HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

Transcript

1 TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR March 15, 2015 THIRD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ Γ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΩΝ (ΤΗΣ ΣΤΑΥΡΟΠΡΟΣΚΥΝΗΣΕΩΣ) The Holy Martryr Agapios and those martyred with him. The Holy New Martyr Manuel. Μνήμη τοῦ Ἁγίου Μάρτυρος Ἀγαπίου καὶ τῶν σὺν αὐτῷ. Apolytikion of the Grave Tone Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέωξας τῷ Ληστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. You destroyed death by Your Cross; You opened Paradise to the thief. The Myrrh-bearers lamentation You transformed, and You commanded the Apostles to proclaim that You are risen, O Christ God, granting the world the Great Mercy. Apolytikion of the Precious an Life-giving Holy Cross Σῶσον, Κύριε, τὸν λαόν σου, καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοῖς βασιλεῦσι κατὰ βαρβάρων δωρούμενος, καὶ τὸ σὸν φυλάττων, διὰ τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου πολίτευμα. Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victories to the faithful against enemies, and protecting your domain by the power of Your Cross. Apolytikion of the Holy Taxiarchs Supreme Commanders of the heavenly armies, we the unworthy 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: Deliver us from dangers, 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. As a pillar unshakable of the Church of Christ, and an ever-radiant lamp to the universe, were you, O wise Haralambos; you illumined the world through martyrdom; you dispelled the moonless night of the idols, o blessed one. Therefore with boldness before Christ, intercede that we may be saved. ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ KONTAKION OF THE DAY Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ στρατηγῷ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν, εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοι ἡ Πόλις σου, Θεοτόκε, ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων με κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον ἵνα κράζω σοι, Χαῖρε, Νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε. To the triumphant leader, victory; To the deliverer from sufferings, thanksgiving, I your city, attribute to you, Theotokos. But as having invincible power, from all kinds of dangers free me to cry out to you: Rejoice, Bride unwedded. (Αντί το «Ἃγιος ὁ Θεός»: ) Τὸν Σταυρὸν σου προσκυνούμεν, Δέσποτα, καὶ τὴν ἁγίαν σου Ἀνάστασιν δοξάζομεν. (In place of Holy God :) Your Cross we venerate, Master, and your holy Resurrection we glorify. HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH PHASE 3 MOVING AHEAD! Plans for the Phase 3 Expansion of our facilities to include a gymnasium/ hall, new kitchen, meeting space, classrooms, storage space and the renovation of our existing building were presented to our community at a General Assembly last week on March 5th. Everyone was enthusiastic about the detailed packet of drawings and plans that was handed out, (additional packets are available in the church office) and a virtual tour of the project was presented by Perry Giannopoulos, our parish council president. Discussion followed and our stewards offered ideas and suggestions. There was a question-and-answer session, and the General Assembly concluded with a very positive and encouraging spirit! Everyone agrees that we are overcrowded and need to develop these plans, and there seems to be lots of excitement to move forward. Everyone s support will be needed! Very soon, you will receive information about how you can help. We have been looking forward to this for many years. THE TIME HAS COME! With faith, sacrifice and love we can make this a reality to serve our current needs and our children s future!

