VOICE THE. THE VOICE March Volume No. 260

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1 THE VOICE THE VOICE March Volume No. 260 TABLE OF CONTENTS Father s Article... 1, 2 Stewardship... 3 Holy Lent , 5 New Year s Eve Results... 5 Hellenic Letters... 6 Sunday School... 7 Archangels... 8 Iconogrpaphy Project Parish Events PTA News Cherubs Κοινοτικά Νέα Liturgical Schedule... 15,17 Community Events ST. SPYRIDON HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH S. RIDGELAND AVE. PALOS HEIGHTS, IL WWW. SAINT- SPYRIDON.ORG Hymn of Note All too often I hear from my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that the Church must preach a more socially relevant gospel. They claim that the Church does not speak to the everyday issues of modern society. Of course, if some of these faithful Christians looked into the work of our Patriarchate s struggle for social justice, religious freedom, the protection of the environment, the sanctity of life, and many such issues effecting every human being on this planet earth, I would think the only problem the Church really may have is one of adequately communicating to its faithful the extent of its presence as a voice crying in the wilderness. Nevertheless, we must all realize that while the work of the Church is to help make this world resemble the kingdom of heaven, it is not its primary purpose. A better world would simply be the fruit of the Church s mission; a mission which sees that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). Christ came to live among us not to establish a kingdom politically or socially, but rather to establish the kingdom of heaven personally within us. Therefore, the goal of the Church is to change the world through the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis Saturday, March 17th, 2012 Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church

2 The Voice - H ΦΩNH Official Monthly Community Publication of St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL REV. FR. TILEMAHOS ALIKAKOS IERATIKOS PROESTAMENOS Church Office Hours:... Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Phone: , 2313 or 0787 Fax: office@saint-spyridon.org Web: Parish Council Officers Taso Panagiotopoulos... President James Korbakes... 1st Vice-President Konstantinos Labrakis... 2nd V. President Tom Zentefis... Secretary Larry Kekempanos... Assistant Secretary Nicholas Chibucos... Treasurer Gus Kolyvas... Assistant Treasurer Auxiliary Officers Stylianos Bonanos... Chanter Toula Georgiopoulos... Philoptochos Georgia Theoharis... P.T.A. Ida Trakadas... Kentro Lambrini Stavrou... Plutarchos Greek School Anna Angelos... Archangels Academy Zoe Kopanis... Sunday School Director Nicky Glikis... Choir Director Dana Vasilakos... G.O.Y.A. & Jr. G.O.Y.A. Joanne Spinos... Cherubs Patrice Pagunas... HOPE Fr. Tilemahos... Byzantine Music Panagiotis Mihalopoulos... Iconography Fr. Tilemahos... Bible Study Angela Sinzianu... Handmaidens Nick Chibucos... Altar Boys John Angelos... Athletics And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (cont d from page 1) presence of God within the heart of every person. Let us just look at the hymn of note for this month that comes to us from the orthros of the fourth Sunday of Great Lent: Come, let us work in the mystical vineyard, making fruits of repentance grow within it; let us not labour for the sake of food and drink, but through prayer and fasting let us gain the virtues. And the Lord of the vineyard, pleased by our labour, will provide for the payment, whereby He redeems our souls from the debt of sin, for He alone is rich in mercy. The theme of this hymn is taken from the Gospel of St. Matthew, where Jesus speaks of the owner of a vineyard who hires workers, some at the beginning of the day, some later in the afternoon, and some at the eleventh hour. He pays them all the same, because to Him it is more important that they make an effort to work in the vineyard with an honest heart than the length of their employment. The reward for working in the vineyard of the Lord is the forgiveness of our sins. It is a reward that we cannot attain anywhere else. While we labor and toil for our food and drink and all our daily needs in our place of employment, nowhere can we earn the forgiveness of our sins; nowhere can we find the presence of God, the peace of our conscience and the entry into an eternal existence with those whom we love, other than in the work of the Lord s vineyard. In that mystical vineyard, we no longer seek food and drink as we do in the daily grind. Rather we grow fruits of repentance such as the virtues of prayer, humility, fasting, patience, forgiveness, compassion, and love. The reward for growing these fruits is the forgiveness of sins, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the peace of the kingdom of heaven being present within and around us. While these fruits of repentance grow in a mystical garden, no one can deny the social effect that this labor brings about in the world. For example, would not the virtue of fasting have helped curtail the economic crisis of our time? A few years ago, when millions of Americans bought homes that were bigger than what they needed or could have afforded, would the practice of fasting have helped since it teaches us to be modest not only in our food but in all aspects of our life as consumers of God s bounty? Would not the virtue of humility be helpful in a society where no one seems to be willing to take responsibility for their own mistakes thus destroying all credibility and trust in our political or civil leaders? Would not the virtues of compassion and love alleviate the social injustices that have brought about all the unrest we witness from Wallstreet, to Greece, and around the world? Certainly, the Church must express its virtues in concrete works of love toward those in need. The Church must continue to be a strong advocate for truth and justice among all those who preach otherwise. Nevertheless, the primary focus of the Church has always been the salvation of man through the dispensation of God s mercy upon all the faithful. We seek first the kingdom of God within us and in our midst, and when the Lord wills it, His Kingdom will come for all to see both now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos 2 The Voice

