THE VOICE. Mother s Day Luncheon Sunday, May 8th, 2016 Immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Catechism 101 MAY VOLUME NO.

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1 THE VOICE MAY VOLUME NO. 387 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1 Iconography Update... 3 Cherubs... 4 Archangels... 5 Philoptochos... 6 PTA... 7 Sunday School... 8 Stewardship... 9 Pascha... 10,11 Pascha Donations Parish News Registry Κοινοτικά Νέα Liturgical Schedule Community Events ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT- SPYRIDON.ORG Catechism 101 Christ is Risen! The Feast of Pascha has filled our hearts with joy and gladness. Death no longer possesses its sting. A new path to life has been opened for all generations. This blessed Passover has redefined our existence and has given meaning to our beautiful yet sorrowful world. The events of this Feast of Feasts did not happen in a vacuum. In fact, they only begin to make sense within the context of the Old Testament. Through the book of Genesis, we understand that man was created in God s image and likeness, created with a both body and soul endowed with immortality. Man s disobedience led to his separation from God and from his neighbor, resulting in the separation between body and soul which we call death. While the introduction of death into the human reality was never God s intention, it was the gift that God bestowed on us so that our brokenness would not be an eternal one. Through the resurrection of Christ, God showed us our true destiny which was briefly revealed in the Garden of Eden, restored in the Empty Tomb, and realized in Christ s Ascension. In the book of Exodus, we witness the first Passover or Pascha. This book Mother s Day Luncheon Sunday, May 8th, 2016 Immediately 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 PROTOPRESBYTER Church Office Hours:... Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Phone: , 2313 or 0787 Fax: office@saint-spyridon.org Web: Parish Council Officers James Korbakes... President Konstantine Labraκis... Vice-President Taso Panagiotopoulos... Vice President Frank Kopanis... Secretary George Papadopoulos... Assistant Secretary Gus Kolyvas... Treasurer James Xeros... Assistant Treasurer Auxiliary Officers Angelo Angelos... Chanter Olga Paxinos... Philoptochos Demetra Mikroulis... P.T.A. Kiki Kazazakis... Kentro Lambrini Stavrou... Plutarchos Greek School Jan Prible... Archangels Academy Zoe Kopanis... Sunday School Director Nicky Glikis... Choir Director Dana Vasilakos... G.O.Y.A. & Jr. G.O.Y.A. Angie Koutsis... G.O.Y.A. & Jr. G.O.Y.A. Janine Riley... Cherubs Demetria Papadopoulos... HOPE Angelo Angelos... Byzantine Music Panagiotis Mihalopoulos... Iconography Fr. Tilemahos... Bible Study Vicki Drikos... Handmaidens Nick Chibucos & Labros Malfas... Altar Boys John Farsatis... Athletics And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. picks up when Genesis left off, with Jacob s family settling in Egypt and prospering. Yet the prosperity did not last long. Soon the descendants of Jacob found themselves oppressed as slaves to the cruelty of the Egyptian rulers. Four hundred years of oppression passed before God would send Moses to deliver them. Moses would not raise an army to free God s people. Rather, God sent through him a number of plagues onto Egypt, and the Egyptian people suffered so much that they demanded for the Hebrews to leave. As a final plague, God announced that all the first born of Egypt would die. Only those who followed His instructions to sprinkle their doorpost with the blood of a lamb would be saved. The Lord said: For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:12-13)The first Passover was literally the night during which those who were obedient to God through the sign of the blood of the Lamb, were passed over by the angels of death. For Christians, who have received in their hearts the blood of the Lamb of God who is the Christ, death passes over us and is no more. Surely we die and our soul and body separate themselves from each other. Yet, both our body and soul stay in communion with God, and are therefore alive. The relics of Saint Spyridon, a walking saint, is an example of this truth. In God s time, our transformed body and soul will be reconnected in the general resurrection and they, as one, will be in eternal communion with God as He intended. While the book of the Genesis shows us our true destiny, the book of Exodus shows us the method by which we can achieve it. After the Hebrews left Egypt following the first Passover, they walked through the Red Sea, a gift of baptism that opened their journey to the Promised Land. Before they arrived there, they sojourned the desert for forty years. In the desert they received the Ten Commandments and God revealed Himself to them and made a covenant with them. In the desert, they learned to be completely dependent on Him, to be nourished by Him, to quench their thirst by Him, to be healed by Him. Many waivered and wanted to return to the slavery of Egypt. Others endured through perseverance, patience, obedience, and much hardship, before they arrived to the Promised Land as a Holy Nation, a royal priesthood, a renewed people of God. Our whole life is the desert. We have no home here and we seek no comfort. We work for a better world but, in the end, there is only one goal: The Promised Land - the Kingdom of Heaven. The path to the Kingdom has been opened by the Lord s Pascha. Pascha does not lie at the end of the journey but at the beginning. After the first Pascha, the Hebrews were finally free to go home. They did not stay in Egypt but journeyed perilously toward their ancestral land. We too, after Pascha, we do not stand still. We struggle and journey toward the feast of Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon us, the eternal presence of God within us. The gift of the Holy Spirit will cleanse us, and sanctify us, and prepare us to make the journey to our ancestral home: The Kingdom of Heaven. Amen. Indeed He is Risen! Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos 2 The Voice

