VOICE THE. Mother s Day Luncheon Hosted by The St. Spyridon Ladies Philoptochos Society

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1 THE VOICE THE VOICE MAY Volume No. 262 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1 Iconography Update... 3 Cherubs... 4 Archangels... 5 Philoptochos... 6 PTA... 7 Sunday School... 8 Stewardship... 9 Pascha... 10,11 Pascha Donations Parish News Registry Κοινοτικά Νέα Liturgical Schedule Community Events ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT- SPYRIDON.ORG Hymn of Note One of the unique aspects of living the Orthodox Faith is that it can never be limited to the Sunday experience. While the Lord s day is at the heart of our way of life, the Church calls us to celebrate God s love everyday through prayer, worship, fasting, and works of repentance and charity. Our secular work environment often prevents us from acting on this call of celebration especially when great feasts fall during the week. While we can feel the special character of those days inwardly, it is not easy to set aside our obligations in order to fully observe the liturgical calendar. While in the old country the whole world stops for the various ethnic and religious celebrations, we face the challenge of celebrating these great feasts within a secular reality. Please Join Us For Our 7th Annual Mother s Day Luncheon Hosted by The St. Spyridon Ladies Philoptochos Society Sunday, May 13th, 2012 Immediately following the Divine Liturgy Reservations Required Please call the Church Office (708) Adults $20.00 Children $10.00

2 The Voice - H ΦΩNH Official Monthly Community Publication of St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL REV. FR. TILEMAHOS ALIKAKOS IERATIKOS PROESTAMENOS Church Office Hours:... Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Phone: , 2313 or 0787 Fax: office@saint-spyridon.org Web: Parish Council Officers Taso Panagiotopoulos... President James Korbakes... 1st Vice-President Konstantinos Labrakis... 2nd V. President Tom Zentefis... Secretary Larry Kekempanos... Assistant Secretary Nicholas Chibucos... Treasurer Gus Kolyvas... Assistant Treasurer Auxiliary Officers Stylianos Bonanos... Chanter Toula Georgiopoulos... Philoptochos Georgia Theoharis... P.T.A. Ida Trakadas... Kentro Lambrini Stavrou... Plutarchos Greek School Anna Angelos... Archangels Academy Zoe Kopanis... Sunday School Director Nicky Glikis... Choir Director Dana Vasilakos... G.O.Y.A. & Jr. G.O.Y.A. Joanne Spinos... Cherubs Patrice Pagunas... HOPE Fr. Tilemahos... Byzantine Music Panagiotis Mihalopoulos... Iconography Fr. Tilemahos... Bible Study Angela Sinzianu... Handmaidens Nick Chibucos... Altar Boys John Angelos... Athletics And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Hymn of Note, continued from page 1 ) A perfect example of a great celebration usually overlooked is the Ascension of our Lord which took place on the fortieth day after Pascha. Consequently, it always falls on a Thursday and therefore it passes fairly unnoticed. That is the reason I would like the Hymn of Note for this month to shed a little light on this most joyous moment in the life of the Church. The feast of the Ascension is described in the Synaxarion of the Church in the following manner: When the moment came for the Ascension, Jesus led the apostles out to the Mount of Olives (so called because it was planted with many olive trees). He talked with them of his perpetual kingdom that was to come. His most pure Mother was also present. Then, He brought Angels to show them His ascent to heaven. And indeed, as they watched, He was lifted up from among them and a cloud received him. And so, escorted by the Angels, who exhorted one another to raise the doors of heaven and were amazed at scarlet of his flesh from his blood, He ascended and took His seat at the right hand of the Father, making His flesh divine and, I dare to say, making it equal to God. Through it we have been changed, now that the ancient enmity has been abolished. However, Angels appeared to the Apostles, in the form of men, and said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand amazed, straining your gaze to heaven? The one whom you see in flesh, God Jesus, will come like this again in flesh. But not as before, in poverty and unknown, but with great glory, as you now see him, escorted by Angels. The Apostles, having returned, went up into the Upper Room, where they remained with the Myrrhbearing Women and the Mother of the Word, devoting themselves to fasting, prayer and supplication, waiting for the promised descent of the all-holy Spirit. In this short narrative we see three fundamental causes for great joy. One is that Christ shows that He was not merely a man or just the son of a carpenter, but the Son of God. The second is that Jesus has lifted up our nature and brought it to the throne of God. In this act He completed everything that God intended for our human nature which was to share in the eternal life of the Holy Trinity. Following our Lord, we too are called to share in that life since our humanity, joined to the divine in Jesus, is sitting at the right of God the Father. Finally, in the same way that Christ ascended He will return, even though, as He promised, He is always with us until the end of the age. Let us then look at the hymn from the Orthros of the feast: Abandoning on earth the things of earth, leaving to the dust the things of ash, now, let us come to our senses and raise on high our eyes and minds. Mortals, let us make our sight together with our senses fly heaven s gates. Let us imagine we are standing on the Mount of Olives and that we bend our gaze on the Redeemer, as he rides up on a cloud. For, from where the Lord has hastened back to heaven, there too the One who loves to give has distributed his gifts to his Apostles, cherishing them as a father and confirming them, guiding them as sons and saying to them, I am not parting from you. I am with you, and there is no one against you. 2 The Voice

