Agape News January 2008
PICTURES Metropolis of Chicago Christmas Open-House Dining before the Metropolis Visit The Christmas Giving Tree Christmas Pageant Golden Circle Circa 21
PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Although the New Year began on September 1st for the Church, it is with the new calendar year that one customarily has resolutions. For many of us, our resolutions are the same year after year, yet nothing in our lives ever changes. In 2008, let us take a new approach to the changes we want to make in our lives. Let s not become resolved to take upon ourselves added discipline with the intent of empowering oneself to make a change; but instead do the opposite, completely and totally offer ourselves to the Lord, so that He may help us and transform us from the inside out. We cannot forget that we are weak by nature and that in times of distress we have no other help but the Lord (taken from the Compline Service). We live in a time full of distress. Remember, professionals built the Titanic and amateurs built the Ark, and no matter how much you rearrange the furniture on the Titanic, it s still going down - don t think you re the professional, be the amateur and rely on Him!!! This year be resolved to completely submit to the Lord. Come to Him daily and say, Lord, here I am, show me the way! Praying 2008 brings you continued Health and Prosperity, I remain, In Christ s Love, Rev. Father Jon Boukis
SUNDAY SCHOOL Spiritual Arrows All children with attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed monthly in the Agape News as based on cumulative attendance. Spiritual Arrows with 3 absences or less for the entire year will be recognized at the end of the year with a special gift to acknowledge their dedication to Religious Education. Attendance is Important!!! All you need is 80% Attendance!!! Congratulations to our Spiritual Arrows!!! Shebah Chirackal Penny Constantinou Evan Dounoulis Bill Kandis Elianna Lovejoy Kristin Lubbers Bobby Nikolopoulos John Nikolopoulos Naina Biju Ninan Naveen Biju Ninan Alejandra Olvera Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912 SACRAMENTS Peter Stopoulos Tony Stopoulos Stephanie Theofilis Shannon Thodos Stephanie Thodos The Servant of God Trent Nuxoll and the Handmaiden of God Zoie Kandis were united in Marriage on December 1, 2007. The Koumbaro is Nathan Kandis. The Servant of God Charles (Chuck) Mekus was buried from the Assumption Church of December 27, 2007. May his memory be eternal!
JOY NEWS The JOY is probably going Sledding!!! In December, we were stopped by the Freezing Rain and the Cold, but in January, it will happen! Keep your sled ready and your boots warm. This month we will go sledding, but, if by some chance the weather doesn t cooperate, we have a surprise back-up plan.. So in January, something will happen!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912 GOYA NEWS GOYA Members Where are you? In December, we had no meetings because most GOYA Members were not in attendance. It is important with the Basketball Tournament approaching that we all attend the January meetings (January 6 & 20). Kalahari Trip Is it going to happen. We still have time to make this trip a reality. Come to the next GOYA Meeting and let s get a plan!!! Contact: Louie Constantinou (563)355-2204
ST. MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR Commemorated January 21 The divine Maximos, who was from Constantinople, sprang from an illustrious family. He was a lover of wisdom and an eminent theologian. At first, he was the chief private secretary of the Emperor Heraclius and his grandson Constans. When the Monothelite heresy became predominant in the royal court, out of hatred for this error the Saint departed for the Monastery at Chrysopolis (Scutari), of which he later became the abbot. When Constans tried to constrain him either to accept the Monothelite teaching, or to stop speaking and writing against it - neither of which the Saint accepted to do - his tongue was uprooted and his right hand was cut off, and he was sent into exile where he reposed in 662. At the time only he and his few disciples were Orthodox in the East. Fr. Jon s favorite quote comes from St. Maximos the Confessor: The root of all evil is self-love All sin originates from placing ourselves and our wants and desires before the Will of the Lord. This is the result of pride!
THE THREE HIERARCHS. St. Basil the Great St. John Chrysostom St. Gregory the Theologian Commemorated January 30 This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor, they revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. In his old age, he retired from his episcopal see and again took up the monastic life in a monastery in Constantinople. He reposed during the reign of the aforementioned Emperor Alexis Comnenus (1081-1118).
