Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Sunday, September 10, 2017 Sunday Before Holy Cross

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1 Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Sunday, September 10, 2017 Sunday Before Holy Cross Sharing in the Victory of the Cross Father Nicholas C. Triantafilou For a period of time, longer for some of us than others, Mel Gibson s film The Passion will prompt particular emotions each time we reflect upon the Timon Stavron, The Holy Cross, of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dominant, however, among our thoughts and feelings prevails the joy of infallible love. Continuing briefly a reference to The Passion, it is abundantly clear in the countenance of the ever-faithful mother of Jesus, so aptly portrayed in the movie, that compassionate love emanated from her to her Son as He carried the Cross and endured the strikings. Our Lord s love for His mother, for all of mankind including His persecutors flowed from His entire being. In our own lives, the Cross of our Savior evokes profound feelings of love. Do we not see innocent love in the eyes of young children when they enter a House of Worship or when they sit at the table to dine, as they reverently make the sign of the Cross sometimes even with the wrong hand? These pure pilgrim children have understood the teachings of their parents and grandparents that the making of the sign of the Cross is something very special, something holy, and something that evokes love. Without ignoring the faithfulness of young adults and middle-aged people, I call our attention to the senior citizens who reverently approach icons in our churches and in their homes piously making the sign of the Cross. I call our attention to their participation in our Orthodox services which bring forward the Holy Cross in litany and in exaltation. They indeed imbue the warmth of love in the hearts of all of us with the quietness and strength of their faith. One of the hymns of the Great Vespers of the Feast of the Exaltation of the precious and life giving Cross reads as follows: O precious Cross of the Lord, Moses prefigured when he stretched out his arms to heaven and thus defeated the haughty Amalek. You are the pride of the faithful, the strength of those who struggle. You are the beauty of the apostles, the courage of the just and salvation of all the saints. Wherefore, at the sight of your elevation, the whole creation rejoices and exults and glorifies Christ whose goodness tied all things into one. This hymn, without using the particular word, speaks of the victory of The Cross, and our faithful pilgrims of all ages share in the joy of this victory. They share in the love, also, which results from this victory. Returning to the movie industry, it is tragic to see the numbers of productions that encompass the evils of society and the themes that lead to degradation of people across all the lands. The same is true of much of the music industry. How important it now is for all Christians to share the victory of The Cross as we commence this new ecclesiastical year and as we are again privileged to share the Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross. The late Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos in his text Orthodoxy: Faith and Life, Christ in the Gospelsin referring to each individual s understanding of God s personal revelation uses the phrase For us there is only patience and prayer. May we exercise patience and prayer throughout this new ecclesiastical year, and may we allow the eternal love of Christ to abide with us, always remembering the words of St. John in his Epistle We love Him because He first loved us. I John 4: South Archer Road, Justice, Illinois (708) , fax (708) Web: office@holycrossil.org Rev. Fr. Demetrios Kounavis Parish Priest

2 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ EPISTLE READING FOR THE DAY ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ GOSPEL READING FOR THE DAY Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν. Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ. The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." Grace will visit you gradually. You ll enter into joy. You ll begin to live in peace, and then you ll become stronger by God s grace. You won t get angry. You won t lose your temper, and won t get upset with people, you won t judge. You ll accept all of them with love. +Saint Porphyrios Kavsokalyvitis

