WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

Transcript

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) NOVEMBER 2009 WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? Thank God. These are powerful words. When you are bereaved and afflicted, when your heart is attacked by doubt, cowardice and rebellious discontent, make yourself repeat again and again slowly and in concentration Thank God. He who in the simplicity of his heart believes this advice and tests it in the hour of need will see the miraculous power of thanksgiving. This is a much needed weapon of hope in the difficulty of our times. St. Paul says we are saved by hope. Adapted from St. Ignatius Brianchaninov

2 WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 2009 Sunday, November 1 Ss. Cosmas and Damianos 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Sunday, November 8 The Holy Taxiarchs 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Friday, November 13 St. John Chrysostom 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, November 15 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Saturday, November 21 Entrance of the Theotokos 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, November 22 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Wed, November 25 St. Catherine the Great Martyr 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Wed evening, Nov 25 Eve of Thanksgiving 7:00 pm Pan-Orthodox Divine Liturgy Hosted by St. Haralambos Sunday, November 29 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy OUR SISTER COMMUNITY OF ST NECTARIOS in Palatine invites you to Great Vespers at 7:00 pm on Sunday evening, November 8th in honor of the Feastday of St. Nectarios, and to Divine Liturgy the morning of Monday, November 9. Liturgy WILL NOT be celebrated at St. Haralambos on Monday, Nov 9.) THE MONASTERY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSOTOM in Kenosha, WI invites you to Great Vespers at 7:00 pm on Thursday evening, November 12th, in honor of the Feastday of St. John Chrysostom, and to Divine Liturgy the morning of Friday, November 13 th. (Divine Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on Friday, November 13.) OUR SISTER COMMUNITY OF ST ANDREW in Chicago invites you to Great Vespers at 7:00 pm on Sunday evening, November 29th in honor of the Feastday of St. Andrew, and to Divine Liturgy the morning of Monday, November 30. Liturgy WILL NOT be celebrated at St. Haralambos on Monday, Nov 30.) SACRAMENTS AND BLESSINGS 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 but 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. MINISTRY TO PERSONS WHO ARE SICK Orthodox Christians who would like to receive Holy Sacraments but are unable to attend church (hospitalized or at home) should contact the church office so Holy Sacraments can be administered to them. Please inform the church office if your loved one is hospitalized! Most hospitals no longer inform us when they receive patients from our parish. 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. DID YOU KNOW?.....About Saturday nights: Saturday night is the time of preparation for the Lord s Day (Sunday) and for the Divine Liturgy. It should be a quiet time of prayer and contemplation, a time to offer incense in our homes. Did you know that the day begins with the setting of the sun? That is why the vespers of our holidays falls the evening before the holiday: the holiday has already begun! For this reason, we should avoid planning parties and dinner dances on Saturday evenings. DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH? The Orthodox Church traces its origin to the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after Christ s Resurrection from the dead, when the Holy Spirit descended on the Holy Disciples. If you are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Faith, feel free to visit our Bible Study, or call the church office. Instruction for adults who desire to become Orthodox Christians is also offered. Please call Fr. Chris Kerkeres ( ) if you have questions or would like to attend! 2