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Vasilopita Sunday Following the Divine Liturgy and the cutting of the Vasilopita on Sunday, January 20, 2008, the Philoptochos will auction Vasilopita for the benefit of St. Basil s Academy. Be ready with your checkbook to make a difference in the lives of the children who reside at this special place. Cookbook Recipes Needed Do you have a recipe for which you are known? Did Yiayia have a great recipe for Bougatsa? Submit your recipes for the Philoptochos cookbook to info@assumptionem.org or to Helen Haney. Contact: Yvonne Constantinou (563)355-2204 ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY One plants in you the seeds and another does the watering - but it is...only God, who gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6) The Orthodox Bible Study meets every Monday evening from 6:00-7:30pm to study St. Paul s 1 st Letter to the Corinthians. This book is filled with application that is not only applicable at the time of Christ, but to us today. Come and learn about the role of the Clergy, clicks in the church, pride, spiritual discernment, proper attire, marriage, marital relations, divorce and much more!!! Make Bible Study a priority!!! Keep your Monday evenings open!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912
SERVICE SCHEDULE January 1 Tuesday THE CIRCUMCISION OF THE LORD FEASTDAY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil January 5 Saturday EVE OF THEOPHANY/EPIPHANY 10:00 a.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy Blessing of the Water January 6 Sunday HOLY THEOPHANY/EPIPHANY 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Great Blessing of the Water January 7 Monday FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 11 Friday SMALL PARAKLESIS 6:00 p.m. January 13 Sunday SUNDAY AFTER HOLY THEOPHANY 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 20 Sunday SUNDAY OF THE TEN LEPERS 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 27 Sunday SUNDAY OF ZACCHAEUS 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 30 Wednesday FEAST OF THE THREE HIERARCHS 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 8 CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday Holy Theophany Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Great Blessing of the Water Parish Council Oath of Office Coffee Hour GOYA Meeting 6 13 Sunday after Theophany Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour Philoptochos Meeting Basketball Tournament Meeting Sunday of the Ten Lepers Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Cutting of the Vasilopita Sunday School Coffee Hour GOYA Meeting Sunday of Zacchaeus Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour 20 27 7 Feastday of Saint John the Baptist Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am No Bible Study 14 Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm 21 Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm 28 Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm 1 Feastday of Saint Basil Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 8 15 22 29
CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 3 4 5 Eve of the Feastday of Holy Theophany 10:00am - Vesperal Divine Liturgy Blessing of the Water 9 10 11 12 6:00pm - Paraklesis Service 16 17 18 19 7:00pm - Parish Council Meeting 23 24 December Agape News Assembly Day 25 26 30 Feastday of Three Hierarchs Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 31 Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free
ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 1 Ιανουαρίου Τρίτη Περιτομή Ιησού Χρίστου Άγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 5 Ιανουαρίου Σάββατο Προεόρτια των Φώτων 10:00 π.μ. Εσπερηνό Θεία Λειτουργία/Αγιασμός 6 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Αγία Θεοφάνεια του Κυρίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία/Μέγας Αγιασμός 7 Ιανουαρίου Τρίτη Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Προδρόμος 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 11 Ιανουαρίου Παρασκευή Μικρή Παράκλησις 6:00 μ.μ. 13 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή μετά των Θεοφανείων 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 20 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή των Δέκα Λεπρών 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 27 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή του Ζακχαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 30 Ιανουαρίου Τετάρτη Οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία
DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule January 6 Toula Fotos January 13 Georgia Eleftheropoulos January 20 Helen Panouses January 27 Marena Panousis Coffee Hour January 6 January 13 Larson & Lingris Chili Luncheon January 20 January 27 Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings January 6 Gospel Matthew 3:13-17 Epistle Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 January 13 Gospel Matthew 4:12-17 Epistle Ephesians 4:7-13 January 20 Gospel Luke 17:12-19 Epistle II Corinthians 4:6-15 January 27 Gospel Luke 19:1-10 Epistle Hebrews 7:26-8:2 Parish Council Ushering Teams & Schedule St. Matthew St. Mark St. Luke St. John 9:15 Celia Lubbers Cathy Diakogeorgiou Michael Weis Bill Theofilis 9:40 Victor Cherevko Michael Haney Michael Kandis Deno Kandis 9:55 Diane Lamacki Abraham Chirackal John Stopoulos Georgia Lovejoy January 6 St. Luke January 13 St. John January 20 St. Matthew January 27 St. Mark
ΑΓΙΟΣ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ Ο ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΣ Άγιος Ιωάννης 7 Ιανουαρίου Ήταν γιός του Ζαχαρία και της Ελισάβετ. Μέχρι τα τριάντα του χρόνια, ζεί ασκητική ζωή στην έρημο της Ιουδαίας, αφιερωμένη ολοκληρωτικά στην προσευχή, τη μελέτη και την πνευματική και ηθική τελειοποίηση, που είναι βασικοί παράγοντες για την εκτέλεση υψηλών και θείων υπουργημάτων. Το ρούχο του ήταν από τρίχες καμήλας, στη μέση του είχε δερμάτινη ζώνη και την τροφή του αποτελούσαν ακρίδες και άγριο μέλι. Με μορφή ηλιοκαμένη, σοβαρός, αξιοπρεπής και δυναμικός, ο Ιωάννης φανέρωνε αμέσως φυσιογνωμία έκτακτη και υπέροχη. Είχε όλα τα προσόντα μεγάλου και επιβλητικού κήρυκα του θείου λόγου. Έτσι με μεγάλη χάρη κήρυττε τα πλήθη. Κατακεραύνωνε και κτυπούσε σκληρά τη φαρισαϊκή αλαζονική έπαρση, που κάτω από το εξωτερικό ένδυμα της ψευτοαγιότητας έκρυβε τις πιο αηδιαστικές πληγές ψυχικής σκηρότητας και ακαθαρσίας. Γενικά η διδασκαλία του συνοψίζετε στη χαρακτηριστική φράση του: "Μετανοείτε ήγγικε γάρ η βασιλεία των ουρανών", προετοιμάζοντας, έτσι το δρόμο του Κυρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού γιά το σωτήριο έργο του. Όταν ο Χριστός άρχισε τη δημόσια δράση του, ο κόσμος άφηνε σιγά-σιγά τον Ιωάννη και ακολουθούσε αυτόν. Η αντιστροφή αυτή, βέβαια, θα προκαλούσε μεγάλη πίκρα και θα γεννούσε αγκάθια ζήλειας και φθόνου σ έναν εκτός χριστιανικού πνεύματος, διδάσκαλο ή φιλόσοφο. Αντίθετα, στον Ιωάννη προκάλεσε μεγάλη χαρά και ευφροσύνη. Η γιορτή αυτή του Ιωάννου του Προδρόμου, γιά τον οποίο ο Κύριος είπε ότι κανείς άνθρωπος δε στάθηκε μεγαλύτερός του, καθιερώθηκε τον 5ο μ.χ.αιώνα. Το δε μαρτυρικό του τέλος γιορτάζουμε σε άλλη ημερομηνία, όπου και θα αναφερθούμε.
