Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org

Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org Fr. Constantine P. Botsis, Proistamenos Fr. George Lamberis, Synefemerios Deacon John G. Suhayda Nick Harisiadis, Protopsaltis THE HEALING PROPERTIES OF THE TRUE CROSS IN CONSTANTINOPLE Due to the fact that illnesses spread most widely from person to person in the first fifteen days of August, it became a custom in Constantinople to bring out the portion of the Holy and True Cross of Christ kept in the Royal Palace and process it throughout the City of Constantinople from August 1 14. By experience the people of Constantinople knew, both government and ecclesiastical bodies, that the True Cross contained healing properties that was also able to ride all manner of illnesses and diseases merely through its presence. We also have testimony that the Cross itself gave out a fragrant holy oil that was used to cure people, as well as the fact that the oil from vigil light that always burnt in front of the Holy Cross had miraculous properties by the grace of God. The first comes to us from St. Bede, in chapter 20 of his Book of Holy Places: Constantinople is bounded on all sides except the north by the sea, which extends from the great sea to the walls of the city, sixty thousand paces, and from the walls to the mouths of the Danube, forty thousand. The circuit of the walls, which are angular, according to the line of sea, is about twelve thousand paces. Constantine was at first disposed to build it in Cilicia, near the sea which separates Europe and Asia, but on a certain night all the iron tools were carried away, and, when men were sent to fetch them, they were found on the European side: for there it was the will of God that it should be built. In this city is a church of wonderful workmanship, called the Church of Hagia Sophia, built up from its foundation of a circular shape, domed in, and surrounded by three walls. It is supported to a great height on columns and arches, and has in its inmost part, on the north side, a large and beautiful closet, where is a wooden chest with a wooden lid, containing three pieces of our Lord s Cross, that is to say, the long timber cut in two, and the transverse part of the same Holy Cross. These pieces are exhibited for the adoration of the people three times only in the year, namely, on the day of our Lord s supper, the day of the preparation, and on the Holy Sabbath. On the first of these, the chest, which is two cubits long and one broad, is set out on a golden altar with the Holy Cross exposed to view: the Emperor first approaches, and after him all the different ranks of laymen, in order, kiss and venerate it: on the following day the Empress and all the married women and virgins do the same; but on the third day the bishops and different orders of the clergy do it, and then the chest is shut and carried back to the closet before mentioned. As long as it remains open on the altar, a wonderful odor spreads through the whole church. For an odoriferous liquor like oil flows from the knots of the holy wood, the least drop of which cures every complaint which a man may be afflicted with. The second comes to us from St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite, in his Synaxarion under July 31: Even the holy oil, which was lit in the oil lamp of the honorable wood of the Cross, worked miracles. Thus Christians would receive it, and they called it the Oil of the Cross. Wherefore Monk Cyril also writes that the venerable Savvas, with the oil of the oil lamp of the holy icons, worked many miracles and expelled many demons. In his history Theodoret writes that the venerable James, with the oil of the oil lamp, that was lit before the icon of the Martyrs, healed many passions. St. Thomais also healed a Monk who battled with fornication once she anointed him with the oil of her oil lamp. From the website of John Sanidopoulos

