Agape News April 2008

Agape News April 2008

PICTURES Sunday of Orthodoxy Sunday of Orthodoxy Altarboys Walking with the Dinosaurs GOYA Spring Clean-up Do you want to see your picture here? All it takes is showing up Baklava Baking Those pictured month after month often times are those who are truly involved...

PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We are now half way through Great Lent and can fully anticipate Holy Week and Pascha. In just a few short weeks, we will be singing Christ is Risen and celebrating at our Lamb Roast. For some, Lent has come and no changes have been made - no attending the extra services, no increased prayer and reading, and no fasting. If this describes your Lenten journey and you are asking yourself, where has lent gone, it s not too late. Begin fasting today; attend the remaining Presanctified Liturgies and Salutations; refocus your preparations for His Blessed Resurrection. We have now been together for over a year as we approach our second Pascha together. His Eminence honored our Parish by giving to me the Blessing to hear Holy Confession. Let this Blessing given to me become a Blessing for you with the cleansing of your soul in preparation for Pascha. Let us not enter this Blessed Season with anything less than offering our whole life to Christ our God in which Holy Confession is a big part. Look at the calendar in the center of this Agape News and then call me to set an appointment. In anticipation of His Blessed Resurrection, I remain, In His Service, Rev. Father Jon Boukis Proistamenos

SUNDAY SCHOOL Spiritual Arrows All children with cumulative attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed monthly in the Agape News! Congratulations to our Spiritual Arrows!!! Shebah Chirackal Penny Constantinou Evan Dounoulis Bill Kandis Kristin Lubbers Bobby Nikolopoulos John Nikolopoulos Naina Biju Ninan Naveen Biju Ninan Peter Stopoulos Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912 GOYA Tony Stopoulos Stephanie Theofilis Shannon Thodos Stephanie Thodos ATTENTION ALL GOYA MEMBERS!!! Following the Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection there will be a fellowship meal sponsored by the GOYA consisting of Lamb Avgolemono, Feta, Olives and Wine. It is most important that all members are available to help that evening. SAVE THE DATE Friday, May 4th, we are planning to have a lockdown at the Church of movies, pizza and fun. Save the Date!!! Contact: Louie Constantinou (563)355-2204

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Have you offered your 2008 Dues? It s that time of year again. Please offer your 2008 dues ($20 per member) to the Philoptochos so that we may support the national ministries. It is important that we have as many members as possible so that our witness at the national level is as bright as possible. 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. The Philoptochos Welcomes its New Members!!! Judy Cherevko, Ludmilla Cherevko and Terri Kandis Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!!! Thank you to all who attended the Luncheon in support of the Kathy Petaros Stamatis Scholarship Fund!!! Thank you to the following parishioners who donated to the scholarship fund: Peter and Pauline Barboutis Victor and Judy Cherevko Dr. Costas and Yvonne Constantinou George and Georgia Eleftheropoulis Paris Fotos Mike and Helen Haney Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis Dr. George and Sherry Kontos Joann Kontos Tom and Georgia Kouris Alex and Diane Lamacki The Olvera Family Chris and Helen Petaros Dr. Ellen Tsagaris 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 GREAT AND HOLY LENT Prayer without fasting is like driving a car without gasoline Fasting allows each of us to create within us a controlled need for the Lord...it is preparing the ground for planting. We must sow into our fasting the seeds of prayer. During Holy Lent, pray the Prayer of St. Ephrem...allow this powerful prayer to reside in your heart, which fasting has softened! Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

GREEK CULTURAL FESTIVAL In 2008 It s Bigger & Better Than Ever!!! Check it Out!!! New Band The Fabulous Grecian Keys from Warren, Ohio!!! Friday Lunch Service beginning at 11am! New Vendors with tons of great stuff! New Food Items And A New Title Sponsor Volunteers, please Contact Celia or Diane today to sign up. We are also in need of a person to organize the Cultural Tent please call today!!!

