VOICE THE. Feast Day of our Patron Saint Spyridon. THE VOICE December Volume No. 290

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1 THE VOICE THE VOICE December Volume No. 290 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1 Sunday School News... 3 P.T.A. News... 4 Archangels... 5 Announcements... 6 Philoptochos News... 7 Parish Registry... 8 Stewardship... 9 Godparent Sunday OXI DAY Parish News New Year s Dance Κοινοτικά νέα... 13,14 Liturgical Schedule Community Events Πρόγραμμα Ακολουθιών ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT- Catechism 101 In our study of Genesis we spent some time speaking about Cain and Abel. The familiar story recounts how Cain was envious because his own works were evil and his brother s works were righteous. Jealous of his brother Abel, Cain rose up and murdered him. Malice in the heart ends in murder by the hands. Cain slew Abel, his own brother, whom he should have loved; his younger brother, whom he ought to have protected; a good brother, who had never done him any wrong. Observe the pride, unbelief, and impenitence of Cain. He denies the crime, as if he Feast Day of our Patron Saint Spyridon Thursday, December 11th Hierarchical Great Vespers 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 12th Orthros & Hierarchical Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.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 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. could conceal it from God. He tries to cover a deliberate murder with a deliberate lie. Following the crime, God attempted to have Cain confess and repent by asking him of his brother s whereabouts. Cain, not only denied having committed the crime, but with arrogance responded: Am I my brother s keeper? Am I my brother s keeper? Cain wasn't responsibly pondering, "Am I my brother's noble defender?" He was saying, "How do I know where he is? It's not in my job description to keep track of him!" It was meant to shame God into replying, "On no, of course you aren't. I'm so sorry I asked." Simply put, Cain's rhetorical sneer is not the query of a loving, responsible brother, but the arrogant defiance of a brutal murderer. Cain s response reveals his malice and hatred toward his dead brother and towards God. It is as if he blamed God for Abel s untimely demise. His lack of repentance revealed his selfishness, and brought about the wrath of his Creator. Murder is a crying sin. Blood calls for blood, the blood of the murdered for the blood of the murderer. Abel, being dead, yet he speaks. He tells the heinous guilt of murder, and teaches us that persecution must be expected by the righteous. Also, that there is a future state, and an eternal life to be enjoyed by the righteous through the mercy and salvation given through Christ. In His punishment and curse of Cain, our Lord certainly implied: You are your brother s keeper. We are responsible to look after one another, to protect, guide, and love our neighbor as ourselves. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus taught us the meaning of neighborly love. He taught us to take care of those in need with no regard to risk, expense, prejudice, or personal sacrifice. We are the keeper of our family, our community, even all of humanity. In a world that is all the more individualistic and mistrusting, the call to be our brother s keeper has become quite challenging. Becoming our brother s keeper can rarely be exercised by taking care of someone in need in our neighborhood or place of work. We seldom get to know the needs of another and ever more rarely are we given the opportunity to look after them. At the same time, our global society can render our everyday choices beneficial or harmful to people far away that we have never had the chance to meet. Therefore, our nearby world is increasingly isolated and yet our actions lead to consequences that are increasingly global. Am I my brother s keeper at its core is a call to watch over our neighbor in a modern individualistic and self-centered society. We need to be mindful of the needs of others, their sustenance, their safety, and their well-being. We need to be mindful of our civic duties and be ready to serve the common good before our personal profit. We can be our brother s keeper by the way we vote, by the movies we watch, by the products we consume, the policies we support. 2 The Voice

