A NEW AMERICAN SAINT: THE GLORIFICATION OF SAINT MARDARIJE JULY 14-16, 2017

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1 2017 STEWARDSHIP DISCOVER THE LIGHT by offering your time, talent and treasure to Christ and His Church! The MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE (847) Where there is no vision, the people perish. (Proverbs 29:18) A NEW AMERICAN SAINT: THE GLORIFICATION OF SAINT MARDARIJE JULY 14-16, 2017 On the weekend of July 14-16, 2017, the Patriarch of Serbia and many hierarchs, priests and faithful will gather in Libertyville, Illinois for the Glorification, or Proclamation of St. Mardarije. You are also invited! Archimandrite Mardarije Uskoković was Administrator of the Serbian Orthodox Church presence in North America, , initially under the omoforion of the Russian Orthodox Church. As of 1922, the Serbian Orthodox Church established a diocese of the U.S.A and Canada, with St. Nikolaj Velimirović as first Bishop. Archimandrite Mardarije resumed his role as administrator in 1923, and became Bishop in He led the Serbian Orthodox Church in Canada and the USA and founded the historic Monastery of St. Sava in Libertyville, which he initially purchased with his own savings. He later bequeathed it to the Serbian Diocese and people. The monastery was consecrated in He guided the Church with piety and dignity, through difficult times, until his death at the age of 46 in 1935, and was buried at St. Sava Monastery, which he built with his own hands and prayers. For his exemplary life, leadership and spiritual gifts left to us in North America, Bishop Mardarije was added to the calendar of saints of the Orthodox Church by the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church on May 29, The glorification of his sainthood will take place on July 15-16, In preparation for the Glorification, the relics of St. Mardarije were exhumed on May 5, When the grave was opened, no one knew if his body would be whole and incorrupt. The people who were present were deeply awed by what they discovered upon opening the grave! His relics, which have laid in his tomb since his burial in 1935, were found to be incorrupt from the knees upward! His skin was intact and the hair of his beard and head looked as if he had just reposed; it was very soft. We Orthodox Christians of the Chicago area have something very special: a new saint, witnessing the glory and the presence of God among us, and inspiring us to live in faith and purity. St. Mardarije of Libertyville is commemorated on December 12th. (For information about the Glorification ceremony and related events, please visit stsavamonastery.org)

2 WORSHIP SCHEDULE July/August Schedule of Services Sunday, July 9 Sunday, July 16 The Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council Thursday, July 20 The Prophet Elias 8:30 am Orthros Saturday, July 22 St. Mary Magdalene, St. Markella 8:30 am Orthros Sunday, July 23 The Holy Prophet Ezekiel Wednesday, July 26 St. Paraskevi 8:30 am Orthros Friday, July 28 St. Irene Chrysovalantou 8:30 am Orthros Sunday, July 30 Wednesday, August 2 7:00 pm Paraclesis to the Theotokos Friday, August 4 7:00 pm Paraclesis to the Theotokos Sunday, August 6 The Transfiguration of our Savior Η ΜΕΤΑΜΟΡΦΩΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ Monday, August 7 7:00 pm Paraclesis to the Theotokos Wednesday, August 9 7:00 pm Paraclesis to the Theotokos Friday, August 11 7:00 pm Paraclesis to the Theotokos Sunday, August 13 Tuesday, August 15 Dormition of the Theotokos Η ΚΟΙΜΗΣΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ 8:30 am Orthros Sunday, August 20 Thursday, August 24-St. Cosmas the Aitolian 8:30 am Orthros Sunday, August 27 St. Fanourios Tuesday, August 29 Beheading of John the Baptist 8:30 am Orthros OUR SISTER COMMUNITIES of the Dormition (Κοίμησις) of the Theotokos (Chicago, Racine, Homer Glen, Hegewisch) invite you to Vespers at 7:00 pm on Monday evening, August 14 on Tuesday morning, August 15, in honor of their feastday. (Of course, WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on August 15.) SACRAMENTS AND BLESSINGS MINISTRY TO PERSONS WHO ARE SICK-We urge Orthodox Christians who would like to receive Holy Sacraments but are unable to attend church (hospitalized or at home) to contact the church office so Holy Sacraments can be administered to them. If your loved one is hospitalized please call us, even if the illness is not serious! In a wholistic approach to healing and well-being, a visit from the priest can be very positive. Most hospitals do not inform us when they receive patients from our parish. We depend on you! BLESSINGS OF INFANTS Forty days after birth, a child and its mother come to church to receive a 40 Day Blessing, imitating Christ who was presented in the Temple 40 days after He was born. Please call the church office to arrange this blessing. BAPTISMS Please call the church office to schedule Baptisms. Plan ahead! there are some days when Baptisms are not performed. Keep in mind that there should be only one Godparent and that a child is supposed to be given one name when he or she is baptized. WEDDINGS Please arrange an appointment with Fr. Dean at least eight months before the proposed wedding date to allow time for all necessary marriage preparation. CONFESSION Confessions are arranged by appointment. Please call the church office to schedule Confession. MEMORIAL SERVICES Memorial Services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Customarily, these services are offered at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at 3 years. When three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls. END OF LIFE ISSUES 1 - A Proper Funeral Conveys Divine Grace to Our Loved One For an Orthodox Christian, a church funeral is a necessity. As we pray, the funeral service brings divine Grace to those who have fallen asleep, for their forgiveness and eternal rest. Our journey toward perfection (Θέωσις) continues after death! A church funeral is an act of love and it is our duty. What good reason can there be to deny our loved ones from God s saving Grace and the honor they deserve? Let us honor our parents and relatives with prayers and a proper funeral. 2 - About Cremation Orthodox Christians believe that in the General Resurrection, our bodies and souls will be restored to each other. Cremation is the deliberate desecration and destruction of what God has made, and is viewed as the denial of the Resurrection. In cases where there is intention for the body of a deceased person to be cremated, thus choosing to disregard our understanding of the Resurrection, the honor of a church funeral is not given, either in the church, or the funeral home or any other place. Additionally, memorial services with kolyva are not allowed, since the connection of the kernel of wheat as a sign of the Resurrection has been intentionally destroyed.

