VOICE THE. THE VOICE March Volume No. 282

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1 THE VOICE THE VOICE March Volume No. 282 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1 Stewardship... 3 Great Lent... 4 Iconography Update... 5 Parish News... 6 Metropolis Events... 7 PTA & Sunday School... 8 Hellenic Letters Philoptochos Κοινοτικά Νέα Liturgical Schedule Community Calendar Πρόγραμμα Ακολουθιών ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT- SPYRIDON.ORG Catechism 101 Flowers in the Church Many of the services of Great and Holy Lent call for the use of flowers as decoration and as offerings for blessing. Besides their obvious fragrant and colorful contribution to our worship experience, is there a special reason for this tradition? What is the history of the use of flowers in the church? This month s Catechism 101 article will deal with this very issue. As I researched the issue, I was surprised to find out that flowers were actually prohibited in the early church. Many of the Apostolic Fathers, including St. Clement of Alexandria, St. Tertullian, and St. Gregory the Theologian, had argued against the use of flowers in Christian worship. The early Fathers were trying to draw a contrast between Christian and pagan worship practices. In pagan rituals, there was an extensive use of flowers, wreaths, and other floral decorations prescribed in festivals that primarily worshiped nature and its gods. Therefore, it was imperative that these early Christian converts reject everything that reminded them of their former pagan rituals. However, as Christianity became more prevalent and this contrast against pagan rituals was no longer a primary concern, flowers came to be used extensively in Christian worship. Over the centuries, flowers became an integral expression of piety; they took on a role in worship as well as in the beautification of the worship space. We use flowers to decorate icons and the Epitaphios, and the entire church in times of great feasts, funerals, and weddings. Flowers are also objects of blessing that we take home and place on our icon stand. For example, we receive flowers from the Exaltation and the Veneration of the Precious Cross, flowers from the Epitaphios, palms and bay leaves on Palm Sunday. Greek Independence Day Luncheon Sunday, April 6th, 2014 Following the Divine Liturgy

2 The Voice - H ΦΩNH Official Monthly Community Publication of St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL REV. FR. TILEMAHOS ALIKAKOS 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... Vice-President Konstantine Labrakis... Vice President James Xeros... Secretary Frank Kopanis... Assistant Secretary Gus Kolyvas... Treasurer Nicholas Chibucos... Assistant Treasurer Auxiliary Officers Stylianos Bonanos... Chanter Olga Paxinos... Philoptochos Angela Evangelopoulos... P.T.A. Kiki Kazazakis... Kentro Lambrini Stavrou... Plutarchos Greek School Anna Angelos... Archangels 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 Fr. Tilemahos... 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. Some of the symbolism that flowers carry are the vanity of worldly cares and the brevity of human life. One of the hymns of the funeral service compares this temporal life as a flower that withers and vanishes. Likewise, Christ referred to the lilies of the field, how they are adorned more beautifully than all of Solomon s garments, even though they neither toil nor spin. The presence of flowers in church reminds us that all earthly cares are temporal and all the beauty of this world will one day vanish. Yet, flowers do remind us of the special providence by which God created the world. Our Creator made the whole universe not simply functional but also beautiful. Our God Who created us gave us this world and laid at our feet a carpet made of flowers. Even though this world is temporal, even though adorment was not essential, God bestowed beauty on this world to remind us of His love and of the beauty of His kingdom to come. His eternal kingdom will also be full of fragrant flowers that never wither. We get to taste that fragrance when we venerate the relics of the saints. They are the living flowers of the Kingdom. With this in mind, let us look to the flowers of the Epitaphios. While we decorate with flowers on many occasions in honor of the saints and feasts, none are more elaborate and sacred than the decoration of the Epitaphios. This particular act of decoration brings to mind the Myrofores and their pious offering and honor to Christ s tomb. The decoration focuses on the kouvouklion which encloses the fabric icon of the Epitaphios. It is uniquely beautiful in comparison with the rest of the year. This decoration is never done by the clergy but rather it is a prayerful offering of the laity, sometimes young women dressed in black who would bring the flowers and ointments. The faithful decorate the Epitaphios, while singing the egomia or lamentation chants of Holy Saturday. After the procession of the Epitaphios we pass underneath it before we re-enter the church. This serves as the image of our participation in the death and Resurrection of our Lord before we enter the heavenly kingdom. At the conclusion of the service, we receive a flower from the epitaphios as if it were cut from the garden of heaven itself. That flower is not just a foretaste of the heavenly garden, but a reminder that we must be filled with heavenly fragrance ourselves. Concerning the floral decoration in our churches St. Symeon of Thessalonica wrote: Our temples deserve to be honored with decoration, for God is clothed with majesty. The glorious adornment of His house is fitting to our Creator who bestowed upon us a wealth of beauty. Together with these elaborate and costly decorations, however, we must offer to Him our souls and bodies pure and fragrant as these flowers. When we see the walls and icons adorned with visible flowers, we who are the temple of the Holy Spirit must likewise be adorned with spiritual beauty. Let us think about what we do on Palm Sunday. In imitation of those who welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem before His Passion, tradition calls for palm crosses and branches of bay leaves. Bay leaves however were used for wreaths of victory for soldiers and athletes. When we hold the bay leaves and palms these are the physical manifestations of the victory within us. During the forty day fast that will have just ended we must have accomplished some victory over our passions and imperfections. In welcoming Christ on Palm Sunday, the palms which we hold are meaningful only if we have become living signs of Christ s victory over sin and evil. We are the living palms and visible manifestations of Christ s kingship. This topic of the use of flowers has much more depth that what can be covered in one article. However, it falls within the greater theme of using natural and physical objects within Orthodox worship. Our job as stewards of God s creation is to return it anew back to the Creator. The offering of flowers encompasses our gratitude that God has so beautifully and lovingly adorned the world in which we live. Yet all the beauty of this temporal creation serves as a reminder of the beauty that is to come. These colorful touches by which God adorned the world call us to become fragrant and God-pleasing participants in that heavenly realm that has been prepared for us from the foundation of the world. I pray that all of you will have spiritually beneficial and blessed Great Lent and a glorious Pascha. Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos 2 The Voice

