Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

1400 N. O’Plaine Road, Libertyville, IL 60048 - Tel (224) 513-5530 www.saintdemetrioslibertyville.com

March - 2017

Do you know the 5 Sundays of Great Lent? Sunday Services: 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Liturgy FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT - SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY This Sunday commemorates the return of the Icons into the churches, according to the Church Office Hours: decision of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787). On this Sunday every year the triumph of Monday-Friday 9a.m.-1p.m. the faith of Orthodoxy is celebrated with the procession of the Icons around the inside of the Clergy: Church. The Sunday of Orthodoxy recalls the sacrifice of the Holy Fathers and Mothers of the Fr. Cosmas Halekakis Church, and calls upon the people to rededicate themselves to the deep meaning of their faith. Fr. John Sardis (Retired) SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT - ST. GREGORY PALAMAS Chanters: This Sunday commemorates the life of St. Gregory Palamas (14th century). The Church Yanni Halekakis dedicates this Sunday to St. Gregory for his Orthodox faith, theological knowledge, virtuous Nectaria Zouras life, miracles and his efforts to clarify the orthodox teaching on the subject of Hesychasm Altar: (from the Greek, meaning quiet.) Saint Gregory Palamas was dedicated to an ascetic life of Theodore Colombus prayer and fasting, which are the primary practices of Great Lent.

Parish Council: THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT - VENERATION OF THE CROSS President: Connie Jelatis Hoke This Sunday commemorates the veneration of the Holy Cross and ultimately the Crucifixion Vice Pres.: Kathy Leoris Treasurer: Ted Galatsianos of our Lord Jesus Christ. The veneration of the Cross is placed in the middle of Great Lent to Rec. Sec.: Roman Keating remind the faithful, in advance, of the Crucifixion of Christ. The faithful express their Corr. Sec.: Donna Krissek veneration of the Holy Cross in Great Lent through prayer, fasting, almsgiving and the Peter Danos forgiveness of the trespasses of others. On this Sunday the Veneration of the Cross is Helen Exarhakos John Iskalis commemorated with a special service following the Divine Liturgy in which the faithful are Dr. Jim Karagiannes blessed and receive Basil and/or other wild flowers like Daffodils. Jason Keeling Dr. Mary Nunchuck FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT - ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER Maria Sakas This Sunday commemorates St. John of the Ladder (6th century) who wrote The Ladder of Patty Stianos Divine Ascent. This book contains 30 chapters, with each chapter as a step leading up to a Gus Tziavaras faithful and pious life in Christ Jesus. The spirit of repentance and devotion to Christ Sunday School: dominates the essence of this book, along with the monastic virtues and vices. He was an Maria Earth ascetic and writer on the spiritual life as a monk-abbot of Sinai Monastery. These steps of the ladder as set forth by St. John are to be practiced by the Christian especially during this period Greek School: Rena Paros of the Great Lent.

Youth Groups: FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT - ST. MARY OF EGYPT Rae Anne Alvarez This Sunday commemorates the life of St. Mary of Egypt, who is a shining example of Demetra Utter repentance from sin through prayer and fasting. She lived a sinful life for many years, but was Nectaria Zouras converted to a Christian life. She went into the wilderness to live an ascetic life for many

Philoptochos: years, praying and fasting in repentance of her previous sinful life, and dying there. St. Mary's Brenda Costopoulos life exemplifies her conviction about Christ, which motivated the changing of her life from sin to holiness through repentance. Her understanding of repentance involved not a mere change AHEPA: from small things in her life, but an extreme change of her entire attitude and thoughts. The John Papanos Church commemorates St. Mary for her recognition of her own sins as an example of how Bookstore/Bookclub: one can free oneself from the slavery and burden of wrongdoings. This recognition of sin is Dr. Mary Nunchuck imperative during Lent for the faithful as a means of self-examination and preparation for a more virtuous life in anticipation of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Christ. - Fr. Cosmas

Parish Announcements

COFFEE HOUR We always need sponsors and hosts for our weekly Coffe Hour fellowship. Any items brought in for coffee hour during the months of March and April must follow fasting guidelines. No eggs or dairy allowed. Should you have any questions, please contact Maria Sakas at (847)395-7499.

SUNDAY SCHOOL Please send your child to Sunday school with an icon for the March 5th Sunday of Orthodoxy Icon procession. That morning the 4th/5th grade class will host coffee hour. If you have a child in that class please bring a lenten item for coffee hour.

SATURDAY OF LAZARUS RETREAT Please stay after Divine Services on Saturday, April 8th for our Saturday of Lazarus Retreat. This is for all ages as we will have lunch for everyone, lesson for the kids and make palm crosses for Palm Sunday. Please join us as we begin Holy Week!

AHEPA AHEPA Little Fort Chapter 218 and District 13 are now accepting scholarship applications for the 2016/2017 year. They are available in the narthex, please inform friends and family of their availability. If applications are not present in the narthex or you wish to have them emailed to you please contact us at [email protected] requesting them.

