Transcript holy taxiarhai and saint haralambos greek orthodox church

You Belong Here!
The MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE
HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS · 60714 PHONE (847) 647-8880
WWW.SAINTHARALAMBOSGOC.ORG
“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)
NOVEMBER
2016
REMEMBER OUR EXPANSION PROJECT!
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, please consider a pledge to help achieve our target
for Groundbreaking in Spring 2017!
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
November Schedule of Services
Tuesday, Nov 1—Ss Cosmas and Damianos
8:30 am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday, Nov 6
8:15 am—Orthros
9:30 am—Sunday School
9:30 am—Divine Liturgy
Monday, Nov 7
7:00 pm—Great Vespers for the Holy Taxiarhai
Tues, Nov 8—The Holy Taxiarhai Michael and Gabriel
8:30 am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday, November 13—St. John Chrysostom
8:15 am—Orthros
9:30 am—Sunday School
9:30 am—Divine Liturgy
Sunday, November 20—IOCC SUNDAY
8:15 am—Orthros
9:30 am—Sunday School
9:30 am—Divine Liturgy
Monday, Nov 21—The Entrance of the Theotokos
8:30 am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Friday, Nov 25—St. Catherine
8:30 am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday, November 27
8:15 am—Orthros
9:30 am—Sunday School
9:30 am—Divine Liturgy
OUR SISTER CHURCH OF ST. NECTARIOS in Palatine, IL, invites you to Gr eat Vesper s on Tuesday evening,
November 8 and Liturgy on Wednesday, Nov. 9 in honor of
their patron St. Nectarios. (Liturgy will NOT be celebrated at
St. Haralambos on Nov 9.)
THE MONASTIC COMMUNITY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM in Pleasant Pr air ie, WI invites you to Gr eat Vespers on Saturday evening, Nov 12, in honor of the Feastday of
St. John Chrysostom, and the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, Nov 13. (Of course, Liturgy WILL be celebrated on Sunday, Nov 13 at St. Haralambos.)
ST KATHERINE—OUR SISTER CHURCH OF THE
PANAGIA invites you to the Chapel of St. Kather ine
for Great Vespers on Thursday evening, November 24 and
Liturgy on Friday, Nov. 25 in honor of the Feastday of St.
Katherine. (Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on
Nov 25.)
OUR SISTER COMMUNITY OF ST ANDREW in Chicago invites you to Great Vespers at 7:00 pm on Tuesday evening, November 29th in honor of the Feastday of St. Andrew,
and to Divine Liturgy the morning of Wednesday, November
30. (Liturgy will NOT be celebrated at St. Haralambos on
Nov 30.)
SACRAMENTS AND BLESSINGS
MINISTRY TO PERSONS WHO ARE SICK-We urge Orthodox
Christians who would like to receive Holy Sacraments but are unable
to attend church (hospitalized or at home) to contact the church office
so Holy Sacraments can be administered to them.
If your loved one is hospitalized please call us, even if the illness is
not serious! In a wholistic approach to healing and well-being, a
visit from the priest can be very positive. Most hospitals do not
inform us when they receive patients from our parish. We depend
on you!
BLESSINGS OF INFANTS—Forty days after birth, a child and its
mother come to church to receive a 40 Day Blessing, imitating Christ
who was presented in the Temple 40 days after He was born. Please
call the church office to arrange this blessing.
BAPTISMS—Please call the church office to schedule Baptisms.
Plan ahead!—there are some days when Baptisms are not performed.
Keep in mind that there should be only one Godparent and that a child
is supposed to be given one name when he or she is baptized.
WEDDINGS—Please arrange an appointment with Fr. Dean at least
eight months before the proposed wedding date to allow time for all
necessary marriage preparation.
CONFESSION—Confessions are arranged by appointment. Please
call the church office to schedule Confession.
MEMORIAL SERVICES—Memorial Services are offered for the
eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Customarily, these services are offered at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at
3 years. When three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls.
END OF LIFE ISSUES
1 - The Right to a Proper Funeral
It is an honor to have a church funeral. When the funeral does not
take place at the church it indicates that someone is not in good order.
Sometimes out of convenience, we consider omitting a church funeral
for our loved ones, not realizing that we are depriving them of their
right to be honored. Let us honor our parents and relatives with the
respect they deserve!
