St. Mark the Archbishop of Ephesos

Transcript

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. Mark the Archbishop of Ephesos When the foundations of Byzantium were crumbling, diplomats redoubled their efforts to find a possibility of union with Western powers for a battle against the common adversary of Christianity, Islam. For this it was necessary above all to make peace with the Vatican. A Council was convened in 1437, which established a committee of Latin and Greek theologians with the Pope and the Byzantine Emperor acting as heads. Prompted by the strained circumstances of Byzantium, the Emperor pursued his aim: to conclude an agreement profitable for his country. Few gave thought to the spiritual consequences of such a union. Only one delegate, the Metropolitan of Ephesos, St. Mark, stood in firm opposition. In his address to the Pope at the opening of the Council, St. Mark explained how ardently he desired this union with the Latins but a genuine union, he explained, based upon unity of faith and ancient Liturgical practice. He also informed the Pope that he and the other Orthodox bishops had come to the Council not to sign a capitulation, and not to sell Orthodoxy for the benefit of their government, but in order to confirm true and pure doctrine. Many of the Greek delegates, however, thought that the salvation of Byzantium could be attained only through union with Rome. More and more became willing to compromise for the sake of preserving a temporal kingdom. Furthermore, the negotiations were of such unexpectedly long duration that the Greek delegates no longer had means to support themselves; they began to suffer from hunger and were anxious to return home. The Pope, however, refused to give them any support until a "Union" had been concluded. The Latins used their economic and political advantage to bring pressure on the Orthodox delegation, demanding that they capitulate to the Roman Church and accept all her doctrines and administrative control. St. Mark stood alone against the rising tide which threatened to overturn the ark of the true Church. When the members of his own delegation tried to pressure him into accepting the Union he replied, There can be no compromise in matters of the Orthodox Faith. By this time St. Mark had fallen very ill (apparently suffering from cancer of the intestine). Events followed in rapid succession. The Emperor John Paleologos took the direction of the Church into his own hands, and the Orthodox were obliged to renounce their Orthodoxy and to accept the Pope as having "a primacy over the whole earth." During a triumphant service following the signing of the Union on July 5, 1439, the Greek delegates solemnly kissed the Pope's knee. In return for submission, the Pope agreed to provide money and soldiers for the defense of Constantinople against the Turks. But one bishop still had not signed. When the Pope saw that St. Mark's signature was not on the Act of Union, he exclaimed, "And so, we have accomplished nothing!" The members of the Orthodox delegation signed the Tomos of Union and returned home ashamed of their submission to Rome. Saint Mark was the only one who had refused to sign. He urged the inhabitants of Constantinople to repudiate the dishonorable document of union, and he was accorded respect by the people who greeted him as a Defender of Orthodoxy. The Eastern Patriarchs condemned the False Union and refused to recognize it. On June 23, 1444, at the age of 52 St Mark died and is remembered as a great pillar of the Faith. by Archimandrite Amvrossy Pogodin

2 News and Reminders The Saturday Greek School PTO invites you to today s Coffee Fellowship Hour in memory of Chris Degaitis, after today s church services! PROSPHORA We thank Mrs. Gina Funteas and Mrs. Alexandra Petruleas who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by Mrs. Voula Andrews (Thurs, Jan 18), and by Mrs. Pitsa Lamprinakos, Ms. Eugenia Bliamblias and the Yutakis Family (Sun, Jan 22). MEMORIAL SERVICES 40 days Christos Degaitis 5 years Ioannis Tsichlis 10 years Konstantinos Stephenson SACRAMENTAL REGISTRY Congratulations to:..mr. and Mrs. Athanasios Scoufis on the Baptism of their son yesterday at St. Haralambos. ΝΑ ΖΗΣH! 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. HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN IAKOVOS invites you to Great Vespers at 7pm on Monday Night, January 16 and to Divine Liturgy on Tuesday morning, Jan. 17 at the Metropolis Center in honor of the Feast of St. Anthony, the patron saint of the Metropolis Chapel. (Divine Liturgy WILL NOT be celebrated at St. Haralambos on January 17 th.) OUR SISTER COMMUNITY of Saint Athanasios in Aurora invites you to Great Vespers at 7:00 pm on Tuesday evening, Jan. 17, and to Divine Liturgy on Wednesday morning, Jan. 18 in honor of the Feast of Saint Athanasios. (Divine Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on January 18 th.) MARCH FOR LIFE The Chicago March for Life will take place TODAY, January 15, at the Federal Plaza in Chicago, starting at 2:00. The Orthodox Church will be represented! You are invited to join our Orthodox brothers and sisters in making a statement that we believe LIFE IS SACRED. ALL LIVES MATTER! SANCTITY OF LIFE PRAYER SERVICE & PRESENTATION will take place on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 6:00 pm at St Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church in Burr Ridge. His Grace Bishop Paul of the OCA Diocese of the Midwest will offer the homily. As Orthodox Christians we believe that life is sacred! This an opportunity for us to gather together and pray that God enlighten all people to honor life! GREEK LETTERS LUNCHEON The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago invites you to the annual Greek Letters Luncheon on Sunday, January 29 at 2:00 pm at the Chateau Ritz Banquet Hall. Dr. Stefanos Katsikas will be the featured speaker. The donation for the luncheon is $60 per person, so please save the date and plan on coming! Tickets are available in our church office. Please call for reservations! WEEK OF GREEK LETTERS Plan to attend and join in the celebration of Greek Letters at these events: Saturday, Jan 28 at 3:00 pm at St. John the Baptist Church PAN-SCHOLIKI CELEBRATION Sun., Jan 29 at 10:00 am at St. Demetrios Church, Chicago Liturgy Sunday, Jan 29 at 2:00 pm Greek Letters Luncheon at Chateau Ritz Sunday, Jan 29 at 7:00 pm at St. Haralambos in Niles Great Vespers for the Three Hierarchs Monday, Jan 30 at 10:00 am at Ss Constantine and Helen, Palos Hills Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