Our annual SMOKER event was held on Thursday February 9th. We would like to thank all of those who supported us by purchasing a raffle ticket. Your participation helps us reach out to our community in many different forms of charitable contributions: helping those who are in need, education scholarships, and donations to St Demetrios Greek School to name a few.

Our next meeting will be held Tuesday March 21st at 6:30PM. Location will be at The Shanty Restaurant. If you wish to receive further information regarding AHEPA Little Fort Chapter 218 charitable activities, membership, and scholarships please contact John Papanos (Chapter President) at 773-732-6734 or email [email protected]

ORATORICAL FESTIVAL Our Parish Oratorical Festival will be Sunday, March 19 after Church services. While we do not have a high school and junior high entrance to the Metropolis Festival this year; we have several third to 6th graders who will be giving speeches. These are untimed, noncompetitive speeches of 30 to 90 seconds. Everyone will be awarded a prize. As in past years, you all are aware that our young people have quite a lot to say in their presentations. Please make an effort to come and listen to the future of our Church.

PHILOPTOCHOS – LADIES CHARITABLE SOCIETY We would like to thank everyone for their donations of time, money and food for the Makaronada. A special thank you to the Peoria Meat Company, Sophia Columbus, the Liberty Restaurant and Father John Sardis. This year we are holding elections for the board in May. The next thing coming up in this busy Lenten season is our meeting on March 2nd at 7:15pm at the church. We will be having our annual Palm Sunday luncheon and bake sale on April 9th. We plan on baking March 11th and 18th, and tsoureki on April 6th and 7th. Please preorder your Tsoureki $12 and Red Eggs $5 per dozen. As it is the beginning of the year we are still collecting membership dues $30. If you have any suggestions and would like to help those in need please join us.

GREEK SCHOOL MARCH 25th PROGRAM Our Greek School will be having it’s annual March 25th Program in celebration of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and Greek Independence on Sunday, March 19th after Church services. The kids will recite poems, sing songs and perform folk dances. The program will be followed by a Lenten luncheon to help raise funds for our Greek School program. The donation is $10 adults and $5 kids – tickets are available for purchase on Sundays during coffee hour. Please help support our kids and our Greek School program! Parish Announcements

BESSIE SKARAMAGOS RETIREMENT PARTY On Sunday, January 29th we honored our own Bessie Skaramagos with a small retirement party after Church Services. Bessie was thanked for her 30 years of service to our parish, and was able to celebrate with her family (pictured left.) We cannot thank Bessie enough for her tireless dedication over the years, cleaning and caring for our Church. Although she will still volunteer and help out when she can, we congratulate her again, and wish her a happy and well-deserved retirement!

BOOKSTORE The parish book store has been busy getting ready for Lent, Holy Week and Pascha. Seasonal stock will be available starting Sunday, Feb 26. In addition to the large black Holy Week Services book, we have the books for Presanctified Liturgy, the Akathist Service to the Theotokos (Friday evening service during Lent), as well as the Wednesday evening of Holy Week Service which is not in the black book. We have the Greek red Easter egg dye. We have a wide assortment of books appropriate for Lenten reading.

BOOKCLUB Our March book club will meet Wednesday, March 22 from noon to about 1:15. March's selection is Angels and Demons by Dr. Harry Boosalis. It looks to be an enjoyable read and should provide an interesting discussion. Consider reading the book to learn what the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox have to say on this topic. After reading the book, please consider joining us to discuss it. Our book club is open to anyone who wishes to learn about our Orthodox Faith. The only requirement is that you read the book to participate in its discussion.

Western Region Family Basketball Tournament

The Saint Demetrios Men's Basketball Team competed in the Western Region Family Basketball Tournament the weekend of Feb 10th. The host parish this year was Saints Kosmas and Damianos, so the team traveled to Rochester, Minnesota. While they did not place this year, they enjoyed a weekend of family, friends and basketball.

Parish Registry

FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY BAPTISMS: Congratulations to Jeffrey and Mary Block (Nee Athanassopoulos) on the occasion of the Baptism of their son Loucas which took place on Feb. 18th.

MEMORIALS: Our sympathies and condolences to the families who offered memorials last month for the following souls: George Rodis (40 days), Efstathia Triantafyllopoulou (40 days), Demetrios P. Liapis (40 days). May their memory be eternal!