3 GREEK PARADE Christ is Risen! Happy Spring to everyone from the St. Spyridon Sunday School staff. We have had a busy and fulfilling Lenten period dedicated to learning and service. We had our annual Saturday of Lazarus breakfast followed by palm making and decorating of our church for Palm Sunday. Many thanks to all the families who participated and to the PTA for hosting this. Everyone that came out had a great time learning the process of making the crosses and contributing to a memorable tradition in our church. We would like to congratulate all the Oratorical Festival participants for their hard work and recognize them on Graduation with a certificate. We will also be recognizing the following students for their placement to move on to the next level. In Iconography: Demetra Alikakos and Joanna James. Essay: Konstantine Alikakos and Tasia Chibucos. Speech: Alexia Chibucos and Tommy Dagres. Poetry: Panagiotis Panagiotopoulos and Maria Glikis. Congratulations to all of you, and best of luck as you move on to the Metropolis Oratorical Festival at St Nicholas in Oak Lawn on May 7 th. Coming up on May 15 th is our annual Bible Bowl and Graduation on May 22 nd. Please make sure to come to the Graduation it is an opportunity to thank the Sunday School teachers and PTA for all they do for our students throughout the school year. This has been a great year and we are always in need of parent volunteers for many aspects at church. Whether you have one Sunday or several, please consider sharing your time and talents with Sunday School. It is truly a rewarding experience to connect with the students and give back to our church family. Zoe Kopanis, Sunday School Director SUNDAY SCHOOL St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 3

4 ARCHANGELS ACADEMY Χριστός Ανέστη! It is hard to believe it is already May and our school year is drawing to a close. Spring is definitely here, the weather has been wonderful. What a beautiful day for a Parade! The students enjoyed an educational and fun field trip to Lake Katherine Nature Center. What a lovely day! The students participated in numerous natures-oriented activities, a nature walk and a hay ride. 4 The Voice

5 CHERUBS April has been a lot of fun for our class. We joined Archangels Academy for a educational trip to the Dupage Children's Museum, we made eggs and crosses in preparation for Easter and we played together as usual. We even successfully made koulourakia together! Mrs. Janine Riley HOPE Χριστός Ανέστη! On our last session together, the children learned about Palm Sunday, Holy Week and our preparations for Pascha,. They also made a beautiful Easter basket craft containing three red eggs. We wrapped up our year with a little party with treats and refreshment. HOPE will resume in the Fall on Saturdays at 10:30-11:30am. Children ages 3-6 are welcome to join the group. SUMMER CAMP 2016 AFRICAN ADVENTURES JUNE 6TH JUNE 12TH ($85) & JUNE 13TH JUNE 17TH ($85) JUNE 6TH 17TH ($150) Open to 4-6 year olds. Camp will be held five days a week for two weeks. You may register for one week or both. Fee includes a t-shirt and daily snacks. Summer Camp Applications and Forms available in the Church Office. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 In preparation for Easter, PTA had very busy this month. P.T.A. NEWS On April 2nd, our Parish hosted a Family Synaxis. Our Community Hall was filled with over 300 participants from across the Chicagoland area. I want to take a moment to thank my PTA board and our few parent volunteers who helped in organizing, preparing and serving the meals for this event. Your dedication and tireless hard work is greatly appreciated. There is A LOT of work that takes place behind the scenes before every event for our Greek School, Sunday School and Church that is sometimes is not realized by the participants and attendees. The more parent involvement we have, the more opportunities our PTA has to provide our School. Students took their Spring School Pictures on April 11th and 15th. Students were all camera ready on both days which helped the process run smoothly. We thank the parent volunteers who helped the classroom teachers on this day. On Saturday, April 22 we hosted the Saturday of Lazarus annual pancake breakfast and making of the palms. Many thanks to Jim Halikas for cooking his delicious fasting pancakes for all to enjoy. We wish to thank everyone who purchased PTA s Easter Candles. With your loving support, we were able to raise the funds for the PTA Scholarships. I would like to personally thank our PTA moms,yianna Halikias, Tanya Halikias, Tessie Jones, Mena Mastorakos, Helen Karounos and one of our studetns, Maria Malamis, who helped to make candles this year. They were all so beautiful! We are very excited to announce that PTA will be hosting our first St. Spyridon Field Day and BBQ on May 6th after Greek School. Our coaches, weather permitting, will set up track and field activities outside in preparation for Junior Olympics. Please plan on staying with your children to eat and play some games. Also, please turn in your Junior Olympics registration forms on or before that day if you haven't already done so! Coaches have already started putting together their rosters and placing students in their events. We will also need parent volunteers for the Junior Olympics! We need parents on the field and parents to escort students to their events. PTA is also is planning on setting up a Saint Spyridon tent in the parking lot, like other churches do, to provide shade, water, small snacks and a first aid kit for our participants and families. We will not be providing food. This is a big fundraiser for our sister Parish Saints Constantine and Helen and we ask that you support them. Please join us at our BBQ May 6th to discuss in further detail. Hope to see you ALL there! REMINDERS PTA Scholarship Awards: High School Graduates are eligible for a $1,000 Scholarship Award. Two Plutarchos Greek School Graduates will receive $125 Awards of Excellence. Please drop off your applications in the Church office. Students must meet all qualifications to be considered. We ask that the applications be turned in by May 8th. Greek School Yearbooks: we are currently working on putting together a yearbook for purchase. Please look for order forms...coming soon! May 9th - PTA meeting at 5 p.m. during Greek School. Please join us as we wrap up the year! May 15th - Get ready for Sunday School s Bible Bowl! May 22nd- Graduation Sunday May 28th & 29th- Junior Olympics May 30th - No Greek School on Memorial Day June 6th- Greek School Graduation Program at 5pm. Demetra Mikroukis, P.T.A. President 6 The Voice

7 FAMILY SYNAXIS On Saturday, April 2nd, our Saint Spyridon PTA hosted the Metropolis Family Synaxis with over 300 part i c i p a n t s. Many thanks to our volunteers and donors who made the day a wonderful success. Stewardship 2016 Progress Report As of April 25th, 2016 Pledged Stewards: 212 Average Stewardship: $ Amount of Stewardship donated: $78,704 STEWARDSHIP 2016 STEWARDS 2016-MARCH 27TH-APRIL 25TH The Stewardship Committee thanks our 212 Stewards who have fulfilled their pledge for the 2016 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. Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Alexopoulos Ms. Connie Anest Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Bart Mrs. Chrisi Bastas Mrs. Aspasia Berdusis Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Besbekos Mrs. Georgia Besbekos Mr. & Mrs. Mark Besbekos Mrs. Morfo Bountinas Mrs. Helen Chiagouris Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Christy Mrs. Theofani Dagres Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Flaskos Ms. Kaliopi Flaskos Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Glikis Mr. & Mrs. James Halikas Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hohlastos Mr. & Mrs. Brad Jones Mr. & Mrs. Steve Kapsalis Mr. & Mrs. John Karopulos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kazazakis Mr. & Mr. Em. Kekempanos Mr. & Mrs. Steve Korbakes Mr. & Mrs. George Kyroudis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Manasses Mrs. Katherine Manolis Mr. & Mrs. Spyridon Marinopoulos Mr. Efstratios Marinos Mr. & Mrs. George Markopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Ted Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Perakis Mr. Marino Petropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Polyzos Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Priovolos Ms. Elizabeth Rentas Mr. Mark Rentas Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Retsinas Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rimbo Mr. & Mrs. Dean Siampos Mr. Andrew Stameson Mr. & Mrs. George Stergiopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Tsantilis MR. & Mrs. Anestis Tsonis Mr. & Mrs. Vasileios Tsoukalas Ms. Joanna Tzaferis Kolios Mr. & Mrs. Konst. Vasilopoulos St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 Dear Fellow Parishioners, Χριστός Ανέστη! We have reached Great Pascha after our Lenten Journey. We wish all our church families all the best that his Resurrection brings. April was a busy month. We celebrated the Stavroproskinisis with the procession in church and afterwards receiving the traditional flower. Upon coming into the hall we traditionally served our loukoumades to the congregation. April 5th we had a full hall with the Philoxenia Luncheon. The Seniors as usual loved seeing each other and catching up on news. It was a wonderful afternoon for all. The next luncheon will be at St. Nicholas on Bright Wednesday May 4th. If you plan to attend please call St. Nicholas with your reservations. On April 9th we attended the Quiltathon at Sts. Constantine and Helen. They will be distributing the quilts to various places and some of us plan to attend as we did last year. This is a very heartwarming experience. On April 13th and 14th we made tsourekia. On April 16th many attended the Eikona concert at St. Demetrios Elmhurst. The three sisters singing Liturgical and other music was phenomenal. We again hosted the reception for the presanctified service on Friday April 22. His Eminence was present and we had a great evening. The Saturday of Lazarus we stayed many hours to prepare for the Luncheon on Palm Sunday and the bake sale. Both were a great success and I thank those who helped and our donors. Many more eggs were dyed on Good Thursday this year since we had more orders than usual. The Philoptochos Metropolis has made a tradition of going to The St. Iakovos Retreat Center on Bright Friday Zoodohou Pigees. All are welcome to go. It is a great morning event. MOTHERS DAY and our annual Luncheon are on MAY 8th. Make your reservations early so that you are not left without a table. We wish all a pleasant May and the best to your families. See you in church. Olga Paxinos, Philoptochos President 8 The Voice PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS PHILOPTOCHOS SCHOLARSHIP The St. Spyridon Ladies Philoptochos Society invites all interested high school seniors and current college students to apply for the St. Spyridon Philoptochos Scholarship. The winning applicant will receive a $1000 scholarship from Philoptochos. Applications and information are available on St. Spyridon s website: The deadline for the completed application and supporting documents are due by June 15, The recipient will be notified by September 1, Please Join Us for Our 11th Annual Mother s Day Luncheon Hosted by The St. Spyridon Ladies Philoptochos Society Sunday May 8th, 2016 Immediately following the Divine Liturgy Please call the Church Office

