Transcript time and patience - St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church

7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS 60714 -- PHONE (847) 647-8880
Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org
Fr. Constantine P. Botsis, Proistamenos
Fr. George Lamberis, Synefemerios
Deacon John G. Suhayda
Nick Harisiadis, Protopsaltis
TIME AND PATIENCE
On February 3 the Church remembers two people whose lives are extraordinary examples of
patience. In the calendar they are called the "righteous Godbearer Simeon" and "Anna the
Prophetess."
The previous day is the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple, an event in which Simeon and Anna had central roles. Jesus Christ, a new baby, was brought by his parents into the Temple in Jerusalem.
They presented Him to the Lord according to the Old Testament Law, given to Moses in God's words:
"Consecrate to me all the firstborn; whatever is the first to open the womb among the Israelites, of human
beings and animals, is mine" (Exodus 13:2).
Simeon and Anna were overjoyed. For the aged Simeon, seeing Christ the Savior was the fulfillment of
God's long-awaited promise of the "consolation" of Israel. He knew very well the words of the prophets
concerning this, for example: "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned..." (Isaiah 40:1) He knew that Isaiah
had described a voice crying, "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a
highway for our God" (40:3). Now it had all been fulfilled in the preaching of John the Baptizer and the
coming of Jesus Christ, and Simeon was ready to die in peace.
Anna, a prophetess from a family of prophets, had fasted and prayed for decades in the Temple. On this day
of the Savior's coming, she recognized Him. She was prepared, though by this time she was well over
eighty, to spread the good news to everyone.
One of the readings for February 3rd is about that quality of faithful patience that Simeon and Anna demonstrate so well. The Letter of James counsels, "Be patient therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord.
The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the
late rains. You also must be patient" (5:7-8a)
The words remind us that things happen in God's time, not ours. The farmer is patient with the land until
God sends the rain. For Simeon and Anna, the time of waiting was very long, so their patience had to be
very great. Whatever situations face us—the ones that require patience--may also stretch on. We must
"strengthen our hearts" as Simeon and Anna did.
So we can't just idly wait around for something to happen. We have to be ready for God to act at any moment, and not "grumble against one another" when our patience gets tested for a longer time than we might
have expected and wished. Even a lengthy period of time in human reckoning is only an instant in God's
sight. So no matter how far away it seems to us, James writes, "the coming of the Lord is near" (5:
8b).
From the OCA Department of Religious Education
News and Reminders
We invite you to join us at to today’s Coffee Fellowship Hour
after today’s church services!
PROSPHORA—We thank Mrs. Kalitsa Georgatsos, Mrs. Katerina Dimitriou and Mrs. Joanna
Vasilarakis, who have offered today’s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by Mrs. Niki
Maglaris and Mrs. Katina Vaselopulos (Mon, Jan 30), by Mrs. Litsa Kalogeros and Presvytera Georgia
((Thurs, Feb 2), and by Mrs. Litsa Pagones, Mrs. Eleni Katris and Mrs. Amalia Deligiannis (Sun, Feb 5).
MEMORIAL SERVICES
1 year—Paul Pronos
3 years—Spiros Giannoulias
3 years—Spiridoula Kourouklis
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. Customarily, 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.
ARTOKLASIA is offered today by the St. Haralambos Morning School PTA in honor of the Feast of the
Three Hierarchs, for the health and well-being of our schools, our teachers, our families and the entire
St. Haralambos community.
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 Orthodox Christians do not receive sacraments in non-Orthodox churches.
GREEK LETTERS LUNCHEON—The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago invites you to the
annual Greek Letters Luncheon on Sunday, January 29 at 2:00 pm at the Chateau Ritz Banquet Hall. Dr.
Stefanos Katsikas will be the featured speaker. The donation for the luncheon is $60 per person, so please
save the date and plan on coming! Tickets are available in our church office. Please call for reservations!
WEEK OF GREEK LETTERS Commemorations continues this week. Plan to join in!
