VOICE THE. Feast Day of our Patron Saint Spyridon. Hymn of Note. Tuesday, December 11th. Wednesday, December 12th

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1 THE VOICE THE VOICE December Volume No. 268 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1,2 Stewardship... 3 Cherubs... 4 Archangels... 5 Sunday School... 6 Youth Ministry... 7 P.T.A. News... 8 Advent Retreat... 8 Philoptochos... 9 Dinner Dance Announcments Κοινοτικά Νέα Liturgical Schedule Community Events ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT-SPYRIDON.ORG Hymn of Note As the conclusion of another year approaches we nostalgically begin to recollect important events that have occurred during this time and file them into memory. Some of those memories fade into time. Others leave permanent marks on our character and on our future. In the Orthodox way of life, remembrance is vitally important. When Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist by offering bread and Feast Day of our Patron Saint Spyridon Tuesday, December 11th Hierarchical Great Vespers 7 p.m. Wednesday, 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 IERATIKOS PROESTAMENOS Church Office Hours:... Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Phone: , 2313 or 0787 Fax: office@saint-spyridon.org Web: Parish Council Officers Taso Panagiotopoulos...President James Korbakes... 1st Vice-President Konstantinos Labrakis... 2nd V. President Tom Zentefis... Secretary Larry Kekempanos... Assistant Secretary Nicholas Chibucos... Treasurer Gus Kolyvas... Assistant Treasurer Auxiliary Officers Stylianos Bonanos... Chanter Toula Georgiopoulos... Philoptochos Georgia Theoharis... P.T.A. Kiki Kazazakis... Kentro Lambrini Stavrou...Plutarchos Greek School Anna Angelos... Zoe Kopanis... Sunday School Director Nicky Glikis... Choir Director Dana Vasilakos & Nick Mataragas... G.O.Y.A. & Jr. G.O.Y.A. Joanne Spinos... Cherubs Presbytera Georgia... HOPE Fr. Tilemahos... Byzantine Music Panagiotis Mihalopoulos... Iconography Fr. Tilemahos... Bible Study Vicki Drikos... Handmaidens Nick Chibucos & Nick Mataragas 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. wine as His flesh and blood at the Mystical Supper, He said to His disciples: Do this in remembrance of Me (Luke 22:19). Every day we offer names of both the living and the departed to be remembered in the Divine Liturgy. We offer memorials for those who have moved on to eternal life. We pray the words of the thief on the cross when we approach for Holy Communion: Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom (Luke 23:42). We notice this theme of remembrance as well in our Hymn of Note, the 4 th Eothinon in our series, based on the gospel reading from Luke 24:1-12. The doxastikon which you can hear chanted in Greek at is the following: It was deep dawn and the Women came to your grave, O Christ; but the body they longed for was not to be found; and so those who in shining garments stood by them in their perplexity said: Why do you seek the living with the dead? He has risen as he foretold. Why have you forgotten his words? Persuaded by them they proclaimed what they had seen, but the good tidings seemed but raving; so dull were the Disciples still; but Peter ran and having seen glorified to himself your wonders. One of the many arguments for the veracity of Christ s rising from the dead is that those who closest to Him did not anticipate the resurrection. Even though Jesus had repeatedly foretold of His Passion and Resurrection the disciples and the myrrh-bearers were so overwhelmed and frightened by the horrific events of the crucifixion that all memory of hope had left them. Only His enemies had remembered Jesus prophecy of His resurrection, and therefore placed a guard on His tomb, ironically giving further proof of His rising. The myrrh-bearers are met by an angel at the tomb who is perplexed as to why these women are looking for Jesus in the grave. He does not understand how the words of the Lord that spoke of His Resurrection were so easily forgotten. In their forgetfulness, these faithful women were looking for the living among the dead. In our forgetfulness, we also seek to find life among things that are dead. Often overwhelmed by the business of the life, all memory of the eternal leaves us. We so easily become attached to things that have no permanence, no essence, and therefore no life. For example, we remember where we saw the perfect Christmas gift, or when the Bears game starts, or what the best place for a winter getaway is, but none of these memories, as useful or virtuous as they may be, help us make an essential mark on our character or person. All of these things however, may become essential and positive memories when they are centered on the memory of Christ s words. When all our activities in life are based on the remembrance of Jesus commands to love one another, to show mercy and compassion, to partake of His flesh and blood, to stay apart from sin, to pray unceasingly, to deny oneself and simply follow His example, then all our memories will become eter- 2 The Voice

