MEMORIALS

3 years for the late Pete (Παναγιώτη) Psaradellis

25 years for the late Eva (Ευανθία) Veremis

30 years for the late Foster (Φώτιος) Trihas

May their memory be eternal!

 Please join us for coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall. 

Please contact the Church office at: 773.626.3114 or email at: office@assumptionchicago.org if you would like to sponsor a coffee hour.

Upcoming dates Available: January 25 – February 1, 8, 15, 22

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

We would like to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Anna Woods on celebrating their 50^th Wedding Anniversary this past November. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless them with many more years of health and happiness!

PARISH VASILOPITA CUTTING 2026

Please join us on Sunday, January 11, following the Divine Liturgy

for our annual Parish cutting of the Vasilopita in Plato Hall.

 Η κοπή της Βασιλόπιτας θα γίνει την άλλη Κυριακή 11 Ιανουαρίου.

THE GIVING TREE

Above all things: Forget not the poor, but support them to the extent of your means. Give to the orphan, Protect the widow, and permit the mighty to destroy no man. Take not the life of the just or the unjust, nor permit him to be killed. Destroy no Christian soul, even though he be guilty of murder.” (The Primary Chronicle, A.D. 1096.) – Vladimir Monomakh in his Testament to his children. The Christmas tree located in Saint Catherine’s has been designated as the charity tree of our parish. Money that has been clipped onto the tree will be distributed to the poor through our Outreach Ministry. We ask that you give generously so we can brighten the holiday season of those who are not as blessed as we are.

GIFT OF LIGHT

Please give the “Gift of Light” to Assumption Panagia’s Church. We need a family or an individual to sponsor, per week, the lighting of our vigil lamps and candles in both of our holy Altars of Panagia and Saint Catherine. This includes the daily lighting of both of our Holy Altars throughout the week. Suggested donation for this ministry is $100.00. Through our Church’s Website, sign up can be made through our Tithe.ly platform. simply click on the big green GIVE button, request your week and make your donation. Please contact the church office to sponsor a week for the health and well-being of your family or in loving memory of a loved one.

Word about Cremation - Orthodox Christians should reject cremation, in accordance with the Church’s teachings about the sanctity of the human body and its role in our salvation. 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. Cremation treats the body violently, without the respect due to it as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Those who voluntarily request cremation upon death will not receive an Orthodox funeral, either in the church, or the funeral home or any other place. 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. It is an honor for Orthodox Christians to have a church funeral - our salvation and the state of our souls and bodies should always be at the forefront in our lives and for the lives of our loved ones.

Monday, January 5 - 9:00 a.m., Hours - Vesperal Liturgy - Blessing of Waters

Eve of the Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

Tuesday, January 6 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros & Divine Liturgy - Great Blessing of Waters

The Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

Wednesday, January 7 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros & Divine Liturgy

Synaxis of Saint John the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist

STEWARDSHIP PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, Thou are the Good Steward, who redeemed Adam and Eve of their failed stewardship by offering Thyself for the life of the world. Thou didst teach us in the feeding of the multitudes that whatever we give to God is returned to us manifold. Thou didst praise those good and faithful servants in the parable of the talents who returned to the Master their gifts multiplied. So help us to learn the joy of stewardship, remembering that everything we have comes from Thee. For Thou art the Good Steward and to Thee we offer thanksgiving, praise and glory, together with Thy Father who is everlasting and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit now and ever and onto the ages of ages. Amen.

2026 STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship packets have been mailed out and are also available on the Pangari in the Narthex. Please fill out the pledge card (it is important that you enter a pledge amount) and the information card completely and return it back in the enclosed envelope. Thank you for supporting our beautiful parish of Panagia!

Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year 2026!!!

Saint Syncletiki of Alexandria - January 5

Saint Syncletike was from Alexandria in Egypt. She lived eighty-three years in virginity and asceticism, and became the leader and teacher of many nuns. What Saint Anthony the Great was to men, she became to women: a model of mortification of the flesh, of patience in afflictions, and of wise instruction; for this, she is known a "Amma," a title corresponding to "Abba." Towards the end of her long life, she was stricken with an exceedingly painful disease, which she endured with faith and magnanimity. She reposed in the middle of the fourth century. It is said of Saint Syncletike that she was the virgin who hid Saint Athanasius from the Arians for more than a year in the environs of Alexandria, and it is to Saint Athanasius that her life is ascribed (PG 18:1488-1557).

The Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - Jan. 6

About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Saviour according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens.

Synaxis of St. John the Holy Glorious Prophet, Baptist, and Forerunner

Saint John is commemorated several times during the year, but his greatest feast is on this day, January 7th. Among the Gospel-figures surrounding the Saviour, the person of John the Baptist holds a very special place, by the manner of his birth in this world and of his earthly life, by his role of baptizer of men to repentance and his baptism of the Messiah, and, lastly, by the tragic manner of his departure from this world. He was of such moral purity that he indeed deserved the name 'angel'*, as he was named in the Scriptures, rather than being thought of as just a mortal man. John differs from all the other prophets in that he had the joy of showing forth to the world the one whom he had foretold.

About the hand of St. John: it is related that each year, on his feast-day, the archbishop would bring it out before the people. Sometimes the hand appeared open, and sometimes clenched. In the first case it indicated that it would be a fertile year, and in the second that it would be a year of famine.

Meditation:

Christ is illumined, let us shine forth with Him. Christ is baptized, let us descend with Him that we may also ascend with Him. Jesus is baptized; but we must attentively consider not only this but also some other points. Who is He, and by whom is He baptized, and at what time? He the All-pure; and He is baptized by John; and the time is the beginning of His miracles. What are we to learn and to be taught by this? To purify ourselves first; to be lowly minded; and to preach only in maturity both of spiritual and bodily stature.

+Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Oration on the Holy Light

Ὁσία Συγκλητική Ἀλεχανδρείας - (5 Ιανουαρίου)

Ἡ Ἁγία Συγκλητικὴ καταγόταν ἀπὸ πλούσιο καὶ εὐσεβὲς γένος. Ὅταν ἔφτασε στην κατάλληλη ἡλικία για γάμο καὶ ἐπειδὴ ἦταν πολὺ πλούσια, πολλοὶ νέοι ἤθελαν να τὴν νυμφευθούν. Τὸ γεγονὸς ὅμως αὐτὸ μεγάλωνε ἀκόμα περισσότερο τὸν πόθο που εἶχε να ἀφιερωθεῖ ὁλοκληρωτικὰ στον Κύριο. Ἔτσι λοιπόν, ἄφησε τὶς βιοτικὲς φροντίδες καὶ στράφηκε μὲ ὅλη της τὴν ψυχὴ στην ἄσκησῃ τῆς ἀρετῆς καὶ τῆς ὁσιακῆς πολιτείας. Ἡ Ἁγία, ