HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

Transcript

1 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE (847) HOW TO READ SCRIPTURE By: Elder Aimilianos When one undertakes to examine Scripture in an idle, intellectual way, he creates hatred and quarrelling. Why? Because the intellectual approach to Scripture does not help us to turn and reflect on our sins, but instead makes us focus on problems and concepts related to the study of Scripture, with the result that our logical and intellectual faculties are aroused to no real purpose. Knowledge by itself does not add anything. On the contrary, it encourages the cultivation of the individual and his private sense of things; it fosters the self-sufficiency of his personal opinions, which he then seeks to justify and impose on others. This kind of approach to Scripture immediately places you in conflict with others; it opposes your will and opinion to theirs, prompting you to disagree and argue with them, and to make enemies of your brothers. Filled as I am with my own opinions about things, I am not able to receive anything from God. The correct way is to read Scripture with simplicity and to allow God to tell us what He wants to tell us. It s one thing to read Scripture because you want to collect information, and another thing to read it because you want to acquire its true content, that is, the Holy Spirit. This kind of knowledge is the life of God (cf. Jn 17:3), the entry and extension of God into our life; it is God s descent and dwelling among us. We can judge whether or not our study of Scripture is authentic based on the number of tears we shed when we study. To be sure, I can also read Scripture without shedding tears, and without a strong sense of my sins, but with the hope that God s grace, through my reading of Scripture, will break open my hardened heart. Read Scripture, then, but don t forget about your sins and reduce Scripture to an object of intellectual inquiry, for at that point it ceases being the word of God and you start seeing it as something human. The criterion for your study should be this: the way you read the Bible should bring peace to your heart, communion with God, love of neighbors, and the consciousness of your own sinfulness: the recognition of how unworthy and ill-prepared you are to stand before God.

2 ANNOUNCEMENTS The St. Haralambos Preschool PTA invites you to our Coffee Fellowship Hour after today s church services. PROSPHORA We thank the Asimacopoulos Family, the Loomos Family and Mrs. Tasia Farsalas who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by the Yutakis Family, Mrs. Demetra Tsagalis and by Mrs. Eleni Katris (Sunday, October 16). MEMORIAL SERVICES 6 months Pantelis Bliamblias Memorial services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. There are some days when Memorials are not permitted please call the church office before planning. Memorials take place at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at 3 years. After three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls. Please also remember that we have discontinued the custom of placing candles in the kolyva. ARTOCLASIA is offered today by our St. Haralambos Philoptochos at the beginning of the new activity year for the health and well being of its officers and members, their families and the entire St. Haralambos Community. SACRAMENTAL REGISTRY Congratulations to....mr and Mrs Dimitris Mellos on the Baptism of their daughter today at St. Haralambos...Mr and Mrs Dionisis Kosmatos on the Baptism of their son today at St. Haralambos. ΝΑ ΖΗΣΟΥΝ! WHO CAN RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION? Because receiving Holy Communion or any other Sacrament is an expression of our acceptance of the dogmatic and moral teachings of the Orthodox Faith, only Orthodox Christians (by baptism or chrismation) in good standing may participate. For this reason, persons who do not agree with these teachings, or not in good standing (for example, married outside the church, or unmarried but sexually active, or civilly divorced but not ecclesiastically divorced), must return to good standing in order to participate in Orthodox Sacraments such as Holy Communion and Unction. This is also the reason that Orthodox Christians do not receive sacraments in non-orthodox churches. DONOR WANTED Fr. Dean is looking for a donation of $400 for a set of new chalice covers. Anyone interested? SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Sunday School has begun! Make sure to register your children in this most important program! Registration forms are available in the church office! Sunday School begins at 9:30 don t be late! OCTOBER BOOK & ICON SALE!! Please visit our Bookstore for selected discounted items on Books and Icons through the month of October! SAINT IAKOVOS Feastday Banquet at Giorgio s Banquets Honoring His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 6pm Please call the church office to make your reservation!

