HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

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1 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE (847) Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org A Prayer for September 11 th O Lord our God, Who are the Hope of the hopeless, the Help of the helpless, the Savior of the storm -tossed, the Haven of the voyager, the Physician of the sick; be all things to our land which 10 years ago on this date was devastated by the cowardly and hateful acts of false martyrs; who imitated wicked Herod in his slaughter of 14,000 innocents. For those who lost loved ones, grant the comfort you imparted to Mary and Martha before you raised Lazaros, and care for them as You cared for Your Mother from the Cross, putting her in the care of the Apostle John. For the survivors, grant them healing in every sense, as you strengthened and healed the confessors. For those related to and aiding the survivors and the families of the fallen, grant the strength and compassion You instilled in Your adopted father Joseph, who was Your guardian in Your earthly youth. For those who died, in Your great compassion grant remission of their every sin; both those who like the wise servant and the wise virgins constantly prepared themselves to enter the heavenly banquet at any hour; as well as those who emulated the Rich Fool, preferring to enjoy earthly pursuits and ignore heavenly ones. To the rest of us, instill in us the knowledge that while the devil still manipulates our Divinely-given free will to his own ends in this world, his power is fleeting and ultimately void, as You have already crushed his dominion, leaving to him only those who freely choose him. Remind us that, while at times evil seems to win, and the death of the innocent seems to signal the destruction of goodness, the innocent are at peace, and while the God-fearing will endure a period of torment; those who choose evil shall endure eternal torment. For those who hate us, speak to their hearts as St. Procla sought to speak to her husband Pilate concerning You, and as You did speak to Pharoah concerning the Hebrews, to soften the hearts of those who seek our destruction. Spare us O Lord, from all hatred of the murderers, and from prejudice toward those whose only crime is their ethnicity r religion. Spare us O Lord, from paranoia and rash acts by which we trample each other like rabid beasts. Spare O Lord, those who protect us, law enforcement agents and first responders, from despondency, disillusionment, and all things which would undermine their righteous calling to protect us in the manner of our Guardian Angels, and care for us in the manner of the Good Samaritan. All this we ask of You our All-powerful and Allloving Savior, together with Your beginningless Father and Your All-holy, Good, Life-giving and Comforting Spirit; both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

2 ANNOUNCEMENTS The Philoptochos of St. Haralambos invites you to join us at our Coffee Fellowship Hour after church services. PROSPHORA We thank Mrs. Maria Megremis, Mrs. Koula Karamaniolas and Mrs. Eleni Sotos who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by Mrs. Demetra Tsagalis, Presvytera Diana, Mrs. Voula Andrews and Mrs. Zoi Govis (Wednesday, Sept 14 Holy Cross) and by Mrs. Helen Kontos, the Futris Family and the Barlas Family (Sunday, Sep 18). MEMORIAL SERVICES 40 days Angelo Dimitropoulos I year Angela Tambouratzis 1 Memorial services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. There are some days when Memorials are not permitted please call the church office before planning. Memorials take place at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at 3 years. After three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls. Please also remember that we have discontinued the custom of placing candles in the kolyva. SACRAMENTAL REGISTRY Congratulations to....mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lynch on the Baptism of their daughter yesterday at St. Haralambos. ΝΑ ΖΗΣH! OUR SISTER CHURCH of Holy Cross in Justice, IL, invites you to Great Vespers on Tuesday evening, September 13 and Liturgy on Sept. 14 in honor of their parish Feastday, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. (Of course, Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on Sept 14.) WHO CAN RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION? Because receiving Holy Communion or any other Sacrament is an expression of our acceptance of the dogmatic and moral teachings of the Orthodox Faith, only Orthodox Christians (by baptism or chrismation) in good standing may participate. For this reason, persons who do not agree with these teachings, or not in good standing (for example, married outside the church, or unmarried but sexually active, or civilly divorced but not ecclesiastically divorced), must return to good standing in order to participate in Orthodox Sacraments such as Holy Communion and Unction. This is also the reason that Orthodox Christians do not receive sacraments in non-orthodox churches. ABOUT KNEELING, STANDING and SITTING As an expression of awe and respect, there are times when it is proper to kneel in church, especially at the time when the holy bread and wine are consecrated (called the Epiclesis ) into the precious Body and Blood of our Lord. At the Epiclesis, all the faithful are expected to kneel during weekday Liturgies; on Sundays, however, some may kneel and others may choose to stand. Those who are unable to kneel for various reasons are asked to remain standing. Sitting (except for health reasons) at the Epiclesis is not respectful. SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Sunday School begins TODAY! Make sure to register your children in this most important program! Registration forms are available in the church office! Sunday School will begin at 9:30 don t be late! GREEK SCHOOL REGISTRATION has begun for all our school programs for the school year. Our Preschool program, for 3, 4 ands 5 year-olds is daily Mon-Fri from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Our Afternoon School is offered on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30, and our Saturday Greek School runs from 9:00 am to 12:30. Registration information is available in our church office ( ).