ANNOUNCEMENTS The Philoptochos of St. Haralambos invites you to today s Coffee Fellowship Hour after today s services. PROSPHORA We thank Mrs. Niki Maglaris, Mrs. Demetra Anastasiadis, Mrs. Georgia Vasilopoulos and Mrs. Zoi Govis who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by Mrs. Loretta Hughes/Politis and Mrs. Angela Lygiros (Sun, Aug 13). MEMORIAL SERVICES ARE NOT DONE ON MAJOR FEASTS 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. ARTOCLASIA is offered today by Sotiri and Sotiria Souleles in honor of the Feastday of the Transfiguration of our Lord, for the health and well-being of their family and the entire St. Haralambos community. HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION Orthodox Christians in good standing are encouraged to receive Holy Communion frequently, provided they have prepared themselves spiritually, mentally and physically. They must be on time for the Divine Liturgy, and be in a Christ-like, calm state of mind. They should be in a confession relationship with their priest or spiritual father, and they should have selfexamined their conscience. On the day of receiving Holy Communion, it is not proper to eat or drink anything before coming to church. When you approach to receive Holy Communion, state your Christian (baptismal) name clearly, and hold the red communion cloth to your chin. After receiving, wipe your lips on the cloth, step back carefully, hand the cloth to the next person and make the sign of the Cross as you step away. Please take special care not to bump the Holy Chalice. A STEWARDSHIP REMINDER We are grateful to the 489 families who have committed $ 271,012.00 so far this year! How about you? Jesus told us YOU are the light of the World; let your light shine before others. Stewardship is discovering our light by using the talents and gifts God has given us. True stewardship means that our offering to God is a reflection of the Light in us, and of our appreciation for the blessings and benefits we derive from our Church! If you have not yet made your 2017 commitment, please do so. 125 YEARS OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY IN CHICAGO 2017 has bee proclaimed as the Anniversary of Orthodox Christianity in Greater Chicago." The anniversary will be commemorated on Saturday, September 30, with a majestic Pan-Orthodox Hierarchical Liturgy and Anniversary Luncheon. The Anniversary Divine Liturgy will take place at Lane Tech Auditorium, 2501 West Addison at Western, Chicago, followed by the Anniversary Luncheon at the Chicago Marriott O Hare, 8535 West Higgins Road, Chicago. SAVE THIS DATE! GHANA PROJECT-- A Mission Team with members from Chicago is departing soon to participate in a Camp Program in Ghana. They are in need of supplies and equipment and our help is needed. Donations can be sent to St. Haralambos Church, marked Ghana Project from now to August 17. A special collection basket for Ghana is also set up in the Narthex so that you can make a donation today, if you like. Your help is greatly appreciated!

ANOUNCEMENTS OUR ST HARALAMBOS INREACH COMMITTEE announces the fourth in a series of talks about our faith in the home with a presentation in our Community Center on Wednesday evening, August 9, immediately following the Paraclesis Service. Our presenter will be Pani (Presvytera) Marianna Bannon, speaking on Getting Ready for Seasons of Preparation. Paraclesis at 7:00 with Pani s talk following. Refreshments will be served! DONATION BOX We are grateful to all of you who have placed contributions in the donation box in the narthex. These contributions are used to help people who come to us and need financial help. You have helped many people! There continue to be many people in need; your continued support is greatly appreciated. WHAT IS STRONGYLI MEGISTIS? Strongyli Megistis is a very small but strategic Greek Island off the southern coast of Turkey, in an area where oil has been found under the sea bed. These are Greek waters, but Turkey challenges this claim and has sent naval ships to the area. In an effort to raise money so that the plight of Strongyli Megistis can be publicized, the Metropolis of Chicago has agreed to participate in fundraising through selling a special bottle of premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil with a label depicting the St. Nicolaos Chapel of Strongyli Megistis. The bottle sells for $12 and is available in the church office! Your support is appreciated and meaningful! GREEK SCHOOL REGISTRATION has begun for all our school programs for the 2017-18 school year. Our Afternoon School is offered on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30, and our Saturday Greek School runs from 9:00 am to 12:30. Registration information is available in our church office (847-647- 8880). SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Sunday School begins on Sunday, September 10! Make sure to register your children in the most important program! Registration forms are available in the church office! September 11 will be Registration Sunday! Sunday School will begin at 9:30 don t be late! OUR OUTREACH COMMITTEE offers a meal every month at a local food kitchen. We encourage you to help with the food kitchen or to become a member of the Outreach Committee! WE WELCOME all our friends, parishioners and visitors who have come to St. Haralambos today. 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 and other activities any time! IT IS PROPER AND RIGHT... Please understand that chewing gum in church is considered to be very discourteous and even vulgar. Your attention to this is greatly appreciated. Be considerate! Please remove lipstick when reverencing the holy icons or receiving Holy Communion. Please teach your children that it is not proper to play video games, eat snacks, chew gum or cross their legs in church. Please be careful when you receive Holy Communion that you do not bump the Holy Chalice and cause it to spill! Please teach your children to dress modestly. Shoulders and midriffs should be covered, and discretion used concerning skirt lengths and excessive makeup and jewelry. Please turn off cell-phones and video games during Church services. Phone conversations are not allowed in church.

Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας AΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Β Πέτρου α 10-19 Διὸ μᾶλλον ἀδελφοί σπουδάσατε βεβαίαν ὑμῶν τὴν κλῆσιν καὶ ἐκλογὴν ποιεῖσθαι ταῦτα γὰρ ποιοῦντες οὐ μὴ πταίσητέ ποτε οὕτως γὰρ πλουσίως ἐπιχορηγηθήσεται ὑμῖν ἡ εἴσοδος εἰς τὴν αἰώνιον βασιλείαν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ μελλήσω ἀεὶ ὑμᾶς ὑπομιμνῄσκειν περὶ τούτων καίπερ εἰδότας καὶ ἐστηριγμένους ἐν τῇ παρούσῃ ἀληθείᾳ. Δίκαιον δὲ ἡγοῦμαι ἐφ ὅσον εἰμὶ ἐν τούτῳ τῷ σκηνώματι διεγείρειν ὑμᾶς ἐν ὑπομνήσει εἰδὼς ὅτι ταχινή ἐστιν ἡ ἀπόθεσις τοῦ σκηνώματός μου καθὼς καὶ ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ἐδήλωσέν μοι σπουδάσω δὲ καὶ ἑκάστοτε ἔχειν ὑμᾶς μετὰ τὴν ἐμὴν ἔξοδον τὴν τούτων μνήμην ποιεῖσθαι. Οὐ γὰρ σεσοφισμένοις μύθοις ἐξακολουθήσαντες ἐγνωρίσαμεν ὑμῖν τὴν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δύναμιν καὶ παρουσίαν ἀλλ ἐπόπται γενηθέντες τῆς ἐκείνου μεγαλειότητος. Λαβὼν γὰρ παρὰ Θεοῦ πατρὸς τιμὴν καὶ δόξαν φωνῆς ἐνεχθείσης αὐτῷ τοιᾶσδε ὑπὸ τῆς μεγαλοπρεποῦς δόξης Ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός μου οὗτός ἐστιν εἰς ὃν ἐγὼ εὐδόκησα καὶ ταύτην τὴν φωνὴν ἡμεῖς ἠκούσαμεν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἐνεχθεῖσαν σὺν αὐτῷ ὄντες ἐν τῷ ἁγίῳ ὄρει. Καὶ ἔχομεν βεβαιότερον τὸν προφητικὸν λόγον ᾧ καλῶς ποιεῖτε προσέχοντες ὡς λύχνῳ φαίνοντι ἐν αὐχμηρῷ τόπῳ ἕως οὗ ἡμέρα διαυγάσῃ καὶ φωσφόρος ἀνατείλῃ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Ματθαῖον ιζ 1-9 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραλαμβάνει ὁ Ιησοῦς τὸν Πέτρον καὶ Ιάκωβον καὶ Ιωάννην τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀναφέρει αὐτοὺς εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν κατ ἰδίαν. Καὶ μετεμορφώθη ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔλαμψεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος, τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο λευκὰ ὡς τὸ φῶς. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ὤφθη αὐτοῖς Μωϋσῆς καὶ Ηλίας συλλαλοῦντες μετ αὐτοῦ. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν τῷ Ιησοῦ, Κύριε, καλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι εἰ θέλεις, ποιήσω ὧδε τρεῖς σκηνάς, σοὶ μίαν καὶ Μωϋσεῖ μίαν καὶ Ηλίᾳ μίαν. Ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ἰδοὺ νεφέλη φωτεινὴ ἐπεσκίασεν αὐτούς, καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῆς νεφέλης λέγουσα, Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα ἀκούετε αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ μαθηταὶ ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα. Καὶ προσῆλθεν ὁ Ιησοῦς καὶ ἁψάμενος αὐτῶν εἶπεν, Εγέρθητε καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε. Ἐπάραντες δὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν οὐδένα εἶδον εἰ μὴ αὐτὸν Ιησοῦν μόνον. Καὶ καταβαινόντων αὐτῶν ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους ἐνετείλατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς λέγων, Μηδενὶ εἴπητε τὸ ὅραμα ἕως οὗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγερθῇ.

Today s Epistle Reading EPISTLE 2 Peter 1:10-19 BRETHREN, be more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to arouse you by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. GOSPEL Matthew 17: 1-9 At that time, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led him up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead."

