Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

ORATORICAL INFORMATION: We ask that you please encourage your children to participate in the Parish Oratorical Festival being held on Friday, March 9 th. The deadline for submissions is Noon on Sunday, February 25 th. The 7 th, 8 th & 9 th Graders may participate in the Junior Division and the 10 th, 11 th & 12 th Grades in the Senior Division. Time has shown us that participants in the Oratorical Festival have benefited from completing an exercise of doing research, talking about what they have learned and expressing their Orthodox Faith. Our parishioners are always impressed and moved by our young people's presentations. They provide a loving audience for our competitors. This is a most worthwhile event. Please refer your questions to the Church Office by calling 708-636-5460. 2018 FESTIVAL-AN EARLY START: Yes, it's early, but we are trying our best to reduce the cost of our Festival this year and you can help! February will be Oil and Lemon month. When you go to the store pick up one extra lemon juice or oil (vegetable or olive) for our Fest. Every little bit helps! OUR PHILOPTOCHOS RUMMAGE SALE: Will take place on Saturday, March 3 rd,from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We welcome your gently used clothing, household items, electronics, etc. Please bring them to the garage on Sundays or during the week from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during office hours. YOUTH GREEK DANCE CLASS: Has begun and is on Wednesday s from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Tracey Fiffles Nusko is once again teaching this class which is not only culturally enriching, but lots of fun! Please see the enclosed sign up sheet for details. ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Our Adult Religious Education classe had to be cancelled last week due to a funeral. So will be meeting for the last time until after Pascha this Wednesday, February 21 st at 11:00 a.m. We hope to see you there. KOULOMA DINNER: On Monday, February 19 th our Ladies Philoptochos will be hosting the Koulouma dinner. It is traditional that on the first day of Lent Clean Monday that we all gather following the Great Compline at 6:00 p.m. with a traditional fasting meal. The dinner should begin around 7:00 p.m. Cost is $15 for adults & $8 for children. Join for a beautiful night of prayer & fellowship. DIVORCE REBUILDERS SUPPORT GROUP: Saints Peter and Paul Divorce Rebuilders here at Saint Nicholas Church offers support, guidance and hope to those who are separated and/or divorced. Meetings will be held from Monday February 12 through March 26th, 2018 (no meeting on 2/19) here in our Church library. Meetings will be held from 7:00 p.m.to 8:15 p.m. This group provides a place where you can hear and discuss valuable information that will equip you with skills and tools to help you navigate, deal and heal from the hurt of divorce. The insights and perspectives provided will help you create understanding towards developing new personal, relational and spiritual goals in your life. Discussion feedback and support are integral components of this program. Your Leader will be: Maria Boyle, MS Counseling, Northwestern University. There is no cost for this session. To enroll in this program please email: mariaharduvel@aol.com and please note as subject: DIVORCE REBUILDERS. Please see the enclosed flyer. Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Very Reverend Archimandrite Christodoulos Margellos frchristos@gmail.com 10301 S Kolmar Ave. Oak Lawn, IL 60453 (708)-636-5460 www.stnicholasil.org

Sunday, February 18 th, 2018 Forgiveness Sunday/Cheese Fare Saint Leo the Great, Pope of Rome Agapetus the Confessor, Bishop of Sinai Readings: Epistle: Romans 13: 11-14; 14: 1-4 Gospel: Matthew 6: 14-21 Epistle Reader: Dr. Peter A. Patsavas Coffee Fellowship Hour immediately follows the Divine Liturgy and is sponsored today by the Ladies Philoptochos in the Dr. Mary Dochois Kamberos Community Center. 5:00 p.m. Forgiveness Vespers Memorial Panagiotis Georgelos 9 Days Spiros Katsianis 6 Months Merry Toscas 2 Years Dorothy Angelos 4 Years George Toscas 17 Years May their Memory be Eternal! THIS WEEK AT SAINT NICHOLAS Monday, February 19 th, 2018 Clean Monday/Strict Fast President s day Office Closed No Greek School 6:00 p.m. Great Compline 7:00 p.m. Koulouma Dinner Tuesday, February 20 th, 2018 Strict Fast Wednesday, February, 21 st, 2018 Strict Fast 11:00 a.m. Adult Religious Education 4:30 p.m. Greek School 6:00 p.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 7:00 p.m. Youth Greek Dance Group Thursday, February 22 nd, 2018 Strict Fast 6:00 p.m. Great Compline with Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete 7:00 p.m. Paradosis Adult Greek Dance, Saint Nicholas Friday. February 23 rd, 2018 Strict Fast 9:00 a.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 7:00 p.m. First Salutation Service to the Theotokos Saturday, February 24 th, 2018 Fast Day/ Wine & Oil allowed 3 rd Saturday of Souls 8:30 a.m. Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy with Memorial Prayers and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand. Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Ματθαῖον ἁγίου Εὐαγγελίου τὸ ἀνάγνωσµα Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Ἐὰν ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώµατα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑµῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑµῶν ὁ οὐράνιος ἐὰν δὲ µὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώµατα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑµῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώµατα ὑµῶν. Ὅταν δὲ νηστεύητε, µὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί, ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες ἀµὴν λέγω ὑµῖν, ὅτι ἀπέχουσιν τὸν µισθὸν αὐτῶν. σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι, ὅπως µὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑµῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσιν καὶ κλέπτουσιν θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑµῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρός ὑµῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑµῶν. The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Resurrectional Apolytikion Ἦχος δ Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγµα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου µαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώµεναι ἔλεγον Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούµενος τῷ κόσµῳ τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Fourth Mode Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples spoke to the Apostles triumphantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy unto the world. Hymn of Saint Nicholas Patron Saint of our Parish Ἠχος δ Κανόνα πίστεως καί εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τή ποίμνη σου, η τών πραγμάτων αλήθεια, διά τούτο εκτήσω τή ταπεινώσει τά υψηλά, τή πτωχεία τά πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών. Fourth Mode The actual facts of your life manifested you to your flock as a rule of faith and an icon of gentleness and a teacher of self-control. By humility, therefore, you acquired the things on high, and riches through poverty. Father holy hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls. Memorial Hymn Μνήσθητι, Κύριε, ὡς ἀγαθὸς τῶν δούλων σου, καὶ ὅσα ἐν βίῳ ἥμαρτον, συγχώρησον οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἀναμάρτητος, εἰμὴ σὺ ὁ δυνάμενος, καὶ τοῖς μεταστᾶσι δοῦναι τήν ἀνάπαυσιν. Kontakion Ἦχος πλ β Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ, φρονήσεως χορηγέ, τῶν ἀφρόνων παιδευτά, καὶ πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστά, στήριξον, συνέτισον τὴν καρδίαν µου Δέσποτα. Σὺ δίδου µοι λόγον, ὁ τοῦ Πατρός Λόγος ἰδοὺ γὰρ τὰ χείλη µου, οὐ µὴ κωλύσω ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι Ἐλεῆµον, ἐλέησόν µε τὸν παραπεσόντα. Plagal of the Second Mode O guide to wisdom, provider of prudence, disciplinarian of fools, and defender of the poor, fortify and discipline my heart, O Master; You, give me a word, O Word of the Father. For behold, I will not hinder my lips from crying to You: O merciful Lord, have mercy on me who have fallen. Πρὸς Ρωµαίους Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου τὸ ἀνάγνωσµα Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡµῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαµεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡµέρα ἤγγικεν. Ἀποθώµεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους καὶ ἐνδυσώµεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡµέρᾳ εὐσχηµόνως περιπατήσωµεν, µὴ κώµοις καὶ µέθαις, µὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, µὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ, ἀλλ' ἐνδύσασθε τὸν Κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν µὴ ποιεῖσθε εἰς ἐπιθυµίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαµβάνεσθε, µὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισµῶν. Ὃς µὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν µὴ ἐσθίοντα µὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ µὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα µὴ κρινέτω ὁ Θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; τῷ ἰδίῳ Κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει, σταθήσεται δέ δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ Θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν. The reading is from Paul's Letter to the Romans Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling THE GOSPEL TODAY: In the Gospel reading today we see Christ give us some simple guidelines on how we should live our lives. The first and most prominent one is on forgiveness. He tells us to FORGIVE all those who have wronged us, not just those who ask us for forgiveness. The consequences are straight forward as well, if we cannot forgive, God will not forgive us. Christ does not sugar coat this, nor beat around the bush. Forgive all, or there is no hope for you to be forgiven. As we enter the Lenten period the message of forgiveness is at the forefront of the Gospel, but we also see an outline by Christ on how we should act during the Fast. The most important thing is to not show the world you are fasting, and how strict you are holding the fast. But, rather keep it between you and God. No one else needs to know what you are doing, because if you are seeking to show the world the piety of your Lenten fast, then Christ states clearly that you have gotten your reward on earth, and not in heaven. Lay up treasures in heaven. That is what the Lord seeks of you. We wish you a blessed Lenten season, as we travel the road to the Resurrection. GREAT LENT: Tomorrow, February 19 th, Kathara Deftera-Clean Monday, brings the beginning of Great Lent. As its name indicates, this day s significance has to do with cleanliness. The Bible teaches us to say: Create in me a clean heart, O God. These words, from the 50 Psalm contain a special significance for our change, or our repentance, which we begin on Clean Monday and continue throughout the period of Great Lent. The goal of this period is the cleansing of our body, of our feelings, our thoughts, intentions and movements of our hearts and minds towards Jesus Christ. During Great Lent, we must make a great effort so that we can grasp the meaning of the passions of Christ and His victory in the Resurrection. Our Church guides us to the cleanliness of our eyes and