THE VOICE DECEMBR VOLUME NO. 313

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1 THE VOICE DECEMBR VOLUME NO. 313 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1 Stewardship... 3 Philoptochos... 4 Archangels... 5 Announcements... 6 Sunday School News... 7 PTA News... 8 OXI DAY... 9, 10 Iconography th Anniversary Parish Registry Κοινοτικά νέα Πρόγραμμα Ακολουθιών Community Events Liturgical Schedule ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT- SPYRIDON.ORG Catechism 101 Our beloved Saint Spyridon parish will be celebrating its feast day for the 100 th time this year. While still observing the Lenten preparation for our Lord s Nativity, we will gather in festival, welcoming area clergy and lay faithful to honor our patron saint. When we think back over our onehundred-year history, we wonder how this feast day was honored by those before us. In fact, the first celebration of our parish feast day in 1917 was indeed very different than any of recent memory. In 1917, our Saint Spyridon founders were still observing the Old Calendar. That meant that while the civil calendar read December 25 th and the celebration of Christmas, the church calendar, being 13 days behind the civil calendar, read December 12 th and the celebration of Saint Spyridon s day. Certainly, the faithful of our community at that time did not enjoy many days off from their labors. However, Christmas Day would have certainly have been a day of rest, even though, for them Christmas would not arrive until January 7 th, just as it is for our Old Calendar brothers and sisters today. Feast Day of our Patron Saint Spyridon Sunday, December 11th Hierarchical Great Vespers 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 12th Orthros & Hierarchical Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m.

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... 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 Artemicia Stamus... 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. Translation from the original minutes: In Pullman, IL, November 5th, 1917 Today, on the 5th of the month of November, 1917, the temporary council gathered at the temporary hall at 522 E. 113th Street, decided that there will be a Dinner Dance held on December 25th of this year. In the minutes seen above from that first year of our parish life, our founders decided to have a dinner dance that day so that they could raise money for the new church. Since they had the day off, they came together and celebrated not Christmas, but Saint Spyridon s day together, in fellowship and commitment to their new parish. While we have no further records or descriptions from that first dinner dance, we can be certain that it was a splendid affair marked with simplicity in food and drink but wealth in love and dedication to their new endeavors. These founding fathers, gathering together on that Christmas/Saint Spyridon Day must have shared the few amenities and simple meal among them while they also shared the wealth of their dreams for their new life in America which now included a place to call home: their beloved Saint Spyridon parish. We are the grateful children of these founding fathers. Even though we are now celebrating our feasts on the New Calendar, our celebrations still call for the solemnity and simplicity that marked the gatherings of our forefathers. Our community of Saint Spyridon has always been and will remain one of great hospitality, dignity, and great dreams. It is our goal that these principles carry over to our individual family celebrations as well. Whether we are celebrating Saint Spyridon s day or Christmas Day, we, the faithful of Saint Spyridon remain steadfast that we do not get carried away in the materialistic and gluttonous consumerism that surrounds us. We will strive to honor the first Christmas celebration of our community by imitating that event with words and acts worthy of the sacrifices that they were made so long ago for all of us. As we prepare to enter our centennial year, let us all do so in the spirit of simplicity, faith, and the traditions of our Saint Spyridon forefathers. Let our gift-giving be centered around the gift of the Lord; let our festive table be marked with mindfulness for those who are hungry at our doorstep; let our celebrations be full of dreams and aspirations for the faithful who will succeed us one hundred years from now. Let them imagine this celebration of Christmas with images of what Christmas should be. Wishing all of you a blessed feast of Saint Spyridon and a glorious Nativity. Amen. Fr.Tilemahos 2 The Voice

