VOICE THE CATECHISM 101. THE VOICE January Volume No. 291

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1 THE VOICE THE VOICE January Volume No. 291 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1 Stewardship PTA News... 6 GOYA & Altar Boys Philoptochos... 9 Craft Show St. Spyridon s Feast Day Christmas Pageant Parish News Stewardship in Greek Liturgical Schedule Events Calendar Κοινοτικά Νέα ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT- SPYRIDON.ORG HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!!! CATECHISM 101 Great hopes and aspirations fill our hearts as we enter the New Year, and we continue to study the will of God as it pertains to our time. In our bible discussions, we have been talking about Noah s ark as a symbol of repentance and salvation. God saw that all men had become corrupted with the exception of Noah and his family. So God spoke to Noah and announced to him His decision: The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark (Genesis 6:13,14). God instructed Noah to build an ark that would be massive. For the next one hundred years Noah would employ his family and many others to build it. However, the reason it took them that long was not the size of the project. It was because God wanted to give ample time for men to repent as they watched this massive boat being built. For all those who worked on the ark and for many others who came to see it, the ark served as a visible prophecy of the flood which was to come. Noah would warn everyone of the impending flood and that they should repent. Yet no one listened. None of his contemporaries, not even those who built the ark, ever repented and they dismissed Noah and his message as foolishness. Stewardship Sunday January 25th, 2015

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 Taso Panagiotopoulos...President James Korbakes... Vice-President Konstantine Labrakis... Vice President James Xeros... Secretary Frank Kopanis... Assistant Secretary Gus Kolyvas... Treasurer Nicholas Chibucos... Assistant Treasurer Auxiliary Officers Angelo Angelos... Chanter Olga Paxinos... Philoptochos Angela Evangelopoulos... 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. Janine Riley... Cherubs Presvytera Georgia... HOPE Angelo Angelos... Byzantine Music Panagiotis Mihalopoulos... Iconography Fr. Tilemahos... Bible Study Vicki Drikos... Handmaidens Nick Chibucos & Labros Malfas... 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. Here we begin to see that the ark was not only a symbol of repentance and prophesy for Noah s time, but an ancient symbol of our Church. As much as the ark became a vessel of salvation from the flood for those who believed, likewise, the Church is an ark and a vessel of salvation for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God. As the ark had only one entrance through which to enter, the entrance to the Church is faith in Christ Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus compares the generation of Noah to the end times: And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed (Luke 17:26-30). The contemporaries of Noah and Lot as in the end times are generations obsessed with materialism: food, drink, entertainment, loose ethics, possessions, buying and selling, and the accumulation of wealth, power, and fame. Inevitably, both generations bring about God s intervention. The Church, just like the ark, serves as a prophecy of God s final intervention and judgment, as well as the vehicle of salvation through faith and repentance. There is however one fundamental difference between the ark and the Church. When Noah entered the ark, he shut the door and did not open it until all had perished. The Church, which is now navigating through the rough waters of history, keeps its door open for all. As the realities of sin and corruption continue to engulf the world, the Church stands as a continuous and long lasting symbol of repentance. Just as people watched the ark being built, every church building, every Christian is seen as a visible and loud symbol of repentance and of the Judgment to come. Unlike the ark, the Church s door remains open for all to escape the floods and enter within through faith in Christ. While we see our inevitable personal demise or even the end times approaching, the entrance to the Church continues to call all those who are tired and heavy laden to enter and find rest in Christ Himself. Perhaps the new year will find us seeking to enter the ark of salvation. Our times are not much different that the times of Noah and Lot. The invitation and the witness of the Church may be perceived as foolishness much like when Noah was building the ark. Yet we will continue to live in the ark of salvation, we will continue to build it, and will continue to enter with in through repentance and faith in Christ, as we commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God. Amen. With prayers for a blessed and joyful New Year Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos 2 The Voice

