MARCH VOLUME NO Catechism 101

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1 MARCH VOLUME NO. 306 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1 Parish Events... 4 Philoptochos... 5 PTA News... 6 Cherubs... 7 Sunday School... 7 Stewardship February Pics Parish News Parish & Metropolis Events Κοινοτικά Νέα Liturgical Schedule Community Events Πρόγραμμα Ακολουθιών ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT- SPYRIDON.ORG Catechism 101 We have come to the part of the story in our Bible Study in the book of Genesis, when Joseph, the great ruler of Egypt, finally revealed himself to his brothers who had betrayed him more than two decades ago. After testing their sincerity and repentance, he embraced them and expressed that he held no malice or intentions of revenge against them. While stunned at the fact that their brother Joseph was alive, they were put at ease by his words: I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. During his time of captivity, Joseph s trust in God became strong and unwavering. He had figured out that God had allowed all sorts of calamities and trials to befall him for a reason much greater than himself. Jo- Greek Independence Day Luncheon Sunday, March 27th, 2016 * Following the Divine Liturgy Greek Independence Day Parade Sunday, April 17th, 2016 Greektown at 2:30 p.m.

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 PROTOPRESBYTER Church Office Hours:... Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Phone: , 2313 or 0787 Fax: office@saint-spyridon.org Web: Parish Council Officers James Korbakes... President Konstantine Labraκis... Vice-President Taso Panagiotopoulos... Vice President Frank Kopanis... Secretary George Papadopoulos... Assistant Secretary Gus Kolyvas... Treasurer James Xeros... Assistant Treasurer Auxiliary Officers Angelo Angelos... Chanter Olga Paxinos... Philoptochos Demetra Mikroulis... P.T.A. Kiki Kazazakis... Kentro Lambrini Stavrou... Plutarchos Greek School Jan Prible... Zoe Kopanis... Sunday School Director Nicky Glikis... Choir Director Dana Vasilakos... G.O.Y.A. & Jr. G.O.Y.A. Angie Koutsis... G.O.Y.A. & Jr. G.O.Y.A. Janine Riley... Cherubs Demetria Papadopoulos... HOPE Angelo Angelos... Byzantine Music Panagiotis Mihalopoulos... Iconography Fr. Tilemahos... Bible Study Vicki Drikos... Handmaidens Nick Chibucos & Labros Malfas... Altar Boys John Farsatis... Athletics And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. seph had been allowed to suffer at the hands of many who did him wrong so that God could save the world through him. Now one would ask whether God used the sin of Joseph s brothers to bring to fruition His plan to save them and all of Egypt from famine. Did God cease upon their sin of betrayal in order to carry out His plans? Did God depend on the scenario of betrayal as it played out to get Joseph and all the Israelites down to Egypt in order for the rest of the story of Exodus to come to be? Was God an instigator in the hearts and minds of Joseph s brothers to push them toward what they did? Did God, in other words, set them up for this moment? This is where the whole argument over predestination and divine foreknowledge is in full display. God lives outside of the continuum of time and the limitations of space. He does not change His mind or alter His plans. He knows all things, past, present, and future. Foreknowledge however does not equal predestination. God may have knowledge of all our actions and thoughts but He does not determine them nor does He cause them. We live our lives within the context of time and space and therefore our decisions are based on absolute free will. While thoughts, ideas, and situations might be presented to us on a daily basis, our future is always determined by our actions even though God is already aware of what those actions will be. The next question of course would follow: What is the point of praying to God to intervene within a certain situation if He already knows the outcome? If a family member is sick or in trouble, does praying to God make a difference? If God does not change His mind and knows all that will ever happen, including our salvation, then what is the point of asking for His intervention? All of these could be valid questions until we realize that the purpose of our life is not to appease an angry God or to obtain favors from Him. The purpose of our life is to come to know God as He is revealed to us. We read in John 17:3: And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. God s priority is not to spoil us with continual bliss or to spare us from all pain, but to provide the optimum way through which we may come to know Him. In the garden of Eden, God showed that at first He wished that we would get to know Him through gratitude and obedience. God already knew we would choose the way of pain and disobedience but He did not force us. We made that choice freely. We have always been so free that we can even deny our Maker s existence. Yet God still created us even though He knew He would be crucified for us and by us, in order to heal us from our sins, even the ones that we have not yet committed. Prayer, therefore, does not consist of our calling on our celestial butler to come and deliver us. Prayer is primarily the way by which we come to know God. Through the choices we make every day, we do not influence God but we influence ourselves in order to understand the context and purpose of our life. We transform ourselves so that we can love God and see Him in every experience and in every human being. In Joseph s story, for example, we see how he reached an understanding of why he suffered at the hands of his family. In fact, he doesn t even say that he forgives them. Joseph is way beyond that. He simply places 2 The Voice

