HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS 60714 -- PHONE (847) 647-8880 Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org BLESSING OF THE GRAPES ON THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord (August 6) on Mount Tabor, the priest blesses grapes. The blessing of grapes as well as other fruits and vegetables on this day is a beautiful sign of the final transfiguration of all things in Christ. It signifies the ultimate flowering and fruitfulness of all creation in the paradise of God s unending Kingdom of Life where all will be transformed by the glory of the Lord. This is an ancient Christian custom. During the first week of August, farmers gathered the early fruits of their summer harvest (grapes, figs etc.) and presented them in the Church to be blessed and to give them freely to the congregation. These fruits are called the beginnings. In a text from the 7th century ( The Laws of the Kingdom by emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitos) this custom is described vividly: The Emperor of Constantinople gathers the Beginnings in Chalcedon, where there are many vines, and then he waits for the Patriarch of Constantinople to come on the the Feast of Transfiguration, to bless the fruits and to personally hand out the grapes to the people. This is still the custom in many places in Greece where grapes are grown. As grapes do not ripen at the same time everywhere, the Church adapted this tradition in various ways. In some places in the Holy Land, for instance, grapes are blessed on the feast of the prophet Elijah. In Russia, where grapes were not always readily available, apples were more commonly blessed, and Transfiguration is known as Yablochny Spas, the Apple Feast of the Saviour. In northern Russia, where even apples weren t ripe by August 6/19, it was traditional to bless peas. Nowadays, when you can buy any sort of fruit or vegetable year round, we ve lost the sense of getting a blessing to partake of the first fruits. But we can still try to keep to the spirit of this tradition. The custom of bringing fruit to the temple for consecration originates in the Old Testament time (Gen 4:2-4; Ex 13:12-13; Num 15:19-21; Deut 8:10-14). The Apostles brought this tradition to the Church of the New Testament (1 Cor 16:1-2). Instruction regarding bringing fruit to temple is found in the Third Rule of the Apostolic Canon, the earliest collection of ecclesiastic canons, known since the second century. In the first centuries of Christianity, the faithful brought forth to the temple the fruit and crops of the new harvest: bread, wine, oil, incense, wax, honey etc. From these offerings, bread, wine, incense, oil and wax were taken to the altar, while the rest was used for the needs of the clergy and the poor whom the church was caring for. These offerings were to express gratitude to God for all goods, but at the same time help servants of God and people in need. By Bishop Alexander Mileant of blessed memory Please bring grapes to Church on the feast day of the Holy Transfiguration (August 6) to have them blessed!

ANNOUNCEMENTS The Philoptochos of St. Haralambos invites you to join us at our Coffee Fellowship Hour after church services. PROSPHORA We thank the Tafreshing Family and Mrs. Demetra Tsagalis, who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by Mrs. Niki Maglaras and Mrs. Demetra Anastasiadis (Saturday, Aug 6 Holy Transfiguration of our Lord), and by Mrs. George Vasilopoulos and Mrs. Zoi Govis (Sunday, Aug 7). MEMORIAL SERVICES 40 days Helen Kapogiannis 40 days Athina Toliopoulos 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. SACRAMENTAL REGISTRY Congratulations to....alexander Patsavas and Vanessa Turika their wedding yesterday at St. Haralambos...Mr. and Mrs. Chrisovalantis Souleles on the Baptism of their daughter today at St. Haralambos...Mr. and Mrs. Georgios Bekiaris on the Baptism of their daughter his afternoon at our church. ΝΑ ΖΗΣOYN! 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 the reason that Orthodox Christians do not receive sacraments in non-orthodox churches. THE BLESSING OF GRAPES It is customary on August 6, the Great Feastday of the Transfiguration of our Lord, to bless grapes at the end of the Liturgy. Jesus, who said, I am the Vine, is glorified at the Transfiguration, and the whole world is glorified with Him. The fruit of the vine grapes are blessed as the first-fruits of the new growing season, to bring us joy and thankfulness to God, that we also might be transfigured. ABOUT KNEELING, STANDING and SITTING From earliest times, the Church has taught that the proper position for prayer is to stand. (Until recently, most Orthodox Churches did not even have seating for the faithful! Traditionally, it was irregular to sit in church; seating only existed along the walls for the elderly.) As an expression of awe and respect, however, there are times when it is proper to kneel in church, especially at the time when the holy bread and wine are consecrated (called the Epiclesis ) into the precious Body and Blood of our Lord. At the Epiclesis, all the faithful are expected to kneel during weekday Liturgies; on Sundays, however, some may kneel and others may choose to stand. Those who are unable to kneel for various reasons are asked to remain standing. Sitting (except for health reasons) at the Epiclesis is not respectful. Please turn off cell-phones and video games during Church services. Phone conversations are not allowed in church!