3 ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM Beloved faithful of Saint Spyridon, When we speak of stewardship and family we must also consider stewardship of family. Most often, we stress the importance of stewardship of the great gifts of God s material world, but which of God s gifts is greater than family? Family is a beautiful and meaningful opportunity to practice stewardship of our greatest gift, and to grow in our understanding of the blessing of properly using and sharing God s gifts. This past year, with the support of all of you, our 346 faithful stewards, we celebrated over 300 divine services, including a record number of baptisms and weddings. We saw growth once again in our religious education and Greek language schools, and in our philanthropic outreach. In the coming year we hope to expand all our current ministries, while taking care of those in need, beautifying our church edifice, and preparing for our parish s 100 th anniversary which is a short two years away. I invite you to come together at St. Spyridon this month as we speak about Stewardship, culminating on Stewardship Sunday, January 25 th. Over these few weeks, we will worship together as we do every Sunday, and reflect on the future of our parish family. On Stewardship Sunday, we shall come forward and offer what we have, however great or small our gift. If we do this prayerfully and in humility, God will receive our gifts, which will remain forever. I offer you my thanks for your dedication to our parish and your participation in Christ s work of salvation. Yours in Christ, Rev. Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH, 2015 All of us are called to offer our Stewardship Commitment on Sunday, January 25th and show our support for our church ministries and mission STEWARDSHIP UPDATE The Stewardship Committee thanks all of you, the 346 Stewards who fulfilled their commitment to our Church for 2014 for your support and generosity that makes all our parish ministries possible. We hope that all of you will commit your stewardship for the new year A complete listing of 2014 stewards will be published in the February issue of the VOICE. (November 21st December 24th) Ms. Kyriaki Dandinidis, Mr. & Mrs. Gus Goudis, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Sacha, Mr. & Mrs. Niko Dagres, Mr. & Mrs. Curtis James, Ms. Christina Karioris, Mrs. Christina Nikolopoulos, Dr. Mary Peters, Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Priovolos, Ms. Irene Giardina, Mr. & Mrs. Brian Perkins and Mr. & Mrs. Theodoros Proutsos. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 3

4 Stewardship & Budget 2015 According to our 2015 budget that was passed on November 23, 2014, we are counting on the following income and expense distribution for 2015 INCOME BUDGET Stewardship $142,200 Our annual contributions as Stewards of Saint Spyridon. Tuition & Fees $57,400 The total fees and tuition paid in our Religious Education and Greek School programs. Fundraisers $86,464 The net income from the Festival, Raffle, Christmas Craft Show, Annual Dinner Dance & New Year s Eve Dance. Donations $35,554 The total funds donated through Christmas & Pascha Appeals, Christmas Card, flowers and other donations. Candles & Trays $108,507 Our weekly offerings through candles and trays. Total Income Budget: $430,125 Fundraisers 20% Tuitions & Fees 13% Donations 9% Income Budget 2015 Candles & Collections 25% Stewardship 33% EXPENSE BUDGET Employee wages $203,396 The salaries and benefits for the clergy, chanter, office staff, and custodians. Office Expenses $14,891 The cost of copies, mailings, and office equipment. Ministry Expenses $95,369 The costs associated with schools, youth, worship, and other ministries of the church. National Ministries $43,406 The parish contribution to our Archdiocese. Maintenance $72,475 The cost of maintaining and beautifying our edifice and the church grounds. The Budget for Maintenance does not reflect the capital projects, such as the Parking Lot, Roofs, & Heating Units, which average at $40,000 every year. Total Expense Budget: $429,537 National Ministries 10% Utilities & Maintenance 17% Ministry Expenses 22% Expense Budget 2015 Office Expenses 4% Employee Wages 47% STEWARDSHIP 2015 GOAL: 400 STEWARDS Let us continue to do our best to meet this challenge by inviting more stewards to join our vibrant community and by giving from our heart in response to all of God s blessings. May our patron Saint Spyridon intercede for us and grant our community a healthy and blessed The Voice

