Pascha 2017: Special Easter Issue
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Pascha 2017 Special Easter Issue www.windycitygreek.com WindyCity Greek Easter 2017 Page 2 Your Source for #PositiveGreekNews PO Box 344 Elmhurst, IL 60126 USA www.windycitygreek.com Pascha 2017 Special Easter Issue PUBLISHER PMEA Communications, LLC FOUNDER & EDITOR Maria A. Karamitsos LAYOUT Diane Adam CONTRIBUTORS Diane Adam, Nicole Andersen, Maria Constantinides, Krystina Kalapothakos/Kouzounas Kitchen, Maria A. Karamitsos, Diane Kochilas, Magdaline Makris, Philip Mamalakis PhD, Roula Marinos Papamihail, Father Christos Mihalopoulos, Peter Minaki/Kalofagas, Orthodox Christian Parenting, Harry Mark Petrakis, Marissa Tejada, and Kiki Vale. WindyCity Greek is an online publication. All material in this publication ©2017 PMEA Communications LLC. Reprints by permission only. Photo of Maria A. Karamitsos by Elios Photography. Cover images: Maria A. Karamitsos, Google Images. FOLLOW US Are you a V.I.P.? Sign up for access to exclusive news, promotions, contests, and giveaways. windycitygreek.com/signup WindyCity Greek Easter 2017 Page 3 F AITH From the desk of Founder & Editor Maria A. Karamitsos The year is passing so quickly. It’s hard to believe that we are already into Great Lent, and Pascha is just a few weeks away. I hope that this Lenten season is a positive one for you, as you partake in the cleansing of the fast – physically, mentally, and spiritually. This is a time to reawaken our spirit, retool, and sharpen our senses. Lent provides us an opportunity to reboot, to begin anew. It’s no coincidence that this happens in the springtime, as the Earth comes alive — trees and plants awaken from their long winter slumber, flowers bloom. As we follow Jesus to the Cross and prepare for his glorious Resurrection, I pray that you will experience your own rebirth, and begin anew – stronger, energized, and positive. Pascha 2017 is jam-packed with Lent and Pascha resources. I hope you will find them useful. Find Lenten recipes, and others to help you prepare for the Pascha celebrations. Explore Faith, traditions, reflections. Also find a Holiday Gift Guide to help you shop for your God- children, Koumbari, and host/hostess, and other special people in your life. We’re thrilled to present to you Pascha 2017, our Special Easter Issue 2017. We wish you and your family a blessed Lenten season. Καλή Ανάσταση και Καλό Πάσχα. Still to come in 2017 Summer Reading Guide Chicago GreekFestGuide 2017 Special Christmas Issue 2017 ...and more great community resources! Watch for some exciting announcements! WindyCity Greek Easter 2017 Page 4 F AITH ARCHONS OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE Metropolis of Chicago Defenders of the Faith Wishing all of the faithful a Kalo Pascha as we all together continue to Defend & Protect our Holy and Great Mother Church Metropolis of Chicago Archon Regional Commanders Gus M. Pablecas – John G. Manos Archon Ostiarios - Archon Eftaxias RELIGIOUS FREEDOM – FIVE KEY ISSUES 1. Government Interference in Patriarchal Elections 2. Non-Recognition of "Ecumenical" Status 3. No Legal Identity 4. Closing of Theological School of Halki and Inability to Train New Clergy 5. Confiscation of Property Mr. Harold V. Anagnos, Depoutatos Mr. Michael Halikias, Exarchos Mr. John G. Pappajohn, Laosynaktis Mr. Tom Angelos, Eftaxias Mr. John A. Hilaris, Askretes Mr. Panagiotis Parthenis Sr., Referendarios Dr. Aristides P. Assimacopoulos, MD, Aktouarios Mr. Thomas N. Kanelos, Depoutatos Mr. Harold A. Peponis, Depoutatos Mr. Arthur Balourdos, Hypomnematrografos Dr. George J. Korkos, Aktouarios Mr. Harry M. Petrakis, Notarios Mr. John S. Balourdos, Depoutatos Mr. John Spiro Koudounis, Eftaxias Mr. Reince Priebus, Nomophylax Mr. Anastasios Steve Betzelos, Hartoularios Mr. John A. Koumoulides, Ph.D., Hartophylax Mr. James A. Regas, Ekdikos Mr. Dimitris Bousis, Maestor Mr. Frank L. Kuchuris, Depoutatos Mr. John H. Secaras, Depoutatos Mr. Haralambos Bozonelos, Eftaxias Mr. Arthur Labros, Nomophylax Mr. Theodore Sepsis, Ostiarios Mr. John Calamos, Sr., Eftaxias Mr. Steven M. Laduzinsky, Nomophylax Mr. Harry W. Spell, Notarios Mr. Thomas S. Cappas, Nomophylax Mr. Frank Lagouros, Ekdikos Mr. William Spell, Laosynaktis Mr. Gus A. Chafoulias, Hieromnimon Hon. Paul Lillios, Proto Ekdikos Mr. Constantine Stamis, Megas Depoutatos Mr. Anthony F. Chapekis, Dikaiophylax Mr. Demetrios G. Logothetis, Kastrinsios Mr. Michael L. Stefanos, Lambadarios Mr. Paul G. Chiligiris, Nomophylax Mr. George Sviatoslav Lychyk, Aktouarios Mr. Wesley Andrew Stinich, Referendarios Mr. John Nicholas Colis, Notarios Mr. Eleftherios Maggos, Maestor Mr. Theodore J. Theophilos, Dikaiophylax Mr. George A. Collias, Depoutatos Mr. Louis G. Malevitis, Hartophylax Dr. Gregory A. Thomas, Hartoularios Mr. Thomas N. Dallas, Hartophylax Mr. John Mangouras, Kastrinsios Mr. James G. Thomas, Depoutatos Mr. George D. Danigeles, Depoutatos Mr. John G. Manos, Eftaxias