3 SAINT HARALAMBOS 8TH ANNUAL WALKATHON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 All donations will support the Archdiocesan Ionian Village Summer Camp in Greece which sustained severe damage on September 8, 2016 from fierce tornadoes. The Walkathon will begin at 1 pm and there will also be a cookout after the walk.. The suggested donation per person is $10 and $25 per family to participate. STEWARDSHIP 2016! If you have not yet made your 2016 commitments, please do so. There is no minimum, but true stewardship means we set a level of giving in proportion to our resources and income. Our stewardship level should be an amount that reflects our growing love of God and our appreciation for the blessings and benefits we derive from our Church! UNCOMPROMISING FAITH IN COMPRO- MISING TIMES Fr. Evan Armatas, the host of the podcast Transforming our Lives in Christ and the host of the show Orthodoxy Live will be offering a retreat at St. Demetrios, Elmhurst on Saturday, Oct 22 from 10:30 am to 2 PM. More info, contact saintdemetriosoffice@gmail.com INTRODUCTION TO THE GREEK ORTHO- DOX LITURGY You are invited to a special series of presentations to study the Divine Liturgy. The study is based on a small book about the Liturgy, written by Fr. Demetrios Treantafeles, and the sessions will include abundant discussion and Q&A. Join us! SWEET AND KIND: Please understand that chewing gum in church is considered to be very discourteous and even vulgar. Your attention to this is greatly appreciated. In consideration of others, please r emove lipstick when reverencing the holy icons or receiving Holy Communion. ANNOUNCEMENTS SYNERGY SYMPOSIUM 2016 Synergy s Annual Symposium is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2016 at St. George Antiochian Church in Cicero. Father Alexii will present HOLINESS IN CONTEMPORARY CUL- TURE. Please visit for more information! SCREENAGERS: Growing up in the Digital Age Glenbrook South Parent s Association is offering a free viewing of this documentary. It depicts family struggles over social media, video games, academics, and internet addiction. Through various insights, solutions emerge on how we can empower kids to best navigate the digital world. Movie will be shown Wednesday, Oct 19, at 3:30 pm & 7 pm at Glenbrook High School in Watson Auditorium. SAVE THE DATE! NOV 5 Parish pilgrimage to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Homer Glen to venerate the myrrh-streaming icon of St. John the Baptist RSVP by calling the church office (847) NOV 6 Godparent Sunday: Have you made your reservations yet? WELCOME to all our friends, parishioners and visitors! We are happy that you have come to worship with us, and hope that you have had a prayerful and uplifting experience. We invite you to join the St. Haralambos family for worship, fellowship after church and other activities any time. If your child is distracting to others, do not be embarrassed; they are only children. If they continue to disturb, however, you are requested to take your child to our cry room. Please teach your children that it is not proper to play video games, eat snacks, chew gum or cross their legs in church. Please turn off cell-phones and video games during Church services. Phone conversations are not allowed in church!