5 Parish Financial Trends The figures in these charts have actual figures for and budgetary figures for 2014 & $475,000 $450,000 $425,000 $400,000 $375,000 $350,000 Income & Expense Chart $100,000 $90,000 $80,000 $70,000 $60,000 $50,000 $40,000 Reliance on Fundraisers to cover our expenses Income Expenses $30, Deficits $47,170 $57,983 $54,454 $42,159 $49,273 $47,065 $70,585 $88,052 This chart shows that expenses are increasing faster than our income. Most of our expense increases are either inflationary or tied to national commitments such as Archdiocesan obligations which are beyond our control. It is thus imperative that we increase our contributions to keep pace with the expenses of our growing parish. $450,000 $400,000 $350,000 $300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 Stewardship and Expenses Stewardship Par ish Expenses This chart shows our yearly expenses have grown faster than our stewardship contributions. The chart shows that the gap between our expenses and our stewardship has grown from $252,662 in 2008 to a projected $287,337 in Furthermore, our parish s average stewardship is one of the lowest averages in the Metropolis of Chicago. Overall, from 2008 to 2015 our average stewardship has grown from $377 to a projected $406, an increase of 7.6% and our expenses from 2008 to 2015 have grown from $374,015 to a projected $429,537, an increase of 14.8%. This chart shows that we are increasingly relying on our fundraisers to pay for our everyday expenses. In the 2015 budget, 20% of our income will come from fundraisers. This trend is unsustainable. Maintaining the parish on the efforts of our aging volunteers who are running most of our fundraisers should not be the vision of our parish. We should strive to fund our parish through stewardship and donations. We all need to work together for the good of our community. $120,000 $115,000 $110,000 $105,000 $100,000 $95,000 Candles & Trays This chart shows that from our candle and tray collection has grown from $101,844 to a projected $108,507, an increase of 6.5%. At the same time, our expenses as shown above have grown 14.8%. Our weekly church attendance should increase for the good of the community and our weekly offerings need to keep pace with parish expenses. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 VASILOPITA CELEBRATIONS The cutting of our Saint Spyridon Community Vasilopita will be on Sunday, January 11th, 2015, after the Divine Liturgy. We ask that all parishioners and friends join us for this very special beginning for the New Year. The Sunday School Cutting of the Vasilopita will be also held on Sunday, January 11th during Sunday School class. The Greek School Cutting of the Vasilopita will be held on Monday, January 12th during Greek School. METROPOLIS VASILOPITA The 55th Annual Chicago Metropolis Vasilopita will be held on Sunday, January 11th, 2015, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst, IL. All proceeds from this annual celebration are sent to St. Basil s Academy, a home away from home for Orthodox young people who come from broken homes, or are victims of poverty, abuse or abandonment. BLESSING OF HOMES Fr. Tilemahos will be blessing homes the week after Epiphany. In preparation for the house blessing you should have an icon and the kandeli on a table. Please make sure that all family members are present. Anyone wishing to have their home blessed should contact the Church Office. ICONOGRAPHY SCHOOL After the Christmas break, our iconography school is back in session on January 7th, and every Wednesday, 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m.. New students are always welcome. PTA News In the month of December, our P.T.A. held its Annual Christmas Party on Friday, December 21st after Greek School. Mrs. Yianna Halikias and her committee organized a fun evening with food, games and movies for all our St. Spyridon children. It was wonderful and festive event. Congratulations to the committee and all the donors and volunteers. We would like to applaud our Sunday School students, Junior Choir, and Greek School students for their inspiring Christmas Pageant Sunday December 22nd. The Sunday School staff, Junior Choir Director Nicky Glikis, Principal Lambrini Stavrou and the Greek School teachers are to be congratulated! Many thanks to the parents, children, and volunteers for a memorable celebration. The Sunday School Vasilopita will take place on Sunday, January 11th, and the Greek School Vasilopita on Monday, January 12th. Anyone interested to make the vasilopita for their child s classroom please contact your child s teacher. Applications for the P.T.A. Annual Scholarship will be available in the Church Office after January 15 th. We ask all high school seniors to apply for the $1000 scholarship. Also, two Greek School graduates will be awarded an Award of Excellence for $125 each. Our January meeting will be held on Monday, January 12th at 5:00 p.m. Our Greek School students have participated in the Metropolis Agrafon essay contest in early December. The awards will be presented at the Hellenic Letters Luncheon on Sunday, January 25th at the Chateau Ritz in Niles, IL. All our Greek School families are invited to attend the luncheon. Furthermore, some of our older Greek School students will participate in the Hellenic Letters celebration on Saturday, January 24th, at SS Peter and Paul Church, where all the Chicago area Greek Schools will come to present a short program in honor of the Three Hierarchs. The Three Hierarchs Program will be presented by our Plutarchos Greek School on Friday, January 30th, at 4:30 p.m. The P.T.A. will be hosting refreshments. All Greek School parents are asked to bring refreshments. The P.T.A. will have their annual Artoclasia on Sunday, January 25 th. We ask all P.T.A. members to worship together and sit in the first and second pews on the right side of the church that Sunday. We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year! Greek Letters Program presented by our Plutarchos Greek School Friday, January 30th, 2014 Εορτή των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων Παρασκευή, 30 Ιανουαρίου 6 The Voice

7 Christmas would not be the same without giving back and on Friday, December 19th our Goyans did so in music and song! During their annual Christmas Caroling outing they visited many homes of our fellow parishioners including the homes of Gus & Litsa Alikakos, Zafira Jouras, Pete & Olga Paxinos, Cathy Gofis, Chris & Dina Katsoulis, and Bill & Toula Georgiopoulos. They brought joy and smiles and spread Christmas cheer to all the homes that they visited with beautiful singing accompanied by the clarinet and other instruments. Also many thanks to all our drivers. GOYA CAROLING ALTAR BOYS During the feast of Saint Spyridon, our altar boys made us proud once again with their dedicated service during the Great Vespers and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Their impeccable service during the feast day and throughout the year continues to make our community proud of our altar boys. On Saturday, December 27th, about twenty the altar boys gathered to celebrate the feast of their patron saint, St. Stephen the First Martyr and Archdeacon. Following the Divine Liturgy they took a group photo. Many thanks to Uncle Sam s Restaurant for providing the lunch. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 Our class went to the Philip Lynch Theater at Lewis University to see a live production of The Santa Claus Caper this past December. We were fortunate to have many parents and chaperones that also attended the performance. Our students put on a beautiful Christmas Pageant and were surprised by a special visit from Santa Claus. We would like to thank all the parents that helped put together the wonderful reception that followed the performance. We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year! SCHOOL YEAR Applications for the School year will be available after January 12th. Please be aware that applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis with priority given to St. Spyridon stewards and alumni. We have limited space so please plan accordingly. SCHOOL CALENDAR Jan. 5 School resumes Jan. 19 No school, Martin Luther King Day 8 The Voice

9 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Dear Philoptochos Sisters and Fellow Parishioners, Happy New Year! The Philoptochos Adelfotis wishes all our church family the best in We thank you for always supporting Philoptochos so that we may continue helping those less fortunate. December brought in our Craft Show with much success. Thank you to father Tilemahos for all his support, to Toula Georgiopoulos for being in charge of the crafters, Kathy Korbakes for being in charge of all the pastries, Dina Katsoulis, Kosta and Litsa Alikakos for being in charge of the kitchen, Ruth Faklis, and Pat Katsenis for running the registers, Kiki Davros and Irene Giardina for running the raffle. And thanks to all who worked baked and did so much to make it a success. Thanks to George Papadopoulos for being the chairman from the parish council and thanks to all the men who were non stop in helping. Our Vespers and Feast Day Receptions were a huge success. Thanks to Litsa Alikakos for procuring Lenten sweets and all the artous and thanks to all who provided them. It is a wonderful feeling hosting our sister parishes in our church home. One of the highlights for December was our Junior choir, under the direction of Niki Glikis, performing at the Open House of our Metropolitan Iakovos. Their music selection was varied and impressed His Eminence greatly. The Philoptochos Christmas Party was fun, we finally had time to converse with each other with nothing pending. Thanks to Ruth Faklis and Pat Katsenis for bringing it to fruition. As we enter 2015 many thing will be on the agenda. Our church Vasilopita will be on January 11th in church. Let s all be there for this and then to St. Demetrios in Elmhurst that evening at 6:00 P.M. for the city wide Vasilopita. The Philoptochos wishes all a happy and healthy New Year, With Sisterly Agape, Olga Paxinos, Philoptochos President St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 9

10 10 The Voice CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW

11 ST. SPYRIDON S FEAST DAY With great splendor, the feast day of St. Spyridon was celebrated on December 11th & 12th. His Eminence, Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, and His Grace, Bishop Demetrios, assisted by Metropolis clergy, presided over the divine services. We had the added blessing this year to have Fr. Athenagoras with us visiting from Cuba for our feast day. Chanters and faithful from throughout the area came to worship and honor our patron saint. The Philoptochos hosted the reception after the Great Vespers Services and the Divine Liturgy. Many thanks to all who brought prosfora, the artoclasia, the flowers, sweets and fruit for the hospitality. Thank you to all the dedicated faithful who made this year s feast day truly memorable. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 11