Mr. James Thomas, Hieromnimon Mr. George Demchenko, Megas Referendarios Mr. Leo J. Manta, Depoutatos Mr. Sirio Tonelli, Exarchos Mr. William P. Doucas, Notarios Mr. Mark F. Manta, Depoutatos Mr. Theodore D. Vlahos, Hartoularios Mr. George M. Dovellos, Depoutatos Mr. Steve A. Manta, Laosynaktis Mr. George P. Vourvoulias Jr., Primikirios Mr. John W. Galanis, Notarios Mr. John L. Marks, Depoutatos Mr. George Voutiritsas, Depoutatos Mr. Nicolaos Apostolos Georgiafentis, Hartoularios Mr. Anthony A. Nichols, Notarios Mr. Bill J. Vranas, Notarios Mr. Alexander A. Gianaras, Laosynaktis Dr. Harry Oryhon, DDS, Aktouarios Mr. Nickas J. Yiannias, Depoutatos Mr. George Gritsonis, Ekdikos Mr. Gus M. Pablecas, Ostiarios Mr. Constantinos Modestos Zografopoulos, Eftaxias Know the Issues. Visit www.ARCHONS.ORG Download our new app: “ARCHONS” WindyCity Greek Easter 2017 Page 5 F AITH Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Holy and Great Lent 2017 Protocol 19/17 prayers of this season to February 27, 2017 experience the power of Holy and Great Lent God’s grace. In prepara- tion for this time, we have witnessed His grace in the Your grace has shone forth, O Lord, forgiveness of the pub- it has shone forth and given light lican. We have seen the to our souls.—Hymn of Vespers – depth of His love in the Sunday of Forgiveness father’s loving embrace of the prodigal son. We have heard the words of our To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, Lord concerning the Last the Reverend Priests and Deacons, Judgement, when He will the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents come in His glory and wel- and Members of the Parish Coun- come into the kingdom His cils of the Greek Orthodox Com- servants who have shown munities, the mercy to Distinguished those in Archons of the need. Ecumenical the acceptable time; behold, now healing and restoration. They will Patriarchate, the is the season of repentance. Let us find salvation in Christ as the grace Day, Afternoon, In the days and cast off the works of darkness and of God works in and through us to and Church weeks that will put on the armor of light….” show all His redeeming love. Schools, the come, our wor- Philoptochos ship and prayers Sisterhoods, will have a som- the Youth, the ber and reflective Our true repentance will be May the blessings of God’s grace Hellenic Orga- tone. We will be blessed with God’s forgiveness in be with you during this holy season nizations, and called to examine grace. Our return to Him in hope as we gather in His presence. As the entire Greek our lives, to purify will be met with His compassionate His great love embraces you, may Orthodox Fam- ourselves through embrace. Our service in His name your hope and faith be strengthened ily in America fasting, and to fol- will lead us to our spiritual inheri- for the journey to Cross and to the low the way of the tance of life in His glorious pres- light and life we have in the Risen Cross. We will be ence. At the beginning of Lent, we Christ. can affirm that our path to abundant Beloved Broth- asked to consider joy and celebration will be illumi- ers and Sisters the condition of nated by the light of His grace. in Christ, our souls and af- With paternal love in Him, firm our need for Greek Orthodox Archdiocese God and His great of America mercy. As we With this light that shines in our As we begin this † DEMETRIOS hear on the eve of hearts we will also offer a witness sacred journey Great Lent, and we through our observance of Lent through Holy will experience in this journey, our and through our lives. As we know and Great Lent, through a time of Archbishop of America needs will be met by His abundant and experience God’s grace, others earnest prayer and sincere reflec- grace: “Your grace has shone forth, will see His offering of forgive- tion, we are guided by the presence O Lord, it has shone forth and given ness. They will see the power of of our Lord and the hymns and light to our souls. Behold, now is grace to transform life and bring WindyCity Greek Easter 2017 Page 6 F AITH Understanding the Services of Great and Holy Lent the clergy change the altar sets and This liturgy is beautiful the canon of the Holy Theotokos cloths and their own vestments yet more solemn compared to the to be chanted. Once the hymn of from gold to purple or black to regular divine liturgies we celebrate “Th Upermacw” is chanted, the By: Father Christos symbolize the solemn dignity of the throughout the year. Composed clergy, in front of the icon of the Mihalopoulos great period of Lent. We then read by Saint Gregory the Rome in the Holy Theotokos, begin to chant one the prayer of Saint Ephraim the 6th century, it allows the faithful to of the stanzas of the Akathist Hymn We as Orthodox Christians have Syrian for the first time as well. come receive spiritual and physical – they’re separated in the first four entered the wonderful period of the nourishment during Great Lent by Fridays.