ST GREGORY, BISHOP OF NYSSA (Commemorated on January 10)

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1 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE (847) Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org Fr. Constantine P. Botsis, Proistamenos Fr. George Lamberis, Synefemerios Deacon John G. Suhayda Nick Harisiadis, Protopsaltis ST GREGORY, BISHOP OF NYSSA (Commemorated on January 10) Gregory was the brother of Basil the Great. At first, he was only a presbyter since he was married; but when his wife Blessed Theosevia died, Gregory was chosen and consecrated as bishop of Nyssa. He was distinguished by his great secular learning and spiritual experience. He participated at the Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople, 381 A.D). It is thought that he composed the second half of the Symbol of Faith [The Creed]. He was a great orator, an exegete of Holy Scripture and a theologian. Because of their defeat, the Arians especially attacked him as their worst enemy, so that, during the reign of Emperor Valens, their ally of the same mind, succeeded in ousting Gregory from the episcopal throne and banished him into exile. This Holy Father spent eight years in exile, patiently enduring all miseries and all humiliations. He finally died in old age toward the end of the fourth century and was translated into the Kingdom of God remaining on earth throughout the ages as a great beacon of the Church. From the Prologues of Ochrid By St. Nikolai Velimirovic VASILOPITA LUNCHEON TODAY! The St. Haralambos Philoptochos invites you to join us for our annual Vasilopita Luncheon today, after church services! As we live and preserve our traditions and culture, we can also support the Academy of St. Basil. Your support is greatly appreciated! Please plan to stay! Annual Metropolis of Chicago VASILOPITA The annual Metropolis of Chicago VASILOPITA takes place at 6:30 TONIGHT, at Ss. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview. This is one of the special social gatherings where we can get together with friends from all over Chicagoland to exchange Happy New Year greetings! For tickets, please talk to our Philoptochos officers. Join us!

2 News and Reminders The St. Haralambos Philoptochos invites you to our VASILOPITA LUNCHEON after today s church services! PROSPHORA We thank Mrs. Koula Karamaniolas, Mrs. Maria Megremis and Mrs. Loretta Hughes/ Politis who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by Mrs. Gina Funteas, Mrs. Alexandra Petruleas and Mrs. Marianna Koliopoulos (Sunday, Jan 15). WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME that you received the Sacrament of Holy Confession? MEMORIAL SERVICES 40 days John Markos 40 days Georgia Katavolou 2 years Tom Mitalas 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. ARTOCLASIA- is offered today by Dr. and Mrs. John and Susan Barron for the health and well-being of their family and the entire St. Haralambos community. SACRAMENTAL REGISTRY Congratulations to:..mr. and Mrs. John Korolis on the Baptism of their son yesterday at St. Haralambos. ΝΑ ΖΗΣH! 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! 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 why Orthodox Christians do not receive sacraments in non-orthodox churches. OUR ANNUAL VASILOPITA LUNCHEON will take place TODAY in our Community Center after Church services. The Vasilopita benefits St. Basil s Academy in Garrison, NY, and the Ladies of our Philoptochos invite you to attend! The Vasilopita is one of our honored Greek Orthodox customs, which we preserve for our children and future generations! Plan to stay so we can celebrate this together! METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO VASILOPITA--Our Annual Metropolitan Vasilopita will take place THIS EVENING, January 8th at Ss. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, and all are invited to join Metropolitan Iakovos and the clergy and laypeople of our Metropolis at this annual event! Tickets are available from our Philoptochos Ladies. The Vasilopita benefits St. Basil Academy; plan to come!

3 2017 Stewardship DISCOVER THE LIGHT! Jesus is the Light of the World, but He also said 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 information has been mailed to you. When you complete the form, please consider your 2017 Commitment carefully, and also fill out ALL the information. The ministries that interest you could reflect your talents and gifts the light that is in you! THE INREACH COMMITTEE Just as we have an Outreach Committee, we are in the process of creating an Inreach Committee to research a plan for the internal, spiritual growth of our families. Please inform the church office if you would like to join this Inreach! You are welcomed to join us! 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 GENEROSI- TY, and we thank you! COMMUNITY SURVEY As our community continues to grow, we strive to serve our members. You are invited to complete a brief survey about your overall experience at St. Haralambos. This will help us understand what is important to you and your family. Please feel free to provide feedback on ministries, activities, and spiritual services. Any suggestions you may have are greatly welcomed. All completed surveys are anonymous, and results will be presented without ANNOUNCEMENTS identification. The survey can be completed on line; paper copies are also available in the church office. The deadline to complete the survey is February 15 th. Please use the following link to access the survey: St-Haralambos-Parish-Survey BLESSING OF HOMES--It is an annual custom in the Epiphany Season (Epiphany is Friday, January 6) to bless our homes with the Agiasmos of Epiphany. If you would like to have your home blessed by the priest, please call the church office ( ). ST HARALAMBOS 66th ANNIVERSARY-- On Sunday afternoon, February 12, we will celebrate our parish s 66th Anniversary with a Festive Luncheon Banquet at Allgauers at the Hilton in Northbrook (2855 Milwaukee Avenue)! Please mark the date and plan to attend with your family! In conjunction with our Dinner Dance, we will have a Program Book, and we are looking for sponsorships. Contracts are available from the church office, and the deadline is Jan 29th. Please give us your support! DEAR FRIENDS AND VISITORS: We are happy that you have come to worship with us, and hope that you have had a prayerful and uplifting experience. If you are visiting St. Haralambos or are new to our community, please seek out our Committee members (wearing welcome! badges) if you have any questions. 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 remove 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 take your child to our cry room. PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONE DURING CHURCH SERVICES!

