SAVE THIS IMPORTANT DATE: Our Saint Nicholas Church will be turning 90 Years old this year and we are going to celebrate in a big way! Saint Nicholas 90 th Anniversary Dinner Dance is on Sunday, September 24 th, 2017 at Tuscany Falls in Mokena. The cost will be $125 per adult, and $25 for children 3 to 12 years of age. Children under 3 are free. The ticket includes hors d'oeuvres, a four hour open bar, a full four-course meal, music, dancing and other surprises. WE NEED YOUR HELP: We are searching for volunteers to bring their creativity to the table. The only way we can make the 90 th Anniversary event memorable and successful is with the help of everyone. We are also searching for old photos and memories to share with everyone. If you have any photos could you please email them to George Danos at gpd81@comcast.net. Or bring them into church and we can scan them. If you would like to contribute your talents to this event please call Dorothy Mezilson Pavlick @ 708-203-6402. THE SAINT NICHOLAS GOLF OUTING: Will be on Thursday, July 27 th Sign up as soon as you can, to be part of good fellowship, great golf & delicious food, at the Odyssey Country Club. This year we are moving our Golf outing Date to Thursday, July 27 th due to many of you asking for an earlier date so kids will not be back in school yet and all are able to make it. Please see enclosed flier and sponsorship and registration forms. Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church SOUVLAKI SALE: Today we will be selling some of our left over souvlaki from the festival. If you are interested in purchasing souvlakia. They are $5 per skewer and will be sold at coffee hour. METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO FAMILY SYNAXIS RETREAT: Join other Orthodox families at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Wisconsin over Labor Day Weekend for a fun-filled time reconnecting with your family and reconnecting with God. Retreat leader Fr. Stephen Freeman, a priest, author, blogger and podcaster (learn more at GloryToGodForAllThings.com), will present workshops on the theme Living the Mystery. Children s workshops will also be provided, as will childcare for babies. Find more information and register online at www.gocfamilysynaxis.org or email Chicago.Family.Synaxis@gmail.com. Register by Aug. 18 for the best rate. You may also call Eleni Anast at 708-250- 0034. Please see flier for more information. Very Reverend Archimandrite COMMUNION ANNOUNCEMENT: While we pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all the world's Christians, the reality remains that there is still no intercommunion between our Orthodox Churches and the Churches of the West. This means that only baptized, chrismated and observant Orthodox faithful receive Communion in our churches. At the same time, we warmly welcome all non- Orthodox to join us in prayer and celebration, and humbly offer to all present the Antidoro bread of fellowship at the end of the service. We offer this important symbol 'instead of the Gifts', in the words of the Apostle Paul, 'Till we all come to the unity of the Faith' (Eph. 4.13). ATTENTION PARISHIONERS: Before making any firm plans for baptisms, weddings, funerals, or memorial services, please check with the parish priest to see if dates and times are permissible. Also, please refrain from scheduling a baby, bridal shower or any other type of party celebration during the a Fasting period. Christodoulos Margellos frchristos@gmail.com 10301 S Kolmar Ave. Oak Lawn, IL 60453 (708)-636-5460 www.stnicholasil.org
Sunday, July 23 rd, 2017 7 th Sunday of Matthew Saint Phocas the Holy Martyr, Bishop of Sinope Ezekiel the Prophet Saint Pelagia the Righteous of Tinos Readings: Epistle: Romans 15: 1-7 Gospel: Matthew 9: 27-35 Epistle Reader: Ted Cachampis Coffee Fellowship Hour immediately follows the Divine Liturgy and is sponsored today by the family of Elsie Sotiros in her loving memory in the Dr. Mary Dochios Kamberos Community Center. Greek Fests Today Assumption, Homer Glen, IL All Saints, Joliet, IL Saints Peter & Paul, Glenview, IL Memorials Helen Buchios 3 months Elsie Sotiros 1 Year Maria Chronos 3 years May their Memory be Eternal THIS WEEK AT SAINT NICHOLAS Tuesday, July 25 th, 2017 9:30 a.m. Philoptochos Baking Day Wednesday, July 26 th, 2017 Saint Paraskeve 8:30 a.m. Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy Thursday, July 27 th, 2017 Saint Panteleimon 8:30 a.m. Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy 12:30 p.m. Saint Nicholas Golf outing 6:00 p.m. Golf Outing Dinner All are Welcome Friday, July 28 th, 2017 Saint Irene Chrysovalantou 8:30 a.m. Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy Saturday, July 29 th, 2017 11:00 a.m. Baptism of Alexander, son of Eric & Stephanie Territo HOLY LAND PILGRAMAGE: We are now only 4 months away from our Holy Land Pilgrimage in November. This is truly a once in a life time experience and I Strongly recommend that if you are considering it. Take the leap and join. We are currently collecting deposits and the total cost f the trip will be around $3,100. That includes air fare, hotel and breakfast & dinner everyday. For those planning on going. Please See Fr. Christodoulos THOUGHT: Work for the Lord! The pay isn't much but the retirement benefits are out of this world Πρὸς Ρωμαίους 15:1-7 Ἀδελφοί, ὀφείλομεν δὲ ἡμεῖς οἱ δυνατοὶ τὰ ἀσθενήματα τῶν ἀδυνάτων βαστάζειν, καὶ μὴ ἑαυτοῖς ἀρέσκειν. Ἕκαστος ἡμῶν τῷ πλησίον ἀρεσκέτω εἰς τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς οἰκοδομήν. Καὶ γὰρ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτῷ ἤρεσεν, ἀλλά, καθὼς γέγραπται, Οἱ ὀνειδισμοὶ τῶν ὀνειδιζόντων σε ἐπέπεσον ἐπʼ ἐμέ. Ὅσα γὰρ προεγράφη, εἰς τὴν ἡμετέραν διδασκαλίαν προεγράφη, ἵνα διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ διὰ τῆς παρακλήσεως τῶν γραφῶν τὴν ἐλπίδα ἔχωμεν. Ὁ δὲ θεὸς τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ τῆς παρακλήσεως δῴη ὑμῖν τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ἐν ἀλλήλοις κατὰ Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἵνα ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐν ἑνὶ στόματι δοξάζητε τὸν θεὸν καὶ πατέρα τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ προσλαμβάνεσθε ἀλλήλους, καθὼς καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς προσελάβετο ὑμᾶς, εἰς δόξαν θεοῦ. St. Paul's Letter to Romans 15: 1-7 BRETHREN, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 9: 27-35 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παράγοντι ἐκεῖθεν τῷ Ιησοῦ ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ δύο τυφλοὶ κράζοντες καὶ λέγοντες ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, υἱὲ Δαυΐδ. ἐλθόντι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ τυφλοί, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς πιστεύετε ὅτι δύναμαι τοῦτο ποιῆσαι; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ ναί, Κύριε. τότε ἥψατο τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν λέγων κατὰ τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν γενηθήτω ὑμῖν. καὶ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί καὶ ἐνεβριμήσατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς λέγων ὁρᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω. οἱ δὲ ἐξελθόντες διεφήμισαν αὐτὸν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ γῇ ἐκείνῃ. Αὐτῶν δὲ ἐξερχομένων ἰδοὺ προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπον κωφὸν δαιμονιζόμενον καὶ ἐκβληθέντος τοῦ δαιμονίου ἐλάλησεν ὁ κωφός, καὶ ἐθαύμασαν οἱ ὄχλοι λέγοντες ὅτι οὐδέποτε ἐφάνη οὕτως ἐν τῷ Ισραήλ. οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι ἔλεγον ἐν τῷ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια. Καὶ περιῆγεν ὁ Ιησοῦς τὰς πόλεις πάσας καὶ τὰς κώμας διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ θεραπεύων πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν ἐν τῷ λαῷ. The Gospel According to Matthew 9: 27-35 At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons." And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
Resurrectional Apolytikion Ἦχος πλ β Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάµεις ἐπὶ τὸ µνῆµά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶµα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, µὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούµενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Mode Plagal of the Second When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You. Hymn for the Hieromartyr Ἦχος δʹ Καὶ τρόπων µέτοχος, καὶ θρόνων διάδοχος, τῶν Ἀποστόλων γενόµενος, τὴν πρᾶξιν εὗρες Θεόπνευστε, εἰς θεωρίας ἐπίβασιν διὰ τοῦτο τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας ὀρθοτοµῶν, καὶ τῇ πίστει ἐνήθλησας µέχρις αἵµατος, Ἱεροµάρτυς Φωκᾶ, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡµῶν. Fourth Mode Becoming a partner with the Apostles in way of life and successor to their thrones, O God-inspired Saint, in the active life you found an entrance to contemplation. Hence you rightly expounded the word of truth, and you shed your blood in struggling for the faith, O Hieromartyr Phocas. Intercede with Christ our God, beseeching Him to save our souls. Hymn of Saint Nicholas Patron of our Parish Ἠχος δ Κανόνα πίστεως καί εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τή ποίμνη σου, η τών πραγμάτων αλήθεια, διά τούτο εκτήσω τή ταπεινώσει τά υψηλά, τή πτωχεία τά πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών. Fourth Mode A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you forth to your sheep-fold to be a master of temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on high, and riches through poverty. Nicholas, our father and priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls. Memorial Hymn Μνήσθητι, Κύριε, ὡς ἀγαθὸς τῶν δούλων σου, καὶ ὅσα ἐν βίῳ ἥμαρτον, συγχώρησον οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἀναμάρτητος, εἰμὴ σὺ ὁ δυνάμενος, καὶ τοῖς μεταστᾶσι δοῦναι τήν ἀνάπαυσιν. Kontakion Ἠχος β 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. Second Mode O Protection of Christians unshamable, mediation with the Creator immovable, we sinners beg you, do not despise the voices of our prayers, but anticipate, since you are good, and swiftly come unto our aid as we cry out to you with faith: Hurry to intercession, and hasten to supplication, O Theotokos who defend now and ever those who honor you. PRAYER: A great many people stop praying because they think that prayer does not work; that happens because they have the wrong idea of prayer. Prayer has its laws, and its first law is that God will never do anything for us that we can do very well for ourselves. God is not the easy way out, and prayer is not simply unloading our tasks onto God: prayer is the means by which God enables us to do them for ourselves. Another law is that prayer does not change circumstances: it changes us; the circumstances are the same, but we approach them with new courage and new strength to cope with them. Prayer helps us to discover the way: it is not an escape but a conquest. Prayer is not so much talking to God as listening to God. It is not so much telling God what we want Him to do, as listening to learn what He wants us to do. In prayer, we begin, of course, talking but we always have to end by listening: God, what will you have me to do? GOD S AUTHORITY: God s laws are not on approved. They apply to all persons, even to those who do not believe in Him. God gave us the Ten Commandments, not the ten suggestions. If you are thinking of buying a suit, or a house, or a car, you can take it or leave it. When you are thinking about the law of God, however, you can only take it, you can only obey it. If you break it, it is like the law of gravity; it will break you. G. K. Chesterton once said that there was a man who disbelieved in the law of gravity, and to prove his disbelief, he walked off the edge of a cliff. He did not prove his disbelief. He proved the law of gravity. PORTRAIT OF A FRIEND: When things don t come out right, he comes right in When none of your dreams come true, he is there He never gets in your way except to clear it for you He is in your corner when you re concerned He turns up when you get turned down All he wants in return for his helping hand is your handshake He raps your critics when they re wrong and takes the rap for you when you are wrong You can do anything you want with his friendship except buy it and sell it He makes you realize that having a real friend is like having an extra life SAINT OF THE DAY: Prophet Ezekiel: The Prophet Ezekiel ("God is strong") was the son of Buzi and a priest by rank. He was taken captive and brought to Babylon during the reign of Jechonias. In the fifth year of this captivity, about 594 or 593 B.C., he began to prophesy. Having prophesied for about twenty-eight years, he was murdered, it is said, by the tribe of Gad, because he reproached them for their idolatry. His book of prophecy, divided into forty-eight chapters, is ranked third among the greater Prophets. It is richly filled with mystical imagery and marvelous prophetic visions and allegories, of which the dread Chariot of Cherubim described in the first Chapter is the most famous; in the "gate that was shut," through which the Lord alone entered, he darkly foretold of the Word's Incarnation from the Virgin (44:1-3); through the "dry bones" that came to life again (37:1-14), he prophesied both of the restoration of captive Israel, and the general resurrection of our race. STEWARDSHIP NOTE: Have you submitted your 2017 pledge form of commitment to the church office? Are you current with your pledge payment? At this time you should be at least half way paid on your pledge. If you have not pledged or are not current, please catch up by Sunday, August 6 th. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
YOUR COOPERATION IS NEEDED: We remind our faithful that the Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Please be prompt and on time! Please turn off cell phones before entering church. No conversation should take place during worship. During the reading of the Gospel people in the narthex should not be purchasing or lighting candles but standing reverently and listen to the reading. If possible avoid using center aisle during high points of Divine Liturgy. Lipstick and lip-gloss should be removed before kissing icons, receiving Holy Communion and kissing the hand of the priest. When receiving antidoron, please use both hands and do not allow the crumbs to fall to the floor.