3 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE: 847/ From Father Dean As I write to you today, it is only a few days before our Big Greek Food Fest. I am anxious about the planning, the publicity, the supplies, the Raffle, the volunteers, even the weather! Pray for its success! Even before the Fest opens, I thank you and all the people who work to make our Fest a success! You are special and we are grateful, because your work makes it possible for our church to preach and teach and sustain its holy mission! (In our next Visions, we will report in more detail!) The life of our Church is so rich and meaningful! The teachings of our Lord, together with our holidays and traditions, are like a big compass that guides our decisions, our values, our relationships. It is a great blessing, and I often wonder about those who do not have God. How difficult it must be to make everyday decisions, to handle unexpected events, and to deal with suffering, guilt and death. We take many things for granted, yet have so much for which to be thankful! One incredible event this month is the glorification of St. Mardarije, who was a Serbian Orthodox Bishop in Chicago. The proclamation of his sainthood is taking place in Libertyville during July What a great saint! Please take the time to read about him on the cover of this issue. He now takes his place on a list of saints who lived, worked, taught and prayed right here in the Chicago area. This event witnesses that God is with us! In July, we have beautiful holidays and commemorations: Prophet Elias, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Markella, St. Paraskevi, St. Irene Chrysovalantou. In August, the magnificent Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and the Dormition of the Theotokos, the remembrances of the Beheading of John the Baptist and the martydom of St. Cosmas the Aitolian. As the summer rolls along (and after the Fest), hopefully we will all get to experience summer in some way, and to relax of course, we will do it without forgetting God! Be conscious of the message that we are sending to our children, because God is not optional. Come to church on Sundays and the holidays, and rejoice in God s love and blessings! God bless us all! HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH NILES, ILLINOIS Proistamenos Fr. Constantine P. Botsis Synefimerios Fr. George Lamberis Pastoral Assistant Deacon John G. Suhayda Chanter Nick Harisiadis Parish Council Officers President Perry Giannopoulos Vice President..... Nick Andrews Treasurer.... David Loomos Secretary Kathy Apithis Phase III Chairman... Perry Giannopoulos Stewardship.... George Giolas Budget Committee Chairman... Perry Giannopoulos Building & Grounds Chairman.. Michael Pontikes and Theodoros Karabatsos Decor Committee Chairman...Stephan Aliferakis Finance Committee Chairman... Tom Sikoral Outreach Committee John Pierce Inreach Committee... Voula Asimacopoulos, Elaine Loomos, Jolynn Rugerrio School Board Chairman...Olympia Bournias Audit Committee Chairman..... George Houpis.. Food Fest Chairman. Philoptochos President Maria Dimitriou PTA Co-Presidents (Afternoon School)...Eleni Gonzalez and Mona Giolas PTA President (Preschool).....Marianna Memmos PTA Co-Presidents (Saturday School)....Melina Papadopoulos and Irene Mohr Greek School Principal... Mrs. Anastasia Liapi Saturday School Director..Mrs. Andrianna Panayiotou Preschool Director Mrs. Rita Petratos Sunday School Director...Presvytera Georgia Botsis Athletic Director David Loomos Scoutmaster Vasili Zimbrakos Asst Cubmaster John Frake Little Angels..... Anastasia Liapi YAL President......Christina Pappadis GOYA President Alex Anton Jr. Goya Advisor Father George Bookstore Manager Jolynn Ruggerio Web Master and IT George Houpis Facebook.... Elizabeth Kotis Office Staff.... Barbara Skaouris, Alexandra Grivas, Anna Sikoral Maintenance Staff..Juan Caro and Carolina Contreras IN THIS ISSUE: About St. Mardarije (front cover) Letter from our Priest (pg 3) Announcements/Ανακοινώσεις (p 4) 125th Anniversary of Orthodoxy in Chicago (pg 4) The Dormition of the Theotokos (pg 6) Benching the Church (p 7) 4th of July Parade (pg 8) Young Adult news (p 9)