3 However, it is also imperative that being our brother s keeper extends further than the physical well-being of our neighbor or community. We notice that Cain s punishment was for committing murder. Yet in Mark 9:42 Jesus says, And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. It would be preferable therefore to commit murder than to scandalize or cause another to sin. Murder of the soul will deserve a much more severe punishment than the murder of the body. Therefore, being my brother s keeper does not only apply to the physical well-being of others. It applies to our being concerned for their soul as well. That is why there is no such thing as a harmless sin. When we bear the label of a Christian then our sins, as insignificant as they may seem, become a scandal and an offense against our brother s soul which we are called to keep safe from harm. When we call ourselves Christian, everything we think, say, and do can be for the rise and fall of our neighbor. Therefore, as Christians, when we are supposed to fast and do not, when we are supposed to pray and do not, when we are supposed to be in church and go not, when we are to offer charity and do not, when we should stand for honesty and truth at all costs and do not, when we should love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves and do not, we become an offense and scandal to our brother. There are no harmless sins. Especially as Christians, being our brother s keeper means to watch over one another, both body and soul, and to lead one another to the truth, to repentance, to Christ, and to eternal life. This Christmas season, we will offer gifts to one another as a response to God s gift of His incarnation. Let our gifts express that we are our brother s keeper. While we try to spread joy through gifts and trinkets from shops and stores, let us give one another gifts of the soul, letting our loved ones know that we are praying for them, that we will speak the truth to them, and that we will watch over their soul, that we will try to lead them to the Christ Child and unto eternal life. Amen. Fr.Tilemahos ANNUAL GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos will once again joyously open the Metropolis home at 40 East Burton Place in Chicago, Illinois, to the clergy, faithful, and many friends of the Greek Orthodox Community during the Christmas holiday season. This year, the Metropolis Open House will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2014 beginning at 5:00 p.m. Sunday School News As the holidays approach, it is a perfect time to reflect on the many blessings we have, and to help those who are less fortunate. Please consider donating Christmas food items to our food pantry, which provides food to families in our own community. Giving to those in need is something we should do year round. As we all remember what we are thankful for, let s share that thankfulness with our communities. For the month of December, we will have class on December 7th & 14th. The students who are interested in parts for the Christmas Program will be selected during class on December 14th. Once again this year, we will be celebrating a combined Sunday & Greek School Christmas Program, which will be held on December 21st, immediately after church. On Saturday December 20th, there will be a mandatory rehearsal for all Sunday School students. Please make every effort to attend. We will also need some parent volunteers to help us get the students ready. Please contact Dana Vasilakos or Zoe Kopanis if you are able to help. I would like to thank the Sunday School staff for all their support and hard work throughout the year. We all work together to provide the students of St Spyridon with an Orthodox foundation and hope that more parents get involved and volunteer their time to share their talents with us. Whether you are able to help with one Sunday School class, or several, you are always welcome. On behalf of the Sunday School team, we wish everyone a Happy Christmas and many blessings for the New Year. Zoe Kopanis, Sunday School Director St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox 3

4 P.T.A. NEWS The P.T.A. hosted the Godparents Luncheon on Sunday, November 9th. The church was filled with Godparents and their Godchildren who then enjoyed a beautiful luncheon. This year s Godparents Celebration was given in memory of Mr. Nick Vardalos who, for many years, donated and personally prepared the Godparents Brunch for Saint Spyridon. His nine day memorial was on conducted on Godparents Sunday, and his family was present as a testament to Nick s memory and all that he had offered to the P.T.A. and the community of St. Spyridon. May his memory be eternal. We also thank all the donors and volunteers who stepped up to make our Godparents celebration a wonderful success. In December, the PTA is looking to receive the new furniture for the Greek School 5th & 6th grade class, a purchase that was made possible from the proceeds of the Dinner Raffle and the Godparents Luncheon. Furthermore, the PTA is looking forward to the Saint Spyridon Feast Day, the Christmas Pageant, and the Vasilopita events to start the new year. 