3 ANNUAL GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18TH His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos will once again joyously open the Metropolis home at 40 East Burton Place in Chicago, Illinois, to the clergy, faithful, and many friends of the Greek Orthodox Community during the Christmas holiday season. This year, the Metropolis Open House will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2016 beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Stewardship Committee thanks our 366 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 we encourage everyone to offer their stewardship for the good of the Church. There is still time to pledge for 2016 and make our goal of 400 stewards for the year. To you who have not yet pledged, we ask of you to commit yourself and your family to the ministry of our Church and the glory of His name. STEWARDSHIP 2016 The 2017 stewardship packets have been mailed to your homes and we hope that you can make your pledge for the new year by January 15th, Let us work together to make 2017, our 100th anniversary, an exemplary year of growth and renewed blessings for our beloved parish of Saint Spyridon. STEWARDS 2016 OCTOBER 26TH NOVEMBER 27TH Stewardship 2016 Progress Report As of November 26th, 2016 Pledged Stewards: 366 Average Stewardship: $401 Amount donated: $146,604 Stewardship 2016 Goal: 400 Stewards Mr. & Mrs. Nick Argyropoulos Mrs. Jan Augustine Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Besbekos Dr. & Mrs. George Danos Mr. Constantine Karampelas Mr. & Mrs. John Korbakis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Kournetas Mrs. Christina Nikolopoulos Ms. Demetria S. Papadopoulos Mr. George Pappas Mr. & Mrs. George Pappas Dr. Mary Peters Ms. Andrea Petrakos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Proutsos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Spirovski Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Tsaldaris ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΡΤΑ Save time and postage by joining the St. Spyridon family to wish all your friends and family a Merry Christmas. Community Card forms have been mailed to all the parishioners. Please submit your completed form with a check for $25. The deadline is December 10th. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 3

4 Dear Fellow Parishioners, We wish everyone a good month of December. PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS The Philoptochos has been diligently working for the up and coming craft show, on December 3rd and 4th. Toula Georgiopoulos is at the helm of the crafters, of whom she has established a great rapport through the years, has them all lined up. The kitchen and baking with Dina Katsoulis and all the ladies is almost finished preparing. We need the help of all to make it a success. Please call Olga for your donation of sweets, and what hours you can work either at the sweets or food. We need help also on Friday, December 2nd, in preparing plates of sweets for sale. Roula Karampelas and Andrianna Kavvadas are chairing the St. Spyridon Vespers and Feast Day. We will need Lenten sweets for both those days and also Lenten Artous. Please call them with your donations. On the Feast Day we plan on having a catered Lenten luncheon as we start the year for the 100 th anniversary celebration. It will be wonderful for all the St. Spyridon Family to be present. This past month we have collected warm clothing and took it to Annunciation Cathedral and fed the hungry. We fed close to 100 people with second helpings. There was an added touch of fresh fruit provided by one of our parishioners. Thank you all who helped, donated and attended. On November 19th, we had Make a Difference Day, where we partnered with our youth and filled pails with essentials for Veterans who are just starting in a home. Our youth also wrote notes of Thanks to the Vets for their service. It was a heartwarming morning and we thank all for participating. As always our parishioners donated generously to our food pantry and with Stella Parhas at the helm and her volunteers 17 families were provided with a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings. Thanks everyone. Once again Assumption Homer Glen Church had their Seniors Luncheon at our Parish and seeing old friends again was a real treat for all. The ongoing Sarantaleitourgo is preparing us for the coming of our Savior and we are blessed that our Father Tilemahos has these services every day. We wish our church family with all their families a Blessed Christmas and Healthy and Happy New Year. With Sisterly Agape, Olga Paxinos, Philoptochos President 4 The Voice

