VOICE THE CATECHISM 101. THE VOICE January Volume No. 280

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1 THE VOICE THE VOICE January Volume No. 280 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1 Stewardship Community Events PTA News Philoptochos... 9 Craft Show St. Spyridon s Feast Day Youth Events Parish News Christmas Pageant Liturgical Schedule Events Calendar Κοινοτικά Νέα ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT- SPYRIDON.ORG HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!!! CATECHISM 101 We crossed together the threshold of a new year as a time for resolutions and new beginnings. In our Catechism 101 series, it is a time to make a resolution to remember the basic church etiquette rules that often get overlooked out of habit or forgetfulness. Modern culture is rather casual in its approach to worship and sacred space. In our Orthodox Church we adhere to long-standing traditions that express the reverence which is due to God, to each other, and to ourselves. Respect for God and His house translates to respect for all of His creation. When I approach the entrance of the church, I always have this anxiety that I will pull on the door and it will not open. I remember the story of St. Mary of Egypt who approached the entrance of her local church and this invisible force barred her from entering in order to drive her to repentance. When we come into church we should feel gratitude that the good Lord has even allowed us to enter. With this gratitude in mind, we should never be late. It is simply rude and disrespectful. Of course people define late on their own terms. If you ask a non-orthodox Christian to define lateness it will simply be to arrive after the priest has started the service. If you ask an Orthodox Christian late is defined as arriving after either the start of the Liturgy, the gospel, or Holy Communion. When Stewardship Sunday January 19th, 2014

2 The Voice - H ΦΩNH Official Monthly Community Publication of St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL REV. FR. TILEMAHOS ALIKAKOS IERATIKOS PROESTAMENOS Church Office Hours:... Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Phone: , 2313 or 0787 Fax: office@saint-spyridon.org Web: Parish Council Officers Taso Panagiotopoulos...President James Korbakes... 1st Vice-President Konstantinos Labrakis... 2nd V. President Tom Zentefis... Secretary Larry Kekempanos... Assistant Secretary Nicholas Chibucos... Treasurer Gus Kolyvas... Assistant Treasurer Auxiliary Officers Stylianos Bonanos... Chanter Toula Georgiopoulos... Philoptochos Georgia Theoharis... P.T.A. Kiki Kazazakis... Kentro Lambrini Stavrou...Plutarchos Greek School Anna Angelos... Zoe Kopanis... Sunday School Director Nicky Glikis... Choir Director Dana Vasilakos... G.O.Y.A. & Jr. G.O.Y.A. Joanne Spinos... Cherubs Patrice Pagunas... HOPE Fr. Tilemahos... Byzantine Music Panagiotis Mihalopoulos... Iconography Fr. Tilemahos... Bible Study A. Sinzianu & V. Drikos... Handmaidens N. Chibucos & N. Mataragas... 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. a non-orthodox Christian visits our community it is not the Greek language used in worship that baffles him or her; it is our lateness. With that in mind, arrive on time. The time to arrive at church is before the service starts. If you arrive after the Divine Liturgy has begun, it is imperative to enter the church quietly. Once the service has started, we no longer have the privilege to greet one another, to talk and catch up. The church is not a restaurant or a lounge. If we are late, we walk in in absolute silence and enter the church only at the appropriate moment. We must not enter the church when the Epistle or Gospel is being read, when a procession is taking place, or at any time when the priest is facing the congregation. Once in church, we join the congregation in attentive worship. That means that we stand, unless we are instructed to kneel or sit. The exception obviously is given to those with physical limitations. Furthermore, we do not chew gum or play on our cell phones which should be silenced or turned off before we enter the church. Little ones who become restless should be taken outside until they settle down and rejoin the congregation. Prolonged stays in the cry room with toys, snacks, etc., give the wrong message to the children about what church is. Attentive worship entails that we must be knowledgeable about the Divine Liturgy, its symbolism and sacred moments. We should come with awareness of the day s readings and saints. We should be prayerfully prepared with confession, fasting and works of love in order to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. Preparing to receive the body and blood of Christ should automatically place us in a state of attentiveness. Let us stand well, let us stand in awe, let us be attentive are directives within the Divine Liturgy that are a good indication of how we should be in church. The fact that most of us receive communion very infrequently has distanced us from the sacredness of what is happening. The frequency of Holy Communion is a topic for another article, but when we do not receive for months or years at a time, we begin to not see ourselves personally involved within the worship service. We should always be attentive, standing or kneeling in prayer, setting aside all worldly cares. If we are receiving Holy Communion we ask and pray to receive Him worthily. If we are not receiving, we must entreat God to have mercy on us so that we may receive Him worthily as soon as possible. Either way, the liturgy, which literally means the work of the people should also be our work, entreating God to be present among us and within us. Let us make a resolution for 2014 to pay attention to Christian etiquette in general since God is always present among us. Then especially in church, proper etiquette emanates simply from the awareness of the sacred time and space which we enter when we come to the house of the Lord. More specific etiquette information is available on our parish website. It is all based on common sense and showing respect for God and others. Always remember that you are in church to worship with fear of God, faith and love, so let us remember to make 2014 an acceptable and sacred year for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos 2 The Voice

3 ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM Dear faithful Stewards of Saint Spyridon, Wise Men offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ Child. These wealthy scholars and priests of the East endured danger and traveled a great distance to offer their treasures to Christ. What a beautiful and meaningful example of stewardship they set for us, helping us to understand the blessing of properly using and sharing God s gifts. This past year, with the support of all of you, our 370 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 three years away. I invite you to come together at St. Spyridon for three special Sundays beginning on January 5th and concluding on Stewardship Sunday, January 19 th. Over these three 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 19TH, 2014 All of us are called to offer our Stewardship Commitment on Sunday, January 19th and show our support for our church ministries and mission STEWARDSHIP UPDATE The 2013 Stewardship year ended with a record number of stewards, just short of our goal of 400 stewards. The Stewardship Committee thanks all of you, the 370 Stewards who fulfilled their commitment to our Church for 2013 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 2013 stewards will be published in the February issue of the VOICE. (November 21st December 24th) Mr. John Davros, Mr. & Mrs. John Karopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Alexei Stamatoglou, Mrs. Chistina Nikolopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Sascha, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Selimos, Mr. Angelo Velissaris, Mr. & Mrs. Bob Papadatos, Mr. & Mrs. Chris Eliopulos, Mr. & Mrs. Simon Stamatoglou, Ms. Stella Parhas, Mr. & Mrs. Pete Les, Ms. Joanna Tzaferis Kolios, Ms. Vicky Hardaloupas, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Bisbikis, Ms. Irene Giardina, Mr. & Mrs. John Angelos, Ms. Katherine Pappas and Mr. & Mrs. Theodoros Proutsos. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 3

4 4 The Voice

5 ΠΡΟΫΠΟΛΟΓΙΣΜΟΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑN ΤΟ 2014 Σύμφωνα με τον προϋπολογισμό που εγκρίθηκε την 15ην Δεκεμβρίου, 2013, από την Γενική Συνέλευση της ενορίας μας, προβλέπουμε τα ακόλουθα για το Προϋπολογισμός Εισόδων 2014 Πρόγραμμα Καλού Οικονόμου $138,250 Δίσκοι καί Κεριά $109,057 Δωρεές $21,620 Καλοκαιρινό Φεστιβάλ και Εράνους $80,356 Σύνολον $349,283 Προϋπολογισμός Εξόδων 2014 Εξοδα Γραφείου $13,621 Αντίτυπα, Τηλέφωνο, Ταχυδρομικά, Ενημερωτικά Δελτία. Συντήρηση της Εκκλησίας και άλλων κτιρίων $89,767 Νεωκόροι, Ηλεκτρισμός, Θέρμανση, Ασφάλεια, επισκευές καί έξοδα συντηρήσεως των κτιρίων. Η Διακονία της Εκκλησίας $199,303 Έξοδα δια την διακονία της Εκκλησίας, μισθοί και έξοδα του προσωπικού. Η Διακονία της Μητροπόλεως και Αρχιεπισκοπής $46,082 Η προσδιορισμένη από την Μητρόπολιν προσφοράν ΣΥΝΟΛΟ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ 2014 $348,773 *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. ** Ο ολικός προϋπολογισμός του 2014, σύμφωνα με την απόφασιν της Γενικής Συνελεύσεως, είναι $420,166. Αλλά $71,393 καλύπτονται από τα δίδακτρα των σχολείων και τά έσοδα του βιβλιοπωλείου. 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 St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 PARISH News VASILOPITA CELEBRATIONS The cutting of our Saint Spyridon Community Vasilopita will be on Sunday, January 12th, 2014, 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 12th during Sunday School class. The Greek School Cutting of the Vasilopita will be held on Monday, January 6th during Greek School. METROPOLIS VASILOPITA The 53rd Annual Chicago Metropolis Vasilopita will be held on Sunday, January 12th, 2014, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. A bus will be leaving St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Oak Lawn for all who wish to go together from the southside. Parishioners who wish to attend the event please contact the church office. 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. MANY THANKS TO OUR CHRISTMAS APPEAL DONORS Anonymous Mr. & Mrs.. Nicholas Andricopoulos Mr.& Mrs. Peter Ayalianos Dr.& Mrs. Theodore Bechrakis Mr.& Mrs. Angelo Besbeskos Ms. Eleni Bizoukas Mrs. Faye Bizoukas Mr. & Mrs. Christos Catsogiannis Mr. & Mrs. Sotirios Charalambos Mr.& Mrs. Nicholas Chibucos Mr. & Mrs. Gus Dendrinos Mr. & Mrs. John Eliacostas Mrs. Martha Eliopoulos Mrs. Georgia Evangelopoulos Ms. Ruth Faklis Mr. & Mrs. George Gatsios Mr. & Mrs. Theofanis Gatsios Ms. Vicki Georgakas Mr.& Mrs. Bill Georgiopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Ted Georgiopoulos Ms. Irene Giandina Mr.& Mrs. Andreas Glikis Mr. & Mrs. James Halikas Mrs. Zafira Jouras Ms.Sophie Karagiannis Mrs. Roula Karampelas Mr. Constantine Karampelas Mr. Demetrios Karuntzos & Family Dr. Georgia Karuntzos Mr.& Mrs. Thomas Katris Mr.& Mrs. Christos Katsoulis Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Ketsios Dr. & Mrs. Kolyvas Mr. George Kosionis Mr.& Mrs. Chris Koulogeorge Mr.& Mrs. George Kyroudis Mr.& Mrs. Mike Lamonto Mr.& Mrs. Greg Les Mrs. Betty Lillios Mr.& Mrs. Andreas Malamis Mrs. Georgia Malamis Mr.& Mrs. Apostolos Malfas Fr. & Presbytera George Massouras Mr.& Mrs. Angelo Meklis Ms. Angie Mitsis Orland Meat Market Mr. Andrew Pappas Mr. Peter Polmen Mrs. Panagiota Poziopoulos Mr.& Mrs. Emmanuel Rousonelos Mr. & Mrs. Bill Selimos Mrs. Angeline Sieracki Mr.& Mrs. Steve Proutsos Mrs. Fay Thiakos Mrs. Ida Trakadas Mr.& Mrs. Christos Tsakiris Mr. Michael Valaris 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 Friday, December 27th, a few of 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. ICONOGRAPHY SCHOOL After the Christmas break, our iconography school is back in session on January 8th, and every Wednesday, 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m.. New students are always welcome. 6 The Voice

7 Christmas would not be the same without giving back and on Friday, December 20th 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 & Alexandrea Koulogeorge, Kosta & Angie Koursis, Chris & Dina Katsoulis. GOYA CAROLING 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 Mrs. Angie Koutsis, Dana Vasilakos, Eleni Alexakos, & Kostoula Panagiotopoulos for doing all the driving. PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION The St. Spyridon P.T.A. wishes everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed New Year! In the month of December, our P.T.A. held its Annual Christmas Party on Friday, December 13th 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 23rd. 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 12th, and the Greek School Vasilopita on Monday, January 13th. 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 Saturday, January 11th at 10:00 a.m. School Spirit Day will be Friday, January 17th. We would like to congratulate the 1st grade class for winning last month. Job well done! 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 26th 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 25th, at Hellenic American Academy, 1085 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield IL 60015, 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 31st, 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 26 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! St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 School Year REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! St. Spyridon continues to bless our community with a bi-lingual preschool that is second to none. Our preschool is for 3 and 4 year olds, it runs from 9am to 12noon Monday through Thursday. Applications for the school year are now available in the office and on our website at saint-spyridon.org/archangels. If you have question or would like to set up a visit please contact Mrs. Anna at archangels@saint-spyridon.org. 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. Our class went to the theater to see a live production of Mrs. Clause at the Beverly Arts Center last month. We were fortunate to have many chaperones and parents and children alike enjoyed the showed. As part of our unit on manner we then went to Eggman s Restaurant for lunch. Thank you to Mr. Gatsios and his staff for hosting our very large group! Our Little Angels put on a beautiful Christmas Pageant and were surprised by a special visit from Santa. Thank you to all the parents for putting together a wonderful reception for our family and friends. We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year! 8 The Voice