12 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM On Sunday December 21 st our Sunday School students participated in our annual Christmas Pageant. The younger children served as our sheep and angels and the older students volunteered for the various parts. Many thanks to Dana Vasilakos for coordinating this beautiful event and Nicky Glikis for sharing her amazing musical talents with us. SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School will not be in session until Sunday January 11 th, where we will have our annual Vasilopita cutting in each classroom. On behalf of all the Sunday School Staff, we wish everyone a Happy New Year! Looking ahead to the upcoming months, we will be focusing on Oratorical projects. This year, we would like to see as much participation as possible in all grade levels. Junior Division grades 7-9 and Senior Division grades topics can be found at GREEK LETTERS WEEK The week of January 24th-30th, is dedicated to the study and promotion of Greek Letters. The celebration actually begins with the Pansholiki Eorti at the SS Peter & Paul Church, on January 24th. This year s events will culminate with the Greek Letters luncheon which will take place on Sunday, January 25th, 2015 at the Chateau Ritz in Niles, IL, at 2:30 p.m.. At this event, the awards will be given for the AGRAFON contest which took place in December. For more details, please contact the Church Office. BAPTISM The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Konstantine Goudis was baptized on December 7th and given the name Sidona. Ms Christina Karioris was the sponsor. Να σας Ζήσει! MEMORIALS Sunday, December 7th 40 days for Nick Vardalos Sunday, December 14th 40 days for Constance Meklis 12 The Voice

13 We wish to express special gratitude to... THANK YOU * His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago for honoring our parish with his presence at our St. Spyridon Feast Day. * His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos for honoring our parish with his presence at our St. Spyridon Feast Day. * all our parishioners and friends who donated monetary donations towards the flowers of St. Spyridon Feast Day and Christmas. * the Handmaidens for beautifully decorating St. Spyridon s Icon * to all the students of Sunday and Greek School, teachers and P.T.A. members for presenting such a beautiful Community Christmas Pageant to our parishioners. * the individuals & families who sponsored the annual Community Christmas Card. * all Goyans and Junior Goyans for making this Holiday Season full of cheer with their Christmas Caroling. * the Parish Council and the Philoptochos ladies for hosting the Annual Craft Show and for all the wonderful cooking and baking. * all the anonymous donors for donating monetary and food donations for the Christmas Baskets for the needy. * the individuals who helped clean up the church in preparation for our feast day. * the individuals who assisted in packing and delivering the Christmas Baskets for the needy. * to 95th Produce and Pete s Produce for helping us with our Christmas baskets for the needy. * to Sam and Ourania Papanastasatos of Uncle Sam s Restaurant for providing the lunch for our altar boys. * the ladies who made the Artos for the Feast Day of St. Spyridon Artoclasia. * to Yianna Halikias and Demetra Mikroulis for organizing our 2nd Annual Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 19th, that everyone enjoyed so much! MANY THANKS TO OUR CHRISTMAS APPEAL DONORS Anonymous Mrs. Jan Augustine Mr. & Mrs. Pete Ayaleanos Mr. & Mrs. Gus Banakis Dr. & Mrs. Ted Bechrakis Mr. Angelo Besbekos Ms. Eleni Bizoukas Mr. & Mrs. John Bonadeo Bousies Family Mr. & Mrs. Theodoros Bouzios Mr. & Mrs. Christos Catsogiannis Mr. & Mrs. Sam Charalambos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Chubucos Mr. & Mrs. Gus Dendrinos Mr. & Mrs. John Eliacostas Mrs. Martha Eliopulos Mrs. Georgia Evangelopoulos Ms. Ruth Faklis Mr. & Mrs. George Gatsios Ms. Vicki Georgakas Mr. & Mrs. Bill Georgiopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Ted Georgiopoulos Ms. Irene Giardina Mrs. Zafira Jouras Mr. Constantine Karampelas Mrs. Roula Karampelas Ms. Georgia Karountzos Mr. James Karountzos Mrs. Helen Katris Mr. & Mrs. Christos Katsoulis Mrs. Helen King Mrs. Tasia Kladis Dr. & Mrs. Chris Kolyvas Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kolyvas Mr. & Mrs. Gus Korellis Mr. & Mrs. Chris Koulogeorge Mr. & Mrs. George Kyroudis Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Les Mrs. Betty Lillios Mrs. Maria Loubroukos Ms. Georgia Malamis Mr. Angelo Meklis Ms. Angeline Mitsis Mrs. Lynn Parr Ms. Penny Poninski Mr. John Poziopoulos Mrs. Pat Poziopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Steve Proutsos Mr. & Mrs. Bill Selimos Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Stamus Mr. & Mrs. Tom Stavrou Ms. Angeline Sieracki Mr. Samuel Stive Mrs. Efthimia Thiakos Mrs. Asimo Trakadas Mrs. Ida Trakadas Mr. & Mrs. James Tsipakis Mrs. Vasiliki Tsonis Mr. Michael Valaris St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 13

