SAINT HARALAMBOS 8TH ANNUAL WALKATHON ~ TODAY!!

HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS 60714 -- PHONE (847) 647-8880 Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org Fr. Constantine P. Botsis, Proistamenos Deacon John G. Suhayda Fr. George Lamberis, Synefemerios Nick Harisiadis, Protopsaltis THE DIVINE LITURGY The subject which concerns us today is the spiritual life, a life which is inspired, guided, directed, and imbued by the Holy Spirit. It is a journey to Heaven. The one who undertakes such a journey rises up to heaven, even though he still walks upon the earth. Going about his ordinary tasks, he celebrates a feast in Heaven. He travels on the wings of the Holy Spirit, and his aim, his desire, his vibrancy, and daily concern is heaven. But how often do we even think of heaven, living as we do amidst so many pleasures, and absorbed by so many trivial things? Our various preoccupations, like magnets, pull on our hearts, and make heaven appear too lofty for us to reach; something beyond our grasp and unattainable by any means. And if a person is lacking in spiritual experiences, if he has not turned his heart to Heaven, if he has not visited there from time to time, or cast so much as a glance in that direction, then the danger is even greater. If we could even turn our gaze towards heaven, even for a moment, and catch a glimpse of its breadth, its beauty, its joy, and its grandeur! It would certainly be very difficult for our soul to forget such a thing. But how can we see heaven? If only we could open a window into heaven, and gaze upon it, and if we found it pleasing leap forward and enter in it to see what might be there, to make it ours, to conquer it! If you want to look upon some superb prospect situated on the other side of a mountain, what would you do? You d climb up to some fine summit, and from there you d let your eye range over all the beautiful places you were longing to see. That s what we ll do today. We ve all come to Church, to the temple of God, precisely to the place, that is, from where we can easily behold heaven, a region which is made radiant, beautiful, and adorned by the unfading light of the Godhead which shines with a threefold brightness. The Church takes us and raises us up and presents us to God Himself. But is this what we feel? Is that our experience? When we come to Church, does our soul have the means of perception necessary to sense and grasp these realities? What sort of people have we become? We know all the breeds of dogs and horses, we know the species of plants, the makes of motor cars and radios, but we often fail to know those things which have a direct bearing on our life. At the conclusion of every Divine Liturgy, you should feel what St John Climacas once said: Now you have ravished my soul, and I cannot contain your flame, so having sung a hymn to you, I go on my way. O my God, he says, I have felt you, I have listened to you, I ve seen you alongside me; I have felt you pierce my heart with your arrows, set fire to my soul, light a flame which I cannot bear. And so I sing a hymn to you, and continue on my way, taking you with me. You will teach us the truth in all its fullness. How does the Liturgy begin? Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Why does the priest begin the Liturgy with these words? What do they mean? With these words, Christ unveils for us a marvelous sight. He presents us with a heavenly vision. Before our very eyes He opens up His Kingdom. It s like going to a shop, and the shopkeeper unfolds a bolt of fabric, and you look at it, you feel it, you test its strength, you see its beauty, and you say. I ll buy that. This is what Christ does at the beginning of the Liturgy. Before our very eyes He opens up His Kingdom for us to see it, for us to feel it, for us to be satisfied, and to say: This is what I choose for my life. This is what our soul should feel at the beginning of every Liturgy. From The Church at Prayer: The Mystical Liturgy of the Heart by Elder Aimilianos

ANNOUNCEMENTS The St. Haralambos Jr. GOYA invites you to our Coffee Fellowship Hour after today s church services. Today s coffee hour is offered in memory of Pantelis Bleas. PROSPHORA We thank the Yutakis Family, Mrs. Demetra Tsagalis and by Mrs. Eleni Katris who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by Presvytera Diana (Thursday, Oct 20 St. Gerasimos) and by Mrs. Susan Barron, the Barlas Family and the Tafreshing Family (Sunday, October 23 Saint Iakovos). MEMORIAL SERVICES 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. OUR SISTER CHURCH of St. Iakovos in Valparaiso invites you to Great Vespers on Saturday evening, October 22 and Liturgy on October 23 in honor of their parish Feastday. (Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Haralambos on October 23.) SAINT HARALAMBOS 8TH ANNUAL WALKATHON ~ TODAY!! All donations will support the Archdiocesan Ionian Village Summer Camp in Greece which sustained severe damage on September 8, 2016 from fierce tornadoes. The Walkathon will begin at 1 pm and there will also be a cookout after the walk.. The suggested donation per person is $10 and $25 per family to participate. WHO CAN RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION?- Because receiving Holy Communion or any other Sacrament is an expression of our acceptance of the dogmatic and moral teachings of the Orthodox Faith, only Orthodox Christians (by baptism or chrismation) in good standing may participate. For this reason, persons who do not agree with these teachings, or not in good standing (for example, married outside the church, or unmarried but sexually active, or civilly divorced but not ecclesiastically divorced), must return to good standing in order to participate in Orthodox Sacraments such as Holy Communion and Unction. This is also why that Orthodox Christians do not receive sacraments in non-orthodox churches. MARTHA AND MARY HOUSE BENEFIT DINNER will take place at Saint Demetrios of Elmhurst on Thursday, November 10 from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. Tickets are $40. RSVP by Nov 3. The House offers practical, emotional and spiritual support for expectant mothers who find themselves alone or without a safe home through pregnancy and childbirth. COFFEE HOUR Coffee Hour is offered every Sunday by our various church organizations in order to provide fellowship and the opportunity to get to know one another. Everyone is invited to take coffee and a few pastries or pieces of fruit. After enjoying refreshments, we kindly ask that you please pick up and dispose your plates and cups. SAINT IAKOVOS Feastday Banquet at Giorgio s Banquets Honoring His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 6pm Please call the church office to make your reservation! 847-647-8880.

STEWARDSHIP 2016! If you have not yet made your 2016 commitments, please do so. There is no minimum, but true stewardship means we set a level of giving in proportion to our resources and income. Our stewardship level should be an amount that reflects our growing love of God and our appreciation for the blessings and benefits we derive from our Church! A GENERAL ASSEMBLY is scheduled after church next Sunday to elect a Board of Elections. Please plan to attend! UNCOMPROMISING FAITH IN COMPRO- MISING TIMES Fr. Evan Armatas, the host of the podcast Transforming our Lives in Christ and the host of the show Orthodoxy Live will be offering a retreat at St. Demetrios, Elmhurst on Saturday, Oct 22 from 10:30 am to 2 PM. More info, contact saintdemetriosoffice@gmail.com INTRODUCTION TO THE GREEK ORTHO- DOX LITURGY You are invited to a special series of presentations to study the Divine Liturgy. The study is based on a small book about the Liturgy, written by Fr. Demetrios Treantafeles, and the sessions will include abundant discussion and Q&A. Join us! ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHRISTMAS GIFT/TOY DRIVE FOR FOSTER CHIL- DREN--Again this year, the Orthodox Christian parishes of Chicago are collecting new toys and gifts to be given to foster children under the DCFS of Cook County. St. Haralambos has volunteered to provide for 165 children this year! Gift Forms will be available from the church SWEET AND KIND: Please understand that chewing gum in church is considered to be very discourteous and even vulgar. Your attention to this is greatly appreciated. In consideration of others, please r emove lipstick when reverencing the holy icons or receiving Holy Communion. ANNOUNCEMENTS office next Sunday plan to support this worthy cause! SCREENAGERS: Growing up in the Digital Age Glenbrook South Parent s Association is offering a free viewing of this documentary. It depicts family struggles over social media, video games, academics, and internet addiction. Through various insights, solutions emerge on how we can empower kids to best navigate the digital world. Movie will be shown Wednesday, Oct 19, at 3:30 pm & 7 pm at Glenbrook High School in Watson Auditorium. SAVE THE DATE! NOV 5 Parish pilgrimage to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Homer Glen to venerate the myrrh-streaming icon of St. John the Baptist RSVP by calling the church office (847)647-8880. NOV 6 Godparent Sunday: Have you made your reservations yet? OCTOBER BOOK & ICON SALE!! Please visit our Bookstore for selected discounted items on Books and Icons through the month of October! WELCOME to all our friends, parishioners and visitors! We are happy that you have come to worship with us, and hope that you have had a prayerful and uplifting experience. We invite you to join the St. Haralambos family for worship, fellowship after church and other activities any time. If your child is distracting to others, do not be embarrassed; they are only children. If they continue to disturb, however, you are requested to take your child to our cry room. Please teach your children that it is not proper to play video games, eat snacks, chew gum or cross their legs in church. Please turn off cell-phones and video games during Church services. Phone conversations are not allowed in church!

Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Τίτον γ 8-15 Τέκνον Τίτε, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος, καὶ περὶ τούτων βούλομαί σε διαβεβαιοῦσθαι, ἵνα φροντίζωσιν καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι οἱ πεπιστευκότες Θεῷ. Ταῦτά ἐστιν καλὰ καὶ ὠφέλιμα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις καὶ γενεαλογίας καὶ ἔριν καὶ μάχας νομικὰς περιΐστασο, εἰσὶν γὰρ ἀνωφελεῖς καὶ μάταιοι. Αιῥετικὸν ἄνθρωπον μετὰ μίαν καὶ δευτέραν νουθεσίαν παραιτοῦ, εἰδὼς ὅτι ἐξέστραπται ὁ τοιοῦτος καὶ ἁμαρτάνει, ὢν αὐτοκατάκριτος. Ὅταν πέμψω Ἀρτεμᾶν πρὸς σὲ ἢ Τυχικόν, σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν πρός με εἰς Νικόπολιν, ἐκεῖ γὰρ κέκρικα παραχειμάσαι. Ζηνᾶν τὸν νομικὸν καὶ Ἀπολλῶν σπουδαίως πρόπεμψον, ἵνα μηδὲν αὐτοῖς λείπῃ. Μανθανέτωσαν δὲ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας, ἵνα μὴ ὦσιν ἄκαρποι. Ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ μετ ἐμοῦ πάντες. Ἄσπασαι τοὺς φιλοῦντας ἡμᾶς ἐν πίστει. Ὴ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Λουκᾶν η 5-15 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων τοῦ σπεῖραι τὸν σπόρον αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἐν τῷ σπείρειν αὐτὸν ὃ μὲν ἔπεσεν παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, καὶ κατεπατήθη καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατέφαγεν αὐτό. Καὶ ἕτερον κατέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν, καὶ φυὲν ἐξηράνθη διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ἰκμάδα. Καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἀκανθῶν, καὶ συμφυεῖσαι αἱ ἄκανθαι ἀπέπνιξαν αὐτό. Καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν εἰς τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθήν, καὶ φυὲν ἐποίησεν καρπὸν ἑκατονταπλασίονα. Επηρώτων δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες Τίς εἴη ἡ παραβολή αὕτη; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν Υμῖν δέδοται γνῶναι τὰ μυστήρια τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῖς δὲ λοιποῖς ἐν παραβολαῖς, ἵνα βλέποντες μὴ βλέπωσιν καὶ ἀκούοντες μὴ συνιῶσιν. Εστιν δὲ αὕτη ἡ παραβολή Ο σπόρος ἐστὶν ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ. Οἱ δὲ παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν εἰσιν οἱ ἀκούοντες, εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, ἵνα μὴ πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν. Οἱ δὲ ἐπὶ τῆς πέτρας οἳ ὅταν ἀκούσωσιν μετὰ χαρᾶς δέχονται τὸν λόγον, καὶ οὗτοι ῥίζαν οὐκ ἔχουσιν, οἳ πρὸς καιρὸν πιστεύουσι, καὶ ἐν καιρῷ πειρασμοῦ ἀφίστανται. Τὸ δὲ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας πεσόν, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ ἀκούσαντες, καὶ ὑπὸ μεριμνῶν καὶ πλούτου καὶ ἡδονῶν τοῦ βίου πορευόμενοι συμπνίγονται καὶ οὐ τελεσφοροῦσιν. Τὸ δὲ ἐν τῇ καλῇ γῇ, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἵτινες ἐν καρδίᾳ καλῇ καὶ ἀγαθῇ ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον κατέχουσι καὶ καρποφοροῦσιν ἐν ὑπομονῇ. Ταῦτα λέγων ἐφώνει Ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκουέτω.

Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today EPISTLE READING Titus 3:8-15 TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful. All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. GOSPEL READING Luke 8:5-15 The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

UPCOMING YOUTH MINISTRY DATES Please fill out a registration form in the Church Office. Little Angels (Ages 4 and under) Tues, October 18-11:30am 1 pm Field Trip to Lambs Farm 14245 W Rockland Rd, Libertyville Family Night (Families & youth in Pre-k 5th grade) Next gathering Mon., October 24 5:30 pm to 7 pm Jr. GOYA (6th 8th grades) Mon, Oct 17 Campfire with smores 6:30 pm 8 pm Sr. GOYA (High School) Mon, Oct 24 Campfire with smores 7:30pm 9pm Basketball registration has begun! Practices and games start in October. Interested in coaching or helping out? Contact David Loomos at 847.845.5806 for more information. SUN, NOVEMBER 6 IS GODPARENT SUNDAY! Join us for our GODPARENT SUNDAY hosted by our Afternoon School PTA Invite your Godchild or your Godparents (s) to attend Divine Liturgy and stay afterwards for food and fellowship! Please call the church office (847-647-8880) by November 1 for reservations! PLEASE DO YOUR BEST TO COME WORSHIP IN THE DIVINE LITURGY ON TIME AT 9:30 AM! Come hear the Gospel & listen to the Kid s Sermon! Sunday School Starts at this time and we don t want you or our children to miss out!!!

Ανακοινώσεις STEWARDSHIP 2016 Εαν δεν έχετε συμπληρώσει την κάρτα προσφοράς σας για το 2016, 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 λαμβάνουμε 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. ΠΟΤΕ ΝΑ ΓΟΝΑΤΙΖΟΥΜΕ, ΝΑ ΣΤΕΚΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΚΑΘΟΜΑΣΤΕ Από τα πρώτα χρόνια, η Εκκλησία μας δίδαξε ότι η αρμόζουσα θέση για να προσευχόμεθα είναι να στεκόμεθα όρθιοι. (Μέχρι πρόσφατα, οι περισσότερες Ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες δεν είχαν καθόλου καθίσματα δια τους πιστούς! Tα καθίσματα υπήρχαν μόνον κατά μήκος των τοίχων δια τους ηλικιωμένους.) Ως έκφραση δέους και σεβασμού, υπάρχουν φορές που είθισται όμως να γονατίζουμε στην εκκλησία, ιδιαιτέρως κατά την ώρα της Επικλήσεως, όταν ο ιερός άρτος και οίνος μεταβάλλονται εις το τίμιο Σώμα και Αίμα του Χρηστού μας. Κατά την Επίκλησιν (Σε Υμνοῦμεν), στις καθημερινές λειτουργίες, αναμένεται να γονατίζουν όλοι οι πιστοί. Κάθε Κυριακή όμως, μερικοί διαλέγουν να γονατίζουν και άλλοι παραμένουν όρθιοι. Αυτοί που για διάφορες αιτίες δεν δύνανται να γονατίσουν, παρακαλούνται να παραμένουν όρθιοι εις ένδειξιν σεβασμού. Εκτός για λόγους υγείας, δεν είναι αρμόζον να κάθεται κανείς την ώρα της Επικλήσεως. QUOTE FROM THE FATHERS One should not seek among others the truth that can be easily received from the Church. For in her, as in a rich treasury, the apostles have placed all that pertains to truth, so that everyone can drink this beverage of life. She is the door of life. -Saint Irenaeus of Lyons SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: Mon, Oct 17 Jr. GOYA Bon-fire.... 6:30 pm Tues. Oct 18 Little Angels Field Trip to Lambs Farm. 11:30 am Afternoon Greek School 4:30 pm Introduction to the Divine Liturgy Class 7:30 pm Wed, Oct 19 Parish Council Meeting.. 7:30 pm Thur, Oct 20 Orthros & Divine Liturgy (St. Gerasimos of Kephalonia) 8:30 am Fri, Oct 21 Afternoon Greek School 4:30 pm Greek School Fall Dance 6:30 pm Sat, Oct 22 Saturday Greek School.. 9:00 am Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.

TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, October 16, 2016 4th Sunday of Luke - Κυριακή Δ Λουκά The Holy Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council against Iconoclasm (787 AD). The Holy Martyr St. Longinos the Centurion who stood watch at the Cross. Τῶν Aγίων Πατέρων τῆς Ζ Οἰκουμενικῆς Συνόδου, κατά τῶν Εἰκονομάχων. Μνήμη τοῦ Ἁγίου Μάρτυρος Λογγίνου τοῦ Ἑκατοντάρχου, τοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ Σταυροῦ. ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Apolytikion of the Fourth Plagal Tone Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. From on high You descended, O Compassionate One; the grave You endured for three days, that you might free us from passions. Our Life and Resurrection, O Lord, glory to You. Apolytikion of the Holy Fathers Ὑπερδεδοξασμένος εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ φωστῆρας ἐπὶ γῆς τοὺς Πατέρας ἡμῶν θεμελιώσας, καὶ δι' αὐτῶν πρὸς τὴν ἀληθινὴν πίστιν, πάντας ἡμᾶς ὁδηγήσας, Πολυεύσπλαγχνε δόξα σοι. Most glorified are You, Christ our God, Who have established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth and through them did guide us all to the true faith, Most Merciful One, glory to You. Apolytikion of the Holy Taxiarchs Τῶν οὐρανίων στρατιῶν Ἀρχιστράτηγοι, δυσωποῦμεν ὑμᾶς ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵνα ταῖς ὑμῶν δεήσεσι, τειχίσητε ἡμᾶς, σκέπῃ τῶν πτερύγων, τῆς ἀΰλου ὑμῶν δόξης, φρουροῦντες ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας, ἐκτενῶς καὶ βοῶντας Ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λυτρώσασθε ἡμᾶς, ὡς Ταξιάρχαι τῶν ἄνω Δυνάμεων. Apolytikion of St. Haralambos Ὡς στῦλος ἀκλόνητος, τῆς Ἐκκλησίας Χριστοῦ, καὶ λύχνος ἀείφωτος τῆς οἰκουμένης σοφέ, ἐδείχθης Χαράλαμπες, ἔλαμψας ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, διὰ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, ἔλυσας τῶν εἰδώλων, τὴν σκοτόμαιναν μάκαρ, διὸ ἐν παῤῥησίᾳ Χριστῷ, πρέσβευε σωθῆναι ἡμᾶς. As a pillar unshakable of the Church of Christ, and an ever-radiant lamp to the universe, were you, O wise Haralambos; you illumined the world through martyrdom; you dispelled the moonless night of the idols, o blessed one. Therefore with boldness before Christ, intercede that we may be saved. ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ KONTAKION OF THE DAY Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε, μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι. Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε. A protection of Christians unshamable, intercessor to our Holy Maker unwavering. Reject not the voices of sinners in prayer; instead, come, for you are good, to the aid of us who in faith cry out to you. Hasten in intercession, and hurry in supplication O Theotokos, as the protectress for all time of those who honor you.