5 During the month of November we celebrated our community helpers. We had Naturalists from the Little Red Schoolhouse talk to us about our Natural World. The Palos Heights Fire Dept. taught us how to stay safe in case of a fire and also brought their fire truck and ambulance for the students to see. Dr. Amy taught us how to take care of our teeth and brought new tooth brushes for everyone. We wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas & a Happy & Healthy New Year SCHOOL CALENDAR Wednesday, Dec. 14th Field Trip to Snow Queen at MVCC Thursday, Dec. 22nd Christmas Program Christmas Break December 23rd to January 8th Monday, January 9th School reconvenes, Registration opens St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS FLOWERS FOR ST. SPYRIDON & CHRISTMAS If anyone is interested in donating towards the purchase of flowers for the adornment of our Church and Icons for the feast day of St. Spyridon and the Christmas season, please contact the Church office. ALTAR BOY NEWS All our altar boys are called to serve on the feast of St. Spyridon on Sunday, December 11th, at 7:00 p.m. and Monday, December 12th, at 8:00 a.m. There will be a training session in preparation for the vespers on Saturday, December 10th at 10:30 a.m. Finally, on December 27th, St. Stephen s day, we will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and take our annual photo which will be used for our 100th Anniversary Album, followed by a pizza luncheon. All altar boys, past and present, are invited to attend. GOYA CAROLING The Goyans will be Christmas Caroling once again this year. We are looking forward to spreading Christmas cheer with our fellow parishioners. If anyone is interested in opening their homes on Friday, December 16th, 5:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. for this Christmas tradition, please contact the church office to make reservations. THANK YOU We wish to extend a special thank you: To all the donors of our Food Pantry and Fund for the Needy. To Stella Parhas for preparing and distributing Thanksgiving Baskets for 17 needy families. To Frank & Zoe Kopanes, and to all the participants and donors of the IOCC walkathon To George Vasilakos for painting our exterior doors. To Hills Funeral Home for donating this year s Ecclesiastical Calendars. To all the parishioners who participated in the Feed the Hungry program. To all who have baked prosfora, and bring wine, oil, and kolyva for our Sarantaleitourgo. To all our youth who participated in the Make a Difference Day. To our Philoptochos for hosting the festivities following the Iconography Consecration. To all who participated in our pilgrimage to Saint John Chrysostom Monastery. To all who donated for the candelia, the icon stand and all the items for the altar. To all who supported the Handmaidens at their Christmas Ornament sale. The proceeds bought lunches for the homeless. To all who volunteered in preparation for the Craft Show. To all our parish council members for completing their two year term with great success and dedication. DIAKONIA AGAPES - ALMSGIVING We wish to thank all our parishioners and friends of St. Spyridon for remembering our Food Pantry for Thanksgiving (17 families). As you know, our Food Pantry helps our St. Spyridon families that have a need for assistance. Our Food Pantry also helps the friends of St. Spyridon, on a daily and weekly basis. It is very important that we keep our Food Pantry filled at all times, so that we do not turn anyone away because of lack of food. We also with to thank all who donate in the Narthex donation box for the poor. Your generosity has enabled us to offer over $7,500 of assistance so far this year to those in need of assistance with rent, college expenses, food, medicine, and clothing. The majority of our monetary assistance is received by Orthodox faithful in need. If anyone wishes to donate items for this special delivery, please contact Effie at the church office. All donations should be at Church by December 15 th. 6 The Voice