Parish Announcements

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

“You can’t always get what you want…. As many of you may know, I had major reconstructive foot surgery at the beginning of February. I have a non- weight-bearing cast for 4 more weeks, after which I get a walking boot for another 6 weeks. I don’t say this for sympathy. Many of you are dealing with more serious concerns. Rather, I just want to tell you that I miss you all and share with you a bit of what I am learning. We read in Acts 20:35, “…It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And certainly, as we enter into this season of Great Lent, these are words to inspire us and impel us to action. What I am learning, however, is that it is sometimes also easier to give than to receive. Let me explain. Having spent the first week of my recuperation pretty heavily medicated, my mobility was decidedly challenged. Basically, I needed someone to do and get most everything for me. Gordy was prepared for this, but it was still difficult to ask for things I needed, much less things I wanted. (One quickly learns the difference between needs and wants, the former being much smaller.) Medication, a glass of water to take it with, a bite to eat, a pillow to prop my foot, something to read, the remote for the TV… you get my drift. So many of us have been trained to take care of our own needs and not to “bother” others. Of course, if anyone asks me for something, it is no bother, and I am happy to help. Why then is it so hard to accept that others might feel the same way? I’m thinking that to ask for something, you need to humble yourself. You need to admit that you are unable to meet your own needs. And, you need to risk requesting something that may not be easily or quickly given. And, you need to be patient, while maintaining a sense of gratitude, even while waiting. Then I realize that prayer is a lot like that. We need to humble ourselves, accept that we can’t go it alone, and ask for what we need or want, with no guarantees when or if it will be given. And, always, we need that sense of gratitude. We need to say, “Thank you!” Humility. Acceptance. Gratitude. As time goes on, and I can get around a little better and do more for myself, the gratitude is sometimes replaced with impatience, and anger, and frustration with my limitations. So now I have to work harder at being patient and thankful. But I don’t have to do that alone. Great Lent is an especially good time to go to confession and release these less-than-positive sentiments into the hands of God and be renewed with a new sense of forgiveness and help. So, I ask you to consider unburdening yourselves and sharing your concerns with God and with others. Take advantage of the beautiful rite of confession that our Church offers us. And, please help your church family help you, at least with prayers. You all lift me up. Please let me do the same for you. …but if you try sometime, you just might find you get what you need.” (Rolling Stones)

- In Christ, Connie Jelatis Hoke

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Spring GREEK FEST

Friday, May 5 (4pm – 8pm) Sat & Sun, May 6 & 7 (12pm – 8pm) St. Demetrios Church Hall 1400 N. O’Plaine Rd. (Between 137 & 120)

FREE PARKING & ADMISSION! ALL INDOORS!

Traditional Greek Cuisine! Homemade Greek Pastries!

Raffle tickets $5 each or 5 for $20 Prizes include a Samsung 55” HD Smart TV!

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Libertyville, IL

Iconography Commitment Form

All of our faithful stewards and friends have an opportunity to participate in our iconography project by becoming a Benefactor, Sponsor, or Contributor of our icon of St. Demetrios (detail pictured) with Sts. Nestor and Lupo.

All donations can be made over a two-year period. The three levels of donations are: Benefactor - $5000, Sponsor - $2500, and Contributor - $1000. All those who participate will have their name listed on the donor recognition display, which will be placed in the Narthex.

If you would like to participate please complete and return this commitment form with an initial payment. If you have questions or want more information, please speak with Fr. Cosmas Halekakis (224) 513-5530.

Yes, I would like to participate in the Iconography Project by becoming a: r$5,000 Benefactor r$2,500 Sponsor r$1,000 Contributor

Amount Enclosed______

Name______Phone______

Address______

Signature______Date______

March 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Fr. Cosmas at HAA 9:30am Moms 8:30am Saturday 6pm Presanctified 5pm Greek School Group of Souls Liturgy 6pm Compline 7pm Philoptochos 7pm Salutations

FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1st Sunday of Lent Triumph of Orth. Fr. Cosmas at HAA 9:30am Moms 8:30am Orthros 6pm Presanctified Group 9:30am Liturgy Liturgy 5pm Greek School 7pm Salutations

FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 2nd Sunday of Lent St. Gregory 6pm Presanctified Fr. Cosmas at HAA 9:30am Moms 8:30am Orthros Liturgy Group 9:30am Liturgy 5pm Greek School 7pm Salutations

FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 3rd Sunday of Lent The Holy Cross 12pm Book Club Fr. Cosmas at HAA 9:30am Moms 8:30am 8:30am Orthros 6:30pm AHEPA at 6pm Presanctified Group Annunciation of the 9:30am Liturgy The Shanty Liturgy 5pm Greek School Theotokos Oratorical Festival 7pm Vespers th March 25 Program FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FISH ALLOWED 26 27 28 29 30 31 4th Sunday of Lent St. John Climacus Fr. Cosmas at HAA 9:30am Moms 8:30am Orthros Group 9:30am Liturgy 6pm Presanctified 5pm Greek School Liturgy 7pm Akathist Hymn

FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY FAST DAY

2017 GREEK FEST

JULY 28, 29 & 30

As you are making your Summer Plans Please Save the Date for our 2017 Lake County Greek Fest!

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

In December, we held an exploratory meeting to measure interest in a St. Demetrios pilgrimage to the Holy Land. With about a dozen attendees and others who wanted information, we will proceed with proposing potential dates, costs and an itinerary.

Note: the group trip can be individually customized. For example: while the group might fly roundtrip from O’Hare to Jerusalem and back, individuals could go to Greece before or after the pilgrimage.

If you would like to express interest or need a response, please call the church office. - Gordy Jelatis Hoke