VOICE THE. THE VOICE March Volume No Catechism 101

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1 THE VOICE THE VOICE March Volume No. 293 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1 Stewardship... 3 Great Lent... 4 Philoptochos... 5 PTA News... 6 Parish Council News... 7 Sunday School Hellenic Letters Greeks Got Talent Parish News Κοινοτικά Νέα Liturgical Schedule Community Events Πρόγραμμα Ακολουθιών ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT- SPYRIDON.ORG Catechism 101 Abraham has been the central figure in our Bible Study this month. He is the father of faith, a man of patience and kindness, a loving husband and father, a person of prayer and of absolute obedience to God s will. We first see him abandoning all that he knew: his homeland, his friends, and his extended family. He left his home because God commanded him. Seeing his obedience, God promised him that he would be the father of many nations and the inheritor of new land. Even though his wife Sarah was barren Abraham never doubted the validity of God s promise. Everywhere he traveled, he would have revelations of God s will and in response, Abraham would set up an altar in thanksgiving to God. He took care to maintain peace in his family and his people. Even though his kin often mistreated him Abraham always looked after them and risked his life on their behalf. When God made a covenant with him that required the circumcision of himself and his people, he did not wait one day to fulfill God s command. When asked to sacrifice his own son Isaac Abraham did not hesitate. Greek Independence Day Luncheon Sunday, March 22nd, 2015 * Following the Divine Liturgy Greek Independence Day Parade Sunday, March 29th, 2015 Greektown at 2:30 p.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 Angela Evangelopoulos... P.T.A. Kiki Kazazakis... Kentro Lambrini Stavrou... Plutarchos Greek School Jan Prible... Academy Zoe Kopanis... Sunday School Director Nicky Glikis... Choir Director Dana Vasilakos... G.O.Y.A. & Jr. G.O.Y.A. Janine Riley... Cherubs Presvytera Georgia... HOPE Angelo Angelos... Byzantine Music Panagiotis Mihalopoulos... Iconography Fr. Tilemahos... Bible Study Vicki Drikos... Handmaidens Nick Chibucos & Labros Malfas... Altar Boys John Angelos... Athletics And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. For his faith and character Abraham received a unique revelation. He was visited by God Himself in the form of three men. It was a revelation of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, mirroring the universal Theophany which would occur centuries later at the banks of the Jordan River. In this month s article, it is this incident that I wish to elaborate a bit further. This visitation of the Holy Trinity is described in Genesis 18, with Abraham, almost one hundred years old standing at his tent door in the heat of the day when three men appear to passing through. Abraham, prostrates himself in front of them and offers them hospitality. In his prophetic spirit he addresses them as Lord in the singular, signifying that the three men were actually one, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one God. He welcomes them into his tent and puts everyone to work in order to comfort the guests and prepare the meal. Abraham displays amply the virtue of hospitality. Even though he has many servants, it is he who serves the guests personally. The hospitality is immediate, deliberate and abundant. Characteristically, he offers them cold water to drink. Jesus would speak of the offering of cold water when He says: And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward. (Matthew 10:42.) In the Middle East, in the heat of the day, to offer someone cold water took extra effort. You could not give of the water you drew earlier in the morning, which was lukewarm by the afternoon, but you would go to the well, in the heat, and draw fresh cold water from the bottom of the well. It is this extra effort in our hospitality and treatment toward one another that Jesus praises and which Abraham displays. It is a great lesson for our world which emphasizes receiving rather than giving and where excess in hospitality has fallen victim to minimalism. Once the hospitality is given, the three men begin a conversation with Abraham and ask the whereabouts of Sarah. Since Sarah has been out of sight the whole time and none have revealed her presence, Abraham begins to understand that these men are not just men. They prophesy that Sarah would soon have a child and proceed to enter into dialogue with Abraham and Sarah basically over dinner. This image that we have come to know as the hospitality of Abraham is not just a revelation of the Holy Trinity. It is a revelation of the heavenly banquet in God s kingdom. We see here God and man in communion, in conversation, sharing time and each other s company. It is only a glimpse of what will take place in eternity, where those who practiced hospitality for the least of the brethren here on earth will be given the hospitality of our Heavenly King. He will sit with us as a loving father sits with his children, converse with us, personally, abundantly, and deliberately, offering Himself in hospitality unto the ages of ages. Amen. 2 The Voice

