SAINT GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 2701 NORTH SHEFFIELD, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60614 - PHONE (773) 525-1793 Website: saintgeorgechicago.net Instagram: stgeorgechicago Facebook: Saint George Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres, Parish Priest Fr. Vasilios Smith, Deacon James Metropulos, Parish Council President Weekly Bulletin for January 14 th - January 20 th Saint Anthony the Great (January 17) Saint Anthony, the Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 of pious parents who departed this life while he was yet young. On hearing the words of the Gospel: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor" (Matt. 19:21), he immediately put it into action. Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert. The manifold temptations he endured continually for the span of twenty years are incredible. His ascetic struggles by day and by night, whereby he mortified the uprisings of the passions and attained to the height of dispassion, surpass the bounds of nature; and the report of his deeds of virtue drew such a multitude to follow him that the desert was transformed into a city, while he became, so to speak, the governor, lawgiver, and master-trainer of all the citizens of this newly-formed city. The cities of the world also enjoyed the fruit of his virtue. When the Christians were being persecuted and put to death under Maximinos in 312, he hastened to their aid and consolation. When the Church was troubled by the Arians, he went with zeal to Alexandria in 335 and struggled against them in behalf of Orthodoxy. During this time, by the grace of his words, he also turned many unbelievers to Christ. Saint Anthony began his ascetic life outside his village of Coma in Upper Egypt, studying the ways of the ascetics and holy men there, and perfecting himself in the virtues of each until he surpassed them all. Desiring to increase his labors, he departed into the desert, and finding an abandoned fortress in the mountain, he made his dwelling in it, training himself in extreme fasting, unceasing prayer, and fierce conflicts with the demons. Here he remained, as mentioned above, about twenty years. Saint Athanasius the Great, who knew him personally and wrote his life, says that he came forth from that fortress "initiated in the mysteries and filled with the Spirit of God." Afterwards, because of the press of the faithful, who deprived him of his solitude, he was enlightened by God to journey with certain Bedouins, until he came to a mountain in the desert near the Red Sea, where he passed the remaining part of his life.
News and Reminders The Saint George Stewardship Committee invites you to today s Coffee Fellowship Hour after church services. Coffee hour is sponsored by the families who are having a memorial service for their loved ones today. NARTHEX COMMITTEE Tasos Stamatis (chairperson), Taso Ziabaras Eunice Buhler, Pat Fassos, Tina Mantis, Connie Psiharis, Jim Vouris MEMORIAL SERVICES Catherine Koutsoukos - 6 months Georgia Trispagonas - 8 years Peter Koutsoukos - 7 years Georgios Stamatis - many years MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL! SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS Today, January 14 th Tuesday, January 16 th Tuesday, January 16 th Wednesday, January 17 th Wednesday, January 17 th Thursday, January 18 th Saturday, January 20 th PARISH COUNCIL 2018 OATH OF OFFICE Following the Divine Liturgy LITTLE ANGELS at 10:00 a.m. VESPERS FOR THE FEAST OF ST. ANTHONY S, at the Chapel of The Metropolis, 40 East Burton Place, Chicago at 7:00 p.m. FEAST DAY CELEBRATION OF ST. ANTHONY at the Chapel of The Metropolis, at 8:30 a.m. VESPERS FOR THE FEAST OF ST. ATHANASIOS, at St. Athanasios; 4200 Ν. Keeler Ave., Chicago at 7:00p.m. FEAST DAY CELEBRATION OF ST. ATHANASIOS at St. Athanasios, at 8:30 a.m. BAPTISM at10:30 a.m. & WEDDING at 4:00 p.m.