3 (Hymn of Note, continued ) As a child growing up in Greece, I remember that on many a mountain top there would stand a chapel dedicated to the feast of the Ascension. While at church camp, the highlight of our week was to climb to one such chapel. It was a four hour walk, but the cool breeze at the top of the mountain and the terrific view from such heights definitely revived us from our exhausting hike. Reading the hymnology of the feast now helps me understand why these small chapels were placed on the tops of hills and mountains. We are to leave earthly things behind. We are to look upward to our goal and imagine we are among the disciples on the Mount of Olives. We are to endure the difficult uphill journey in this life and realize that we do not walk alone but with the Lord Who has never parted from us. Therefore, while we may have to go to work on the feast day of the Ascension of our Lord, let us be sure that our destiny goes beyond our secular reality and points to our own ascension. If we are joined to Jesus through Baptism, Chrismation, and Holy Communion, if our body and soul is filled with His Grace, His thoughts, and His prayers for us, if our whole life has been a response to the love that He showed to us, then we too shall be crucified with Him, be buried, rise and finally ascend with Him Who sits at the right of God the Father. Our destiny as human beings is nothing less than to share in the eternal life of the Holy Trinity. On the feast of the Ascension, on May 24 th for this year, let us remember our destiny and contemplate on God s call and gift to live eternally with Him and with one another. Then let us see each moment filled with the breath of the divine and the future life within the eternal beauty of our Father Who will never part from us. Amen. Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos ICONOGRAPHY PROJECT UPDATE On Sunday, March 4th, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, our parish of Saint Spyridon launched the final phase of our church iconography. The iconography brochure was distributed to the all the parishioners and is available both in print and online. In the month of April the following icons were either pledged or donated: The Virgin Mary with the Prophets, St. Ourania, & St. Nifon We appeal to all you, our dedicated faithful of Saint Spyridon to help complete the project. You may pledge an icon by filling out the iconography pledge cards available in the church office and on-line. A financing schedule for your donation can be arranged. Our goal is to complete this project before our parish s 100th anniversary which will take place in That gives us five short years. However, I sincerely believe that, with the blessings of our patron Saint Spyridon and with your loving generosity, we can complete our church much sooner. Kindly consider donating to the iconography of our church and to adorning our house of worship with your expression of love for our beloved parish. Η τελική φάση της εικονογράσης της εκκλησίας μας άρχισε τήν Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας, 4η Μαρτίου, Τα παιδιά του κατηχητικού σχολείου λιτάνευσαν μέσα στον ναόν μέ τίς εικόνες που θα τοποθετηθούν μέ τήν δική σας δωρεά καί αγάπη. Ήδη έχουν αρχίσει οι δωρεές για τήν εικονογραφία καί προτρέπουμε όλους σας να προσφέρετε τό δώρο σας ή την εικόνα πού επιθυμείτε να αφιερώσετε στην εικονογράφηση τού ναού μας. Για περαιτέρω πληροφορίες παρακαλούμε όπως επικοινωνήσετε με τον π. Τηλέμαχο ή με το κοινοτικό γραφείο. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 3

4 Χριστός Ανέστη! CHERUBS What a wonderful time we've been having at Cherubs! We have been celebrating the arrival of Spring all month. The children have been creating beautiful butterflies with paint and decorating pretty flowers with glitter. They've even painted little birdhouse feeders to hang outside! After our Easter break, our little ones brought their lambathes and we lit them in Church. We also celebrated birthdays for Peter Fotopoulos and Spiros Kottaras, and namesdays for our little Georges, Georgie and Geo! Χρόνια πολλά to everyone! Come join us for our final few weeks of fun before we break for Summer! Joanne Spinos Cherubs Advisor 4 The Voice