3 STEWARDSHIP 2015 Let us give thanks to God continually. For, it is outrageous that when we enjoy His benefaction to us in deed every single day, we do not acknowledge the favor with so much as a word; and this, when the acknowledgment confers great benefit on us. He does not need anything of ours, but we stand in need of all things from Him. In point of fact, thanksgiving adds nothing to Him, but it brings us closer to Him. For if, when we recall the benefactions of men, we are the more warmed by affection for them; much more, when we continually bring to mind the benefits of the Master towards us, shall we be more earnest with regard to His commandments. For this cause Paul also said, Be ye thankful. For the best preservative of any benefaction is the remembrance of the benefaction, and a continual thanksgiving for it. St. John Chrysostom, Homily 25 on St. Matthew, 3, Patrologia Græca, Vol. LVII, col. 331 Stewardship 2015 Progress Report As of February 24th, 2015 Pledged Stewards: 159 Stewardship Goal for Stewards We thank the 159 stewards who renewed their pledge for The new Stewardship cards and 2015 Calendars have been mailed to you. If you have not received one please stop by the church office. Stewardship cards are available for everyone who wishes to pledge their 2015 stewardship. The stewardship materials are also available on Please consider making your 2015 Stewardship pledge today or give a stewardship card to a friend or family member. STEWARDS 2015-JANUARY 29TH-FEEBRUARY 24TH Dr. & Mrs. Alex Alemis Dr. & Mrs. Chris Alemis Mr. & Mrs. Mattew Bart Mr. & Mrs. Sam Bisbikis Ms. Eleni Bizoukas Mr. & Mrs. Zaharias Bousies Mrs. & Mrs. Sam Charalambos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Chiagouris Mr. & Mrs. Nick Chibucos Mr. & Mrs. John Eliacostas Mrs. Georgia Evangelopoulos Ms. Routh Faklis Mrs. Maria Farsatis Mr. & Mrs. John Farsatis Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Flamburis Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Garinis Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Intzes Mrs. Zafira Jouras Mr. & Mrs. Kyriakos Kalpakidis Mrs. & Mrs. P. Karbaliotis Ms. Georgia Karountzos Mr. James Karountzos Mr. Peter Kavvadas Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kazazakis Mr. & Mrs. Larry Kekempanos Mr. & Mrs. James Kladis Mrs. Tasia Kladis Mr. & Mrs. Frank Kopanis Mr. & Mrs. Chris Korbakes Mr. & Mrs. George Korbakes Mr. & Mrs. George Kristo Mr. & Mrs. Kosta Labrakis Mrs. Irene Lamonto Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Les Mrs. Betty Lillios Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Manasses Mr. & Mrs. Ted Manikas Mr. & Mrs. A. Panagiotopoulos Mr. & Mrs. G. Papadopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Sam Papanastasatos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Paraskis Mrs. Beatrice Perkins Mr. & Mrs. Alex Perros Mr. Athanasios Perros Mrs. Konstantina Petropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Poulos Mr. & Mrs. Panayiotis Prassas Mr. & Mrs. Nick Pyknis Mr. & Mrs. Gus Rougas Mr. & Mrs. Robert Righetti Mrs. Metaxea Siomos Mr. Andrew Stameson Mrs. Demitra Stameson Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Stavrou Mr. & Mrs. George Theoharis Mrs. Ida Trakadas Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Tsantilis Mr. & Mrs. Jim Tsipakis Mr. & Mrs. Anestis Tsonis Mr. & Mrs. George Vasilakos Mrs. Helen Vlassis Mr. Jonathan Wolfe Mr. & Mrs. James Xeros Mrs. Effie Zorbas St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 3

4 GREAT LENT OPEN CALL FOR CHOIR MEMBERS Our Senior choir is looking for new members. An open call has been issued for new volunteers to join the choir in preparation for Holy Week and Pascha. Thursday, March 19th, :00 p.m. at our choir loft. FASTING DURING GREAT LENT Just as there are times for feasting, there are also times set aside for fasting. During the period of Great Lent certain foods are prohibited. These are meat (including poultry), dairy products, fish, olive oil and wine. Fruits, vegetables, grains and shellfish are permitted during the fast. Of course, the Orthodox Church never reduces the practice of fasting to a legalistic observance of dietary rules. Fasting, that is not accompanied by intensified prayer and acts of charity, inevitably becomes a source of pride. The Church also recognizes that not everyone can fast to the same degree, and assumes that individual Christians will observe the fast prescribed for them by their spiritual fathers. The following are guidelines for the Lenten Fast: From Clean Monday (February 23 rd ) through the Friday before Lazarus Saturday (April 3 rd ), meat, fish, dairy products, olive oil and wine are not permitted. Olive oil and wine are permitted on weekends. On the feasts of Annunciation and Palm Sunday, fish, wine and oil are permitted. Great and Holy Week, (April 4 th April 11 th ) meat, fish, dairy products, olive oil and wine are not permitted. LENTEN MEALS During Great Lent, Lenten Meals will be hosted by the different Parish organizations of our community. Each dinner is pot-luck and always delicious. We ask that the members of each organization bring a lenten dish for their assigned day. The Lenten Meals will be held every Wednesday of Great Lent after the Presanctified Liturgy. All free will donations will benefit our Fund for the Needy. The Lenten Meal schedule is as follows: Wednesday, March 4th Bible Study Groups and Kentro of Orthodox Martyria Wednesday, March 11th Choir & Chanters Wednesday, March 18th Handmaidens Wednesday, April 1st Altar Boys Let us all come together for these Great Lent fellowship gatherings. GREAT LENT AND PASCHA FLOWERS Holy Week and Pascha are approaching quickly and once again we are asking for your contributions and donations towards the adornment of our St. Spyridon Church during the Lenten and Pascha season. The following items are needed: Daffodils for the Veneration of the Holy Cross Flowers for the icons of Salutations & Akathist Palms and Vaia for Palm Sunday Flowers for the Icons for Saturday of Lazarus Flowers for the Icons for Palm Sunday Flowers for the Icons of the Bridegroom Flowers for the Icon of the Last Supper Flower arrangement for the foot of the Cross Donations for the flowers for the Epitaphios Pascha Lily Plants (15 plants needed) Flowers for the Icon of the Resurrection Please call the Church Office if you are interested in donating to the above items. Your generous assistance will be, as always, appreciated. 4 The Voice

