VOICE THE. THE VOICE April Volume No. 283

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1 THE VOICE THE VOICE April Volume No. 283 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1 Stewardship... 3 Great Lent... 4 Philoptochos... 5 Sunday of Orthodoxy... 6 Parish Events`... 7 P.T.A./Sunday School... 8 Archangels... 9 Ordination Talent Show Iconography Cherubs Κοινοτικά Νέα Liturgical Schedule Community Events Πρόγραμμα Ακολουθιών ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT- Several times a year, groups of students from Trinity Christian College visit Saint Spyridon as part of their religious studies. After speaking about the church and our faith traditions, there is always time for Q & A, and every single time, one of their questions is the following: We are commanded to worship God alone. How is it that Orthodox Christians pray to saints? I am not surprised to receive this question from our Protestant friends, but lately I have been hearing the same concern from Orthodox faithful. For this reason, I wish to address in our Catechism 101 series the Orthodox understanding of the intercession of the Saints. In Orthodoxy, we have great respect for the saints and they are an integral part of our life. At birth, a saint is picked for us. A convert will pick a patron saint at baptism. A parish will be dedicated to a patron saint with the blessing of the local hierarch. The patron saint is a protector, an intercessor, and a model for the individual or for an entire community. In celebration of these saints, the church places their relics in the altar table, and their icons on its walls and in the homes of the faithful. Hymns and services are composed in their honor extolling their virtuous deeds and witness to our faith. We, the faithful, aspire to imitate them, and we fervently ask them to intercede on our behalf to God. The key word in this last point is that we ask the saints to intercede. The saints do not possess the ability to save us. Only Christ is the Savior Greek Independence Day Luncheon Sunday, April 6th, 2014 Following the Divine Liturgy

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... Vice-President Konstantine Labrakis... Vice President James Xeros... Secretary Frank Kopanis... Assistant Secretary Gus Kolyvas... Treasurer Nicholas Chibucos... Assistant Treasurer Auxiliary Officers Stylianos Bonanos... Chanter Olga Paxinos... Philoptochos Angela Evangelopoulos... 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. Janine Riley... Cherubs Presvytera Georgia... HOPE Fr. Tilemahos... 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. and the Mediator and High Priest Who offers Himself for our salvation. When we as Orthodox pray to the saints, we do not pray to them as the source of salvation. We are communicating with them and we are praying with the saints. We enlist the saints to pray with us and on our behalf, but the final destination of every prayer is Christ. We venerate the saints, we respect them, we imitate them, and we humbly ask them to intercede for us, but we do not worship them. Worship belongs to God alone since Christ is our only Mediator and Savior. St. Cyril of Jerusalem states the following in his Catechetical Lectures: During Eucharistic prayer, we make mention also of those who have already fallen asleep: first, the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, that through their prayers and supplications, God would receive our petitions. One of the arguments that our Protestant friends pose to us is that the saints have no knowledge of the affairs of the world and that there is no way for them to hear our prayers. After all, the saints are not omnipotent and omnipresent like God. While it is true that the saints are not omnipotent and omnipresent, they are very aware of events on earth. For example, on Mount Tabor, where Christ was transfigured, we see Him conversing with Moses and Elijah about the coming events of Christ s crucifixion. Not only were the Old Testament prophets aware of current events, but by God s revelation they were cognizant of future events as well. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, the saints are alive; they have not abandoned the world; they are concerned with the affairs of this world and of our lives, our needs, and our prayers. In one of my favorite hymns, the apolytikion of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, we chant: In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions. One last argument that I have heard against the practice of praying to saints is that it is not specifically mentioned in the Bible to do so. However, there is no directive not to pray to the saints either. The fact that the scriptures are silent on the issue simply means that it was not a point of contention within the life of the Church. The Church Fathers barely spoke on the issue but rather accepted and lived the practice without it being a source of controversy. And since the earliest of the Church Fathers attest to the practice as commonplace and accepted among believers, there is no reason to reject it. There are indeed many things that we do in church that are not specifically mentioned in scripture. The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit and we trust the Holy Spirit to guide us to all truth. The scriptures, as authoritative as they are, do not contain the entire experience of the life of the Church. The supreme authority within the Church is the grace our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit Who guides and forms what we call Holy Tradition, within which the scriptures are contained. Intercession of the saints which has been practiced throughout the history of the Church was never considered as constituting heresy, idolatry, or polytheism. The practice has always served to enhance the prayer life of the Church. To commune with the saints and to ask them to intercede for us is to confess that the Church is a community of the living. At this time that we are preparing to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, we become keenly aware that there is life after death. Without the cloud of 2 The Voice