4 COMMUNITY NEWS 2017 STEWARDSHIP DISCOVER THE LIGHT! 2017 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE As of July 2, families have promised $271, for 2017 Stewardship! Average level of giving is $554! Have you become a 2017 Steward yet? THE 125th ANNIVERSARY OF ORTHODOXY IN CHICAGO will be celebrated with a Pan-Orthodox and Banquet on Saturday, September 30th, 2017! In 1892, three Orthodox Christian parishes were established in Chicago, one Greek Orthodox, one Serbian Orthodox and one Russian Orthodox. These communities were built with much labor, love and sacrifice, and we ae the beneficiaries of their ground-breaking work! We have so much to be thankful for! Let us celebrate this 125th Anniversary together! Please plan to attend the PanOrthodox, which will take place in the newly restored Lane Tech Auditorium. Watch for more detail. MARK YOUR CALENDAR! ST HARALAMBOS GOLF OUTING will take place Thursday, September 21 at the Old Orchard Country Club (Mount Prospect). Golf Lunch Dinner--Prizes-Raffles mark your calendar! FAMILY SYNAXIS This year s Labor Day Weekend Family Synaxis is called Living the Mystery. It will take place Sept 1-3 at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, Wisconsin, and the workshop leader will be Fr. Stephen Freeman. The program includes worship, workshops and discussions for both adults and children, as well as outdoor activities. For more info and to register, please visit There is a discount for registrations prior to August 18! GREEK SCHOOL REGISTRATION has begun for all our school programs for the school year. Our Preschool program, for 3, 4 and 5 year-olds is daily Mon-Fri from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Our Afternoon School is offered on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4:30pm to 6:30pm, and our Saturday Greek School runs from 9:00am to 12:30pm. Registration information is available in our church office ( ). PHILOPTOCHOS LUNCHEON--The Annual Philoptochos Luncheon for the Metropolis of Chicago will take place this year on Saturday, September 23 at Empress Banquets in Addison, IL. For reservations, please call the church office ( ). Plan to attend and support the work of Philoptochos! CONGRATULATIONS TO..Spero Droulias, Vice President and Controller at McDonald s USA, who recently was given the distinctive honor to be the presenter of the McDonald s President s Award at the Global Awards Dinner at the Navy Pier Ballroom. Kαι σ ανώτερα! 2017 CHICAGO SYNERGY ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM Sat, October 21, AM 1:30 PM Dr. Eugenia Constantinou What: Dr. Eugenia will offer a two-part lecture titled Search the Scriptures! Part 1: Practical Advice for reading the Bible with Confidence Part 2: Patristic Advice for Reading the Bible as a Sacrament Location: Saint George Antiochian Church (1220 South 60th Ct, Cicero, IL) Marriott O Hare