3 nal in nature. The football game, the Christmas gifts, the family vacation, every holiday from New Year s Day to Christmas, when they are lived with Christ s words in mind, they will become memories that remain eternal. And they are eternal for no other reason that our loving Father, Who watches over us, will indeed place them in His memory because He will be there. Or have you also forgotten His promise: When two or three are gathered in my name, I am there with them (Matthew 18:2), and that I shall be with you always unto the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20) During this Christmas Season, the memory of the holy night in Bethlehem lives on as our present because God is present. The moments we spend in remembrance of His love become eternally imprinted in His memory. This is the message of hope that was declared by the angels. This is why the Christ Child came to us on Christmas Day. Let us then live in constant remembrance of Christ so that every day of our life may be spent in pursuit of eternal memories yet to come. Amen. In the love of the Incarnate Lord, Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos STEWARDSHIP 2012 The Stewardship Committee thanks our 348 Stewards who have fulfilled their pledge for the 2012 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 2012 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 2012 Progress Report As of November 26th, 2012 Pledged Stewards: 348 Average Stewardship: $378 Amount donated: $124,523 Stewardship 2012 Goal: 400 Stewards The 2013 stewardship packets and the new 2013 calendars will be available by Christmas Day. Please help us save money on postage by picking up your stewardship packet & calendar in the fellowship hall or the church office by January 6th, and let us work together to make 2013 another year of growth and renewed blessings for our beloved parish of Saint Spyridon. 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 348 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 το νέο ημερολόγια για το 2013 από τα Χριστούγεννα εως τα Θεοφάνεια. STEWARDS 2012-OCTOBER 26TH NOVEMBER 27TH Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Flaburis Mrs. Violet O Donell Ms. Athena Tsinoukas Mr. & Mrs. Jamie Schultz Mr.& Mrs. Demosthenis Hioureas Mrs. Sophie Speros Mrs. Christina Nikolopoulos Mrs. Irene Kavooras Ms. Tina Kliros Mr. & Mrs. Nick Karamagianis Fr. & Pr. Anargyros Stavropoulos Ms. Irene Giardina Mr. & Mrs. Don Hardy Mr. Peter Panagiotaros Mr. & Mrs. George Tsikouris Mr. John Tsikouris Mrs. Nectaria Meyer Mr. Alex Mazarakos St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 3

4 UPDATE ON THEOFANIS As many of you remember, last year, the 's Parents held a bake sale to benefit Theofanis Yianas. Theofanis was diagnosed with Stage IV, high risk Neuroblastoma in May 2011 at the young age of 6. In an effort to help the family cope with the medical expenses, a bake sale was held at St. Spyridon with resounding success. Everyone's generosity and prayers were a blessing for the family. Theophanis family was truly touched by our community reaching out to them with so much love and generosity. Theofani had even displayed the handmade cards from the Archangels students in his hospital room! On August 15th 2012,the day which commemorates the Assumption of our Virgin Mary, the family received the long awaited news from the medical staff that Theofanis was officially in remission from his cancer!! Our prayers were answered! Everyone s efforts, with God s grace helped Theofani and his family through this ordeal. Theofani s famiy also had added reason to celebrate in welcoming their newest addition, baby Christina Maria! Thank you again to everyone who supported Theofani and please continue to keep him in your prayers so that he will remain cancer-free forever! Theofanis earned his "Purple Heart" Courage Bead which represents the end of his 15 month-long battle to cure him of Neuroblastoma CHERUBS This month, we had our first Cherubs celebration of the year, with Platon Velesiotis celebrating his Namesday. Hronia Polla Platon! The cherubs had fun in November creating beautiful angels for the Archangels Feast Day and colorful turkeys for Thanksgiving. It's hard to believe the holidays are upon us and the children will be making ornaments and decorations for Christmas! On behalf of Cherubs, I'd like to wish everyone a blessed and joyful Christmas! Joanna Spinos, Cherubs Advisor 4 The Voice