3 Dr. & Mrs. Alex Alemis Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Alexopoulos Mrs. Penny Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Pete Ayaleanos Mr. & Mrs. James Berdusis Mrs. & Mrs. Andrew Besbekos Ms. Eleni Bizoukas Mrs. Theoney Bouris Mr. & Mrs. Peter Chiagouris Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Chibucos Mr. & Mrs. Gus Dendrinos Mr. Anesti Dhima Mrs. Maria Farsatis Mrs. Sophia Felecos Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Garinis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Glikis Mr. & Mrs. Gust Grapsas Mr. & Mrs. James Halikas Mr. & Mrs. Amjad Janinah Mrs. Zafira Jouras STEWARDSHIP 2014 Christian Stewardship requires giving, but not merely money Stewardship 2014 Progress Report or possessions. It requires our full commitment and participation in the life of the Church. Orthodox Christian Stewardship As of February 27th, 2014 is not a mere commitment of time, talents and treasure written Pledged Stewards: 147 on a piece of paper and sealed by our signature. It is not a legal Stewardship Goal: 400 Stewards agreement by which we ought to fulfil what we have promised. Rather Stewardship is a life-long process written inside of our hearts, sealed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is an agreement through obedience, patience, suffering, righteousness and faith by which we willingly consent to be His children - His good and faithful servants. This agreement is confirmed every time we say: I believe, O Lord, and I confess, before partaking of His precious Body and Blood. It is realized and fulfilled when we walk on the path of righteousness doing only those things important for our salvation. We thank the 147 stewards who have renewed their pledge for The 2014 Stewardship cards are available in the narthex, the community hall, the church office, and on Please consider making your 2014 Stewardship pledge today or give a stewardship card to a friend or family member. STEWARDS 2014-JANUARY 29TH-FEEBRUARY 27TH Mrs. Roula Karampelas Mr. & Mrs. Tom Katris Mr. Michael Katsis Ms. Patricia Katsenis Mrs. Koula Kintonis Mr. & Mrs. Louis Klioris Mr. & Mrs. James Kotsiviras Mr. & Mrs. John Koziocas Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Les Mr. & Mrs. Tom Primbas Mr. & Mrs. Konst. Labrakis Mrs. Betty Lillios Mr. & Mrs. Chris Mastorakos Mr. & Mrs. Sam Papanastasatos Mr. George A. Pappas Dr. George Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Bill Perakis Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Perakis Mr. & Mrs. Alex Perros Mr. Athanasios Perros Ms. Maria Perros Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Poulos Mrs. Pat Poziopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Panayiotis Prassas Mr. & Mrs. Dan Prevett Mr. & Mrs. Gus Rougas Mrs. Athena Roumeliotis Mrs. Demitra Stameson Mr. & Mrs. Paul Stathakis Mr. James Stive Mr. & Mrs. Sam Theofanopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Treantafeles Mr. & Mrs. Jim Tsipakis Mr. & Mrs. Louis Tsonis Mr. & Dr. Vasileios Tsoukalas Mr. & Mrs. John Vlassis Mrs. Helen Zaharopoulos ΓΙΝΕ ΚΑΛΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝΑ Ευχαριστούμε τις 147 οικογένειες που εκπλήρωσατε την συνδρομή σας για το έτος Υπενθυμίζουμε σε όλους ότι έχουν ταχυδρομηθεί οι κάρτες για την Συνδρομή σας για το τρέχον έτος. Σας παρακαλούμε να ανανεώσετε την συνδρομή σας όπως πάντοτε τελείτε με αγάπη και πρόνοια για το έργο της Εκκλησίας. Σας ευχαριστούμε εκ των προτέρων για όλη την βοήθεια, την γενναιόδωρη υποστήριξή σας και τις αδιάλειπτες προσευχές σας για την ενορία του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 3