5 ARCHANGELS ACADEMY DATES TO REMEMBER May 1st Summer Camp registration forms are due May 17th Carnival Day AM and PM classes 9am to 1pm May 23rd Last day of class for PM session May 24th Last day of class for AM session & End of the year banquet The Odyssey Country Club. Our community is grieving the loss of Maria Kollias, an Archangels Academy parent, who lost her battle with cancer on April 22, Maria s husband Frank and her son George are in our thoughts and prayers. May her memory be eternal. APRIL HIGHLIGHTS On Bright Tuesday students brought their Easter labathes to school and lit them in the narthex and then received a red Easter egg from Fr. Tilemahos. As part of our reading incentive program, 8 students read 100 books! Congratulations! April 22 nd we participated in the Annual Greek Parade. We had nearly 40 children and adults participate! April 26 th the classes to a field trip to the St. John Chrysostom Monastery in Wisconsin, what a lovely visit. It has been a tradition that we visit the monastery every other year. CLASS OF 2012 ARCHANGELS ACADEMY GRADUATES Luke Andretich Katerina Cashman Christina Dagres Spyro Fotopoulos Gabriella Gatsios Georgeia Glikis Lefteri Halikias Demetra Kalogris Nicholas Kapsaskis Dimitri Karamagianis Taso Manolis Tara Mastorakos Dimitri Pahis Daniel Picot Christina Rimbos Lexy Steriopoulos John Theoharis Mary Catherine Vlahos Future Chefs of America! St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 Dear Friends of Philoptochos, Christos Anesti! May our Lord s Resurrection give us health, love, humility and strength so that we may continue to work for His Church and His people. The ladies of Philoptochos started the Lenten Season with the Kathara Deftera Lenten Dinner that took place after the Compline Service. It was a very spiritual evening and we thank the ladies who helped with the preparations and the serving of the traditional Lenten foods. On April 6th after the Presanctified Liturgy with His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos, we hosted the Lenten dinner and welcomed the faithful from the different parishes of our Great Metropolis of Chicago. Our appreciation and gratitude to all the ladies who helped make this annual event a huge success. On Sunday, April 8th we held a traditional Palm Sunday Luncheon and and bake sale of Easter pastries to assist the needy in our community. It was very successful and with your love and your donations of pastry goods we raised almost $2,000 dollars. My sincere thanks and appreciation to all of you who contributed for this charitable cause. May God bless all of you and your loved ones! With Sisterly Love, Toula Georgiopoulos, Philoptochos President PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS 6 The Voice

7 P.T.A. NEWS The Parent & Teacher Association of Saint Spyridon hosted the Saturday of Lazarus Breakfast on Saturday, April 7th as everyone came together and prepared the palms for Palm Sunday. Many thanks to James Halikas for cooking his delicious fasting pancakes for all the children and adults to enjoy. On the Sunday of Pascha, the P.T.A. prepared the bags of treats for all the children attending the service. Many thanks to Effie Papadopoulos for preparing the Easter treats. On Sunday, April 22nd, the P.T.A. participated in the Greektown Independence Day Parade. The Parish Council and the P.T.A. sponsored a float which cost $1200. During the month of May, the P.T.A. is gearing up for the graduation ceremonies for Sunday School on May 20th and Greek School on June 8th. All graduates of 8th grade, High School, and college, are asked to submit their names so that they may be honored at the Sunday School Graduation. Furthermore, all the students will be given books and other gifts on graduation day. Finally, all High School graduates are asked to submit their application for the P.T.A. Scholarship which will be awarded at graduation. ATTENTION GRADUATES On Sunday, May 20th, following the Divine Liturgy, we will honor all the High School and College Graduates in the church. Please submit the names of the graduates in your family by May 11, so that they may be honored and included in the graduation program. In the Community Hall all our youth ministries, Sunday School, GOYA, Jr. GOYA, Cherubs, Altar Boys, Handmaidens, Jr. Choir, Byzantine Music, and Athletics will present their certificates and awards. ALTAR BOYS We are very proud of our altar boys for their attendance and wonderful job during the Lenten and Holy Week Services. After the Midnight Resurrection service, the altar boys enjoyed a feast of pizza and ice cream hosted by the parents. Many thanks to all the boys and their families for a job well done. The altar boys will receive their pins at Sunday School Graduation which is on May 20th. HANDMAIDENS On Saturday, April 29th, our Handmaidens got together to make special Easter Eggs with Mrs. Olga Paxinos. It was fun-filled morning and the girls made some spectacular Easter Eggs with sugar molds, frosting and decoration. On May 12th, the Handmaidens will visit our St. John Chrysostom Monastery in Kenosha. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 YOUTH NEWS SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Christ has risen! The month of April was an exciting month for Sunday School. On April 7 th many of our Sunday School staff & students came together for our annual Saturday of Lazarus Communion breakfast & making of the palms. Together our St Spyridon family participated in preparing for Palm Sunday and continuing our Lenten journey. The Sunday School students also were asked to participate in a Baby Bottle Drive to benefit the Martha & Mary House, a maternity home for women in pregnancy crisis situations. Together, we raised about $450 to help this worthy cause. Many of our children are currently preparing themselves for our annual Bible Bowl, which will be held on Mother s Day, Sunday May 13 th, during Sunday School class time. Sunday School graduation will be held on Sunday May 20 th. We will be honoring our Sunday School students & staff. If you have children who are graduating from High School or College, please let the church office know so that we may acknowledge their accomplishment. Zoe Kopanis, Religious Education Director Here is the picture of Mark Pappas and Nick Bobber from declamation. They took first place in the Humorous duet category doing a skit with a puppet master and his dummy. Mark was the puppet master. Congratulations to Mark and the Pappas family. DECLAMATION CHAMPION JUNIOR OLYMPICS Τhe 31st Annual Junior Olympics will take place on May 25th -27th, 2012 at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills. Our community will be represented by numerous athletes in individual & team sports. Registration for the Junior Olympics will be held during the Coffee Social Hour after the Divine Liturgy. Or if you are interested in joining a team or competing for an individual sport, please contact Mr. John Angelos, Athletic Director, or the Church Office. The Junior Olympics events are as follows: Track & Field: Boys & Girls, 7-18 Swimming: Boys & Girls, K Run: Boys,Girls, Adults, Tennis: Boys & Girls, Table Tennis: Boys & Girls, Chess: Boys & Girls, 8-18 Checkers: Boys & Girls, 8-18 Backgammon: Boys & Girls, 8-18 Basketball: Boys & Girls, 7-13 Soccer: Boys & Girls, 7-16 Softball: Boys & Girls, Volleyball: Boys & Girls, Bowling: Boys & Girls, Wrestling: Boys & Girls, 9-18 Participants! With your registration fee you will also receive a t-shirt. All participants need to purchase a tee shirt at the time of registration. The coaches for each sport will contact you when practices are scheduled during the month of May. Look for postings on our parish website: Spyridon.org. 8 The Voice