tongues, of our ears and hands, of our feet, our hearts and minds, our souls, that is to say, to our whole being. In order to achieve such a purpose, we Orthodox Christians must approach the Cross of Christ venerate His wounded Body and receive His precious Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. In this way, we will experience the glory of His victory against sin. You are encouraged to attend the services of Lent: Great Compline, Presanctified Liturgy, Salutations to the Theotokos, and to partake of the Sacraments of Holy Confession and Holy Communion. Let us all make an honest effort to change. Do not allow Great Lent to pass without making an effort to transfigure yourselves in the image and likeness of God. STEWARDSHIP NOTE: Supporting the Church is EACH Orthodox Christian s responsibility to the Lord. From the single young adult to the married couple to the young family to those who are senior citizens, it takes everyone s commitment to support OUR parish of Saint Nicholas and promote OUR Orthodox Christian Faith! Many thanks to all those who have pledged and we invite all those who haven t to please submit their pledge to the church office today. SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY: On Sunday, March 4 th, 2018, the Spring General Assembly will take place in the Double Classroom following the Divine Liturgy. To vote stewards must have completed their 2017 stewardship obligation and have made their 2018 stewardship pledge 10 days prior to the meeting.

Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonides Elected Metropolitan of Chicago NEW YORK The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected unanimously today the Very Reverend Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonides as Metropolitan of Chicago. Immediately following the election, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America stated: I express my wholehearted congratulations on the election of Very Reverend Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonides as Metropolitan of Chicago, wishing the abundant blessing of God on the sacred ministry the Church has entrusted him with. The newly-elected Metropolitan has served as Deacon, Priest and Director of the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations for a number of years, and I am certain that he shall apply his experience and the gifts God endowed him with for a fruitful ministry in the service of the devout Greek Orthodox flock of the Holy Metropolis of Chicago. The announcement of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is as follows: ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE ANNOUNCEMENT Under the chairmanship of His All-Holiness, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, convened today Wednesday February 7, 2018 for its regularly scheduled meeting and reviewed all the items in the agenda. During this meeting, following the recommendation of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod duly casted their votes in the Sacred Patriarchal Church electing unanimously the Very Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Pitsis, Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Kos and Nisyros as Metropolitan of Symi; and the Very Rev. Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonides, clergyman of the Holy Archdiocese of America, as Metropolitan of Chicago. From the Chief Secretariat of the Holy and Sacred Synod Biographical Note: The Very Reverend Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonides was born in Thessaloniki, Greece (1978). He is the third child of Irene and Vasilios Symeonides. He is graduate of Hellenic College (BA, 2000) and of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (MDiv, 2003). He earned an STM (2003) and a ThD (2007) in Bioethics from Boston University. Fr. Nathanael has also studied the history and ethics of public health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. He is a guest professor of Christian ethics and bioethics at Fordham University, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and Saint Vladimir Theological School. He has authored numerous articles in theology and bioethics. Fr. Nathanael was ordained a Deacon (2003) and a Presbyter (2010) by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. His ecclesial and pastoral work includes service as the Deacon to Metropolitan Methodios (2003-2006); Deacon to the Archbishop (2006-2010); Pastor of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, NY (2010-2013). During his time as a parish priest, Fr. Nathanael developed an urban

ministry, Orthodox Professionals in Action (OPA), which harnessed the gifts and talents of over 400 young professionals of Manhattan, offering them opportunities to create meaningful change in the lives of those most vulnerable in society. Fr. Nathanael has also served the pastoral needs of the Holy Resurrection Church of Brookville, NY and the Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral of Brooklyn, NY. In September of 2013 he was appointed Director of the Office of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. In his present position, Fr. Nathanael manages and directs the relationships between the Archdiocese and numerous religious organizations, think tanks, nongovernmental organizations, and Permanent Missions to the United Nations. As the Director of the Department, Fr. Nathanael is best known for promoting cooperation and inclusivity. Most recently, he convened a colloquium entitled, Orthodoxy and Humanitarianism: Ideas and Action in the Contemporary World, which provided experts from around the world the opportunity to meet and consider ways in which the Church may help respond to humanitarian crises and promote sustainable development in post-crisis regions.