3 ANNOUNCEMENTS STEWARDSHIP 2016! If you have not yet made your 2016 commitments, please do so. There is no minimum, but true stewardship means we set a level of giving in proportion to our resources and income. Our stewardship level should be an amount that reflects our growing love of God and our appreciation for the blessings and benefits we derive from our Church! FEST OVERSTOCK ITEMS FOR SALE at today s coffee hour! Coke products: $3.00 for 12 cans (you can buy them mixed Coke, Diet Coke and Sprite)\ 24 bottle case of water for $3 Apelia Wine: $4 per bottle; $40 per case Premium wines: $8 per bottle IOCC WALKATHON Sat, October 1, 2016, join the annual 5K Walk/Run at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. Register at 8 am. The Run/Walk begins at 9 am. Breakfast will be served after the Run. Register by Sept 16 to be guaranteed a t-shirt! For more information, visit ioccchicago5k@gmail.com! YOUR GENEROSITY We are grateful to the many persons for gifts in the donation box in the narthex! We have been able to help many people in need because of your kindness! Our Outreach Committee is always seeking more volunteers to help with Meals on Wheels, Bessie s Table (soup kitchen) and other outreach opportunities! Please call the church office if you would like to help! SWEET AND KIND: Please understand that chewing gum in church is considered to be very discourteous and even vulgar. Your attention to this is greatly appreciated. In consideration of others, please r emove lipstick when reverencing the holy icons or receiving Holy Communion. If your child is distracting to others, do not be embarrassed; they are only children. If they continue to disturb, however, you are requested to COFFEE HOUR Coffee Hour is offered every Sunday by our various church organizations in order to provide fellowship and the opportunity to get to know one another. Everyone is invited to take coffee and a few pastries or pieces of fruit. After enjoying refreshments, we kindly ask that you please pick up and dispose your plates and cups. AREA FESTIVALS: TODAY! - Ss. Peter and Paul, Glenview SAVE THE DATE!! SYNERGY SYMPOSIUM 2016 Synergy s Annual Symposium is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2016 at St. George Antiochian Church in Cicero. Father Alexii will present HOLINESS IN CONTEMPORARY CUL- TURE. Please visit for more information! WELCOME to all our friends, parishioners and visitors! We are happy that you have come to worship with us, and hope that you have had a prayerful and uplifting experience. We invite you to join the St. Haralambos family for worship, fellowship after church and other activities any time! take your child to our cry room. Please teach your children that it is not proper to play video games, eat snacks, chew gum or cross their legs in church. Please teach your children to dress modestly. Shoulders and midriffs should be covered, and discretion used concerning skirt lengths and excessive makeup and jewelry. Please turn off cell-phones and video games during Church services. Phone conversations are not allowed in church!

4 Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Γαλ. ς Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ μὴ διώκωνται οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτεμνόμενοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, δι οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται κἀγὼ κόσμῳ. Οὔτε γὰρ περιτομή τί ἐστιν οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπ αὐτοὺς καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ισραὴλ τοῦ Θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω, ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ Ιησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Η χάρις τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί ἀμήν. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ιωαν. γ Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. Καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσεν τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων ἐν αὐτῷ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον ἀλλ ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι αὐτοῦ.