5 ΠΕΡΙ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΕΥΧΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΜΥΣΤΗΡΙΩΝ ΕΥΧΕΣ ΝΕΟΓΕΝΝΗΤΩΝ ΤΕΚΝΩΝ--Κάθε μάνα και το παιδί της, σαράντα ημέρες μετά την γέννησή του προσέρχονται στην εκκλησία για να λάβουν την Ευλογία των 40 Ημερών, κατά μίμησην του Χριστού ο οποίος παρουσιάσθηκε στον Ιερόν Ναόν σαράντα ημέρες μετά την γέννησή του. Παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας για να κανονίσετε την ευλογία αυτή. ΒΑΠΤΙΣΕΙΣ Παρακαλούμε όπως τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να προγραμματίσετε Βαπτίσεις. Σχεδιάστε πολύ ενωρίτερα!-υπάρχουν μερικές μέρες που δεν γίνονται βαπτίσεις. ΓΑΜΟΙ-Παρακαλούμε όπως κανονίζετε συνάντηση με τον π. Κωνσταντίνο τουλάχιστον οκτώ μήνες πριν την προτεινόμενη ημερομηνία του γάμου δια τις απαιτούμενες προετοιμασίες. ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΗ Οι Εξομολογήσεις κανονίζονται κατόπιν ραντεβού. Δια να προγραμματίσετε εξομολογήσεις, παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας. ΜΕΡΙΜΝΑ ΑΡΡΩΣΤΩΝ Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί που θα ήθελαν να λάβουν τα Άγια Μυστήρια και δεν μπορούν να έλθουν στην εκκλησία (βρίσκονται εις νοσοκομεία ή ανήμποροι εις τα σπίτια τους) παρακαλούνται να επικοινωνούν με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να μπορέσουν να τα λάβουν. Παρακαλούμε να επικοινωνείτε με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας εαν κάποιος συγγενής σας είναι στο νοσοκομείο! Τα νοσοκομεία πλέον δεν μας πληροφορούν όταν έχουν αρρώστους από την ενορία μας. ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ Επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις γίνονται για την αιώνιον ανάπαυση των τεθνεώντων. Συνήθως, αυτές οι δεήσεις γίνονται κατά τις 40 ημέρες, τους 6 μήνες, τον 1ον χρόνο και τον 3ον χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια, είναι πιο αρμόζον να ενθυμούμεθα τους αποθανόντας κατά τα Ψυχοσάββατα. END OF LIFE ISSUES Η Θρησκευτική Κηδεία Μεταδίδει Θείαν Χάριν Μία σωστή κηδεία μέσα στην εκκλησία είναι απαραίτητον για τον Ορθόδοξον Χριστιανόν. Η Επικήδειος Ακολουθία μεταδίδει Χάριν στους κεκοιμημένους, με παρακλήσεις δια συγχώρηση και αιωνία ανάπαυση. Η πορεία του καθενός ανθρώπου προς τελειοποίηση και Θέωση συνεχίζεται μετά το θάνατον! Η εκκλησιαστική κηδεία εκφράζει και αγάπη και καθήκον μας. Υπάρχει δικαιολογία να αρνηθούμε από τους αγαπημένους μας την Χάριν και τιμή πού τους αξίζουν; Όταν μια κηδεία δεν λαμβάνει χώρα στην εκκλησία, υποδεικνύει ότι κάποιος δεν είναι εντάξει με τους κανόνες της εκκλησίας. Δυστυχώς, μερικές φορές (λόγω ευκολίας), σκεφτόμεθα να παραλείψουμε την εκκλησιαστική κηδεία των αγαπημένων μας, κυρίως των ηλικιωμένων, χωρίς να καταλαβαίνουμε ότι τους στερούμε την απονομή της τιμής που τους αρμόζει. Ας τιμήσουμε τους γονείς και τους συγγενείς μας με τον σεβασμό που τους αρμόζει! Αποτέφρωσις Νεκρού Οι Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί πιστεύουμε ότι, στην Γενική Ανάσταση, τα σώματά μας και οι ψυχές μας θα γίνουν ένα. Η καύσις (αποτέφρωσις) του νεκρού είναι μία εσκεμμένη βεβήλωση και καταστροφή του σώματος, που θεωρείται ως άρνηση της Αναστάσεως. Σε περιπτώσεις όπου υπάρχει πρόθεσις αποτέφρωσης του αποθανόντος, αποφασίζοντας κατά αυτόν τον τρόπο να παραβλέψουμε την σημασία της Αναστάσεως, δεν αποδίδεται τιμή της εκκλησιαστικής κηδείας είτε στην εκκλησία είτε στο νεκροπομπείο ή σε οποιοδήποτε άλλο μέρος. Επιπροσθέτως, επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις με κόλυβα δεν επιτρέπονται, αφού ο σύνδεσμος «του πυρήνα του σίτου» ως σύμβολο της ανάστασης έχει εσκεμμένα καταστραφεί..