4 Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Εφεσίους δ 7-13 Ἀδελφοί, ἑνὶ δὲ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ λέγει, Αναβὰς εἰς ὕψος ᾐχμαλώτευσεν αἰχμαλωσίαν, ἔδωκεν δόματα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις. Τὸ δὲ ἀνέβη τί ἐστιν εἰ μὴ ὅτι καὶ κατέβη πρῶτον εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς; Ὁ καταβὰς αὐτός ἐστι καὶ ὁ ἀναβὰς ὑπεράνω πάντων τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἵνα πληρώσῃ τὰ πάντα. Καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκε τοὺς μὲν ἀποστόλους, τοὺς δὲ προφήτας, τοὺς δὲ εὐαγγελιστάς, τοὺς δὲ ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους, πρὸς τὸν καταρτισμὸν τῶν ἁγίων εἰς ἔργον διακονίας, εἰς οἰκοδομὴν τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ, μέχρι καταντήσωμεν οἱ πάντες εἰς τὴν ἑνότητα τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, εἰς μέτρον ἡλικίας τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ματθαῖον δ Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀκούσας ὁ Ιησοῦς ὅτι Ιωάννης παρεδόθη, ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν καὶ καταλιπὼν τὴν Ναζαρὲτ, ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς Καπερναοὺμ τὴν παραθαλασσίαν ἐν ὁρίοις Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλείμ ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ἡσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος Γῆ Ζαβουλὼν καὶ γῆ Νεφθαλείμ, ὁδὸν θαλάσσης, πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου, Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν, ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκότει φῶς εἶδε μέγα, καὶ τοῖς καθημένοις ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτου φῶς ἀνέτειλεν αὐτοῖς. Απὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ιησοῦς κηρύσσειν καὶ λέγειν, Μετανοεῖτε ἤγγικεν γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

5 Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today EPISTLE READING Ephesians 4: 7-13 BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. GOSPEL READING Matthew 4: At that time, Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth He went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

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7 Ανακοινώσεις 2017 Stewardship DISCOVER THE LIGHT! Ο Χριστός είναι το Φως του Κόσμου, αλλά μας είπε «Εσείς είσαστε το φως του Κόσμου, αφίστε το φως σας να λάμψει μπροστἀ από τους ἀλλους.» Stewardship είναι η ανακάλυψη του δικού μας φωτός χρησιμοποιώντας τα ταλέντα μας και τα δώρα που ο Θεός μας έχει χαρίσει. Πληροφορίες για το Stewardship του 2017 έχουν ήδη σταλεί σε όλους. Σας παρακαλούμε να συμπληρώνετε την κάρτα προσφοράς σας για το 2017 προσεκτικά και να απαντάτε σε ΟΛΕΣ τις ερωτήσεις. Οι εθελοντικές υπηρεσίες που σας ενδιαφέρουν αντανακλούν τα ταλέντα και τα δώρα σας απ το Θεό-το φως που υπάρχει μέσα σας! ΑΓIΑΣΜΟΣ ΣΠIΤIΩΝ-Τo έθιμo καλεί vα αγιάζoυμε τα σπίτια μας κατά τηv επoχή τωv Θεoφαvείωv. Μερικοί φέρουν τον αγιασμό στον σπίτι τους και άλλοι θέλουν τον ιερέα να αγιάσει το σπίτι τους. Εαν θέλετε ο ιερέας να έλθει σπίτι σας για αγιασμό παρακαλoύμε όπως τηλεφωvείτε στo γραφείo της εκκλησίας (847/ ). 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 λαμβάνουμε 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. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: TODAY: VASILOPITA LUNCHEON!! Tonight Metropolis Vasilopita at Glenview... 6:00 pm Mon, Jan 9 Family Night :30 pm Sr. GOYA. 7:30 pm Tues, Jan 10 Little Angels.. 11:30 am Afternoon Greek School. 4:30 pm Afternoon PTA. 5:45 pm Wed, Jan 11 Philoptochos Monthly Meeting.. 7:30 pm Thurs, Jan 12 Bible Study 7:30 pm Fri, Jan 13 Afternoon Greek School. 4:30 pm Greek School New Year Party.. 6:30 pm Sat, Jan 14 Saturday Greek School.. 9:00 am Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.

8 TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, January 8, 2017 Sunday after Epiphany Κυριακὴ μετά τά Φῶτα Our Holy Father George the Chozevite. Dominica the Righteous. Tοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Γεωργίου τοῦ Χοζεβίτου. Tῆς Ὁσίας Μητρὸς ἡμῶν Δομνίκης. ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Apolytikion of the Fourth Tone Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀποῤῥίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον, Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. When they had learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and that the ancestral condemnation was cast away, the women disciples of the Lord spoke to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting to the world the great mercy. Apolytikion of Epiphany Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε, ἡ τῆς Τριάδος ἐφανερώθη προσκύνησις, τοῦ γὰρ Γεννήτορος ἡ φωνὴ προσεμαρτύρει σοι, ἀγαπητὸν σὲ Υἱὸν ὀνομάζουσα, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα ἐν εἴδει περιστερᾶς, ἐβεβαίου τοῦ λόγου τὸ ἀσφαλές. Ὁ ἐπιφανεὶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τὸν κόσμον φωτίσας δόξα σοι. In the Jordan, when You were baptized, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was revealed. For the voice of the Creator bore witness to You, naming You the beloved Son; and the Spirit in the likeness of a dove, confirmed the truthfulness of the word. O Christ, who are revealed as God and gave light to the world, glory to You. 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 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 Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον τῇ οἰκουμένῃ, καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, ἐσημειώθη ἐφ' ἡμᾶς, ἐν ἐπιγνώσει ὑμνοῦντάς σε. Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον. You have appeared today to the universe, and Your light, O Lord, has been inscribed upon us, who in knowledge praise You. You have come and manifested the Light unapproachable.