ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY ST. NICHOLAS GIFTING PHILOPTOCHOS BAKE SALE SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The Nativity of the Lord has now passed and we await His Presentation to the Temple and reception by the Righteous Symeon. Although we are moving away from what many term the season of giving, it is important that we, as followers of Christ, fight to keep within us the spirit of the cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:7). Wouldn t it be nice if the feeling of Christmas was in our hearts every day of the year? As Orthodox Christians, we understand that evangelism is not purely a function of preaching with our mouths, but also preaching with our actions. It is through our love that we bring people to Christ. St. Paul tells us that those to whom we are philanthropic will give glory to God for the obedience which you show in professing the gospel of Christ. (2 Cor. 9:13) When we profess to something it means that we own it in other words, we are not just talking the talk but walking the walk. As we enter the new year, let us: be cheerful givers to all of creation, offer our time and talent to Christ s Holy Church and to His people, be a beacon of righteousness to all who know us, not leave behind the spirit of Christmas and the peace that comes along with it, set aside our worldly cares that we may receive the King of All! Yes, it is possible to have the peace in our hearts that Christmas brings each and every day of the year!!! Wishing you a Blessed and Prosperous New Calendar Year, I remain, In Christ s Love, Rev. Father Jon Boukis PROISTAMENOS

All children with cumulative attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed monthly in the Agape News. Congratulations to: Vasilia Boukis Daniel Dounoulis Lydia Dounoulis Naina Ninan Evan Dounoulis Attendance is Important!!! Hit the Mark!!! Bible Study is an opportunity for us to apply the Scriptures to our everyday lives. The Bible is the Good News that enriches our faith and deepens our understanding of every issue that we face. This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!! This year we will study the shorter Epistles of Paul: Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus and Philemon. Please start the new ecclesiastical year with a renewed desire of learning the blessed scriptures and tradition of the Church. The Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Wednesday Evenings from 6:00pm-7:30pm and on Thursday Mornings from 9:30am-11:00am. Make a commitment to learning His Word!

Vasilopita Sunday Following the Divine Liturgy and the cutting of the Vasilopita on Sunday, January 26, 2014, the Philoptochos will auction Vasilopita for the benefit of St. Basil s Academy. Be ready with your checkbook to make a difference for these children!!! RUMMAGE SALE NEWS It s never too early to donate to the rummage sale. We have made space in the garage to store your clean, gently used treasures until August. Please bring them in a closed box so they can be stacked in the garage. You may bring them on Sundays. Leave them in your car and you can unload them into the garage during coffee hour. 1 st Ashor Chirackal 2 nd Alexa Lingris 2 nd Jacy Villegas 5 th Mary Kandis 7 th Vicki Deusinger 7 th Maria Kotrogiannis 9 th Nick Arvanitis 10 th Elaine Eleftheropoulos 11 th Christ Mekus 14 th Nicholas Kouris 18 th Lee Dokolas 22 nd Effie Constantinou 24 th Bill Kandis 24 th Anna Ray 24 th Jim Stopoulos 29 th Chris Panouses 31 st George Eleftheropoulos Just a few Saints (Namedays) commemorated in January... 1 st Vasilios, Vasilia, Vasiliki 17 th Anthony, Antonia 7 th John, Joanne 18 th Athanasios, Athanasia 10 th Gregory (of Nyssa) 25 th Greogory (the Theologian)

On Saturday, January 18 th, the youth of the Assumption will be meeting at QC Family Entertainment in Moline at 12 Noon for Pizza, Bowling and Laser Tag!!! (Parents are encouraged to participate) Details will be coming soon by email!!! Acolyte Appreciation Day!!! On January 4 th, 2014, the Acolytes (Altarboys) will be taken as guests of the Parish to see the Harlem Globetrotters. The Globetrotters will be appearing at the I-Wireless Center at 7:00 p.m on Saturday, January 4 th.