6 THE FAST OF THE DORMITION (ΚΟΙΜΗΣΙΣ) OF THE HOLY THEOTOKOS For the first fourteen days of August during each year, the Holy Orthodox Church enters into a strict fast period in honor of the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary. The eminent Orthodox theologian, Father Sergei Bulgakov, beautifully expresses the high regard which the Orthodox Christians have for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, for her special role in the salvation of mankind, when he affirms, The warm veneration of the Theotokos is the soul of Orthodox Piety. St. John of Damascus, one of the great Orthodox fathers, pointed out that when the Blessed Virgin Mary became the Mother of God and gave birth to Christ, the Redeemer of Mankind, she became the mother of mankind. We call the Virgin Mary Theotokos, from the Greek, which means The Birth-Giver or the Bearer of God. This is the highest title that can be bestowed upon any member of the human race. The Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, was blessed amongst women, and she was chosen to bear the Savior of our souls. We, therefore, as Orthodox Christians, consider her to be the Queen of all the saints and the angels. Knowing that she holds such a high place in the Kingdom of Heaven and that she is eternally present at the throne of God interceding for mankind, we, as good Orthodox Christians, must pray for her love, guidance, and protection. We must never forget to ask for her intercessions in times of sickness and danger, and we must constantly thank her for her care and her prayers in our behalf. Every year the Orthodox Church sets aside the first fourteen days of August in honor of the Virgin Mary. This fast period is climaxed on August 15th, when the Church gathers to celebrate the Great Feast of the Dormition (Falling-Asleep) of the Theotokos. During this fourteen day fast period, the Orthodox Church prescribes that the Paraclesis Service be held in honor of the Mother of God. The word paraclesis has two different meanings: the first is consolation, from which the Holy Spirit is called the Paraclete, or Consoler ; the second is supplication or petition. The Service of the Paraclesis to the Theotokos consists of hymns of supplication to obtain consolation and courage. It should be recited in times of temptation, discouragement or sickness. It is used more particularly during the two weeks before the Dormition, or Assumption, of the Theotokos, from August 1 to August 14. The theme of these Paraclesis Services centers around the petition.. Most Holy Mother of God, save us. If you have a problem or if something is burdening your soul, if you feel spiritually uneasy and if you are not at peace with yourself and with those around you, then, you should come to the Church during the first fifteen days of August and ask for the intercessions of the Mother of God. Even if you are fortunate enough to be one of those very few who are at peace with themselves and with God, then those blessed ones should come to these services and thank God and His Blessed Mother for the blessings that they have bestowed upon you and your family. Since these Paraclesis Services to the Theotokos are primarily petition for the welfare of the living, let the whole Church pray for you during the first fifteen days of August and especially on the Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15th. Don t let your laziness and your apathy cause you to miss this great blessing and inspiration that the Church can bestow upon you. Let the peace and holiness that only the Mother of God can give you enter into your life. Let us lay aside all earthly cares, and let us truly, during these fifteen days, participate in the fasting and prayer life of the Church so that we can taste and see that the Lord is good and so that we may fully experience the spiritual blessings that the Church offers to us at this holy time. Blessed is he whom He shall find watching. Come and pray to the Theotokos with us and with the Church and by her prayers and intercessions, may our souls be saved! MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS, SAVE US! By Fr. Gabriel Barrow From The Word, June 1977