9 STEWARDSHIP 2012 Stewardship 2012 Progress Report As of April 28th, 2012 Pledged Stewards: 213 Average Stewardship: $ Amount of Stewardship donated: $79,076 The Stewardship Committee thanks our 213 Stewards who have fulfilled their pledge for the 2012 year. We wish to express our gratitude for your commitment to the Lord s work through our Church of Saint Spyridon. And to you who have not yet pledged, we ask of you to commit yourself and your family so that the Word of God may continue in His glorious name. ΓΙΝΕ ΚΑΛΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝΑ Ευχαριστούμε τις 213 οικογένεις που εκπλήρωσαν τις υποσχέσεις τους για το έτος Υπενθυμίζουμε σε όλους ότι έχουν ταχυδρομηθεί οι Καταστάσεις Υπόσχεσης του Καλού Οικονόμου για το τρέχον έτος. Σας παρακαλούμε να ανανεώσετε την συνδρομή σας το γρηγορώτερο δυνατόν. Χρειαζόμαστε την βοήθεια και την υποστήρηξη όλων σας. STEWARDS 2012-MARCH 27TH-APRIL 28TH Ms. Eleni Anagnopoulos Mrs. Chryssi Bastas Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Batterby Mr. & Mrs. Mark Besbekos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Boe Mrs. Theoney Bouris Mr. & Mrs. Sam Charalambos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Chiagouris Mr. & Mrs. John Davros Mr. & Mrs. Gus Dendrinos Mrs. Maria Kallas Mr. Constantine Karampelas Dr. Georgia Karuntzos Mr. James Karuntzos Mr. & Mrs. Tom Katris Mr. & Mrs. John Kavroulakis Ms. Kavroulakis Mrs. & Mrs. Anastasios Kladis Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Koutsis Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Kremmidas Mr. & Mrs. George Kyroudis Mrs. Demetra Lambros Ms. Georgia Malamis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Manasses Mr. & Mrs. Frank Marinos Mr. James Meintanis Mrs. Bessie Ntovas Mr. Philip Papamakarios Mr. & Mrs. Sam Papanastasatos Mr. Andrew Pappas Mrs. & Mrs. Steve Perakis Mr. & Mrs. James Petrakos Mr. Marino Petropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Primbas Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Riley Mr. & Mrs. Glynn Searl Mr. Alexander Michael Soteris Mr.& Mrs. John Stamatoglou Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Styliaras Mr. & Mrs. James Tsipakis Mr. & Mrs. George Tsourdinis Mr. & Mrs. George Vasilakos Mr. & Mrs. George Vythoulkas DIAKONIA AGAPES (HELP THE NEEDY - ORTHODOX MISSIONS) Christ Is Risen! Thank you to all those that helped make this a blessed Pascha for those who are pantry supports. Thank you to those who donated lamb, cheese and olives...thank you to those who donated canned goods, soap, cereal, etc...thank you to those who donated money so we could purchase additional items. May God bless you for your kindness to those in need. Thank you to those who cooked for and supported the lenten meals for those who baked for the sale on Palm Sunday. Thank you to all the organizations of our Church who so willingly helped to make this Pascha a special one for the needy. We are most grateful and those who were recipients were very appreciative. Now that the summer months are approaching, please continue to bring canned goods and other items to keep our pantry supplied. Also, remember the mission bank as you leave the Church each Sunday. TRULY HE IS RISEN! St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 9

10 PASCHA 2012 Once again, our community of St. Spyridon came together to celebrate the beautiful services of Holy Week and Pascha. Many thanks to all who offered their Pascha donations and flower donations, the altar boys, the myrofores, the members of the parish council, the psaltes and our choir, our readers, our Agape gospel readers, the Epitaphio decorators, the ladies who prepared the red eggs, the P.T.A. for the Easter baskets, the palm crosses crew, the donors and volunteers who prepared the Lenten breakfast on Saturday of Lazarus, our custodians and office staff, all our parish organizations and all the faithful who offered their prayers and their presence by the Cross of our Lord and Risen Savior. We are also very grateful to Fr. Nicholas Dilendorff, for his blessings and assistance during the Holy Week services. 10 The Voice