9 PHILOPTOCHOS EVENTS St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 9

10 10 The Voice PALM SUNDAY

11 HOLY WEEK AND PASCHA St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 11

12 Our parish of Saint Spyridon congratulates Efthimios Christy and George Mastorakos for receiving the Houston Papadimitriou Award at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Και σ ανώτερα! BELL TOWER CONSTRUCTION During the month of April construction was been completed in replacing the bell tower roofs by the generous efforts of Poulos Construction directed by Andy and Spero Poulos, and Taso Panagiotopoulos. The bell tower domes were removed and the four roofs were demolished and rebuilt. In the summer we will place the bell in the tower. The cost of the project is in excess of $40,000. There is a donation box in the narthex and in the hallway for anyone wishing to donate toward the bell tower restoration. For more information on how to help please see Fr. Tilemahos. PASCHA GREETINGS From our Priests Fr. Tilemahos, Fr. Athenagoras, & Fr. George the President of the Parish Council Mr. Jim Korbakes and the board members the President of the Philoptochos Mrs. Olga Paxinos and its members the President of the P.T.A. Demetra Mikroulis and its members the Teachers of Archangels Academy, the Greek and Sunday Schools the Church Staff and all the Parish Organizations wish all parishioners a Glorious Pascha! THANK YOU To the Anonymous donors for donating food for our Food Pantry and for the Easter Baskets. To all that donated for our Holy Lent and Easter flowers. To all the Philoptochos ladies for hosting the Lenten Dinner after the Presanctified Divine Liturgy with our visiting clergy. To all who donated flowers for Great Lent and Holy Week, and to those who decorated the Epitaphios To Mr. James Halikas and the P.T.A. parents and volunteers for hosting the Pancake Breakfast on Saturday of Lazarus. To all who prepared baked goods and who donated for the Palm Sunday Philoptochos Bake Sale. All the proceeds will benefit needy families of our community. To all our donors and volunteers for Family Synaxis. To all the Agape Service readers. 12 The Voice