4 Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Β Κορ. στ 1-10 Ἀδελφοί, συνεργοῦντες δὲ καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν μὴ εἰς κενὸν τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ δέξασθαι ὑμᾶς - λέγει γάρ, Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσά σου, καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησά σοι ἰδού, νῦν καιρὸς εὐπρόσδεκτος, ἰδού, νῦν ἡμέρα σωτηρίας - μηδεμίαν ἐν μηδενὶ διδόντες προσκοπήν, ἵνα μὴ μωμηθῇ ἡ διακονία ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ συνιστῶντες ἑαυτοὺς ὡς θεοῦ διάκονοι, ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ, ἐν θλίψεσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκαις, ἐν στενοχωρίαις, ἐν πληγαῖς, ἐν φυλακαῖς, ἐν ἀκαταστασίαις, ἐν κόποις, ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις, ἐν νηστείαις, ἐν ἁγνότητι, ἐν γνώσει, ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ, ἐν χρηστότητι, ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἀνυποκρίτῳ, ἐν λόγῳ ἀληθείας, ἐν δυνάμει θεοῦ, διὰ τῶν ὅπλων τῆς δικαιοσύνης τῶν δεξιῶν καὶ ἀριστερῶν, διὰ δόξης καὶ ἀτιμίας, διὰ dυσφημίας καὶ εὐφημίας ὡς πλάνοι καὶ ἀληθεῖς ὡς ἀγνοούμενοι, καὶ ἐπιγινωσκόμενοι ὡς ἀποθνῄσκοντες, καὶ ἰδού, ζῶμεν ὡς παιδευόμενοι, καὶ μὴ θανατούμενοι ὡς λυπούμενοι, ἀεὶ δὲ χαίροντες ὡς πτωχοί, πολλοὺς δὲ πλουτίζοντες ὡς μηδὲν ἔχοντες, καὶ πάντα κατέχοντες. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Λουκᾶν ζ Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐπορεύετο ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς πόλιν καλουμένην Ναΐν, καὶ συνεπορεύοντο αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ὄχλος πολύς. Ὡς δὲ ἤγγισεν τῇ πύλῃ τῆς πόλεως, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐξεκομίζετο τεθνηκὼς μονογενὴς υἱὸς τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὐτὴ ἦν χήρα, καὶ ὄχλος τῆς πόλεως ἱκανὸς ἦν σὺν αὐτῇ. Καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὴν ὁ κύριος ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ αὐτῇ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ, Μὴ κλαῖε. Καὶ προσελθὼν ἥψατο τῆς σοροῦ, οἱ δὲ βαστάζοντες ἔστησαν, καὶ εἶπεν, Νεανίσκε, σοὶ λέγω, ἐγέρθητι. Καὶ ἀνεκάθισεν ὁ νεκρὸς καὶ ἤρξατο λαλεῖν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὸν τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ. Ἔλαβεν δὲ φόβος πάντας, καὶ ἐδόξαζον τὸν θεὸν λέγοντες ὅτι Προφήτης μέγας ἠγέρθη ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ ὅτι Επεσκέψατο ὁ θεὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ.

5 Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today EPISTLE READING II Corinthians 6:1-10 BRETHREN, working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. GOSPEL READING Luke 7:11-16 At that time, Jesus went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!"

6 UPCOMING YOUTH MINISTRY DATES Please fill out a registration form in the Church Office. Little Angels (Ages 4 and under) Tues, October 11-11:30am 1 pm Family Night (Families & youth in Pre-k 5th grade) Oct 10 Feed My Starving Children (info below) Next gathering Mon., October 24 5:30 pm to 7 pm Jr. GOYA (6th 8th grades) Mon, Oct 17 Jr. GOYA 6:30 pm 8 pm Oct 10 Feed My Starving Children (see info below) Sr. GOYA (High School) Oct 10 Feed My Starving Children (see info below) Next gathering Mon, Oct 24-7:30pm 9pm Campfire with smores Basketball registration has begun! Practices and games start in October. Interested in coaching or helping out? Contact David Loomos at for more information. FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN OUTREACH TOMORROW, OCT 10! 5:45 pm 7:30 pm If you would like to volunteer, please contact Christine Blackaby at ChrysoKB@gmail.com We need 60 volunteers! (Kids 8 years old or older) Please list all members by their full names and indicate if child or adult. Also, indicate a contact address for the accompanying adult so that you receive contact information from the FMSC organization. PLEASE DO YOUR BEST TO COME WORSHIP IN THE DIVINE LITURGY ON TIME AT 9:30 AM! Come hear the Gospel & listen to the Kid s Sermon! Sunday School Starts at this time and we don t want you or our children to miss out!!! HOLINESS & CONTEMPORARY CULTURE Presenta- Father Altschul tion by Alexii First Presentation: Holiness in Contemporary Culture Second Presentation: Asceticism and our Daily Live Saturday, October 15, :00 am to 2:00 pm St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church 1220 South 60th Court Cicero, IL Coffee & Lunch are included Father Alexii will discuss the Orthodox faith and asceticism, and how it applies to the work we do to prepare for salvation. To register, visit