4 Great Lent FASTING DURING GREAT LENT The following are guidelines for the Lenten Fast: From Clean Monday (March 3rd) through the Friday before Lazarus Saturday (April 12 th ), 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 13 th April 19th) meat, fish, dairy products, olive oil and wine are not permitted. Please consult your spiritual father for further guidance on these fasting rules. Remember to always combine fasting with charity, fervent prayer and true repentance. 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 Iconography Fund. The Lenten Meal schedule is as follows: Monday, March 3rd Pihiloptochos Wednesday, March 5th GOYA & Jr GOYA Wednesday, March 12th Bible Study Groups and Kentro of Orthodox Martyria Wednesday, March 19th Handmaidens Wednesday, March 26th Choir & Chanters Wednesday, April 2nd Altar Boys Wednesday, April 9th P.T.A. Friday, April 11th Philoptochos Society Let us all come together for these Great Lent fellowship gatherings. PARISH MINISTRY PROGRAMS DIAKONIA AGAPES We are also collecting donations for our Pascha Needy Baskets. At this time, we have 18 needy families. Items needed for the Baskets: Leg of lamb, ham, turkey, ground beef, fresh potatoes, fresh cranberries, nonperishable items, fruit pies, fresh fruit & bread, 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!!! GREAT LENT AND EASTER FLOWERS The Great Lent and Easter Season is 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. Please keep in mind that Great Lent begins on Monday, March 3rd. The following items are needed: Flowers for the icons of Salutations & Akathist Daffodils for the Veneration of the Holy Cross 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 Cross Wreath Donations for the flowers for the Epitaphios Apokathelosis Flowers Resurrection Wreath Pascha Lily Plants (15 plants needed) Flowers for the Icon of the Resurrection Flowers for the Icon of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene 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 ICONOGRAPHY UPDATE The final stage of our iconography which will cover the north and south arches is well underway. While all the individual saint icons have been pledged or donated, the following large icons are available for donations: The Adoration of the Magi ($1790 donated) Raising of Lazarus ($2,000 donated) Transfiguration of our Lord The Flight to Egypt The Last Supper Miracle of St. Spyridon ($500 donated) Groups of individuals or families may come together to sponsor the remaining icons which cost $15,000 each. Icons may be pledged completely by one group or an individual or pledged partially in combination with other donors. All pledges that are made toward particular icons will be recognized and listed on our donor board. All donations are welcome. For more information on the iconography project please consult the brochures available at church or contact Fr. Tilemahos ΕΙΚΟΝΟΓΡΑΦΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΝΑΟΥ Η εικονογράφηση του ναού προχωρεί στο τελικό στάδιο με την τοποθέτηση εικόνων στην βόρεια και νότεια καμάρα. Όλα είναι έτοιμα για την τελική φάση. Χρειαζόμαστε όμως της υποστήριξη όλων για να καλύψουμε την τοποθέτηση των εικόνων που είναι ακόμα διαθέσιμες. Οι μόνες εικόνες που είναι διαθέσιμες για δωρεά είναι οι μεγάλες παραστάσεις: Η Προσκύνησις των Μάγων Η Φυγή στην Αίγυπτο Η Μεταμόρφωσις Το θαύμα του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος Ο Μυστικός Δείπνος Η Ανάσταση του Λαζάρου Τό κόστος για κάθε εικόνα είναι $15,000, αλλά όλες οι δωρεές πρός οποιαδήποτε εικόνα είναι ευπρόσδεκτες και θα αναγνωριστούν στον κατάλογον των δωρητών για κάθε εικόνα. Επίσης ομάδες πιστών ή οικογένειες μπορούν να συνεργαστούν για την δωρεά εικόνας. Για περαιτέρω πληροφορίες, παρακαλούμε να επικοινωνήσετε με τον π. Τηλέμαχο. Saint Arsernios of Cappadocia November 10th Cappadocia (in eastern Turkey) is virtually devoid of Christians now, but in 1840, when St Arsenios was born there, there were still vital Orthodox communities. St Arsenios became a monk and was sent to his native town, Farasa, to serve the people. He pastored his Greek Orthodox flock amidst extremely difficult conditions. Under the harsh yoke of the Turks, the Greek people of Farasa formed an oasis of Orthodox Christianity. They sought refuge in holy St. Arsenios, who was their teacher, their spiritual father, and the healer of their souls and bodies. His reputation as a healer was so