5 Last month was all about being thankful, and we definitely have many things to be thankful for. Our class celebrated the feast day of our school, we learned about the different jobs people have in the community and had two very special visits. Students made Thanksgiving hats listing what they were thankful for. The Palos Heights Fire Department came by and talked to the class about fire safety and what to do in case of a fire. We practiced the rule: STOP, DROP & ROLL. Then we went outside to see the fire truck and the kids got to climb inside. Thank you to the PHFD! Also as part of our community helpers unit, Officer Taso Malamis, (Zafiri s dad), came and discussed the job of a police officer and taught our kids to call 911 if they are even in trouble. The big excitement was that the students got to try on his vest and the handcuffs. Thank Officer Taso for your visit! We are thankful for our amazing volunteers who donate their time and talents Joanna Spinos who runs our Cherubs program. Mrs. Spiros for making the artos for our feast day. Jennifer Vlahos for coming in everyday to be our library helper. Irene Farsatis, Nancy Primbas, and Daisy Kladis for being sound moms. Demetria Kottaras and Effie Triantafylou for co-chairing the graduation committee. The entire graduation committee! Maria Baltsas, Irene Farsatis and Yianna Halikias our parade committee SCHOOL YEAR St. Spyridon continues to bless our community with a bi-lingual preschool that is second to none. Registration for next year will open in January. Applications will be made available in the office and on our website. Please contact Mrs. Anna at archangels@saint-spyridon.org or to set up a visit and check out our school; you will not be disappointed. Our preschool accepts students who will be three years old by September 1st, The class for both 3 and 4 year olds runs from 9am to 12noon Monday through Thursday. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 IOCC WALK On Saturday, November 3rd, over eighty parishioners and friends participated in the walk for the IOCC at Swallow Cliffs Woods, in Palos Park. Many thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Frank and Zoe Kopanis for organizing the walk which turned out to be a wonderful day for everyone and which also raised $2,000 for the IOCC. SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS CHRISTMAS PAGEANT The Religious Education staff and students will present the Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 23rd, with a pageant rehearsal taking place on Saturday, December 22nd Please make plans to attend. After the Christmas break, Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 13th with a vasilopita celebration in each classroom. Any parent that wishes to make the vasilopita for the class may contact their child s teacher. The dedicated staff of our Religious Education School wishes all our students and their families a joyous Christmas and a blessed New Year. YOUTH MINISTRY GOYA & Jr. GOYA NEWS On Saturday, November 10th, the Goyans from St. Spyridon joined Goyans from St. Nicholas, Oak Lawn, for a trip to the St. John Chrysostom Monastery, in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. The kids venerated the relics of St. Arsenios who celebrated that day along with the relics of St. Demetrios and St. Mamas. Then they raked a ton of leaves as the monastery was cleaning the grounds for their feast day. Finally, the kids enjoyed a nice lunch and received the blessing of Gerontissa Melanie. On November 28th, the Goyans made 75 scarves which will be given to people in need. Thanks to all who came to make the scarves. The Goyans will be holding a couple of fundraisers in the month of December selling fasting spinach pies and pizza puffs. One of their goals is to eventually gather enough money so that they could sponsor an icon in our iconography project. To that end, the Goyans will be going for Christmas Caroling to the homes of our parishioners on three different dates: Friday, December 14th 6:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Friday, December 21st 6:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Sunday, December 23rd 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. If you wish the GOYANS come to sing at your home, please call the church office to reserve a date and time. Finally, we wish a speedy recovery to our Goya advisor, Mrs. Dana Vasilakos. Get Well Soon Mrs. Dana! Submitted by Konstantine Alikakos, Jr. GOYA & GOYA President 6 The Voice