3 STEWARDSHIP 2014 Stewardship 2014 Progress Report As of March 27th, 2014 Pledged Stewards: 207 Stewardship Goal for Stewards The Stewardship Committee thanks our 207 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 to you who have not yet pledged, we ask of you to commit yourself and your family so that the Word of God may continue in His glorious name. STEWARDS 2014-FEBRUARY 28TH-MARCH 27TH Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Alexakos Mr. & Mrs. Nich. Andricopulos Mr. & Mrs. Ricky Angell Mr. & Mrs. Nick Argyropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Gus Banakis Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Battersby Mr. & Mrs. Mark Besbekos Mr. & Mrs. Garnet Bremner Mr. & Mrs. Sam Charalambos Ms. Elena Dalleck Dr. & Mrs. George Danos Mr. George Eliacostas Mr. & Mrs. John Eliacostas Ms. Angela Evangelopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hic Mr. & Mrs. Brad Jones Mr. & Mrs. Dim. Karamagianis Ms. Georgia Karuntzos Mr. James Karuntzos Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Kavvadas Mr. & Mrs. Pete Kazazakis Mr. & Mrs. Emman. Kekempanos Mr. & Mrs. Larry Kekempanos Mrs. Helen King Mrs. Tasia Kladis Mr. & Mrs. Frank Kopanis Mr. James Korbakes Dr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Kotsopulos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Koulogeorge Mr. & Mrs. George Kyroudis Ms. Georgia Malamis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Manasses Mr. & Mrs. Chris Manolitsis Mr. & Mrs. Mike Lamonto Mr. & Mrs. Demetrius Marines Mr. Eustratios Marinos Mr. John Mazarakos Mr. & Mrs. Dale Morrone Mr. & Mrs. An. Panagiotopoulos Mr. Philip Papamakarios Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Papoulias Mr. Andrew Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Peter Paraskis Mr. & Mrs. Nick Petinatos Mr. Marino Petropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Retsinas Mr. & Mrs. Rob Righetti Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Riley Mr. Gus Roros Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Smirnis Fr. & Pr. Anargyros Stavropoulos Mr. Peter Stribakos Mr. & Mrs. George Theoharis Mr. Angelo Tsakolas Mrs. Mary Tsiggos Mr. & Mrs. George Tsikouris Mr. John Tsikouris Mr. Michael Valaris Mr. & Mrs. John Virosztko Mr. & Mrs. George Vasilakos ΓΙΝΕ ΚΑΛΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝΑ Ευχαριστούμε τις 207 οικογένεις που εκπλήρωσαν τις υποσχέσεις τους για το έτος Υπενθυμίζουμε σε όλους ότι έχουν ταχυδρομηθεί οι Καταστάσεις Υπόσχεσης του Καλού Οικονόμου για το τρέχον έτος. Σας παρακαλούμε να ανανεώσετε την συνδρομή σας το γρηγορώτερο δυνατόν. Η υποστήριξη όλων είναι αναγκαί για την συνέχιση του έργου της Εκκλησίας μας. witnesses such as our saints praying with us and interceding on our behalf, the church would quickly become a very lonely and dying place. In Orthodoxy, we are never alone. Death no longer separates us from each other. In every Eucharistic gathering, we all come together: the Theotokos, angels, prophets, apostles, teachers, martyrs, ascetics, and all the saints, with the living and those who have fallen asleep, as we form the image of the Church, the Body of Christ Who has risen from the dead and Who forever shall be. By the intercessions of Saint Spyridon and of all the saints, may the days of Holy Week and Pascha find you in fervent prayer, heartfelt repentance and true joy in our Risen Lord. In His love, Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 3

4 LENTEN EVENTS HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN IAKOVOS AT ST. SPYRIDON, FRIDAY, APRIL 11TH On Friday, April 11th at 6:30 p.m. His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos will officiate at the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts. Following the service, the Philoptochos will be hosting the Lenten Meal. All faithful are invited to attend. Please make every effort to attend this special service. LENTEN MEALS During the Great Lent period we will have Lenten Meals hosted by the different Parish organizations of our community. Each dinner is pot-luck and always delicious. We ask for the members of each organization to bring a Lenten dish for the meal. The Lenten Meals are held every Wednesday of Great Lent after the Presanctified Liturgy. All Free Will Donations will benefit our Iconography Project The Lenten Meal schedule is as follows: Wednesday, April 2nd Altar Boys Wednesday, April 9th P.T.A. Friday, April 11th Philoptochos Society HOLY CONFESSION Please observe the Holy Confession Schedule as outlined in page 15. You may also make an appointment with Fr. Tilemahos by calling the church office at (708) MYROFORES Once again, the tradition of the Myrofores during Holy Week and Pascha continues. The Myrofores, this year, will be led by Eleni Alexakos and Maria Mataragas. Please let them or the church office know that you are willing to participate in the Myrofores. While a white robe is provided, the girls need to come dressed appropriately for church and with white shoes and white stockings. The Myrofores need to be at the church fifteen minutes before the start of the following services: Palm Sunday, April 13 th Service of the Bridegroom 7:00 p.m. Holy Monday, April 14 th - Service of the Bridegroom 7:00 p.m. Holy Tuesday, April 15 th - Service of the Bridegroom 7:00 p.m. Holy Friday, April 18 th The Epitaphios Service 7:30 p.m. Holy Saturday, April 19 th The Resurrection Service 11:00 p.m. PASCHA Sunday, April 20 th The Agape Service 12 noon RED PASCHA EGGS The dying and wrapping of the Red Pascha Eggs will be on Thursday, April 17 th, Holy Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to help. HOLY WEEK FLOWERS The Great Lent and Easter Season is approaching quickly and once again we are asking for your contributions and donations towards the adornment of our St. Spyridon Church during the Lenten and Paschal season. Please call the Church office if you are interested in donating for the flowers. Your generous assistance will be appreciated. DECORATING THE EPITAPHION The Epitaphion of our Lord will be decorated during the All-Night Vigil on Holy Thursday Evening on April 17 th. All parishioners and friends are invited to this beautiful Orthodox Tradition in which everyone can participate. WANTED!!! FOREIGN LANGUAGE READERS We are looking for foreign language readers for the Agape Service on Sunday, April 20 th at noon. If you can read any language other than Spanish, English and Greek, please contact Fr. Tilemahos. 4 The Voice

5 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Dear Philoptochos Sisters and Fellow Parishioners, Kalo Mina, We have had a busy March. The Kathara Deftera service and reception bonded us as we started Lent together. The Philoptochos Metropolis Retreat at St. Demetrios Libertyville was attended by over 200 members. The Topic The Theotokos and the Modern Woman was very inspiring. The ordination at our parish to the Diaconate of Chris Mihalopoulos was a very beautiful service. Thank you to all the parishioners who helped make the reception a success. On March 23 rd our annual loukoumada sale went very well! April too will be busy as we culminate the Lenten Season by His Resurrection. Every Sunday there will be spanakopites and tiropites available for sale. Stock up now before they are all gone! On Wednesday April 9 th we will be making tsourekia for the Palm Sunday bake sale. On Friday evening April 11 th, His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos will be here for the service and reception afterwards. On Palm Sunday April 13, we will have the annual fish luncheon. We will also have the combined bake sale with the PTA for the needy. On Thursday April 17 th we will by dyeing the Easter eggs for Pashca. The services this month are beautiful and we seem to learn more each year as we follow the text. I wish everyone Kalee Anastasee and all the best with your families. With Sisterly Agape, Olga Paxinos, Philoptochos President Seniors' Christian Fellowship Luncheon Chicago's South Suburban Greek Orthodox Parishes cordially invite their Senior Parishioners on Friday, April 25, 2014 to celebrate together our Lord's Holy Resurrection during Bright Week, which is being hosted by the: St. Nicholas Ladies Philoptochos Society S. Kolmar Ave. Oak Lawn, IL Orthros Begins - 8:30 A.M. * Followed by luncheon & fellowship So as to prepare appropriately, please make your reservation by calling the St. Nicholas Church office: Admission: Free of charge IN MEMORIAM MEMORIALS Saturday, March 8th 1 yr for Diamantis Andonopoulos Sunday, March 9th 3 yrs for Demetria Proutsos Sunday, March 23rd 1 yr for Spiro Vythoulkas 17 yrs for Stamata Vythoulkas Sunday, March 30th 6 months for Fillipos Petropoulos Irene Chrisovalantou Hatzitheodorou BAPTISMS The son of Mr. & Mrs. John Virosztko was baptized on March 1st and given the name David. Mr. Peter Panagiotaros & Mrs. Dena Petrakopoulos were the sponsors. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Nick Argyropoulos was baptized on March 22nd and given the name Styliani. Her sponsors were Ms. Stacy Kolios and Cindy Dababneh. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Tsokolas was baptized on March 22nd and given the name Sofia Grace. Mr. John Tsokolas and Mr. & Mrs. John & Sarah Stickelmaier were the sponsors. SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY The Spring General Assembly meeting will be held on Friday, April 4th, 2014 following the 7:00 p.m. Akathist Hymn service.. JR. OLYMPICS MEETING All coaches and volunteers for the Jr. Olympics are invited to an organizational meeting at church on Thursday, April 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. We are always looking for new people to join our veteran volunteers to help with signing up the kids and organizing the practices and athletes for basketball, volleyball, soccer, and softball, swimming, track, tennis, and much more. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 An overwhelming number of children participated in the litany of icons on Sunday of Orthodoxy. It was a beautiful sight to see as all our Sunday School students held up their icons and proclaimed the beauty and glory of our Orthodox faith. Many thanks to all our Sunday School staff and parents who organized all our young faithful and thanks to everyone who took the wonderful pictures in church and at the brunch afterwards hosted by our parents. Sunday Of Orthodoxy 6 The Voice

7 PARISH EVENTS St. Spyridon s P.T.A. invites the children and families of the parish to worship together at the Saturday of Lazarus Divine Liturgy followed by the Annual Communion Pancake Breakfast Saturday, April 12th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 am After Liturgy, please join us for the Lenten Communion Pancake Breakfast and preparation of the palms for Palm Sunday Worship. This is a wonderful Lenten opportunity to come together as a family to prepare the palms and enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast. Students are encouraged to prepare themselves through prayer, fasting and confession to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY Lenten Luncheon Hosted by the St. Spyridon Parent-Teacher Association Sunday, April 6th, 2014 Immediately following the Divine Liturgy ADULTS - $ CHILDREN under 12 - FREE Followed by a delightful program from our Plutarchos Greek School Students. Featuring a special Greek Dance performance!! St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 P.T.A. NEWS We finished the month of February with a very successful Talent Show Night, on Friday, February 28th. Students showcased their amazing talent and everyone had a great time! Thank you to Mrs. Maria Baltsas, and all the P.T.A. members that helped plan, donated food and served at our Talent Show. Pictures from the Talent Show are at page 12. On April 6th we will hold the Greek Independence Day Celebration with a program and luncheon. The luncheon donation for adults is $12, and for children under 12 it is free of charge. THIS PARISH ROCKS!! The PTA has collected ALL items on our donation lists! We will only be in need of individuals to help us serve & clean up on April 6th. Please see a PTA board member if you are available to assist us! Now if I can just bore you guys a teensy bit We've been greatly overwhelmed by everyone's independent desire to help us. Which got me to thinking about communities & parishes and how nowadays, they are not often interlinked. Community actions (whether they be visiting the terminally ill, supplying clothing to the homeless, donating to church events or the food pantry, or even participating in liturgical acts) all help in feeling rootedness. In developing this sense of belonging or loyalty, it further empowers our actions & encourages a development of standards which directs just and honorable participation. This building of community is vital to a parish! I sincerely feel that we are witnessing a vibrant community within our parish. The PTA is overjoyed by all the families and individuals which have come forward to give selflessly for our children's programs. But most importantly, through our actions, we will have a community parish to hand over to our children. Let us continue to model behavior for our children to grow by - "Roots sink in soil and draw vitality from the nutrients around them." Our meeting this month will be held on Friday, April 4th at 5:00 p.m. Please make every effort to attend. Angela Evangelopoulos, P.T.A. President SUNDAY SCHOOL Please note the important events coming up for Sunday School. If your daughter is interested in being a Myrofora, please contact Maria Matarangas at your earliest convenience at sularia15@gmail.com or (708) On Saturday April 5 th, immediately following the Lenten Retreat, we will be assigning gowns for all the girls who would like to participate. We will also be distributing a schedule for the services they will participate in during Holy Week. Many thanks to all students who participated in the Oratorical Festival. We had several younger children make beautiful art projects and some students in the Junior & Senior Division write essays, poems and speeches. In an effort to increase participation, Junior & Senior entries will continue to be accepted through April 5 th and then sent to the Metropolis for further evaluation and placement. Elementary division entries will also be accepted until that time. Ideally, all of our students will participate. Last month, Martha & Mary bottles were distributed to students. Please return those on April 12th, as we would like to send the final proceeds from this effort no later than April 20 th. On April 12 th, Saturday of Lazarus, we ask that all students come together for Communion as well as a pancake breakfast. Please note, the change in the class calendar. There will be no class on April 6 th due to the March 25 th Greek School Program. However, classes will be held on Palm Sunday. Zoe Kopanis, Sunday School Director 8 The Voice