9 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Dear Philoptochos Sisters and fellow parishioners, The glorious month of December has come and gone in all its splendor! Father continued the SarantaLiturgo as the parishioners attended and were spiritually preparing for Christmas. The annual craft show was a huge success thanks to all the hard work of our members, donors, and all others who helped. Many of the crafters were so pleased that they signed up for next year. December brought some bitter cold weather, but it did not deter the faithful from attending both the vespers and feast day of our patron Saint Spyridon. Our Metropolitan was present for vespers and complemented our parish for a beautiful reception. His Grace was with us on the Feast Day and he too was pleased. Our being together as one family was very rewarding. Και του χρόνου! In December we also attended the Open House at the Metropolis. Two junior choirs, and the cities Chanters sang as the faithful filed by to be greeted by our Metropolitan Iakovos, and His Grace. The home was decorated with Holiday splendor both in and out. The visitors also dropped their donations for the food depository, and partook of the elaborate refreshments that the Metropolis Philoptochos and Board provided. Christmas Day brought us all together for the culmination of the forty liturgies as we celebrated once again the birth of Jesus with our families and our church family. The Philoptochos Christmas party was much fun. We sang the Kalanta, had great conversations and enjoyed being served. We thank Father Tilemahos for his guidance, Presbytera Georgia for her support and all of you who have allowed us to continue our philanthropic endeavors through your continued support. The Philoptochos wishes all a happy and healthy New Year, With Sisterly Agape, Olga Paxinos Philoptochos President FELLOWSHIP HOUR During the month of January, the Philoptochos will be hosting the Fellowship hour following the Divine Liturgy. SACRAMENTS WEDDING Panayiota Panagiotopoulos and Aristides Loukas were joined in Holy Matrimony on Saturday, December 28th. Their sponsor was Mr. Alexi Giannoulias BAPTISMS The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Velissaris was baptized on December 7th and given the name Sophia. Mr. Nick Kalpakidis and Carla Albensi were the sponsors. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Apostolis Hardaloupas was baptized on December 22nd and given the name Evanthia. Mr. Dean Karampelas was the sponsor. Να σας Ζήσουν! FUNERAL Dean Priovolos fell asleep to the Lord on December 9th. His funeral service took place on December 16th and the internment was at Bethania Cemetery. May his memory be eternal! MEMORIALS Sunday, December 1st 6 months for Athanasios Kintonis Sunday, December 29th 3 yrs for Elsie Chialtas 22 yrs. for Constantine Chialtas GOYA Outing Open Skate at Southwest Ice Arena Crestwood, IL Friday, January 10th 9:00 p.m. 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. 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 YOUTH OUTING On Friday, December 27th, twelve Goyans went to the St. Iakovos Camp and Retreat Center in Wisconsin. The kids walked around the woods and then went for some fun sledding on the camp grounds. In the lodge we had gyros sandwiches donated by Windy City Subs, lots of snacks and s mores cooked over a roaring fire in the fireplace. We had paraklesis service in the chapel and then spent the night with movies, games, and fellowship in the lodge. The next morning, the goyans went for sledding again and visited the animals in the barn. Many thanks to the Angie Koutsis for chaperoning, and to Kopanis and Chibucos families for helping with the carpooling. THANK YOU We wish to express special gratitude to... * 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. * Oak Lawn florist for their St. Spyridon Day Flower donation. * 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. * all that participated in the Christmas Toy Box Connection Sunday School Drive. * the ladies who made the Artos for the Feast Day of St. Spyridon Artoclasia. * to Yianna Halikias and Demetra Mikroulis for organizing our 1st Annual Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 13th, that everyone enjoyed so much! * Ms. Effie Tiand, Mr. & Mrs. Gus Lamberis, Ms. Penelope Stamatakis for their donation in Memory of Mr. Christos Vavaroutsos. * Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Chapralis for their donation in memory of Mr. Dean Priovolos. 12 The Voice