3 their actions within the context of God s plan to save them and the world. He does not alleviate them of their guilt. Before he revealed himself he tested their repentance. Joseph does not reach the point of forgiveness by justifying or minimizing their sin. Nor does he await to verify their repentance in order to forgive them. He reached complete forgiveness by placing their actions within the allowance of a caring and trustworthy God. The way that Joseph figured out that God is trustworthy, omnipotent, and loving, was by prayer and by properly exercising his free will. His prayer was the expression of his trust in God. His prayer was coupled, however, with an ethical life, a clean conscience, abundant patience, and the continuous exercise of his free will to trust his fate in God. Joseph made the choice to escape the wiles of his master s wife in Egypt. He made the choice to not speak ill of her who slandered him, or of his brothers who betrayed him, of the chief cupbearer who forgot him. He made the choice to confess his faith in God in front of Pharaoh and the royal court even though it could have cost him his life. We make free will choices every moment of our life. God allows us to face certain situations, joys and sorrows, thoughts and ideas, in order for us to make the choice to know Him through them. Even when He responds to our prayers, what seems to be a compromise by Him or a change of mind, is only another opportunity for us to know Him through gratitude and wonder. When He allows us to suffer despite our pleas, once again, He calls us to Himself. There is no malice or vengeance on the part of God, even though we often assign Him these human qualities. In all He does or does not do, God s intent is to reveal Himself to us so that we may come to know Him and have eternal life in Him. Therefore, when joys or sorrows come into our life, embrace them and understand them for what they are. When through our prayers and the prayers of the saints we are delivered from sorrows, it is not God Who changes His mind, but we who are called to draw near Him in thanksgiving. When we are not delivered, it is not that God does not listen or that He does not love us. His refusal to grant us our request is His cry to us, calling us to find comfort in Himself, much like the parent who suffers most when embracing a suffering child. Let us imitate the noble Joseph and understand God s plan of salvation for us. In response, let us place our lives, our joys and our calamities, within their proper context: the omnipotent and eternal desire that all of us come to the knowledge of the one True God unto life eternal. Amen. Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos GREAT LENT AND PASCHA FLOWERS Holy Week and Pascha are approaching quickly and once again we are asking for your contributions and donations towards the adornment of our St. Spyridon Church during the Lenten and Pascha season. The following items are needed: Daffodils for the Veneration of the Holy Cross $300 Flowers for the five icons of Salutations & Akathist $100/each Palms and Vaia for Palm Sunday Flowers for the Icons for Saturday of Lazarus - $100 Flowers for the Icons for Palm Sunday $100 Flowers for the Icon of the Bridegroom $100 Flowers for the Icon of the Last Supper $100 Flowers for the Icon of the Crucifixion $100 Flower arrangement for the foot of the Cross $250 Donations for the flowers for the Epitaphios $1,500 Pascha Lily Plants (15 plants needed) - TBD Flowers for the Icon of the Resurrection $100 Please call the Church Office if you are interested in donating to the above items. Your generous assistance will be, as always, appreciated. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 3