3 STEWARDSHIP 2012 Stewardship 2012 Progress Report As of February 24th, 2012 Pledged Stewards: 150 Average Stewardship: $ Amount of Stewardship donated: $57,606 Stewardship Goal for Stewards The Stewardship Committee thanks our 150 Stewards who have fulfilled their pledge for the 2012 year. We wish to express our gratitude for your commitment to the Lord s work through our Church of Saint Spyridon. And to you who have not yet pledged, we ask of you to commit yourself and your family so that the Word of God may continue in His glorious name. STEWARDS 2012-JANUARY 27TH-FEBRUARY 24TH Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Alexakos Mr. & Mrs. John Angelos Mr. John Arger Mr. & Mrs. Peter Ayaleanos Dr. & Mrs. Theodore Bechrakis Mr. & Mrs. Sam Bisbikis Ms. Eleni Bizoukas Mr. & Mrs. Leo Bizoukas Mr. Stylianos Bonanos Ms. Angela Evangelopoulos Mrs. Christos Evangelopoulos Ms. Ruth Faklis Ms. Rena Falcone Mrs. & Mrs. John Farsatis Mrs. Maria Farsatis Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Garinis Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Georgiopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Gust Grapsas Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Intzes Mr. & Mrs. Kyriakos Kalpakidis Mr. & Mrs. Steve Kapsalis Mr. & Mrs. Akela Karampelas Ms. Denise Karioris Mr. Michael Katsis Mr. & Mrs. Pavlos Kladis Mr. & Mrs. Louis Klioris Mr. & Mrs. Robert Kontaris Mr. & Mrs. George Kosionis Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Kottaras Mr. & Mrs. George Kristo Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Les Mrs. Nicholas Lillios Mr. & Mrs. William Limperis Mr. & Mrs. John Lavvas Mr. & Mrs. Apostolos Malfas Mr. Labros Malfas Mr. & Mrs. Chris Manolitsis Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Mastoras Mr. Nicholas Mataragas Mr. & Mrs. Nick Panagiotaros Mr. & Mrs. Taso Panagiotopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Tom Papoulias Dr. & Mrs. Amiel Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Pappas Mr. & Mrs. John Perakis Mr. & Mrs. Alex Perros Mr. Athanasios Perros Mr. & Mrs. Nick Petinatos Mr. Peter Polmen Mrs. Panagiota Poziopoulos Mr. & Dr. Kostas Retsinas The Smirnis Family Ms. Rita Sperlakis Mr. & Mrs. John Spiro Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Stamus Mr. & Mrs. Thanos Stavropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Stavrou Mr. & Mrs. Christos Tsakiris Mr. John Tsikouris Mr. & Mrs. Louis Tsonis Fr. & Pr. Nikiforos Tzerdimos Mr. & Mrs. James Xeros Mr. & Mrs. Antonis Vassiliou Ms. Ourania Vassiliou Mr. & Mrs. Peter Vlahos Mr. & Mrs. Alex Vlassis Mrs. Ellie Zacharopoulos Mrs. Effie Zorbas ΓΙΝΕ ΚΑΛΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝΑ Ευχαριστούμε τις 150 οικογένεις που εκπλήρωσαν τις υποσχέσεις τους για το έτος Υπενθυμίζουμε σε όλους ότι έχουν ταχυδρομηθεί οι Καταστάσεις Υπόσχεσης του Καλού Οικονόμου για το τρέχον έτος. Σας παρακαλούμε να ανανεώσετε την συνδρομή σας το γρηγορώτερο δυνατόν. Οι δραστηριότες και τα έξοδα της ενορίας μας έχουν αυξηθεί κατά πολύ και χρειαζόμαστε την βοήθεια και την υποστήρηξη όλων σας. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 3