PASCHA CELEBRATION Christ is Risen!!! Truly He is Risen!!! On the Great and Holy Day of Pascha, the entire Parish will come together in celebration of His victory over death!!! Following the Agape Vespers on Pascha, April 27th, will be held a Pascha Feast with Lamb on the Souvla and an Easter Egg Hunt for the children. Make your favorite side dish or dessert, come and celebrate! It is through His Death and Resurrection that we are given Life!!!

FISH FRY On Friday, April 11, 2008, the Parish Council will have a Fish Fry from 5:00pm to 7:00pm (Prior to the Akathist Hymn). Come and enjoy a traditional Fish Fry done the Greek way. $8.00 per person

ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST. Celebrated April 25 The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, also known as John Mark (Acts 12:12), was one of the Seventy Apostles, and was also a nephew of St Barnabas (June 11). He was born at Jerusalem. The house of his mother Mary adjoined the Garden of Gethsemane. As Church Tradition relates, on the night that Christ was betrayed he followed after Him, wrapped only in a linen cloth. He was seized by soldiers, and fled away naked, leaving the cloth behind (Mark 14:51-52). After the Ascension of the Lord, the house of his mother Mary became a place where Christians gathered, and a place of lodging for some of the Apostles (Acts 12:12). St Mark was a very close companion of the Apostles Peter and Paul (June 29) and Barnabas. St Mark was at Seleucia with Paul and Barnabas, and from there he set off to the island of Cyprus, and he traversed the whole of it from east to west. In the city of Paphos, St Mark witnessed the blinding of the sorcerer Elymas by St Paul (Acts 13:6-12). After working with the Apostle Paul, St Mark returned to Jerusalem, and then went to Rome with the Apostle Peter. From there, he set out for Egypt, where he established a local Church. St Mark met St Paul in Antioch. From there he went with St Barnabas to Cyprus, and then he went to Egypt again, where he and St Peter founded many churches. Then he went to Babylon. From this city the Apostle Peter sent an Epistle to the Christians of Asia Minor, in which he calls St Mark his son (1 Pet 5:13). When the Apostle Paul came to Rome in chains, St Mark was at Ephesus, where St Timothy (January 4) was bishop. St Mark went with him to Rome. There he also wrote his holy Gospel (ca. 62-63). From Rome St Mark traveled to Egypt. In Alexandria he started a Christian school, which later produced such famous Fathers and teachers of the Church as Clement of Alexandria, St Dionysius of Alexandria (October 5), St Gregory Thaumatourgos (November 5), and others. Zealous for Church services, St Mark composed a Liturgy for the Christians of Alexandria. St Mark preached the Gospel in the inner regions of Africa, and he was in Libya at Nektopolis.

. AND APOSTLE OF THE 70 During these journeys, St Mark was inspired by the Holy Spirit to go again to Alexandria and confront the pagans. There he visited the home of Ananias, and healed his crippled hand. The dignitary happily took him in, listened to his words, and received Baptism. Following the example of Ananias, many of the inhabitants of that part of the city where he lived were also baptized. This roused the enmity of the pagans, and they wanted to kill St Mark. Having learned of this, St Mark made Ananias a bishop, and the three Christians Malchos, Sabinos, and Kerdinos were ordained presbyters to provide the church with leadership after his death. The pagans seized St Mark when he was serving the Liturgy. They beat him, dragged him through the streets and threw him in prison. There St Mark was granted a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who strengthened him before his sufferings. On the following day, the angry crowd again dragged the saint through the streets to the courtroom, but along the way St Mark died saying, "Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit." The pagans wanted to burn the saint's body, but when they lit the fire, everything grew dark, thunder crashed, and there was an earthquake. The pagans fled in terror, and Christians took up the body of St Mark and buried it in a stone crypt. This was on April 4, 63. The Church celebrates his memory on April 25. In the year 310, a church was built over the relics of St Mark. In 820, when the Moslem Arabs had established their rule in Egypt and oppressed the Christian Church, the relics of St Mark were transferred to Venice and placed in the church named for him. In the ancient iconographic tradition, which adopted symbols for the holy Evangelists borrowed from the vision of St John the Theologian (Rev. 4:7) and the prophecy of Ezekiel (Ez.1:10), the holy Evangelist Mark is represented by a lion, symbolizing the might and royal dignity of Christ (Rev. 5:5). St Mark wrote his Gospel for Gentile Christians, emphasizing the words and deeds of the Savior which reveal His divine Power. Many aspects of his account can be explained by his closeness to St Peter. The ancient writers say that the Gospel of Mark is a concise record of St Peter's preaching. One of the central theological themes in the Gospel of St Mark is the power of God achieving what is humanly impossible. The Apostles performed remarkable miracles with Christ (Mark 16:20) and the Holy Spirit (Mark 13:11) working through them. His disciples were told to go into the world and preach the Gospel to all creatures (Mark 13:10, 16:15), and that is what they did.