13 ICONOGRAPHY UPDATE In preparation for the final stage of our iconography new decorations were added to the space between the windows on the solea and the west arch, and matching decorations were placed on the walls all around the church. In the picture you see the new decorations before they were installed. We are very close to our pledge goal that would allow us to begin the final stage of our iconography. We are looking for groups of individuals or families to come together to sponsor the remaining icons. All pledges that are made toward particular icons will be recognized and listed on our donor board. The icons still remaining are: The Adoration of the Magi Transfiguration of our Lord The Flight to Egypt The Last Supper The Wedding in Cana Saturday of Lazarus We thank Mr. & Mrs. Nick & Georgia Panagiotaros for sponsoring the icon of St. Joseph the betrothed, and all our donors for their donations made in the month of December. All donations are welcome. For more information on the iconography project please consult the brochures available at church or contact Fr. Tilemahos. ΕΙΚΟΝΟΓΡΑΦΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΝΑΟΥ Η εικονογράφηση του ναού προχωρεί στο τελικό στάδιο με την τοποθέτηση εικόνων στην βόρεια και νότεια καμάρα. Πρόσφατα προσθέσαμε καινούρια διακοσμητικά στα παράθυρα και στους τοίχους. Όλα είναι έτοιμα για την τελική φάση. Χρειαζόμαστε όμως της υποστήριξη όλων για να καλύψουμε την τοποθέτηση των εικόνων που είναι ακόμα διαθέσιμες. Οι μόνες εικόνες που είναι διαθέσιμες για δωρεά είναι οι μεγάλες παραστάσεις: Η Προσκύνησις των Μάγων Η Φυγή στην Αίγυπτο Ο Γάμος της Κανά Η Μεταμόρφωσις Ο Μυστικός Δείπνος Η Ανάσταση του Λαζάρου Τό κόστος για κάθε εικόνα είναι $15,000, αλλά όλες οι δωρεές πρός οποιαδήποτε εικόνα είναι ευπρόσδεκτες και θα αναγνωριστούν στην λίστα των δωρητών και κάθε εικόνα. Επίσης ομάδες πιστών ή οικογένειες μπορούν να συνεργαστούν για την δωρεά εικόνας. Για περαιτέρω πληροφορίες, παρακαλούμε να επικοινωνήσετε με τον π. Τηλέμαχο. Saint Ephraim the Syrian January 28th Saint Ephraim was born in Nisibis of Mesopotamia some time about the year 306, and in his youth was the disciple of Saint James, Bishop of Nisibis, one of the 318 Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council. Ephraim lived in Nisibis, practicing a severe ascetical life and increasing in holiness, until 363, the year in which Julian the Apostate was slain in his war against the Persians, and his successor Jovian surrendered Nisibis to them. Ephraim then made his dwelling in Edessa, where he found many heresies to do battle with. He waged an especial war against Bardaisan; this gnostic had written many hymns propagating his errors, which by their sweet melodies became popular and enticed souls away from the truth. Saint Ephraim, having received from God a singular gift of eloquence, turned Bardaisan's own weapon against him, and wrote a multitude of hymns to be chanted by choirs of women, which set forth the true doctrines, refuted heretical error, and praised the contests of the Martyrs. Saint Ephraim was ordained deacon, some say by Saint Basil the Great, whom Sozomen said "was a great admirer of Ephraim, and was astonished at his erudition." Saint Ephraim was the first to make the poetic expression of hymnody and song a vehicle of Orthodox theological teachings, constituting it an integral part of the Church's worship; he may rightly be called the first and greatest hymnographer of the Church, who set the pattern for these who followed him, especially Saint Romanos the Melodist. Because of this he is called the "Harp of the Holy Spirit." Shortly before the end of his life, a famine broke out in Edessa, and Saint Ephraim left his cell to rebuke the rich for not sharing their goods with the poor. The rich answered that they knew no one to whom they could entrust their goods. Ephraim asked them, "What do you think of me?" When they confessed their reverence for him, he offered to distribute their alms, to which they agreed. He himself cared with his own hands for many of the sick from the famine, and so crowned his life with mercy and love for neighbor. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 13