5 Dear Philoptochos sisters and fellow Parishioners, Καλό μήνα We Celebrated Meat fare Sunday on February 15th, with our Annual Apokreatiko Luncheon. We thank all who attended and our generous donors. On Clean Monday February 23rd, we attended the Compline service as we began Great Lent together. We had our annual reception afterwards with the traditional Lenten Menu. On March 7th, we will be attending the Philoptochos Retreat at St. George Schererville Indiana, entitled: RECONCILIATION: WITH GOD, WITH SELF AND WITH OTHERS There will be presentations in Greek by Reverend Fr. John Rallis of St. John the Baptist and in English by Reverend Dr. Ciprian Sas and Presvytera Dr. Maggie Sas of All Saints in Peoria. Our next meeting will be on Sunday March 8th, immediately after church. On March 15th we will be having our Annual Loukoumada sale. We will be attending the Wednesday evening Presanctified Services on our continued journey through Great Lent. We support all our Philanthropic commitments and thank all for remembering Philoptochos. We again invite all ladies young and old of the parish to become Philoptochos members. Olga Paxinos Philoptochos President PHILOPTOCHOS St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 P.T.A. NEWS On Friday, Feb. 6th the PTA hosted a Valentine s Potluck Party after Greek School. What a bountiful feast it was! Our appreciation to all the families who brought a dish to share and to all that stayed to celebrate with their children & catch up with friends. We ended the month of February with our 3rd annual talent show, Greeks Got Talent on Friday, Feb. 20th. Another amazing job as our children bravely hit the stage to showcase their hidden talents! It was also a joy to see our parents get up on stage alongside their children to display their talents as well! The PTA wishes to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the support we receive from our parish families and community friends. With such involvement, we were able to take our proceeds from the Godparents Brunch & our St. Spyridon s Frappe Cafe and purchase our much needed portable room dividers! Also, each year the PTA provides our 3rd grade Plutarchos students with their very own Oxford Greek-English dictionaries. They were distributed to the children on Feb. 6th. They may now sit down in confidence to write their letters to yiayia, papou & all the relatives in Greece! UPCOMING EVENTS On March 1st, Sunday of Orthodoxy, PTA will begin selling Easter candles for $20. We will have an array of choices for sale every Sunday & during Greek School up until Easter. Our next PTA meeting will be held on Monday, March 2nd, during Greek School. Please come join us! Monday, March 9th will be Greek School parent/teacher conferences. Sunday, March 22nd we will hold the Greek Independence Day Celebration with a program and luncheon. The families of our Plutarchos Pre-K & Kindergarten students will be hosting the refreshment table. We kindly ask that you bring lenten desserts or fruit. Lenten luncheon donation is $20 for adults and children under 12 are free. Please plan to attend this program in support of our Plutarchos students and faculty that work so hard to teach and preserve our language and culture so that it may be instilled upon our youth and thus maintained. Friday, March 27th will be Greek Pride Day. Don t forget to wear your Greek t-shirts! Saturday, March 28th is our Lenten Retreat. More details will follow. Sunday, March 29th is the Greek Independence Day Parade. Please make plans to attend! We wish you all a blessed Lenten Season. Angela Evangelopoulos, P.T.A. President St. Spyridon Sunday School 2015 Lenten Retreat My Journey Through Pascha Saturday, March 28th 9:00am 12:00 noon Grades K-6 6 The Voice