Sunday, Jan 29 at 2:00 pm—Greek Letters Luncheon at Chateau Ritz
Sunday, Jan 29 at 7:00 pm at St. Haralambos in Niles—Great Vespers for the Three Hierarchs
Monday, Jan 30 at 10:00 am at Ss Constantine and Helen, Palos Hills—Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
PARISH COUNCIL OFFICERS—Congratulations to the newly officers of the 2017 Parish Council:
President:
Perry Giannopoulos
Vice President: Nick Andrews
Treasurer:
David Loomos
Secretary:
Argy Koutsikos
Ass. Treasurer:
Bill Bozikis
Asst Secretary: Katerina Apithis
2nd Asst Treas:
Anthony Rizos
Members: Christos Agalliu, Dr Thomas Bournias, Angelo Demeros, Nick Gianaris, George Giolas, Dino
Houpis, Krystal Ioannou, Thomas Kanelos, Theodoros Karabatsos, Eleni Kiriazopoulos, Richard
Kozlowski, Tom Sikoral and Mike Pontikes.
We congratulate the officers and all the members of the Parish Council, and wish them much success!
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2017 Stewardship—DISCOVER THE
LIGHT! Jesus is the Light of the World, but
He also said “YOU are the light of the World;
let your light shine before others.” Stewardship
is discovering our light by using the talents and
gifts God has given us. 2017 information has
been mailed to you. When you complete the
form, please consider your 2017 Commitment
carefully, and also fill out ALL the information.
The ministries that interest you could reflect
your talents and gifts—the light that is in you!
THE “INREACH” COMMITTEE—Just as we
have an Outreach Committee, we are in the process of creating an “Inreach Committee” to
research a plan for the internal, spiritual growth
of our families. There will be a meeting of the
Inreach Committee on Monday evening at 6:30
pm. You are welcomed to join us!
OUR OUTREACH COMMITTEE has placed
a donation box in the narthex to raise money to
help people in need. We have been able to help
many people THROUGH YOUR GENEROSITY, and we thank you!
COMMUNITY SURVEY—As our community
continues to grow, we strive to serve our members. You are invited to complete a brief survey
about your overall experience at St. Haralambos.
This will help us understand what is important to
you and your family. Please feel free to provide
feedback on ministries, activities, and spiritual
services. Any suggestions you may have are
greatly welcomed. All completed surveys are
anonymous, and results will be presented without
identification. The survey can be completed on
line; paper copies are also available in the church
office. The deadline to complete the survey is
February 15th.
Please use the following link to access the survey: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3219664/
St-Haralambos-Parish-Survey
ST HARALAMBOS 66th ANNIVERSARY-On Sunday afternoon, February 12, we will
celebrate our parish’s 66th Anniversary with a
Festive Luncheon Banquet at Allgauers at the
Hilton in Northbrook (2855 Milwaukee Avenue)!
Please mark the date and plan to attend with your
family!
In conjunction with our Dinner Dance, we
will have a Program Book, and we are looking
for sponsorships. Contracts are available from the
church office, and the deadline is TODAY!
Please give us your support!
DEAR FRIENDS AND VISITORS: We are
happy that you have come to worship with us,
and hope that you have had a prayerful and uplifting experience. If you are visiting St. Haralambos or are new to our community, please
seek out our Committee members (wearing
“welcome!” badges) if you have any questions.
SAVE THE DATE!
 Wed, FEB 8—7:00 pm—Paraclesis to Saint
Haralambos
 Thurs, FEB 9—7:00 pm—Great Vespers of
St. Haralambos
 Fri, FEB 10—8:30 am--Orthros and Liturgy
for St. Haralambos Day
 Sun, FEB 12—St. Haralambos 66th Anniversary Celebration
SWEET AND KIND:
Please understand that chewing gum in chur ch is consider ed to be ver y discour teous and even
vulgar. Your attention to this is greatly appreciated.