14 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM SUNDAY SCHOOL On Sunday December 22nd, many of our Sunday School students participated in our annual Christmas Pageant. The younger children served as our sheep and angels and the older students as our chorus. Many thanks to Dana Vasilkos for coordinating this beautiful event and Nicky Glikis for sharing her amazing musical talents with us. Sunday School will not be in session until Sunday January 12th, we will have our annual Vasilopita cutting in each classroom. On behalf of all the Sunday School Staff, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and New Year filled with all God s blessings. 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 Hellenic American Academy in Deerfield, on January 25th. This year s events will culminate with the Greek Letters luncheon which will take place on Sunday, January 26th, 2014 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. 14 The Voice

15 Wednesday, January 1st Friday, January 3rd Sunday, January 5th Monday, January 6th Tuesday, January 7th Friday, January 10th Sunday, January 12th Monday, January 13th Thursday, January 16th Friday, January 17th Sunday, January 19th Monday, January 20th Saturday, January 25th Sunday, January 26th Monday, January 27th Thursday, January 30th Saturday, February 1st Sunday, February 2nd SCHEDULE OF DIVINE SERVICES New Years Day, Our Lord s Circumcision * Saint Basil the Great, Orthros, St. Basil s Divine Liturgy and Doxology for the New Year 8:00 a.m. Royal Hours of Theophany 8:00 a.m. Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Agiasmos 8:00 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. 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 St. Anthony the Great, Orthros & Divine Liturgy - 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers at St. Athanasios Church in Aurora, IL.-7:00 pm 12th Sunday of Luke, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Vigil for St. Maximos 6:00 p.m. St. Gregory, 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. St. Tryphon Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Agiasmos 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers 6:00 p.m. Presentation of our Lord Orthros and Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Τετάρτη 1 Ιανουαρίου Η κατά σάρκα περιτομή του Κυρίου και Σωτήρος ημών Ιησού Χριστού, & του Αγίου Βασιλείου Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία, Αρτοκλασία και Δοξολογία για το Νέο Έτος 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 3 Ιανουαρίου Βασιλικές Ωρες των Θεοφανείων 8:00 π.μ. Κυριακή 5 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή πρό των Θεοφανίων, Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Αγιασμός 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 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. Τρίτη 7 Ιανουαρίου Αγίου Ιωάννη του Βαπτιστού, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 10 Ιανουαρίου Αγίου Γρηγορίου Νύσσης, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Κυριακή 12 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή μετά των Θεοφανείων, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 13 Ιανουαρίου Παράκλησις -6:00 μ.μ. Πέμπτη 16 Ιανουαρίου Μέγας Εσπερινός στο Παρεκκλήσιο του Αγίου Αντώνιου της Ιεράς Μητρόπολης Σικάγου 7:00 μ.μ. Παρασκευή 17 Ιανουαρίου Αγίου Αντωνίου του Μεγάλου, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ.* Μέγας Εσπερινός στην Εκκλησία του Αγίου Αθάνασίου στο Aurora, IL 7:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 19 Ιανουαρίου 12η Κυριακή του Λουκά, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 20 Ιανουαρίου Αγρυπνία του Αγίου Μαξίμου 6:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 25 Ιανουαρίου Αγίου Γρηγορίου, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Κυριακή 26 Ιανουαρίου 15η Κυριακή του Ματθαίου, Όρθρος, Λειτουργία και Αρτοκλασία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 27 Ιανουαρίου Παράκλησις -6:00 μ.μ. Πέμπτη 30 Ιανουαρίου Των Τριών Ιεραρχών, Ορθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Σάββατο 1 Φεβρουαρίου Αγίου Τρύφωνος, Ορθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Αγιασμός 8:00 π.μ. Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 2 Φεβρουαρίου Της Υπαπαντής, Ορθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 15