7 PARISH COUNCIL NEWS Saint Spyridon s Parish Council has started the new year with enthusiasm and is working to address all the ministries and needs of our parish. Various committees have already met to review our parish activities and to plan for the future. Festival Committee The festival committee met on Thursday, February 19th in preparation for our summer festival which will take place on July 11th & 12th. The members discussed some new menu ideas for the bar and for the café opa, t-shirts for our volunteers, and new entertainment options. Our next meeting will take place after Pascha. Maintenance & Capital Projects The maintenance and capital projects committee also met concerning our building needs. Issues that have to be addressed soon are the following: Our landscape pavers around the church edifice have been heaving because of the cold temperatures. This does not only create icy spots but also trap moisture inside our exterior walls which is damaging the church structure. We have received bids on completely restructuring the pavers and the landscaping around the church which are in excess of $80,000. The committee is still working on the proposals. Since the building of the two classrooms in the original storage room we have been using a storage facility which was generously donated by one of our parishioners. In January the facility was sold and the storage unit is no longer available to us. The committee is considering plans to remodel our community hall in order to create some additional storage space. Architectural plans were drawn four years ago but financially the project had not become a priority until this year. In preparation of the 100th Anniversary, there is a plan to place in our north bell tower the bell from the old Saint Spyridon church in Roseland. The bell towers were cleaned and sealed in 2013 and now the roofs have to be repaired. Once the repairs take place, we have a bid from Verdin Company in Cincinnati placing the bell with an electronic striker in our bells tower. The cost of the entire project is still under consideration. The sign in front of our church has sustained extensive water damage over the years. The committee plans to have it repaired and redrawn to look like new. The men s bathroom in the church is desperate for a makeover. Ever since the dividers were taken out the plans were to remodel the bathroom which is difficult due to the radiant heat pipes running inside the floor. Religious Education & Youth Our Religious Education and Youth Ministry Committee met on February 26th. We discussed the progress and concerns of our Sunday School and our youth groups: GOYA, Jr. GOYA, Handmaidens, Altar Boys, and Hope. We are preparing to host the Metropolis Oratorical Festival on April 18th and our Sunday School Graduation on May 31st. We are also preparing for our participation in the Junior Olympics, May 22nd-24th. We are still looking for volunteer coaches and advisors in preparation for the Jr. Olympics. Finally, we are very excited to hold the inaugural meeting for the 100th Anniversary celebration of our community of Saint Spyridon. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:00 p.m. 100th Anniversary Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 We will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of our beloved Saint Spyridon parish in A special committee for the 100th Anniversary will be formed in order to plan the events and festivities that will honor this milestone in our parish life. Ruth Faklis and James Korbakes have graciously accepted to be the chairpersons for this committee. The first meeting of the 100th Anniversary Committee will take place on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in our community center. For more information, please contact Fr. Tilemahos, the chairpersons, or the church office. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 SUNDAY SCHOOL In February, the Sunday School students participated in our annual Souper Bowl by collecting canned food items to donate to our food pantry. Each student was asked to bring in at least 1 can of food. Together we made difference and provided 175 cans of food for those in our own community. The PreK class took a lead, donating 109 cans of food. Thank you to all who participated and supported us in this important lesson. Many thanks to Dana Vasilakos for coordinating this effort. We are looking forward to all students participating in the Metropolis Oratorical Festival. All topics can be found on the Metropolis website Please encourage your children to participate in this worthwhile experience and to make time at home to complete this project. All Oratorical projects are due on March 8th. Zoe Kopanis, Sunday School Director MYROFORES MYROFORES MANDATORY MEETING Sunday, March 15th, 2015 at 12 noon On Sunday, March 15th, at noon there will be a mandatory meeting for all the girls who wish to serve as Myrofores during Holy Week. Girls 3rd-12th grades are invited to serve as myrofores for the Nymphios services on Palm Sunday, Holy Monday, and Holy Tuesday at 7pm, the Epitaphios on Holy Friday at 7:30 p.m., the Resurrection Service on Holy Saturday at 11:00 p.m., and the Agape service on Pascha Sunday at 12 noon. At our meeting we will take measurements as we are in the process of ordering new robes. Eleni Alexakos is the advisor, and if you have any questions please call the church office. SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY 8 The Voice

9 PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER A GREAT SUCCESS!!! Thank you to all the families and friends that helpd to make the Pancake Breakfast such a success. A very special thank you to Demetria Papadopoulos and Tessie Jones for all their hard work. Thank you, also, to their committee of dedicated moms & dads. A wonderful time was had by all that attended the breakfast. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SUMMER CAMP 2015 JUNE 1ST-5TH & JUNE 8TH-12TH Camp will run from June 1st through June 12th, Monday Friday 9 a.m. to 12 noon and is open to 4-6 year olds. Applications and summer camp forms are available soon. MARCH 17TH IN-SCHOOL FIELD TRIP Spirit Of A Hero Presented by the Hellenic Museum Last month our students and parents traveled to Oak Lawn Children s Museum. What a great Children s Museum! It was so much fun! St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 9

10 10 The Voice PLUTARCHOS HELLENIC LETTERS CELEBRATION

11 GREEKS GOT TALENT St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 11

12 PARISH NEWS Saint Spyridon hosts Presvyteres Retreat Our parish of Saint Spyridon hosted the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Presvyteres Retreat on February 21st. His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos was joined by Dr. Stephen Perakis and Dr. George Karanastasis in speaking about the spiritual and physical health of the presvytera. Many thanks to our speakers, to our Parish Council, to James Korbakes and Panagioti Stamus for their gifts to the speakers and participants, and to all the donors and volunteers for making this retreat successful. On March 13th-15th, our parish of Saint Spyridon will be hosting the Archdiocesan meeting of the Sisterhood of Presvyteteres. Representatives from throughout the Archdiocese will be with us at the Salutations Service on Friday, March 13th, and the meetings will take place at Georgios Hotel and Banquets on March 14th. We are looking forward to all the Presvyteres visiting our community. IN MEMORIAM FUNERAL Vasilios Rodogiannis fell asleep in the Lord on February 5th. His funeral took place on February 11th at Saint Spyridon, and his internment was at Bethania Cemetery. We are thankful to all Hills Funeral Home, Bethania Cemetery, our Metropolis Philoptochos, our Saint Spyridon Philoptochos, and all the faithful who stepped forward to support the Rodogiannis family in their time of need. May his memory be eternal! MEMORIALS Sunday, February 22nd 40 days for John Hrousalas 3 years for Helen Meklis May their memory be eternal! ICONOGRAPHY PROJECT The final phase of our iconography will be completed by August Below you will find a list of the icons still available for donation and the remaining balance on each. For more information on the iconography project please consult the brochures available at church or contact Fr. Tilemahos. Raising of Lazaros... $11,750 Veneration by the Magi... $11,910 Flight to Egypt... $14,900 Miracle of Saint Spyridon... $11,200 Last Supper... $12,875 St. Stephen... $900 PARISH MINISTRY PROGRAMS DIAKONIA AGAPES We are collecting donations for our Pascha Needy Baskets. At this time, we need the following: ham, turkey, nonperishable items, and monetary donations. Please call the Church office if you wish to donated any of the above mentioned items. An updated list of items needed is posted outside our new Food Pantry room in our community center. ΚΑΛΗ ΣΑΡΑΚΟΣΤΗ!!! 12 The Voice