Haline Akulow Orest Akulow Kulla Anggeloplos John Arvanitis Steve and Aimee Arvanitis Michael and Nancy Avgenackis George Bagatelas Paul and Christine Bagatelas Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Fr. Jon and Presbytera Doreece Boukis Ludmilla Cherevko Victor and Judy Cherevko Abraham and Molly Chirackal George and Nancy Coin Harry and Susan Coin Stan and Kay Coin Dr. Costas and Yvonne Constantinou Harikleia Diakogeorgiou Miltos and Cathy Diakogeorgiou Dr. Konstantinos and Allison Dounoulis George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos Nicholas and Mary Fotiadis Susan Fotiadis Anna Fotos John Fotos Paris Fotos Mary Giovanis Mike and Liz Gorman Elizabeth Gregory Tom Gregory John Haney STEWARDSHIP 2008 Pledge Cards received as of March 27, 2008 Mike and Helen Haney Jim Jannes Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis Francis Kandis Mike and Terri Kandis Connie Kappas Helen Karas Deno Kouris Tom and Georgia Kouris Alex and Diane Lamacki Judy Larson Robert and Bessie Lemen Tom and Wilma Leon George Lingris Peter Lingris Thomas Lingris Georgia and Roger Lovejoy Celia Lubbers Georgia Maess John Maess Pamela Marston Christ and Susan Mekus Demos Mekus Dale and Erica Melchin Sophia Mihalopoulos Lambros and Lisa Mihalopoulos Bill and Linda Minas Deno and Barbara Minas Sophie Minas Michael and Roseann Monn Gust Moraetes Katherine Moraetes Biju and Sholly Ninan Angela Olvera Daphne Olvera Victoria Olvera Saki Padazopoulos Bill Panouses Chris Panouses Helen Panouses Katherine Panouses Dean Papanikolaou Fr. Basil Papanikolaou Spiros and Carol Pappaspiros Nicholas and Daryn Passini Christ and Helen Petaros George Polios Louis and Toula Poulimas Steve Pyevich Colette Spurgetis Frank Spurgetis Soc Spurgetis Paraskevi Stamatoukos John and Marybeth Stopoulos Anthony and Joan Stopoulos Jim and Kristel Stopoulos Peter and Pat Stopoulos Jennie Tertipes Bill and Tracey Theofilis Chris Theofilis Kostas and Pam Theofilis John and Tricia Thodos Rick and Maria Krakos Thompson Ellen Tsagaris Jim Tsagaras John and Mary Velon Frank Vretis Michael and Elizabeth Weis Dr. Scott and Margaret Zimmerman