3 Διηγείται ο πατήρ Ραφαήλ Νόικα: Κύριε λάλησε Εσύ στην καρδιά του για την μετάνοια μου..! Κάποιος μοναχός μου είπε: Μάλωσα με έναν μοναχό (από ένα άλλο μοναστήρι) αλλά ύστερα ματάνοιωσα και ήθελα να του ζητήσω συγγνώμη. Εκείνος όμως ούτε ήθελε να ακούσει για εμένα, τόσο πληγωμένος ήταν. Και σκεφτόμουν, αύριο, μεθαύριο θα φύγω και θέλω και να Κοινωνήσω. Πλήγωσα τον αδελφό μου και πώς θα πλησιάσω την Θεία Κοινωνία. Αλλά και πώς να συνεχίσω και την Οδό της Μετανοίας, α- φού δεν με θέλει πια ο αδελφός μου. Εγώ θέλω να του ζητήσω συγγνώμη αλλά εκείνος ούτε θέλει να ακούσει για μένα. Θυμήθηκα τότε έναν λόγο της Θείας Λειτουργίας του Μ. Βασιλείου «Κύριε λάλησον εις την καρδίαν αυτών υπέρ της Εκκλησίας σου και παντός του λαού σου». Ο μοναχός αυτός θυμήθηκε αυτό το λάλησον και είπε: «Κύριε λάλησε Εσύ στην καρδιά του για την μετάνοια μου, πες του ότι μετανοιώνω για ό,τι έκανα, ότι του ζητάω συγγνώμη και ότι κι εγώ τον συγχωρώ. Και συνέχισε λέγοντας - την επόμενη φορά που τον είδα ήταν σαν να μην υπήρχε ποτέ σύννεφο στον ουρανό, όλα εξαφανίστηκαν και η συμφιλίωση έγινε!» Από το Βιβλίο «Η Καλλιέργεια του Πνεύματος» Έκδοσις ΤΟ ΠΕΡΙΒΟΛΙ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑΣ Γέροντας Παίσιος:«...σας λέω ότι και να δείτε μην απελπίζεσθε» "Θα περάσουμε μια μπόρα. Αυτοί που θα περάσουν την μπόρα θα δούνε και τις καλύτερες μέρες. Ας ευχηθούμε όμως να μη συμβούν στις μέρες τις δικές μας γιατί εμείς πολλά περάσαμε (ο κόσμος επέμενε να μάθει τι είδους μπόρα είναι αυτή). Παλαιότερα ο κόσμος πίστευε κι αν άκουγε κάτι το δεχόταν και συνετιζόταν. Τώρα τι να σας πω. Εσείς ξέρω ότι πιστεύετε κι αν σας πω θα στενοχωρεθείτε. Εξ' άλλου αφού πιστεύετε αγωνίζεσθε και δεν έχετε ανάγκη. Αν πάλι το πω σε ανθρώπους που δεν πιστεύουν θα το ρίξουν έξω. Αλλά σας λέω ό,τι και να δείτε να μην απελπίζεσθε. Θα δείτε να εφαρμόζονται διατάξεις αλλά μην απελπίζεσθε μετά θα αποσύρονται. Άλλες πάλι δεν θα προλάβουν να βγουν. Το έθνος θα μεγαλώσει. Η Τουρκία θα καταστραφεί. Η θρησκεία τους είναι όλη μια αμαρτία. Την Ελλάδα θέλουν να την εξαφανίσουν. Οι "φίλοι" της θέλουν να την τσαλακώσουν. (Στην ερώτηση αν οι άνθρωποι θα χαθούν απαντάει) : Για εμάς τους Χριστιανούς δεν υπάρχει θάνατος. Το κλειδί της αιωνιότητας βρίσκεται κάτω από την πόρτα του τάφου μας. Τότε όλοι οι άνθρωποι θα πιστεύσουν. Αλλά τότε δεν θα έχουν μισθό."

4 Saint Euphrosynos the Cook (Feast Day - September 11) By Fr. George Papavarnavas Within the spiritual pasture of the Orthodox Church one encounters various flowers all of which are beautiful, but each has its own color and aroma and its own unique fragrance. That is, in the List of Saints we will come across people who have all the features of holiness, but are yet completely different from each other, because each of them have their own personal gifts, their own characteristics, their own culture and their own way of thinking and living. One comes in contact with people who lived in different times and in different circumstances of life, from all the so-called social classes and from all professions and functions. Some were doctors, others teachers, lawyers, actors, postmen, cooks, hotel owners, workers, farmers, etc. Many of these were illiterate, others somewhat literate, and still others were completely educated, but certainly all were wise according to God. And this shows that no bread-winning profession is able to prevent a person from living according to the will of God and achieving their own personal sanctification if, course, they really desire it. Saint Euphrosynos practiced the profession of cook and even, as his biographer testifies, was sought after for his profession, because he made such delicious meals. He was illiterate, but he loved God very much and lived in a God-pleasing manner. Despite his profession which allowed him to eat many delicious foods, he was very ascetical. The money that was left over from his immediate needs he deposited in the bank of heaven by giving alms to the poor. Eventually he left the world and went to a monastery, where he also served as a cook, except with one difference. While as a chef in the world, of with the art and experience available, he made delicious foods, yet in the monastery he prepared mediocre foods. To his fellow monks who asked him why he did this, he responded that "good cooking is not such a good helper for the kingdom of heaven. The too much delight that bodies ask for will be lost for the needs of the soul, and I will not destine you here for hell." He ended his earthly life in a solitary hermitage and until the Second Coming of Christ he will taste the delights of the goods of the heavenly Kingdom of the Holy Triune God. The life and conduct of Saint Euphrosynos give us the opportunity to emphasize the following: First, the purpose of man's life is his personal sanctification. "Be ye holy, for I am holy" (1 Pet. 1:16). This is not impossible in our times or any other time, which is why there are always saints and there always will be "until the end of the age." Certainly, it is difficult and requires great effort, since in this struggle one comes face to face with the devil, with their sins and with their passions, and it is essential to have living examples, because the saints, old and contemporary, inspire by their example and uphold through their intercessions. Initially, however, this primarily requires a spiritual father to exist as a guide, because, unfortunately, many are they who have become deluded without spiritual guidance. When one travels alone they will surely stray from the path of spiritual growth because it is steep and hard and has many pitfalls set by the devil and from which one cannot escape without obedience and humility. Saint Anthony saw the traps set by the devil for spiritual strugglers and wondered: "Who can escape them?" And he heard the voice of the Lord tell him: "Humility". Second, some have argued that what the Gospel teaches does not apply today and especially in society where there are many problems and great temptations. Certainly, there are obstacles and temptations in society, but if one goes into the desert and lives by themselves they will also be tempted by the passions they carry within them as well as by the devil. Therefore, the above doesn't make sense and this is clearly seen in the life and conduct of Saint Euphrosynos, who lived many years in society, and even due to his business had daily contact with many people. Among many other difficulties and temptations he encountered gluttony, which was defeated by temperance and almsgiving. Therefore, there is no obstacle for those wishing to experience the spiritual life and achieve their personal holiness, except the lack of will and enslavement to unreasonable passions. Others bring forward the argument that in their spiritual poverty and indolence they do not have much of an education. But it is proven that in the daily experience of life there are uneducated people who are virtuous and holy, just as there are educated people who are atheists or are in error and daily live their lives in lawlessness. Saint Kosmas Aitolos would say that evil in the world will come from the educated who live without faith in the true God of the Church, while, as it is known, he himself played a leading part in building schools, so that young people could mainly learn to study Holy Scripture, in order to prosper. Saint Euphrosynos must become for all of us a standard of living, no matter what so-called social class we belong to or what profession we practice. Source: Ekklesiastiki Paremvasi, "ΑΓΙΟΣ ΕΥ- ΦΡΟΣΥΝΟΣ Ο ΜΑΓΕΙΡΑΣ", September Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

5 Saints Sophia, Faith, Hope and Love (Feast Day - September 17) The three Martyrs, Faith, Hope and Love were daughters of Saint Sophia, just like the virtues of faith, hope and love are the offspring of wisdom, the true wisdom which "comes from above" and gives birth to the fear of God; "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom". The three daughters of Saint Sophia, twelve, ten and nine years old respectively, had all the virtues, as indicated by their names, and were full of faith and hope in Christ and love towards God and man. And their mother was Sophia in both word and deed. She had true love which is greater than natural love, the so-called mother's instinct, which is why she sought out the spiritual interests of her children. She encouraged them to proceed towards death for the love of Christ, knowing that in this way she would ensure for them true life, since "the righteous live unto the ages" (Wisdom of Solomon 5:1). Saint Sophia's pattern of behavior shows the measure of love she had for her children, who were not the property of their birth parents, but animated and reasonable gifts of God to the parents, who are coworkers with God in the work of creation. True love is selfless and does not seek a return, it does not expect reciprocation. We love our children because we love God who gave them to us and they truly love us if we have taught them to love God. In the name of love we should not infringe upon the freedom of our children, nor does true freedom exist without love. A love without freedom is a dictatorship, and a freedom without love is anarchy. What touches the hearts of children, more than words, is to pray for them and to set the right example. Children who have experienced within their family true freedom and selfless love, have learned to love and generously offer without discrimination. The opposite happens with children who have been deprived of love and freedom. They become authoritarian, reactionary, antisocial, sealed tightly within themselves, aggressive and suspicious. Respect for the freedom of others is taught by God Himself, Who has endowed man with free will and respects what anyone does with human freedom. An Orthodox education helps one overcome any problems or difficulties in life, without creating or allowing the soul to remain repressed, not infrequently leading to unpleasant situations. Many parents, unfortunately, "take out" their repressed emotions on their children. Whatever they failed to do or be in life, they want to do or become them and they try in every way to enforce it thus violating every concept of freedom and democracy, since democracy and dictatorship is a way of life and a daily behavior. Saint Sophia was a democrat in every sense of the word. She encouraged and allowed without imposing. She knew that her daughters belonged to God and she offered them. Love for Him transcends a mother's pain. She believed in eternal life and lived with the hope of eternal good things. She was temporarily separated from her children to be reunited with them in the kingdom of God. She went above their grave and supplicated God to take her life, to be near them. She had the assurance that her children existed, that they were alive and she would meet them, and that she would see them again. Those who are hard on young people today I think are being unfair. Young people today, according to the testimony of many educators and others involved with youth, are more honest and straightforward than young people of the past. Their violent behavior, in some cases, and extreme reactions I believe are due to what they require from society, such as tenderness, love and sincerity, but instead they encounter cruelty, heartlessness and hypocrisy. Wherever they meet humanity and kindness they become other people, and of this we have many examples. Faith, Hope and Love were worthy children of their glorious Mother. They were nursed with the guileless milk of faith, hope and love towards God, which is why they managed to realize the purpose of life, their well -being, which is to be together with Christ in the kingdom of God, where life never ends. Source: Ekklesiastiki Paremvasi, "ΠΙΣΤΙΣ, ΕΛΠΙΣ, ΑΓΑΠΗ ΚΑΙ ΣΟ- ΦΙΑ", September Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

6 METROPOLIS EVENTS September 23 - Philoptochos Luncheon, Empress Banquets September 24 - St. Nicholas Church 90th Anniversary Gala September Years Celebration of Orthodoxy in Chicago, Lane Tech High School Auditorium October Midwest Hellenic Dance Festival at St. Nicholas Church, Oak Lawn October 14 - Pick Up Your Cross and Follow Me 10th Annual Day Camp October 15 - St. Spyridon Church 100th Anniversary Gala October 21 - Metropolis of Chicago 1st Annual Spelling Bee for children ages Let s all support these events!

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8 WEEKLY EVENTS TODAY Church School Staff Meeting Monday, September 11 8am - St. Euphrosynos the Cook Tuesday, September 12 8am - Christianiki Philoxenia at Sts. Constantine and Helen, Palos Hills Wednesday, September 13 7pm - Hierarchical Great Vespers for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Thursday, September 14 8:30am - Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Saturday, September 16 10am - Greek School Sunday, September 17 Start of Church School Celebration ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ Συνεδ. Δασκάλων Κατηχητικού Σχολείου Δευτέρα, 11 Σεπτεμβρίου 8π.μ. - Αγ. Ευφροσύνου του Μάγειρος Τρίτη, 12 Σεπτεμβρίου 8π.μ. - Χριστιανική Φιλοξενία στο Ι.Ν. Αγ. Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης, Palos Hills Τετάρτη, 13 Σεπτεμβρίου 7μ.μ. - Μέγας Πανηγυρικός Αρχιερατικός Εσπερινός μετά Αρτοκλασίας Πέμπτη, 14 Σεπτεμβρίου 8:30π.μ. - Αρχιερατική Θ. Λειτουργία της Παγκοσμίου Υψώσεως του Τιμίου Σταυρού Σάββατο, 16 Σεπτεμβρίου 10π.μ. - Ελληνικό Σχολείο Κυριακή, 17 Σεπτεμβρίου Έναρξη Κατηχητικού Σχολείου MEMORIALS Sofronios Kosteris, 9 months, Right 1 Mary Papadakis, 1 year, Right 2-3 May their memory be eternal! Today s coffee fellowship is hosted in memory of Mary Papadakis. Everyone is invited to our community hall to enjoy fellowship. May her memory be eternal! The St. Anna Women s Group is selling Orthodox greeting cards for any occasion. Special requests are accepted as well. Please see Presvytera Katerina for details. All proceeds benefit Christ s ministries through our beloved parish. Please support this worthy effort!