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5 Philoptochos Dear Philoptochos sisters and fellow Parishioners, Καλό μήνα! We have begun the Triodio. This is preparing us for Great Pascha. All these blessed events that are coming put us in a comfort zone where we know what to expect and what comes next on the calendar. In February, the Philoptochos attended the Pastitsio bake off and the Philoxinia luncheon, both at the parish of Holy Cross. I attended the Presidents meeting at St. Basil s on Saturday the 20th. It was a very productive meeting and it was great seeing old and meeting new faces. St Basil s, by the way, looks wonderful after the fire three years ago. I took the president of the Minneapolis church of St. Mary s to Midway after the meeting. She came by bus leaving at midnight and arriving about ten A.M. This is how dedicated the members of the various Philoptochos chapters are and I am honored that we are part of them. On Sunday February 21st, the Philoptochos provided homemade cookies to our Sunday school as a small Thank You for their act of kindness in bringing all that clothing this past November for the less fortunate. We have a great group of students and we are proud of them! On March 6th, we will be hosting our Annual Apokreatiko Luncheon, immediately after the Divine Liturgy. Let s join together as a Church family with this great tradition. We have the title of having some of the best food on the South Side of Chicago. On Saturday, March 12th, we are going on an outing to the Field Museum for the Greek Exhibit. We are carpooling after Saturday of Souls Church Services. Please get your reservations in to Kathy Korbakes. After the exhibit we plan to go to lunch in Greektown. We hope to have a working lunch meeting for our March Philoptochos Meeting, Monday, March 14th, is the beginning of Great Lent and we will be hosting the Koulouma in the evening. On Tuesday, April 5th we will be hosting Philoxenia Luncheon after the Presanctified Divine Liturgy. Help will be needed. We will be preparing various sweets at church and here is the schedule: March 21st and 22nd: Lenten Apple slices March 28th: koulouria. Tsourekia: to be announced. We invite all the women of the Parish to become Philoptochos members. We are ordinary ladies doing extraordinary things both within our Parish and outside the parish. Thank you very much. We have stewardship forms that are available in the church office and on Sundays with Kathy Korbakes. I wish all a blessed March and Kalh Sarakosth to all. See you in church. Olga Paxinos Philoptochos President CHRISTIAN PHILOXENIA Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 Holy Unction 9:30 a.m. Followed by Luncheon hosted by Saint Spyridon Philoptochos Free of Charge Please call the church office for reservations by April 1st St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 We have a busy next few months!! P.T.A. NEWS The month of March starts off with Parent-Teacher Conferences on the 7 th. Conferences will be held from 5-6:30 pm. PTA will also have their meeting during that time. We figure parents will be there and will join us when they are waiting to meet with their child s teacher. There is much to discuss during the meeting. There are many PTA events coming up in March all the way to the end of the school year. Please join as we need the help and support of all our parents. Coffee will be provided! Our Annual Greeks Got Talent Talent show will be held on Friday, March 11 th. Sign up sheets were sent out last month. So far, we have a few acts but need more. PTA will be providing pizza for our performers and guests. We will need desserts to be donated. Thank you to Maria Baltsas, for organizing this fun event for our students. It takes a lot of planning and commitment. Sunday, March 27th we will hold the Greek Independence Day Celebration with a program and luncheon. The families of our Plutarchos 5 th, 6 th, 7 th and 8 th grade students will be hosting the refreshment table. We kindly ask that you bring Lenten desserts or fruit. Lenten luncheon donation is $20 for adults and children under 12 are free. Our Lenten lunch will be catered from Xando Café and Greek Islands. Please plan to attend this program in support of our Plutarchos students and faculty that work so hard to teach and preserve our language and culture. Again, we will need the help of volunteers to help set-up, serve, and clean up. With all of our hectic schedules, we need a night out, don t we? PTA is tentatively planning on going to see My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, on opening night, Friday, March 25 th. Want to join us? The movie is rated PG-13, so get a babysitter and lets get together for a night out. More details will be coming soon! Also, each year the PTA provides our 3rd grade Plutarchos students with their very own Oxford Greek-English dictionaries. They will be distributed to students in the coming weeks. Lastly, We are looking for crafty parents who would like to help make Easter Candles this year. In the past, this has been a great fundraiser for our school. Please let a PTA member know if you are interested. We know there are many of you creative and crafty moms out there. Please share your talents with us! UPCOMING EVENTS Monday, March 7 th will be Greek School parent/ teacher conferences and PTA Meeting 5-6:30pm Friday, March 11 th, Greeks Got Talent Friday March 25 th, Parent s Movie Night, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (Time: TBA) Sunday, March 27 th, Greek Independence Day Luncheon after Divine Liturgy Saturday, April 2nd, Family Synaxis Lenten Retreat hosted by Saint Spyridon PTA Demetra Mikroulis, P.T.A. President 6 The Voice