3 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE: 847/ From Father Dean November 2009 Dear Stewards and Friends of St. Haralambos, The month of November is unique because we observe so many special events and projects: the Feastday of the Holy Taxiarch Archangels, our annual Christmas Bazaar, the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos, Thanksgiving, and the Feastdays of St. Nectarios, St. John Chrysostom, St. Philip, St. Katherine and St. Andrew, as well as the beginning of the Christmas Fast on November 15! October was also very eventful. We welcomed Mrs.Tasia Liapi as the Principal of our Afternoon Greek, and Mrs. Evangelia Vlahou- Khouri as the Director of our GSL. The annual Synergy Symposium on October 17 was exciting and informative, and on October 18, we had a wonderful and delicious Oktoberfest Dinner! The ladies of our Philoptochos are working industriously, preparing for this year s Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale, which will be on November Please plan to come and do your holiday shopping! Bring your friends! Usually, November is the month that we start thinking about our household budget for the coming year. Please also consider your 2010 Stewardship! We are grateful to see that more and more of our members are feeling a sense of ownership and pride in their church. Instead of giving a token donation without giving it much thought and without any sense of sacrifice, they are responding by connecting their level of giving to their income and resource level. This is the most fair of supporting our church and guaranteeing its future! Speaking of Stewardship, soon it will be time for Parish Council elections! Serving on the Parish Council is also a form of stewardship, and we believe that everyone should serve at least one term on the parish council! Is it time for YOU to step forward? New faces and fresh ideas are always welcomed. Nomination forms should be arriving soon. The annual Pan-Orthodox Eve of Thanksgiving Liturgy will take place on Wednesday evening, November 25 th. This year, we are hosting this Pan-Orthodox Liturgy at St. Haralambos! Please plan to attend this very beautiful and prayerful service as we give thanks to God for His precious blessings, The Christmas Fast begins on November 15! For Orthodox Christians, fasting is an excellent discipline of anticipation. Just as we don t eat before going to a party, we fast so we can celebrate the holiday to the max. Let s try to keep this fast in anticipation of our Lord s Birth, and then celebrate the beautiful 12 Days of Christmas in their fullness! Fr. Dean HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH NILES, ILLINOIS Proistamenos....Fr. Constantine P. Botsis Synefimerios Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres Pastoral Assistant..... Deacon John G. Suhayda Chanter......Nick Harisiadis Parish Council Officers President Niki Tziavaras Vice President..... Nick Andrews Treasurer... George Houpis Secretary Angelo Anastasiadis Budget Committee Chairman...George Conopeotis Building & Grounds Chairman...Michael Pontikes Decor Committee Chairman..Stephan Aliferakis Finance Committee Chairman...George Kotsionis Phase III Chairman...Pete Zouras Board Chairman John Pierce Stewardship Com Chairman..Dr. Thomas Bournias Philoptochos President......Ritsa Bazianos PTA Co-Presidents (Afternoon )...Linda Politis and Pauline Sarantopoulos PTA President (Preschool)... Joanne Kereakes Greek Principal... Mrs. Anastasia Liapi GSL Director...Mrs. Evangelia Vlahou-Khouri Preschool Director Stacey Chiampas Sunday Director....Presvytera Georgia Botsis Athletic Director..... David Loomos YAL President.....Patricia Grivas GOYA President... George Adams Book Store Manager... Jolynn Ruggerio Web Page..... John Melonides Office Staff......Barbara Skaouris and Alexandra Grivas IN THIS ISSUE: Letter from our Priest (pg 3) Parish Announcements (pg 4) Ανακοινώσεις (pg 5) Youth news (pg 6) Ο Αγιος Δημήτριος (pg 7) Stewardship (pp 8) Symposium (pg 9) Calendar for October (pg 10) 2009 STEWARDSHIP & TITHING FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT FOR OUR FAITH As of October 20, 602 stewards have committed $286,176 to the ministries of our church. Have you become a 2009 Steward yet? 3

