THE ICON OF THE DORMITION SHOWS THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH

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1 Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org Fr. Constantine P. Botsis, Proistamenos Fr. George Lamberis, Synefemerios Deacon John G. Suhayda Nick Harisiadis, Protopsaltis THE ICON OF THE DORMITION SHOWS THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH The feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is the biggest feast of the Mother of God in the annual festal calendar cycle. In as much as it celebrates our Panagia in the middle of the summer, this feast takes on greater brilliance and arouses emotion in our souls. On this day we embrace the sacred icon of the Dormition. In the middle of the icon we see the allundefiled body of our Panagia on a bed. Behind her body we see Christ holding in His hands a small infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, which is the soul of the Panagia, having just separated from her body. Around the Panagia and Christ are the holy Apostles, who came from the ends of the inhabited world by divine command. Also, Angels stand in ecstasy. There are even three Bishops, namely St Dionysios the Areopagite, the Apostle Timothy and St. Hierotheos. All sing hymns to her. In front of the bed is a certain man, whose hands are cut off and hanging from the body of the Panagia. This is Jephonias the Jew, who went to dishonor the body of the Panagia and the Archangel immediately cut his hands off. The entire icon not only represents what happened during the funeral of the Panagia, but it also shows what the church is. It is an icon that shows in a most vivid way the mystery of the Church. The Church is not a human organization, but the Divinehuman Body of Christ. It is the union of God and man in the person of Christ. In the sacred icon, we see the Church having Christ and Panagia as its center, and around them are Apostles, Bishops and Angels. The Church is the Bridegroom Christ, the Mother of the Bridegroom, and the friends of the Bridegroom. Then, the sacred icon clearly shows that death has been abolished in the Church, and that which we call death is simply a sleep. The body receives the Grace of God and it shines, while the soul continues to live after death, and if a person has been sanctified, they are in the hands of God. What took place with the Panagia, by analogy, we also desire to take place with us. That is, we hope, when the time for our departure from this world has come, we are in the Church, praying, having our spiritual fathers in our midst, so that we may receive their blessing and especially to commune the Body and Blood of Christ. Also, just as Jephonias tried to dishonor the body of the Panagia and was unable, so there are various enemies who are trying to hurt the Body of Christ, namely the Church, but they have not succeeded nor will they succeed in any way, because the Church is not a human association, but the Divine-human Body of Christ. The Church has great power, and fears absolutely nothing, saving all, even her socalled enemies, if they repent. The Panagia has caused great joy throughout the inhabited world, because she gave birth to Christ, who is our joy and our hope and our salvation. This is why we love her and supplicate her to protect us, to strengthen us in the difficult times of our lives, to intercede that we may remain in the Orthodox Church, and to mediate that we may be found worthy to conquer death with the power of Christ and enter His heavenly kingdom. By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos

2 ANNOUNCEMENTS The Philoptochos of St. Haralambos invites you to today s Coffee Fellowship Hour after today s services. PROSPHORA We thank Mrs. Loretta Hughes/Politis and Mrs. Angela Lygiros who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by the Sikoral Family and by Mrs. Anne Maroutsos (Sun, Aug 13). MEMORIAL SERVICES 6 months Victoria Lygiros 1 year Charles Condes 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. OUR SISTER COMMUNITIES of the Assumption (Κοίμησις) of the Theotokos (Chicago, Racine, Homer Glen, Hegewisch) invite you to Vespers at 7:00 pm on Monday evening, August 14 and Liturgy on Tuesday morning, August 15, in honor of their feastday. (Of course, Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on August 15.) HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION Orthodox Christians in good standing are encouraged to receive Holy Communion frequently, provided they have prepared themselves spiritually, mentally and physically. They must be on time for the Divine Liturgy, and be in a Christ-like, calm state of mind. They should be in a confession relationship with their priest or spiritual father, and they should have selfexamined their conscience. On the day of receiving Holy Communion, it is not proper to eat or drink anything before coming to church. When you approach to receive Holy Communion, state your Christian (baptismal) name clearly, and hold the red communion cloth to your chin. After receiving, wipe your lips on the cloth, step back carefully, hand the cloth to the next person and make the sign of the Cross as you step away. Please take special care not to bump the Holy Chalice. A STEWARDSHIP REMINDER We are grateful to the 489 families who have committed $ 271, so far this year! How about you? Jesus told us YOU are the light of the World; let your light shine before others. Stewardship is discovering our light by using the talents and gifts God has given us. True stewardship means that our offering to God is a reflection of the Light in us, and of our appreciation for the blessings and benefits we derive from our Church! If you have not yet made your 2017 commitment, please do so. 125 YEARS OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY IN CHICAGO 2017 has bee proclaimed as the Anniversary of Orthodox Christianity in Greater Chicago." The anniversary will be commemorated on Saturday, September 30, with a majestic Pan-Orthodox Hierarchical Liturgy and Anniversary Luncheon. The Anniversary Divine Liturgy will take place at Lane Tech Auditorium, 2501 West Addison at Western, Chicago, followed by the Anniversary Luncheon at the Chicago Marriott O Hare, 8535 West Higgins Road, Chicago. SAVE THIS DATE! GHANA PROJECT-- A Mission Team with members from Chicago is departing soon to participate in a Camp Program in Ghana. They are in need of supplies and equipment and our help is needed. Donations can be sent to St. Haralambos Church, marked Ghana Project from now to August 17. Your help is greatly appreciated!