2 ANNOUNCEMENTS The St. Haralambos Pre-School PTA invites you for LOUKOUMATHES at today s our Coffee Fellowship Hour after church services. PROSPHORA We thank Mrs. Loretta Hughes/Politis, the Asimacopoulos Family, the Loomos Family and the Sikoral Family who have offered prosphora for today's Liturgy. Next Sunday, the prosphora will be offered by Mrs. Niki Maglaris, Mrs. Argyro Tsagaroulis and Mrs. Voula Andrews (Sun, Mar 22). NO MEMORIAL SERVICES ARE SCHEDULED TODAY 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. Customarily, 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. HOLY CONFESSION It is customary to receive the Sacrament of Holy Confession during Lent. This can be done by appointment with Fr. Dean. We urge you to schedule your confession as soon as possible; please do not wait until Holy Week! WHO CAN RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION? Holy Communion and all the sacraments are precious manifestations of God s loving grace for our salvation and sanctification. Receiving Holy Communion presumes proper preparation, and is presumes our acceptance of the dogmatic and moral teachings of the Orthodox Church. For this reason, only Orthodox Christians who are in good standing (either by baptism or chrismation) may receive Holy Communion. Questions? Ask your priest! ROW BY ROW When you come forward to receive Holy Communion, please let the ushers direct you. Because many people receive the Holy Eucharistic every Sunday, the ushers will ask you to approach the Holy Chalice row by row in order to have a more peaceful and spirit-filled experience. We thank you for your cooperation! ANNUAL EASTER BAKE SALE The St. Haralambos Ladies Philoptochos invite you to their Annual Easter Bake Sale, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, April 1-2 in our Community Center. A great opportunity to buy your Easter Tsourekia, red eggs and pastries! Lunch will be served both days, and the Coffee Shop will be open! Please tell your friends, and bring them with you to shop for all your Easter Pastries and breads! The Bake Sale will be from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm. A STEWARDSHIP PRAYER O Lord our God, You created us and brought us into this life. You showed us the way to salvation and have granted us the revelation of the heavenly mysteries. Accept our Stewardship Offering as an acceptable sacrifice and in return send down upon us the grace of your Holy Spirit. Look down on us, O Lord, and accept our Stewardship Commitment as You accepted the gifts of Abel, the offerings of Noah, the burnt offerings of Abraham, the priestly sacrifices of Moses and Aaron and the peace offerings of Samuel. Accept also now, in your goodness, O Lord, these gifts from the hands of us sinners, making us worthy of the reward of the faithful and wise stewards on the fearful day of Your just judgment. For You are the God of mercy, love and salvation and we glorify You, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Ανακοινώσεις ΤΑ ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ Οταv τελoύvται τα μvημόσυvα, όλoι παρακαλoύvται vα πρoσεύχovται μαζί δια τηv αιώvιov αvάπαυσιv τωv κεκoιμημέvωv, και συvηθίζεται vα μοιράζονται τα παραδoσιακά κόλυβα σε όλο το εκκλησίασμα. Οταv θέλει καvείς vα έχει έvα μvημόσυvo, παρακαλoύμε vα πρoσφέρει ένα γεvvαιόδωρo δίσκo από Κόλυβα, oύτως ώστε vα είναι αρκετά για όλo τo εκκλησίασμα. Επίσης παρακαλoύμε vα εvθυμείστε ότι έχoυμε σταμματήσει vα αvάβoυμε κεριά επάvω στα κόλυβα. Σας παρακαλoύμε vα ειδoπoιείτε τo γραφείo της εκκλησίας προτoύ vα πρoγραμματίσετε μvημόσυvα. ΑΝΗΚΕΤΕ ΕΔΩ -- ΑΝΗΚΟΥΜΕ ΣΤΟΝ ΘΕΟ! Η εκκλησία μας και το σπίτι μας μας δίνουν θαλπωρή και επιβεβαίωση αγάπης και της αίσθησης του ανήκειν. Η εκκλησία αυτή και τα σπίτια μας είναι οι χώροι όπου αντιλαμβανόμεθα την αγάπη του Θεού και των ανθρώπων Του. Ταυτόχρονα, χρειαζόμεθα την βοήθειά σας δια να εξασφαλίσουμε ότι η εκκλησία μας θα είναι πάντα διαθέσιμη να προσφέρει την αγάπη και την αίσθηση του ανήκειν σε όλους: φίλους, επισκέπτες, και μελλοντικές γεννεές! Αυτό επιτυγχάνεται δια του ειλικρινούς και ευσυνειδήτου Stewardship. Το Stewardship σημαίνει καλωσύνη, καλωσόρισμα επισκεπτών, υπερηφάνεια δια την εκκλησία μας, και προσφέροντας τον χρόνο μας, τα ταλέντα μας και χρηματικές δωρεές. Σας παροτρύνουμε να συμπληρώσετε μία γενναιόδωρη και ευσυνείδητη κάρτα προσφοράς δια το 2015! Το αληθινό Stewardship σημαίνει να δίνουμε ανάλογα με τα εισοδήματά μας. Ανήκετε εδώ! ΠΟΤΕ ΝΑ ΓΟΝΑΤΙΖΟΥΜΕ, ΝΑ ΣΤΕΚΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΚΑΘΟΜΑΣΤΕ Στην Επίκλησι («Σε Υμνούμεν»), όσοι δεν γονατίζουν για διάφορες αιτίες, παρακαλούνται να παραμένουν όρθιοι εις ένδειξιν σεβασμού. Στην Επίκλησιν, δεν είναι αρμόζον να καθόμεθα (εκτός δια λόγους ασθενείας). SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: Mon, Mar 16 Compline Service.... 6:00 pm Sr. GOYA.. 7:30 pm Tues, Mar 17 Little Angels :30 am Afternoon Greek School... 4:30 pm Bible Study 7:30 pm Philoptochos Meeting 7:30 pm Wed, Mar 18 Presanctified Liturgy :00 pm Parish Council Monthly Meeting... 8:00 pm Fri, Mar 20 Afternoon Greek School... 4:30 pm Salutations to the Theotokos (Δ ) :00 pm Sat, Mar 21 Saturday Greek School.... 9:00 am Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.