4 THE BULLETIN BOARD Parish Announcements Stewardship and Tithing for 2009 FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT FOR OUR FAITH By now, everyone knows how important Stewardship is! It is the major source of support for our church, and it is FAIR, because we are all asked to give in proportion to our means. This year, we asked everyone to think about the concept of tithing, which means giving 10 percent of our income to the Church. On the path to Tithing, we asked everyone to start at a mere 1% for 2009, knowing that we can gradually increase our giving every year. As we begin planning our budgets for the year 2010, it is time to think about this more seriously. Can we implement tithing in 2010? If not 10%, how about 2%, or even 1%? How important how valuable is your Church to you? If you did not have your church, would it matter? Is forgiveness important? Is it significant that you have a place to baptize your children? Are funerals really necessary? Do we need our priests and teachers and organizations? We are especially grateful to those many stewards who have increased their level of giving this year!! THE ANNUAL PAN-ORTHODOX EVENING THANKSGIVING LITURGY will take place at the St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church in Niles at 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening, November 25. This Divine Liturgy is sponsored by The Orthodox Christian Clergy Association of Chicago & by SYNERGY, giving all of us the opportunity to celebrate an "American" holiday in an Orthodox way, together with fellow Orthodox Christians from different backgrounds. The outstanding Pan Orthodox Choir of Chicago will sing the responses and we urge everyone to attend this beautiful service! All are welcomed! ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN TOY DRIVE FOR FOSTER CHILDREN Again this year, the Orthodox Christian parishes of Chicago are collecting new toys to be given to foster children, under the direction of OCCA. St. Haralambos has volunteered to provide for 200 children this year! Visit the church office for more information; toys must be collected between November 22-29! SUPPORT OUR PTA! Wednesdays are PTA Benefit Day at Kappy s Restaurant for the month of November! Just mention the ST. HAR- LAMBOS PTA between 6:00 and 8:00 pm any Wednesday during November, and 10% of the cost of your order will be donated to our PTA! CONGRATULATIONS TO....Pericles Nikas on the opening of the new P&S Meats at 7544 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago ( )! We wish him every success. Καλές Δουλιές! 4 PHILOPTOCHOS HOLIDAY BAZAAR NOVEMBER The St. Haralambos Philoptochos will be hosting its annual Holiday Bazaar this fall, on November Help is needed! Take some time, if you can, to sew an apron, make some Christmas decorations, knit a baby blanket or do some needlepoint or crocheting. These are the kinds of things that are needed for our Bazaar! Lots of help will be needed! Please call the church office to offer your help. By working together, we can have a most successful Bazaar! It's only one month away! PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS PARTY The ladies of our St. Haralambos Philoptochos will have their annual Christmas Dinner on Tuesday evening, December 8 at the Rosewood. The reception hour will begin at 6:00 and Dinner will be a 7:00, and the donation is only $30. Bring a friend! For reservations, call Maria Dimitriou (847) ) or Kathy Apithis (773) ). GENERAL ASSEMBLY A GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the stewards of the Holy Taxiarhai and St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church will take place on Sunday, November 15 after church services, to approve the church s 2010 operating budget. If there is no quorum that day, the General Assembly will take place on Sunday, November 22. Any number attending on November 22 will comprise a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of this agenda. Plan to come to the General Assembly! THE DIVINE LITURGY! On Tuesday evening, November 3, our Bible Study will begin a new series of studying the Divine Liturgy. This will be an excellent entry point for new people to join the Bible Study group, and we encourage you to join us! MEN'S SOCIAL EVENT Our Annual Men's Social event will take place on Wednesday evening, the 25th of November at the Fountain Blue in Des Plaines. Contact Jim Karalekas or the Church Office for more information! HELLENIC AMERICAN VETERANS MEMORIAL The American Legion Hellenic Post #343 announces the Hellenic American Veterans Memorial in honor and memory of the men and women of Hellenic heritage who have served the United States in times of war and peace. This Memorial will be erected at Elmwood Cemetery and is projected to cost $150,000. Names and information about our veterans is needed, and donations are tax deductible. For info, contact or