In consideration of others, please r emove lipstick when r ever encing the holy icons or r eceiving
Holy Communion.
If your child is distr acting to other s, do not be embar r assed; they ar e only childr en. If they continue to disturb, however, you are requested to take your child to our “cry room.”
PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONE DURING CHURCH SERVICES!
Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας
ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ
Β Κορ. στ΄ 16-ζ΄1
Ἀδελφοί, ἡμεῖς ἐστε ναὸς Θεοῦ ζῶντος· καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς ὅτι
᾽Ενοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν Θεός, καὶ
αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μου λαός. Διὸ ἐξέλθετε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε,
λέγει Kύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε· κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς, καὶ
ἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς πατέρα, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας,
λέγει Kύριος παντοκράτωρ. Tαύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας,
ἀγαπητοί, καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ
πνεύματος, ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ.
ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ
Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Ματθαῖον (ιε', 21-28)
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὰ μέρη Τύρου καὶ Σιδῶνος. Καὶ
ἰδοὺ γυνὴ Χαναναία ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων ἐκείνων ἐξελθοῦσα ἐκραύγασεν
αὐτῷ λέγουσα· Ἐλέησόν με, Κύριε, υἱὲ Δαυῒδ· ἡ θυγάτηρ μου κακῶς
δαιμονίζεται. Ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῇ λόγον. Καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ
μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἠρώτουν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· Ἀπόλυσον αὐτήν, ὅτι κράζει
ὄπισθεν ἡμῶν. Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἀπεστάλην εἰ μὴ εἰς τὰ
πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ἰσραήλ. Ἡ δὲ ἐλθοῦσα προσεκύνησεν
αὐτῷ λέγουσα· Κύριε, βοήθει μοι. Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἔστι καλὸν
λαβεῖν τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων καὶ βαλεῖν τοῖς κυναρίοις. Ἡ δὲ εἶπε· Ναί,
Κύριε, καὶ γὰρ τὰ κυνάρια ἐσθίει ἀπὸ τῶν ψιχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ
τῆς τραπέζης τῶν κυρίων αὐτῶν. Τότε ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῇ·
Ὦ γύναι, μεγάλη σου ἡ πίστις! γενηθήτω σοι ὡς θέλεις. Καὶ ἰάθη ἡ
θυγάτηρ αὐτῆς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης.
Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today
EPISTLE READING
II Corinthians 6: 16-7:1
Brethren, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in
them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the
Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a
father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the
fear of God.
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 15: 21-28
At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a
Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on
me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a
demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and
begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He
answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But
she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he
answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the
dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall
from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is
your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was
healed instantly.
UPCOMING YOUTH MINISTRY DATES
Please fill out a registration form in the Church Office.
Little Angels
(Ages 4 and under)
Tues, January 31 - 11:30am—1 pm
Family Night
(Families & youth in Pre-k—5th grade)
Next gathering—Mon., February 6
5:30 pm—7 pm
SR. GOYA BAKE SALE!
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
February 5th
after Divine Liturgy
All proceeds will fund
our outreach trip.
Jr. GOYA
(6th—8th grades)
Monday, January 30
Sky High Outing
6:30 pm—8 pm
Sr. GOYA
(High School)
Monday, February 6
7:30 pm—9 pm
CHURCH BASKETBALL
Saturday, Feb 4 at Culver School
2:30 pm—Biddy 5th & 6th grade
3:30 pm—Grade School
4:30 pm—High School Boys
5:30 PM —Biddy 5th & 6th grade
Ανακοινώσεις
2017 Stewardship—
DISCOVER THE LIGHT!