7 Cherubs February was another fun month at Cherubs. We had a great time playing with play dough, introducing our stuffed animals to our friends and making Valentine's for the special people in our lives. SUNDAY SCHOOL Greetings to all from the Sunday Church School staff! For the months of January and February, our service project focus was to help fight hunger in our own communities and contribute to our food pantry. The students of Sunday School are asked to bring in either one can of food or $1 to each class for the remainder of the year. Our hope is to teach the importance of stewardship and to get the students in the habit of giving and to recognize how important it is to our faith. I recently received a letter from the IOCC thanking all those who attended and contributed to the St. Spyridon 7 th annual Walk for IOCC. The money donated to the IOCC was used to help purchase sleeping bags, baby and hygiene kits to refugees and migrants on the Greek islands of Chios, Samos and Kos. Wells were built in Syria to provide clean water, and emergency assistance ORATORICAL was provided to earthquake survivors in Nepal. The IOCC volunteers across the United States raised more than $1 million for life saving humanitarian aid PROJECTS DUE last year. Many thanks to the families who attended our Walk for IOCC and ON SUNDAY contributed to this worthy organization. The Oratorical Festival topics have been distributed to each student in Sunday School. Please talk to your children about their project and see they are completed by Sunday March 13 th. Participation is mandatory for the Jr. Olympics. There is class every Sunday during the month of March except for March 27th which will be Family Worship in honor of the Greek Independence Day Program and Celebration. Zoe Kopanis, Sunday School Director MARCH 13th PROJECTS WILL BE DISPLAYED ON SUNDAY, MARCH 20th St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 STEWARDSHIP 2016 STEWARDSHIP 2016 Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. A primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. Becoming a Steward begins when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust and act on those beliefs. As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him. Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards. Each year the Steward is expected to carefully review his or her personal circumstances and make a commitment of time, talent, and treasure to support the Parish and her Ministries, which in turn support the National Ministries of our Archdiocese, Metropolises, and institutions. We thank the 125 stewards who renewed their pledge for Stewardship cards are available for everyone who wishes to pledge their 2016 stewardship. The stewardship materials is also available on Please consider making your 2016 Stewardship pledge today or give a stewardship card to a friend or family member. Ευχαριστούμε τους 125 ενορίτες που προσφέρατε την συνδρομή σας για το Η υποστήριξη όλων είναι απαραίτητη για την σωστή και θεάρεστη λειτουργία της ενορίας μας. Παρακαλούμε όπως όλοι συμβαλουμε την συνδρομή μας για το νέο έτος. Συμπληρώστε την κάρτα συνδρομής μέ τήν προσφορά σας και βοηθήστε να συνεχίσουμε όλοι μαζί την διακονία της ιεράς κοινότητός μας. Stewardship 2016 Progress Report As of February 24th, 2016 Pledged Stewards: 125 Stewardship Goal for Stewards STEWARDS 2016-JANUARY 29TH-FEEBRUARY 24TH Dr. & Mrs. Chris Alemis Mr. & Mrs. Nika Alex Mr. & Mrs. Pete Ayaleanos Mr. & Mrs. Dimitris Bezanis Mr. & Mrs. Sam Bisbikis Ms. Eleni Bizoukas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Chibucos Mr. & Mrs. John Eliacostas Mrs. Martha Eliopulos Ms. Angela Evangelopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Flamburis Mr. Mrs. Constantine Garinis Ms. Irene Giardina Mr. & Mrs. James Kladis Mrs. Tasia Kladis Mr.& Mrs. Peter Kokoris Mr. James Korbakes Mr. & Mrs. James Kotsiviras Mr. & Mrs. Konstadinos Labrakis Mr.& Mrs. George Les Mr. & Mrs. Apostolos Malfas Mr. Labros Malfas Ms. Eleni Nikolaou Mr. & Mrs. Sam Papanastasatos Mr. & Mrs. George A. Pappas Mrs. Panagiota Paraskis Mrs. Despina Petropoulos Mrs. Konstantina Petropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Tom Primbas Mr. & Mrs. Nick Pyknis Mr.& Mrs. Panayiotis Stamus Mr. & Mrs. Konst. Stergiopoulos Ms. Cathy Tomaras Mr. & Mrs. Christos P. Tsakiris Mr. & Mrs. James Tsipakis Mr. & Mrs. George Vasilakos Mr. & Mrs. Sofoklis Vasiliades Mrs. Helen Vlassis 8 The Voice

9 PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER A GREAT SUCCESS!!! Thank you to all the friends and families of the St. Spyridon s that helped to make our Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser a fantastic success! A very special Thank You to Tessie Jones, Debbie Petrakos and their Breakfast Planning Committee of dedicated, hardworking and very talented Moms and Dads. A wonderful time was had by all that attended. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SUMMER CAMP 2016 JUNE 6TH-10TH & JUNE 13TH-17TH Camp will run from June 6th through June 17th, Monday Friday 9 a.m. to 12 noon and is open to 4-6 year olds. Summer Camp Applications and Forms will be available soon. DATES TO REMEMBER Monday, March 7th No school, Casimir Pulaski Day Wednesday, March 16th Field Trip to Beverly Arts Center to see Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 9