5 Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today EPISTLE READING Gal. 6:11-18 Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and not only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. GOSPEL READING John 3:13-17 The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

6 UPCOMING YOUTH MINISTRY DATES Please fill out a registration form in the Church Office. Little Angels (Ages 4 and under) September 20-11:30am 1 pm Family Night BBQ (Families & youth in Pre-k 5th grade) September 12 5:30 pm 7 pm Jr. GOYA Kick-off BBQ (6th 8th grades) September 19 6:30 pm 8 pm Sr. GOYA Kick-off BBQ (High School) September 12 7:15 pm 9 pm SR. GOYA Saturday, September 17 from 9am 2pm St. Haralambos Parking Lot Free-will Donation Proceeds will benefit Phase 3 and Sr. GOYA

7 Ανακοινώσεις STEWARDSHIP 2016 Εαν δεν έχετε συμπληρώσει την κάρτα προσφοράς σας για το 2016, παρακαλούμε όπως επιληφθείτε το συντομότερο. Δεν έχουμε θέσει όρια, αλλά αληθινό stewardship σημαί -νει να δίνoυμε ανάλογα των εισοδημάτων μας. Το επίπεδο προσφοράς του stewardship θα πρέπει να είναι ένα ποσό που θα αντιπροσωπεύει την αυξανόμενη αγάπη μας προς τον Θεό και την εκτίμησή μας δια τις ευλογίες και όλα τα καλά που μας προσφέρει η εκκλησία μας! ΠΟΙΟΙ ΔΥΝΑΝΤΑΙ ΝΑ ΛΑΒΟΥΝ ΘΕΙΑΝ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΝ - Όταν λαμβάνομεν Θείαν Κοινω -νίαν η οποιοδήποτε από τα άλλα Μυστήρια εκφρά-ζομεν την αποδοχήν μας εις τα δογματικά και ηθικά διδάγματα της Ορθοδόξου μας Εκκλησίας. Διά τούτο, μόνον Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί οι οποίοι είναι εντάξει απέναντι της Εκκλησίας δύνανται να λάβουν μέρος εις τα Μυστήρια, όπως Θεία Κοινωνία και Ευχέλαιο, και δεν πρέπει να λαμβάνουν μέρος σε Μυστήρια σε μη Ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες. Διά οποιεσδήποτε απορίες σας, παρακαλούμε να συζητήσετε με τον ιερέα σας. ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ Επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις γίνονται για την αιώνιον ανάπαυση των τεθνεώντων. Συνήθως, αυτές οι δεήσεις γίνονται κατά τις 40 ημέρες, τους 6 μήνες, τον 1 ον χρόνο και τον 3 ον χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια, είναι πιο αρμόζον να μνημονεύουμε τους αποθανόντας κατά τα Ψυχοσάββατα. ΠΟΤΕ ΝΑ ΓΟΝΑΤΙΖΟΥΜΕ, ΝΑ ΣΤΕΚΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΚΑΘΟΜΑΣΤΕ Από τα πρώτα χρόνια, η Εκκλησία μας δίδαξε ότι η αρμόζουσα θέση για να προσευχόμεθα είναι να στεκόμεθα όρθιοι. (Μέχρι πρόσφατα, οι περισσότερες Ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες δεν είχαν καθόλου καθίσματα δια τους πιστούς! Tα καθίσματα υπήρχαν μόνον κατά μήκος των τοίχων δια τους ηλικιωμένους.) Ως έκφραση δέους και σεβασμού, υπάρχουν φορές που είθισται όμως να γονατίζουμε στην εκκλησία, ιδιαιτέρως κατά την ώρα της Επικλήσεως, όταν ο ιερός άρτος και οίνος μεταβάλλονται εις το τίμιο Σώμα και Αίμα του Χρηστού μας. Κατά την Επίκλησιν (Σε Υμνοῦμεν), στις καθημερινές λειτουργίες, αναμένεται να γονατίζουν όλοι οι πιστοί. Κάθε Κυριακή όμως, μερικοί διαλέγουν να γονατίζουν και άλλοι παραμένουν όρθιοι. Αυτοί που για διάφορες αιτίες δεν δύνανται να γονατίσουν, παρακαλούνται να παραμένουν όρθιοι εις ένδειξιν σεβασμού. Εκτός για λόγους υγείας, δεν είναι αρμόζον να κάθεται κανείς την ώρα της Επικλήσεως. Σύμφωνα με την Ορθόδοξη Χριστιανική παράδοση, το πρωί πριν ερχόμαστε στην εκκλησία προσπαθούμε να μη φάμε ή πιούμε τίποτε (ανεξαρτήτως εαν σχεδιάζουμε να κοινωνήσουμε ή όχι). Προφανώς, εξαιρούνται τα μικρά παιδιά, αλλά όταν φτάσουν την ηλικία των 6 και 7 ετών θα πρέπει να μάθουν κι αυτά να εφαρμόζουν την νηστεία αυτή. Βεβαίως, όποιος πρόκειται να μεταλάβει, θα πρέπει να ακολουθεί με πίστη την παράδοση αυτή. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: Wed. Sept 14 Orthros and Divine Liturgy (Exaltation of the Holy Cross).. 8:30 am Expansion Committee Meeting. 7:00 pm Thur, Sept 15 Morning School-First day of classes. 9:00 am Fri, Sept 16 Afternoon Greek School-first day of classes; Agiasmos 4:30 pm Sat, Sept 17 Saturday Greek School.. 9:00 am Sr. GOYA CAR WASH. 9 to 3 Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.