Community News and Announcements BLESSING OF HOMES It is an annual custom during the Epiphany Season (Epiphany was Saturday, January 6 th ) to bless our homes with the Agiasmos (Holy Water) of Epiphany. If you would like to have your home blessed by the priest, please call the church office (773) 525-1793. Ladies Educational Society Sunday, January 14 th Ladies Educational Society Mid-Winter meeting following the Divine Liturgy. Lunch will be served and children are welcome. HELLENIC LETTERS 2018 LUNCHEON & THEATRICAL PLAY Sunday, January 21, 2018 The Ladies Educational Society together with the Greek School Committee kindly ask you to come celebrate with us the Feast of the Three Hierarchical and The Hellenic Letters. Orthros 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:45 a.m. with an annual Memorial service for teachers, journalist, authors, and tv/ radio producers. Coming Enjoy a Great Luncheon Raffle and highly praised theatrical play from the students of St George Greek school. $25 suggested donation RSVP to Mary Diamantakos at (773) 965.1901 or mdiamantakos@hotmail.com THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING OUR GREEK SCHOOL. APOKRIES 2018 AT ST. GEORGE Friday, February 2, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. $100 per ticket, $85 w/college ID 50/50 Raffle, Dinner & DJ Tickets are available for more information please contact Mary Diamantakos at (773) 965.1901 or mdiamantakos@hotmail.com RSVP by January 24 th Come join us for a wonderful evening! Ladies Educational Society Sunday, February 4 immediately following Divine Liturgy the Ladies Educational Society Pre-Spring Fundraiser Loukoumades, Tiropites & Spanakopites. Proceeds to benefit 2018 Scholarship program. Philoptochos Society SPAGHETTI LUNCHEON Our annual Philoptochos Society SPA- GHETTI LUNCHEON will be on February 11 th immediately following the Divine Liturgy. The ladies are planning a delicious meal and are inviting everyone to join them. Tickets are $15.00 per guest; no fee for children under age seven. Please call the church office at (773) 525-1793 or Tammy Metropulos at (847) 977-3989 or tmetro59@gmail.com, to reserve a spot or a table.
Εὐαγγέλιον καὶ Απόστολος τῆς Ἡμέρας ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 4:7-13 Ἀδελφοί, ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ λέγει, Ἀναβὰς εἰς ὕψος ᾐχμαλώτευσεν αἰχμαλωσίαν, καὶ ἔδωκεν δόματα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις. Τὸ δέ, Ἀνέβη, τί ἐστιν εἰ μὴ ὅτι καὶ κατέβη πρῶτον εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς; Ὁ καταβάς, αὐτός ἐστιν καὶ ὁ ἀναβὰς ὑπεράνω πάντων τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἵνα πληρώσῃ τὰ πάντα. Καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν τοὺς μὲν ἀποστόλους, τοὺς δὲ προφήτας, τοὺς δὲ εὐαγγελιστάς, τοὺς δὲ ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους, πρὸς τὸν καταρτισμὸν τῶν ἁγίων, εἰς ἔργον διακονίας, εἰς οἰκοδομὴν τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ μέχρι καταντήσωμεν οἱ πάντες εἰς τὴν ἑνότητα τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, εἰς μέτρον ἡλικίας τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 4:12-17 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς ὅτι Ιωάννης παρεδόθη, ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, καὶ καταλιπὼν τὴν Ναζαρὲτ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς Καπερναοὺμ τὴν παραθαλασσίαν ἐν ὁρίοις Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλείμ, ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ησαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος γῆ Ζαβουλὼν καὶ γῆ Νεφθαλείμ, ὁδὸν θαλάσσης, πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου, Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν, ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκότειεἶδε φῶς μέγα, καὶ τοῖς καθημένοις ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτουφῶς ἀνέτειλεν αὐτοῖς. Απὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ιησοῦς κηρύσσειν καὶ λέγειν μετανοεῖτε ἤγγικε γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.
Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today EPISTLE READING Ephesians 4:7-13 BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. GOSPEL READING Matthew 4:12-17 At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Stewardship Thank you to all who have shown their commitment to the Saint George Family by becoming Stewards in 2017. Saint George is open and welcoming to all who come through its doors. As a Steward you become a caretaker of our beloved Parish. If you haven t yet become a Steward, please complete the Stewardship brochure and join the Saint George Family today. Remember No Gift Is Too Large and No Gift Is Too Small. YOUTH PROGRAMS We are blessed to have programs for all ages. If you would like to register for our youth programs please email us at office@stgeorgechicago.net LITTLE ANGELS - Our play and learn group for children four and under is a fantastic opportunity for toddlers to become familiar with an Orthodox environment. We learn to kiss icons, light candles, play, sing, etc. We meet every Wednesday. Snacks are provided. This is a great way for our kids and parents to meet each other and get to know one another. Scholarship opportunities The John C. Kulis Charitable Foundation s 2018-2019 scholarship applications are now available! The Kulis Foundation will administer scholarships in seven (7) scholarship programs this year. Applications are due by April 1 st, 2018. Any questions should be addressed in an email to info@kulisfoundation.org Applications for the AHEPA s 13 th District Scholarship awards for the year 2018 are now available! Applications are due by March 15 th, 2018. Application forms may be obtained by emailing nicklamnatos@yahoo.com or by going to the District s website at www.ahepa.org/ and follow the prompts to District 13.
ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΚΔΗΛΩΣΕΩΝ ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΟΝ Σήμερον τελούνται τα κάτωθι Μνημόσυνα: Εξάμηνο μνημόσυνον της αειμνήστου Αικατερίνης Κουτσούκου Επταετές μνημόσυνον του αειμνήστου Παναγιώτη Κουτσούκου Οκταετές μνημόσυνον της αειμνήστου Γεωργίας Τρισπαγώνα Πολυετές μνημόσυνον του αειμνήστου Γεωργίου Σταμάτη Ο Πανάγαθος Θεός ν αναπαύσει τις ψυχές τους. Αιωνία τους η Μνήμη! Ο καφές και τα παξιμάδια προσφέρονται εκ μέρους των οικογενειών. Σήμερα, 14 Ιανουαρίου Τρίτη, 16 Ιανουαρίου Τρίτη, 16 Ιανουαρίου Ορκωμοσία του Νέου Συμβουλίου της Ενορίας ακολούθως της Θείας Λειτουργίας Τα Μικρά Αγγελάκια - 10:00 π.μ. Εσπερινός προς τιμήν της εορτής του Αγίου Αντωνίου, στο Παρεκκλήσιον του Αγίου Αντωνίου που βρίσκεται εντός της Μητροπόλεως, στις 7:00 μ.μ. Τετάρτη, 17 Ιανουαρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία προς τιμήν της εορτής του Αγίου Αντωνίου, στο Παρεκκλήσιον του Αγίου Αντωνίου, που βρίσκεται εντός της Μητροπόλεως, στις 8:30 π.μ. Τετάρτη, 17 Ιανουαρίου Εσπερινός προς τιμήν της εορτής του Αγίου Αθανασίου, στον Ιερό Ναό Αγίου Αθανασίου στις 7:00 μ.μ. Πέμπτη, 18 Ιανουαρίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία προς τιμήν της εορτής του Αγίου Αθανασίου, στον Ιερό Ναό Αγίου Αθανασίου στις 8:30 π.μ. Σάββατο, 20 Ιανουαρίου Βάπτιση στις 10:30 π.μ. & Γάμος στις 4:00 μ.μ.
TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, January 14, 2018 ΑΠΟΔΟΣΙΣ ΕΟΡΤΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ Τῶν ἐν Σινᾷ καί Ραϊθῷ ἀναιρεθέντων Αγίων Αββάδων ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ - DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέῳξας τῷ Ληστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε, ἡ τῆς Τριάδος ἐφανερώθη προσκύνησις, τοῦ γὰρ Γεννήτορος ἡ φωνὴ προσεμαρτύρει σοι, ἀγαπητόν σε Υἱὸν ὀνομάζουσα, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα ἐν εἴδει περιστερᾶς, ἐβεβαίου τοῦ λόγου τὸ ἀσφαλές. Ὁ ἐπιφανεὶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τὸν κόσμον φωτίσας δόξα σοι. Ὡς τῶν αἰχμαλώτων ἐλευθερωτής, καὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστής, ἀσθενούντων ἰατρός, βασιλέων ὑπέρμαχος, Τροπαιοφόρε Μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Liberator of captives and defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O Trophybearer, and Great Martyr George. Intercede to Christ our God, that he may save our souls. ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ - KONTAKION OF THE DAY Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον τῇ οἰκουμένῃ, καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, ἐσημειώθη ἐφ' ἡμᾶς, ἐν ἐπιγνώσει ὑμνοῦντάς σε. Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον. You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light."