5 2009 STEWARDSHIP AND TITHING: ΤΟΝ ΑΓΩΝΑ ΤΟΝ ΚΑΛΟΝ ΔΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΠΙΣΤΙΝ ΜΑΣ Εφέτος, ζητήσαμε από όλους να κατανοήσουν το νόημα του δέκατου ( tithe ), το οποίο σημαίνει να δίνουμε στην εκκλησία το δέκα τοις εκατό του εισοδήματός μας. Πολλά άλλα Χριστιανικά group ενισχύουν τις εκκλησίες των κατά τον τρόπον αυτόν επί σειρά γενεών. ΤΟ ΔΕΚΑΤΟΝ είναι μία ιδέα που έχει την βάση της στην Βίβλο και ενεργοποίθηκε από τον Λαό του Θεού την εποχή της Παλαιάς Διαθήκης! Καθώς βαδίζουμε προς την εφαρμογή του Δέκατου, ζητούμε από όλους να αρχίσουμε να δίνουμε το ελάχιστο 1% δια το έτος 2009, γνωρίζοντας ότι μπορούμε να αυξάνουμε την συνεισφορά μας βαθμιαία κάθε χρόνο. Ήρθε η ώρα να το σκεφτούμε πολύ σοβαρά, καθώς αρχίζουμε να σχεδιάσουμε τον προϋπολογισμό μας δια το Μπορούμε να εφαρμόσουμε το δέκατον κατά το έτος του 2010; Εαν όχι το 10%, τι θα λέγατε δια το 2%, ή ακόμη και το 1%; Πόσο σπουδαία πόσο πολύτιμη-είναι η εκκλησία για σας; Θα σας πείραζε εαν δεν είχατε την εκκλησία σας; Είναι σημαντικό το ότι υπάρχει ένα μέρος να βαπτίζετε τα παιδιά σας; Είναι οι κηδείες απαραίτητες; Είμεθα ευγνώμονες εις όλους αυτούς τους stewards του Αγ. Χαραλάμπους που αύξησαν εφέτος το ποσόν της συνεισφοράς τους! ΔΩΡΑ ΓΙΑ ΘΕΤΑ ΠΑΙΔΙΑ-Οι Ορθόδοξες Χριστιανικές ενορίες της περιφέρειας Σικάγο, υπό την αιγίδα του OCCA, συγκεντρώνουν και πάλιν εφέτος Χριστουγεννιάτικα καινούργια δώρα για θετά παιδιά. Η ενορία του Αγίου Χαραλάμπους ανέλαβε να δώση δώρα σε 150 παιδιά. Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες επικοινωνείτε με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας. Τα δώρα πρέπει να συγκεντρωθούν από Νοεμβρίου! ΧΡIΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝIΑΤIΚΟ ΠΑΖΑΡI ΤΗΣ ΦIΛΟΠΤΩΧΟΥ ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ: Η Φιλόπτωχoς πρoετoιμάζει τo Χριστoυγεvvιάτικo Παζάρι δια τις Νoεμβρίoυ Χρειάζεται μεγάλη βoήθεια! Εάv έχετε λίγη ελεύθερη ώρα, πρoσπαθήστε vα ετoιμάσετε μερικά Χριστoυγεvvιάτικα στoλίδια, vα φιάξετε μερικές πoδιές, ή vα πλέξετε κoυβερτoύλες δια μωρά, ή διάφoρα διακoσμητικά κεvτήματα. Ολα αυτά χρειάζovται δια τo παζάρι. Παρακαλoύμε τηλεφωvήσατε στo γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια περισσότερες πληρoφoρίες και εαν θέλετε να προσφέρετε την βοήθειά σας. Οταv εργασθoύμε όλoι μαζί, θα έχoυμε έvα πoλύ επιτυχημέvo Παζάρι! ΕΤΗΣΙΑ ΠΑΝΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΗ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΔΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΗΜΕΡΑ ΤΩΝ ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΙΩΝ-Θα λάβει χώραν την Τετάρτη το βράδυ, 25 Νοεμβρίου στις 7:00 μ.μ. στην Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία του Αγ. Χαραλάμπους εις Νάιλς. Αυτή η Θεία Λειτουργία διοργανώνεται από τον Χριστιανορθόδοξο Κληρικό Σύνδεσμο και τον SYN- ERGY, μας δίδει την ευκαιρία να εορτάσουμε μια «Αμερικάνικη» εορτή με Ορθόδοξο τρόπο, να συγκεντρωθούμε και να προσευχηθούμε αδελφομένοι με όλους τους ορθοδόξους Χριστιανούς άλλων εθνικοτήτων. Θα συμμετάσχη η Πανορθόδοξος Χορωδία Σικάγου. Μην χάσετε την ξεχωριστή αυτή λειτουργία! Σας περιμένουμε! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΟ ΠΑΡΤΥ ΤΗΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΤΩΧΟΥ-Το ετήσιο Χριστουγεννιάτικο πάρτυ της Φιλοπτώχου του Αγ. Χαραλάμπους θα λάβη χώραν την Τρίτη το βράδυ, 8 Δεκεμβρίου εις το Rosewood εις Rosemont. H φιλική ώρα στις 6:00 μ.μ. και Δείπνο στις 7:00 μ.μ. Η δωρεά είναι μόνον $30 το άτομο. Διά κρατήσεις θέσεων, παρακαλείσθε όπως επικοινωνείτε με τις Κες Μαρία Δημητρίου (847/ ), ή Κατερίνα Απειθή (773/ ). ΥΠΟΣΤΗΡΙΞΕΤΕ ΤΟ PTA! Κάθε Τετάρτη δια τον μήνα Νοέμβριο το PTA θα επωφελείται από το Kappy s Restaurant! Απλώς, όποια Τετάρτη βρεθείτε στο Kappy s από 6:00 μ.μ. -8:00 μ.μ., αναφερθείτε στο PTA του ΑΓΙΟΥ ΧΑΡΑΛΑΜΠΟΥΣ, και 10% της αξίας της παραγγελίας σας θα δωρίζεται στο PTA μας. MEN S SOCIAL EVENT- Την Τετάρτη, 25 Νοεμβρίου θα λάβει χώραν η ετήσια συγκέντρωση των αρρένων μελών της εκκλησίας μας, εις Fountain Blue εις Des Plaines. Δια περισσότερες πληροφορίες επικοινωνείτε με τον Jim Karalekas, ή το 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. Σας υπενθυμίζουμε ότι, κανονικά, πρέπει να δοθεί ένα όνομα στο παιδί, και πρέπει να είναι ένας ανάδοχος. 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 τα λάβουν. 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. 5