2 - About Cremation
Orthodox Christians believe that in the General Resurrection, our
bodies and souls will be restored to each other. Cremation is the deliberate desecration and destruction of what God has made, and is
viewed as the denial of the Resurrection.
In cases where there is intention for the body of a deceased person
to be cremated, thus choosing to disregard our understanding of the
Resurrection, the honor of a church funeral is not given, either in the
church, or the funeral home or any other place.
Additionally, memorial services with kolyva are not allowed, since
the connection of the “kernel of wheat” as a sign of the Resurrection
has been intentionally destroyed.
2016
STEWARDSHIP
YOU BELONG
HERE!
2016 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
As of October 19,
643 families have committed $ 331,122.00
How about you?
HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
HOLY TAXIARHAI AND
SAINT HARALAMBOS
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
NILES, ILLINOIS
7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS 60714
PHONE: 847/647-8880
From Father Dean
Proistamenos…………....…... Fr. Constantine P. Botsis
Synefimerios…………..….…....... Fr. George Lamberis
Pastoral Assistant....….…..... Deacon John G. Suhayda
I was reflecting on the Thanksgiving holiday that is coming up soon,
Chanter…………..........…….....…..…..Nick Harisiadis
Parish Council Officers
and realizing some of the many things that we have to be grateful for.
President………...…...………..… Perry Giannopoulos
When I came to St. Haralambos in 1982, many ministries that we now Vice President….................…...……..… Nick Andrews
have did not exist. There was no IOCC (International Orthodox Christian
Treasurer……….…............................... David Loomos
Charities), no OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center), no Orthodox
Secretary……………….………..….... Argy Koutsikos
Prison Ministry, no OCN (Orthodox Christian Network), no Orthodox
Phase III Chairman......................... Perry Giannopoulos
Christian Synergy, no Orthodox Christians for Life ministry, no Hellenic
Stewardship……………………………….
American Rehab Center, no Outreach Committee, no Meals on Wheels, no Budget Committee Chairman .........Perry Giannopoulos
Bessie’s Table, no Coat Drive, no Toy Drive for DCFS (and more)! Our
Building & Grounds Chairman…….
Orthodox Christians are maturing, and gradually showing generosity,
…... Michael Pontikes and Theodoros Karabatsos
Decor Committee Chairman..............Stephan Aliferakis
kindness and some self-sacrifice for the betterment of others and for ourFinance Committee Chairman...…............. Tom Sikoral
selves. We have much to be grateful for, and we are able to share our
Outreach Committee………....………...…..John Pierce
blessings!
School Board Chairman….................Olympia Bournias
In the same spirit of Thanksgiving, we also want to expand our own
Audit Committee Chairman……...…….... Evan Houpis
facility here at St. Haralambos in order to serve our mission even better.
Food Fest Chairman……………….
We continuously find ourselves asking for your generosity, kindness and Philoptochos President..…………........Maria Dimitriou
self-sacrifice that we may continue and expand our mission to the commu- PTA Co-Presidents (Afternoon School)….
nity and the world! We are grateful to many who have pledged to help us,
….....Anna Sikoral and Kathy Ioannidis
and wait anxiously for many more to help so that we can break ground in
PTA President (Preschool)…....…...Marianna Memmos
the Spring! St Paul tells us to never get tired of doing good!
PTA Co-Presidents (Saturday School)…….
......Melina Papadopoulos and Irene Mohr
+++++
Greek School Principal….............. Mrs. Anastasia Liapi
The annual Symposium (that always takes place in October) was a
Saturday School Director…Mrs. Andrianna Panayiotou
terrific day of learning and enlightenment. I am so sorry that so few people Preschool Director…..…...…….........Mrs. Rita Petratos
from St. Haralambos took advantage of it, although we had greater partici- Sunday School Director….....Presvytera Georgia Botsis
pation than any other Greek Orthodox Church!
Athletic Director…………...…....…..… David Loomos
We have a lot to look forward to in November, especially the Feastday Scoutmaster..……..…………....…..... Vasili Zimbrakos
Asst Cubmaster…...…………...………....... John Frake
of the Holy Taxiarch Archangels November 7-8, the Christmas Bazaar
Little Angels…………..……...Mrs. Christine Blackaby
(November 18-19) and the Pan-Orthodox Thanksgiving Day Liturgy
(November 24). As we celebrate THANKSGIVING this year, let’s make a YAL President……..................….....Christina Pappadis
GOYA President….......................... ……... Alex Anton
greater effort to actually give thanks to God on that wonderful holiday!