11 PASCHA 2012 St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 11

12 PASCHA DONATIONS During the visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos to our church on April 6th, our parish council president, Mr. Anastasios Panagiotopoulos, presented His Eminence with a check of $1000 for the St. Iakovos Camp & Retreat Center which were the funds raised during the Lenten Presanctified dinners. We wholeheartedly wish to thank the following parishioners and friends for donating towards the flowers and adornment of our St. Spyridon Church during the Great Lent and Pascha Season and for their special Easter Envelope Donation: Anonymous Mrs. Martha Eliopoulos M/M Gus Makris M/M Christos Catsogiannis M/M Mastoras M/M George Markopoulos M/M Gus Banakis Georgia Synadinos Mr. Angelos Besbekos Ms. Kathryn Pappas Mrs. Metaxea Siomos Ms. Maria Bastas Mrs. Helen King Mrs. Koula Kintonis M/M John Panos & family M/M Anthony Markos M/M George Gatsios M/M Nicholas Andricopoulos M/M Dimitrios Karamagianis M/M Amjad Janninah M/M Andrew Besbekos M/M Theodoros Bouzios M/M Christos Katsoulis Mr. Philip Papamakarios M/M Pete Ayalianos M/M Papoulias M/M Peter Paxinos M/M Peter Vlahos M/M Deno Mihas M/M Alex Perros Ms. Georgia Evangelopoulos M/M Kurt Varaneckas M/M Theodoros Bechrakis Ms. Kathryn Pappas Anonymous Mrs. Nicholas Lillios M/M Angelo Meklis M/M Pete Kolyvas Anonymous M/M Peter Glikis Ms Beatrice Perkins M/M Andrew Pappas M/M Emmanuel Kekempanos M/M Larry Kekempanos Mrs. Effie Bouzios Mrs. Zafira Jouras Mr. George A. Pappas Mr. Eustratios Marinos Mr. Michael Valaris M/M Willie Jenkins The Smirnis family M/M Sofoklis Vasiliades M/M George Vasilakos Mrs. Violet O Donnell Mrs. Ellie Zaharopoulos Anonymous M/M Tom Katris Mrs. Bessie Ntovas Mrs. Penny Poninski Sinapi family M/M John Paraschos Mrs. Fotini Pappas Ms. Georgia Karuntzos Mrs. Athena Tsinoukas M/M George Kyroudis M/M Nicholas Chibucos Anonymous Ms. Eleni Bizoukas Mrs. Ida Trakadas M/M Demetrios Kottaras Mr. John Spiro Ms. Vasiliki Goutis M/M GregoryLes Ms. Ruth Faklis Ms. Georgia Malamis M/M Nick Scarlatis M/M Gus Stameson Mr. John Tsikouris M/M George Tsikouris M/M Theofanis Georgiopoulos Mr. Demetrios Karuntzos M/M Sotirios Charalambos M/M Steve Proutsos Mrs. Panagiota Paraskis M/M Christos Catsogiannis M/M Thomas Papoulias M/M Bill Georgiopoulos M/M Chris Kolyvas Mr.. Peter Polmen M/M Akela Karampelas Mr. Constantine Karampelas Mr. Dennis Priovolos Ms. Kaliopi Kourtetsopoulos 12 The Voice

13 PARISH NEWS THANK YOU To the Gospel readers that read during the Easter Agape Service: Ukranian, Russian, & Polish Fr. & Presvytera Dilendorf., Spanish Toula Georgiopoulos, Albanian Yonna Kekempanos, Arabic Amjad Janinah, German Panayiotis Alexakos, Latin John Reyes, French Alexia Vasilopoulos, English Telly Korbakes, Swedish Spiro Peters To the Anonymous donors for donating food for our Food Pantry and for the Easter Baskets. To all the Philoptochos ladies for hosting the Lenten Dinner after the Presanctified Divine Liturgy with our visiting clergy. To all who donated flowers for Great Lent and Holy Week, and to those who decorated the Epitaphios To Mr. Gus Stergiopoulos for painting our church office. To Mr. & Mrs. Alex Pappas for cleaning our myrofores robes. To P.T.A. for donating new robes for the myrofores. To Mr. James Halikas and the P.T.A. parents and volunteers for hosting the Pancake Breakfast on Saturday of Lazarus. To all our choir members, chanters, altar boys, myrofores, and readers for a job well done during all our Holy Week Services. To all our Parish Council members for their dedication during the divine services. To our Philoptochos for hosting the OCCA Akathist Hymn service and fellowship on April 3rd. To all who prepared baked goods and who donated for the Palm Sunday Philoptochos Bake Sale. All the proceeds will benefit needy families of our community. TREE OF LOVE In the main hallway of St. Spyridon stands a golden and bronze Tree of Love with an icon of our patron saint at its base. This Tree of Love is a symbol of our commitment to the ministry of our community. With great hope for our community s future and with love for St. Spyridon, we invite you to join the numerous supporters whose names are engraved on these golden and bronze leaves in recognition of their gifts to the Church. There are numerous ways to contribute to our Tree of Love such as to honor a friend or in memory of loved ones. For more information, please call the Church Office. A memorial service for all the souls commemorated on the Tree of Love will be held on Sunday, May 27th, SACRAMENTS WEDDINGS Eleni Anagnopoulos and Khalil Sweis were joined in Holy Matrimony on Sunday, April 22nd. Their sponsors were Elias Facuse and Julie Zaghoul. BAPTISMS The daughter of Theofanis and Nota Marinos was baptized on April 22nd and given the name Anastasia Magadaline. George Tongas was the sponsor. The son of Mr. & Mrs. Spyridon Marinopoulos was baptized on April 28th and given the name Giorgos. Mr. & Mrs. George Pettas were the sponsors. The daughter of Konstantinos and Angie Koutsis was baptized on April 29th and given the name Ioanna. Maria and Antonia Kallas were the sponsors. Να σας Ζήσουν! FUNERALS Eleftheria Diakogianni fell asleep to the Lord on April 13th. Her funeral service took place on Bright Monday, April 16th and the internment was at Bethania Cemetery. May her memory be eternal! Peter G. Korbakes fells asleep to the Lord on April 26th. His funeral took place on April 30th and the internment was at Evergreen Cemetery. May his memory be eternal! MEMORIALS Sunday, April 1st 40 days for Helen Meklis 5 years for Stavros Farsatis Sunday, April 29th 3 years for Harilaos Avramidis Anastasios Kintonis, & Christofili Bechrakis. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 13