THE 2016 BIG GREEK FOOD FEST OF NILES We are happy to announce that our 2016 Food Fest was our most successful of all! Many thanks for your support we appreciate all who donated, volunteered and attended! Congratulations to Ellen Kuksuk, the winner of this year s Grand Raffle! Something to think about as we approach the Dormition Fast When you are about to pray to our Lady the Holy Virgin, be firmly assured, before praying, that you will not depart from her without having received mercy. To think thus and to have confidence in her is meet and right. She is, the All-Merciful Mother of the All-Merciful God, the Word, and her mercies, incalculably great and innumerable, have been declared from all ages by all Christian Churches; she is, indeed, an abyss of mercies and bounties. Saint John of Kronstadt from My Life in Christ Come and offer your prayers to the Theotokos at the Paraclesis Services between August 1 and August 15! STEWARDSHIP 2016! If you have not yet made your 2016 commitments, please do so. There is no minimum, but true stewardship means we set a level of giving in proportion to our resources and income. Our stewardship level should be an amount that reflects our growing love of God and our appreciation for the blessings and benefits we derive from our Church! AREA FESTIVALS Plan to visit All Saints in Joliet to support their Greek Festival today! THE 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! The committee is always seeking more volunteers to help with Meals on Wheels, Bessie s Table (soup kitchen) and other outreach opportunities! Pre-Registration for the 2016-17 Greek School year has begun! More info? Contact the Church office. WELCOME to all our friends, parishioners and visitors! 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, fellowship after church and other activities any time! 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. Please teach your children to dress modestly. Shoulders and midriffs should be covered, and discretion used concerning skirt lengths and excessive makeup and jewelry.

Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας AΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Ρωμαίους ιβ 6-14 Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες χαρίσματα κατὰ τὴν χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσαν ἡμῖν διάφορα εἴτε προφητείαν, κατὰ τὴν ἀναλογίαν τῆς πίστεως εἴτε διακονίαν, ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ εἴτε ὁ διδάσκων ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ εἴτε ὁ παρακαλῶν ἐν τῇ παρακλήσει ὁ μεταδιδοὺς ἐν ἁπλότητι ὁ προϊστάμενος ἐν σπουδῇ ὁ ἐλεῶν ἐν ἱλαρότητι. Ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος. Ἀποστυγοῦντες τὸ πονηρόν κολλώμενοι τῷ ἀγαθῷ τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ εἰς ἀλλήλους φιλόστοργοι τῇ τιμῇ ἀλλήλους προηγούμενοι τῇ σπουδῇ μὴ ὀκνηροί τῷ πνεύματι ζέοντες τῷ Κυρίῳ δουλεύοντες τῇ ἐλπίδι χαίροντες τῇ θλίψει ὑπομένοντες τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτεροῦντες ταῖς χρείαις τῶν ἁγίων κοινωνοῦντες τὴν φιλοξενίαν διώκοντες. Εὐλογεῖτε τοὺς διώκοντας εὐλογεῖτε καὶ μὴ καταρᾶσθε. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Ματθαῖον (Ματθ. θ 1-8) Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον διεπέρασεν καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ προσέφερον αὐτῷ παραλυτικὸν ἐπὶ κλίνης βεβλημένον. Καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν εἶπεν τῷ παραλυτικῷ Θάρσει, τέκνον ἀφίενταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι. Καὶ ἰδού τινες τῶν γραμματέων εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, Οὗτος βλασφημεῖ. Καὶ εἰδὼς ὁ Ιησοῦς τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις αὐτῶν εἶπεν Ἵνα τί ἐνθυμεῖσθε πονηρὰ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί γάρ ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν Αφίενταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν Εγειρε καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας, τότε λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ Εγερθεὶς ἆρόν σου τὴν κλίνην καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. Καὶ ἐγερθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ. Ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ὄχλοι ἐφοβήθησαν καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεὸν τὸν δόντα ἐξουσίαν τοιαύτην τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.

Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today EPISTLE READING Romans 12:6-14 BRETHREN, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. GOSPEL READING Matthew 9: 1-8 At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

FAMILY SYNAXIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2016 RETREAT Theme: Sacred Space, Sacred Time: Cultivating Orthodox Families Workshop Leader: Fr. Andrew Kearns, Priest, Chaplain, Pastoral Care Specialist and Father of Four Dates: Friday September 2 at 7pm Sunday, September 4 at 4 pm Location: Saint Iakovos Retreat Center For the second time, our Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis Labor Day Retreat will be held at the new Saint Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, Wisconsin! The facilities are beautiful as are the gorgeous views from both the front AND the back of the building! It s a short drive over the Wisconsin border, so it will be much easier for families to travel there. This weekend retreat for Orthodox Christians will include worship, workshops & discussion groups for both adults and children, fun outdoor activities including nature walks, hayrides, farm animals, athletics, and fellowship with other families. Please register by August 17 for a reduced registration cost. August 24 is the last day to register for the retreat. St. Macrina Orthodox Insitiute Presents Diakonia and the Liturgy of Good Works in the World Featured Speaker: Matushka Vera Proctor Topic: The Myrrhbearers great boldness in the faith in Jesus Christ : as He is, so are we in this world. Date: August 12 at 10 am August 13 at 12 pm at the Saint Iakovos Retreat Center Registration fee: $180 (retreat, lodging and food This conference will have talks that explain the connection between liturgical practice and the living out of the revealed and sacramentally experienced power of God s love in works done in the world. ST HARALAMBOS GOLF OUTING! THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 OLD ORCHARD COUNTRY CLUB 7000 W. Rand Rd, Mount Prospect, IL Hole and Pin Sponsorships are welcomed! MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Shotgun start at 11am! $125 per golfer Golf with Cart Lunch Dinner For more information, please contact the church office at nilesgoc@aol.com