7 YOUTH MINISTRY Altar Boys- During the month of November, the Altar Boys only had a couple of meetings, due to the Advent Retreat and the Thanksgiving holiday. On the other dates, the boys had fun going into our forest in the east end of our church lot, and slowly cleaning it and lighting a bon fire. Gathered in the forest we speak about different saints as well as other topics brought up by the kids. December is a very important month for our altar boys. On Saturday, December 8th, we will hold a mandatory meeting at 11:00 a.m. in preparation for our Saint Spyridon feast day. We will be practicing our lines and formations for the Great Vespers which will take place on Tuesday, December 11th at 7:00 p.m. It is very important that all our altar boys be in attendance. Furthermore, on Wednesday, December 12th, any current or past altar boys are asked to assist in the feast day liturgy. If any altar boy needs a letter excusing him from school, they will be made available to them. Finally, the feast of St. Stephen, on December 27th, has become the official Altar Boy Feast Day. All the altar boys are asked to attend the Divine Lityrgy followed by a pizza party and relay games. Most importantly, we will take our official 2013 altar boy photo immediately after the service. All the altar boys are asked to attend. Handmaidens - We have had a fantastic start to Handmaidens this year! The girls have shown their excitement and eagerness to learn about and serve in their community. Our first adventure was here in our Community Hall where the girls learned how to make Halva and served it to their parents and peers. They also served at the Philoptohos Angels for Angela luncheon. It was also great to see how many girls and their families participated in St. Spyridon s 4 th Annual IOCC Walk. Our next meeting, on December 8 th, will be delayed until 11:00 due to liturgy. December 10 th we will be decorating icon of St. Spyridon during Greek School parentteacher conferences. The Handmaidens will be hosting coffee hour on December 16 th (Lenten), 23 rd (Lenten) and 30 th. We will also have a Barbie Doll Bowling outing over Christmas break. Our goal is to help collect Barbie dolls to send to the girls orphanage in Calcutta, India. HOPE - Our HOPE group had limited action in November due to the retreat and Thanksgiving. However, they continue to meet on Saturday mornings with fun projects and crafts for children in Pre-K & K grades. Athletics - The new Basketball year got under way on Sunday, November 18th, with our season opener with the team from St. John the Baptist in Des Plaines. Combined with St. Nicholas Church in Oak Lawn, our St. Spyridon youth have three teams: A new biddy league team for kids in 5th & 6th grade, our Junior High Division for kids in 6th-8th, and our High School Boys Team. Upcoming games are: Sunday, December 2nd at St. Demetrios Hammond Sunday, December 9th at Sts. Peter & Paul in Glenview Saturday, December 15th at St. Nicholas vs. St. Demetrios of Elmhurst Sunday, December 16th at St. Nektarios in Palatine Please plan to attend and cheer on our teams!!! YOUNG ADULTS OUTING Thursday, December 27th Jullianis Pizza All our college students and young college grads who are enjoying a relaxing Christmas break, are invited for a St. Spyridon Young Adults evening at Julliani s Pizza in Palos Heights, on Thursday, December 27th at 8:00 p.m. Please call the church office (708) or send an to office@saint-spyridon.org by December 26th to let us know you are coming. Looking forward to seeing everyone there. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 P.T.A. NEWS The Parent Teacher Association wishes to once again thank all the donors and volunteers who made this year s Dinner Dance a great success, with about $4,000 of proceeds from the raffle and adbook that will help in our ministries to our schools. On November 4th & 5th we had a very successful Cake Pops Fundraiser. Thank you to all that supported us! Our Next P.T.A. meeting is on Monday, December 10th. School Spirit day is on Friday, December 14th. The P.T.A. is looking forward to the Saint Spyridon Feast Day, the Christmas Pageant, and the Vasilopita events to start the new year. The Sunday School vasilopita will take place on Sunday, January 13th, and the Greek School vasilopita on Monday, January 7th. Anyone interested to make the vasilopita for their child s classroom please contact your child s teacher. Our Greek School students are participating in the Agrafon essay contest in early December with the awards being presented at the Hellenic Letters Luncheon on Sunday, January 27th at the Chateau Ritz in Niles, IL. All our Greek School families are invited to attend the luncheon. Georgia Theoharis, P.T.A. President ADVENT RETREAT On Saturday, November 17th, our Parish of St. Spyridon hosted the JOY Advent Retreat for our Chicago Metropolis, with the theme: Prepare the way of the Lord. Our main speaker was Sylvia Leontaritis, author of Orthodox children s books. We also had two of our own as speakers: Mrs. Artemicia Stamus and Mrs. Angela Evangelopoulos. Twenty seven families from throughout the Metropolis attended our retreat and enjoyed the talks and the fellowship. Many thanks to all our volunteers and donors that made this retreat possible. 8 The Voice