13 Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου «Καὶ της βασιλείας αυτού ουκ έσται τέλος» του μακαριστού Μητροπολίτου Φλωρίνης ΣΗΜΕΡΑ, ἀγαπητοί μου, εἶνε ἱερὰ ἡμέρα, διπλῆ ἑορτή. Εἶνε διπλὸς ὁ εὐαγγελισμὸς ποὺ πανηγυρίζουμε. Ὁ ἕνας, ὁ πρῶτος καὶ αἰώνιος εὐαγγελισμός, εἶνε ὅτι ἡ ἁγία Τριὰς ἀποφάσισε τὴ σωτηρία τοῦ ἀνθρωπίνου γένους, καὶ Ἐκεῖνος ποὺ δὲν τὸν χωροῦν οἱ οὐρανοὶ ἦλθε καὶ σκήνωσε στὰ σπλάγχνα τῆς Παναγίας ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἔγινε Υἱὸς τῆς Παρθένου, γιὰ νὰ ἀνυψώσῃ τὸν πεσμένο ἄνθρωπο. Τὸ ἄλλο θαῦμα εἶνε, ὅτι τέτοια ἅγια μέρα διάλεξαν οἱ πρόγονοί μας γιὰ νὰ διακηρύξουν στὸν κόσμο ὅτι ἀποφάσισαν νὰ ζήσουν ἐλεύθεροι. Καὶ τὰ δύο αὐτὰ εἶνε θαύματα, μὲ τὰ ὁποῖαὁ Χριστὸς ἔδειξε ὅτι ζῇ καὶ βασιλεύει, καὶ ἡ βασιλεία του εἶνε ἀκατάλυτη, ὅπως ἀκούσαμε στὴν Προφητεία τοῦ σημερινοῦ εὐαγγελίου. Ὅταν, ἀγαπητοί μου, ὁ ἀρχάγγελος Γαβριὴλ ἦλθε στὴ Ναζαρέτ, ἀνήγγειλε στὴν Παρθένο Μαρία τὸ εὐχάριστο μήνυμα ὅτι θὰ γεννήσῃ υἱὸν κατὰ τρόπο ὑπερφυσικὸ καὶ θαυμαστό, ὅτι σ αὐτὸν θὰ δοθῇ τὸ ὄνομα «Ἰησοῦς», ὅτι ὁ Υἱός της θὰ καθήσῃ σὲ θρόνο ἔνδοξο καὶ ὅτι τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ «οὐκ ἔσται τέλος» (Λουκ. 1,31-33), θὰ βασιλεύσῃ δηλαδὴ αἰωνίως. Καὶ μόνο τὰ λόγια αὐτὰ νὰ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ κρατήσουμε, ποὺ οἱ ἅγιοι πατέρες τὰ συμπεριέλαβαν καὶ στὸ Σύμβολο τῆς πίστεως(ἄρθρ. 7), εἶνε ἀρκετὰ ν ἀποδείξουν ὅτι ἡ πίστι μας εἶνε ἀληθινή, ὅτι ὁ Χριστός μας εἶνε Θεός. Διότι ποιός ἄνθρωπος μπορεῖ γιὰ ἕνα βρέφος, ποὺ τώρα συλλαμβάνεται στὴ μήτρα, νὰ προφητεύσῃ καὶ νὰ πῇ ποιό θὰ εἶνε τὸ μέλλον του, καὶ μάλιστα ὅταν αὐτὸ εἶνε παιδὶ μιᾶς φτωχῆς καὶ ἄσημης κόρης; Κανείς ἀσφαλῶς. Καὶ ὅμως ὁ ἀρχάγγελος Γαβριὴλ εἶπε, ὅτι θὰ γίνῃ «μέγας καὶ υἱὸς ὑψίστου κληθήσεται, καὶ τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔσται τέλος» (ἔ.ἀ.). Ἂς ἐξετάσουμε, τὴν ἅγια αὐτὴ μέρα, καὶ ἂς δοῦμε πῶς ἐπαληθεύουν τὰ λόγια αὐτὰ τοῦ ἀρχαγγέλου γιὰ τὴ βασιλεία καὶ τὸ θρόνο του. 1.Ἡ βασιλεία του. Ἀπὸ τὴν ἡμέρα ποὺ εἶπε τὴν προφητεία αὐτὴ ὁ Γαβριὴλ μέχρι σήμερα πέρασαν εἴκοσι αἰῶνες. Μέσα στὸ διάστημα αὐτὸ πόσοι βασιλιᾶδες, πόσοι αὐτοκράτορες, πόσοι κυβερνῆτες δὲν πέρασαν ἐπάνω στὴ φλούδα τῆς γῆς! Πόσων τὰ ὀνόματα δὲν ἔκαναν κρότο, κατέπληξαν τὴν κοινὴ γνώμη, ἔγιναν πασίγνωστα, ἀλλὰ σήμερα ἔχουν λησμονηθῆ! Τὸ ὄνομα ὅμως τοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ὄχι μόνο εἶνε γνωστὸ ἀλλὰ καὶ λατρεύεται. «Καὶ τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔσται τέλος». Ἡ προφητεία αὐτὴ ἀποκτᾷ ἀκόμη μεγαλύτερη ἀξία, ὅταν σκεφθοῦμε ὅτι τὸ πρόσωπο τοῦ Χριστοῦ πολεμήθηκε λυσσωδῶς. Τὸν πολέμησαν μὲ μανία ἰσχυροὶ τῆς ἡμέρας, γιὰ νὰ σβήσουν τὴν ἀνάμνησί του. Ἀπὸ τοὺς πολλοὺς ἀναφέρω τὸν αὐτοκράτορα Ἰουλιανὸ τὸν παραβάτη. Αὐτός, μολονότι προηγουμένως ἦταν Χριστιανός, ἀποσκίρτησε ἀπὸ τὴν Ἐκκλησία καὶ ἀποφάσισε νὰ διώξῃ τὴνχριστιανικὴ πίστι. Ἀπαγόρευσε μὲ διατάγματα στοὺς Χριστιανοὺς νὰ κρατοῦν στὰ χέρια τους τὸ Εὐαγγέλιο, νὰ πηγαίνουν στὰ σχολεῖα καὶ νὰ μορφώνωνται, νὰ συμμετέχουν στὴ δημόσια ζωή, ἀκόμα καὶ νὰ ὀνομάζωνται Χριστιανοί διέταξε νὰ ὀνομάζωνται περιφρονητικῶς «Γαλιλαῖοι». Ἔλαβε ὅλα τὰ μέτρα, καὶ ἐκαυχᾶτο ὅτι σὲ λίγα χρόνια ὁ Χριστιανισμὸς θὰ σβήσῃ. Ἐν τούτοις ἡ «προφητεία» του δὲν ἐκπληρώθηκε. Ἀντιθέτως, ἐπαλήθευσαν τὰ λόγια τοῦ ἀρχαγγέλου Γαβριήλ. Τὸ τέλος τοῦ Ἰουλιανοῦ ἦταν οἰκτρό. Ὅπως γράφουν σύγχρονοι ἱστορικοί, σὲ ἐκστρατεία ἐναντίον τῶν Περσῶν πληγώθηκε θανάσιμα στὸ στῆθος ἀπὸ βέλος, καὶ ὅταν πλέον ψυχορραγοῦσε γέμισε τὴ φούχτα του μὲ αἷμα ἀπὸ τὴν πληγή, τὸ σκόρπισε στὸν ἀέρα καὶ εἶπε «Νενίκηκάς με, Ναζωραῖε», Χριστὲ μ ἔχεις νικήσει. Ὁ Ἰουλιανὸς βεβαιώνει, ὅτι ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Χριστοῦ εἶνε ἀκατάλυτη.«καὶ τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔσται τέλος». Τὸ Χριστὸ ὅμως πολέμησαν ὄχι μόνο ἄνθρωποι τοῦ ξίφους ἀλλὰ καὶ ἄνθρωποι τῆς πέννας. Καὶ ὁ πόλεμος μὲ τὴν πέννα, μὲ λόγους καὶ συγγράμματα, δὲν εἶνε μικρός. Ἕνας τέτοιος ἐχθρὸς στὸ Παρίσι ἀποφεύγω ν ἀναφέρω τὸ ὄνομά St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 13