Ο Χριστός, που είναι το Φως του Κόσμου, μας είπε
«Εσείς είσαστε το φως του Κόσμου, αφίστε το φως
σας να λάμψει μπροστἀ από τους ἀλλους.» Stewardship είναι η ανακάλυψη του δικού μας φωτός
χρησιμοποιώντας τα ταλέντα μας και τα δώρα που
ο Θεός μας έχει χαρίσει. Πληροφορίες για το Stewardship του 2017 έχουν ήδη σταλεί σε όλους. Σας
παρακαλούμε να συμπληρώνετε την κάρτα
προσφοράς σας για το 2017 προσεκτικά και να
απαντάτε σε ΟΛΕΣ τις ερωτήσεις. Οι εθελοντικές
υπηρεσίες που σας ενδιαφέρουν αντανακλούν τα
ταλέντα και τα δώρα σας απ΄το Θεό—το φως που
υπάρχει μέσα σας!
66H ΕΠΕΤΕΙΟΣ ΑΓ. ΧΑΡΑΛΑΜΠΟΥΣ - Την
Κυριακή το απόγευμα, 12 Φεβρουαρίου, θα
εορτάσουμε την 66η Επέτειο της ενορίας μας με
ένα Εορταστικό Γεύμα εις το Allgauers-Hilton στο
Northbrook (2855 Milwaukee Avenue)! Παρακαλούμε σημειώστε την ημερομηνία και σχεδιάστε
να έλθετε με την οικογένειά σας!
Επίσης θα τυπωθή ένα Πρόγραμμα Διαφημίσεων,
και ζητούμε δωρητές. Συμβόλαια διατίθενται στο
γραφείο της εκκλησίας και πρέπει να υποβληθούν
ΣΗΜΕΡΑ! Παρακαλούμε όπως μας υποστηρίξετε!
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 1ον χρόνο και τον 3ον
χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια, είναι πιο
αρμόζον να μνημονεύουμε τους αποθανόντας κατά
τα Ψυχοσάββατα.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Mon, Jan 30
Orthros and Divine Liturgy (The Three Hierarchs) ……………….… 8:30 am
Jr. GOYA……………………………………………………………….. 6:30 pm
Tues, Jan 31 Little Angels…………………………………………………………….. 11:30 am
Afternoon Greek School………………………………………………… 4:30 pm
Wed, Feb 1 Philoptochos Monthly Meeting…………………………………………. 7:30 pm
Thurs, Feb 2 Orthros and Divine Liturgy (Presentation of our Lord)……………. 8:30 am
Bible Study………………………………………………………………. 7:30 pm
Fri, Feb 3
Afternoon Greek School………………………………………………… 4:30 pm
Stewardship Committee Meeting……………………………………….. 6:30 pm
Sat, Feb 4
Saturday Greek School……………….………………………………….. 9:00 am
Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.
TODAY’S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR
Sunday, January 29, 2017
17th Luke (The Canaanite Woman)– Κυριακή ΙZ΄ Λουκά (Χαναναίας)
Recovery of the Relics of St. Ignatios the Godbearer. Ss. Ignatios and Nikandor the Sinaites.
Ἡ Ἀνακομιδὴ τῶν Λειψάνων τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἱερομάρτυρος Ἰγνατίου τοῦ Θεοφόρου.
ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ – DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY
Apolytikion of the Grave Tone
Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέωξας 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.
You destroyed death by Your Cross; You opened Paradise to the thief. The Myrrh-bearers’
lamentation You transformed, and You commanded the Apostles to proclaim that You are risen,
O Christ God, granting the world the Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of St. Ignatios
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 Ἰγνάτιε.
Πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῶ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
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.
Supreme Commanders of the heavenly armies, we the unworthy implore you, that by your
supplications you encircle us under the cover of the wings of your ineffable glory; guarding us
who bow down with fervor crying: Deliver us from dangers, as Leaders of the Powers above.
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
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῷ τόκῳ σου, καὶ χεῖρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε,
προφθάσας καὶ νῦν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ
πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος.
You who did sanctify the virginal womb by Your birth and who did bless the hands of Simeon, now have come and saved us, O Christ God. Bring peace to Your nation in war, and
strengthen the people whom You have loved, who alone love mankind.