9 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Dear Parishioners and Friends of Philoptochos, Our Philoptochos members and friends, together with the Parish Councilmen, have been very busy preparing for our Annual Christmas Craft Show that will take place on December 1 st and 2 nd. We are asking for pastry donations from all of you for this event and your active participation in helping us during the two days will be very much appreciated. FEED THE HUNGRY PROGRAM Our Philoptochos ladies on November 13 th participated in the Feed the Hungry program at the Annunciation Cathedral. We all experienced the joy of serving and helping our brothers and sisters who are in need. The food that we prepared was delicious and everyone appreciated and thanked us for this offering. This year we initiated a winter clothing drive for those in need. We thank you for bringing the warm clothing and we thank all our ladies who served and who helped pass out the warm clothing to our homeless friends. PHILOPTOCHOS SCHOLARSHIP On November 4 th the Ladies Philoptochos Society presented the $1,000 dollar Scholarship to Mr. Angelo Angelos. He is the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Angelos. Angelo impressed us, not only with his excellent academic achievement but more impressive was his involvement and his dedication to his Church. He grew up at St. Spyridon and is a graduate of Plutarchos Greek School and Sunday School. He has also served as an altar boy from the age of six years old. In 2008 he received 1 st place in the Iconography Division of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. He was also the recipient of the Cook County Sheriff s Youth Service Medal of Honor. Angelo is currently attending Harper College and is pursuing a degree in Business Law. We congratulate Angelo and wish him much success in his educational endeavors. ST. SPYRIDON FEAST DAY Our community will celebrate the feast day of our Saint Spyridon with Great Vespers on Tuesday, December 11 th and Divine Liturgy on Wednesday December 12 th. In order to successfully host the reception for both days we are asking for Lenten pastry donations. Your kindness and generosity will be appreciated. Toula Georgiopoulos, Philoptochos President St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 9

10 10 The Voice ANNUAL DINNER DANCE

11 ANNUAL DINNER DANCE St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 11

12 PARISH FELLOWSHIP On Sunday, October 28th, our parish of St. Spyridon celebrated its 95th Anniversary with its Annual Community Dinner Dance. In attendance was His Eminence, Metropolitan Iakovos, accompanied by Mr. Chris Avramopoulos, our Chicago Metropolis Youth Director, and many of our area clergy. Over 400 people enjoyed great food so generously catered by Mr. Dean Eliacosts and crew, and the live music offered by the Hellenic Five. The honorees for this year s Dinner Dance were Mr. & Mrs. Alex and Carol Pappas, Mr. & Mrs. Christoforos and Alexandra Koulogeorge, and Mrs. Ida Trakadas, all of whom were featured in three short video presentations. Many thanks to the Dinner Dance Chairman, Mr. James Korbakes, and his committee, to our Parish Council President, Mr. Anastasios Panagiotopoulos, and all the Parish Council members, Philoptochos and P.T.A. members, and countless generous donors and dedicated volunteers who made this evening a record success.. Where is the best place to ring in 2013? St. Spyridon s New Year s Eve Bash! Monday, December 31st St. Spyridon Community Hall S. Ridgeland Avenue, Palos Heights An evening of fun for the whole family! Dinner and Dancing begin at 9:30 p.m. Adults: $45 Children 12 & under: $15 For Reservations Call 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 12th. Για την συμμετοχή σας στην Ετήσια Χριστουγεννιάτικη Κοινοτική Κάρτα παρακαλούμε να στείλετε το όνομά σας με δωρεά $25 στο γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας μέχρι τις 12 Δεκεμβρίου. Σας ευχαριστούμε για την υποστήριξή σας καί τις ευχές σας για έναν ευλογημένο εορτασμό των Χριστουγέννων. 12 The Voice