ΑΓΙΟΣ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΟΣ Ο ΜΕΓΑΣ Άγιος Αντώνιος 17 Ιανουαρίου Γεννήθηκε το 251 στην άνω Αίγυπτο απο γονείς χριστιανούς, που κατείχαν μεγάλη περιουσία. Από την παιδική του ηλικία ο Αντώνιος έδειχνε με όλη του τη διαγωγή έκτακτη ανθρώπινη ύπαρξη. Σε ηλικία 18-20 χρονών, χάνει τους δύο γονείς τους και δοκιμάζει πολύ θλίψη καί οδύνη. Όμως, συνέρχεται γρήγορα και συγκεντρώνει όλη την προσοχή του στη θεία θεωρία και στη φροντίδα της μικρής του αδελφής. Το βέλος του θείου έρωτα δεν αργεί να χτυπήσει την καρδιά του Αντωνίου. Καθώς μια Κυριακή άκουγε από το ευαγγέλιο την περικοπή σχετικά με τον πλούσιο νεανίσκο, στον οποίο ο Κύριος μας είπε: "Άν θέλεις να γίνεις τέλειος, πήγαινε, πώλησε τα υπάρχοντά σου και μοίρασέ τα στους φτωχούς, και θα έχεις θησαυρό στον ουρανό. Και έλα να με ακολουθήσεις", τόση εντύποση του δημιούργησε, που την εξέλαβε αμέσως σαν θεία υπόδειξη και πρόσκηση. Αφού πρώτα τακτοποίησε τη μικρότερη αδελφή του, έπειτα μοίρασε στους φτωχότερους οικογενειάρχες όλη τη μεγάλη πατρική του περιουσία και αναχώρησε στην έρημο για μεγαλύτερη πνευματική και ηθική τελειότητα. Πράγματι, ο αγώνας του μέσα στην έρημο αποδίδει πλούσιους πνευματικούς καρπούς. Γίνεται ο ασκητής των ασκητών και απ όλα τα μήκη και πλάτη της χριστιανικής γης έρχονται να τον ακούσουν και να τον συμβουλευθούν. Μεταξύ αυτών και δύο πολύφωτοι αστέρες της Εκκλησίας μας, ο Μ. Βασίλειος καί ο Μ. Αθανάσιος. Σε ηλικία περίπου 105 χρόνων, ο Μέγας Αντώνιος παραδίδει προς το Θεό την ψυχή του.
STEWARDSHIP 2008 Stewardship Pledges received as of December 26, 2007 Haline Akulow Orest Akulow Kulla Anggeloplos John Arvanitis Theodore & Karen Bagatelas Fr. Jon & Presbytera Doreece Boukis Ludmilla Cherevko Victor & Judy Cherevko George & Nancy Coin Harry & Susan Coin Stan & Kay Coin Dr. Costas & Yvonne Constantinou Dr. Konstantinos & Allison Dounoulis Nicholas & Mary Fotiadis Susan Fotiadis Anna Fotos Paris Fotos Mary Giovanis Mike & Helen Haney Deno & Dr. Ann Kandis Francis Kandis Mike & Terri Kandis Helen Karas Judy Larson Thomas Lingris Georgia & Roger Lovejoy Celia Lubbers Georgia Maess Christ & Susan Mekus Demos Mekus Dale & Erica Melchin Sophia Mihalopoulos Bill & Linda Minas Gust Moraetes Biju & Sholly Ninan Angela Olvera Daphne Olvera Victoria Olvera Helen Panouses Dean Papanikolaou Fr. Basil Papanikolaou Spiros & Carol Pappaspiros Nicholas & Daryn Passini George Polios Steve Pyevich Soc Spurgetis Colette Spurgetis Frank Spurgetis Anthony & Joan Stopoulos Jim & Kristel Stopoulos Peter & Pat Stopoulos John & Tricia Thodos Ellen Tsagaris Jim & Clara Tsagaras Frank Vretis SUPERBOWL PARTY The combined Men s Club of Assumption and St. George will gather to watch the Super Bowl at the Bier Stube in downtown Moline 2 hours before the game starts on February 3, 2008, for good food and fellowship, and we ll go until there s a victor. For under $20 you will not only get the best company in the Quad Cities, but an international buffet and draft Beer. Call John Stopoulos today to reserve your spot! Contact: John Stopoulos (309)796-1153
DONATIONS Thank you to the Dounoulis Family, George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos, Bill and Tracey Theofilis, and Jim Jannes who made additional donations to the Courtyard Project. May God continue to Bless your families! Thank you to Deno and Barb Minas for donating the beautiful Christmas Tree that adorns our fellowship hall, Mike Haney for helping to set it up, and Diane Lamacki and Celia Lubbers for decorating it so elegantly. Thank you to the following for their donations for the Poinsettias which have made our Church Building look magnificent for the Christmas Season: Fr. Jon and Presbytera Doreece Boukis, Litsa Gregory, Deno and Ann Kandis, Celia Lubbers, Georgia Maess, Sophia Mihalopoulos, Christ and Marena Panouses, Marina Pikis, and Bill and Tracey Theofilis. Thank you to Lambros Mihalopoulos for donating sweet bread for the Philoptochos Bake Sale and the Pancakes for the Pancake Breakfast. May the Lord Bless your business with prosperity in the New Year! Thank you to Foti Padazopoulos for offering his talent in the kitchen and preparing the pancakes for the Pancake Breakfast. Thank you to Victor Cherevko for his offering of time and talent in the continued renovation of the Baptismal Font. Thank you to Mike and Elizabeth Weis who donated a personal computer for use in the administration office. May God continue to Bless you in 2008. HOME BLESSINGS Following Epiphany Fr. Jon will be blessing the homes and businesses of the Parishioners who so request. If you would like your home or business blessed, please call the church prior to January 3, 2008, and be put on the list. A schedule will be created after all requests have been received.
BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ADS Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago- Western Region 2008 Family Basketball Tournament Friday, February 8th Sunday, February 10th, 2008 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church East Moline, Host Parish AD BOOK SALES SHEET Full Page (5 x 8 )...$100 1/2 Page (5 x 3 ¼ )... $75 1/4 Page (2 ¼ x 3 ¼ )....$50 1/8 Page (2 ¼ x 1 5/8 )...$40 Single Line Listing... $20 Please mail camera-ready artwork or a typed message to the address below, or you can email artwork to jhaney@kidsroe.org. Please note that any artwork received at this email will not be included in the ad book unless we receive this form and payment by the deadline below!! Name: Address: City, State, and Zip: Amount Paid: Check/Money Order Cash Please make checks payable to: Assumption Basketball Tournament Send artwork, a copy of this form, and payment to: John Haney, Host Chair 203 Newman Street #3 Durand, IL 61024 DEADLINE IS JANUARY 11 TH!!!
INAUGUARAL SPONSORS The Agape News is made possible by the generous support of the following parishioners: Fr. Jon, Presbytera Doreece and Vasilia Fr. Basil Papanikolaou John and Katie Andrios and Family Steve and Aimee Arvanitis Michael and Nancy Avgenackis Paul and Christine Bagatelas George Bagatelas Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Steve and Vaso Boukis and Family Victor and Judy Cherevko Abraham and Molly Chirackal and Family Dr. and Mrs. Costas Constantinou and Family Miltos and Cathy Diakogeorgiou Dr. Konstantine, Allison, Evangelos and Daniel Dounoulis George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos Michael and Cathy (Boukis) Gaudio Mary Giovanis Litsa Gregory Tom P. Gregory Mike and Helen Haney James Jannes Kleo Caras George and Sherry Kontos Georgia Maess and Family Alex, Diane and Jim Lamacki Peter and Sue Lingris Tom Lingris and Judy Larson Roger, Georgia and Elianna Lovejoy Dr. Roger, Celia, Alex and Kristin Lubbers Nick and Charlotte Maroudas Anna Marston Chris, Susan, Alaina and Melissa Mekus Michael and Roseanne Monn Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros In Memory of Uncle Pete Panouses Christ and Marena Panousis Christ and Helen Petaros Marina Pikis George and Nancy Polios Mark Edward Prebyl St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church Tony and Joan Stopoulos Bill, Tracey, Christopher and Stephanie Theofilis Rick (Demetri) and Maria Krakos Thompson The Unique Jewelry John and Mary Velon Michael and Elizabeth Weis The Windmill Family Restaurant For an annual donation of $25, your name could appear as a supporter of this invaluable ministry. Support is offered for the Ecclesiastical Year (beginning and ending September 1st).
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 4900 Kennedy Drive East Moline, Illinois 61244 Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID E. Moline, IL. Permit No. 153