10 10 The Voice ARCHANGELS PANCAKE BREAKFAST

11 HELLENIC LETTERS CELEBRATION St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 11

12 BAPTISM The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Tourloukis was baptized on February 20th and given the name Georgette. Mr. & Mrs. Nikos Dagres were the proud sponsors. Να σας ζήσει το νεοφώτιστο! IN MEMORIAM MEMORIALS Sunday, February 7th 1 year for Vasilios Rodogiannis Sunday, February 21st Leonidas & Despina Moustakas May their memory be eternal! PARISH NEWS PARISH MINISTRY PROGRAMS DIAKONIA AGAPES Please always remember the Food Pantry and our Donation for the Needy Box in the church narthex, so that we never have to turn anyone away. The Food Pantry wish list and donation drop-off is located at the east exit of our community center. The Easter Baskets will be given to our non-orthodox families in need on Saturday, March 26th. We are looking for hams, canned goods, and fresh produce to fill these baskets. PHILOPTOCHOS SCHOLARSHIP The St. Spyridon Ladies Philoptochos Society invites all interested high school seniors and current college students to apply for the St. Spyridon Philoptochos Scholarship. The winning applicant will receive a $1000 scholarship from Philoptochos. Applications and information are available on St. Spyridon s website: The deadline for the completed application and supporting documents are due by June 15, The recipient will be notified by September 1, TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION You are invited to join in the planning of our church's landmark celebration years of service to our families. Committee members met on January 19th to discuss the commemorative album. Our theme for the anniversary is Generations of Faith and Tradition. Our gala celebration will take place October 15, 2017, but our preparations have already begun. Beginning next month, on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 20 th, the 100 th Anniversary Commemorative Album Committee will be available during the Coffee Social to introduce our parishioners to the Commemorative Book. The committee will show parishioners how to be a part of this very special keepsake book with your family story. Look for The Commemorative Album Committee to be available at the Coffee Social every Sunday to assist parishioners and answer questions. Don t miss this unique opportunity to be a part of the St. Spyridon 100 th celebration! NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY, March 15th, 7:00 p.m. Come, for all is now ready The Restoration of our St. Spyridon Bell In preparation for the 100th Anniversary, we are starting a new project which centers around our bell and bell tower. The old Saint Spyridon Church in Roseland had acquired a cast iron bell from the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chicago which had suffered a fire in the 1950 s. The bell was manufactured in St. Louis in The inscription on the front of the bell is in German and it says: Come, for all is now ready. It is now time for the bell to ring again as it did at the old Saint Spyridon in Roseland. We hope that as we journey toward the 100th Anniversary, we can take on this endeavor and have our Saint Spyridon Bell ring once again. You can see the bell in the hallway by our bookstore. There is a donation box there for anyone wishing to donate toward the bell restoration, or you may contact Fr. Tilemahos at the church office. Project Cost $40,000 Donations Received $18, The Voice