13 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. GREEK SCHOOL On Monday, December 10th at 5:00 p.m. a Greek School Parent-Teacher Conference will be held. Report Cards will be given at this time. Greek School class will be held as usual from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Students will not be dismissed early. If for any reason you are not able to attend the Conference, please notify your child s teacher. The last class before Christmas Vacation will be on Friday, December 21st Classes will resume on Friday, January 4th, Καλά Χριστούγεννα και ευλογημένο το Νέο Ετος! METROPOLIS OPEN HOUSE 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 16, 2012 beginning at 5:00 p.m. VASILOPITA CELEBRATION The Community Vasilopita will be on Sunday, January 13th, after the Divine Liturgy. We ask that all parishioners and friends join us for this very special beginning for the New Year. CHRISTMAS CARD & APPEAL Express your wishes for the Christmas season to all the parishioners and friends through the community Christmas card. Donation for having your family included in the card is $25. We also kindly ask that you do not forget the church in your Christmas gift list. Please send your Christmas gift for the parish to the church office. FOOD PANTRY We wish to thank all our parishioners and friends of St. Spyridon for remembering our Food Pantry for Thanksgiving (17 families). The following Christmas Dinner food items are needed to supply our families food for their Holiday Dinners: turkey, ham, ground beef, potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables (canned), cranberry sauce, apples and oranges (fresh), pies (fresh or frozen), dressing (stuffing), margarine or butter, onions, celery, fresh veggies and fruit, cake mix and frosting, flour, sugar and oil. If anyone wishes to donate any of the above mentioned items, or any other items for this special delivery, please contact Effie at the church office. All donations should be at Church by December 16 th. FELLOWSHIP HOUR During the month of December, the P.T.A. will be hosting the Fellowship hour following the Divine Liturgy. SACRAMENTS BAPTISMS The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Aris Halikias was baptized on November 11th and given the name Mariam Christina. Mr. & Mrs. Nick Karamagianis were the sponsors. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Peter Poulos was baptized on November 18th and given the name Eleni Athena. Mr. & Mrs. John Makris were the sponsors. Να σας Ζήσουν! MEMORIALS Sunday, November 4th 40 days for Vasilis Simandirakis and 6 months for Katerina Villanueva. Sunday, November 11th 3 years for Chysanthi Haralambos, 10 years for Ioannis Bisbikis and 13 years for Anastasia Bisbikis. Sunday, November 18th 1 year for Vasiliki Kotsiviras, and 8 years for Ioannis Papadatos. Sunday, November 25th 1 year for Paula Fotsis, 4 years for Stavros Tsitsopoulos, 15 years for Irene Papas and 26 years for Daniel Pappas. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS Sunday, December 16th, 2012 Following the Divine Liturgy Applications of Candidacy due by Monday, December 10th, 2012 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 τις διδασκαλίες του Κυρίου και την αποστολή της Ορθόδοξης Εκκλησίας μας. Η Εκούσια Εισφορά θέτει την ευθύνη για την υποστήριξη της Εκκλησίας εκεί που ανήκει, δηλαδή σε μας τους ίδιους. Ευχαριστούμε πολύ τις 348 οικογένειες που εκπλήρωσαν τις υποχρεώσεις τους για την φετινή χρονιά. Ολοι παρακαλούνται να ανανεώσουν την συνδρομή τους προς την Εκκλησία μας, συμπληρώνοντας την Κάρτα Υποσχέσεως και επιστρέφοντάς την, μαζί με το δώρο της αγάπης τους, στο γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. 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. ΠΡΩΤΟΧΡΟΝΙΑΤΙΚΗ ΡΕΒΕΓΙΟΝ 2013 Προσκαλούμε όλους τους φίλους και ενορίτες του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα να γιορτάσουμε τον ερχομό του Νέου Έτους όλοι μαζί σαν μία οικογένεια. Φαγητό, μουσική και χορός για να γιορτάσουμε το Νέο Έτος. Για κρατήσεις θέσεων σας παρακαλούμε να απευθυνθείτε στο γραφείο της ενορίας μας. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΕΣ ΕΥΧΕΣ Ο πατήρ Τηλέμαχος, ο πατήρ Νικηφόρος, 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! THANK YOU We wish to extend a special thank you: To Mr. & Mrs. George Markopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Artemicia Stamus, Mr. & Mrs. Chris Mastorakos, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Kopanis, Mr. & Mrs. Nick Karamagianis, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Panagiotopoulos, and to all the anonymous doners for their donations to our Iconography Project. To all those that anonymously deposited their donations to the Iconography Box in the Church. To the Anonymous donors of our Food Pantry. To Mrs. Alana Bechrakis for preparing and distributing Thanksgiving Baskets for 19 needy families. To all the volunteers and donors in our Advent Retreat. To our cooking crew for the Advent Retreat. 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 the parishioners and donors who assisted in our Christmas Craft Show. To all the Dinner Dance Ad Book Advertisers and Donors. To all who responded so far to our Christmas Appeal. To all who baked prosfora, and brought wine, oil, and kolyva for our Sarantaleitourgo. 14 The Voice