great that not only Greek Christians but also Turkish Muslims came to him for healing. Many times his village was threatened with violence from marauding Turks, but each time it was preserved in a miraculous way by St Arsenios. He lived in a small cell with an earthen floor, fasted often and was in the habit of shutting himself in his cell for at least two whole days every week to devote himself entirely to prayer. St Arsenios predicted the expulsion of the Greeks from Asia Minor before it happened, and organized his flock for departure. When the expulsion order came in 1924, the aged Saint led his faithful on a 400-mile journey across Turkey on foot. He had foretold that he would only live forty days after reaching Greece, and this came to pass. His last words were "The soul, the soul, take care of it more than the flesh, which will return to earth and be eaten by worms!" Two days later, on November 10, 1924, he died in peace at the age of eighty-three. He was officially declared a Saint by the Patriarchate of Constantinople in St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 IN MEMORIAM MEMORIALS Sunday, February 9th 40 days for Fay Bizoukas, 5 yrs for Patricia Zouyras 3 months for Ekat. Papadopoulos 39 yrs for Aggeliki Kapourelakou 3 yrs for Stamou Kavvada Sunday, February 16th 6 months for Akela Karampelas 11yrs for Fotini Gianakas Sunday, February 23rd 2 yrs for Helen Meklis 6 months for Angela Meltow TREE OF LOVE In the main hallway of St. Spyridon stands a golden and bronze Tree of Love with an icon of our patron saint at its base. This Tree of Love is a symbol of our commitment to the ministry of our community. With great hope for our community s future and with love for St. Spyridon, we invite you to join the numerous supporters whose names are engraved on these golden and bronze leaves in recognition of their gifts to the Church. There are numerous ways to contribute to our Tree of Love such as to honor a friend or in memory of loved ones. For more information, please call the Church Office. This month we would like to thank Akela Karampelas family for their donation of a two gold leaves and a bronze leaf in his loving memory. PARISH NEWS BAPTISMS The son of Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Tzoras, was baptized on February 9th and given the name Nicholas. Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Argyropoulos were the sponsors. The son of Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Les was baptized on February 23rd and given the name Thomas Vasilios. Ms. Anthoula Manolis was the sponsor. KENTRO Has it been awhile since you have been in the bookstore? Great Lent is coming! Do you have a service book for the Presanctified Liturgy, the Salutations or Holy Week? They are available in Greek and English plus many other books. We also have a variety of other items for home use or for a gift for that special occasion. If we don t have it in stock, we will special order your request. So, stop in! Our bookstore staff will be happy to assist you. The Kentro of Orthodox Martyria Bookstore is open on Sundays after the Divine Liturgy. JUNIOR OLYMPICS Junior Olympics is a Metropolis event that brings together over 2000 Orthodox children who participate in a variety of athletic events. The Jr. Olympics take place Memorial Day weekend and is open to children ages 7 to 18. There is a $25 fee per ath- lete. Any questions John at: jangelos111@gmail.com. Registration forms will soon be found in the office or on the church website. All registration fees and forms are due by April 10th. Team practice schedules to be announced. Junior Olympic events include: track & field, tennis, basketball, girls volleyball, table tennis, boys volleyball, softball, swimming, soccer, bowling, chess, checkers, wrestling, backgammon/tavli. Important Reminder The Advertisers listed in the last two pages of the VOICE provide the support that enable this publication. Generously, our advertisers give $400-$1000 annually in order to cover the cost of printing of the VOICE. Please show your thanks to our advertisers by calling on their businesses when looking for products and services, and to mention that you did so because of the advertisement in the VOICE. You may also offer your help by including your business or encourage someone to purchase advertising space. Please contact the church office for more information. MANY THANKS TO OUR ADVERTISERS 6 The Voice

7 METROPOLIS EVENTS The Metropolis of Chicago is excited to announce their annual Celebration of Books from Sunday, March 16th through March 23rd hosted by Holy Apostles Church. This year we are honored to have Father Maximos as our keynote speaker on Sunday-March 16th, Monday- March 17th and Tuesday-March 18th. Father Maximos is a monk of the Holy Monastery of Simonopetra on Mount Athos and a theology professor at Holy Cross in Brookline, where he received his M.A. and M. Div. He also holds a Ph.D. in Patristics and Historical Theology and has served as Assistant Professor of Theology at the Harvard Divinity School. Thousands of Orthodox books will be on display for all to browse and purchase for their library. Vesper Service will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 16th. Compline Services will be Monday and Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Father Maximos will do his presentations after the services. The themes for each night are as follows: Sunday, March 16th--"The Distracted Life" Monday, March 17th--"The Buried Seed" Tuesday, March 18th--"The Prayer of the Heart" St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 P.T.A. NEWS On Friday, February 14th, after Greek School, the P.T.A. hosted a Valentine s Day party. We finished the month of February with a very successful Talent Show Night, on Friday, February 28th. Students showcased their amazing talent and everyone had a great time! Thank you to all the members that helped plan, donated food and served for both events. On April 6th we will hold the Greek Independence Day Celebration with a program and luncheon. The luncheon donation for adults is $12, and for children under 12 it is free of charge. Please make plans to attend the Greek Independence day parade on Sunday, March 30th We wish you all a blessed Lenten Season. Angela Evangelopoulos, P.T.A. President GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY Lenten Luncheon Hosted by the St. Spyridon Parent-Teacher Association Sunday, April 6th, 2014 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!! St. Spyridon Sunday School 2014 Lenten Retreat The Ladder Saturday, April 5th 9:00am 12:00 noon Grades K-6 Come join us as we spend the morning learning about St.John Climacus and his book The Ladder of Divine Ascent The day will include worship, lessons, crafts and more. Free of charge if registered by April 1st. $10.00 fee for registrations received after April 2nd For more information, please contact Presvytera Georgia at presvyterageorgia@att.net SUNDAY SCHOOL This month, 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 $1 and at least 1 food can. Together we made difference and provided food for those in our own community. On February 2 nd, we hosted a chili & cornbread sale in which all proceeds benefitted the Iconography project. Thank you to all who participated and supported us. Many thanks to Olibia Stamatoglou 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. Zoe Kopanis, Sunday School Director 8 The Voice