Jr. Goya Advisor……..….….…..……… Father George
It soon will be time to start thinking about our 2017 Stewardship! For Bookstore Manager….........…......……Jolynn Ruggerio
Web Master…...….....…....…....…..…. George Houpis
several years, we have been talking about proportional giving—that is,
Facebook……………..………………...Elizabeth Kotis
setting a level of giving in proportion to our income and resources, in orOffice Staff….. ……………………..
der to express our support of our church, our love for God, and our sense
Barbara Skaouris, Alexandra Grivas, Anna Sikoral
of worthiness not only as receivers, but also as givers of God’s blessings.
Maintenance Staff…..Juan Caro and Carolina Contreras
We are grateful to see that more and more of our members are feeling a
Dear Stewards and Friends of St. Haralambos,
..
sense of ownership and pride in their church, and are responding by connecting their level of giving to their income and resource level. And we
thank you!
Soon it will be time for Parish Council elections! Serving on the Parish Council is also a form of stewardship, and we believe that everyone
should serve at least one term on the parish council! Is it time for YOU to
step forward? New faces and fresh ideas are always welcomed. Nomination forms should be arriving soon.
The Christmas Fast begins on November 15! For Orthodox Christians,
fasting is an excellent discipline of anticipation. Just as we don’t eat before
going to a party, we fast so we can celebrate the holiday “to the max.”
Let’s try to keep this fast in anticipation of our Lord’s Birth, and then celebrate the beautiful 12 Days of Christmas in their fullness!
With love in Christ,
IN THIS ISSUE:
Letter from our Priest (pg 3)
Announcements/Ανακοινώσεις (pg 4-5
What’s Orthodox about Thanksgiving? (pg 6)
Christmas Bazaar (pg 7)
The Jesus Prayer (pg 9)
Calendar (pg 10)
COMMUNITY NEWS
STEWARDSHIP 2016!
 What does your church mean to you?
 What does your church offer to you?
 What keeps the doors open to serve your needs?
 How important is Baptism, Holy Communion, forgiveness
and the many other blessings you derive from your
church?
 What gives the church the “fuel” to power its activities
and programs?
A N S W E R: Your STEWARDSHIP!
These are the questions we should ask when we determine
our level of stewardship every year! Everyone should have a
different stewardship level from everyone else, and every
year it should change according to our means and our love!
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.
If you have not yet made your 2016 commitments, please do
so. There is no minimum, but true stewardship means heartfelt giving in proportion to our resources and income. You
belong here!
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHRISTMAS GIFT/TOY
DRIVE FOR FOSTER CHILDREN —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 200 children this year! Pick up Gift Forms today! Gifts should be returned by DECEMBER 3rd. Plan to
support this worthy cause!
MARTHA & MARY MATERNITY HOUSE — The
Martha and Mary Maternity House is an Orthodox
Christian Maternity Home for pregnant women in need
of support. As an Orthodox Christian home, the Martha
and Mary house provides housing, with privacy and
confidentiality, for women (generally 18 and older) at
any stage of pregnancy and for an appropriate amount
of time after childbirth.
A benefit dinner will take place on Thursday evening,
November 10 at St. Demetrios Church in Elmhurst, to
support this worthy ministry. Your support would be
appreciated! The donation is $40; visit MarthaMaryChicago.org for reservations!
FAMILY CHRISTMAS RETREAT—Plan to come with
your family to our Family Christmas Retreat on Saturday,
December 3, beginning at 12:30 pm. There will be discussions for children and for adults, as well as crafts, projects
and food. We look forward to seeing you there!
PAN-ORTHODOX THANKSGIVING DAY LITURGY
will take place at the Protection of the Holy Theotokos Russian Orthodox Cathedral, 1800 Lee Street in Des Plaines at
9:00 am on THANKSGIVING MORNING, Thursday, November 24. This Divine Liturgy is sponsored by The Orthodox Christian Clergy Association of Chicago & by SYNERGY, giving all of us the opportunity to celebrate an
"American" holiday in an Orthodox way, together with fellow Orthodox Christians from different backgrounds. The
outstanding Cathedral choir will sing the responses, and we
urge you to attend this beautiful service! All are welcomed!
PHILOPTOCHOS HOLIDAY BAZAAR —The St.