3 ANOUNCEMENTS DONATION BOX We are grateful to all of you who have placed contributions in the donation box in the narthex. These contributions are used to help people who come to us and need financial help. You have helped many people! There continue to be many people in need; your continued support is greatly appreciated. WHAT IS STRONGYLI MEGISTIS? Strongyli Megistis is a very small but strategic Greek Island off the southern coast of Turkey, in an area where oil has been found under the sea bed. These are Greek waters, but Turkey challenges this claim and has sent naval ships to the area. In an effort to raise money so that the plight of Strongyli Megistis can be publicized, the Metropolis of Chicago has agreed to participate in fundraising through selling a special bottle of premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil with a label depicting the St. Nicolaos Chapel of Strongyli Megistis. The bottle sells for $12 and is available in the church office! Your support is appreciated and meaningful! GREEK SCHOOL REGISTRATION has begun for all our school programs for the school year. 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 ( ). SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Sunday School begins on Sunday, September 10! Make sure to register your children in the most important program! Registration forms are available in the church office! September 11 will be Registration Sunday! Sunday School will begin at 9:30 don t be late! OUR OUTREACH COMMITTEE offers a meal every month at a local food kitchen. We encourage you to help with the food kitchen or to become a member of the Outreach Committee! SAVE THE DATE!! SYNERGY SYMPOSIUM 2017 Synergy s Annual Symposium is scheduled for Saturday, October 21, 2017 at St. George Antiochian Church in Cicero. Dr. Eugenia Constantinou will present SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES. Please visit for more information! 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! IT IS PROPER AND RIGHT... Please understand that chewing gum in church is considered to be 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 teach your children that it is not proper to play video games, eat snacks, chew gum or cross their legs in church. 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 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 AΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Α Κορ. δ 9-16 Ἀδελφοί, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ἐσχάτους ἀπέδειξεν ὡς ἐπιθανατίους, ὅτι θέατρον ἐγενήθημεν τῷ κόσμῳ καὶ ἀγγέλοις καὶ ἀνθρώποις. Ἡμεῖς μωροὶ διὰ Χριστόν, ὑμεῖς δὲ φρόνιμοι ἐν Χριστῷ ἡμεῖς ἀσθενεῖς, ὑμεῖς δὲ ἰσχυροί ὑμεῖς ἔνδοξοι, ἡμεῖς δὲ ἄτιμοι. Ἄχρι τῆς ἄρτι ὥρας καὶ πεινῶμεν καὶ διψῶμεν καὶ γυμνιτεύομεν καὶ κολαφιζόμεθα καὶ ἀστατοῦμεν καὶ κοπιῶμεν ἐργαζόμενοι ταῖς ἰδίαις χερσίν λοιδορούμενοι εὐλογοῦμεν, διωκόμενοι ἀνεχόμεθα, δυσφημούμενοι παρακαλοῦμεν ὡς περικαθάρματα τοῦ κόσμου ἐγενήθημεν, πάντων περίψημα, ἕως ἄρτι. Οὐκ ἐντρέπων ὑμᾶς γράφω ταῦτα, ἀλλ ὡς τέκνα μου ἀγαπητὰ νουθετῶν ἐὰν γὰρ μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ, ἀλλ οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας, ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ιησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα. Παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς, μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Ματθαῖον ιζ Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθόντων πρὸς τὸν ὄχλον προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπος γονυπετῶν αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων, Κύριε, ἐλέησόν μου τὸν υἱόν, ὅτι σεληνιάζεται καὶ κακῶς πάσχει πολλάκις γὰρ πίπτει εἰς τὸ πῦρ καὶ πολλάκις εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ. Καὶ προσήνεγκα αὐτὸν τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου, καὶ οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν αὐτὸν θεραπεῦσαι. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν, ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος καὶ διεστραμμένη, ἕως πότε μεθ ὑμῶν ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετέ μοι αὐτὸν ὧδε. Καὶ ἐπετίμησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἀπ αὐτοῦ τὸ δαιμόνιον καὶ ἐθεραπεύθη ὁ παῖς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης. Τότε προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ τῷ Ιησοῦ κατ ἰδίαν εἶπον, Διὰ τί ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό; ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτοῖς, Διὰ τὴν ὀλιγοπιστίαν ὑμῶν ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως, ἐρεῖτε τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, Μετάβα ἔνθεν ἐκεῖ, καὶ μεταβήσεται καὶ οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν. Τοῦτο δὲ τὸ γένος οὐκ ἐκπορεύεται εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Συστρεφομένων δὲ αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς, Μέλλει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοσθαι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθήσεται.