14 ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ H ANAΛΗΨΗ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ Η εορτή της Αναλήψεως του Κυρίου και Θεού μας Ιησού Χριστού αποτελεί έναν χαρμόσυνο εορτολογικό σταθμό μέσα στην όντως ευφρόσυνη αναστάσιμη περίοδο της Εκκλησίας μας. Με αισθήματα αγαλλιάσεως οι ορθόδοξοι πιστοί κατακλύζουμε την ιερή αυτή ημέρα τους ναούς για να αναπέμψουμε ευχαριστήριες ωδές στο Σωτήρα και Λυτρωτή μας Κύριο και να υμνήσουμε την αγία Ανάληψή Του στους ουρανούς, εκεί από όπου καταδέχθηκε να κατέβει, προκειμένου να επιτελέσει το σωτήριο έργο του ανθρωπίνου γένους (Ιωάν.3,13.Φιλιπ.2,6-11). Υμνούμε την επάνοδό Του στο θείο θρόνο της άφατης μεγαλοσύνης Του, στα δεξιά του Θεού Πατέρα, προς τον Οποίο θα είναι εσαεί ο μεγάλος και αιώνιος μεσίτης μας (Α Τιμ.2,5). Ο Κύριός μας Ιησούς Χριστός μετά την λαμπροφόρο Ανάστασή Του από τους νεκρούς, δεν εγκατέλειψε αμέσως τον κόσμο, αλλά συνέχισε για σαράντα ημέρες να εμφανίζεται στους μαθητές Του (Πράξ.1,3). Την τεσσαρακοστή λοιπόν ημέρα, σύμφωνα με το Ευαγγέλιο του Λουκά, «εξήγαγε δε αυτούς (τους μαθητάς ) έξω εις Βηθανίαν και επάρας τας χείρας αυτού ευλόγησεν αυτούς. Και εγένετο εν τω ευλογείν αυτόν αυτούς διέστη απ αυτών και ανεφέρετο εις τον ουρανόν. Και αυτοί προσκυνήσαντες αυτόν υπέστρεψαν εις Ιερουσαλήμ μετά χαράς μεγάλης και ήσαν δια παντός εν τω ιερώ αινούντες και ευλογούντες τον Θεόν» (Λουκ.24,50-53). Μέσα λοιπόν στην χαροποιό αναστάσιμη περίοδο προβάλλει η μεγάλη εορτή της Αναλήψεως για να μας χαροποιήσει έτι περισσότερο και να μας υπενθυμίσει πως η δοξασμένη επάνοδος του Λυτρωτή μας Χριστού στο θρόνο της Θεότητας απορρέει άπειρες σωτήριες δωρεές για την ανθρωπότητα και ολόκληρη τη δημιουργία. Αυτός ως ο δοξασμένος Θεάνθρωπος μετέχει ταυτόχρονα του κτιστού και του ακτίστου, καθιστάμενος έτσι ο σωτήριος σύνδεσμος μεταξύ Δημιουργού και δημιουργημάτων. Αυτή είναι η πεμπτουσία της σωτηρίας και το κεντρικό νόημα της μεγάλης εορτής! ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ ΠΛΟΥΤΑΡΧΟΣ Ευχαριστήσουμε όλους τους μαθητές του σχολείου μας που διάβασαν τις προσευχές στον Χριστό και την Παναγία μας κατά τους Χαιρετισμούς της Θεοτόκου. Το σχολείο μας θα είναι κλειστό την Δευτέρα 28 Μαΐου για την εορτή των Μνημοσύνων. ΕΟΡΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΤΕΡΑΣ Τήν Κυριακή, 13 Μαΐου, ἑορταστικό γεῦμα θά δοθεῖ στήν Κοινοτική Αἲθουσα πρός τιμήν τῆς ἑορτῆς τῆς Μητέρας, μετά τήν Θεία Λειτουργία. Παρακαλοῦμε νά τηλεφωνήσετε στό Γραφεῖο γιά κλείσεις θέσεων. ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΦΕ Για τον μήνα του Μαϊου ο καφές μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία θα προσφέρεται από την Φιλόπτωχο Αδελφότητα. ΦΕΣΤΙΒΑΛ 2012 Το Καλοκαιρινό Φεστιβάλ του 2012 θά την 7η και 8η Ιουλίου. Όλοι προσκαλείσθε να βοηθήσετε, να αγοράσετε λαχνούς, καί να καλέσετε τούς συγγενείς και φίλους να υποστηρίξουν την ενορία μας. 14 The Voice