Haralambos Philoptochos will be hosting its annual Holiday
Bazaar this fall, on November 18-19. Lots of help will be
needed! Please call the church office to offer your help. By
working together, we can have a most successful Bazaar!
PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS PARTY—The ladies
of our St. Haralambos Philoptochos will have their annual
Christmas Dinner Party on Thursday evening, December 8
at the Chateau Ritz. The reception hour will begin at 6:00
and Dinner will be a 7:00. Bring a friend! And don’t forget
to make reservations!
MEN'S SOCIAL EVENT— Our Annual Men's Social
event will take place on Wednesday evening, the 23rd of
November. Tickets are available from our chairmen, Jim
Karalekas and Angelo Demeros, or a Parish Council member, or the church office. Plan to join us!
GREEK AMERICAN REHABILITATION AND CARE
CENTER GALA will take place on Saturday evening, November 19 at the Westin O’Hare Hotel, 6100 N. River Road
in Rosemont, with cocktail hour at 6:00 and Dinner at 7:00.
Entertainment following dinner by Glykeria and Kostas
Karafotis! The donation is $225 (after November 7, $275);
for reservations, call 847-465-1323.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 IS
GODPARENT
SUNDAY!!
Join us for our
GODPARENT SUNDAY
LUNCH BUFFET
hosted by our Afternoon School PTA
A great selection of Lunch options!
Games and Activities for the Children
Photo area for Pictures with your Godchild
$10 per person (Children 3 and under are free)
Please call the church office (847-647-8880) by
November1 for reservations!
ΕΝΟΡΙΑΚΕΣ ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ
ΠΕΡΙ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΕΥΧΩΝ
ΚΑΙ ΜΥΣΤΗΡΙΩΝ
STEWARDSHIP
Πόσο σπουδαία είναι η εκκλησία για σας;
Τι σας προσφέρει η εκκλησία σας;
Πως παραμένουν οι πόρτες ανοικτές για να
εξυπηρετηθείτε;
Πόσο σπουδαίο είναι το βάπτισμα, η Θεία Κοινωνία, η
συγχώρηση και οι άλλες ευλογίες που απορρέουν από
την εκκλησία σας;
Τι είναι αυτό που ενδυναμώνει την εκκλησία για να
ανταποκρίνεται σε όλα τα προγράμματα και τις
δραστηριότητές της;
ΑΠΑΝΤΗΣΗ: Η δική σας STEWARDSHIP!
Αυτές είναι οι ερωτήσεις που πρέπει να ερωτάμε για να
προσδιορίζουμε το επίπεδο προσφοράς του stewardship
κάθε χρόνο! Καθένας μας πρέπει να προσφέρει
διαφορετικό stewardship και κάθε χρόνο πρέπει να το
αλλάζει ανάλογα με τα εισοδήματά μας και την αγάπη μας!
Το επίπεδο προσφοράς του stewardship θα πρέπει να είναι
ποσό που θα αντιπροσωπεύει την αγάπη μας προς τον Θεό
και την εκτίμησή μας για τις ευλογίες και όλα τα καλά που
μας προσφέρει η εκκλησία μας.
Παρακαλούμε όπως συμπληρώσετε την κάρτα σας για το
2016, εαν δεν το έχετε ήδη κάνει ως τώρα. Δεν έχουμε
θέσει όρια προσφοράς, αλλά stewardship σημαίνει να
δίνουμε ευσυνείδητα και ανάλογα με τα εισοδήματά μας.
Ανήκετε εδώ!
ΔΩΡΑ ΓΙΑ ΘΕΤΑ ΠΑΙΔΙΑ
Οι Ορθόδοξες Χριστιανικές ενορίες της περιφέρειας
Σικάγο συγκεντρώνουν και πάλιν εφέτος Χριστουγεννιάτικα καινούργια δώρα για θετά παιδιά υπό την αιγίδα
του OCCA. Η ενορία του Αγίου Χαραλάμπους ανέλαβε να
δώση δώρα σε 200 παιδιά! Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες
επικοινωνείτε με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας. Τα δώρα
πρέπει να συγκεντρωθούν μέχρι τις 22 Νοεμβρίου!