14 ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ του ἔβγαλε βιβλίο ποὺ μεταφράσθηκε σὲ πολλὲς γλῶσσες καὶ ἔλεγε, ὅτι ὕστερα ἀπὸ μερικὰ χρόνια δὲν θὰ ὑπάρχῃ Χριστιανισμός, οἱ ἅγιοι θὰ εἶνε στὰ μουσεῖα κι ὅτι τὸ Εὐαγγέλιο δὲν θὰ τὸ πιάνῃ κανεὶς στὰ χέρια του. Αὐτὰ ἔλεγε ἀλλ ἀντὶ γιὰ τὶς προβλέψεις του πραγματοποιήθηκαν τὰ λόγια τοῦ ἀρχαγγέλου. Μετὰ πενήντα χρόνια ἔγινε τὸ ἀντίθετο τὸ σπίτι ποὺ καθόταν ὁ ἄθεος πουλήθηκε, τὸ ἀγόρασαν ἄλλοι καὶ τὸ ἔκαναν βιβλιοπωλεῖο ποὺ διαδίδει τὴ Βίβλο. 2.Ὁ θρόνοςτου. Τὸ εὐαγγέλιο σήμερα στὸν ἴδιο στίχο λέει καὶ γιὰ τὸ θρόνο τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Ποιός εἶνε καὶ ποῦ βρίσκεται ὁ θρόνος του; Μπορεῖ νὰ ἔρθουν χρόνια καὶ θὰ ἔρθουν, ἀφοῦ τὸ γράφει ἡ Ἀποκάλυψις, ποὺ ἡ κόλασι θὰ βγάλῃ ἔξω ὅλους τοὺς διαβόλους θὰ παρουσιασθοῦν ἀντίχριστοι πολλοὶ στὸν κόσμο καὶ ὁ κατ ἐξοχὴν ἀντίχριστος. Αὐτοὶ μπορεῖ νὰ γκρεμίσουν τὰ καμπαναριὰ καὶ τὶς ἐκκλησίες, νὰ κάψουν τὶς εἰκόνες καὶ τὰ Εὐαγγέλια, νὰ ἐξοντώσουν τοὺς ἱερεῖς ἐντούτοις ὁ θρόνος τοῦ Χριστοῦ δὲν θὰ καταλυθῇ. Διότι δὲν εἶνε θρόνος ὑλικός, μέσα σὲ κάποιο κτήριο. Ὁ θρόνος του εἶνε ἡ καρδιὰ κάθε ἀνθρώπου ποὺ πιστεύει σ αὐτὸν ὡς Θεὸ καὶ Λυτρωτή. Ἐκεῖ μεσα βασιλεύει ὁ Χριστός βασιλεύει διὰ τῆς ἀγάπης, διὰ τῆς ἐλπίδος, διὰ τῆς πίστεως. Καὶ ἕνας τέτοιος θρόνος εἶνε ἀκατάλυτος.«καὶ τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔσται τέλος». ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ ΠΛΟΥΤΑΡΧΟΣ Συγχαρητήρια σε όλους τους μαθητές του Ελληνικού μας σχολείου για την συμμετοχή τους στον εορτασμό των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων. Οι μαθητές των ανωτέρων τάξεων του Σχολείου μας, θα διαβάζουν τις Παρασκευές των Χαιρετισμών τις προσευχές προς την Υπεραγία Θεοτόκον και τον Κύριον, στα Ελληνικά και Αγγλικά. Την Δευτέρα, 9 Μαρτίου και από τις 5:00 6:30 μ.μ. θα δώσουμε ελέγχους στους γονείς των μαθητών. Το σχολείο μας θα λειτουργήσει κανονικά αυτή την ημέρα με μάθημα από τις 4:30 6:30 μ.μ. ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ 25ΗΣ ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ Τήν Κυριακή, 22α Μαρτίου, ο Σύλλογος Γονέων και Διδασκάλων, και οι μαθητές του Ελληνικού μας Σχολείου και ο χορευτικός μας σύλλογος θα παρουσιάσουν γεύμα και εορταστικό πρόγραμμα πρός τιμήν της επετείου της 25ης Μαρτίου, τηλεφωνήσετε το κοινοτικό γραφείο. Για κλείσεις θέσεων, παρακαλούμε να ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΦΕ Για τον μήνα του Μαρτίου ο καφές μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία θα προσφέρετε από την Φιλόπτωχο Αδελφότητα. ΛΟΥΛΟΥΔΙΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΗΣ ΤΕΣΣΑΡΑΚΟΣΤΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΑΣΧΑ Φέτος και πάλι, παρακαλούμε όλους όσους έχουν την ευχαρίστηση να προσφέρουν χρήματα για την αγορά λουλούδιων για τον στολισμό των εικόνων των Χαιρετισμών της Παναγίας, της Σαρακοστής, της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδας, του Επιταφίου, καθώς και για τις γλάστρες με τα παραδοσιακά κρίνα, να επικοινωνήσουν με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. ΑΠΟΘΗΚΗ ΤΡΟΦΙΜΩΝ Μή ξεχνάτε ότι η εκκλησία μας παρέχει τρόφιμα σε οικογένειες που έχουν ανάγκη. ΙΕΡΑ ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΙΣ Το εσώκλειστο πρόγραμμα υποδυκνείει τίς ώρες για Ἱερά Ἐ ξ ο μ ο λ ό γ η σ η π ο ύ θ α προσφέρεται στην εκκλησία μας. Μπορείτε επίσης να κανονίσετε διαφορερική ώρα ε π ι κ ο ι ν ο ν ώ ν τας μ ε το κοινοτικό γραφείο. Επίσης σημειώσετε ότι δεν θα ακούγονται εξομολογήσεις μετά τήν Μεγάλη Τρίτη, 7 Απριλίου. 14 The Voice