15 SCHEDULE OF DIVINE SERVICES -ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Tuesday, May 1st Agiasmos Service 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 6th 4th Sunday of Pascha, Orthros & Div. Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Saturday, May 12th Great Vespers - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 13th 5th Sunday of Pascha, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Monday, May 14th Paraklesis 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19th Great Vespers - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 20th 6th Sunday of Pascha, Orthros & Div. Liturgy - 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers at SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Palos Hills 7:00 Monday, May 21st SS. Constantine & Helen, Orthros & Divine Liturgy in Palos Hills 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 22nd Apodosis of Pascha, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 p.m. at St. Demetrios in Elmhurst, IL Thursday, May 24th Ascension of our Lord, Orthros & Divine Liturgy - 8:00 a.m. Saturday, May 26th Great Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 27th 7th Sunday of Pascha, Sunday of the Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council, Orthros & Divine Liturgy - 8:00 a.m. Friday, June 1st Agiasmos Service 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 2nd Saturday of the Souls, Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Memorial Service 8:00 a.m. * Great Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 3rd Sunday of Pentecost, (no fasting all week), Orthros, Divine Liturgy and Vespers of Pentecost (the Kneeling) 8:00 a.m. * Great Vespers at Holy Trinity Church, Chicago, IL. 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 4th Feast of the Holy Spirit, Orthros and Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Τρίτη 1 Μαΐου Αγιασμός 9:30 π.μ. Κυριακή 6 Μαΐου 4η Κυριακή του Πάσχα, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Σάββατο 12 Μαΐου Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 13 Μαΐου 5η Κυριακή του Πάσχα,, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 14 Μαΐου Παράκλησις 6:30 μ.μ. Σάββατο 19 Μαΐου Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 20 Μαΐου 6η Κυριακή του Πάσχα, του Τυφλού, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ.* Μέγας Εσπερινός στον Ιερό Ναό των Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου & Ελένης 7:00 μ.μ. Δευτέρα 21 Μαΐου Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου & Ελένης, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία στον Ιερό Ναό των Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου & Ελένης 8:30 π.μ Τρίτη 22 Μαΐου Απόδοσις του Πάσχα, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 μ.μ. Ι. Ν. Αγίου Δημητρίου, Elmhurst, IL Πέμπτη 24 Μαΐου Ανάληψις του Κυρίου Όρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Σαββατο 26 Μαιου Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 27 Μαΐου 7η Κυριακή του Πάσχα, των Πατέρων της 1ης Οικουμενικού Συνόδου, Αγίου Ιωάννου του Ρώσσου, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 1 Ιουνίου Αγιασμός 9:30 π.μ. Σάββατο 2 Ιουνίου Ψυχοσάββατο Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία και Μνημόσυνο 8:00 π.μ. * Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 3 Ιουνίου Κυριακή της Πεντηκοστής Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Μέγας Εσπερινός 8:00 π.μ. (όλη την εβδομάδα κατάλυση των πάντων) * Μέγας Εσπερινός στον Ιερό Ναό Αγίας Τριάδας 7:00 μ.μ. Δευτέρα 4 Ιουνίου Του Αγίου Πνεύματος, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 15