4 Lenten Worship LENTEN WORSHIP OFFERINGS Each year at this time, the Holy Metropolis of Chicago calls the faithful to the Lenten period worship offerings so that all may participate fully in this Holiest of seasons. Solemn Vespers began on Sunday, February 26th, on the Eve of Great Lent and are celebrated on each Sunday evening throughout Great Lent. Various parishes throughout the Chicagoland area will host the Sunday Vespers as follows: Sunday, March 4th Sunday of Orthodoxy Pan-Orthodox Vespers Celebration beginning at 6:30 PM. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (10301 N. Kolmar Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL). His Grace, Bishop Daniel of Pamphilon, Western Eparchy, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, preacher. Sunday, March 18th Veneration of the Holy Cross Solemn Vespers beginning at 7.00 PM. Ascension of our Lord Church, Lincolnshire, IL. Mr. Alex Magdalinos, M.Div., preacher. Sunday, March 25th St. John of the Ladder Great Vespers for The Leavetaking of the Feast of the Annunciation, beginning at 7.00 PM. Holy Taxiarchai-St. Haralambos Church, Niles, IL. Rev. Athanasios Papagiannis, preacher. Sunday, April 1st St. Mary of Egypt Solemn Vespers beginning at 7.00 PM. All Saints Church, Joliet, IL. Rev. Jason Dickey, preacher. May the ways of prayer, fasting and almsgiving make our Great Lent truly fruitful and uplifting so that we may worthily celebrate the Lord s Pascha. PARISH MINISTRY PROGRAMS DIAKONIA AGAPES We will again be having our evening meals each Wednesday after the Presanctified Liturgy. Different organizations will be sponsoring these meals. Please come join everyone in Liturgy an then in the meal. All proceeds for these meals are used to support our St. Iakovos Camp and Retreat Center. We are also collecting donations for our Pascha Needy Baskets. At this time, we have 12 needy families. Items needed for the Baskets: Leg of lamb, ham, turkey, ground beef, fresh potatoes, fresh cranberries, non-perishable items, fruit pies, fresh fruit & bread, and monetary donations. Please call the Church office if you wish to donated any of the above mentioned items. An updated list of items needed is posted outside our new Food Pantry room in our community center. ΚΑΛΗ ΣΑΡΑΚΟΣΤΗ!!! GREAT LENT AND EASTER FLOWERS The Great Lent and Easter Season is approaching quickly and once again we are asking for your contributions and donations towards the adornment of our St. Spyridon Church during the Lenten and Pascha season. Please keep in mind that Great Lent began on Monday, February 27th. The following items are needed: Daffodils for the Veneration of the Holy Cross Flowers for the icons of Salutations & Akathist Palms and Vaia for Palm Sunday Flowers for the Icons for Saturday of Lazarus Flowers for the Icons for Palm Sunday Flowers for the Icons of the Bridegroom Flowers for the Icon of the Last Supper Flower arrangement for the foot of the Cross Donations for the flowers for the Epitaphios Pascha Lily Plants (15 plants needed) Flowers for the Icon of the Resurrection Please call the Church Office if you are interested in donating to the above items. Your generous assistance will be, as always, appreciated. 4 The Voice

5 LENTEN MEALS Lenten Events During Great Lent, Lenten Meals will be hosted by the different Parish organizations of our community. Each dinner is pot-luck and always delicious. We ask that the members of each organization bring a lenten dish for their assigned day. The Lenten Meals will be held every Wednesday of Great Lent after the Presanctified Liturgy. All free will donations will benefit our St. Iakovos Camp and Retreat Center. The Lenten Meal schedule is as follows: Wednesday, March 7th Bible Study Groups and Kentro of Orthodox Martyria Wednesday, March 14th Choir & Chanters Wednesday, March 21st Handmaidens Wednesday, March 28th P.T.A. Wednesday, April 6th Altar Boys Friday, April 6th Philoptochos Society Let us all come together for these Great Lent fellowship gatherings. FESTIVAL OF BOOKS WEEK The FESTIVAL OF BOOKS, hosted by Holy Apostles Church, will begin on Sunday, March 11th. Make every effort to attend the church services and lectures during this inspirational week. Holy Apostles is located at 2501 S. Wolf Rd., Westchester, IL. Sunday, March 11th - 6:30 p.m. Dr. Veniamin, Lecturer Tuesday, March 13th- 6:30 p.m. Dr. Demetrios Katos, Lecturer Wed., March 15th - 6:30 p.m. Dr. Harry Boosalis, Lecturer SUMMARY OF NEW YEAR'S EVE DANCE RESULTS We wish to thank everyone who attended the New Year's Eve Dance. As you can see from the results in the comparative table below our church had a successful dance. We wish to thank all the parishioners who participated either by attending and/or through their various donations and contributions. More detail regarding NY Eve Dance Results is available to any Steward by contacnting the Church Office. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 5