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. Our Greek School students are participating in the Agrafon essay contest in early December with the awards being 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 Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, where all the Chicago area Greek Schools will come to present a short program in honor of the Three Hierarchs. DECEMBER COFFEE HOUR SCHEDULE December 14th Glikis J., Glikis P., Grimanis & Halikias N. Families (Lenten) December 21st Halikias N., Hioureas, James & Kambylis Families (Lenten) December 25th Jones, Haniotakis, Karopulos, Karuntzos & Kolyvas Families December 28th Kavroulakis, Kavvadas, Kekempanos & Kontaris Families If any of the families are not able to host the coffee hour on their assigned date, please notify Maria Baltsas at englishteacher30@yahoo.com, or let one of the PTA Board members know. We appreciate your support. Angela Evangelopoulos, PTA President As always we would like to thank everyone who attended in our annual dinner dance this year. The net profit from the community dinner dance supports in the operations of our church. The results below exclude any raffle proceeds which go to the PTA of our church. The financial results of the dinner dance for the last 5 years are summarized in the following table: ANNUAL DINNER DANCE REPORT 4 The Voice

5 We wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas & a Happy & Healthy New Year During the month of November we celebrated our community helpers. We were very fortunate to have some of our student s parents visit and talk to us about their jobs in the community. St. Spyridon Thank you to all our Alumni visitors that visited last month. DECEMBER SCHOOL CALENDAR Monday, Dec. 8th Field trip to The Santa Claus Caper at Philip Lynch Theater Thursday, Dec. 18th Christmas Program Christmas Break December 19th to January 4th Monday, January 5th School reconvenes, Registration opens Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS CHRISTMAS CARD & APPEAL Express your wishes for the Christmas season to all the parishioners and friends through the community Christmas card. Donation for having your family included in the card is $25. We also kindly ask that you do not forget the church in your Christmas gift list. Please send your Christmas gift for the parish to the church office. FLOWERS FOR ST. SPYRIDON & CHRISTMAS If anyone is interested in donating towards the purchase of flowers for the adornment of our Church and Icons for the feast day of St. Spyridon and the Christmas season, please contact the Church office. ALTAR BOYS All our altar boys are called to serve on the feast of St. Spyridon on Thursday, December 11th, at 7:00 p.m. and Friday, December 12th, at 8:00 a.m. There will be a training session in preparation for the vespers on Monday, December 8th at 6:30 p.m. Finally, on December 27th, St. Stephen s day, we will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and take our annual photo, followed by lunch. Please plan to attend. GOYA CAROLING The Goyans will be Christmas Caroling once again this year. We are looking forward to spreading Christmas cheer with our fellow parishioners. If anyone is interested in opening their homes on Friday, December 19th, 6:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 20th, 12 noon 3 p.m., for this Christmas tradition, please contact the church office to make reservations. THANK YOU We wish to extend a special thank you: To the Anonymous donors of our Food Pantry. To Mrs. Alana Bechrakis preparing and distributing Thanksgiving Baskets for 25 needy families. To all the participants of the IOCC walkathon To James Henry, Pat Poziopoulos, Gregory Smirnis, M/M Tom Kakos, M/M George Limperis and all who donated in memory of Connie Meklis, for their donations to our Iconography Fund To Hills Funeral Home for donating this year s Ecclesiastical Calendars. To all the parishioners who participated in the Feed the Hungry program. To all who donated and assisted in our Christmas Craft Show. To the families for donated and prepared the Godparents Sunday Brunch. To all who baked prosfora, and bring wine, oil, and kolyva for our Sarantaleitourgo. VASILOPITA CELEBRATION The Community Vasilopita will be on Sunday, January 11th, after the Divine Liturgy. We ask that all parishioners and friends join us for this very special beginning for the New Year. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS In accordance with the by-laws of the Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church of Palos Heights, Illinois, it is once again time for our parish to conduct elections for the Parish Council. The Parish Council is an important component of the Church; Together with the Proestamenos the Parish Council is the executive authority of the Parish. Elections will be held on Sunday, December 14th, after the Divine Liturgy. Forms have been mailed out to all parishioners and are due back by Monday, December 8th. Top Picture: HOPE kids learn about their baptism and their guardian angel. Bottom Picture: Sunday school students learning about Christmas Advent. 6 The Voice

7 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Kalo Mina, November is gone and we celebrated our Feast Day of Sts. Kosmas and Damianos. We had our Artoclasia, memorial service and presented our scholarship. Congratulations to this year s scholarship recipient, Margaret Kolyvas. We are all so proud of her! On November 11th we were blessed to again feed the hungry at Annunciation Cathedral. It was such a fulfilling experience for all who participate in this charitable event. As we enter December. We are busy preparing for the craft show. We are also diligently preparing for Vespers and the St. Spyridon Feast Day. In order to successfully host the reception for both days, we are asking for lenten pastry donations and help serving our guests. Please call me with your donations. Help is needed on the 11th in the morning for set up etc. We also plan to attend the Metropolitan s Open House on December 14. May the memories be eternal of our departed Tom Katris, Nick Vardalos, Connie Meklis, and Sophia Karagiannis. As we continue the special Christmas advent season, I wish all a great journey attending the forty liturgies leading to the birth of our Savior. Thank you for all the you do so that we can continue helping those less fortunate. Merry Christmas. With sisterly Agape, Olga Paxinos, Philoptochos President ANTIQUE PRAYERS MOVIE PREMIERE On Monday, November 24th, the St. Spyridon Philoptochos, with the guidance of father Tilemahos, promoted the Midwest premiere of Antique Prayers at the Marcus Theater in Orland Park. It was a faith based film where young and old watched the power of prayer. The movie was poignant and uplifting. It premiered in San Diego and on December 13th, it will premiere at a Theater at St. Sophia Church in Los Angeles. Paul Socrates Kaitson, the writer, producer, is a former Chicagoan, son of the late Helen and Socrates Kaitson. He has done extensive theater work and is a special education teacher. He and his wife Kelly (Christakos) Kaitson and son Andrew live in San Diego. In the Indies Fest Film Awards, Paul won the Merit Special Mention in the Christian film category. We thank all those who attended throughout the city, and we thank Paul for giving Philoptochos the admission proceeds. For more information you can visit St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 SACRAMENTS Baptisms The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas and Vasiliki Kournetas was baptized on November 2nd and given the name Michaela Chrysovalantou. Mr. Alexander Bederka was the sponsor. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Stamus was baptized on November 8th and given the name Maria. Presbytera Georgia Alikakos was her sponsor. The son of Mr. & Mrs. John Stamatoglou was baptized on November 9th and given the name Symeon. Tom Panas was the sponsor. The son of Mr. & Mrs. Nikolaos Willoughby was baptized on November 29th and given the name Nektarios. Konstantina Rousonelos was the sponsor. Να σας Ζήσουν! PARISH REGISTRY IN MEMORIAM FUNERALS Nick Vardalos fell asleep in the Lord on October 31st. His funeral took place on November 3rd and the internment was at Bethania Cemetery. Connie Meklis fell asleep in the Lord on November 3rd. Her funeral took place on November 6th and her internment was at Evergreen cemetery. May their memory be eternal! Our deepest sympathy to their families MEMORIALS Sunday, November 9th +9 days for Nick Vardalos +6mon for Yiannis Argyropoulos +12yrs for Ioannis Bisbikis +15yrs for Anastasia Bisbikis +23yrs for George Argyropoulos +31yrs for Marika Argyropoulos Sunday, November 23rd +3yrs for Vasiliki Kotsiviras +28yrs for Dan Pappas +17yrs for Irene Pappas +6yrs for Stavros Tsitsopoulos May their memory be eternal! Our deepest