9 MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SUMMER CAMP 2014 JUNE 2ND-6TH & JUNE 9TH-13TH Camp will run from June 3 rd through June 14 th, Monday Friday 9am to 12noon and is open to 4-6 year olds. Applications and summer camp forms are available in the office and on our website. Please feel free to contact Mrs. Anna at archangels@saint-spyridon.org or if you have any questions about summer camp or registration for next year. We wish to send a sincere thank you to everyone who came to our Archangels Academy parent s PANCAKE BREAKFAST and supported the raffle. Not only was the food delicious but sharing the Divine Liturgy and the breakfast with our St. Spyridon family made the event a success all around. Thank you to our donors: Parents, DWF Foods, Eggmans Restaurant, Nick s Gyros and the Odyssey Country Club. Our 9 th Annual Raffle will be drawn at our End of the Year Banquet in May. We will continue to sell tickets up through the event. If you wish to purchase tickets please contact an Archangles Academy parent or Mrs. Anna Angelos. Students working of the rule of when two vowels go walking the first one does the talking. Students show off their hard work. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 9

10 ORDINATION OF DEACON CHRIS MIHALOPOULOS On Sunday, March 16th, we had the blessing at St. Spyridon to celebrate the ordination of Dn. Christos Mihalopoulos. Dn. Chris grew up at St. Spyridon, and after his studies at Holy Cross, he married Toni Poteres last October while serving as the lay assistant at St. Nektarios in Palatine. With the blessings of Metropolitan Iakovos, His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos ordained Chris to the Diaconate in the presence of many clergy, family and friends who came to witness the ordination. Following the service, a set of vestments was presented by our parish to the new deacon. A reception for all the faithful was hosted by the Philoptochos in the community hall. Many thanks to all the volunteers and donors who made the day memorable and beautiful. Also many thanks to John Spero and Sam Bisbikis for the pictures. AΞΙΟΣ!!! 10 The Voice

11 AXIOS ΑΞΙΟΣ AXIOS St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 11

12 12 The Voice TALENT SHOW 2014

13 ICONOGRAPHY PROJECT The final phase is our iconography project is under way and soon the iconography of our beautiful edifice will be completed. All 34 medallions and 13 out of the 19 icons have been donated or pledged. Only six icons remain available for donations. All donors for each icon may be recognized and listed on our donor board and any size donation is welcome. For more information on the iconography project please consult the brochures available at church or contact Fr. Saturday of Lazarus Last Supper Transfiguration Miracle of St. Spyridon Flight to Egypt Adoration of the Magi $2,000 $0 $100 $500 $1,100 $1,790 Out of the 53 icons in our iconography project, only these six icons remain available for donation. The chart shows how much of each icon has so far been pledged. Please help us meet our goal of fully pledging each icon. Every donation is helpful and appreciated. $0 $2,500 $5,000 $7,500 $10,000 $12,500 $15,000 Pledged or Donated It has been some time since we updated the community on our Cherubs activities. After a long winter, our children have been eagerly anticipating spring by painting rainbows, making and flying kites, and practicing riding bicycles. We are looking forward to celebrating Easter together with our friends. Καλή ανάσταση! Janine Riley Georgiopoulos CHERUBS St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 13