7 Ανακοινώσεις STEWARDSHIP 2016 Εαν δεν έχετε συμπληρώσει την κάρτα προσφοράς σας για το 2016, παρακαλούμε όπως επιληφθείτε το συντομότερο. Δεν έχουμε θέσει όρια, αλλά αληθινό stewardship σημαί -νει να δίνoυμε ανάλογα των εισοδημάτων μας. Το επίπεδο προσφοράς του stewardship θα πρέπει να είναι ένα ποσό που θα αντιπροσωπεύει την αυξανόμενη αγάπη μας προς τον Θεό και την εκτίμησή μας δια τις ευλογίες και όλα τα καλά που μας προσφέρει η εκκλησία μας! ΠΟΙΟΙ ΔΥΝΑΝΤΑΙ ΝΑ ΛΑΒΟΥΝ ΘΕΙΑΝ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΝ - Όταν λαμβάνομεν Θείαν Κοινωνίαν η οποιοδήποτε από τα άλλα Μυστήρια εκφράζομεν την αποδοχήν μας εις τα δογματικά και ηθικά διδάγματα της Ορθοδόξου μας Εκκλησίας. Διά τούτο, μόνον Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί οι οποίοι είναι εντάξει απέναντι της Εκκλησίας δύνανται να λάβουν μέρος εις τα Μυστήρια, όπως Θεία Κοινωνία και Ευχέλαιο, και δεν πρέπει να λαμβάνουμε μέρος σε Μυστήρια σε μη Ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες. Διά οποιεσδήποτε απορίες σας, παρακαλούμε να συζητήσετε με τον ιερέα σας. ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ Επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις γίνονται για την αιώνιον ανάπαυση των τεθνεώντων. Συνήθως, αυτές οι δεήσεις γίνονται κατά τις 40 THANK YOU to Argy Koutsikos, Eleni Kyriazopoulos, Andy Andrews and the Parish Council for putting on a wonderful Tailgate Party this past Sunday at Saint Haralambos! ημέρες, τους 6 μήνες, τον 1 ον χρόνο και τον 3 ον χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια, είναι πιο αρμόζον να μνημονεύουμε τους αποθανόντας κατά τα Ψυχοσάββατα. ΠΟΤΕ ΝΑ ΓΟΝΑΤΙΖΟΥΜΕ, ΝΑ ΣΤΕΚΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΚΑΘΟΜΑΣΤΕ Από τα πρώτα χρόνια, η Εκκλησία μας δίδαξε ότι η αρμόζουσα θέση για να προσευχόμεθα είναι να στεκόμεθα όρθιοι. (Μέχρι πρόσφατα, οι περισσότερες Ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες δεν είχαν καθόλου καθίσματα δια τους πιστούς! Tα καθίσματα υπήρχαν μόνον κατά μήκος των τοίχων δια τους ηλικιωμένους.) Ως έκφραση δέους και σεβασμού, υπάρχουν φορές που είθισται όμως να γονατίζουμε στην εκκλησία, ιδιαιτέρως κατά την ώρα της Επικλήσεως, όταν ο ιερός άρτος και οίνος μεταβάλλονται εις το τίμιο Σώμα και Αίμα του Χρηστού μας. Κατά την Επίκλησιν (Σε Υμνοῦμεν), στις καθημερινές λειτουργίες, αναμένεται να γονατίζουν όλοι οι πιστοί. Κάθε Κυριακή όμως, μερικοί διαλέγουν να γονατίζουν και άλλοι παραμένουν όρθιοι. Αυτοί που για διάφορες αιτίες δεν δύνανται να γονατίσουν, παρακαλούνται να παραμένουν όρθιοι εις ένδειξιν σεβασμού. Εκτός για λόγους υγείας, δεν είναι αρμόζον να κάθεται κανείς την ώρα της Επικλήσεως. QUOTE FROM THE FATHERS God rests within gentle hearts. The gentle and merciful shall sit fearless in His regions, and will inherit Heavenly glory. St. John Climacus SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: Mon, Oct 10 Feed My Starving Children Outreach in Schaumburg... 5:45 pm Tues. Oct 11 Little Angels. 11:30 am Afternoon Greek School 4:30 pm Introduction to the Divine Liturgy Class 7:30 pm Wed, Oct 12 Preconstruction Meeting for Phase 3. 7:30 pm Fri, Oct 14 Afternoon Greek School 4:30 pm Greek School Fall Dance 6:30 pm Sat, Oct 15 Saturday Greek School.. 9:00 am NEXT WEEK IS THE 8th Annual Walkathon after the Divine Liturgy! Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.