sympathy to their families. DIAKONIA AGAPES - ALMSGIVING We wish to thank all our parishioners and friends of St. Spyridon for remembering our Food Pantry for Thanksgiving (23 families). As you know, our Food Pantry helps our St. Spyridon families that have a need for assistance. Our Food Pantry also helps the friends of St. Spyridon, on a daily and weekly basis. It is very important that we keep our Food Pantry filled at all times, so that we do not turn anyone away because of lack of food. If anyone wishes to donate items for this special delivery, please contact Effie at the church office. All donations should be at Church by December 15 th. But whoever has this world s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (John 3:17). Please remember the bank for the needy in the narthex and the mission bank as you leave the Church each Sunday. ICONOGRAPHY PROJECT The final phase is our iconography project is under way and soon the iconography of our beautiful edifice will be completed. Only six icons remain available for dοnation. 1.Saturday of Lazarus 2. Last Supper 3. Transfiguration 4.Miracle of St. Spyridon 5. Flight to Egypt 6. Adoration of the Magi The cost of each icon is $15,000 but all donations are welcome and all donors will be recognized if requested. All of these icons have already received partial donations but we are looking to have them fully pledged by the time they are installed in August For more information on the iconography project please consult the brochures available at church or contact Fr. Tilemahos. Η τελική φάση της εικονογραφίας προετοιμάζεται και μόνον 6 εικόνες μένουν διαθέσιμες πρός δωρεάν: 1.Η Ανάστασις του Λαζάρου 2.Ο Μυστικός Δείπνος 3.Η Μεταμόρφωση 4.Το θαύμα του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος 5. Η Φυγή στην Αίγυπτο 6. Η Προσκύνησις των Μάγων. Το κόστος για κάθε εικόνα είναι $15,000, αλλά όλες οι δωρεές, οποιοδήποτε ποσών, είναι ευπρόσδεκτες για την ολοκλήρωση του εικονογραφικού έργου της Εκκλησίας. Ελπίζουμε ότι οι δωρεές όλων θα συμπληρώσουν το κόστος για όλες τις εικόνες αυτές που τοποθετηθούν στον ναόν μας τον Αύγουστο Εάν επιθυμείτε να προσφέρετε κάποια δωρεά ή εάν έχετε απορίες για το εικονογραφικό έργο, παρακαλούμε όπως απευθυνθήτε στον π. Τηλέμαχο. 8 The Voice

9 The Stewardship Committee thanks our 334 Stewards who have fulfilled their pledge for the 2014 year. We wish to express our gratitude for your commitment to the Lord s work through our Church of Saint Spyridon and we encourage everyone to offer their stewardship for the good of the Church. There is still time to pledge for 2014 and make our goal of 400 stewards for the year. To you who have not yet pledged, we ask of you to commit yourself and your family to the ministry of our Church and the glory of His name. The 2015 stewardship packets and the new 2015 calendars will be available by Christmas Day. Please help us save money on postage by picking up your stewardship packet & calendar in the fellowship hall or the church office by January 5th, and let us work together to make 2015 another year of growth and renewed blessings for our beloved parish of Saint Spyridon. ΓΙΝΕ ΚΑΛΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝΑ Το Χριστιανικό πρόγραμμα της Εκούσιας Εισφοράς μας δίνει την ευκαιρία να ανταποκριθούμε στην αγάπη του Χριστού με το να διαιωνίσουμε την αποστολή της Ορθόδοξης Εκκλησίας μας. Ευχαριστούμε πολύ τις 334 οικογένειες που εκπλήρωσαν τις υποχρεώσεις τους για την φετινή χρονιά. Όλοι παρακαλούνται να ανανεώσουν την συνδρομή τους προς την Εκκλησία μας με το δώρο της αγάπης τους, στο γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. Εις τέλος, μπορείτε να λάβετε απο το γραφείο τις νέες κάρτες και το νέο ημερολόγια για το 2015 από τα Χριστούγεννα εως τα Θεοφάνεια. STEWARDSHIP 2014 Stewardship 2014 Progress Report As of November 26th, 2014 Pledged Stewards: 334 Average Stewardship: $378 Amount donated: $126,250 STEWARDS 2014 OCTOBER 26TH NOVEMBER 27TH Mr. & Mrs. Tim Georgiopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Bill Karambenis Mr. & Mrs. John Karopulos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Kournetas Mrs. Bessie Ntovos Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Polyzos Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Rodogiannis Mr. & Mrs. Nick Scarlatis Mr. & Mrs. Glynn Searl St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 9

10 10 The Voice GODPARENT SUNDAY

11 OXI DAY CELEBRATION St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 11