16 January 2014 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 5 Family Worship Basketball at St. Haralambos in Niles 12 Sunday School Community Vasilopita Metropolis Vasilopita Grammar & High School at St.s Constantine & Helen 2:15 19 Sunday School Stewardship Sunday Basketball Game, Biddy, Grammar at St. Demetrios Elmhurst 2:15 p.m. 26 Sunday School P.T.A. Artoclasia Hellenic Letters Luncheon 6 Greek School-4:30 pm Greek School Vasilopita 13 Greek School-4:30 pm Byzantine Music 4:30pm Bible Study- 7pm 20 Greek School-4:30 pm Byzantine Music 4:30pm Bible Study- 7pm 27 Greek School-4:30 pm Byzantine Music 4:30pm Bible Study- 7pm 7 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. 14 Bible Study 10:30 am Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Parish Council Mtg 7pm GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm 21 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. 28 Bible Study 10:30 am Cherubs 10:30 a.m. GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm 1 New Year's Day Church Office Closed 8 Iconography - 6 pm HS Bball 7:30 pm 15 Iconography - 6 pm HS Bball 7:30 pm 22 Iconography - 6 pm HS Bball 7:30 pm 29 Iconography - 6 pm HS Bball 7:30 pm Basketball Game, Biddy, Grammar & High School at St. Nicholas 2:15 p.m Greek School 4:30 p.m. Biddy & Grammar School B-ball 6:45 pm Cheerleading 6:45pm GOYA Ice Skating Outing 9 p.m. 17 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Biddy & Grammar School B-ball 6:45 pm Cheerleading 6:45pm 24 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Biddy & Grammar School B-ball 6:45 pm Cheerleading 6:45pm 31 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Three Hierarchs Program Biddy & Grammar School B-ball 6:45 pm Cheerleading 6:45pm 11 HOPE, Handmaidens & Altar Boy 10:00 a.m. P.T.A. Meeting 10 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:00 am Basketball Game, Biddy, Grammar at St. Demetrios Elmhurst 2:15 p.m. 18 HOPE, Handmaidens 10am & Pee-Wee Ball 11:00 am Basketball Game, Biddy, Grammar 2:15 p.m. 25 Pansholiki 3 p.m. February 1 HOPE, Handmaidens & Altar Boy 10:30 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:30 am Basketball Game, Biddy, Grammar, High School at St. Spyridon 2:15 p.m.

17 ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ Η ΕΚΟΥΣΙΑ ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΑ 2014 «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 όχι όπως έχουμε συνηθήση αλλά 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 12 Ιανουαρίου 2014 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 12 Ιανουαρίου στίς 6 μ.μ. στον Ιερό Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου στο Σικάγο. Λεωφορείο για όσους επιθυμούν να πάνε στη βασιλόπιτα θα φύγει από τον Ἀγιον Νικόλαο στις 5 μ.μ. 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 6 Ιανουαρίου. Η κοπή της Βασιλόπιττας του Ελληνικού Σχολείου θα γίνει την 6 Ιανουαρίου. Το πρόγραμμα του Ελληνικού σχολείου για την εορτή των Τριών Ιεραρχών και των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων θα γίνει την Παρασκευή, 31 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 7ης και 8ης Δεκεμβρίου. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 17

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19 St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL Address Correction Requested Attend Church Regularly with Your Family! CALENDAR OF EVENTS Jan. 6th Greek School resumes Resumes Greek School Vasilopita Jan. 10th GOYA Outing Jan. 11th PTA Meeting Jan. 12th Community Vasilopita Sunday School Vasilopita Metropolis Vasilopita Jan. 14th Parish Council Meeting Jan. 17th School Spirit Day Jan. 19th Stewardship Sunday Jan. 20th Vigil for St. Maximos Jan. 26th P.T.A. Artoclasia Metropolis Hellenic Letters Luncheon Jan. 31st Three Hierarchs Program Greek Letter Program presented by our Plutarchos Greek School Friday, January 31st, 2014 Εορτή των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων Παρασκευή, 31 Ιανουαρίου Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Hellenic Letters Luncheon Sunday, January 26th, 2014 Chateau Ritz, Niles, IL at 2:30 p.m. Stewardship Sunday January 19th, 2014 Η Κυριακή του Καλού Οικονόμου Ιανουαρίου 19, 2014