14 ΠΡΟΫΠΟΛΟΓΙΣΜΟΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑN ΤΟ 2015 Σύμφωνα με τον προϋπολογισμό που εγκρίθηκε την 23ην Νοεμβρίου, 2014, από την Γενική Συνέλευση της ενορίας μας, προβλέπουμε τα ακόλουθα για το The Voice Προϋπολογισμός Εισόδων 2015 Πρόγραμμα Καλού Οικονόμου $142,200 Δίδακτρα $57,400 Δίσκοι καί Κεριά $108,507 Δωρεές $35,554 Καλοκαιρινό Φεστιβάλ και Εράνους $86,464 Σύνολον $430,125 Προϋπολογισμός Εξόδων 2015 Εξοδα Γραφείου $14,891 Αντίτυπα, Τηλέφωνο, Ταχυδρομικά, Ενημερωτικά Δελτία. Συντήρηση της Εκκλησίας και άλλων κτιρίων $72,475 Ηλεκτρισμός, Θέρμανση, Ασφάλεια, επισκευές καί έξοδα συντηρήσεως των κτιρίων. Για όσους υπηρετούν την Εκκλησία $203,396 Έξοδα δια την διακονία της Εκκλησίας, μισθοί και έξοδα του προσωπικού. Η Διακονία της Εκκλησίας $95,369 Έξοδα το Κατηχητικό και Ελληνικό Σχολείο καί έξοδα δια την διακονία της Εκκλησίας Η Διακονία της Μητροπόλεως και Αρχιεπισκοπής $43,406 Η προσδιορισμένη από την Μητρόπολιν προσφοράν ΣΥΝΟΛΟ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ 2015 $429,537 *Παρακαλούμε όπως παρατηρήσετε ότι, ενώ τα έξοδα της ενορίας καλύπτονται στον προϋπολογισμό, χάρις της αγάπης και της γενναιοδωρίας όλων σας, αυτά που δεν καλύπτονται είναι οι μεγάλες επισκευές όπως η σκεπή, το πάρκινγκ, οι εγκαταστάσεις θερμάνσεως και κλιματισμού, και οι ανακαινήσεις του κτιρίου. Αυτά τα μεγάλα έξοδα προκύπτουν κάθε λίγα χρόνια, και απαιτούν όπως κρατούμε στην άκρη περίπου $40,000 τον χρόνο δια να καλύπτονται χωρίς την ανάγκη εκτάτων εράνων. Στόχος του Μέλη για την Εκκλησίαν μας Ας συνεχίσουμε να προσφέρουμε ότι το καλύτερο μπορούμε στην αγαπημένη μας ενορία του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος, και ο άγιός μας ας μεσιτεύει για όλους μας για ένα ευλογημένο και υγιές νέον έτος 2015.

15 Thursday, January 1st Sunday, January 4th Monday, January 5th Tuesday, January 6th Wednesday, January 7th Saturday, January 10th Sunday, January 11th Monday, January 12th Friday, January 16th Sunday, January 18th Tuesday, January 20th Sunday, January 25th Monday, January 26th Friday, January 30th Saturday, January 31st Sunday, February 1st Monday, February 2nd SCHEDULE OF DIVINE SERVICES New Year s Day, Our Lord s Circumcision, Saint Basil the Great & St. Tilemahos, Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Doxology for the New Year 9:00 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Royal Hours, Vesperal Liturgy & Agiasmos 7:00 a.m. Theophany, Orthros, Divine Liturgy of St. Basil & Agiasmos 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers at St. John the Baptist Church in Des Plaines, IL.- 7:00 p.m. St. John the Baptist, Orthros & Divine Liturgy - 8:00 a.m. St. Gregory of Nyssa, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Great Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday after Theophany, Orthros and Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Paraklesis 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers at St. Anthony Chapel at the Metropolis House in Chicago 12th Sunday of Luke, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. St. Efthimios, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. 15th Sunday of Luke, Orthros & Div. Liturgy & P.T.A. Artoclasia 8:00 a.m. Paraklesis 6:00 p.m. The Three Hierarchs Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, Triodion begins, St. Tryphon Orthros, Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Presentation of our Lord Orthros and Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Paraklesis 6:00 p.m. ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Πέμπτη 1 Ιανουαρίου Η κατά σάρκα περιτομή του Κυρίου και Σωτήρος ημών Ιησού Χριστού, και του Αγίου Βασιλείου Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία, Αρτοκλασία και Δοξολογία-9 π.μ. Κυριακή 4 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή πρό των Θεοφανίων, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 5 Ιανουαρίου Βασιλικές Ωρες των Θεοφανείων, Θεία Λειτουργία & Αγιασμός 7:00 π.μ. Τρίτη 6 Ιανουαρίου ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ, Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Αγιασμός 8:00 π.μ. Μ. Εσπερινός στην Εκκλησία του Αγίου Ιωάννη στο Des Plaines, IL 7:00 μ.μ. Τετάρτη 7 Ιανουαρίου Αγίου Ιωάννη του Βαπτιστού, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Σάββατο 10 Ιανουαρίου Αγίου Γρηγορίου Νύσσης, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 11 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή μετά των Θεοφανείων, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 12 Ιανουαρίου Παράκλησις -6:00 μ.μ. Παρασκευή 16 Ιανουαρίου Μέγας Εσπερινός στο Παρεκκλήσιο του Αγίου Αντώνιου 7:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 17 Ιανουαρίου Εσπερινός στην Εκκλησία του Αγίου Αθάνασίου στο Aurora, IL 7:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 18 Ιανουαρίου 12η Κυριακή του Λουκά, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Τρίτη 20 Ιανουαρίου Αγίου Ευθυμίου, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Κυριακή 25 Ιανουαρίου 15η Κυριακή του Ματθαίου, Όρθρος, Λειτουργία και Αρτοκλασία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 26 Ιανουαρίου Παράκλησις -6:00 μ.μ. Παρασκευή 30 Ιανουαρίου Των Τριών Ιεραρχών, Ορθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Σάββατο 31 Ιανουαρίου Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 1 Φεβρουαρίου Αρχίζει το Τριώδιο, Αγίου Τρύφωνος, Ορθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 2 Φεβρουαρίου Της Υπαπαντής, Ορθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. * Παράκλησις -6:00 μ.μ. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 15