15 Schedule of Divine Services Sunday, March 1st Sunday of Orthodoxy, Orthros, Liturgy & Icon Procession 8 a.m. * Vespers 6:00 p.m. Monday, March 2nd Confession 10 a.m. * Great Compline 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 3rd Presanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 4th Bible Study 10:30 a.m. * Presanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5th Confession 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 6th Confession 10 a.m. * Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7th Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8th 2nd Sunday of Lent, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Vespers 6 p.m. Monday, March 9th Great Compline 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 10th Presanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Confession 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 11th Presanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12th Confession 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 13th Confession 10 a.m. * Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 14th Great Vespers at Holy Cross, Justice 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 15th Veneration of the Cross, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Vespers 6:00 p.m. Monday, March 16th Confession 10 a.m. * Great Compline 6:00 p.m.. Tuesday, March 17th Presanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 18th Presanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19th Confession 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 20th Confession 10 a.m. * Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21st Confession 4:00 p.m. * Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 22nd 4th Sunday of Lent, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Vespers 6 p.m. Monday, March 23rd Confession 10 a.m. * Canon of St. Andrew 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 24th Confession 10 a.m. * Great Vespers at Annunciation Cathedral 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 25th Annunciation, Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Doxology - 8:00 a.m. Friday, March 27th Presanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Akathist Hymn 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28th Youth Lenten Retreat * Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 29th 5th Sunday of Lent, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Monday, March 30th Confession 10 a.m. * Great Compline 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 31st Presanctified Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 1st Presanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 3rd Hierarchical Presanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4th Saturday of Lazarus, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Youth Pancake Breakfast and Making of Palms 11 a.m. * Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, April 5th Palm Sunday, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Bridegroom Service 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 6th Holy Monday, Presanctified 8:00 a.m. * Bridegroom Service 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 7th Holy Tuesday, Presanctified 8:00 a.m. * Bridegroom Service 7:00 p.m. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 15

16 March 2015 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 Sunday School 8 Sunday School Oratorical Projects 15 Sunday School P h i l o p t o c h o s Loukoumades Myrofores Meeting 22 Sunday School Greek School program & P.T.A. Luncheon 29 Sunday School Greek Town Parade 2 Academy Greek School-4:30 pm P.T.A. Meeting 5:00pm Byzantine Music 5:00pm Bible Study- 7pm 9 Greek School-4:30 pm Parent Teacher Conferences Greek Bible Study- 7pm 16 Greek School-4:30 pm Greek Bible Study- 7pm 23 Greek School-4:30 pm Greek Bible Study 7pm 30 Greek School-4:30 pm Greek Bible Study- 7pm 3 Academy. Iconography - 6 pm t h A n n i v e r s a r y Meeting 7 pm GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm 10 Iconography - 6 pm GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm 17 Iconography - 6 pm GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm Iconography - 6 pm 4 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Studay 10:30 a.m. Lenten Meal hosted by Bible Study 11 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Studay 10:30 a.m. Lenten Meal hosted by Choirs 18 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Studay 10:30 a.m. Lenten Meal hosted by Handmaidens 25 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. April 1 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Studay 10:30 a.m. Lenten Meal hosted by Altar Boys 5 Academy 12 Academy Parish Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. 19 Academy Choir Open Call 7pm 26 Academy April 2 Academy 6 Greek School 4:30 p.m. General Assembly 8 pm 13 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Presbytera National Meeting 20 Greek School 4:30 p.m. 27 Greek School 4:30 p.m. April 3 Greek School 4:30 p.m. 7 Altar Boy Mtg 10:30 am Handmaidens 10:30 am HOPE 10:30 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:30 a.m 14 Archdiocese Presbyteres Family Synaxis 21 Altar Boy Mtg 10:30 am Handmaidens 10:30 am HOPE 10:30 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:30 a.m 28 Lenten Retreat April 4 Saturday of Lazarus Pancake Breakfast SAVE THE DATE!!! ST. SPYRIDON SUMMER FESTIVAL JULY 11th & 12th, 2015

17 ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Κυριακή 1 Μαρτίου Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας, Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Περιφορά των Αγίων Εικόνων 8:00 π.μ. * Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Δευτέρα 2 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. * Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη 3 Μαρτίου Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Τετάρτη 4 Μαρτίου 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Πέμπτη 5 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 6:00 μ.μ. Παρασκευή 6 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. * Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 7 Μαρτίου Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 8 Μαρτίου Κυριακή τoυ Αγίου Γρηγορίου του Παλαμά, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 9 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. * Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη 10 Μαρτίου Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Τετάρτη 11 Μαρτίου 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Πέμπτη 12 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 6:00 μ.μ. Παρασκευή 13 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. * Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 14 Μαρτίου Μέγας Εσπερινός στον Ι.Ν. Τιμίου Σταυρού 7:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 15 Μαρτίου Σταυροπροσκυνήσεως, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 16 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. * Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη 17 Μαρτίου Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Τετάρτη 18 Μαρτίου 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Πέμπτη 19 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 6:00 μ.μ. Παρασκευή 20 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. * Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 21 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 4:00 μ.μ. * Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 22 Μαρτίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. * Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Δευτέρα 23 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. * Μέγας Κανόνας 6:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη 24 Μαρτίου Μέγας Εσπερινός στον Ι.Ν. Του Ευαγγελισμού στο Σικάγο και Kankakee 7:00 μ.μ. Τετάρτη 25 Μαρτίου Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου Ορθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία και Δοξολογία 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 27 Μαρτίου Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. *Ακάθιστος Ύμνος 7:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 28 Μαρτίου Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 29 Μαρτίου 5η Κυριακή Νηστειών, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8 π.μ. Δευτέρα 30 Μαρτίου Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. * Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη 31 Μαρτίου Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Τετάρτη 1 Απριλίου 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Παρασκευή 3 Απριλίου Αρχιερατική Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. Σάββατο 4 Απριλίου Σάββατο του Λαζάρου, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Πρωϊνό για όλους τους μαθητές του Ελληνικού και Κατηχητικού Σχολείου * Προετοιμασία για την Κυριακή των Βαΐων. Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 5 Απριλίου Κυριακή των Βαΐων, Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία και Ευλογία των Βαΐων 8:00 π.μ. * Ακολουθία του Νυμφίου 7:00 μ.μ. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 17

18 St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL Address Correction Requested Attend Church Regularly with Your Family! COMMUNITY CALENDAR March 3rd 100th Anniversary Mtg March 6th General Assembly March 7th Philoptochos Retreat March 8th Oratorical Festival March 12th Parish Council Meeting March 14th Archdiocesan Presvyteres Retreat March 22nd Greek Independence Day Program after Liturgy March 28th Lenten Retreat March 29th Greektown Parade April 4th Saturday of Lazarus Breakfast April 5th Palm Sunday Luncheon April 18th Metropolis Oratorical May 23rd Jr. Olympics May 31st Sunday School Graduation GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY Lenten Luncheon Hosted by the St. Spyridon Parent-Teacher Association Sunday, March 22nd, 2015 Immediately following the Divine Liturgy ADULTS - $ CHILDREN under 12 - FREE Followed by a delightful program from our Plutarchos Greek School Students. Featuring a special Greek Dance performance!!