14 ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ ΠΛΟΥΤΑΡΧΟΣ Την Παρασκευή, 11 Απριλίου, το Ελληνικό Σχολείο μας διακόπτει τα μαθήματά του για τις Εορτές της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδας και του Αγίου Πάσχα. Θα λειτουργήσει πάλι κανονικά την Παρασκευή, 25 Απριλίου, στις 4:30 μ.μ. Το Σάββατο, 12 Απριλίου, Σάββατο του Λαζάρου οι μαθητές του Ελληνικού και Κατηχητικού Σχολείου θα εκκλησιασθούν, θα κοινωνήσουν και μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία θα έχουν πρωινό και στην συνέχεια θα ετοιμάσουν τα βάια και τα στραυρουλάκια για την Κυριάκη των Βαϊων. ΛΟΥΛΟΥΔΙΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΗΣ ΤΕΣΣΑΡΑΚΟΣΤΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΑΣΧΑ Φέτος και πάλι, παρακαλούμε όλους όσους έχουν την ευχαρίστηση να προσφέρουν χρήματα για την αγορά λουλούδιων για τον στολισμό των εικόνων των Χαιρετισμών της Παναγίας, της Σαρακοστής, της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδας, του Επιταφίου, καθώς και για τις γλάστρες με τα παραδοσιακά κρίνα, να επικοινωνήσουν με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. PASCHA GREETINGS From our Priests Fr. Tilemahos and Fr. Athenagoras the President of the Parish Council Mr. Taso Panagiotopoulos and the board members the President of the Philoptochos Mrs. Olga Paxinos and its members the President of the P.T.A. Angela Evangelopoulos and its members the Teachers of, the Greek and Sunday Schools the Church Staff and all the Parish Organizations wish all parishioners a Blessed Lent and a Glorious Pascha! ΙΕΡΑ ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΙΣ Το εσώκλειστο πρόγραμμα υποδυκνείει τίς ώρες για Ἱερά Ἐξομολόγηση πού θα προσφέρεται στην εκκλησία μας. Μπορείτε επίσης να κανονίσετε διαφορερική ώρα επικοινονώντας με το κοινοτικό γραφείο. ΒΑΨΙΜΟ ΑΥΓΩΝ Όλοι μας είμαστε καλεσμένοι να βοηθήσουμε στο βάψιμο των κόκκινων αυγών που θα γίνει την Μεγάλη Πέμπτη, 17 Απριλίου, αρχίζοντας στις 10:00 π.μ. μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. ΕΟΡΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΤΕΡΑΣ Τήν Κυριακή 11 Μαΐου, ἑορταστικό γεῦμα θά δωθεῖ στήν Κοινοτική Αἲθουσα πρός τιμήν τῆς ἑορτῆς τῆς Μητέρας, μετά τήν Θεία Λειτουργία. Παρακαλοῦμε νά τηλεφωνήσετε στό Γραφεῖο γιά κλείσεις θέσεων. ΑΠΟΘΗΚΗ ΤΡΟΦΙΜΩΝ Μή ξεχνάτε ότι η εκκλησία μας παρέχει τρόφιμα σε 22 οικογένειες που έχουν ανάγκη. Μπορείτε να φέρετε τις δωρεές σας στο κοινοτικό γραφείο. 14 The Voice