15 Schedule of Divine Services Saturday, December 1st St. Philaret, Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Agiasmos 8:00 a.m. Sunday, December 2nd 14th Sunday of Luke, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 3rd Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross 8:00 a.m. * Paraklesis 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 4th Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 5th Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers at St. Nicholas 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 6th Orthros & Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas, Oak Lawn 9:00 a.m. Friday, December 7th Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross 8:00 a.m. Saturday, December 8th Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross 8:00 a.m. Sunday, December 9th 10th Sunday of Luke, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 10th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Paraklesis 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 11th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Feast Day of Saint Spyridon, Hierarchical Great Vespers 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 12th St. Spyridon the Wonderworker, Orthros & Hierarchical Divine Liturgy 8 a.m. Thursday, December 13th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 14th Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Saturday, December 15th St. Eleftherios Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. * Great Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 16th 11th Sunday of Luke, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 17th Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross 8:00 a.m. * Paraklesis 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 18th Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 19th Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross 8:00 a.m. Thursday, December 20th Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 21st Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross 8:00 a.m. Saturday, December 22nd Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross 8:00 a.m. Sunday, December 23rd Sunday before Nativity, Orthros & Divine Liturg y 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 24th Great Hours & Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil 8:00 a.m. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25th CHRISTMAS DAY Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 27th St. Stephen the First Martyr Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 30th Sunday after Nativity, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 1st New Years Day, Our Lord s Circumcision * Saint Basil the Great, Orthros, St. Basil s Divine Liturgy and Doxology for the New Year 8:00 a.m. Friday, January 4th Royal Hours of Theophany 8:00 a.m. Saturday, January 5th Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Agiasmos 8:00 a.m. * Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 6th Theophany Orthros, Divine Liturgy of St. Basil & Agiasmos 8:00 a.m. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 15

16 December 2012 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 2 Sunday School Christmas Bazaar B-ball at St. Demetrios Hammond 2:15 p.m. 9 Sunday School B-Ball at Sts. Peter & Paul in Glenview 2:15 p.m. 16 Sunday School Parish Council Elections Metropolis Open House B-ball at St. Nektarios, Palatine 2:15 p.m. 23 Christmas Pageant GOYA Caroling 2 6pm 30 Family Worship Set-up for Community New Year s Eve Dinner Dance 3 Greek School-4:30 pm Greek Bible Study- 7pm 10 Greek School-4:30 pm (Parent -Teacher Conference) Greek Bible Study- 7pm 17 Greek School-4:30 pm Greek Bible Study- 7pm New Year s Eve Dinner Dance 4 Archangels Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Parish Council Meeting 7:30 p.m. Iconography 6:00 p.pm. 11 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Feast of St. Spyridon Hierarchical 7:00 p.m. 18 Cherubs 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 7:30 p.m. 25 Christmas Day 5 12 Feast of St. Spyridon Orthros & Divine 8:00 a.m. Iconography - 6 pm GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm 19 Iconography - 6 pm GOYA & Jr. GOYA 7pm HS B-ball at St. Nicholas 8 p.m. 26 Office Closed Altar Boy Day YAL Outing 8:00 p.m. 7 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Byzantine Music 6:30 GS B-ball 6:30 p.m. 14 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Byzantine Music 6:30 GS B-ball 6:30 p.m. GOYA Caroling 6pm 21 Greek School 4:30 p.m. GOYA Caroling 6pm Christmas Bazaar 8 Altar Boy Mtg 11 am Handmaidens 11 am HOPE 11:00 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:00 a.m. 15 Altar Boy Mtg 10 am Handmaidens 10 am HOPE 10:00 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:00 a.m. B-ball at St. Nicholas, Oak Lawn 2:15 p.m. 22 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

17 ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Σάββατο 1 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Αγιασμός 8:00 π.μ. * Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 2 Δεκεμβρίου 14η Κυριακή του Λουκά -Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 3 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Τιμίου Σταυρού) * Παράκληση 6:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη 4 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Τιμίου Σταυρού) Τετἀρτη 5 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Τιμίου Σταυρού) * Μέγας Εσπερινός στον Ι.Ν. Αγίου Νικολάου Πέμπτη 6 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 9:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Αγίου Νικoλάου) Παρασκευή 7 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Τ. Σταυρού) Σάββατο 8 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Τιμίου Σταυρού) Κυριακή 9 Δεκεμβρίου 10η Κυριακή του Λουκά -Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 10 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. * Παράκληση 6:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη 11 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Αρχιερατικός Εσπερινός Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος 7:00 μ.μ. Τετάρτη 12 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Αρχιερατική Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Πέμπτη 13 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 14 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Σάββατο 15 Δεκεμβρίου Αγίου Ελευθερίου -Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. * Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή 16 Δεκεμβρίου 11η Κυριακή του Λουκά -Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 17 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Τ. Σταυρού) * Παράκληση 6:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη 18 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Τιμίου Σταυρού) Τετἀρτη 19 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Τιμίου Σταυρού) Πέμπτη 20 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Τιμίου Σταυρού) Παρασκευή 21 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Τιμίου Σταυρού) Σάββατο 22 Δεκεμβρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. (Ι.Ν. Τιμίου Σταυρού) Κυριακή 23 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή προ των Χριστουγέννων Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Δευτέρα 24 Δεκεμβρίου Ακολουθία Βασιλικών Ωρών και Εσπερίνή Θεία Λειτουργία του Μ. Βασιλείου 8 π.μ. Τρίτη 25Δεκεμβρίου ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ Ορθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Πέμπτη 27 Δεκεμβρίου Αγίου Στεφάνου, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Κυριακή 30 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή μετά των Χριστουγέννων Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8π.μ. Τρίτη 1 Ιανουαρίου Η κατά σάρκα περιτομή του Κυρίου και Σωτήρος ημών Ιησού Χριστού, & του Αγίου Βασιλείο Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία, Αρτοκλασία και Δοξολογία για το Νέο Έτος 8:00 π.μ. Παρασκευή 4 Ιανουαρίου Βασιλικές Ωρες των Θεοφανείων 8:00 π.μ. Σάββατο, 5 Ιανουαρίου Ορθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Αγιασμός 8:00 π.μ. * Εσπερινός 6:00 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! Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID Permit #52 Palos Heights, IL. CALENDAR OF EVENTS December 1st & 2nd Christmas Craft Show Dec. 4th Parish Council Meeting Dec.10th Plutarchos Parent Teacher Conferences & PTA Meeting Dec. 11th & 12th St. Spyridon s Feast Day Dec. 14th, 21st & 23rd Goya Caroling Dec. 16th Parish Council Elections Metropolis Open House Dec. 23rd Christmas Pageant Dec. 25th CHRISTMAS DAY Dec. 27th Altar Boy Day YAL Outing Dec. 27th Philoptochos Christmas Party Dec. 31st New Year s Eve Dinner Dance Jan. 13th Community Vasilopita Come do your Christmas shopping at the Annual Philoptochos ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW Crafts, Greek Pastries, Greek Food Saturday, December 1st 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. & Sunday, December 2nd 12 noon - 4:00 p.m.