7 BENCHING THE CHURCH Like most parents, I struggle with many parenting dilemmas. There are many challenges within our overly complicated lives. A prevalent conflict today stems from when we enroll our children in sports. With this decision, we often find ourselves confronted with the decision of choosing whether or not to miss Church on Sunday to attend our children s sporting event, as childhood sports ceaselessly intrude deeper into our lives. There is a long list of benefits to playing sports; however, it is important to realize that such a list is minuscule in comparison to the list of benefits attained through living an Orthodox Christian Life, which includes worship during Sunday. If we tell our children we will miss Church for sports, even only sometimes, then we are sending a mixed message to our children. No matter what a parent says to justify the decision to miss Church, a parent is literally showing the child that a sport is more important than Church. Children will often express a feeling that attending a game is more exciting than Church. This is common and typical of a child. To help navigate this issue, we should start the habit at a very young age of Church First, and it will mitigate the complaining problem. Our children may also request cake in place of vegetables for dinner, does that mean we give them cake? Of course not! It is important to make the right decisions for our children until they develop the cognitive ability to understand. It is best for a child to set the Church First pattern early; we must stand firm, but in a loving manner. Church every Sunday. People often think that they stand in the sensible middle ground with this perception on Church attendance. In today s money driven, egoladen, instant gratification society, it is easy to lose sight of what a truly balanced life really is. Missing Church only sometimes is not the sensible middle ground; it is a thought more toward an extreme that is undesirable for our children, leading them away from the true light and thus true guidance. Let s not allow an out of balance society to set our standards. For the vast majority of people, sports are a temporary childhood/adolescent pursuit, playing on a team for a few years, and then no more. Playing sports typically ceases upon arrival of adulthood. As adults, this is where we make the most important choice of our lives; whom to marry and subsequently, how to raise our children. Will soccer, baseball and gymnastics guide our children on this path? Will sports guide them in their marriages? These activities leave us devoid of guidance when we need it most. The teachings of the Church, as always, offers a proper playbook for life. As a parent, when our children come to the age where they need to make these important life decisions, you will expect them to marry in the Church, seek the Church for guidance and raise their children in the Church. If a foundation of mixed messages has been established, they may say, Mom and Baba, what Church? Are you talking about the same Church we skipped for soccer? Sincerely, Greek Orthodox Parents OUR 2017 VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL: DANIEL S COURAGE IN CAPTIVITY Our children had a marvelous experience at our VCS during the week of June 26-30, as they learned about the Prophet Daniel during the Babylonian Captivity, King Nabuchednezer, the Three Youths in the Furnace and Daniel in the Lion s Den. Thanks to Fr. George, Presvytera Diana and all the teachers and assistants for a great job!

8 NILES 4TH OF JULY PARADE Our St. Haralambos Church was proudly represented at the Niles 4th of July Parade by St. Haralambos Scout Troop 821, under the direction of Scoutmaster Vasili Zimbrakos, and several other families who cheerfully marched through the streets of Niles. We thank everyone who marched, and invite more St. Haralambians to join us in next year s parade! God bless America! IT S GREEK FESTIVAL SEASON IN GREATER CHICAGO! Our neighboring parishes would be happy to see you at their Greek Picnics this summer! July Ss Peter and Paul, Glenview All Saints Church, Joliet Assumption, Homer Glen July St. Demetrios, Libertyville August St. Demetrios, Chicago Ss Constantine/Helen, Palos Hills August St. Iakovos, Valparaiso, Indiana Sept 8-10 Ss Athanasios and John, Chicago Ss Constantine/Helen, Rockford

9 OUR ST HARALAMBOS YOUNG ADULTS. enjoyed an afternoon cookout and picnic day on July 2nd at Flick Park in Glenview! Almost 30 young people attended, and they are looking forward to more events!

10 July/August 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :00pm-Fest Mtg :30 pm Parish Council Mtg 20 PROPHET ELIAS 8:30 am Orthros SAINTS MAGDALINI AND MARKELLA 8:30 am Orthros 23 PROPHET EZEKIEL 24 4:00pm-Bessie s Table ST PARASKEVI 8:30 am Orthros 7:30 pm Parish Council Mtg ST IRENE CHRYSO- VALANTOU 8:30 am Orthros JULY 31 AUGUST 1 2 7:00pm-Paraclesis 3 4 7:00pm-Paraclesis 5 6 TRANS- FIGURATION Transfiguration 7:00pm-Paraclesis 7:00pm-Paraclesis 7:00pm-Paraclesis ΚΟΙΜΗΣΙΣ DORMITION THEOTOKOS 8:30 am--orthros 16 7:30 pm Parish Council Mtg St. Cosmas the Aitolian 8:30 am--orthros SAINT FANOURIOS BEHEADING OF JOHN 8:30 am--orthros STRICT FASTING :30 pm- SYNERGY

11 THE BIG GREEK FOOD FEST OF NILES JULY 14, 15, 16, 2017 GraND PRIZE: A NeW 2017 AUDI A3! OR a NEW HARLEY DAVIDSON Or $20,000! SECOND PRIZE: $ 2000 THIRD PRIZE: $ 1000 FOURTH PRIZE: $ 500 FIFTH PRIZE: $ 500 Book of Five Tickets--$100 Single ticket $25 Do you have your tickets yet? HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE NILES, IL Address Service Requested