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7 THANKSGIVING EVE PAN-ORTHODOX DIVINE LITURGY Sponsored by THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CLERGY ASSOCIATION OF GREATER AMERICA AND ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SYNERGY At 7:00 in the evening On the Eve of Thanksgiving Wednesday, November 25, 2009 St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church 7373 Caldwell Avenue Niles, Illinois Responses offered by Pan-Orthodox Choir of Greater Chicago Gordana Trbuhovich, Director 7

8 The Holy Archangel Michael and all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven (Commemorated November 8) The angels of God were celebrated by men from earliest times but this celebration was often turned into the divinization of angels (II Kings 23:5). The heretics wove all sorts of fables concerning the angels. Some of them looked upon angels as gods; others, although they did not consider them gods, called them the creators of the whole visible world. The local Council of Laodicea (four or five years before the First Ecumenical Council) rejected the worship of angels as gods and established the proper veneration of angels in its Thirty-fifth Canon. In the fourth century, during the time of Sylvester, Pope of Rome, and Alexander, Patriarch of Alexandria, the present Feast of Archangel Michael and all the other heavenly powers was instituted for celebration in the month of November. Why precisely in November? Because November is the ninth month after March, and March is considered to be the month in which the world was created. Also, as the ninth month after March, November was chosen for the nine orders of angels who were created first. St. Dionysius the Areopagite, a disciple of the Apostle Paul (who was taken up into the third heaven), described these nine orders of angels in his book, On the Celestial Hierarchies, as follows: six-winged Seraphim, manyeyed Cherubim, God-bearing Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. The leader of all the angelic hosts is the Archangel Michael. When Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God and drew a part of the angels with him to destruction, then Michael stood up and cried out before the faithful angels: ``Let us attend! Let us stand aright! Let us stand with fear!'' and all of the faithful angelic heavenly hosts cried out: ``Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory!'' Concerning the Archangel Michael, see Joshua 5:13-15 and Jude 1:9. Among the angels there reign perfect oneness of mind, oneness of soul, and love. The lower orders also show complete obedience to the higher orders, and all of them together to the holy will of God. Every nation has its guardian angel, as does every Christian. We must always remember that whatever we do, in open or in secret, we do in the presence of our guardian angel. On the day of the Dread Judgment, the multitude of the hosts of the holy angels of heaven will gather around the throne of Christ, and the deeds, words, and thoughts of every man will be revealed before all. May God have mercy on us and save us by the prayers of the Archangel Michael and all the bodiless heavenly powers. Amen. From the Prologues of Ochrid By Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic 8