8 TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, September 11, 2016 Sunday Before the Elevation of the Holy Cross Κυριακὴ πρὸ τῆς Ὑψώσεως τοῦ τιμίου καὶ ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ Our Holy Mother Theodora the Alexandrian. Our Holy Father Efrosinos the Cook. The Holy Martyrs Demetrios, Evanthia and their son Demetrianos. Tῆς Ὁσίας Μητρὸς ἡμῶν Θεοδώρας τῆς ἐν Ἀλεξανδρείᾳ. Tοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Εὐφροσύνου τοῦ μαγείρου. Tῶν Αγίων Μαρτύρων Δημητρίου, Εὐανθίας και Δημητριανοῦ. ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Apolytikion of the Third Tone Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐῤῥύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Let the Heavens rejoice; let the earthly things be glad; for the Lord has wrought might with His arm, He has trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead has He become. From the belly of Hades He has delivered us, and has granted to the world great mercy. Apolytikion of the Nativity of the Theotokos Ἡ γέννησίς σου Θεοτόκε, χαρὰν ἐμήνυσε πάσῃ τῇ οἰκουμένῃ ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἀνέτειλεν ὁ Ἣλιος τῆς δικαιοσύνης, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν καὶ λύσας τὴν κατάραν, ἔδωκε τὴν εὐλογίαν καὶ καταργήσας τὸν θάνατον, ἐδωρήσατο ἡμῖν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον. Your Nativity, O Theotokos, has proclaimed joy to the whole world; for from you has dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God; annulling the curse, He bestowed the blessing, and abolishing death, He granted us life everlasting. Apolytikion of the Holy Taxiarchs Τῶν οὐρανίων στρατιῶν Ἀρχιστράτηγοι, δυσωποῦμεν ὑμᾶς ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵνα ταῖς ὑμῶν δεήσεσι, τειχίσητε ἡμᾶς, σκέπῃ τῶν πτερύγων, τῆς ἀΰλου ὑμῶν δόξης, φρουροῦντες ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας, ἐκτενῶς καὶ βοῶντας Ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λυτρώσασθε ἡμᾶς, ὡς Ταξιάρχαι τῶν ἄνω Δυνάμεων. Supreme Commanders of the heavenly armies, we the unworthy beseech and implore you, that by your supplications you encircle us under the cover of the wings of your ineffable glory; guarding us who bow down with fervor crying: From dangers deliver us, as Leaders of the Powers above. Apolytikion of St. Haralambos Ὡς στῦλος ἀκλόνητος, τῆς Ἐκκλησίας Χριστοῦ, καὶ λύχνος ἀείφωτος τῆς οἰκουμένης σοφέ, ἐδείχθης Χαράλαμπες, ἔλαμψας ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, διὰ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, ἔλυσας τῶν εἰδώλων, τὴν σκοτόμαιναν μάκαρ, διὸ ἐν παῤῥησίᾳ Χριστῷ, πρέσβευε σωθῆναι ἡμᾶς. ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ KONTAKION OF THE DAY Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννα ὀνειδισμοῦ ἀτεκνίας, καὶ Ἀδὰμ καὶ Εὔα, ἐκ τῆς φθορᾶς τοῦ θανάτου, ἠλευθερώθησαν, Ἄχραντε, ἐν τῇ ἁγίᾳ γεννήσει σου, αὐτὴν ἑορτάζει καὶ ὁ λαός σου, ἐνοχῆς τῶν πταισμάτων, λυτρωθεὶς ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι. Ἡ στεῖρα τίκτει τὴν Θεοτόκον, καὶ τροφὸν τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν.