Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Sunday, May 13, 2018 Sunday of the Blind Man The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on Matthew; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great). When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the Godman spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam." Therefore, the Saviour sent the blind man to this pool that he might wash his eyes, which had been anointed with the clay-not that the pool's water had such power, but that the faith and obedience of the one sent might be made manifest, and that the miracle might become more remarkable and known to all, and leave no room for doubt. Thus, the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John. 7560 South Archer Road, Justice, Illinois 60458 (708) 594-2040, fax (708) 594-8362 Web: www.holycrossil.org; Email: office@holycrossil.org Rev. Fr. Demetrios Kounavis Parish Priest
How To Be The Most Happy Happiness is the deep desire of every human soul. All people seek happiness, young and old. Where can such a precious treasure be found, and how can someone obtain it in this world and thus be happy. This question was presented by King Charles IX of France (1550-1574) to the famous poet Torquato Tasso. Manso, the biographer of Charles IX, presents the conversation as follows: Charles: "Who is the happiest of beings?" Tasso: "God." Charles: "But who among men?" Tasso: "Whoever the most resembles God." Charles: "How can a man most resemble God: by lording it over others, or by conferring benefits upon them?" Tasso: "By virtue." Seeking after virtue was the way of life of all the saints of the Church, yet it was not to be happy, but to most resemble God, following the command of the Savior: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). The saints sought to be like their most Beloved, even if it cost them their own happiness. Therefore, because the saints sought primarily to most resemble God through virtue, they became happy in Him. Ο τρύπιος τορβάς Ένας μοναχός στη Σκήτη έπεσε κάποτε σε κάποιο σφάλμα. Μαζεύτηκαν οι Μοναχοί της σκήτης και αποφάσισαν να στείλουν και να καλέσουν τον αββά Μωυσή. Εκείνος όμως δεν ήθελε να ρθει. Τότε ο Πρεσβύτερος της Σκήτης του έστειλε κάποιον μοναχό να τον προσκαλέσει, λέγοντας:-έλα, Γέροντα, γιατί ο λαός σε περιμένει. Τότε ο Γέροντας σηκώθηκε και αποφάσισε να πάει. Πήρε έναν τορβά τρύπιο, τον γέμισε με άμμο και τον βαστούσε στον ώμο, πηγαίνοντας προς τη Σκήτη. Οι Μοναχοί της Σκήτης, που βγήκαν να τον προϋπαντήσουν, βλέποντας τούτο το περίεργο πράγμα τον ρωτάνε: -Τι σημαίνει αυτό, άγιε Γέροντα; Και εκείνος τους απάντησε: -Αυτές είναι οι αμαρτίες μου, που τρέχουν από πίσω μου και δεν τις βλέπω εγώ ο άθλιος, παρά τόλμησα και ήρθα σήμερα να κρίνω ξένες αμαρτίες Τότε όλοι οι Μοναχοί που το άκουσαν, δεν είπαν τίποτα στον αδελφό που έκαμε το σφάλμα και τον συγχώρησαν. 2018 STEWARDSHIP Stewardship pledge cards can be picked up at the church office; we ask that you prayerfully consider what you will offer to our beloved parish of Holy Cross in 2018. Our beloved parish requires approximately $753 per day to operate or an annual pledge average of $1375 per family. As always, we remain appreciative for all that you lovingly give.
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When you give yourself entirely to the power and love of God, you ll realize that everything happens because God wants it to, because God allows it. - Mother Gavrilia SAVE THE DATE May 25-27: Metropolis of Chicago Jr. Olympics May 26: Saturday of the Souls May 28: 10am - Monday of the Holy Spirit Liturgy at the Protection of the Holy Cross Memorial Site at Bethania Cemetery June 1: Christianiki Philoxenia, St. Spyridon June 2: Last day of Greek School/Graduation June 10: Graduate Sunday June 22-24: GREEK FEST 2018 Greek Festival 2018 Program Book Business Cards $50 Name Listings $25 Inside Cover $200 Back Inside Cover $200 Back Cover $300
WEEKLY EVENTS TODAY Mother s Day Breakfast after Church Monday, May 14 7pm - Greek Festival Meeting Tuesday, May 15 7pm - Apodosis of Pascha Thursday, May 17 8am - Feast of Holy Ascension Friday, May 18 6:30pm - Jr. Olympics practice Saturday, May 19 9am-4pm - Parish Retreat to the St. Iakovos Retreat Center, Kansasville, WI 10am - Greek School Sunday, May 20 Last Day of Sunday Church School Holy Cross Women s Lunch, Xando Café, Hickory Hills ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ Πρωινό για την Ημέρα της Μητέρας Δευτέρα, 14 Μαΐου 7.00μ.μ. - Συνεδρίαση Φεστιβάλ Τρίτη, 15 Μαΐου 7.οομ.μ. - Απόδοση του Πάσχα Πέμπτη, 17 Μαΐου 8.00π.μ. - Αγίας Αναλήψεως Παρασκευή, 18 Μαΐου 6.30μ.μ. - Jr. Olympics practice Σάββατο, 19 Μαΐου 9.οοπ.μ.-4.00μ.μ. - Εκδρομή στην κατασκήνωση Αγ. Ιακώβου 10.00π.μ. - Ελληνικό Σχολείο Κυριακή, 20 Μαΐου Τέλος σχολικής χρονιάς Κατηχητικού Σχ. Δείπνο ομάδας Κυριών στο Xando Café, Hickory Hills VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!! PLEASE HELP MAKE OUR FESTIVAL Today s coffee fellowship is hosted by our Philoptochos Society. Everyone is invited to our community hall to enjoy fellowship. A SUCCESS! Please consider volunteering for our Summer Greek Festival 2018. The dates this year are Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24th. Any time will be greatly appreciated. Even just an hour! Please see the booth set up in the community center to sign up. THANK YOU!