7 SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS As the holidays approach, the Sunday School is working hard to bring the joy of the season to the lives of those in our parish. We would like to thank all students who participated in our annual clothing drive. The Philoptochos distributed the items collected on Tuesday November 8th at the Feed the Hungry event at Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago. It was great to see the faces of so many as they were offered coats, hats, gloves and scarves to help keep them warm. They were truly appreciative. Many of our students continue to donate to our food pantry every week. Giving to those in need is something we should do all year round, but especially at the times the need is greatest during the holidays when we are all remembering what we are thankful for. On Sunday December 3rd during Sunday School, we will be assigning roles for our annual Christmas Pageant. Pageant rehearsal is Saturday December 17th at 10am. The Christmas Pageant will take place right after the Divine Liturgy on December 18th. Please make plans to come to the Christmas Pageant and share in the blessings of the holidays with our students. There will be no Sunday School on December 25th and January 1st so students can worship with their families. I would like to thank the Sunday School staff for all their support and commitment. These teachers are always looking for new ways to engage the students in their lessons and constantly striving to teach their students as much as possible. I would also like to thank the students for coming and participating in their classes with a true learning spirit. We are all working together to provide your children with an excellent Orthodox foundation and hope that you will continue to bring them each week. The best to all of you and your families from the Sunday School staff and many blessings for the New Year. Zoe Kopanis, Sunday School Director This month has been a time of Giving and Gratitude for HOPE. The group participated in our community's Make a Difference Day by enthusiastically filling buckets and writing heartfelt notes of thanks to Veterans moving into their homes. Continuing on this theme, we discussed gratitude and worked on a seasonal craft incorporating a beautiful prayer for them to share with their families on Thanksgiving. In addition, we discussed the feastday of The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple. The children had a wonderful connection to the young Theotokos and loved the story of how she lived in the church as a girl, dedicating her life to God. (It also helped put things in perspective that two of our HOPE kids were the exact age of the Theotokos!) I am constantly amazed at the love and respect the children have for the Church, the Saints and each other. They also love learning, singing, crafting, playing and participating in fellowship when we meet. I am truly grateful to have them all in my life, and I cherish the opportunity to work with them each time we meet. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year! Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευλογημένο και Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος! Demetria S. Papadopoulos, HOPE Advisor HOPE St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 8 The Voice P.T.A. NEWS December is here! We wish you all a blessed Holiday Season. The PTA is looking for volunteers for the annual Christmas Party this year. We are tentatively aiming for Friday, December 16th. This event has been organized and executed by Greek School parents in the past. Unfortunately, last year we did not have any parent volunteers and did not have a celebration. Students enjoy and look forward to this party and we would like to continue to host it. PTA helps organize food and helps serve. We need at least 5 parent volunteers to plan this event. We will hold a PTA meeting on Friday, December 2nd. If you would like to volunteer please attend the meeting. We will also be discussing our plans for the New Year ahead. The PTA is looking forward to the Saint Spyridon Feast Day, December 12th, the Christmas Pageant, December 18th, and the Vasilopita events to start the new year. The Sunday School vasilopita will take place on Sunday, January 8th, and the Greek School Vasilopita on Monday, January 9th. Anyone interested in making the vasilopita for their child s classroom please contact your child s teacher or one of the board members. This year, Godparents Sunday will be held Saint Spyridon s Handmaidens would like to extend their Almsgiving project for the Nativity Fast to all of you by asking for your support of The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. Below is a suggested new toy donation list. Please consider donating a new toy or purchasing a $5 gift card. There will be a box for new toy/gift cards donations outside of the church office. Thank you in advance for supporting those in need. Donations will be taken through January 13th. Help Us Put a Smile on the Face of a Child Fighting Cancer School Age Action Figures Barbie Dolls and accessories Trucks and Cars Snap-Tite Models Board Games on January 22nd. This is a special day for Godchildren and Godparents to gather with family and friends for worship and fellowship. As always, there will a brunch following the Divine Liturgy. Donation for the brunch is $15 for adults and $5 for children. We are so fortunate to have the food for the breakfast ALL donated. We are also looking for 10 individuals to help us serve. We would appreciate anyone that can lend a hand. For those that would like to donate to our Godparent s Breakfast, we will need of the following items: Fruit, Desserts, Pancake Syrup Packets, Small Butter Packets, Dinner Rolls, 5 gallons of whole milk, 6 gallons of apple juice, 15 gallons of orange juice. Flyers and further information will be send out the beginning of January. It s never too early to start planning. Don t Forget Greek School Parent/Teacher conferences are Monday, December 12th from 5:00-6:30. Merry Christmas! PTA President Demetra Mikroulis December Coffee Hour Schedule December 11th- Haniotakis, Hioureas, Jones, Kalpakidis,Karanastasis Families (LENTEN) December 18th- Karras, Karuntzos, Kavvadas, Kekempanos,Kontaris Families (LENTEN) December 25th- Kopanis, Korolis, Kottaras, Koutsis, Koutsoupias Families Arts/Crafts Playdough Coloring Books Crayola Markers/Crayons Activity Sets/Crafts Adolescent Infant/Toddler/Preschool Journals Fisher-Price/Playskool Toys Jewelry Play Dish Sets/Play Food Nail Polish Kits Baby Dolls and Accessories Cosmetic Bags Wooden and Plastic Puzzles Purses/Wallets Activity Books Scarves/Hats DVD s/cd s Board Games Gift Certificates ($5.00 increments)