13 Calendar of Events The period of Triodion and Great Lent is often a time when we dedicate ourselves to prayer, fasting, and charity. It is also a time to learn about our Orthodox Faith and to come together in fellowship as we journey towards Holy Week and Pascha. Below you will find a calendar of upcoming events at our parish of Saint Spyridon and throughout the Metropolis of Chicago. Saturday, March 5 th 10a.m. 12pm & 1p.m. 3p.m. ENGAGING ORTHODOXY: INAUGURAL SPEAK- ER S SERIES Metropolitan Kallistos Ware North Park University (Anderson Chapel), 3225W. Foster Ave, Chicago, IL orthodox. Call (773) for additional information. Free to the Public. Sunday, March 6 th 11:30 a.m. St. Spyridon Philoptochos Apokreatiko Luncheon Community Center. Please RSVP at Thursday, March 10 th 6:30 p.m. Mission Team Chicago Benefit Dinner featuring V. Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, St. John the Baptist, Des Plaines. Please reserve online at Friday, March 11 th 6:00 p.m. Presentation on the Sermon on the Mount for High Schoolers and Young Adults By Fr. Demetrios Carellas St. John the Baptist, Des Plaines, IL Friday, March 11 th 6:30 p.m. Greeks Got Talent hosted by the St. Spyridon PTA Come and enjoy the festivities as our youngsters display their talents at this annual tradition. Saturday, March 12 th 11:00 a.m. Presentation by Fr. James Carellas - St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Des Plaines, IL GOYA Winter Camp March 11 th -13 th St. Iakovos Retreat -Register at Saturday, March 12 th 11:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. St. Spyridon Philoptochos Outing to the Field Museum for the Ancient Greece Exhibit Saturday, March 12 th 7:00 p.m. Presentation by Fr. Themi Missionary in Sierra Leone, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst. Sunday, March 20, :30 p.m. Pan-Orthodox Vespers, St. Demetrios, Elmhurst Homilist: His Grace Bishop Paul. Saturday, March 26 th Philoptochos Lenten Retreat at Holy Cross, Justice. Sunday, March 27 th 11:30 a.m. St. Spyridon Plutarchos Greek Independence Day Celebration. Please RSVP at (708) Celebration of Books at Holy Apostles, Westchester Sunday, March 27 th 6:30 p.m. Vespers & Presentation by Dr. Lewis Patsavos Tuesday, March 29 th 6:30 p.m. Compline & Presentation by Dr. Lewis Patsavos Thursday, March 31 st 6:30 p.m. Compline & Presentation by Rev. Dr. George Dokos Saturday, April 2 nd, 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. The Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis Lenten Retreat, "Family and Forgiveness" - Retreat Leader: Peli Galiti, M.Ed, Ph.D., St. Spyridon, Palos Heights Please register online. Tuesday, April 5 th 9:30 a.m. Christian Philoxenia hosted by St. Spyridon Philoptochos. Holy Unction Service 9:30 a.m. followed by the luncheon. Please call the church office for reservations. Saturday, April 16 th 7:30 p.m. An Evening with EIKONA St. Demetrios, Elmhurst. EIKONA is a three sister ensemble who chant Byzantine-styled Hymns and Contemporary Christian Music. For reservations please call Sunday, April 17 th 2:30 p.m. Greek Independence Day Parade at Halsted Street Saturday, April 23 rd 9:00 a.m. Saturday of Lazarus Retreat hosted by P.T.A. Divine Liturgy followed by Lenten Breakfast and Making of Palms Sunday, April 24h 11:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Luncheon hosted by the St. Spyridon Philoptochos - Please RSVP at (708) Event Times and Locations subject to change. Please follow our Events Calendar at St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 13

14 ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ ΠΛΟΥΤΑΡΧΟΣ Συγχαρητήρια σε όλους τους μαθητές του Ελληνικού μας σχολείου για την συμμετοχή τους στον εορτασμό των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων. Συγχαρητήρια στον Νικόλαο Κωτσόπουλο και τον Χρήστο Ρετσινά που τιμήθηκαν φέτος κατά την εορτή των Γραμμάτων της Μητρόπολης του Σικάγου για την έκθεση που έγραψαν για τον διαγωνισμό «Άγραφο». Και εις ανώτερα! Οι μαθητές των ανωτέρων τάξεων του Σχολείου μας, θα διαβάζουν τις Παρασκευές των Χαιρετισμών τις προσευχές προς την Υπεραγία Θεοτόκον και τον Κύριον, στα Ελληνικά και Αγγλικά. Την Δευτέρα, 7 Μαρτίου και από τις 5:00 6:30 μ.μ. θα δώσουμε ελέγχους στους γονείς των μαθητών. Το σχολείο μας θα λειτουργήσει κανονικά αυτή την ημέρα με μάθημα από τις 4:30 6:30 μ.μ. Σας γνωστοποιούμε ότι υπάρχουν κάποιες μικρές αλλαγές στο πρόγραμμα του σχολείου μας. Ο εορτασμός της 25ης Μαρτίου θα πραγματοποιηθεί την Κυριακή 27 Μαρτίου και όχι 20 Μαρτίου όπως είχε προηγουμένως ανακοινωθεί. Επίσης η Παρέλαση στην Ελληνική παροικία του Σικάγου έχει προγραμματιστεί για την Κυριακή 17 Απριλίου. ΛΟΥΛΟΥΔΙΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΗΣ ΤΕΣΣΑΡΑΚΟΣΤΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΑΣΧΑ Φέτος και πάλι, παρακαλούμε όλους όσους έχουν την ευχαρίστηση να προσφέρουν χρήματα για την αγορά λουλούδιων για τον στολισμό των εικόνων της Σαρακοστής και της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδας, να επικοινωνήσουν με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. Δωρεά εκάστης εικόνος -$100 Οι ακόλουθες εικόνες είναι διαθέσιμες: 4 Χαιρετισμών της Πανα-γίας Ακάθιστου Ύμνου Σάββατο του Λαζάρου Κυριακής των Βαΐων Του Νυμφίου Μυστικού Δείπνου Σταύρωσεως του Κυρίου Αποκαθήλωσις Ανάστασης του Κυρίου Στεφάνι Αναστάσεως Λουλούδια Σταυροπροσκυνήσεως $300 Στεφάνι του Σταυρού $250 Λουλούδια Επιταφίου $1,500 Αναστάσιμα Κρίνα ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ 25ΗΣ ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ Τήν Κυριακή, 27η Μαρτίου, ο Σύλλογος Γονέων και Διδασκάλων, και οι μαθητές του Ελληνικού μας Σχολείου και ο χορευτικός μας σύλλογος θα παρουσιάσουν γεύμα και εορταστικό πρόγραμμα πρός τιμήν της επετείου της 25ης Μαρτίου, Για κρατήσεις θέσεων, παρακαλούμε να τηλεφωνήσετε το κοινοτικό γραφείο. 14 The Voice