16 Cherubs 11:00 a.m MAY May 2012 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 *Sunday School *P.T.A. Artoclasia *Hellenic Letters Metropolis Luncheon 8 6 *Sunday School School *Philoptochos Mtg. *St. St. Spyridon B-Ball 2:15 pm Sunday School School P.T.A. Bible Bowl Meeting Mother s Day Luncheon *Sunday School School Graduation *Philoptochos Apokreatiko Luncheon 27 Tree of Love Memorial Junior SS.Constantine & Helen 2 *Greek School-4:30 pm *Orthodox Study - p.m. *Greek Bible Study- 7:30pm 9 7 Greek Archangels School-4:30 pm Greek School-4:30 pm *Greek Archangels School-4:30 pm *Orthodox Greek School-4:30 Study - pm 5 p.m. *Greek Bible Study- 7pm 7:30pm *Greek Archangels School-4:30 pm *Orthodox Greek School-4:30 Study - pm 5 p.m. *Greek Bible Study- 7:30pm 28 Memorial Day Office Closed 3 1 Cherubs Archangels - 11:00 Academy a.m. Cherubs 10:00 a.m Cherubs 11:00 Archangels Academy a.m. Cherubs 10:00 a.m Cherubs 11:00 Archangels Academy a.m. Cherubs 10:00 a.m Archangels Academy Cherubs 10:00 a.m. 4 2 *Iconography Archangels Academy - 6 pm *Byzant. Byzantine Music Music 6pm - 7pm Iconography - 6 p.m *Iconography 6 Archangels Academy pm *Byzant. Byzantine Music 6pm Music - 7pm Iconography - 6 p.m Iconography Archangels Academy - 6 pm Byzantine Music 6pm Iconography - 6 p.m *Iconography Archangels Academy - 6 pm *Byzant. Byzantine Music 6pm Music -7 pm Iconography - 6 p.m Byzantine Music 6pm Iconography - 6 p.m. 5 3 GOYA Archangels & Jr. Academy GOYA Meeting 7:00 Byz. Music 6:30 p.m. pm GOYA 7:00 p.m Parish Archangels Council Academy Meeting 7:00 p.m GOYA Archangels & Jr. Academy GOYA Meeting 7:00 Byz. Music 6:30 p.m. pm GOYA 7:00 p.m. Parish Coiuncil 7:30 pm OCMC Archangels 9 Dinner a.m. Archangels Graduation 6 4 *Greek School 4:30 p.m. p.m. *High school Seminar 6:30 p.m *Greek School 4:30 p.m. *OPEN 6:30 p.m. *Orthodox Study - 7p.m *Greek School 4:30 p.m. *High school Seminar 6:30 p.m. *Handmaidens Movie Night *Greek School 4:30 p.m. * Youth Dance 7 p.m. Greek School 4:30 p.m. 7 5 *Byz. Music 10 am *Greek Dance 11 a.m. *PeeWee BBall Game (home) - 2:30 p.m. *P.T.A. Outing 6:30 pm *Altar Boys & Handmaidens 10 a.m. *Greek Dance 11 a.m. * Pee-Wee B-ball - 12 noon * Byzantine Music 12 noon * Byzantine Music 10:30 a.m. *Greek Dance 11 a.m. * Pee-Wee B-ball - 12 noon * *Byz. Junior Music 10:30 a.m. *Greek SS. Constantine Dance 11 & Helen a.m. * Pee-Wee B-ball - 12 noon 2

17 All Orthodox Seniors of Chicago s South Suburbs are cordially invited to the Christian Fellowship Monday, June 4th, 2012 St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Ave. Palos Heights, IL Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8 a.m. Followed by a luncheon & fellowship Free of charge Please call St. Spyridon (708) by June 1st to make your reservation. ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΦΙΛΟΞΕΝΙΑ H «Χριστιανική Φιλοξενία» καλεί όλους τους ηλικιωμένους Ορθοδόξους των νοτίων προαστίων του Σικάγου στήν ενορία τοῦ Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος, την Δευτέρα, 4ην Ιουνίου, Ο Όρθρος αρχίζει στις 8:00 π.μ. Και ακολουθεί η Θεία Λειτουργία. Το γεύμα προσφέρεται δωρεάν από την Φιλόπτωχον Αδελφότητα του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος. Παρακαλούμε όπως τηλεφωνήσετε την εκκλησία για κλείσεις θέσεων. ΤΡΙΣΑΓΙΑ Τήν Δευτέρα, 28η Μαΐου, ο π. Τηλέμαχος θά διαβάζει τρισάγια στο κοιμητήριο του Evergreen, ἀπό τίς 9:00 π.μ. μέχρι τίς 11:30 π.μ.., καί στό Bethania στις 1:00 μ.μ.. Όλες οι Ελληνορθόδοξες Κοινότητες των νοτίων προαστίων του Σικάγου θα παρευρεθούν στο κοινό Τρισάγιο στίς 10:30 π.μ. Επίσης θα προσφερθεί Τρισάγιο στην Εκκλησία για όλους όσους μνημονεύονται στο «Tree of Love» την Κυριακή 27 Μαΐου μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. MEMORIAL DAY On Monday, May 28th, Fr. Tilemahos will be reading the Trisagion Services at Evergreen Cemetery from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.. The common memorial with all the southside Greek Orthodox parishes will take place at 10:30 a.m. Finally, Fr. Tilemahos will be at Bethania Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. GREEK SCHOOL We thank all the Greek School students for reading the prayers of the Theotokos and Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ during the Salutation services. There will be no Greek School classes on Monday, May 28th, Memorial Day. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 17

18 St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL Attend Church Regularly with Your Family! CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 3rd GOYA May 13th Bible Bowl May 13th Mother s Day Luncheon May 17th GOYA, Parish Council May 20th Sunday School Graduation May 24th Archangels Graduation May 25th-27th Jr. Olympics May 27th Tree of Love Memorial May 28th - Memorial Day June 4th Christian Fellowship June 4th-15th Archangels Camp ANNUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL July 7th & 8th Authentic Greek Cuisine Homemade Greek Pastries Greek Music & Dancing Kiddie Rides Plus, Car Raffle! St. Spyridon Dancers Saturday & Sunday St. Spyridon s Greek Festival S. Ridgeland, Palos Heights July 7th & 8th Saturday from 4 p.m. midnight Sunday from noon 11 p.m. Admission: Adults $2 Children under 12 FREE For more info, call (708) FREE PARKING & SHUTTLE