Poinsettias were donated by the following: Christ and Helen Petaros in Memory of their daughter, Kathy Petaros Stamatis. Dennis and Pam Collier in Memory of their parents, Elzie Collier and Lee and Alyce Dokolas. Roseanne Monn in Memory of her husband, Michael Monn. Roger and Georgia Lovejoy in Memory of Lee, Alyce and James Dokolas. Steve Pyevich in Memory of Draginja Krajnovic. Darlene Lingris in Memory of her husband, John Lingris, and daughter, Catherine Lingris. John and MaryBeth Stopoulos for the Health of the Stopoulos Family. The Dounoulis Family for the Health of the Dounoulis Family. Litsa and Tom Gregory in Memory of Pete Gregory. Arlene Fenno-Gust for the health of her husband Pete and in Memory of Michael and Metaxia. Thank you to all who contributed to the LED Lighting Improvement - Victor and Judy Cherevko, Dennis and Pam Collier, Kosta and Allison Dounoulis, Pete and Arlene Gust, Dimitri and Kathy Papageorgiou and the Philoptochos. Your contributions will provide cost savings, safety and ease of maintenance for you community. Thank you to Dimitri Wine and Spirits for hosting a tremendous wine tasting for our parish. Thank you also to MaryBeth Stopoulos and Tracey Theofilis for chairing the event. Thank you to Christina Papanikoloau for tending to our garden in preparation for the winter months. Thank you to Arlene Gust for making sure the shrubbery between us and the neighbors remains beautiful. Thank you to Maria Kotrogiannis who donated incense from Greece in memory of her father, Periklis Lambropoulos. 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 6, 2014, and be put on the list. A schedule will be created after all requests have been received.

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 M onothelite h eresy b ecame 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!

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).

Sunday Monday Tuesday 5 Eve of Holy Theophany Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Blessing of the Water Affirmation of 2014 Council Family Worship Coffee Hour All English Divine Liturgy Sunday After Theophany Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Philoptochos Meeting Sunday School Coffee Hour 12 19 Sunday of the Ten Lepers Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Council Sponsored Luncheon 6 Feastday of Holy Theophany Divine Liturgy 9:00am Blessing of the Water 7 Feastday of Saint John the Baptist Divine Liturgy 9:00am 13 14 Feastday of the Fathers Slain at Raitho in Sinai Divine Liturgy 9:00am 6:30pm - Parish Council Meeting 20 21 26 Sunday of Zacchaeus Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Vasilopita Cutting and Auction 27 28

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! No Bible Study No Bible Study 2 3 4 Acolyte Outing to iwireless to see the Harlem Globetrotters 7:00pm 8 9 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 10 11 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 15 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 16 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 17 18 Youth Pizza, Bowling and Laser Tag 12:00 Noon at QC Family Entertainment 22 23 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 24 Vasilopita Baking 25 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 29 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 30 Feastday of the Three Hierarchs Divine Liturgy 9:00am No Bible Study 31 Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free

January 5 Sunday Eve of Holy Theophany / Epiphany 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy / Blessing of the Water January 6 Monday Great and Holy Theophany / Epiphany 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil / Blessing of the Water January 7 Tuesday Feastday of St. John the Baptist 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 12 Sunday Sunday After Theophany 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 14 Tuesday Feastday of the Fathers Slain at Raitho/Sinai 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 19 Sunday 12th Sunday of Luke (Ten Lepers) 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 26 Sunday 15th Sunday of Luke (Zacchaeus) 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 30 Thursday Feastday of the Three Hierarchs 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Πρόγραμμα Ιερών Ακολουθίων 5 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Προεόρτια των Φώτων 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία/Αγιασμός 6 Ιανουαρίου Δευτέρα Αγία Θεοφάνεια του Κυρίου 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία/Μέγας Αγιασμός 7 Ιανουαρίου Τρίτη Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Προδρόμος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 12 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή μετά των Θεοφανείων 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 14 Ιανουαρίου Τρίτη Οι Άγιοι Πατέρες εν Ραϊθώ Αναιρεθέντες 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 19 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΒ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 26 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΕ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 30 Ιανουαρίου Πἐμπτη Οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία

Prosforo Schedule January 5 Helen Petaros January 12 Paraskevi Stamatoukos January 19 Toula Poulimas January 26 Litsa Gregory Coffee Hour January 5 Not Yet Reserved January 12 Not Yet Reserved January 19 Parish Council Lunch January 26 Philoptochos Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings January 5 Gospel Mark 1:1-8 Epistle II Timothy 4:5-8 January 12 Gospel Matthew 4:12-17 Epistle Ephesians 4:7-13 January 19 Gospel Luke 17:12-19 Epistle Colossians 3:4-11 January 26 Gospel Luke 19:1-10 Epistle I Timothy 4:9-15 Parish Council Ushering Schedule January 5 th - John Stopoulos 12 th - Cathy Diakogeorgiou 19 th - Orest Akulow 26 th - Matt Miller February 2 nd - Paris Fotos 9 th - Mike Haney 16 th - Dennis Collier 23 rd - George Georgiadis March 2 nd - Kosta Dounoulis 9 th - John Stopoulos 16 th - Cathy Diakogeorgiou 23 rd - Orest Akulow 30 th - Matt Miller For each Sunday, the council member listed is to be present at 9:00 a.m. The council member listed for the week following will be assigned to help during the Divine Liturgy beginning at 9:50 a.m. through the processing of the collection.

Άγιοι Πατέτες εν Ραϊθώ Οι Άγιοι Πατέρες εν Ραϊθώ Αναιρεθέντες 14 Ιανουαρίου Δύο μέρες μακριά από το όρος Σινά, πρός την Ερυθρά θάλασσα, ήταν η έρημος της Ραϊθού, στο εσωτερικό της οποίας ζούσαν χριστιανοί α ν α χ ω ρ η τ έ ς. Ή τ α ν δ ε συγκεντρωμένοι πάνω σ ένα όρος. Αλλά την ίδια μέρα, που έγινε η σφαγή των πατέρων στο όρος Σινά, οι βάρβαροι αποφάσισαν να εξολοθρεύσουν και τους πατέρες που βρίσκονταν στην έρημο της Ραϊθού. Ο ηγούμενος της μονής, Παύλος, μόλις είδε τον κίνδυνο, συγκέντρωσε τους αδελφούς όλους μέσα στο ναό και τους απηύθυνε λόγια γενναία και συγκινητικά. Τους θύμησε ότι σκοπός της ζωής τους είναι ο Χριστός και η Βασιλεία του. Ότι γι αύτην ήταν όλες οι προσευχές, οι μελέτες, οι πόθοι και τα έργα τους. Και ότι τώρα τους παρουσιάζεται λαμπρότατη ευκαιρία ν αποκτήσουν τα ωραιότερα στεφάνια, χύνοντας και αυτό το αίμα τους γιά τον μισθαποδότη Κύριό τους. Τους παρεκίνησε επίσης να ευχηθούν, ακόμα και γι αυτούς τους δυστυχισμένους που θα τους σκότωναν. Οι πατέρες συμφώνησαν με τα λόγια αυτά, και όλοι μαζί προσευχήθηκαν. Μόλις τελείωσαν την προσευχή τους, μπήκαν στο μοναστήρι οι βάρβαροι και έσπειραν παντού το θάνατο. Η δε Εκκλησία, κατέταξε στους Αγίους της και τους εργάτες αυτούς του Ευαγγελίου, που σφράγισαν την πίστη τους με το αίμα τους.

Άγιος Αντώνιος ο Μέγας 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.

Parish Council Meeting Minutes November 19, 2013 Call to Order at 6:45pm. Fr. Jon led the opening prayer. Roll Call: Present: John Stopoulos, Paris Fotos, George Georgiadis, Orest Akulow and Kosta Dounoulis, Excused: Cathy Diakageorgiou, Matt Miller, Mike Haney and Denny Mekus Approval of October Minutes: Motion made by Kosta; 2nd by: Paris. Budget: Changes made to 2014 Budget Expenses includes: Greek Cultural Festival Income Estimated at $35,000 Archdiocese Dues decreased to $23,607.00 Charity decreased to $1,800.00 Payroll decreased to 92,000.00 Utilities decreased to $16,000.00 Motion made by Kosta to approve the changes to the 2014 Budget Expenses; 2nd by: Paris. Motion Carried. President s Report: Need someone to start helping Fr. Jon in the Office with items that will need to be eventually taken over by someone other than himself. John S. will send a letter out to the Parish regarding the duties that will need to be transitioned in the future if we move towards a part time Parish Priest. Fr. Jon will help in this transition to show/train those who will be taking over certain duties. Appeals Form for Archdiocese Dues on grounds of Severe Financial Hardship. Need to send in. Need to send out Stewardship Cards. Need to send out Christmas Cards to sell. Need to appoint/re-appoint new Foundation Board. Two tubs of Shish-kabob left. May look to take some to our major Festival Sponsors? Taverna Night and New Year s Eve Night Cancelled due to lack of interest and volunteers to help. Will have a luncheon on December 22 nd, 2013 after Church following the Christmas Pageant and Santa. Will have another luncheon on January 19 th, 2013 as well.