ΕΥΧΕΣ ΝΕΟΓΕΝΝΗΤΩΝ ΤΕΚΝΩΝ--Κάθε μάνα και το
παιδί της, σαράντα ημέρες μετά την γέννησή του
προσέρχονται στην εκκλησία για να λάβουν την Ευλογία των
40 Ημερών, κατά μίμησην του Ιησού Χριστού ο οποίος
παρουσιάσθηκε στον Ιερόν Ναόν σαράντα ημέρες μετά την
γέννησή του. Παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της
εκκλησίας για να κανονίσετε την ευλογία αυτή.
ΒΑΠΤΙΣΕΙΣ—Παρακαλούμε όπως τηλεφωνείτε στο
γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να προγραμματίσετε Βαπτίσεις.
Σχεδιάστε πολύ ενωρίτερα!-Υπάρχουν μερικές μέρες που δεν
γίνονται βαπτίσεις.
ΓΑΜΟΙ-Παρακαλούμε όπως κανονίζετε συνάντηση με τον
π. Κωνσταντίνο τουλάχιστον οκτώ μήνες πριν την
προτεινόμενη ημερομηνία του γάμου δια τις απαιτούμενες
προετοιμασίες.
ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΗ—Οι
Εξομολογήσεις
κανονίζονται
κατόπιν ραντεβού. Δια να προγραμματίσετε εξομολογήσεις,
παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας.
ΜΕΡΙΜΝΑ ΑΡΡΩΣΤΩΝ—Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί που θα
ήθελαν να λάβουν τα Άγια Μυστήρια και δεν μπορούν να
έλθουν στην εκκλησία (βρίσκονται εις νοσοκομεία ή
ανήμποροι εις τα σπίτια τους) παρακαλούνται να
επικοινωνούν με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να μπορέσουν
να τα λάβουν.
Παρακαλούμε να επικοινωνείτε με το γραφείο της
εκκλησίας εαν κάποιος συγγενής σας είναι στο
νοσοκομείο! Τα νοσοκομεία πλέον δεν μας πληροφορούν
όταν έχουν αρρώστους από την ενορία μας.
ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ—Επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις γίνονται για την
αιώνιον ανάπαυση των τεθνεώντων. Συνήθως, αυτές οι
δεήσεις γίνονται κατά τις 40 ημέρες, τους 6 μήνες, τον 1ον
χρόνο και τον 3ον χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια,
είναι πιο αρμόζον να ενθυμούμεθα τους αποθανόντας κατά
τα Ψυχοσάββατα.
Philoptochos Corner
ΧΡIΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝIΑΤIΚΟ ΠΑΖΑΡI
ΤΗΣ ΦIΛΟΠΤΩΧΟΥ 18-19 ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ
Η Φιλόπτωχoς πρoετoιμάζει τo Χριστoυγεvvιάτικo Παζάρι
δια τις 18-19 Νoεμβρίoυ 2016. Χρειάζεται μεγάλη
βoήθεια! Παρακαλoύμε τηλεφωvήσατε στo γραφείο της
εκκλησίας δια περισσότερες πληρoφoρίες και εαν θέλετε
να προσφέρετε την βοήθειά σας. Οταv εργασθoύμε όλoι
μαζί, θα έχoυμε έvα πoλύ επιτυχημέvo Παζάρι! Ένας
μήνας έμεινε!
ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΟ ΠΑΡΤΥ ΤΗΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΤΩΧΟΥ-Το
ετήσιο Χριστουγεννιάτικο πάρτυ της Φιλοπτώχου του Αγ.
Χαραλάμπους θα λάβη χώραν την Πέμπτη το βράδυ, 8 Δεκεμβρίου
εις το Chateau Ritz στις 6:00 μ.μ!.
END OF LIFE ISSUES
Η Θρησκευτική Κηδεία Είναι Δικαίωμα μας
Η κηδεία μέσα στην Εκκλησία είναι μεγάλη τιμή. Όταν μια
κηδεία δεν λαμβάνει χώρα στην εκκλησία, υποδεικνύει ότι
κάποιος δεν είναι εντάξει με τους κανόνες της εκκλησίας.
Δυστυχώς, μερικές φορές (λόγω ευκολίας), σκεφτόμεθα να
παραλείψουμε την εκκλησιαστική κηδεία των αγαπημένων
μας, κυρίως των ηλικιωμένων, χωρίς να καταλαβαίνουμε ότι
τους στερούμε την απονομή της τιμής που τους αρμόζει. Ας
τιμήσουμε τους γονείς και τους συγγενείς μας με τον
σεβασμό που τους αρμόζει!