16 January 2015 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 4 Family Worship Parish Council Oarh 11 Sunday School Community Vasilopita Metropolis Vasilopita 18 Sunday School 25 Sunday School P.T.A. Artoclasia Stewardship Sunday Hellenic Letters Luncheon 5 Greek School-4:30 pm 12 Greek School-4:30 pm Greek School Vasilopita PTA Meeting _ 5:00 pm Byzantine Music 5:00pm Bible Study- 7pm 19 Greek School-4:30 p.m. 26 Greek School-4:30 pm Byzantine Music 5:00pm Bible Study- 7pm Parish Council Mtg 7pm GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm 20 GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm 27 GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm 7 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. High School B-Ball 7 pm 14 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Iconography - 6 pm High School B-Ball 7 pm Bible Study 7 pm 21 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Iconography - 6 pm High School B-Ball 7 pm Bible Study 7 pm 28 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Iconography - 6 pm High School B-Ball 7 pm Bible Study 7 pm 1 New Year's Day Church Office Closed Greek School 4:30 p.m. Biddy & Grammar School B-ball 6:45 pm 16 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Biddy & Grammar School B-ball 6:45 pm 23 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Biddy & Grammar School B-ball 6:45 pm 30 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Three Hierarchs Program Biddy & Grammar School B-ball 6:45 pm 10 HOPE, Handmaidens & Altar Boys 10:30 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:30 am 17 HOPE, Handmaidens & Altar Boys 10:30 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:30 am 24 HOPE, Handmaidens & Altar Boys 10:30 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:30 am Pansholiki 3 p.m. 31 HOPE, Handmaidens & Altar Boys 10:30 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:30 am