13 PARISH NEWS JUNIOR OLYMPICS Τhe Metropolis of Chicago Annual Junior Olympics will take place on May 27th-29th, 2016 at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills. Our community will be represented by numerous athletes in individual & team sports. Registration for the Junior Olympics will be held during the Coffee Social Hour after the Divine Liturgy. Or if you are interested in joining a team or competing for an individual sport, please contact Mr. John Farsatis, Athletic Director, or the Church Office. The Junior Olympics events are as follows: Track & Field: Boys & Girls, 7-18 Swimming: Boys & Girls, K Run: Boys, Girls, Adults, Tennis: Boys & Girls, Table Tennis: Boys & Girls, Chess: Boys & Girls, 8-18 Checkers: Boys & Girls, 8-18 Backgammon: Boys & Girls, 8-18 Basketball: Boys & Girls, 7-13 Soccer: Boys & Girls, 7-16 Softball: Boys & Girls, Volleyball: Boys & Girls, Bowling: Boys & Girls, Wrestling: Boys & Girls, 9-18 Participants! On Friday, May 6th, at 6:00 p.m., the Saint Spyridon PTA will hold a BBQ for all our Saint Spyridon families as a Junior Olympics Registration party. We will have all the necessary forms as well as training and tryouts for our athletes. This will be the absolute last day to register for Jr. Olympics. MEMORIAL DAY On Monday, May 30th, Fr. Tilemahos will be reading the Trisagion Services at Evergreen Cemetery from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.. The common memorial with all the southside Greek Orthodox parishes will take place at 10:30 a.m. Finally, Fr. Tilemahos will be at Bethania Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. TREE OF LOVE In the main hallway of St. Spyridon stands a golden and bronze Tree of Love with an icon of our patron saint at its base. This Tree of Love is a symbol of our commitment to the ministry of our community. With great hope for our community s future and with love for St. Spyridon, we invite you to join the numerous supporters whose names are engraved on these golden and bronze leaves in recognition of their gifts to the Church. There are numerous ways to contribute to our Tree of Love such as to honor a friend or in memory of loved ones. For more information, please call the Church Office. A memorial service for all the souls commemorated on the Tree of Love will be held on Sunday, May 29th, A NOTE FROM THE PERAKIS FAMILY Thank you so much to everyone that came out to donate blood in honor of our little Ava! Words cannot express how grateful we are for your time, love, support, prayers, and generosity. We would like to thank our family that put this together...they are always there for whatever we may need. We would also like to thank the businesses and families that donated food and drinks, the people that gave monetary donations and of course, to Father Tim and the church for hosting. Please continue to pray for our Ava as she continues on in her fight! We appreciate everyone's support! With love- Tim, Kathy, Angelina, Ava and Alexis Perakis SACRAMENTS BAPTISM The daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Makis Limperis was baptized on April 9th and given the name Anasofia by her godparents Lou and Ann Ivanovich, Να σας Ζήσει! MEMORIALS Sunday, April 10th 1 year for Ourania Smirniotis Sunday, April 17th 1yr for Spiro Drikos 1yr for Vasiliki Chiagouris St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 13