15 Tuesday, March 2nd Friday, March 4th Saturday, March 5th Sunday, March 6th Wednesday, March 9th Friday, March 11th Saturday, March 12th Sunday, March 13th Monday, March 14th Tuesday, March 15th Wednesday, March 16th Friday, March 18th Saturday, March 19th Sunday, March 20th Monday, March 21st Wednesday, March 23rd Thursday, March 24th Friday, March 25th Saturday, March 26th Sunday, March 27th Wednesday, March 30th Friday, April 1st Saturday, April 2nd Sunday, April 3rd Monday, April 4th Tuesday, April 5th Wednesday, April 6th Friday, April 8th Saturday, April 9th Sunday, April 10th Monday, April 11th Wednesday, April 13th Thursday, April 14th Friday, April 15th Saturday, April 16th Sunday, April 17th Monday, April 18th Wednesday, April 20th Friday, April 22nd Saturday, April 23rd Schedule of Divine Services St. Nicholas Planas, Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Agiasmos 8:00 a.m. Paraklesis 6:00 p.m. Saturday of Souls Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Vespers 5:00 p.m. Meatfare Sunday, Orthros & Divine Liturgy - 8:00 a.m. Holy Forty Martyrs, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Paraklesis 6:00 p.m. Saturday of Souls, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. Forgiveness (Cheesefare) Sunday Orthros & Divine Liturgy - 8:00 a.m. Forgiveness Vespers 6:00 p.m. Clean Monday * Orthros 8:00 a.m. * Great Compline 6:00 p.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Saturday of the Souls, Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Memorial Service 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. Sunday of Orthodoxy - Orthros, Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Pan-Orthodox Vespers at St. Demetrios, Elmhrust 6:30 p.m. Great Compline 6:00 p.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Great Vespers at the Annunciation Church in Chicago and in Kankakee 7:00 p.m. Annunciation of the Theotokos, Orthros, Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Vespers & Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. 2nd Sunday of Lent Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Solemn Vespers at Holy Apostles, Westchester 6:30 p.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Agiasmos 8:00a.m. Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers at Holy Cross, Justice 7:00 p.m. 3rd Sunday of Lent, Orthros, Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Solemn Vespers 6:00 p.m. Great Compline 6:00 p.m. Holy Unction 9:30 a.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m.* Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. 4th Sunday of Lent, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m.* Solemn Vespers 6:00 p.m. Great Compline 6:00 p.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Great Canon of Saint Andrew 8:00 a.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m.* Akathist Hymn 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. 4th Sunday of Lent, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Chicago Metropolis Solemn Vespers 7:00 p.m., Rev. Fr. Demetrios Kounavis, Preacher Great Compline 6:00 p.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. The 9th Hour & Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos presiding Saturday of Lazarus, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 15