Αποτέφρωσις Νεκρού
Οι Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί πιστεύουμε ότι, στην Γενική
Ανάσταση, τα σώματά μας και οι ψυχές μας θα γίνουν ένα. Η
καύσις (αποτέφρωσις) του νεκρού είναι μία εσκεμμένη
βεβήλωση και καταστροφή του σώματος, που θεωρείται ως
άρνηση της Αναστάσεως.
Σε περιπτώσεις όπου υπάρχει πρόθεσις αποτέφρωσης του
αποθανόντος, αποφασίζοντας κατά αυτόν τον τρόπο να
παραβλέψουμε την σημασία της Αναστάσεως, δεν αποδίδεται
τιμή της εκκλησιαστικής κηδείας είτε στην εκκλησία είτε στο
νεκροπομπείο ή σε οποιοδήποτε άλλο μέρος.
Επιπροσθέτως, επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις με κόλυβα δεν
επιτρέπονται, αφού ο σύνδεσμος «του πυρήνα του σίτου» ως
σύμβολο της ανάστασης έχει εσκεμμένα καταστραφεί.
What is So Orthodox about Thanksgiving?
by Fr. Joseph Allen
There is no "feast" that seems more "American"
than Thanksgiving. Many of us Orthodox also recognize this holiday in some sort of way. Usually we say
that it is a day in which "they" remember that the
Pilgrims landed in this country. Of course, the "they"
that we use in such a sentence refers to any of the
non-Orthodox Americans that we live with.
And yet, this is real chance for us – it may be one
of the few "American" things that we can truly make
Orthodox. We will never be able to totally interpret
the secular things of America in an Orthodox way –
such as hot dogs and beer, or Rock and Roll Masses.
But here on Thanksgiving Day is exactly where it
should be done. This is so because if you think about
and are especially aware of the words and feeling of
our Divine Liturgy, there is nothing more Orthodox
than giving thanks or "thanksgiving."
It is, therefore, on Thanksgiving Day that we
have a chance to help America look deeper into itself
– by looking at this "typical" American holiday of
Thanksgiving from an Orthodox point of view. We
know that to be Orthodox, if we really know about
Orthodoxy, implies that "deeper look." But what is
meant by looking deeper?
To begin with, if we as Americans, both Orthodox and non-Orthodox, fail to see the greater lesson
of what "Thanksgiving" means, if it is just the
remembering of an historical event, it will remain
only a memory and not something that we call a
Holiday, or better yet, a Holy Day. This is so
because just the memory is not enough. Memory
may be helpful, but it does not guarantee holiness.
Why do we say Holy Day? When we answer this
question, we will have taken that "deeper look."
Surely those that landed in America understood
why the day was "holy." They were not only cele-
brating their historic landing as holy, as we do today
in this shallow way; they looked deeper and when
they did, they gave thanks together in a real
communion with each other and with God for all the
bountiful gifts with which they were blessed.
Perhaps they understood, even better than we do,
what it means when we sing in our Liturgy: "for the
abundance of the fruits of the earth and for peaceful
times…." That's it! That's the deeper look; men
standing together before God in thankfulness. Men
bound by common problems. Men bound by
common goals.
Orthodoxy, therefore, has the great opportunity
to be able to dissect the word "Thanksgiving," to
show this fullness. In fact, we are constantly showing what it really means at every Liturgy, for it is
here that thanksgiving is not only a memory, not
only a day; it is a "state" or a "position" that we are
in. What is that "state" which is holy? It is a standing
together – no, it begins earlier – it begins with the
procession of each of us from the bed of our homes
to the place where we will stand, to be together, even
as those pilgrims were, to give thanks. The height of
this thanksgiving is when we offer up the gifts of
bread and wine – "Thine own of Thine own, we offer
unto thee, in behalf of all and for all" – while we are
offered life in return from God.
Can we take America back to that original meaning, to that deeper look? The pilgrims had it, but we
have preserved it! Perhaps now we can say "we"
instead of "they" to show that Thanksgiving is not
only for non- Orthodox. Certainly, it is at the Divine
Liturgy where "we" should begin this Day of
Thanksgiving. Is there less that we can do?
What's so Orthodox about Thanksgiving? Orthodoxy.