6 PLUTARCHOS HELLENIC LETTERS CELEBRATION 6 The Voice

7 SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS This month, the Sunday School students were asked to participate in our own Souper Bowl by donating canned items to our food pantry. Together, we collected more than 400 cans of food! A big thanks to all the parents and children who participated! Together, we can make a difference to help those in need. Our big event in March is that we are hosting the Family Synaxis on Saturday, March 17th. It is an all day event for the whole family. We need volunteers to help with the hospitality. We also encourage all our families to participate and register online at On February 24th, the Sunday School teachers had dinner together to discuss upcoming events, such as the Family Synaxis, Holy Week events, graduation, summer camp and much more. We discussed that Lent should be a time of silence and prayer. We should all make the effort to turn off our tv s, computers, and cell-phones, and to make time to read and reflect on our spiritual journey. We pray that all our Sunday School families have a blessed and fruitful Great Lent, enjoying the church services and making this special time of the year a time in which we commit ourselves and one another and our whole lives to Christ our God. ATHLETICS Many thanks to our soccer coaches Kosta Retsinas & Nick Dagres, and basketball coaches Angelo Velissaris and Tim Georgiopoulos, and their assistants for a wonderful season. Please look for more athletic events after Pascha as we prepare for Junior Olympics. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 7

8 Registration is open for the school year! With our class-size limited to 24 students per session we request all applications to be submitted by March 20th so we can plan accordingly for the fall session. To set up a visit or if you have any question contact Mrs. Anna Angelos at archangels@saintspyridon.org or Applications are available at saint-spyridon.org/archangels or the church office. Καλή Σαρακοστή to everyone! The students have paper mached a dinosaur which is over 4 feet long and 3 feet tall. We are very proud of our dinosaur; feel free to stop by and check it out. In addition to our dinosaur we have a couple of more pets in our classroom, Ted the turtle and Arianna the gerbil. They are a wonderful part of our classroom and the children have shown a great deal of interest and compassion for our friends. Children and chaperons alike enjoyed a trip to the theater to see "The 3 Little Pigs" Students have been working on a paper mache dinosaur in class. 8 The Voice

9 ICONOGRAPHY PROJECT Bless those who love the beauty of Thy house Dear Faithful of Saint Spyridon, There is no doubt that our community has been adorned with some of the most beautiful and heartwarming iconography I have ever seen. Thanks to the dedication of our iconography committee, headed by Mr. Ted Georgiopoulos, we are ready to proceed with the completion of our church iconography. The areas to be completed are the ceilings above the altar, the solea, and the north, south, and west arches. The iconographer will be Mr. Leonidas Diamantopoulos, who began his career at St. Spyridon s almost 30 years ago. He has agreed to finish the project according to the pace at which we can raise the funds necessary for completion. On the following two pages you will find the names and the arrangement of all the icons as they will be placed in the church. Furthermore, a list of saints is available in our church office and on our website, out of whom donors may pick to donate for the rows of icon medallions. All dedications and memorials will be acknowledged when the iconography is completed with a large plaque memorializing all of the icons and the names in which they were dedicated. Now, we appeal to all you, our dedicated faithful of Saint Spyridon. Our goal is to complete this project before our parish s 100th anniversary which will take place in That gives us five short years. However, I sincerely believe that, with the blessings of our patron Saint Spyridon and with your loving generosity, we can complete our church much sooner. Kindly consider donating to the iconography of our church and to adorning our house of worship with your expression of love for our beloved parish. In His Service, Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos Εὐλόγησον τούς ἀγαπῶντας τήν εὐπρέπειαν τοῦ οἲκου Σου Σεβαστοί ἐνορίτες τοῦ Ἁγίου Σπυρίδωνος, Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὃτι ἡ ἐκκλησία τοῦ Ἁγίου Σπυρίδωνος εἶναι στολισμένη ὂχι μόνο μέ ἐκλεκτό καἰ εὐσεβές ἐκκλησίασμα, ἀλλά καί μέ κάλλιστη ἀρχιτεκτονική καί εἰκονογραφία. Μέ τήν ἀφοσίωση τῆς ἐπιτροπῆς τῆς εἰκονογράφησης, ὑπό τήν φροντίδα τοῦ κ. Φάνη Γεωργιόπουλου, ἡ ἐνορία μας εἶναι ἒτοιμη νά προχωρἠσει μέ τἠν διακπεραίωση τοῦ εἰκονογραφικοῦ ἒργου μέ τήν τοποθέτηση εἰκόνων πάνω ἀπό τό ἱερό, τόν σολέα, καί τίς τρεῖς ὑπόλοιπες καμάρες. Ὁ εἰκονογράφος, κ. Λεωνίδας Διαμαντόπουλος, ὁ ὁποῖος ἂρχισε τό ἒργο αὐτό πρίν τριάντα περίπου χρόνια, θά τελέσει τήν ἐργασία αὐτή. Στίς ἐπόμενες σελίδες, μπορεῖτε νά ἐξετάσετε τίς παραστάσεις πού θά τοποθετηθοῦν. Πέρα τῶν παραστάσεων, θά τοποθετηθοῦν καί 34 Ἃγιοι ἀπό τὀν κατάλογον Ἁγίων πού κρατεῖται στό κοινοτικό γραφεῖο.. Ὃλες οἱ δωρεές θά ἀναγνωριστοῦν μέ ἀναμνηστική πλακίδα μέ τό ὃνομα τῆς εἰκόνας καί τῶν δωρητῶν, πού θά τοποθετηθεῖ δίπλα στό «Δένδρο τῆς Ἁγάπης». Παρακαλοῦμε ὃπως ὃλοι συμβάλουμε στό θεάρεστο αὐτό ἒργο τῆς ἐκκλησίας γιά νά διακοσμήσουμε τόν πανέμορφον ναόν μας σύμφωνα μέ τήν ἀγάπη πού ἒχουμε ὃλοι για τήν ἐκκλησία μας καί τόν προστάτη μας, τόν Ἃγιον Σπυρίδωνα. Ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπῃ, π. Τηλέμαχος Ἀλικάκος St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 9