16 March 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 6 Sunday School Apokreatiko Luncheon 13 Sunday School Oratorical Project Due General Assembly SAVE THE DATE!!! ST. SPYRIDON SUMMER FESTIVAL JULY 9th & 10th, Sunday School Procession of Icons Oratorical Festival Display 100th Anniversary Album Presentation 27 Sunday School Greek School program & P.T.A. Luncheon Celebration of Books 6:30 pm at Holy Apostles 7 Greek School-4:30 pm Parent Teacher Conferences PTA Meeting 5;00 p.m. 14 Greek Bible 10:30 a.m. Greek School-4:30 pm 21 Greek Bible 10:30 a.m. Greek School-4:30 pm 28 Greek Bible 10:30 a.m. Greek School-4:30 pm 1 Building & Maintenance Meeting 7 pm 8 Parish Council 7 pm Jr. GOYA 7pm th Anniversary 7pm Iconography 6 p.m 22 Iconography 6 p.m Bible Study 7 pm Jr. GOYA 7pm 29 Iconography 6 p.m Celebration of Books 6:30 pm at Holy Apostles Bible Study 7 pm 2 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Iconography 6 p.m. Byzantine Music 6 pm J. Olympics BBall 7 pm Bible Study 7 pm 9 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Iconography 6 p.m. Byzantine Music 6 pm J. Olympics BBall 7 pm Bible Study 7 pm 16 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Lenten Meal hosted by GOYA Basketball 5:00 p.m. 23 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Lenten Meal hosted by Kentro & Bible Study Basketball 5:00 p.m. 30 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Lenten Meal hosted by PTA Basketball 5:00 p.m Mission Team Chicago 6:30 p.m. at St. John Volleyball 7:00 p.m. 17 Bible Study 7 pm Volleyball 7:00 p.m Celebration of Books 6:30 pm at Holy Apostles Volleyball 7:00 p.m. 4 Greek School 4:30 p.m. 11 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Greeks Got Talent 6:30 pm 18 Greek School 4:30 p.m. 25 Greek School 4:30 p.m. PTA Parents Night Out April 1 Greek School 4:30 p.m. 5 Altar Boy Mtg 10:30 am Handmaidens 10:30 am HOPE 10:30 a.m. 12 Philoptochos Outing to the Field Museum Philoptochos Lenten Retreat Altar Boy Mtg 10:30 am Handmaidens 10:30 am HOPE 10:30 a.m. Easter Baskets for Needy April 2 Family Synaxis

17 ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Τετάρτη 2 Μαρτίου Αγίου Νικολάου Πλανά, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 4 Μαρτίου Παράκλησις 6:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 5 Μαρτίου Ψυχοσάββατο, Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Μνημόσυνο 8:00 π.μ * Μέγας Εσπερινός 5:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 6 Μαρτίου Της Απόκρεω, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Τετάρτη, 9 Μαρτίου Αγίων Τεσσαράκοντα Μαρτύρων, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 11 Μαρτίου Παράκλησις 6:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 12 Μαρτίου Ψυχοσάββατο, Όρθρος και Θ. Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. * Μ. Εσπερινός 5:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 13 Μαρτίου Κυριακή της Τυρινής, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Εσπερινός της Συγχωρήσεως 6:00 μ.μ. Δευτέρα 14 Μαρτίου Καθαρά Δευτέρα, αρχίζει η Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή Όρθρος 8:00 π.μ. * Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη 15 Μαρτίου Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Τετάρτη 16 Μαρτίου 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Παρασκευή 18 Μαρτίου Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 19 Μαρτίου Ψυχοσάββατο, Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Μνημόσυνο 8:00 π.μ Μέγας Εσπερινός 5:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 20 Μαρτίου Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας, Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Κατανυκτικός Εσπερινός Ι.Ν. Αγίουυ Δημητρίου, Elmhurst 6:30 μ.μ. Δευτέρα 21 Μαρτίου Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:00 μ.μ. Τετάρτη 23 Μαρτίου 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Πέμπτη 24 Μαρτίου Μ. Εσπερινός στους Ι.Ν. Του Ευαγγελισμού στο Σικάγο & Kankakee 7:00 μ.μ. Παρασκευή 25 Μαρτίου Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου Ορθρος, Λειτουργία και Δοξολογία 8:00 π.μ. Εσπερινός & Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 26 Μαρτίου Μέγας Εσπερινός 5:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 27 Μαρτίου Κυριακή τoυ Αγίου Γρηγορίου του Παλαμά, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8 π.μ. Κατανυκτικός Εσπερινός στον Ι.Ν. Αγίων Αποστόλων 6:30 μ.μ. Τρίτη 29 Μαρτίου Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:30 μ.μ. Τετάρτη 30 Μαρτίου 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Κούλουμα Καθαρά Δευτέρα Παρασκευή 1 Απριλίου Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. 14 Μαρτίου, 2016 Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 2 Απριλίου Μέγας Εσπερινός Ι.Ν. Του Τιμίου Σταυρού Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:00 μ.μ. Justice, 7:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 3 Απριλίου 3η Κυριακή Νηστειών, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Κατανυκτικός Εσπερινός 5:00 μ.μ. Δευτέρα 4 Απριλίου Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6 μ.μ. Τρίτη 5 Απριλίου Ακολουθία του Ευχελαίου 9:30 π.μ. Τετάρτη 6 Απριλίου 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Παρασκευή 8 Απριλίου Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Νηστήσιμο Γεύμα από την Φιλόπτωχο του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος μετά την ακολουθία. $10 για ενηλίκους Τα παιδιά κάτω των 12 ετών δωρεάν St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 17

18 St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL Address Correction Requested Attend Church Regularly with Your Family!