3 How Everyone Should Prepare Before Confession -St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite What is repentance? My brother sinner, this is the preparation you must undergo before you repent and go to confession. Know firstly that repentance, according to St. John of Damaskos, is a returning from the devil to God, which comes about through pain and ascesis. So you also, my beloved, if you wish to repent properly, must depart from the devil and from diabolical works and return to God and to the life proper to God. You must forsake sin, which is against nature, and return to virtue, which is according to nature. You must hate wickedness so much, that you say along with David: "Unrighteousness have I hated and abhorred" (Ps. 118:163), and instead, you must love the good and the commandments of the Lord so much, that you also say along with David: "But Thy law have I loved" (ibid.), and again: "Therefore have I loved Thy commandments more than gold and topaz" (Ps. 118:127). In brief, the Holy Spirit informs you through the wise Sirach what in fact true repentance is, saying: "Turn to the Lord and forsake your sins Return to the Most High, and turn away from iniquity, and hate abominations intensely" (Sir. 17:25-26). So you also, my brother sinner, if you wish to acquire this contrition and affliction in your heart, and through these for your repentance to be pleasing to God, you must do the following: How one is to examine his conscience Just as you would sit down and count your money after a certain business transaction, in like manner go to a particular place, my brother, and two or three weeks before going to the Spiritual Father you found, especially at the beginning of the four fast periods of the year, sit down in that place of quietude, and bowing your head, examine your conscience, which Philo the Jew calls: "The testing of the conscience," and become: "Not a defender, but a judge of your sins," according to the divine Augustine. Consider, like Hezekiah, the whole span of your life in sorrow and bitterness of soul: "I will ponder all my years in the bitterness of my soul" (Is. 38:15). Consider also how many sins you committed in deed, word, and by coupling with thoughts, after you last confessed, counting the months, weeks, and days. Remember the people with whom you sinned and the places where you sinned, and diligently reflect upon these things in order to find every one of your sins. This is how the wise Sirach counsels you from one side saying: "Before judgment, examine yourself" (Sir. 18:20), and from the other, Gregory the Theologian says: "Examine yourself more than your neighbor. Account of actions is superior to an account of money. For money is subject to corruption, but actions remain." And just as hunters are not satisfied with merely finding a beast in the forest, but attempt through every means to also kill it, likewise, my brother sinner, you should also not be satisfied with merely examining your conscience and with finding your sins, for this profits you little, but struggle by every means to kill your sins through the grief in your heart, namely, through contrition and affliction. And in order to acquire contrition, consider how much you have wronged God through your sins. In order to also acquire affliction, consider how much you have wronged yourself through your sins. PAN-ORTHODOX AKATHIST HYMN will take place at 7:00 pm on Tuesday evening, March 31st at the Serbian Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Mother of God in Grayslake, IL. The wonderful Pan- Orthodox Choir of Chicago will sing the responses. Plan to attend this beautiful service! PANHELLENIC SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDA- TION S HELLENIC BIRTHRIGHT PROGRAM The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation offers scholarship opportunities for eligible undergraduates who have never been to Greece to