14 ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ ΣΥΝΔΡΟΜΗΤΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝΟΣ ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΟΥΜΕ ΤΙΣ 212 ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΣ ΠΟΥ ΕΚΠΛΗΡΩΣΑΝ ΤΙΣ ΥΠΟΣΧΕΣΕΙΣ ΤΟΥΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΕΤΟΣ ΥΠΕΝΘΥΜΙΖΟΥΜΕ ΣΕ ΟΛΟΥΣ ΟΤΙ ΕΧΟΥΝ ΤΑΧΥΔΡΟΜΗΘΕΙ ΟΙ ΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΕΙΣ ΥΠΟΣΧΕΣΗΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΛΟΥ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΥ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΤΡΕΧΟΝ ΕΤΟΣ. ΣΑΣ ΠΑΡΑΚΑΛΟΥΜΕ ΝΑ ΑΝΑΝΕΩΣΕΤΕ ΤΗΝ ΣΥΝΔΡΟΜΗ ΣΑΣ ΤΟ ΓΡΗΓΟΡΩΤΕΡΟ ΔΥΝΑΤΟΝ. ΧΡΕΙΑΖΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΤΗΝ ΒΟΗΘΕΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΝ ΥΠΟΣΤΗΡΗΞΗ ΟΛΩΝ ΣΑΣ. Εορτή της Μητέρας Τήν Κυριακή, 8 Μαΐου, ἑορταστικό γεῦμα θά δοθεῖ στήν Κοινοτική Αἲθουσα πρός τιμήν τῆς ἑορτῆς τῆς Μητέρας, μετά τήν Θεία Λειτουργία. Παρακαλοῦμε νά τηλεφωνήσετε στό Γραφεῖο γιά κλείσεις θέσεων. Τρισάγια Τήν Δευτέρα, 30η Μαΐου, ο π. Τηλέμαχος θά διαβάζει τρισάγια στο κοιμητήριο του Evergreen, ἀπό τίς 8:00 π.μ. μέχρι τίς 11:30 π.μ.., καί στό Bethania στις 1:00 μ.μ.. Όλες οι Ελληνορθόδοξες Κοινότητες των νοτίων προαστίων του Σικάγου θα παρευρεθούν στο κοινό Τρισάγιο στίς 10:30 π.μ. Επίσης θα προσφερθεί Τρισάγιο στην Εκκλησία για όλους όσους μνημονεύονται στο «Tree of Love» την Κυριακή 29 Μαΐου μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. ΦΕΣΤΙΒΑΛ 2016 Το Καλοκαιρινό Φεστιβάλ του 2016 θά την 9η και 10η Ιουλίου. Όλοι προσκαλείσθε να βοηθήσετε, να αγοράσετε λαχνούς, καί να καλέσετε τούς συγγενείς και φίλους να υποστηρίξουν την ενορία μας. ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΦΙΛΟΞΕΝΙΑ H «Χριστιανική Φιλοξενία» καλεί όλους τους ηλικιωμένους Ορθοδόξους των νοτίων προαστίων του Σικάγου στήν ενορία τοῦ Αγίου Νικολάου, την Τετάρτη, 4ην Μαΐου, Ο Όρθρος αρχίζει στις 8:30 π.μ. και ακολουθεί η Θεία Λειτουργία. Το γεύμα προσφέρεται δωρεάν από την Φιλόπτωχον Αδελφότητα του Αγίου Νικολάου. Παρακαλούμε όπως τηλεφωνήσετε την εκκλησία για κρατήσεις θέσεων. ΑΓΙΟΣ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ Ο ΡΩΣΣΟΣ Ο Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Ρώσος γεννήθηκε περίπου το 1690 στην περιοχή της Μικράς Ρωσίας, σ ημ ε ρ ινής Ο υ κραν ίας, α π ό χριστιανούς γονείς. Κατετάγη στο στρατό του Μεγάλου Πέτρου και πήρε μέρος στον Ρωσοτουρκικό πόλεμο ( ), όπου αιχμαλωτίστηκε και στη συνέχεια πουλήθηκε σαν σκλάβος σε ένα Τούρκο αξιωματικό (ίππαρχο) που καταγόταν από το χωριό Προκόπι της Μικράς Ασίας. Ο Τούρκος αξιωματικός μετέφερε τον Άγιο στο Προκόπι και εκεί προσπάθησε, όπως συνηθιζόταν τότε, να τον πείσει να αλλαξοπιστήσει. Ο Άγιος αντιστάθηκε σθεναρά σε όλες τις προσπάθειες του Τούρκου και τέλος ο Τούρκος άφησε ήσυχο τον Άγιο να διατηρήσει την πίστη του. Οι συνθήκες διαβίωσης του Αγίου ήταν πολύ σκληρές. Κοιμόταν στο στάβλο του αφεντικού του, μαζί με τα ζώα των οποίων τη φροντίδα του είχε αναθέσει. Έτρωγε ελάχιστα, τα ρούχα του ήταν φτωχικά και ήταν αναγκασμένος να περπατά χωρίς υποδήματα. Σε αυτόν τον στάβλο, ο Άγιος προσευχόταν, ενώ τα βράδια συχνά επισκεπτόταν μια εκκλησία που ήταν εκεί κοντά, αφιερωμένη στον Άγιο Γεώργιο. Το αφεντικό του πλούτισε και έγινε από τους ισχυρότερους άντρες της περιοχής. Όταν κάποια στιγμή ο Τούρκος αξιωματικός επισκέφτηκε τη Μέκκα για προσκύνημα, ο Άγιος Ιωάννης με θαυμαστό τρόπο έστειλε από το Προκόπι στην Μέκκα ένα πιάτο με ρύζι για το αφεντικό του. Στην αρχή δεν τον πίστεψαν, αλλά όταν ο Τούρκος γύρισε από την Μέκκα φέρνοντας το πιάτο μαζί του πείστηκαν και το θαύμα αυτό έγινε σε όλους όσους κατοικούσαν στην περιοχή γνωστό. Ο Τούρκος θέλοντας να τιμήσει τον Άγιο προσφέρθηκε να του καλυτερέψει τις συνθήκες διαβίωσης. Ο Άγιος όμως αρνήθηκε και συνέχισε να φροντίζει τα ζώα του αφεντικού του και να μένει στον στάβλο. Δουλεύοντας την ημέρα και προσευχόμενος την νύχτα έζησε ο Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Ρώσσος τον υπόλοιπο του βίου του έως τις 27 Μαΐου του 1730, όπου αναπαύτηκε σε ηλικία 40 ετών. 14 The Voice

