalis George J. Korovilas John Andrikopoulos Helen Economy Dimitrios Papastergiou John George Nikolaou Kalliopi Popi Vaselopulos Penelope Mandronis Helen Eliopoulos Andy Politis John K. Andrews Haralambos Striglos Hrysoula Makris Kyriakos Koutroulakis Georgios N. Karapanos John E. Drinis Anastasia Therios Caliope Kyprianou Koffinas Elaine G. Argianas Helen Parrish Vasiliki Frentzos John Stathopoulos ΑΙΩΝΙΑ Η ΜΝΗΜΗ ΑΥΤΩΝ As we look ahead to 2018, let us remember the joys and triumphs of the year that has now ended, and let us also remember our departed loved ones who have loved, guided and inspired us!

10 February 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 7:30 pm-bible Study 2 Presentation of our Lord 8:30 am Orthros and Liturgy 4:30 pm Greek 3 8:30am-Phase 3 9:00 am-saturday Greek NO FASTING THIS WEEK NO FASTING THIS WEEK 4 Prodigal Son 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy GOYA BAKE SALE after church 5 5:45 pm Family Night 7:30 pm Sr. GOYA 6 11:30 -Little Angels 4:30 pm Greek 5:45-PTA Mtg 7 7:00 pm- Paraclesis to St. Haralambos 8 TSIKNOPEMPTI 6:00 pm- Tsiknopempti Dinner 9 4:30 pm Greek 7:00 pm-great Vespers of St. Haralambos 10 Saturday of Souls and FEASTDAY OF ST HARALAMBOS 8:30 am-orthros and Liturgy, Saturday of the Souls 11 Apokreas 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 67th Anniversary Luncheon Banquet :30 -Little Angels 4:30 pm Greek 7:30 pm Philoptochos 14 Happy Valentine s Day! 15 7:30 pm-bible Study 16 4:30 pm Greek 17 Saturday of Souls 8:30 am-orthros and Liturgy 9:00 am-saturday Greek 18 Cheese-Fare Sunday 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Oratorical Festival 7:00 pm-vespers of Forgiveness 19 GREAT LENT BEGINS Καθαρά Δευτέρα 5:00Compline 6:30-Lenten Dinner 20 11:30 -Little Angels 4:30 pm Greek 6:00-Great Compline 21 6:00-Liturgy of Presanctified 7:45pm Parish Council Mtg 22 6:00-Great Compline 7:30 pm-bible Study 23 4:30 pm Greek 7:00-Salutations 24 Saturday of Souls 8:30 am-orthros and Liturgy 8:30am Phase 3 9:00 am-saturday Greek 25 SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 6:30 Triumph of Orthodoxy Pan- Orthodox Vespers :30 -Little Angels 4:30 pm Greek 28 6:00-Liturgy of Presanctified 7:30- Becoming Truly Human

11 The St. Haralambos Philoptochos welcomes you! Thursday, February 8 is TSIKNOPEMPTI Annual Tsiknopempti Dinner 6:00 pm Donation: $25 Delicious Food Good Music St. Haralambos Community Center Have you made your reservations? Please call ! HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE NILES, IL Address Service Requested