April 2 SERVICE SCHEDULE Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy (7:00pm) April 4 Friday 4th Salutations to the Theotokos (7:00pm) April 6 Sunday Sunday St. John Climacus 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy April 9 Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy (7:00pm) April 11 Friday Akathist Hymn (7:00pm) April 13 Sunday Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy April 19 Saturday Saturday of Lazarus 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy April 20 Sunday Palm Sunday 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 7:00 p.m. Bridegroom Service April 21 Monday Holy Monday 7:00 p.m. Bridegroom Service April 22 Tuesday Holy Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Bridegroom Service April 23 Wednesday Holy Wednesday 4:00 p.m. Holy Unction Service 7:00 p.m. Orthros of the Last Supper April 24 Thursday Holy Thursday 10:00 a.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy of the Mystical Supper 7:00 p.m. Passion Service of the Twelve Holy Gospels April 25 Friday Holy Friday 4:00 p.m. Apokathelosis / Unnailing Service 7:00 p.m. Lamentations and Epitaphios Service April 26 Saturday Holy Saturday 10:00 a.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy 11:30 p.m. Orthros of the Resurrection (Resurrection Service and Divine Liturgy immediately following) April 27 Sunday GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA 12:00 Noon Agape Vespers

A P R I L 2 0 0 8 CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday Sunday of St. John Climacus Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour General Assembly PALM SUNDAY Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour 7:00pm Bridegroom Service 6 13 20 27 GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA Agape Vespers 12:00 Noon Pascha Celebration with Lamb Roast and Easter Egg Hunt Immediately Following 7 Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm No Bible Study 14 21 HOLY MONDAY 7:00pm Bridegroom Service 28 Feast of St. George Orthros and Divine Liturgy at St. George in Rock Island No Bible Study Prayer Service 9:00am at the East Moline Correctional Center Prayer Service 9:00am at the East Moline Correctional Center 1 8 15 22 HOLY TUESDAY 7:00pm Bridegroom Service 29

CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 3 4 5 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm 4th Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm 9 10 CONFESSIONS 10AM-3PM 11 12 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm Akathist Hymn 7:00pm 16 17 CONFESSIONS 10AM-3PM 7:00pm - Parish Council Meeting 18 19 Saturday of Lazarus Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 23 HOLY WEDNESDAY 4:00pm Holy Unction 7:00pm Orthros of the Last Supper 30 24 HOLY THURSDAY 10:00am Vesperal Divine Liturgy followed by Pascha Egg Dying 7:00pm Passion Service of the 12 Holy Gospels 25 HOLY FRIDAY 9:00am Epitaphios Prep 4:00pm Apokathelosis (Unnailing) 7:00pm Passion Service of the 12 Holy Gospels 26 HOLY SATURDAY 10:00am Vesperal Divine Liturgy 11:30pm Resurrection Orthros/Divine Liturgy Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free

ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 2 Απριλίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 4 Απριλίου Παρασκευή Δ Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 6 Απριλίου Κυριακή Δ Κυριακή των Νηστειών 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 9 Απριλίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 11 Απριλίου Παρασκευή Β Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 13 Απριλίου Κυριακή Ε Κυριακή των Νηστειών 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 19 Απριλίου Σάββατο Σάββατο του Λαζαρίου 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 20 Απριλίου Κυριακή Κυριακή των Βαϊων 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. Όρθρος του Νυμφίου 21 Απριλίου Δευτέρα Μεγάλη Δευτέρα 7:00 μ.μ. Όρθρος του Νυμφίου 22 Απριλίου Τρίτη Μεγάλη Τρίτη 7:00 μ.μ. Όρθρος του Νυμφίου 23 Απριλίου Τετάρτη Μεγάλη Τετάρτη 4:00 μ.μ. Μυστήριον Αγίου Ευχελαίου 7:00 μ.μ. Ακολουθία των Αγίων Παθών του Κυρίου 25 Απριλίου Πέμπτη Μεγάλη Πεμπτη 10:00 π.μ. Εσπερινός και Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. Ο Επιτάφιος Θρήνος 26 Απριλίου Σάββατο Μεγάλο Σάββατο 10:00 π.μ. Εσπερινός και Θεία Λειτουργία 11:30 μ.μ Ορθρός Αναστασέως 27 Απριλίου Κυριακή Πάσχα 12:00 μ.μ. Εσπερινός της Αγάπης

DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule April 6 Maria Georgiadis April 13 Toula Poulimas April 20 Elaine Eleftheropoulos April 27 None Coffee Hour April 6 Kulla Anggeloplos April 13 John and MaryBeth Stopoulos April 20 Celia Lubbers April 27 Pascha Celebration Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings April 6 Gospel Mark 9:17-31 Epistle Hebrews 6:13-20 April 13 Gospel Mark 10:32-45 Epistle Hebrews 9:11-14 April 20 Gospel John 12:1-18 Epistle Philippians 4:4-9 April 27 Gospel John 1:1-17 Epistle Acts 1:1-8 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 April 6 St. Luke April 13 St. John April 20 St. Matthew April 27 St. Mark

Η ΟΣΙΑ ΜΑΡΙΑ Η ΑΙΓΥΠΤΙΑ 1 Απριλίου «Ου γάρ ήλθον καλέσαι δικαίους, αλλά αμαρτωλούς εις μετάνοιαν». Δεν ήλθα να καλέσω αυτούς που νομίζουν τους εαυτούς τους δικαίους, αλλά ήλθα να καλέσω τους αμαρτωλούς, για να μετανοήσουν και να σωθούν. Ο λόγος αυτός του Κυρίου μας βρίσκει πλήρη εφαρμογή στη ζωή της Μαρίας της Αιγυπτίας, και νά γιατί: Η οσία Μαρία γεννήθηκε στην Αίγυπτο το 345 (κατά τον Μ.Ι. Γαλανό). Απο νωρίς αναπτύχθηκε η ωραιότητα του σώματός της, και παρά τις συμβουλές γονέων και ιερέων, έπεσε στη διαφθορά της αμαρτωλής ζωής για 17 ολόκληρα χρόνια. Όμως, ο πολυεύσπλαχνος Κύριος όχι μόνο την ανέχθηκε όλα αυτά τα χρόνια της ασωτίας της, αλλά ενήργησε και το σχέδιο της σωτηρίας της. Οδήγησε τα βήματά της στους Αγίους Τόπους. Η Μαρία προσπάθησε να μπεί στην Εκκλησία, να προσκυνήσει τον Τίμιο Σταυρό. Μάταια, όμως. Είχε "καρφωθεί" στην είσοδο και δεν μπορούσε να κάνει βήμα μπροστά. Η αλλαγή στα βάθη της ψυχής της ήδη είχε αρχίσει. Παρακάλεσε την Παναγία να της επιτρέψει να μπεί να προσκυνήσει και η ζωή της απο κεί και εμπρός θα ήταν σύμφωνα με το θέλημα του Υιού της. Έτσι και έγινε. Η Μαρία με πόνο ψυχής και δάκρυα στα μάτια μπήκε και προσκύνησε τον Τίμιο Σταυρό. Έπειτα, με θεία νεύση πήγε στην έρημο του Ιορδάνη, όπου εξομολογήθηκε, κοινώνησε το Σώμα του Κυρίου απο τον ασκητή Ζωσιμά (4 Απριλίου) και ασκήτεψε εκεί 50 ολόκληρα χρόνια, με αυστηρή νηστεία και προσευχή. Έκαψε, έτσι, το αμαρτωλό παρελθόν της και συγχρόνως έγινε μεγάλο παράδειγμα μετανοίας. Μετά την συνάντηση που είχε με τον ασκητή Ζωσιμά και ύστερα απο ένα χρόνο, ο ίδιος ασκητής επανήλθε για να τη συναντήσει. Αλλά τη βρήκε πεθαμένη και την έθαψε εκεί, στα μέρη που ασκήτευσε η Αγία.