8 TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, October 9, rd Sunday of Luke - Κυριακὴ Γ Λουκά The Holy Apostle Saint Iakovos of Alphaios -Tου Ἁγίου Ἀποστόλου Ἰακώβου τοῦ Ἀλφαίου ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Apolytikion of the Grave Tone Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέωξας τῷ Ληστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. You destroyed death by Your Cross; You opened Paradise to the thief. The Myrrh-bearers lamentation You transformed, and You commanded the Apostles to proclaim that You are risen, O Christ God, granting the world the Great Mercy. Apolytikion of the Holy Apostle Iakovos of Alphaios Ἀπόστολε Ἅγιε Ἰάκωβε, πρέσβευε τῷ ἐλεήμονι Θεῷ ἵνα πταισμάτων ἄφεσιν, παράσχῃ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν. Holy Apostle Iakovos, intercede with our merciful God that He will grant remisison of sins unto our souls. Apolytikion of the Holy Taxiarchs Τῶν οὐρανίων στρατιῶν Ἀρχιστράτηγοι, δυσωποῦμεν ὑμᾶς ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵνα ταῖς ὑμῶν δεήσεσι, τειχίσητε ἡμᾶς, σκέπῃ τῶν πτερύγων, τῆς ἀΰλου ὑμῶν δόξης, φρουροῦντες ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας, ἐκτενῶς καὶ βοῶντας Ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λυτρώσασθε ἡμᾶς, ὡς Ταξιάρχαι τῶν ἄνω Δυνάμεων. Supreme Commanders of the heavenly armies, we the unworthy beseech and implore you, that by your supplications you encircle us under the cover of the wings of your ineffable glory; guarding us who bow down with fervor crying: From dangers deliver us, as Leaders of the Powers above. Apolytikion of St. Haralambos Ὡς στῦλος ἀκλόνητος, τῆς Ἐκκλησίας Χριστοῦ, καὶ λύχνος ἀείφωτος τῆς οἰκουμένης σοφέ, ἐδείχθης Χαράλαμπες, ἔλαμψας ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, διὰ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, ἔλυσας τῶν εἰδώλων, τὴν σκοτόμαιναν μάκαρ, διὸ ἐν παῤῥησίᾳ Χριστῷ, πρέσβευε σωθῆναι ἡμᾶς. As a pillar unshakable of the Church of Christ, and an ever-radiant lamp to the universe, were you, O wise Haralambos; you illumined the world through martyrdom; you dispelled the moonless night of the idols, o blessed one. Therefore with boldness before Christ, intercede that we may be saved. ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ KONTAKION OF THE DAY Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε, μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι. Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε. A protection of Christians unshamable, intercessor to our Holy Maker unwavering. Reject not the voices of sinners in prayer; instead, come, for you are good, to the aid of us who in faith cry out to you. Hasten in intercession, and hurry in supplication O Theotokos, as the protectress for all time of those who honor you.