LED Lights cost us $1,800.00 with a $1,200.00 rebate for an overall cost of $600.00 to upgrade to LED. One of the dimmers is broke and the others are not compatible. The net cost to replace after rebate is $300.00. Kosta offered to donate the $300.00 in memory of his Father-in-Law. Thanks Kosta. Treasurer s Report: We need $4,164.38 by the end of November to cover expenses. We currently have $300.00 in the safe and two Sundays to try and cover these expenses. We still will most likely need roughly $1,764.00? Kosta made motion to take $1,000.00 from the Foundation Checking and the remaining necessary funds from the Festival Fund to cover the expenses thru November. 2nd by: Paris (majority in favor, except George G.). Motion to adjourn by Kosta motioned, 2nd by: George. Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm Orest Akulow Dennis Collier Cathy Diakogeorgiou Paris Fotos Elizabeth Gorman Michael Haney Matthew Miller John Stopoulos Rev. Father Jon S. Boukis, PROISTAMENOS The Affirmation of Office will take place on Sunday, January 6, 2014. 2013 Budgeted General Fund Expenses $202,600 Total General Fund Expenses through December 27 th $201,937.61 Total Stewardship through December 27 th $110,070.00 YTD 2013 Shortfall of Expenses to Stewardship $91,867.61 Other General Fund Income (Candles, Events, Etc.) $33,382.40 Year-To-Date 2013 Shortfall* $58,485.21 * Festival and Golf Outing Income not included, which would further reduce the shortfall by approximately $33,500 to approximately $25,000.

The Agape News is made possible by the generous support of the following parishioners: Fr. Jon, Presbytera Doreece and Vasilia Boukis In Memory of Harry and Alfreda Arvanis Michael and Nancy Avgenackis Bill Bagatelas In Memory of George Bagatelas Paul and Christine Bagatelas Ted and Karen Bagatelas Paula Baker In Memory of Sadie (Elias) Bakeris Kleo Caras Victor and Judy Cherevko Dennis and Pam Collier Nicholas Fotiadis Litsa Gregory Tom P. Gregory Pete and Arlene Gust Mike and Helen Haney Jim Jannes Darlene M. Lingris Nick and Charlotte Maroudas In Memory of Michael Monn Katherine Moraetes and Family Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Steve and Nancy Pyevich In Memory of Nickolaus, Halina, Andrei and Nickolaus Jim and Kristel Stopoulos Tony and Joan Stopoulos In Memory of George and Grace Vretis Sponsors offer $20 for the Ecclesiastical Year (beginning and ending Sept. 1 st ) Do you enjoy the Agape News? Then become a supporter!!! Here is my support of $20. Please list my sponsorship as follows:

Advantage Pest Control 309-788-1584 Servicing Assumption for 6 years Call Steve Today! LCV Greek & Mediterranean Food Store Now selling a nice selection of Greek & Middle Eastern Products to the public Noon-5pm Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9am-1pm Saturday and by appointment 919 15th Ave. East Moline, IL 309 738-6452 The Windmill FAMILY RESTAURANT 1190 - Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL 61244 (309)796-0030 Miltos & Cathy Diakogeorgiou Parishioners and Owners Olympic Gyros 207 West 53 rd St. Davenport, IA GULLIVER'S TRAVEL Southpark Mall 762-8800 Northpark Mall 386-4400 Duck Creek Plaza 359-6500 www.gulliverstravel.com Todd Bagatelas, President J GREGORY LAW OFFICES, LTD. Tom P. Gregory, Esq. 1410 Higgins Rd, Suite 204 Park Ridge, IL 60068 www.gregorylawoffices.com Tel. 847-692-9900 Fax. 847-692-9300 Tom@GregoryLawOffices.com D Steakhouse 320 South 2 nd St. Clinton, IA Owned by Taso Korovilas & Ilias Nikolopoulos 985 Ave. of the Cities Silvis, Illinois Owned by Parishioners John & MaryBeth Stopoulos 3629 Avenue of the Cities Moline, IL (309) 755-1414 1500 6 th St. East Moline, IL www.vanhoe.com

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