Marriott O Hare

Ανακοινώσεις STEWARDSHIP 2017 Εαν δεν έχετε συμπληρώσει την κάρτα προσφοράς σας για το 2017, παρακαλούμε όπως επιληφθείτε το συντομότερο. Δεν έχουμε θέσει όρια, αλλά αληθινό stewardship σημαί -νει να δίνoυμε ανάλογα των εισοδημάτων μας. Το επίπεδο προσφοράς του stewardship θα πρέπει να είναι ένα ποσό που θα αντιπροσωπεύει την αυξανόμενη αγάπη μας προς τον Θεό και την εκτίμησή μας δια τις ευλογίες και όλα τα καλά που μας προσφέρει η εκκλησία μας! ΠΟΙΟΙ ΔΥΝΑΝΤΑΙ ΝΑ ΛΑΒΟΥΝ ΘΕΙΑΝ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΝ - Όταν λαμβάνομεν Θείαν Κοινωνίαν η οποιοδήποτε από τα άλλα Μυστήρια εκφράζομεν 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. 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. ΤΙ ΕΙΝΑΙ Η ΣΤΡΟΓΓΥΛΗ ΜΕΓΙΣΤΗΣ; Η Στρογγυλή Μεγίστης (ή «Στρογγύλη») είναι μικρό νησί των Δωδεκανήσων, πολύ κοντά στην Τουρκία, που ανήκει στο νομό Μεγίστης (Καστελλόριζο) και είναι το ανατολικότερο Ελληνικό έδαφος. Στην περιφέρεια αυτή, έχουν βρει υδρογονάνθρακα, από το οποίο γίνεται το πετρέλαιο. Η Τουρκία αμφισβητεί τα δικαιώματα της Ελλάδας και έχει στείλει πολεμικά πλοία στην περιφέρεια αρκετές φορές. Ο Μητροπολίτης Μεσογαίας και Λαυρεωτικής προσπαθεί να δημοσιεύσει την δύσκολη θέσι της Στρογγυλής. Να καλύψει τα έξοδα του, η Μητρόπολις Σικάγου συμφώνησε να βοηθήσει με το πούλημα ενός εξαιρετικού ελαιολάδου. Η προσφορά είναι $12 το μποτίλι. Ευχαριστούμε για την βοηθειά σας! THE BLESSING OF GRAPES ON THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION Today is the Great Feastday of the Transfiguration of our Lord. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, it is customary to bless grapes. The blessing of grapes 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. The prayer can be found on the back page of this bulletin. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: Mon, Aug 7 Paraclesis to the Theotokos... 7:00 pm Wed Aug 9 Paraclesis to the Theotokos.. 7:00 pm Inreach Presentation by Pani Marianna Bann on 8:00 pm Fri, Aug 11 Paraclesis to the Theotokos... 7:00 pm Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.

TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, August 6, 2017 The Transfiguration of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ Ἡ Μεταμόρφωσις τοῦ Κυρίου καί Θεοῦ καἰ Σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Μετεμορφώθης ἐν τῷ ὄρει, Χριστέ ὁ Θεός, δείξας τοῖς Μαθηταῖς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ἠδύναντο. Λάμψον καί ἡμῖν τοῖς ἀμαρτωλοῖς, τό φῶς σου τό ἀΐδιον, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου Φωτοδότα, δόξα σοι. You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, showing Your disciples Your glory as each one could endure. Shine forth on us, who are sinners, Your neverending light, through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Light-giver, glory to You. 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. PRAYER FOR THE BLESSING OF GRAPES Bless, O Lord, this new fruit of the vine, which you have graciously been pleased to permit to come to maturity, through calm seasons and gentle rains and favorable weather; and let it be unto joy for those of us who shall partake of this offspring of the vine; and may we offer it as a gift to You unto the purification of our sins, through the sacred and holy Body and Blood of your Christ, whim whom you are blessed together with your all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Εὐλόγησον, Κύριε, τόν καρπόν τοῦτον τῆς ἀμπέλου τόν νέον, ὄν διά τῆς τοῦ ἀέρος εὐκρασίας, καί τῶν σταγόνων τῆς βροχῆς, καί τῆς τῶν καιρῶν γαλήνης εἰς ταύτην τήν ὡριμωτάτην στάσιν ἐλθεῖν ηὐδόκησας, ἵνα ἡ ἐν ἡμῖν, τοῖς ἐξ αὐτοῦ τοῦ γεννήματος τῆς ἀμπέλου μεταλαμβάνουσιν, εἰς εὐφροσύνην, καί τοῖς προσενέγκασι δῶρον, εἰς ἐξιλασμόν άμαρτιῶν, διά τοῦ ἱεροῦ καί ἁγίου Σώματος καί Αἵματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου μεθ οὗ εὐλογητός εἷ, σύν τῷ παναγίῳ, καί ἀγαθῷ, καί ζωοποιῷ σου Πνεύματι, νῦν καί ἀεί καί εἰς τούς αἰώνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.