9 Annual Christmas Family Retreat THE JESSE TREE Our annual Christmas Family retreat will take place on Saturday, December 5, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Saint Iakovos Camp & Retreat Center, and the whole family is invited! The day s program will include morning prayer, craft, lunch, discussion, and a service project. This is a wonderful family event watch for more information and plan to partici- ST HARALAMBOS BASKETBALL PRACTICE SCHEDULE Basketball practices take place at Culver Elementary, 6901 W. Oakton Street in Niles. 3rd-4th grades practice Wednesdays at 6:00. 5th-8th grades practice Wednesdays at 7:15. High girls practice on Wednesday evenings at 8:30. High Boys practice on Thursday evenings at 7:00. All Basketball Players must be stewards of St. Haralambos. All Basketball Players must also be active members of GOYA! ORTHODOX BOY SCOUTS ITS OFFICIAL: The St. Haralambos Cub Scout Pack 821 & Boy Scouts Troop 821 have been officially chartered! Our next event will be Native American puzzles and games and educating scouts about American Indians. Come join us on Monday, November 9 th at 6:30 pm! ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CLERGY ASSOCIATION OF GREATER CHICAGO (OCCA) CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE All Orthodox Christian Churches of the metropolitan Chicago area have been invited to participate in a drive for new Christmas toys, to be distributed to needy foster children in Cook County who otherwise might not receive any Christmas gifts. With your generous thoughtfulness, these children will receive a Christmas gift this year; your gift may be the only gift they will get. If you would like to help this project, please visit or call our church office. You will receive an information sheet about a child, with a short list of the things the child would like for Christmas. Buy one or more of these gifts, wrap them, attach the information sheet and return them to our church office between November 22 and 29. The gifts will be gathered from all the area Orthodox Churches and taken to the offices of DCFS. The Chicagoland Orthodox Churches are the largest participant in this program. Your help would be appreciated! 9

10 November 2009 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 THE HOLY ANARGYROI 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy 2 5:30 pm Family Night 7:30 pm GOYA 3 4:30 pm Greek 7:30 pm Bible Study :30 pm Greek 7 9:00 am GSL 10:00 am Sunday Teachers Mtg 7:00 pm Great Vespers For the Feast of Holy Taxiarhai 8 THE HOLY TAXIARHAI 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy 9 ST NECTARIOS (Liturgy at Palatine) 10 4:30 pm Greek 4:30 pm PTA Mtg 7:30 pm Bible Study 11 7:30 - Philoptochos Meeting ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM 8:30 Orthros and Liturgy 4:30 pm Greek 6:30pm-Teachers Mtg 14 9:00 am GSL (Photo Day) 15 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy 16 5:30 pm Family Night 7:30 pm GOYA 17 4:30 pm Greek 5:00 Board Mtg 7:30 pm Bible Study 18 7:30 pm Parish Council Meeting the ENTRANCE OF THEOTOKOS 8:30 Orthros and Liturgy 22 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy :30 pm Greek 7:30 pm Bible Study 25 ST CATHERINE 8:30 Orthros and Liturgy 7:00pm PAN- ORTHODOX LITURGY at St. Haralambos 26 THANKS- GIVING DAY :30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy 30 ST ANDREW (Liturgy at St. Andrew Church) 5:30 pm Family Night 7:30 pm GOYA 10

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12 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE NILES, IL Address Service Requested PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, WI PERMIT #5654 St. Haralambos Christmas Family Retreat: THE TREE OF JESSE THE ANCESTRY OF JESUS (Isaiah 11:1-3) This is a Family Event, all Family Members are Invited! Saturday December 5, :00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. The Saint Iakovos Retreat Center th Ave. Kansasville, WI Crafts Lenten Lunch Discussion Outreach Project Donation $30.00 per family Registrations accepted until December 1 st 12