10 The Altar Ascension Sunday of Thomas Pentecost St. Spyridon at Council Miracle of St. Spyridon 14 icon medallions The Altar Phase I Altar, Solea & West Arch Phase II North & South Arches Adoration of the Magi Flight to Egypt Jesus & Children Wedding in Cana Transfiguration Raising Lazarus Last Supper The Empty Tomb Tree of Jesse Patriarchs of O.T. 20 icon medallions The Solea Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church Iconography Project Let us complete the beautiful iconography of our parish in time for our 100th Anniversary. Offer your gift of love that will inspire future generations. West Arch North Arch 10 The Voice South Arch

11 In two phases, the iconography project will adorn the five arches of our church and complete the church iconography with 34 saints and 15 major icons of biblical scenes. Flight to Egypt Sunday of Thomas St. Spyridon at Council Adoration of the Magi Wedding in Cana St. Spyridon s miracle Jesus blessing the children Transfiguration The Ascension of our Lord The Empty Tomb The Raising of Lazarus The Tree of Jesse Patriarchs of the Old Testament Thirty four individual icon medallions Pentecost The Last Supper St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 11

12 SACRAMENTS BAPTISMS The son of Mr. & Mrs. John Lavas was baptized on February 19th and given the name George. Mr. & Mrs. George Theoharis were the sponsors. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Theofanis Gatsios was baptized on February 25th and given the name Anastasia. Mr. & Mrs. Dino Koutsoubas were the sponsors. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Konstantine Goudis was baptized on February 26th and given the name Naia Nicoletta. Ms. Denise Karioris was the sponsor. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. John Farsatis was baptized on February 26th and given the name Chrysanthi. Ms. Ourania Vassiliou was the sponsor. Να σας Ζήσουν! THANK YOU Mr. & Mrs. John Fotopoulos for donating a gold leaf in memory of Areti Staudohar. The Galetsis Family for donating a gold leaf in memory of Denise Palas. For the donations to our iconography fund by Mr. Gus Pappas, the Topalidis family, and in memory of Stan Kintonis. To Mr. Kosta Stergiopoulos for painting our cry room and the bride s room. To all who brought donations for our Food Pantry on Souperbowl Sunday. To all the volunteers who put together our Open Gym Family Night. To all our GOYAns for a wonderful Presanctified meal on February 29th. To George Tsourdinis for all his work on our website. IN MEMORIAM FUNERALS Areti Staudohar, fell asleep to the Lord on February 1st Her Funeral took place on February 4th. Helen Meklis fell asleep to the Lord on February 22nd. Her Funeral took place on February 25th. May their memory be eternal! Our deepest sympathy to their families. MEMORIALS Sunday, February 5th 9 days for Anastasios Kintonis and 1 year for Christos Evangelopoulos Sunday, February 12th 40 days for Denise Palas 12 The Voice

13 P.T.A. NEWS The P.T.A. hosted a School Spirit Day on Monday, February 13th, during which the students enjoyed a Hot Dog Dinner. We finished the month of February with a very successful Family Fun Night, on Friday, February 24th. Thank you to all the members that helped plan, donated food and served for both events. A special thank you to Mrs. Anna Angelos for organizing the Minute to Win It games. It was fun for everyone! Our March meeting will be held on Monday, March 12th, during Greek School. We are getting ready to host this year s Family Synaxis, on Saturday, March 17th. The P.T.A. will provide breakfast and lunch. On March 25th we will hold the Greek Independence Day Celebration with a program and luncheon. The luncheon donation for adults is $12, and for children under 12 it is free of charge. The P.T.A. will host the Presanctified Gifts dinner on Wednesday, March 28th. Please make plans to attend the Greek Independence day parade on Sunday, April 22nd. We wish you all a blessed Lenten Season. CHERUBS This month has been a busy one at Cherubs! We started off by celebrating Chrysa Halkias' 3rd Birthday with a princess party! We also celebrated The Feast day of The Three Heirarchs by creating a beautiful project featuring the Children's Greek names. The children also made beautiful handprint Valentines and celebrated apokries by creating their own beautiful carnival masks! Cherubs is a playgroup program for children from birth through 3 years old. Come join the fun! Children will participate in reading time, songs, games, religious activities & much more. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 13

14 ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ ΠΛΟΥΤΑΡΧΟΣ Συγχαρητήρια σε όλους τους μαθητές του Ελληνικού μας σχολείου για την συμμετοχή τους στον εορτασμό των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων. Οι μαθητές των ανωτέρων τάξεων του Σχολείου μας, θα διαβάζουν τις Παρασκευές των Χαιρετισμών τις προσευχές προς την Υπεραγία Θεοτόκον και τον Κύριον, στα Ελληνικά και Αγγλικά. Την Παρασκευή, 9 Μαρτίου και από τις 5:00 6:30 μ.μ. θα δώσουμε ελέγχους στους γονείς των μαθητών. Το σχολείο μας θα λειτουργήσει κανονικά αυτή την ημέρα με μάθημα από τις 4:30 6:30 μ.μ. Ο εορτασμός της 25ης Μαρτίου 1821, από το σχολείο μας, θα γίνει την Κυριακή στις 25 Μαρτίου. Οι μαθητές μας πρέπει να έλθουν ντυμένοι με την Εθνική ενδυμασία του Εύζωνα και της Αμαλίας ή με την σχολική μας εδυμασία (μπλε και άσπρο). Την Κυριακή, 22 Απριλίου και στις 2:30 μ.μ. θα γίνει η Ελληνική Παρέλαση στην Ελληνική Παροικία του Σικάγου. Πρέπει όλοι μας να εκκλησιασθούμε και στην συνέχεια να υποστηρίξουμε την Παρέλασή μας. Οι μαθητές του Ελληνικού Σχολείου πρέπει υποχρεωτικά να έλθουν όλοι στην Παρέλαση, διότι θα ληφθούν απουσίες. Η ενδυμασία θα είναι μπλε και άσπρο κι όσοι από τους μαθητές μας έχουν την Εθνική ενδυμασία της Αμαλίας και του Εύζωνα να την φορέσουν. Όλα τα μέλη της ενορίας είναι ευπρόσδεκτα να παρελάσουν με τους μαθητές του σχολείου μας. ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ 25ΗΣ ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ Τήν Κυριακή, 25η Μαρτίου, ο Σύλλογος Γονέων και Διδασκάλων, και οι μαθητές του Ελληνικού μας Σχολείου και ο χορευτικός μας σύλλογος θα παρουσιάσουν γεύμα και εορταστικό πρόγραμμα πρός τιμήν της επετείου της 25ης Μαρτίου, Για κλείσεις θέσεων, παρακαλούμε να τηλεφωνήσετε το κοινοτικό γραφείο. «Κύριε, καὶ Δέσποτα τῆς ζωῆς μου, πνεῦμα ἀργίας, περιεργίας, φιλαρχίας, καὶ ἀργολογίας μή μοι δῷς. Πνεῦμα δὲ σωφροσύνης, ταπεινοφροσύνης, ὑπομονῆς καὶ ἀγάπης, χάρισαί μοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. Ναί, Κύριε Βασιλεῦ, δώρησαί μοι τοῦ ὁρᾶν τὰ ἐμὰ πταίσματα, καὶ μὴ κατακρίνειν τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, ὅτι εὐλογητὸς εἶ, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.» Εὐχή τοῦ Ἁγ. Εὐφραίμ ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΦΕ Για τον μήνα του Μαρτίου ο καφές μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία θα προσφέρετε από την Φιλόπτωχο Αδελφότητα. ΛΟΥΛΟΥΔΙΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΗΣ ΤΕΣΣΑΡΑΚΟΣΤΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΑΣΧΑ Φέτος και πάλι, παρακαλούμε όλους όσους έχουν την ευχαρίστηση να προσφέρουν χρήματα για την αγορά λουλούδιων για τον στολισμό των εικόνων των Χαιρετισμών της Παναγίας, της Σαρακοστής, της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδας, του Επιταφίου, καθώς και για τις γλάστρες με τα παραδοσιακά κρίνα, να επικοινωνήσουν με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. ΑΠΟΘΗΚΗ ΤΡΟΦΙΜΩΝ Μή ξεχνάτε ότι η εκκλησία μας παρέχει τρόφιμα σε οικογένειες που έχουν ανάγκη. ΙΕΡΑ ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΙΣ Το εσώκλειστο πρόγραμμα υποδυκνείει τίς ώρες για Ἱερά Ἐξομολόγηση πού θα προσφέρεται στην εκκλησία μας. Μπορείτε επίσης να κανονίσετε διαφορερική ώρα επικοινονώντας με το κοινοτικό γραφείο. Επίσης σημειώσετε ότι δεν θα ακούγονται εξομολογήσεις μετά τήν Μεγάλη Τρίτη, 10 Απριλίου. 14 The Voice