Η ΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΠΕΜΠΤΗ 24 Απριλίου Το βράδυ της ημέρας αυτής, που ήταν η προ των αζύμων ημέρα, δηλαδή παραμονή του Εβραϊκού Πάσχα, ο Ιησούς δείπνησε στην πόλη με τους Δώδεκα Μαθητές του. Ευλόγησε το ψωμί και το κρασί και μ αυτό τον τρόπο παρέδωσε το μυστήριο της θείας Ευχαριστίας. Έπειτα ένιψε τα πόδια των Μαθητών του και το γεγονός αυτό της νίψεως των ποδιών των Μαθητών απο τον Κύριο λέγεται στην εκκλησιαστική γλώσσα «Νιπτήρ». Ο Νιπτήρ μας διδάσκει ότι πρέπει να εκδηλώνουμε την αγάπη μας προς τους άλλους ανθρώπους με ταπεινοφροσύνη. Η Εκκλησία, θέλοντας να μας δείξει τη σημασία του γεγονότος αυτού, όρισε την ανάμνησή του την ημέρα αυτή. Κατόπιν ο Ιησούς είπε καθαρά, ότι ένας απο τους Μαθητές του θα τον πρόδιδε. Και έδειξε τον προδότη, δίνοντας στον Ιούδα ένα κομμάτι μουσκεμένου ψωμιού στο ζωμό του πιάτου. Ο Ιούδας έφυγε αμέσως και ο Κύριος με τους μαθητές του αποσύρεται στο όρος των Ελαιών, όπου μόνος του προσεύχεται γονατιστός και ο ιδρώτας του σαν κόμβοι πηκτού αίματος, πέφτουν στη γή. Μόλις τελειώνει την προσευχή, φτάνει ο Ιούδας με τους στρατιώτες και πολύ όχλο. Αφού φίλησε τον Κύριο στο πρόσωπο, τον παραδίδει. Συλλαμβάνεται λοιπόν ο Ιησούς και οδηγείται δεμένος στους αρχιερείς Άννα και Καϊάφα. Οι Μαθητές σκορπίζονται και ο θερμόαιμος Πέτρος, που τον είχε ακολουθήσει μέχρι την αρχιερατική αυλή, τον αρνείται και αυτός. Ο Κύριος οδηγείται μπροστά στο παράνομο συνέδριο και εξετάζεται για τους Μαθητές του και για τη διδασκαλία του. Εξορκίζεται στον Θεό να πεί άν ο ίδιος είναι πράγματι ο Χριστός και λέγοντας την αλήθεια, κρίνεται ένοχος θανάτου, επειδή δήθεν βλαστήμησε. Στη συνέχεια τον φτύνουν στο πρόσωπο, τον χαστουκίζουν και τον εμπαίζουν με κάθε τρόπο όλη τη νύκτα μέχρι το πρωΐ.

ANNUAL GOLF OUTING The 2nd Annual Greek Cultural Festival Golf Tournament Monday, June 16, 2008 at the TPC at Deere Run 12 Noon Lunch 1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start $125 per golfer includes Greens Fees, Practice Range, Cart, Locker Room and Shower Facilities, Lunch, On Course Soft Drinks, Hors d oeuvres, On Course Proximity Events Sponsorship Opportunities: Presenting Sponsor ($2500) Hole Sponsor ($500) Hors d oeuvres Sponsor ($1500) Beverage Cart Sponsor ($500) Lunch Sponsor ($1000)

GOLF OUTING REGISTRATION Name: Company: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone: Email: I am reserving a Foursome w/hole sponsorship, attached is a check(s) For foursome(s) x $900 = I am organizing a Foursome, attached is a check(s) For foursome(s) x $500 = I am golfing as an individual; please place me in a foursome or with: Attached is my $125 payment. I can t golf, but wish to sponsor a hole for $500. Company/Individual Name: I can t golf, but please accept my donation of $ Please Make Check Payable To: Greek Cultural Festival And Return Prior To Friday, May 30th, 2008 Golfer #2 Golfer #3 Golfer #4 Additional Golfers for Foursome Reservations

GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOTICE NOTICE OF PARISH ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD ON APRIL 13, 2008 An assembly of all the stewards* of the parish will occur on Sunday, April 13, following the DIVINE LITURGY. The agenda will be as follows: 1. Opening Prayer / Attendance 2. Election of Assembly Chairperson 3. Minutes of Previous Assembly 4. Reports (President s Report, Treasurer s Report, Stewardship, Auditing, Basketball Tournament) 5. Cultural Festival Update 6. Property Renovations (Masonry, roof, etc.) 7. Unfinished and New Business affecting the life of the Parish 8. Adjournment / Closing Prayer *A steward is any person baptized according to the rites of the Church, or was received into the church through CHRISMATION, who lives according to the faith and canons of the Church, and who has met his or her stewardship obligations to the parish for the current year. A list of current stewards will be available at the Parish Assembly. Please contact the church office to determine if you are currently a steward or if we can be of assistance in any aspect of living as an Orthodox Christian. A Parish Assembly consists of parishioners in good standing of the Parish who have met their stewardship obligations to the Parish in accordance with the Parish Bylaws. A person whose name appears on the Stewardship rolls but who is in arrears in the payment of his/her stewardship obligations may take part in the Parish Assembly by meeting such stewardship obligations on or before the date of the meeting. If a Parishioner is delinquent for more than the current calendar year, he or she may vote at the Parish Assembly only after that parishioner has met the unfulfilled stewardship financial obligations at least thirty (30) days before the Parish Assembly. New members may exercise their vote at Parish Assemblies if they have been parishioners in good standing for at least three months. The Priest shall be non-voting participant of the Parish Assembly. Uniform Parish Regulations, Article 31, Section 3

NEW FUNDRAIZING OPPORTUNITY The Assumption can now benefit from YOU shopping at Up to 5% of your monthly spending will be automatically transferred to the Church. Worried about the cost of gas - Schnucks is at the Locust St. exit (2nd exit off I-74 in Iowa) - less than 4 miles away!!! Iowa has no tax on food - it s a wash!!! Call Fr. Jon and get signed up for an escrip card and begin shopping at Schnucks today! Thank you to Mike Haney for providing tickets for the Altarboys to attend Walking with the Dinosaurs. May your offerings be multiplied in your home with Blessings from above. T h a n k y o u t o G e o r g i a Eleftheropoulos for donating Holy Incense from Greece. May the Lord continue to bless your family this Pascha Season. Thank you to Quad Cities USA Family Restaurant for providing lunch for our Baklava Baking Ladies. May God Continue to Bless your business. DONATIONS PASCHA DONATIONS NEEDED Only a few items are left!!! Rose Petals for Flower Girls ($25) Easter Lilies (21 x $10) Bishop Candle Set ($380) Zeon (Hot Water Vessel) ($380) 5 Pounds of Incense (5 x $40) Vigil Light Votive Glasses($50 each) Purple, Amber, Green, Clear &Blue