THANKSGIVING DAY
PAN-ORTHODOX DIVINE LITURGY
Sponsored by
THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CLERGY ASSOCIATION
OF GREATER CHICAGO
AND
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SYNERGY
9:00 am
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Holy Virgin Protection Russian Orthodox Cathedral
1800 Lee Street,
Des Plaines, Illinois
ST. HARALAMBOS PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY
HOLIDAY BAKE SALE
AND MINI-BAZAAR
Be Merry! Be Happy! Be Jolly!
May Peace be your gift at Christmas
and your blessing all year through!
NOVEMBER 18 & 19, 2016
Friday, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
ST. HARALAMBOS CHURCH COMMUNITY CENTER
7373 N. CALDWELL AVE. NILES, ILLINOIS
Delicious Home-made Greek Pastries
Raffle, Coffee Shop, and a Variety of Vendors
LUNCH SERVED BOTH DAYS
DINNER SERVED ON FRIDAY ONLY
A SPECIAL VISITOR FROM THE NORTH POLE
SATURDAY, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Call ahead to place your pastry order 847-647-8880
FREE ADMISSION
FREE PARKING
INTRODUCTION TO THE
GREEK ORTHODOX LITURGY
You are invited to a special series of presentations to
study the Divine Liturgy, on Tuesday nights at 7:30. 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!
November 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
1 Ss. Cosmas
and Damianos
8:30 am-Orthros
and Liturgy
Wed
2
Thu
3
11:30 am—Little
Angels Playgroup
4:30 pm—Greek
School
Fri
Sat
4
5
4:30 pm—Greek
School
10:00 am Pilgrimage to Homer Glen
11
12 9:00 am—
9:00 am—
Saturday Greek
School
7:30 pm—
Philoptochos mtg
7:30-Bible Study
6
8:15 am—Orthros
9:30 am—Sunday
School
9:30 am—Divine
Liturgy
GODPARENT
SUNDAY
13
St John
Chrysostom
8:15 am—Orthros
9:30 am—Sunday
School
9:30 am—Divine
Liturgy
7
8
THE HOLY
TAXIARCHAI
8:30 am-Orthros
and Liturgy
7:00 pm—
Great Vespers
for the
Holy Taxiarhai
14
5:30 pm—Family
Night
6:30 pm-Jr. GOYA
7:30 pm—Sr GOYA
(NO Greek School)
9
ST NECTARIOS
Liturgy at
Palatine
7:30-SYNERGY
Meeting
7:30-Bible Study
15
THE FAST BEGINS
10
16
VETERAN’S
DAY
Saturday Greek
School
4:30 pm—Greek
School
17
18
19
24
25
26
11:30 am—Little
Angels Playgroup
4:30 pm—Greek
School
4:30— PTA Mtg
7:30 pm—
Parish
Council Mtg
7:30-Bible Study
20
8:15 am—Orthros
9:30 am—Sunday
School
9:30 am—Divine
Liturgy
21 ΕΙΣΟΔΙΑ
ENTRANCE of
THEOTOKOS
8:30 am-Orthros
and Liturgy
22
11:30 am—Little
Angels Playgroup
4:30 pm—Greek
School
23
6:30-Mens Event
7:30-Bible Study
27
8:15 am—Orthros
9:30 am—Sunday
School
9:30 am—Divine
Liturgy
28
5:30 pm—Family
Night
6:30 pm-Jr. GOYA
7:30 pm—Sr GOYA
29
11:30 am—Little
Angels Playgroup
4:30 pm—Greek
School
7:30-Bible Study
30
ST
ANDREW—
Liturgy at St.
Andrew Church
THANKSGIVING
DAY
Pan-Orthodox
Thanksgiving
Liturgy
ST
CATHERINE
8:30 am-Orthros
and Liturgy
Saint Haralambos 2016 “MEN’S EVENT ”
Wednesday, November 23
7:00pm Cocktails — 8:00pm Dinner
The Fountain Blue
2300 S Mannheim Road
Des Plaines, IL
Every 10th ticket is a winner!
Grand prize is $3000!
Join us for an evening of good food,
good company, and a chance to win the BIG PRIZE!
Donation is $125. Tickets are available from our chairmen,
Jim Karalekas and Angelo Demeros, our Parish Council members, or the church office. Plan to join us!
HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
7373 CALDWELL AVENUE
NILES, IL 60714-4503
Address Service Requested