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 identification. The survey can be completed on line; paper copies are also available in the church ANNOUNCEMENTS 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 was, 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. SAVE THE DATE! FEB 12 St. Haralambos 66th Anniversary Celebration 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 Πρὸς Κολασσαεῖς γ 4-11 Ἀδελφοί, ὅταν ὁ Χριστὸς φανερωθῇ, ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν, τότε καὶ ὑμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ φανερωθήσεσθε ἐν δόξῃ. Νεκρώσατε οὖν τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν, ἀκαθαρσίαν, πάθος, ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρία, δι ἃ ἔρχεται ἡ ὀργὴ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς τῆς ἀπειθείας, ἐν οἷς καὶ ὑμεῖς περιεπατήσατέ ποτε ὅτε ἐζῆτε ἐν αὐτοῖς νυνὶ δὲ ἀπόθεσθε καὶ ὑμεῖς τὰ πάντα, ὀργήν, θυμόν, κακίαν, βλασφημίαν, αἰσχρολογίαν ἐκ τοῦ στόματος ὑμῶν μὴ ψεύδεσθε εἰς ἀλλήλους, ἀπεκδυσάμενοι τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον σὺν ταῖς πράξεσιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν νέον τὸν ἀνακαινούμενον εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν κατ εἰκόνα τοῦ κτίσαντος αὐτόν, ὅπου οὐκ ἔνι Ἕλλην καὶ Ιουδαῖος, περιτομὴ καὶ ἀκροβυστία, βάρβαρος, Σκύθης, δοῦλος, ἐλεύθερος, ἀλλὰ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἐν πᾶσι Χριστός. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Λουκᾶν ιζ Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσερχομένου τοῦ Ἰησοῦ εἴς τινα κώμην ἀπήντησαν αὐτῷ δέκα λεπροὶ ἄνδρες, οἳ ἔστησαν πόρρωθεν,καὶ αὐτοὶ ἦραν φωνὴν λέγοντες, Ιησοῦ ἐπιστάτα, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Καὶ ἰδὼν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, Πορευθέντες ἐπιδείξατε ἑαυτοὺς τοῖς ἱερεῦσιν. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὑπάγειν αὐτοὺς ἐκαθαρίσθησαν. Εἷς δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν, ἰδὼν ὅτι ἰάθη, ὑπέστρεψεν μετὰ φωνῆς μεγάλης δοξάζων τὸν θεόν,καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον παρὰ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ εὐχαριστῶν αὐτῷ καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν Σαμαρίτης. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν, Οὐχὶ οἱ δέκα ἐκαθαρίσθησαν; οἱ δὲ ἐννέα ποῦ;οὐχ εὑρέθησαν ὑποστρέψαντες δοῦναι δόξαν τῷ θεῷ εἰ μὴ ὁ ἀλλογενὴς οὗτος;καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, Αναστὰς πορεύου ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέν σε.

5 Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today EPISTLE READING Colossians 3:4-11 BRETHREN, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all. GOSPEL READING Luke 17:12-19 At that time, as Jesus entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When He saw them He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And He said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

6

7 Ανακοινώσεις 2017 Stewardship DISCOVER THE LIGHT! Ο Χριστός, που είναι το Φως του Κόσμου, 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: Mon, Jan 16 Martin Luther King Day No School Tues, Jan 17 Little Angels.. 11:30 am Afternoon Greek School. 4:30 pm Wed, Jan 18 Orthros and Liturgy (Ss. Athanasios and Cyril) 8:30 am Parish Council Monthly Meeting.. 7:30 pm Thurs, Jan 19 Bible Study 7:30 pm Fri, Jan 20 Afternoon Greek School. 4:30 pm Sat, Jan 21 Saturday Greek School.. 9:00 am School Board.. 12:30 pm Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.

8 TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, January 15, th Sunday of Luke Κυριακή ΙB Λουκά Our Holy Fathers Paul of Thebes and John the Cave-Dweller Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Παύλου τοῦ Θηβαίου καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἰωάννου τοῦ Καλυβίτου. ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Apolytikion of the First Plagal Tone Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῶ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ. The beginningless Word, with the Father and the Spirit, who was born of a Virgin for our salvation, let us the faithful praise and worship; for he willed in the flesh to be lifted up on the Cross, and to endure death, and to raise up the dead, by His glorious Resurrection. Apolytikion of St. John the Cave-Dweller Ἐκ βρέφους τὸν Κύριον, ἐπιποθήσας θερμῶς, τὸν κόσμον κατέλιπες, καὶ τὰ ἐν κόσμῳ τερπνά, καὶ ἤσκησας ἄριστα ἔπηξας τὴν καλύβην, πρὸ πυλῶν σῶν γονέων, ἔθραυσας τῶν δαιμόνων, τὰς ἐνέδρας Παμμάκαρ διὸ σε Ἰωάννη Χριστός, ἀξίως ἐδόξασεν. 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 Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῷ τόκῳ σου, καὶ χεῖρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νῦν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος. You who did sanctify the virginal womb by Your birth and who did bless the hands of Simeon, now have come and saved us, O Christ God. Bring peace to Your nation in war, and strengthen the people whom You have loved, who alone love mankind.