travel there while also gaining transferable college credits. Students explore the land of their ancestors through uniquely tailored educational and cultural activities blending academics, architecture, art and history. The foundation underwrites all tuition, living, sightseeing and other related expenses for twenty students. Applications are due Friday, March 27, For more information, visit panhellenicscholarships.org METROPOLIS JUNIOR OLYMPICS Youth 7 to 18 years of age are encouraged to participate in the 2015 Metropolis Junior Olympicss. Save the dates May 22 to May 24. FANARI SUMMER CAMP We are excited to report that our Metropolis of Chicago Summer Camp Fanari will take place at our very own Saint Iakovos Retreat Center this summer! The program is being expanded and there will be FOUR one week sessions! Watch for more information! OUR OUTREACH COMMITTEE has placed a donation box in the narthex to raise money to help people in need. We have been able to help many people THROUGH YOUR GENEROSITY! THE ANNUAL GREEK PARADE will take place on Sunday, March 29th. Plan to march with our Saint Haralambos community! ANNOUNCEMENTS WE COMMEND parents for bringing children to church and teaching them proper church deportment! Children are capable of learning many spiritual elements, and parents can help children understand the Liturgy. Please be attentive that our efforts do not deteriorate into an effort to entertain them rather than to focus on our intended mission. WE WELCOME all our friends, parishioners and visitors who have come to St. Haralambos today. 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 and other activities any time! Youth & Young Adult Corner.. Little Angels (Ages 4 and under): Tues, March 17-11:30 am to 1 pm Family Night (Families & Youth Pre-k 5th grade) Monday, Mar 23 5:30 pm to 7 pm Jr. GOYA (6th 8th Grade) Wed., March 18 6 pm to 8 pm Presanctified Liturgy Sr. GOYA (High School) Mon, March 16 7:30 pm to 9 pm Young Adults Saturday, March 28 Feed My Starving Children Outreach (Metropolis event) CHURCH ETIQUETTE: Please understand that chewing gum in church is viewed as very discourteous and even vulgar. Your attention to this is greatly appreciated. Be considerate! Please remove lipstick when reverencing the holy icons or receiving Holy Communion. Please be careful when you receive Holy Communion that you do not bump the Holy Chalice and cause it to spill! Please teach your children that it is not proper to play video games, eat snacks, chew gum or cross their legs in church. Please turn off all cell-phones and video games during Church services. Phone conversations are not allowed in the church.

4 Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρός Εβραίους δ 14 - ε 6 Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες Ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν Ἀρχιερέα, μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειρασμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παῤῥησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ Ἀρχιερεὺς ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσι καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται, ἀσθένειαν, καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτω καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλ' ὁ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ καθάπερ καὶ ὁ Ἀαρών. Οὕτω καὶ ὁ Χριστός, οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασε γενηθῆναι Ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλ' ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν Υἱός μου εἶ σὺ ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει. Σὺ Ἱερεύς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Μᾶρκον η 34-θ 1 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Ὅστις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. Ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι ἀπολέσει αὐτήν ὃς δ ἂν ἀπολέσει τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου σώσει αὐτήν. Τί γὰρ ὠφελείσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἂν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ καὶ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν, ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ὅτι εἰσίν τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσονται θανάτου, ἕως ἂν ἴδωσιν τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει. Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today EPISTLE Hebrews 4:14-5:6 BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek." GOSPEL READΙΝG Mark 8:34-9:1 The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."