9 OXI DAY CELEBRATION St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 9

10 10 The Voice OXI DAY CELEBRATION

11 ICONOGRAPHY CONSECRATION St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 11

12 100TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS Our 100th Anniversary celebration has began with the consecration of our iconography and the reunion of our Philoptochos scholarship recipients. Our Anniversary Album committee continues to collect the family stories of our parishioners and is eagerly waiting for your family s entry into this beautiful tribute to our parish anniversary. In the meantime, our Banquet Committee is hard at work planning the Anniversary Gala for October 15th, 2017 at Georgios Banquets. Soon you will be able to reserve your table for the event. The special events committee is planning the following events in honor of the centennial celebration: Friday, December p.m. Parenting University Lecture with Dr. Trent Orfanos December 11th & 12th Feast of Saint Spyridon. Our Philoptochos will host a special luncheon following the Liturgy Sunday, January 22nd, 2017 Godparents Sunday Also honoring the Godparents of our community s consecration Sunday, January 29th, 2017 PTA Artoclasia & Reunion Friday, February 10th, 7p.m. Family Fun Night at Bourbon Street Saturday, March a.m. Lenten Retreat & Time Capsule Saturday, May 6th Bingo Night Reenactment Friday, June 9th Reunion Greek Night for all who participated in Saint Spyridon schools and youth programs METROPOLIS EVENTS 12 The Voice

13 WEDDINGS Spyros Athanasatos and Claudia Cepeda were joined in Holy Matrimony on November 5th. Mr. Panagiotis Athanasatos was the sponsor. Pete Hristakos and Evelyn Hatziandreou were joined in Holy Matrimony on November 5th. Mr. & Mrs. Kosta Dovas were the sponsors. Να Ζήσετε! IN MEMORIAM Helen King fell asleep in the Lord on November 13th. Her funeral took place on November 18th and the internment was at Evergreen Cemetery. May her memory be eternal! Our deepest sympathy to her family MEMORIALS Sunday, November 13th +40 days for Dionisia Kladis +40 days for Ekaterini Tsantilis + 14yrs for Iaonnnis Bisbikis + 17yrs for Anastasia Bisbikis Sunday, November 8th +40 days for Nicholas Mastoras +5yrs for Vasiliki Kotsiviras Sunday, November 27th +3 months for Joan Christofer +30 for Daniel Pappas +19 for Irene Pappas +8yrs for Steve Tsitsopoulos May their memory be eternal! Our deepest sympathy to their families. BAPTISMS The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Kournetas was baptized on November 6th and given the name Ioanna Gavrilia. Mr. & Mrs. Jim & PARISH REGISTRY Georgia Tsantilis were the sponsors. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Bill Perakis was baptized on November 12th and given the name Leanna Maria. Mr. & Mrs. Nick Argyropoulos were her sponsors. The son of Mr. & Mrs. George Vassiliou was baptized on November 13th and given the name Angelo. Mr. & Mrs. Mike Jiannos were the sponsors. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. George G Pappas was baptized on November 13th and given the name Eliana Maria. Mr. & Mrs. Edward Robertson were the sponsors. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Michael Spirovski was baptized on November 19th and given the name Lydia. Mr. & Mrs. Spiro Tsaldaris were her sponsors. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hohlastos was baptized on November 26th and given the name Konstadina. Mr. & Mrs. Ken Perra were her sponsors. The sons of Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hohlastos were baptized on November 26th and were given the name Sebastos and Vasilios. Mr. & Mrs. Elias Kalantzis were Sebastos sponsors. Mr. & Mrs. Rocky Wagner were Vasilios sponsors. The son of Mr. & Mrs. Steve Korbakes was baptized on November 27th and given the name Peter. Mr. Telemahos Korbakes was the sponsor. Να σας Ζήσουν! RETREAT AT SIRC Our Goayns and Jr. Goyans will be going up to the Saint Iakovos Retreat Center for an overnight retreat on Friday, December 30th. Anyone interested in participating or chaperoning, please contact Fr. Tilemahos by December 27th. VASILOPITA CELEBRATION The Community Vasilopita will be on Sunday, January 1st, after the Divine Liturgy. We ask that all parishioners and friends join us for this very special beginning for the New Year. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS In accordance with the by-laws of the Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church of Palos Heights, Illinois, it is once again time for our parish to conduct elections for the Parish Council. The Parish Council is an important component of the Church; Together with the Proestamenos the Parish Council is the executive authority of the Parish. Elections will be held on Sunday, December 18th, after the Divine Liturgy. Forms have been mailed out to all parishioners and are due back by Monday, December 12th. COMMUNITY 2017 CALENDARS The 2017 Saint Spyridon Calendars are available to all our stewards at the church office and during the fellowship hour. The calendars will only be mailed to your home upon request. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 13

14 ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ ΓΙΝΕ ΚΑΛΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝΑ Το Χριστιανικό πρόγραμμα της Εκούσιας Εισφοράς μας δίνει την ευκαιρία να ανταποκριθούμε στην αγάπη του Χριστού με το να διαιωνίσουμε την αποστολή της Ορθόδοξης Εκκλησίας μας. Ευχαριστούμε πολύ τις 366 οικογένειες που εκπλήρωσαν τις υποχρεώσεις τους για την φετινή χρονιά. Όλοι παρακαλούνται να ανανεώσουν την συνδρομή τους προς την Εκκλησία μας με το δώρο της αγάπης τους, στο γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. Εις τέλος, μπορείτε να λάβετε απο το γραφείο τις νέες κάρτες και τα νέα ημερολόγια για το 2017 από τα Χριστούγεννα εως τα Θεοφάνεια. ΑΠΟΘΗΚΗ ΤΡΟΦΙΜΩΝ Θα θέλαμε να ευχαριστήσουμε όλους όσους, με μεγάλη γενναιοδωρία, δώρησαν τρόφιμα και χρήματα για την εορτή των Ευχαριστηρίων. Ευχαριστούμε ιδιαίτερα την κ. Πάρχα που προετοίμασαν και μοίρασαν τα καλάθια τροφίμων για την εορτή των Ευχαριστηρίων σε 17 οικογένειες. Τούτον τόν μήνα ζητούμε την υποστήριξη όλων για να μπορέσουμε να διαθέσουμε τα απαραίτητα αγαθά για το τραπέζι της εορτής των Χριστουγέννων σε 25 οικογένειες. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΑ ΚΑΛΑΝΤΑ Αυτή τη χρονιά τα παιδιά της Ενορίας μας είναι ανυπόμονα να συνεχίσουν το όμορφο έθιμο των Χριστουγεννιάτικων Καλάντων. Αν επιθυμείτε να έρθουν τα παιδιά στο σπίτι σας για να σας πουν τα κάλαντα την Παρασκευή, 23 Δεκεμβρίου, 5:00 μ.μ. 9:00 μ.μ. σας παρακαλούμε να επικοινωνήσετε με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΟ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ Θα θέλαμε να σας ενημερώσουμε ότι την Κυριακή 18 Δεκεμβρίου, οι μαθητές του Κατηχητικού και του Ελληνικού Σχολείου θα παρουσιάσουν το Χριστουγεννιάτικο πρόγραμμα της Γεννήσεως του Χριστού μας, μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. ΛΟΥΛΟΥΔΙΑ ΠΡΟΣ ΣΤΟΛΙΣΜΟ Εαν θέλετε να δώσετε χρήματα για την αγορά των Λουλουδιών για τον στολισμό του Ιερού Ναού μας κατά την εορτή του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα, καθώς και την εορτή των Χριστουγέννων, ή αν επιθυμείτε να δωρείσετε για τα μπουκαλάκια αγιασμού, παρακαλούμε να επικινωνήσετε με το Γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ «ΠΛΟΥΤΑΡΧΟΣ» Την Δευτέρα 12 Δεκεμβρίου θα έχουμε συνάντηση Γονέων Διδασκάλων και ελέγχους για το 1ο τρίμηνο. Την Δευτέρα 19 Δεκεμβρίου, μετά το τέλος των μαθημάτων, θα αρχίσουν οι διακοπές των Χριστουγέννων. Τα μαθήματα θα αρχίσουν και πάλι την Παρασκευή 6 Ιανουαρίου. Η κοπή της Βασιλόπιττας του Ελληνικού Σχολείου θα γίνει την Δευτέρα 9 Ιανουαρίου. Η διευθύντρια του σχολείου μας κ. Λαμπρινή Σταύρου και όλο το διδασκαλικό προσωπικό, σας εύχονται Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευλογημένο το ΤΟ ΠΑΖΑΡΙ ΤΗΣ ΕΝΟΡΙΑΣ ΜΑΣ Το Σάββατο 3 Δεκεμβρίου από τις 9:00 το πρωί μέχρι τις 4:00 το απόγευμα, καθώς και την Κυριακή 4 Δεκεμβρίου από τις 11:00 το πρωί μέχρι τις 3:00 το απόγευμα η Φιλόπτωχος Αδελφότητα θα έχει το Ετήσιο Γιορτινό Παζάρι. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΕΣ ΕΥΧΕΣ Ο πατήρ Τηλέμαχος, ο πατήρ Γεώργιος Μασσούρας, ο πρόεδρος και τα μέλη του Κοινοτικού μας συμβουλίου, η πρόεδρος και τα μέλη της Φιλοπτώχου Αδελφότητας, η πρόεδρος και τα μέλη του Συλλόγου Γονέων και Διδασκάλων, οι Διδάσκαλοι του Ελληνικού, του Κατηχητικού Σχολείου και της Ακαδημίας των Αρχαγγέλων, και ολόκληρο το προσωπικό της Κοινότητας του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα σας εύχονται: ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ & ΕΥΤΥΧΙΣΜΕΝΟ ΤΟ ΝΕΟ ΕΤΟΣ! 14 The Voice

15 ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Πέμπτη 1 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Αγιασμός 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 2 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Σάββατο 3 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Κυριακή 4 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 5 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Εσπερινός στον Ι. Ναό του Αγ. Νικολάου 7:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη 6 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:30 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Αγίου Νικoλάου) Τετάρτη 7 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Πέμτπη 8 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 9 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. * Παράκληση 6:30 μ.μ. Σαββάτο 10 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Κυριακή 11 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Αρχιερατικός Εσπερινός Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος 7:00 μ.μ. Δευτέρα 12 Δεκεμβρίου Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος Όρθρος και Αρχιερατική Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Τρίτη 13 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Τετάρτη 14 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Πέμπτη 15 Δεκεμβρίου Αγίου Ελευθερίου, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 16 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Σαββάτο 17 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. * Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 18 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 19 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ * Ι. Εξομολόγηση 10:30 π.μ. Τρίτη 20 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ * Ι. Εξομολόγηση 10:30 π.μ. Τετάρτη 21 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ * Ι. Εξομολόγηση 10:30 π.μ. Πέμπτη 22 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 23 Δεκεμβρίου Βασιλικές Ώρες 8:00 π.μ. Σαββάτο 24 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. * Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 25 Δεκεμβρίου ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ Ορθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Τρίτη 27 Δεκεμβρίου Αγίου Στεφάνου, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Σάββατο 31 Δεκεμβρίου Μέγας Εσπερινός στον Ι. Ναό του Αγίου Βασιλείου 7:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 1 Ιανουαρίου Η κατά σάρκα περιτομή του Κυρίου και Σωτήρος ημών Ιησού Χριστού, Αγίου Βασιλείου Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία και Δοξολογία 8:00 π.μ. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 15

16 December 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 4 Sunday School Christmas Craft Show Biddy Bball 2:30 p.m. Grammar Bball 3:30 p.m. HighSchool Bball 4:30 pm 11 Sunday School Feast of St. Spyridon Hierarchical 7:00 p.m. 18 Parish Council Elections Christmas Pageant Metropolis Open House 25 Christmas Day Family Worship 5 Greek Bible Study 10 am Greek School-4:30 pm Byzantine Music 4:45pm 12 Feast of St. Spyridon Orthros & Hierarchical Divine 8:00 a.m. Greek School-4:30 pm Byzantine Music 4:30pm 19 Greek Bible Study 10 am Greek School-4:30 pm Byzantine Music 4:30pm 26 Office Closed 6 Jr. GOYA 7pm Parish Council 7pm 13 Jr. GOYA 7pm 20 Jr. GOYA 7pm 27 Altar Boy Feast Day 7 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Iconography - 6 pm Bible Study 7 p.m. HS B-ball 8 p.m. 14 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Iconography - 6 pm Bible Study 7 p.m. HS B-ball 7:30 p.m. 21 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Iconography - 6 pm Bible Study 7 p.m. HS B-ball 7:30 p.m. 28 HS B-ball 7:30 p.m. 1 Craft Show table set up 6 p.m Archangels Christmas Program 2 Greek School 4:30 p.m. PTA meeting 5 p.m. Craft Show preparations 9 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Parenting University 6:30 p.m. 16 Greek School 4:30 p.m. PTA Christmas Celebration 6:30 p.m. 23 GOYA Caroling 6 p.m Jr. GOYA & St. Iakovos Retreat Center 3 Craft Show Grammar Bball 2:30 p.m. HighSchool Bball 3:30 pm 10 Altar Boy Mtg 10:30 am Handmaidens 10:30 am HOPE 10:30 a.m. Biddy Bball 2:30 p.m. Grammar Bball 3:30 p.m. HighSchool Bball 4:30 pm 17 Pageant Rehearshal10 a.m. Biddy Bball 2:30 p.m. Grammar Bball 3:30 p.m. HighSchool Bball 4:30 pm Jr. GOYA & St. Iakovos Retreat Center

17 SCHEDULE OF DIVINE SERVICES Thursday, December 1st Orthros & Divine Liturgy & Agiasmos 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 2nd St. Porphyrios, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Saturday, December 3rd Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Sunday, December 4th St. Barbara, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 5th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers at St. Nicholas 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 6th Orthros & Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas, Oak Lawn 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 7th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Thursday, December 8th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 9th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Paraklesis 6:30 p.m. Saturday, December 10th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Sunday, December 11th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Feast Day of Saint Spyridon, Great Vespers 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 12th St. Spyridon the Wonderworker Orthros & Hierarchical Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 13th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 14th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Thursday, December 15th St. Eleftherios, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 16th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Vespers - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 18th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 19th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Holy Confession 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 20th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Holy Confession 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 21st Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Holy Confession 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 22nd Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 23rd Royal Hours 8:00 a.m. Saturday, December 24th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Great Vespers - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 25th NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 27th St. Stephen the First-Martyr, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Saturday, December 31st Great Vespers at St. Basil s 7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 1st New Year s Day, Our Lord s Circumcision * Saint Basil the Great Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Doxology for the New Year 8:00 a.m. Holy Confession is also available by appointment. Please call Fr. Tilemahos at the church office. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 17

18 CALENDAR OF EVENTS December 3rd & 4th Christmas Craft Show Dec. 6th Parish Council Meeting Dec. 11th & 12th St. Spyridon s Feast Day Dec. 12th Parent Teacher Conferences Dec. 16th PTA Christmas Celebration Dec. 18th Metropolis Open House Dec. 18th Christmas Pageant Dec. 18th Parish Council Elections Dec. 22nd Archangels Christmas Celebration Dec. 20th 100th Anniversary Meeting Dec. 23rd Jr. Goya Caroling Dec. 25th CHRISTMAS DAY Dec. 27th Altar Boy Day Jan. 1st Community Vasilopita Jan. 15th Stewardship Sunday Attend Church Regularly with Your Family! St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL 60463