15 SCHEDULE OF DIVINE SERVICES Friday, March 2 nd Holy Confession 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 3 rd Saturday of Souls, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Holy Confession 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. * Great Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 4 th Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Pan-Orthodox Vespers, St. Nicholas, Oak Lawn 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 5 th Great Compline 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 6 th Holy Confession - 7:00p.m. 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 7 th The 9 th Hour and Prescanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 9 th Holy Confession 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. * Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 10 th Holy Confession 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. * Great Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 11 th 2 nd Sunday of Lent Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Solemn Vespers, Holy Apostles Church, Westchester, IL 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 12 th Great Compline 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13 th Holy Confession - 7:00p.m. 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 14 th Holy Confession 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. The 9 th Hour and Prescanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 16 th Holy Confession 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. * Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 17 th Family Synaxis, Orthros 8:30 a.m. & Great Vespers 4:15 p.m. Sunday, March 18 th Veneration of the Precious Cross Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Solemn Vespers Ascension of our Lord Church, Lincolnshire, IL 7p.m. Monday, March 19 th Great Compline 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20 th Holy Confession - 7:00p.m. 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 21 th Holy Confession 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. The 9 th Hour and Prescanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 23 rd Holy Confession 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. * Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 24 th Holy Confession 10:00 a.m. 12 noon & 4:00p.m. 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers at the Church of the Annunciation in Chicago, Milwaukee and Kankakee 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 25 th Annunciation of the Theotokos, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Great Vespers St. Haralambos Church, Niles, IL 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 26 th Great Compline 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27 th Holy Confession - 7:00p.m. 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 28 th The 9 th Hour and Prescanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29 th Canon of St. Andrew 8:00 a.m. Friday, March 30 th Akathist Hymn 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 31 st Holy Confession - 4:00p.m. - 6:00p.m. * Great Vespers 6:00 p.m. Sunday, April 1 st Fifth Sunday of Lent Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m. Solemn Vespers All Saints Church, Joliet, IL 7:00 p.m. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 15

16 MARCH 2012 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 4 Sunday School Procession with Icons 11 Sunday School 18 Sunday School Philoptochos Loukoumades 25 Family Worship Junior Choir Greek School program in honor of Greek Independence & P.T.A. Luncheon 5 Archangels Greek School-4:30 pm Byz. Music 5 p.m. Greek Bible Study- 7pm 12 Archangels Greek School-4:30 pm Byz. Music 5 p.m. PTA Meeting 5 p.m. Greek Bible Study- 7pm 19 Archangels Greek School-4:30 pm Byz. Music 5 p.m. Greek Bible Study- 7pm 26 Archangels Greek School-4:30 pm Byz. Music 5 p.m. Greek Bible Study- 7pm 6 Archangels Academy Cherubs 10:00 a.m. Iconography - 6 p.m. 17 Archangels Academy Cherubs 10:00 a.m. Iconography - 6 p.m. 20 Archangels Academy Cherubs 10:00 a.m. Iconography - 6 p.m. 27 Archangels Academy Cherubs 10:00 a.m. Iconography - 6 p.m. 7 Archangels 9 a.m. Lenten Meal hosted by the Bible Study and Kentro of Orthodox Martyria 14 Archangels 9 a.m. Lenten Meal hosted by the Choir 21 Archangels 9 a.m. Lenten Meal hosted by the Handmaidens 28 Archangels 9 a.m. Lenten Meal hosted by the P.T.A. 1 Archangels Academy Byz. Music 6:30 pm 8 Archangels Academy Byz. Music 6:30 pm GOYA Meeting 7:00 p.m.. 15 Archangels Academy Byz. Music 6:30 pm Parish Council 7:00 p.m. 22 Archangels Academy Byz. Music 6:30 pm GOYA Meeting 7:00 p.m. 29 Archangels Academy Byz. Music 6:30 pm 2 Greek School 4:30 p.m. 9 Greek School 4:30 p.m. Parent Teacher Conferences 16 Greek School 4:30 p.m. 23 Greek School 4:30 p.m. 30 Greek School 4:30 p.m. 3 Greek Dance 10:00 a.m. HOPE 11:00 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:30 a.m. 10 Greek Dance 10:00 a.m. HOPE 11:00 a.m. Pee-Wee Ball 11:30 a.m. 17 Family Synaxis 24 Greek Dance 10:00 a.m. 31

17 Παρασκευή 2 Μαρτίου Σάββατο 3 Μαρτίου Κυριακή 4 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα 5 Μαρτίου Τρίτη 6 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη 7 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή 9 Μαρτίου Σάββατο 10 Μαρτίου Κυριακή 11 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα 12 Μαρτίου Τρίτη 13 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη 14 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή 16 Μαρτίου Σάββατο 17 Μαρτίου Κυριακή 18 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα 19 Μαρτίου Τρίτη 20 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη 21 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή 23 Μαρτίου Σάββατο 24 Μαρτίου Κυριακή 25 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα 26 Μαρτίου Τρίτη 27 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη 28 Μαρτίου Πέμπτη 29 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή 30 Μαρτίου Σάββατο 31 Μαρτίου Κυριακή 1 Απριλίου ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. 1:00 μ.μ. * Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Ψυχοσάββατο, Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Μνημόσυνο 8:00 π.μ Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 4:00 μ.μ. 6:00 μ.μ. * Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας, Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία & Περιφορά των Αγίων Εικόνων 8:00 π.μ. * Πανορθόδοξος Εσπερινός στον Ιερό Ναό του Αγιου Νικολάου στο Oak Lawn, IL 6:30 μ.μ. Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:30 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 7:00 μ.μ. 8:00 μ.μ. 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. 1:00 μ.μ. * Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 4:00 μ.μ. 6:00 μ.μ. * Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Κυριακή τoυ Αγίου Γρηγορίου του Παλαμά, Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. * Κατανυκτικός Εσπερινός στον Ι.Ν. των Αγίων Αποστόλων, Westchester, IL 6:30 μ.μ. Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:30 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 7:00 μ.μ. 8:00 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. 1:00 μ.μ. * 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. 1:00 μ.μ. * Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Οικογενειακή Σύναξις, Όρθρος 8:30 π.μ. και Μέγας Εσπερινός 4:15 μ.μ. Της Σταυροπροσκυνήσεως, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Κατανυκτικός Εσπερινός Ιερός Ναός Αναλήψεως στο Lincolnshire 7:00 μ.μ. Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:30 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 7:00 μ.μ. 8:00 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. 1:00 μ.μ. * 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. 1:00 μ.μ. * Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 10:00 π.μ. 12:00 μ.μ. & 4:00 μ.μ. 6:00 μ.μ. * Μέγας Εσπερινός στους Ιερούς Ναούς του Ευαγγελισμού στο Chicago, Milwaukee & Kankakee 7:00 μ.μ. Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Κατανυκτικός Εσπερινός στον Ι. Ν. Αγίου Χαραλάπους στο Niles, IL 7:00 μ.μ Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6:30 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 7:00 μ.μ. 8:00 μ.μ. 9η Ωρα & Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30 μ.μ. Μέγας Κανών του Αγίου Ανδρέου -8:00 π.μ. Ακάθιστος Υμνος 7:00 μ.μ. Ιερά Εξομολόγησις 4:00 μ.μ. 6:00 μ.μ. * Μέγας Εσπερινός 6:00 μ.μ. Αγίας Μαρίας της Αιγυπτίας, Όρθρος & Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00 π.μ. Κατανυκτικός Εσπερινός στον Ι.Ν. Των Αγίων Πάντων, Joliet 7:00 μ.μ. St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 17

18 St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church S. Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights, IL Address Correction Requested Attend Church Regularly with Your Family! Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID Permit #52 Palos Heights, IL. CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 4th Sunday of Orthodoxy Oratorical Project Due March 12th P.T.A. Meeting March 15th Parish Council Meeting March 17th Family Synaxis March 18th Philoptochos Loukoumades March 25th Greek Independence Day Program April 3rd OCCA Akathist Hymn April 7th Saturday of Lazarus Communion & Breakfast Altar Boy Meeting April 8th Palm Sunday Luncheon Philoptochos Bake Sale April 9th 15th Holy Week & Pascha April 22nd Greek Parade May 13th Mother s Day Luncheon GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY Lenten Luncheon Hosted by the St. Spyridon Parent-Teacher Association Sunday, March 25th, 2012 Immediately following the Divine Liturgy ADULTS - $ CHILDREN - FREE Followed by a delightful program from our Plutarchos Greek School Students. Featuring a special performance by our very own St. Spyridon Dance Troupe!