9 MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SUMMER CAMP 2014 JUNE 2ND-6TH & JUNE 9TH-13TH Camp will run from June 3 rd through June 14 th, Monday Friday 9am to 12noon and is open to 4-6 year olds. Applications and summer camp forms are available in the office and on our website. Please feel free to contact Mrs. Anna at archangels@saint-spyridon.org or if you have any questions about summer camp or registration for next year. Our Archangels Academy students along with the Cherubs enjoyed a wonderful performance by Dave Herzog s Marionettes as part of an in school field trip. Also this month our students and parents traveled to Lewis University s Phillip Lynch Theater to see Aladdin. Archangels Academy preschool will be hosting a PANCAKE BREAKFAST on Sunday, March 9 th immediately following the Liturgy. Tickets will be $5 per person with all proceeds going directly to St. Spyridon s Archangels Academy. Hope everyone can stay for brunch and enjoy the day with family and friends! St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 9

10 10 The Voice PLUTARCHOS HELLENIC LETTERS CELEBRATION

11 PHILOPTOCHOS APOKREATIKO LUNCHEON St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 11

12 Philoptochos Dear Philoptochos sisters and Fellow Parishioners, Kalo Mhna, Meteorologically, Spring is here as of March 1st, but no one told the snow!!! On February 6th, we accompanied Father to the Hellenic American Nursing home. The residents were uplifted after receiving Holy Communion. Our small gifts of flowers etc. and interaction with them also made us feel fulfilled as we saw their content faces when they filed back to their rooms. On February 10th, we hosted the Philoxenia luncheon with more than 160 people in attendance. We showed clips of a Pilgrimage movie that many related to. Everyone was happy to get out and thanked us over and over. We had many complements on our meal at the apokreatiko luncheon and we thank Kosta and Litsa Alikakos and Dina Katsoulis who manned the kitchen. Thank you also to all the men, young men, young ladies, and ladies who helped in and out of the kitchen. Kai to cronou! As we enter Great Lent on Monday March 3rd, we will of course have the service in the evening with the Lenten Kathara Deftera reception to follow. On March 15th, there will be a Philoptochos retreat at the St. Demetrios Church Libertyville Il. St. Nicholas is organizing a bus and whomever wants to attend must call OUR church office and say if they will be going to the Greek or English Lecture. We must call by March 8 th. On March 16ht, we have been blessed to be chosen to have the ordination of Chris Michalopoulos to the Diaconate. Philoptochos will provide a Lenten luncheon afterwards. As we enter our journey of Great Lent together, I wish all a blessed Lenten season and a spiritual bonding of all of us in doing what we can in the name of our Lord. With sisterly Agape, Olga Paxinos Chicago Art Institute Outing St. Spyridon must have walked along with our Philoptochos group as we visited Chicago s Art Institute on Saturday, Feb. 15th, an unusually sunny day for this time of year! Our group of 21, including two gentlemen - Fr. Tilemahos and our photographer John Spiro, enjoyed a private guided tour of Ancient Greek, Roman & Byzantine Antiquities in the The Jaharis Gallery. Our guide was an expert in the Classics at the museum and explained in detail the history and importance of the art and artifacts we viewed. We then explored the museum visiting the lovely Impressionists Gallery and continued on to see exquisite religious artwork, including the famous works of El Greco (The Greek) Cretan-born Domenikos Theotokopoulos. Afterwards, we headed to Greek Town for lunch at Athena Restaurant. It was a beautiful day filled with sun, art, food, and fellowship. Our thanks to photographer, John Spiro, for providing these lovely photos! 12 The Voice

13 PHILOPTOCHOS ART INSTITUTE OUTING St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 13

14 ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ 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, 10 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, 6 Απριλίου, 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, Για κρατήσεις θέσεων, παρακαλούμε να τηλεφωνήσετε το κοινοτικό γραφείο. ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΦΕ Για τον μήνα του Μαρτίου ο καφές μετά την Θεία Λειτουρ-γία θα προσφέρετε από την Φιλόπτωχο Αδελφότητα. 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 Ἐξομολόγηση πού θα προσφέρεται στην εκκλησία μας. Μπορείτε επίσης να κανονίσετε διαφορετική ώρα επικοινονώντας με το κοινοτικό μας γραφείο. 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 της Σαρακοστής και της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδας, να επικοινωνήσουν με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. Δωρεά εκάστης εικόνος -$100 Οι ακόλουθες εικόνες είναι διαθέσιμες: 4 Χαιρετισμών της Παναγίας Λουλούδια Σταυροπροσκυνήσεως Ακάθιστου Ύμνου Σάββατο του Λαζάρου Κυριακής των Βαΐων Του Νυμφίου Μυστικού Δείπνου Σταύρωσεως του Κυρίου Στεφάνι του Σταυρού Λουλούδια Επιταφίου Αποκαθήλωσις Ανάστασης του Κυρίου Αναστάσιμα Κρίνα Στεφάνι Αναστάσεως Αγ. Ραφαήλ, Νικολάου & Ειρήνης 14 The Voice