STEWARDSHIP 2016 To Stewardship είναι το οξυγόνο της εκκλησίας μας, και πρέπει να είναι μια έκφραση της αξάπης και υποστήριξης δια την Εκκλησία μας και τον Θεόν. Σας παροτρύνουμε όπως η εφετεινή προσφορά σας είναι μία προσφορά πίστεως, αγάπης και θάρρους! Προς το παρόν, μόνον το 45% του εισοδήματος της ενορίας μας προέρχεται από το Stewardship. Αυτό σημαίνει ότι δια να καλύψουμε το υπόλοιπο 55% των αναγκών της εκκλησίας μας πρέπει να βασιστούμε σε ξένες πηγές. Η εκκλησία μας δεν ανήκει σε ξένους ανθρώπους! Μπορείτε να μας βοηθήσετε να καταφέρουμε να συντηρήσουμε το 100% των αναγκών μας μέσω του Stewardship ; ΠΟΙΟΙ ΔΥΝΑΝΤΑΙ ΝΑ ΛΑΒΟΥΝ ΘΕΙΑΝ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΝ - Όταν λαμβάνομεν Θείαν Κοινω -νίαν η οποιοδήποτε από τα άλλα Μυστήρια εκφρά-ζομεν 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. Ανακοινώσεις 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. ΠΟΤΕ ΝΑ ΓΟΝΑΤΙΖΟΥΜΕ, ΝΑ ΣΤΕΚΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΚΑΘΟΜΑΣΤΕ Από τα πρώτα χρόνια, η Εκκλησία μας δίδαξε ότι η αρμόζουσα θέση για να προσευχόμεθα είναι να στεκόμεθα όρθιοι. (Μέχρι πρόσφατα, οι περισσότερες Ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες δεν είχαν καθόλου καθίσματα δια τους πιστούς! Tα καθίσματα υπήρχαν μόνον κατά μήκος των τοίχων δια τους ηλικιωμένους.) Ως έκφραση δέους και σεβασμού, υπάρχουν φορές που είθισται όμως να γονατίζουμε στην εκκλησία, ιδιαιτέρως κατά την ώρα της Επικλήσεως, όταν ο ιερός άρτος και οίνος μεταβάλλονται εις το τίμιο Σώμα και Αίμα του Χρηστού μας. Κατά την Επίκλησιν (Σε Υμνοῦμεν), στις καθημερινές λειτουργίες, αναμένεται να γονατίζουν όλοι οι πιστοί. Κάθε Κυριακή όμως, μερικοί διαλέγουν να γονατίζουν και άλλοι παραμένουν όρθιοι. Αυτοί που για διάφορες αιτίες δεν δύνανται να γονατίσουν, παρακαλούνται να παραμένουν όρθιοι εις ένδειξιν σεβασμού. Εκτός για λόγους υγείας, δεν είναι αρμόζον να κάθεται κανείς την ώρα της Επικλήσεως. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: Mon, Aug 1 THE FAST BEGINS TODAY Paraclesis to the Theotokos.. 7:00 pm Wed, Aug 3 Paraclesis to the Theotokos.. 7:00 pm Fri, Aug 5 Great Vespers of the Transfiguration.. 7:00 pm Sat, Aug 6 Orthros & Divine Liturgy (The Transfiguration of our Lord) 8:30 am Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.

TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, July 31, 2016 Sixth Sunday of Matthew Kυριακὴ ΣΤ Ματθαίου The Holy and Just Saint Evdokimos Tοῦ Ἁγίου καὶ Δικαίου Εὐδοκίμου ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY.Apolytikion of the Plagal First 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. Evdokimos Ἐκ γῆς ὁ καλέσας σε, πρὸς αἰωνίους μονάς, τηρεῖ καὶ μετὰ θάνατον ἀδιαλώβητον, τὸ σῶμά σου, Ἅγιε σὺ γὰρ ἐν σωφροσύνῃ, καὶ σεμνῇ πολιτείᾳ, μάκαρ ἐπολιτεύσω, μὴ μολύνας τὴν σάρκα διὸ ἐν παρρησίᾳ Χριστῷ, πρέσβευε σωθῆναι ἡμᾶς. 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 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.