15 Sunday, May 1st Monday, May 2nd Tuesday, May 3rd Wednesday, May 4th Thursday, May 5th Friday, May 6th Saturday, May 7th Sunday, May 8th Sunday, May 15th Friday, May 20th Saturday, May 21st Sunday, May 22nd Wednesday, May 25th Friday, May 27th Sunday, May 29th Wednesday, June 1st Saturday, June 4th Sunday, June 5th SCHEDULE OF DIVINE SERVICES HOLY PASCHA, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 12 midnight * Agape Vespers 12 noon St. George, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene, Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Artoklasia 8:00 a.m. Christian Philoxenia at St. Nicholas Oak Lawn 8:30 a.m. St. Irene, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Life-Giving Fountain, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. Sunday of Thomas, St. John the Theologian Orthros & Liturgy 8:00 a.m. 3rd Sunday of Pascha, Myrrhbearers, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers at SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Palos Hills 7:00 SS. Constantine & Helen, Orthros & Divine Liturgy in Palos Hills 8:30 a.m. 4th Sunday of Pascha, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Mid-Pentecost, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. St. John the Russian, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. 5th Sunday of Pascha, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Agiasmos Service 9:00 a.m. Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. 5th Sunday of Pascha, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Κυριακή 1 Μαΐου Δευτέρα 2 Μαΐου Τρίτη 3 Μαΐου Πέμπτη 5 Μαΐου Παρασκευή 6 Μαΐου Σάββατο 7 Μαΐου Κυριακή 8 Μαΐου Κυριακή 15 Μαΐου Παρασκευή 20 Μαΐου Σάββατο 21 Μαΐου Κυριακή 22 Μαΐου Τετάρτη, 25 Μαΐου Παρασκευή, 27 Μαΐου Τετάρτη 1 Ιουνίου Σάββατο 4 Ιουνίου Κυριακή 5 Ιουνίου ΑΓΙΟΝ ΠΑΣΧΑ, Ὂρθρος καί Ἀναστάσιμη Θεία Λειτουργία -12:00 π.μ. Ἐσπερινός τῆς Ἀγάπης -12 μ.μ. Ἁγίου Γεωργίου τοῦ Τροπαιοφόρου, Ὂρθρος & Λειτουργία -8:00 π.μ. Ἁγίων Ραφαήλ, Νικολάου καί Εἰρήνης, Ὂρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία -8:00 π.μ. Αγίας Ειρήνης, Ὂρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία -8:00 π.μ. Ζωοδόχου Πηγῆς - Ὂρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία -8:00 π.μ. Μέγας Εσπερινός 5:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή του Θωμά, Ὂρθρος καί Λειτουργία -8:00 π.μ. 3η Κυριακή του Πάσχα, των Μυροφόρων, Όρθρος & Θ. Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Μέγας Εσπερινός στον Ιερό Ναό των Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου & Ελένης 7:00 μ.μ. Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου & Ελένης, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία στον Ιερό Ναό των Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου & Ελένης 8:30 π.μ 4η Κυριακή του Πάσχα, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Μεσοπεντηκοστή, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Αγίου Ιωάννου του Ρῶσσου, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Αγίου Ιουστίνου, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία και Αγιασμός 8:00 π.μ. Μέγας Εσπερινός 5:00 μ.μ. 5η Κυριακή του Πάσχα, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 15

16 Cherubs 11:00 a.m. MAY May SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 *Sunday HIOLY PASCHA School *P.T.A. Artoclasia *Hellenic Letters Metropolis Luncheon 8 *Sunday School School *Philoptochos Mother s Day Luncheon Mtg. *St. St. Spyridon B-Ball 2:15 pm Sunday School School P.T.A. Bible Bowl Meeting *Sunday School School Graduation *Philoptochos Apokreatiko Luncheon 29 Tree of Love Memorial Junior SS.Constantine & Helen 2 *Greek School-4:30 pm Bright Week *Orthodox No fasting all Study week - p.m. *Greek No community Bible Study- activities 7:30pm parish office closed 9 Greek Archangels School-4:30 Academy pm Greek School-4:30 pm *Greek Gr Bible School-4:30 Study 10:30 pm am *Orthodox Greek School-4:30 Study - pm 5 p.m. *Greek Bible Study- 7:30pm *Greek Gr Bible School-4:30 Study 10:30 pm am *Orthodox Greek School-4:30 Study - pm 5 p.m. *Greek Bible Study- 7:30pm 30 Memorial Day Office Closed 3 Cherubs - 11:00 a.m. 3 Archangels Academy Soccer Practice 5:30 p.m. Parish Council 7 pm 10 Cherubs 11:00 a.m. 10 Archangels Academy Soccer Practice 5:30 p.m. 17 Cherubs 11:00 a.m. 17 Archangels Academy Soccer Practice 5:30 p.m t h A n n i v e r s a r y Meeting 7 pm Archangels Academy Soccer Practice 5:30 p.m *Iconography - 6 pm *Byzant. Music - 7pm 4 Archangels Academy Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Basketball 5:00 p.m. Bible study 7:00 p.m. 11 *Iconography 6 pm *Byzant. Music - 7pm 11 Archangels Academy Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Basketball 5:00 p.m. Iconography 6:00 p.m 18 Iconography - 6 pm 18 Archangels Academy Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Basketball 5:00 p.m. Iconography 6:00 p.m. Bible study 7:00 p.m. 25 *Iconography - 6 pm *Byzant. Music -7 pm 25 Archangels Academy Basketball 5:00 p.m. Iconography 6:00 p.m. Bible study 7:00 p.m. 5 GOYA Archangels & Jr. GOYA Academy Meeting 7:00 Bible Study 10:30 p.m. a.m. Volleyball 7:00 p.m Parish Archangels Council Academy Meeting 7:00 Volleyball 7:00 p.m GOYA Archangels & Jr. Academy GOYA Meeting 7:00 Volleyball 7:00 p.m OCMC Archangels Dinner Graduation 6 *Greek Archangels School 4:30 Academy p.m. *High Greek School 4:30 school Seminar p.m. 6:30 P.T.A. p.m. BBQ *Greek Archangels School 4:30 Academy p.m. *OPEN Greek School 4:30 6:30 p.m. p.m. *Orthodox Study - 7p.m *Greek Archangels School 4:30 Academy p.m. *High Greek School 4:30 school Seminar p.m. 6:30 p.m. *Handmaidens Movie Night *Greek Greek School 4:30 School 4:30 p.m. p.m. * Youth Dance 7 p.m. 7 Metropolis *Byz. Music 10 Oratorical am *Greek Dance 11 a.m. Festival *PeeWee BBall Game (home) - 2:30 p.m. *P.T.A. Outing 6:30 pm *Altar Boys & Handmaidens 10 a.m. *Greek Dance 11 a.m. * Pee-Wee B-ball - 12 noon * Byzantine Music 12 noon * Byzantine Music 10:30 a.m. *Greek Dance 11 a.m. * Pee-Wee B-ball - 12 noon * *Byz. Junior Music 10:30 a.m. *Greek SS. Constantine Dance 11 & Helen a.m. * Pee-Wee B-ball - 12 noon