PASCHA DONATIONS Icon Wreaths for the 4 Salutation Services and the Akathist Hymn - Offered by the Philoptochos of the Assumption Saturday of Lazarus Icon Wreath - Offered by the Philoptochos of the Assumption Palm Sunday Icon Wreath - Offered by Dr. Costas and Yvonne Constantinou in Memory of Arthur and Ritsa Mihalopoulos and Anastasios and Georgia Mihalopoulos Palm Sunday Bridegroom Icon Wreath - Offered by George and Nancy Polios in Memory of Michael and Veneta Polios Holy Monday Bridegroom Icon Wreath - Offered by George and Nancy Polios for the Health of their family Holy Tuesday Bridegroom Icon Wreath - Offered by Michael and Roseanne Monn in Memory James and Anna Tsakanikas Holy Wednesday Last Supper Icon Wreath - Offered by Michael and Roseanne Monn in Memory of Angela Tsakanikas, Helen Argeros and Peter Tsakanikas Wreath for Holy Cross - Offered by Steve and Vaso Boukis for the Health of the Boukis and Gaudio Families Holy Friday Apocathelosis Icon Wreath - Offered by Michael and Roseanne Monn for the Health of Anthony and Linda Argeros and family, James and Jenneifer Argerios and family and Michael and Roseanne Monn Holy Friday Crucifixion Icon Wreath - Offered by Tom Lingris and Judy Larson for the Health of Peter Lingris Holy Saturday Icon Wreath - Offered by Michael and Roseanne Monn for the Health of Mark and DeAnne Coan and family, Gregg and Tiffani Hill and family, and Anthony and Angela Deason and family Resurrection Icon Wreath - Offered by Litsa Gregory and family in Memory of Pete Gregory Resurrection Wreath - Offered by Georgia Maess in Memory of the Bourboulas Family Daffodils for Holy Cross Sunday - Offered by Steve and Vaso Boukis in Memory of Rev. Father Demetrios and Presbytera Joanna Costarakis, Presbytera Mary Costarakis and Georgia Boukis Palms for Palm Sunday - Offered by Jim Jannes in Memory of Chris and Anastasia Jannes Holy Unction Supplies - Offered by Konstantinos and Panagiota Theofilis for the Health of their family

PASCHA DONATIONS Candles for the Top of the Holy Cross - Offered by George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos for the Health of George, Georgia, Sophia, Derek, Katerina, and Dino White Sheet for the Un-nailing and the Netting and Ribbon for the Easter Eggs - Offered by Litsa Gregory and Family in Memory of Anastasios and Evangelia Antoniou Epitaphion Flowers - Offered by the Members of the Parish Council for the Health of their families - Celia Lubbers, Michael Weis, Diane Lamacki, Michael Haney, Victor Cherevko, Abraham Chirackal, Cathy Diakogeorgiou, Deno Kandis, Michael Kandis, Georgia Lovejoy, John Stopoulos and Bill Theofilis. Gardenias for Epitaphion - Offered by Fr. Jon and Presbytera Doreece for the Health of the Parishioners of the Assumption White Bows for the Epitaphion - Offered by Dale and Erica Melchin for the Health of Shawna Melchin and in Memory of Shannon Melchin and Bessie Saunders Bay Leaves (Holy Saturday AM) - Offered by Tom and Georgia Kouris in Memory of Gus Kouris and Arthur and Ritsa Mihalopoulos Easter Lilies Offered by Helen Karas in Memory of Sam Karas Offered by Helen Karas in Memory of Nick Raptis Offered by Mary Giovanis in Memory of John Raptis Offered by Mary Giovanis in Memory of Despina Raptis Offered by an anonymous donor Pascha Eggs - Offered by the GOYA Pascha Resurrection Meal - Offered by the GOYA Resurrection Priest Candle - Offered by Helen Panouses in Memory of Bill Panouses Candy and Plastic Eggs - Offered by Fr. Jon and Presbytera Doreece for the Health of Vasilia Presanctified Gifts Box - Offered by an anonymous donor Altar Rug - Offered by an anonymous donor Rose Petals for the Flower Girls - Bishop Candle Set - Zeon (Hot Water Vessel) - 5 Pounds of Incense -

Agape News 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 Kleo Caras 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 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).

ADVERTISEMENTS 1190 - Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL 61244 Miltos Diakogeorgiou Jose Zepeda (309)796-0030 The family restaurant where you feel like family. Let us share your special moments in our newly opened banquet room. FULL COLOR ADVERTISEMENTS $400 per year for 2.5 x 3 $250 per year for 2.5 x 1.5 $150 per year for 1.25 x 1.5 (The Year will go from September 1 through August 31 - for 2008, the remaining 6 months will be half rate) See Your Ad Here!!! Old & New Testament Orthodox Study Bible! 1st Shipment SOLD OUT List $49.95 + $9 S&H Your Price $35!!! Reserve a copy today!

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 4900 Kennedy Drive East Moline, Illinois 61244 Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID E. Moline, IL. Permit No. 153