Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church 12307 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Palos Heights, IL. 60463 Phone 708-385-2311 * Fax 708-385-0166 Website: www.Saint-Spyridon.org * E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Rev. Tilemahos Alikakos, Protopresbyter ~ Mr. James Korbakes, Parish Council President

Bible Study—7:00 p.m. WORSHIP SCHEDULE High School B-ball at St. Nicholas—7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 8th Thursday, November 12th Synaxis of the Archangels, Godparents Sunday Archangels—9 a.m. Family Worship * Orthros & Liturgy —8:00 a.m. Pilgrimage to St. John Chrysostom —4:30 p.m. Memorials: +9 days for Demetrios Manikas Friday, November 13th +3 mon for Panagioti Xeros Archangels—9:00 a.m. * Greek School —4:30 p.m. Great Vespers at St. Nektarios—7:00 p.m. Philoptochos Meeting—7:00 p.m. Monday, November 9th Saturday, November 14th St. Nektarios, Orthros & Divine Liturgy—8:00 a.m. Altar Boy, Handmaidens, HOPE —10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 12th Pee-Wee Ball 11:30 a.m. - Make A Difference—3pm Great Vespers at the St. John Chrysostom Sunday, November 15th Monastery –6:30 p.m. Sunday School * Christmas Lent Begins Friday, November 13th St. John Chrysostom Stewardship 2015 Orthros & Divine Liturgy at the St. John Chrysostom Monastery—7:00 a.m. What does Stewardship mean? Saturday, November 14th The exercise of Stewardship for Apostle Philip, Orthros & Divine Liturgy—8:00 a.m. an Orthodox Christian is the Sunday, November 15th process of placing all of Crea- Beginning of Christmas Lent tion in its proper perspective. It Orthros & Divine Liturgy—8:00 a.m. is the process of establishing the correct set of priorities in a life COMING EVENTS that is Christ-centered, Spirit- filled, and moving toward the Sunday, November 8th Kingdom of Heaven. Once we Family Worship * Godparents Luncheon dedicate ourselves to this, all Basketball at St. Nicholas—2:15 p.m. earthly necessities will be pro- Monday, November 9th vided. God does not ask us to take such a journey without pro- Archangels — 9:00a.m. * Greek School—4:30 p.m. viding us what we need for the journey. Stewardship is not a Tuesday, November 10th financial issue – it is a Spiritual one. It is ultimately related to our Philoptochos, Feed the Hungry—Annunciation Cathedral commitment to serving Jesus Christ Archangels — 9a.m. * Byzantine Music—6:00 p.m. We thank the 346 stewards who have renewed their pledge for Parish Council Meeting—7 pm 2015. The 2015 Stewardship cards are available in the narthex, Wednesday, November 11th the community hall, the church office, and at www.Saint- Archangels —9:00 a.m. Spyridon.org. Please consider making your 2015 Stewardship Cherubs—10:30 a.m. * Bible Study—10:30 a.m. pledge today or give a stewardship card to a friend or family Grammar & Biddy B-ball—6:45 p.m. member.

ORTHDOX BIBLE STUDY AT SAINT SPYRIDON In Greek—Every Monday at 10:30 a.m In English—Every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Synaxis of the Archangel Michael ANNOUNCEMENTS & the other Bodiless Powers: WELCOME: We welcome all the Godparents and Godchil- Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel dren who are celebrating their special bond through the sac- All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are minister- rament of baptism. We hope that you will continue to join ing spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs each other regularly for prayer and fellowship. To honor this of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every celebration, our Parent & Teacher Association of St. Spyridon nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable invites you to the Godparents Brunch following the Divine (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee Liturgy. Everyone is welcome. each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them Godparents Brunch—The P.T.A. of St. Spyridon invites all that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither the faithful to the Godparents Brunch following the Divine should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In Liturgy. Donation: $15 for adults and $5 for children. All the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up proceeds will benefit our Sunday School and Greek School to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in ministries. our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents Food Pantry—On November 10th, we will be going to the (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have Annunciation Cathedral for the “Feed the Hungry” Program. served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages At that time we also distribute coats, jackets, socks, t-shirts, of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for hats, and gloves for the homeless as they prepare for the cold these reasons that the Orthodox , wisely winter months. Please remember to bring such items to our honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardi- Food Pantry as well as food for the needy that continuously ans, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming come to our door for assistance. If you wish to donate food or together in assembly for their common feast to chant their monetary donation for our Food Pantry and Thanksgiving praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, Baskets, please bring your items/donation to the Church of- who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name fice or the Pantry Donation Box. Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God Pilgrimage to St. John Chrysostom Monastery is mighty." The number of An- On Thursday, November 12th, we will take our annual gels is not defined in the divine trip to the Vespers Celebration of St. John Chrysostom Scriptures, where Daniel says Monastery in Kenosha Wisconsin. The bus will leave that thousands of thousands from Sts. Constantine & Helen, Palos Hills, at 4:30 p.m. ministered before Him, and ten and return by 10:30 p.m. Ticket price is $15. Please call the thousands of ten thousands church office by November 10th to reserve your seat. attended upon Him -(Dan. Christmas Craft Show & Food Festival—The Christmas 7:10). But all of them are di- Craft Show will be held on December 5th, from 9:00 a.m. to vided into nine orders which 4:00 p.m. and December 6th from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. are called Thrones, Cherubim, Anyone wishing to help with baking sweets and bread or Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, helping in the kitchen, call Mrs. Toula Georgiopoulos. Please, Authorities, Principalities, give the Philoptochos a helping hand! Archangels, and Angels. Basketball Practices—The basketball season is upon us and our coaching staff combined with St. Nicholas have the new Apolytikion of Synaxis of the Archangels schedule for practices: Heavenly Host, we the unworthy beseech you, that Pee-Wee (co-ed, K-4th) on Saturdays 11:30 a.m. through your entreaties you will fortify us, guard- Biddy (co-ed, 5th & 5th) Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. ing us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal Grammar (co-ed, 7th & 8th) Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. High School boys at St. Nicholas, Wednesdays at 7 p.m. glory, even as we fervently bow before you crying: "Deliver us from all danger, as Commanders of the FALL GENERAL ASSEMBLY Powers on high! " The Fall General Assembly meeting will be held on Sunday, November 29th, immediately after the Divine Liturgy service. Kontakion of Synaxis of the Archangels We urge all parishioners to attend this very important meet- Chief Commanders of God; ministers of divine ing. It is our obligation and responsibility as parishioners of glory; guides for men and leadership of the Incor- St. Spyridon Church to attend and participate in the decisions poreal; as Chief Commanders of the Incorporeal, of our Church and Community. All parishioners will receive plead for our welfare and for great mercy. an individual mailing regarding the date and agenda for the next General Assembly. Christmas Fast 100TH The forty day fast for the feast of the Nativity begins Saturday, No- ANNIVERSARY vember 15th. According to the Church canons, fish, wine and oil are CELEBRATION allowed until December 17th, except for Wednesdays and Friday. You are invited to join in Strict fast is observed from December 18th to the 24th. This year, we the planning of our will once again celebrate the ‘Sarantaleitourgo’, forty liturgies during church's landmark celebra- the Christmas Fast. It is a custom of the Orthodox Church to cele- tion - 100 years of service to brate forty consecutive liturgies leading up to Christmas Day. Start- our families. Committee ing on November 15th, the first day of Advent, the Christmas Fast, members met on October 20th to discuss the com- our community will celebrate the Divine Liturgy every morning. memorative album. Our theme for the anniver- Please note that on November 16th, 17th, & 18th, the Liturgy will take sary is “Generations of Faith and Tradition”. place at the Clergy Laity Conference in Madison, WI. All parishion- We are looking members to join the following ers are called to give their list of names, of both the living and those committees: who have fallen asleep, to be commemorated during the forty con- ♦ Anniversary Banquet secutive liturgies. Commemoration sheets are available in the nar- ♦ Special Events thex. Services will begin each morning at 8:00 a.m. ♦ Commemorative Album We are still looking for new members to help plan St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 2:2-10 the year-long celebration of our 100th anniversary BRETHREN, if the message declared by angels was valid and every which will begin in October of 2016 and culminate transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall in a grand celebration on October 15th, 2017. we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will. For it was not to angels that God sub- jected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, "What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou carest for him? Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjec- tion to him, he left nothing outside his control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.