12 Jr. Choir Conference On November 15th, fourteen of our St. Spyridon Junior choir members participated in the Youth Choir Conference which took place at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet, IL. The participants did an awesome job. On Sunday morning, seven of our members went on to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with the rest of the conference participants. Congratulations go to all who participated. It was an amazing event. PARISH NEWS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΡΤΑ Save time and postage by joining the St. Spyridon family to wish all your friends and family a Merry Christmas. Community Card forms have been mailed to all the parishioners. Please submit your completed form with a check for $25. The deadline is December 12th. Για την συμμετοχή σας στην Ετήσια Χριστουγεννιάτικη Κοινοτική Κάρτα παρακαλούμε να στείλετε το όνομά σας με δωρεά $25 στο γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας μέχρι τις 12 Δεκεμβρίου. Σας ευχαριστούμε για την υποστήριξή σας καί τις ευχές σας για έναν ευλογημένο εορτασμό των Χριστουγέννων. 12 The Voice

13 St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 13

14 ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ Αποθήκη Τροφιμων Θα θέλαμε να ευχαριστήσουμε όλους όσους, με μεγάλη γενναιοδωρία, δώρησαν τρόφιμα και χρήματα για την εορτή των Ευχαριστηρίων. Ευχαριστούμε ιδιαίτερα την κ. Μπεχράκη που προετοίμασε και μοίρασε τα καλάθια τροφίμων για την εορτή των Ευχαριστηρίων σε 25 οικογένειες. Τούτον τόν μήνα ζητούμε την υποστήριξη όλων για να μπορέσουμε να διαθέσουμε τα απαραίτητα αγαθά για το τραπέζι της εορτής των Χριστουγέννων σε 25 οικογένειες. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΑ ΚΑΛΑΝΤΑ Αυτή τη χρονιά τα παιδιά της Ενορίας μας είναι ανυπόμονα να συνεχίσουν το όμορφο έθιμο των Χριστουγεννιάτικων Καλάντων. Αν επιθυμείτε να έρθουν τα παιδιά στο σπίτι σας για να σας πουν τα κάλαντα την Παρασκευή, 19 Δεκεμβρίου, 6:30 μ.μ. 9:00 μ.μ., και το Σάββατο, 20 Δεκεμβρίου, 12 μ.μ. 3 μ.μ., σας παρακαλούμε να επικοινωνήσετε με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΟ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ Θα θέλαμε να σας ενημερώσουμε ότι την Κυριακή 21 Δεκεμβρίου, οι μαθητές του Κατηχητικού και του Ελληνικού Σχολείου θα παρουσιάσουν το Χριστουγεννιάτικο πρόγραμμα της Γεννήσεως του Χριστού μας, μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. ΛΟΥΛΟΥΔΙΑ ΠΡΟΣ ΣΤΟΛΙΣΜΟ Εαν θέλετε να δώσετε χρήματα για την αγορά των Λουλουδιών για τον στολισμό του Ιερού Ναού μας κατά την εορτή του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα, καθώς και την εορτή των Χριστουγέννων, ή αν επιθυμείτε να δωρείσετε για τα μπουκαλάκια αγιασμού, παρακαλούμε να επικινωνήσετε με το Γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. Ελληνικό Σχολείο «ΠΛΟΥΤΑΡΧΟΣ» Την Δευτέρα 8 Δεκεμβρίου θα έχουμε συνάντηση Γονέων Διδασκάλων και ελέγχους για το 1ο τρίμηνο. Την Παρασκευή 19 Δεκεμβρίου, μετά το τέλος των μαθημάτων, θα αρχίσουν οι διακοπές των Χριστουγέννων. Τα μαθήματα θα αρχίσουν και πάλι την Δευτέρα 5 Ιανουαρίου. Η κοπή της Βασιλόπιττας του Ελληνικού Σχολείου θα γίνει την Δευτέρα 12 Ιανουαρίου. Η διευθύντρια του σχολείου μας κ. Λαμπρινή Σταύρου και όλο το διδασκαλικό προσωπικό, σας εύχονται Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευλογημένο το Το Παζάρι της Ενορίας μας Το Σάββατο 6 Δεκεμβρίου από τις 9:00 το πρωί μέχρι τις 4:00 το απόγευμα, καθώς και την Κυριακή 7 Δεκεμβρίου από τις 11:00 το πρωί μέχρι τις 4:00 το απόγευμα η Φιλόπτωχος Αδελφότητα θα έχει το Ετήσιο Γιορτινό Παζάρι. ΠΡΩΤΟΧΡΟΝΙΑΤΙΚΗ ΡΕΒΕΓΙΟΝ Προσκαλούμε όλους τους φίλους και ενορίτες του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα να γιορτάσουμε τον ερχομό του Νέου Έτους όλοι μαζί σαν μία οικογένεια. Φαγητό, μουσική και χορός για να γιορτάσουμε το Νέο Έτος την Τετάρτη, 31 Δεκεμβρίου, στις 9:00 μ.μ. Εισητήριο είναι $50 και $15 για τα παιδιά κάτω των 12 ετών. Για την καλύτερη εξυπηρέτηση όλων, οι κλείσεις θέσεων πρέπει να συνοδεύονται και από την πληρωμή των εισητηρίων πριν την Κυριακή 28 Δεκεμβρίου. Μετά την 28η, το εισητήριο θα είναι $60. Για κρατήσεις θέσεων σας παρακαλούμε να απευθυνθείτε στο γραφείο της ενορίας μας. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΕΣ ΕΥΧΕΣ Ο πατήρ Τηλέμαχος, ο πρόεδρος και τα μέλη του Κοινοτικού μας συμβουλίου, η πρόεδρος και τα μέλη της Φιλοπτώχου Αδελφότητας, η πρόεδρος και τα μέλη του Συλλόγου Γονέων και Διδασκάλων, οι Διδάσκαλοι του Ελληνικού, του Κατηχητικού Σχολείου και της Ακαδημίας των Αρχαγγέλων, και ολόκληρο το προσωπικό της Κοινότητας του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα σας εύχονται: ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ & ΕΥΤΥΧΙΣΜΕΝΟ ΤΟ ΝΕΟ ΕΤΟΣ! 14 The Voice