17 ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ Η ΕΚΟΥΣΙΑ ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΑ 2015 «Του Κυρίου η γης και το πλήρωμα αυτής, η οικουμένη και οι κατοικούντες εν αυτή» (Ψαλμός 24,1). Σύμφωνα με τόν ψαλμωδό αλλά και την διδασκαλία του Χριστού, ότι έχομεν δεν ανήκει σε μας. Ολα ανήκουν στον Θεόν, καί εμείς είμαστε απλοί διαχειρισταί. Εις το Λευτικό αναφέρεται, «Και παν δέκατο της γης, είται εκ του σπόρου της γης, είται εκ του καρπού των δένδρων, του Κυρίου είναι, άγιον εις τον Κύριον. Και παν δέκατο βοών, καί προβάτων, παντός ζώου διαβαίνοντος υποκάτωθεν της ράβδου, το δέκατον θέλει είσθαι άγιον εις τον Κύριον.» (Λευιτικόν 27,30-32). Μεταφράζοντας την έννοια των ανωτέρω σημαίνει ότι εκείνα τα οποία κερδίζομεν σήμερον από την εργασίαν μας, ή από επιχειρήσεις ή από καταθέσεις ή από οτιδήποτε άλλο, μέρος αυτών ανήκουν εις τον Θεόν. Έχομεν την ελευθερίαν να προσφέρωμεν ότι νομίζομεν σύμφωνα μέ τον Απόστολον Παύλον ο οποίος ενθαρρύνει τους Χριστιανούς της Κορίνθου να προσφέρουν με ευχαρίστησιν καί λέγει ότι η προσφορά σου πρέπει να βγαίνη απο την καρδιά σου. Προσφέρεις ότι θέλεις να προσφέρεις όχι διότι αναγκάζεσαι. Η υποστήριξη της Εκκλησίας είναι ζήτημα σημαντικό, αντανακλά την πίστην μας και την αφοσίωσήν μας προς τον Θεόν. Για αυτό λοιπόν ας σκεφθούμε καί ας πράξουμε όπως ο Κύριος και ο Σωτήρας μας Ιησούς μας προσκαλεί να πράξουμε. ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΙ ΣΠΙΤΙΩΝ Ο πατήρ Τηλέμαχος θα αγιάζει σπίτια την εβδομάδα για τα τα Θεοφάνεια αρχίζονοτας από τις 5 Ιανουαρίου. Εαν θέλετε να έρθει και στο δικό σας σπίτι παρακαλείσθε να επικοινωνήσετε με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. ΚΟΠΗ ΒΑΣΙΛΟΠΙΤΤΑΣ Το κόψιμο της Κοινοτικής μας Βασιλόπιττας θα γίνει την Κυριακή 11 Ιανουαρίου 2015 αμέσως μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. Παρακαλούμε όλους τους ενορίτες και φίλους να παρευρεθούν στο κόψιμο της Βασιλόπιττας. Το κόψιμο της Βασιλόπιττας της Ιεράς Μητρόπολης του Σικάγου θα γίνει την Κυριακή 11 Ιανουαρίου στίς 6 μ.μ. στον Ιερό Ναό του Αγίου Δημητρίου στο Elmhurst. Παρακαλούνται όλοι οι ενορίτες να παρευρεθούν και να υποστηρίξουν το πρόγραμμα αυτό της Μητρόπολής μας. ΕΟΡΤΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝΑ Θα θέλαμε να ευχαριστήσουμε τους παρακάτω για τις υπηρεσίες τους κατά τις Ιερές Ακολουθίες της Εορτής της Εκκλησίας μας: Τον πρόεδρο του Κοινοτικοὐ Συμβουλίου μας και τα Μέλη αυτού, τους Ιεροψάλτες και τους βοηθούς των, όλα τα Ιεροπαίδια, τις κυρίες της Φιλοπτώχου και του Συλλόγου Γονέων και Διδασκάλων για τον καφέ και τα γλυκίσματα, και όλους τους δωρητές για τα λουλούδια, άρτους και πρόσφορα. Ο Θεός να σας ευλογεί όλους. ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ Τα μαθήματα του Ελληνικού Σχολείου θα αρχίσουν και πάλι την Δευτέρα 5 Ιανουαρίου. Η κοπή της Βασιλόπιττας του Ελληνικού Σχολείου θα γίνει την 12 Ιανουαρίου. Το πρόγραμμα του Ελληνικού σχολείου για την εορτή των Τριών Ιεραρχών και των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων θα γίνει την Παρασκευή 30 Ιανουαρίου, στις 4:30 μ.μ. ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΗΡΙΑ Ευχαριστούμε όλους όσους δώρησαν χρήματα για τα λουλούδια για τον στολισμό της Εκκλησίας μας για την Εορτή του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα και για τα Χριστούγεννα, και για το Χριστουγενιάτικο δώρο τους προς την Εκκλησία μας. Eυχαριστούμε επίσης όλους τους δωρητές και εθελοντές για το Χριστουγεννιάτικο Craft Show, της 6ης και 7ης Δεκεμβρίου. 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 Jan. 4th Parish Council Oath Jan. 5th Greek School resumes Resumes Jan. 11th Community Vasilopita Sunday School Vasilopita Metropolis Vasilopita Jan. 12th PTA Meeting Greek School Vasilopita Archangels Registration Opens Jan. 13th Parish Council Meeting Jan. 24th Panscholiki Jan. 25th P.T.A. Artoclasia Stewardship Sunday Metropolis Hellenic Letters Luncheon Jan. 30th Three Hierarchs Program Feb. 1st Archangels Community Breakfast