The Gospel of Luke 8:41-56 At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him de- clared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened. A Prayer for Godparents Lord Jesus Christ Our God, we thank You for all good things that You have shown upon us from above, blessings seen and unseen and for the sacred task that You have placed before us as Godparents of our spiritual children. Recalling Your words to let the little children come unto You and that it is not the will of our heavenly Father that one of these little ones should perish, we beg You to look upon our spiritual children and have mercy on them. Grant them the grace to know You and the desire to serve You. Inscribe their names in Your book of life. Let no evil thought find a place in their hearts and become a passion that brings destruction. Rather surround our Godchildren with Your heavenly angels. Having been baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, guide them toward Your blessed commandments and burn up the weeds of all their offenses. Forgive us, also, Lord, for all of the ways in which we have ne- glected, in thought, word or deed, to set and example of repentance and devotion for our spiritual children to follow. Enlighten our hearts and minds with the will and knowledge, from this moment forward, to fulfill our holy calling as the sponsors of their birth on high. Amen.

ICONOGRAPHY PROJECT COMPLETED! By the intercessions of our Spyridon and the kind generosity of all our faithful our church is complete! We are currently adding some decorations and cleaning the original iconogra- phy. Our church now has 200 surrounding us with scenes from the life of Christ, Panagia, and Saint Spyridon, as well as individual who stand as witnesses to the beauty of our Orthodox faith. May this beauty inspire all of us and the generations to come. Once all the pledges and cost of the iconography have been settled we will hold a dedication ceremony some time next year. Until then, if you are interested in donating toward the icons that are not yet pledged you may do so by contacting Fr. Tilemahos or a member of the parish council. The following icons are still available: Raising of Lazaros - $10,000 * by the Wise Men - $11,910 * Christ’s Flight in to Egypt - $14,800, The Mystical Supper—$12,875. * The amounts reflect the balance that is still not pledged on these icons.

Church Etiquette ♦ Please turn off cell-phones during Church services. Philoptochos Craft Show ♦ Enter the church only when the priest is not facing the Preparation Schedule congregation. Allow ushers to guide you. ♦ Refrain from unnecessary conversations during divine Monday, November 23rd services. Kourabiedes—9:00 a.m. Saturday, November 28th ♦ If your child is distracting to others, do not be embar- Diples—8:00 a.m. rassed. They are only children. If they continue to dis- Tuesday, December 1st turb, however, you are requested to take your child to our Baklava—9:00 a.m. ‘cry room’. Thursday, December 3rd ♦ In order to partake of Holy Communion, one must be a Coffee Cakes—9:00 a.m. baptized/chrismated Orthodox Christian, and must have The Philoptochos ladies would love to see some properly prepared according to the instructions of his/her new people who would be interested in helping Confessor. along with learning to make these items. ♦ Faithful that are visiting for a memorial are to seat in the Everyone is welcome to learn and help! reserved front pews. The reserved pews may be filled on a Christmas Craft Show first come basis. ♦ Once the Divine Liturgy has started, please refrain from December 5th & 6th coming up to place candles in the ‘kolyva’ tray.