15 Schedule of Divine Services Monday, December 1st Orthros & Divine Liturgy & Agiasmos 8:00 a.m. St. Porphyrios Vigil 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 3rd Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Thursday, December 4th St. Barbara, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 5th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers at St. Nicholas 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 6th Orthros & Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas, Oak Lawn 8:30 a.m. Great Vespers 6:00 p.m Sunday, December 7th 10th Sunday of Luke, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 8th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 9th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 10th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Thursday, December 11th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Feast Day of Saint Spyridon, Great Vespers 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 12th St. Spyridon the Wonderworker Orthros & Hierarchical Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Saturday, December 13th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Confession 4:00 p.m. * Great Vespers 6:00 p.m Sunday, December 14th 11th Sunday of Luke, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 15th St. Eleftherios Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Paraklesis 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 16th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17th St. Dionysios, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Thursday, December 18th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 19th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Saturday, December 20th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Great Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 21st Sunday before Nativity, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 22nd St. Anastasia, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Holy Unction 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 23rd Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 24th Royal Hours & Vesperal Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Thursday, December 25th CHRISTMAS DAY Orthros & Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Saturday, December 27th St. Stephen the First Martyr Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Sunday, December 28th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Thursday, January 1st New Year s Day, Our Lord s Circumcision * Saint Basil the Great Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Doxology for the New Year 9:00 a.m. Holy Confession is also available by appointment. Please call Fr. Tilemahos at the church office. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 15

16 December 2014 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 7 Sunday School Junior Choir Christmas Craft Show Basketball at St. Nektarios, Palatine 2:15 14 Sunday School Parish Council Elections Metropolis Open House 21 Christmas Pageant Basketball at St. Nicholas 2:15 p.m. 28 Family Worship 1 Greek School-4:30 pm P.T.A. meeting 5pm Byzantine Music 5pm Grammar/Biddy practice 6:45 p.m. 8 Greek Bible Study 10:30am Greek School-4:30 pm Parent Teacher Conf 5pm Byzantine Music 5pm Altar Boy Mtg 6:30 p.m. Grammar/Biddy practice 7:00 p.m. 15 Greek Bible Study 10:30am Greek School-4:30 pm Byzantine Music 5pm 2 GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm Parish Council 7pm 9 GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm 16 GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm 3 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Iconography - 6 pm High School B-Ball 7 pm Vespers at St. Demetrios Elmhurst 7:00 p.m. 10 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Iconography - 6 pm High School B-Ball 7 pm Bible Study 7 pm 17 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Iconography - 6 pm Bible Study 7 pm High School B-Ball 7 pm 4 11 Feast of St. Spyridon Hierarchical 7:00 p.m Christmas Day Set-up for Community New Year s Eve Dinner Dance 31 New Year s Eve Dinner Dance 5 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Craft Show preparations 12 Feast of St. Spyridon Orthros & Hierarchical Divine 8:00 a.m. Greek School 4:30 p.m. 19 Greek School 4:30 p.m. GOYA Caroling 6 p.m. Grammar/Biddy practice 6:45 p.m. 26 Office Closed 6 Craft Show 13 Christmas Retreat 9am Pee-Wee Ball 11:30 am Basketball at St. Demetrios Chicago 2:15 p.m. 20 Pageant Rehearshal10 a.m. GOYA Caroling 12 noon 27 Altar Boy Day 9:30 a.m.

17 Δευτέρα 1 Δεκεμβρίου Τετάρτη 3 Δεκεμβρίου Πέμπτη 4 Δεκεμβρίου Παρ. 5 Δεκεμβρίου Σάββατο 6 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή 7 Δεκεμβρίου Δευτέρα 8 Δεκεμβρίου Τρίτη 9 Δεκεμβρίου Τετάρτη 10 Δεκεμβρίου Πέμπτη 11 Δεκεμβρίου Παρ. 12 Δεκεμβρίου Σάββατο 13 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή 14 Δεκεμβρίου Δευτέρα 15 Δεκεμβρίου Τρίτη 16 Δεκεμβρίου Τετάρτη 17 Δεκεμβρίου Πέμπτη 18 Δεκεμβρίου Παρ. 19 Δεκεμβρίου Σάββατο 20 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή 21 Δεκεμβρίου Δευτέρα 22 Δεκεμβρίου Τρίτη 23 Δεκεμβρίου Τετάρτη 24 Δεκεμβρίου Πέμπτη 25 Δεκεμβρίου Σάββατο 27 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή 28 Δεκεμβρίου Πέμπτη 1 Ιανουαρίου ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Αγρυπνία του Αγίου Πορφυρίου 6:30 μ.μ. Αγίας Βαρβάρας, Αγίου Σάββα, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Εσπερινός στον Ι. Ναό του Αγ. Νικολάου 7:00 μ.μ. (Ι.Ν. Αγίου Νικoλάου) Ι. Εξομολόγηση 4:00 μ.μ. * Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. 10η Κυριακή του Λουκά, Αρχιερατικός Εσπερινός Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος 7:00 μ.μ. Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος Όρθρος και Αρχιερατική Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Ι. Εξομολόγηση 4:00 μ.μ. * Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. 11η Κυριακή του Λουκά - Αγίου Ελευθερίου, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Αγίου Ιγνατίου, Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή προ των Χριστουγέννων Ακολουθία του Ευχελαίου 6:30 μ.μ. Βασιλικές Ώρες και Εσπερινή Λειτουργία του M. Βασιλείου 8:00 π.μ. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ Ορθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Αγίου Στεφάνου, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Η κατά σάρκα περιτομή του Κυρίου και Σωτήρος ημών Ιησού Χριστού, Αγίου Βασιλείου, Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία και Δοξολογία 9:00 π.μ. 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 Dec. 1st PTA Meeting Dec. 2nd Parish Council Meeting December 6th & 7th Christmas Craft Show Dec. 8th Plutarchos Parent Teacher Conferences Dec. 11th & 12th St. Spyridon s Feast Day Dec. 13th Christmas Retreat Dec. 14th Parish Council Elections Metropolis Open House Dec. 18th Archangels Christmas Celebration Dec. 19th & 20th Goya Caroling Dec. 21st Christmas Pageant Dec. 25th CHRISTMAS DAY Dec. 27th Altar Boy Day Dec. 31st New Year s Eve Dinner Dance Come do your Christmas shopping at the Annual Philoptochos ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW Crafts, Greek Pastries, Greek Food Saturday, December 6th 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. & Sunday, December 7th 12 noon - 4:00 p.m.