5 Today s Epistle Reading EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 BRETHREN, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. GOSPEL Matthew 17: At that time, a man came up to Him and kneeling before Him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." But this kind is not cast out except by prayer and fasting. As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day."

6 Marriott O Hare

7 Ανακοινώσεις STEWARDSHIP 2017 Εαν δεν έχετε συμπληρώσει την κάρτα προσφοράς σας για το 2017, 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 Κοινωνίαν η οποιοδήποτε από τα άλλα Μυστήρια εκφράζομεν 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. ΤΙ ΕΙΝΑΙ Η ΣΤΡΟΓΓΥΛΗ ΜΕΓΙΣΤΗΣ; Η Στρογγυλή Μεγίστης (ή «Στρογγύλη») είναι μικρό νησί των Δωδεκανήσων, πολύ κοντά στην Τουρκία, που ανήκει στο νομό Μεγίστης (Καστελλόριζο) και είναι το ανατολικότερο Ελληνικό έδαφος. Στην περιφέρεια αυτή, έχουν βρει υδρογονάνθρακα, από το οποίο γίνεται το πετρέλαιο. Η Τουρκία αμφισβητεί τα δικαιώματα της Ελλάδας και έχει στείλει πολεμικά πλοία στην περιφέρεια αρκετές φορές. Ο Μητροπολίτης Μεσογαίας και Λαυρεωτικής προσπαθεί να δημοσιεύσει την δύσκολη θέσι της Στρογγυλής. Να καλύψει τα έξοδα του, η Μητρόπολις Σικάγου συμφώνησε να βοηθήσει με το πούλημα ενός εξαιρετικού ελαιολάδου. Η προσφορά είναι $12 το μποτίλι. Ευχαριστούμε για την βοηθειά σας! SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: Tues, Aug 15 Orthros and Liturgy (Κοίμησις της Θεοτόκου).... 8:30 am Wed Aug 16 Parish Council Meeting.... 7:00 pm Fri, Aug 18 Stewardship Committee.. 6:00 pm Sat, Aug 19 Religious Ed Seminar (at St. Spyridon in Palos Heights). 9:00 am Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.

8 TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, August 13, 2017 Tenth Sunday of Matthew Kυριακὴ I Ματθαίου St. Maximos the Confessor Tοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Μαξίμου τοῦ Ὁμολογητοῦ. ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Apolytikion of the First Tone Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου Σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν, διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις των οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι ζωοδότα. Δόξα τῇ Ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε φιλάνθρωπε. When the stone had been sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Your immaculate Body, You did arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life unto the world. Therefore, the powers of the heavens cried out to You, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ; Glory to Your Kingdom; Glory to Your dispensation, who alone love mankind. Apolytikion of The Transfiguration Μετεμορφώθης ἐν τῷ ὄρει, Χριστέ ὁ Θεός, δείξας τοῖς Μαθηταῖς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ἠδύναντο. Λάμψον καί ἡμῖν τοῖς ἀμαρτωλοῖς, τό φῶς σου τό ἀΐδιον, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου Φωτοδότα, δόξα σοι. You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, showing Your disciples Your glory as each one could endure. Shine forth on us, who are sinners, Your never-ending light, through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Light-giver, glory to You. Apolytikion of the Holy Taxiarchs 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. 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 Ἐπὶ τοῦ ὄρους μετεμορφώθης, καὶ ὡς ἐχώρουν οἱ Μαθηταί σου τὴν δόξαν σου, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἐθεάσαντο, ἵνα ὅταν σὲ ἴδωσι σταυρούμενον, τὸ μὲν πάθος νοήσωσιν ἑκούσιον, τῷ δὲ κόσμῳ κηρύξωσιν, ὅτι σὺ ὑπάρχεις ἀληθῶς, τοῦ Πατρὸς τὸ ἀπαύγασμα. On the mount You were transfigured, and Your disciples, as much as they could bear, beheld Your glory, O Christ our God; that when they should see You crucified, they would know Your Passion to be voluntary, and would preach to the world that, in truth, You are the Radiance of the Father.