15 Tuesday, April 1 st Wednesday, April 2 nd Thursday, April 3 rd Friday, April 4 th Saturday, April 5 th Sunday, April 6 th Monday, April 7th Tuesday, April 8th Wednesday, April 9th Friday, April 11th Saturday, April 12th Sunday, April 13th Monday, April 14th Tuesday, April 15th Wednesday, April 16th Thursday, April 17th Friday, April 18th Saturday, April 19th Sunday, April 20th Tuesday, April 22nd Wednesday, April 23rd Friday, April 25th Saturday, April 26th Sunday, April 27th Schedule of Divine Services Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:00 p.m. Great Canon of St. Andrew 8:00 a.m. Holy Confession 10 a.m. * Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Holy Confession 4:00 p.m. * Great Vespers - 6:00 p.m. St. Mary of Egypt, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Great Compline 6:00 p.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Holy Confession 10:00 a.m. * Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:00 p.m. The 9th Hour & Hierarchical Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Saturday of Lazarus, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8 a.m. Holy Confession 12 noon * Great Vespers - 6:00 p.m. Palm Sunday - Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Palms- 8:00 a.m. Bridegroom Service (Nymphios) - 7:00 pm HOLY MONDAY, Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Holy Confession 10:30 a.m. Bridegroom Service (Nymphios) - 7:00 p.m. HOLY TUESDAY, Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Holy Confession 10:30 a.m. Bridegroom Service (Nymphios) (Tropario of Kassiani) - 7:00 p.m. HOLY WEDNESDAY, Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Holy Unction Service 4:00 p.m. Orthros of Holy Thursday - 7:00 p.m. Holy Unction will be given to the faithful during the service) HOLY THURSDAY, Vespers & Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 8:00 a.m. Holy Passions Service, Reading of the 12 Gospels followed by the All Night Vigil and decorating of the Epitaphio 6:30 p.m. HOLY FRIDAY, Great & Royal Hours 8:00 a.m. Apokathelosis Service (Descent of Christ from the Cross) - 4:00 p.m. Lamentation Service & Procession of the Epitaphio 7:30 p.m. HOLY SATURDAY Vespers & Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 6:00 a.m. Vespers & Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 8:30 a.m. MIDNIGHT RESURRECTION SERVICE -11 pm HOLY PASCHA ORTHROS & PASCHAL DIVINE LITURGY 12 a.m. Agape Vespers, Reading of the Gospel in many languages - 12 noon. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene, Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Artoklasia 8:00 a.m. St. George the Trophybearer Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Life Giving Fountain of Mother of God, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:30 a.m. Great Vespers - 6:00 p.m. Sunday of Thomas, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 15

16 April 2014 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 6 Greek Independence Day Program 13 PALM SUNDAY Palm Sunday Luncheon & Bake Sale Sunday School 20 PASCHA 27 Sunday School 7 Greek School-4:30 pm Byzantine Music 4:45pm Bible Study- 7pm 14 HOLY MONDAY 1 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Parish Council Mtg 7pm 8 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. 15 HOLY TUESDAY 2 Lenten Meal hosted by the Altar Boys 9 Lenten Meal hosted by the P.T.A. 16 HOLY WEDNESDAY 3 Jr. Olympics Mtg. 7 p.m HOLY THURSDAY 4 Greek School 4:30 p.m. P.T.A. Meeting 5 pm General Assembly 11 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Lenten Meal hosted by the Philoptochos 18 HOLY FRIDAY GREAT & HOLY WEEK Consult Calendar on pg. 15 for Schedule of Divine Services / Πρόγραμμα Ιερών Ακολουθιών στην σελ Bright Week (No fasting all week) No community activities (parish office closed) 28 Archangels Greek School-4:30 pm 22 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. 29 Cherubs 10:30 a.m Iconography - 6 pm Christian Philoxenia Greek School 4:30 p.m.. 5 Lenten Retreat 9 am 12 Saturday of Lazarus Communion Breakfast (hosted by the P.T.A.) and making of the Palms 19 HOLY SATURDAY 26

17 ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Τρίτη 1 Απριλίου Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία -8:00 π.μ. Τετάρτη 2 Απριλίου Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία -6:00 μ.μ. Πέμπτη 3 Απριλίου Μέγας Κανών του Αγίου Ανδρέου -8 π.μ. Παρασκευή 4 Απριλίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις -10 π.μ. * Ακάθιστος Ύμνος -7:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 5 Απριλίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις -4:00 μ.μ. * Μέγας Εσπερινός -6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 6 Απριλίου Κυριακή της Αγίας Μαρίας της Αιγυπτίας, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 πμ Δευτέρα 7 Απριλίου Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:30 μ.μ. Τετάρτη 9 Απριλίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. 1:00 μ.μ. * 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Παρασκευή 11 Απριλίου 9η Ωρα & Αρχιερατική Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Γεύμα για όλους από την Φιλόπτωχο Αδελφότητα - 8:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 12 Απριλίου Σάββατο του Λαζάρου, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Πρωϊνό για όλους τους μαθητές του Ελληνικού και Κατηχητικού Σχολείου Προετοιμασία για την Κυριακή των Βαΐων. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 12 μ.μ. * Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 13 Απριλίου Κυριακή των Βαΐων Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία και Ευλογία των Βαΐων 8:00 π.μ. Ακολουθία του Νυμφίου 7:00 μ.μ. Δευτέρα 14 Απριλίου Μεγάλη Δευτέρα Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:30 π.μ. * Ακολουθία του Νυμφίου 7:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη 15 Απριλίου Μεγάλη Τρίτη, Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:30 π.μ. Ακολουθία του Νυμφίου (Τροπάριον της Κασσιανής) - 7:00 μ.μ. Τετάρτη 16 Απριλίου Μεγάλη Τετάρτη, Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Ακολουθία του Ιερού Ευχελαίου και Μύρωσις των Πιστών 4:00 π.μ. Ὁρθρος της Μεγάλης Πέμπτης και Μύρωσις των Πιστών 7:00 μ.μ. Πέμπτη 17 Απριλίου Μεγάλη Πέμπτη, Εσπερινός & Λειτουργία του Μ. Βασιλείου 8:00 π.μ. Ακολουθία των Παθών του Χριστού (Τα δώδεκα Ευαγγέλια) 6:30 μ.μ. Αγρυπνία και Στολισμός του Επιταφίου. Παρασκευή 18 Απριλίου Μεγάλη Παρασκευή, Ακολουθία των Μεγάλων Ωρών 8:00 π.μ Ακολουθία της Αποκαθήλωσης 4:00 μ.μ Επιτάφιος Θρήνος & Περιφορά Επιταφίου 7:30 μ.μ. Σάββατο 19 Απριλίου Μεγάλο Σάββατο Εσπερινός & Θεία Λειτουργία Μ. Βασιλείου 6:00 π.μ. Εσπερινός & Θεία Λειτουργία Μ. Βασιλείου 8:30 π.μ. ΜΕΣΟΝΥΚΤΙΚΟ ΤΗΣ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΕΩΣ 11:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 20 Απριλίου ΑΓΙΟ ΠΑΣΧΑ, ΟΡΘΡΟΣ & ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ 12 π.μ. Εσπερινός της Αγάπης και Ανάγνωση του Ευαγγελίου σε διάφορες γλώσσες 12:00 το μεσημέρι Τρίτη 22 Απριλίου Tων Αγίων Ραφαήλ, Νικολάου & Ειρήνης Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Αρτοκλασία 8:00 π.μ. Τετάρτη 23 Απριλίου Αγίου Γεωργίου του Μεγαλομάρτυρος, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 25 Απριλίου Ζωοδόχου Πηγής Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία, I.Ν. Αγίου Νικολάου 8:30 π.μ. Σάββατο 26 Απριλίου Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 27 Απριλίου Κυριακή τοῦ Θωμά -Ορθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 17

18 St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL Address Correction Requested Attend Church Regularly with Your Family! Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID Permit #52 Palos Heights, IL. CALENDAR OF EVENTS April 1st Parish Council Meeting April 4th Akathist Hymn General Assembly April 6th Plutarchos program April 11th Pre-Sanctified Liturgy with His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos officiating Last day of Greek School April 12th Saturday of Lazarus Communion & Breakfast April 13th Palm Sunday Luncheon Philoptochos Bake Sale April 8th 19th Holy Week & Pascha April 25th Seniors Fellowship May 11th Mother s Day Luncheon May 23th-26th Jr. Olympics May 25th Tree of Love Memorial June 1st Sunday School Graduation June 2nd Plutarchos Graduation Please join us on Sunday, April 13th Orthros & Divine Liturgy beginning at 8 a.m. Immediately following the Divine Liturgy the Philoptochos Invites you to a Palm Sunday Luncheon Adults $15.00 Children $7.00 Please make your reservations by April 10th By calling the Church SAVE THE DATE!!! ST. SPYRIDON SUMMER FESTIVAL JULY 12th & 13th, 2014