17 100TH ANNIVERSARY ST. SPYRIDON S 100 TH ANNIVERSARY IS COMING! Our gala celebration will take place October 15, 2017, but our preparations have already begun. The 100 th Anniversary Commemorative Album Committee will be available during the Coffee Social to introduce our parishioners to our plans for the Commemorative Book. The committee will show parishioners how to be a part of this very special keepsake book with family stories. Look for The Commemorative Album Committee to be available at the Coffee Social every Sunday to assist parishioners and answer questions. Don t miss this unique opportunity to be a part of the St. Spyridon 100 th celebration! ICONOGRAPHY DEDICATION On Sunday, November 6th, 2016, as the first event of our 100th Anniversary, we will hold our Iconography Dedication. We have invited His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos to bless our icons and to install the dedication plaques that will be placed in our community hall. We also invite all our iconography donors for this festive occasion. We kindly ask all our iconography donors to confirm the inscription they wish to place in the iconography plaque. Please contact the church office in order to confirm the inscription (if any) for your donation by May 15th. ATTENTION GRADUATES On Sunday, May 22nd, following the Divine Liturgy, we will honor all the High School and College Graduates in the church. Please submit the names of the graduates in your family by May 9th, so that they may be honored and included in the graduation program. In the Community Hall all our youth ministries, Sunday School, GOYA, Jr. GOYA, Cherubs, Altar Boys, Handmaidens, Jr. Choir, Byzantine Music, and Athletics will present their certificates and awards. Church Etiquette In order to partake of Holy Communion, one must be a baptized/chrismated Orthodox Christian, and must have properly prepared according to the instructions of his/her Confessor. Please turn off cell-phones during Church services. Enter the church only when the priest is not facing the congregation. Allow ushers to guide you. Refrain from unnecessary conversations during divine services. 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. Faithful that are visiting for a memorial are to sit in the reserved front pews. The reserved pews may be filled on a first come basis. Once the Divine Liturgy has already started, please refrain from coming up to place candles in the kolyva tray. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 17

18 St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL Attend Church Regularly with Your Family! CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 1st HOLY PASCHA May 3rd Parish Council Meeting May 4th Christian Philoxenia May 8th Mother s Day Luncheon May 22nd Sunday School Graduation May 26th Archangels Graduation May 27th-29th Jr. Olympics May 29th Tree of Love Memorial May 30th Memorial Day June 6th 17th Archangels Camp June 20th-24th Vacation Bible Camp ANNUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL July 9th & 10th Authentic Greek Cuisine Homemade Greek Pastries Greek Music & Dancing Kiddie Rides Plus, Car Raffle! St. Spyridon Dancers Saturday & Sunday St. Spyridon s Greek Festival S. Ridgeland, Palos Heights July 9th & 10th Saturday from 3 p.m. 11 p.m. Sunday from noon 11 p.m. Admission: Adults $2 Children under 12 FREE For more info, call (708) FREE PARKING & SHUTTLE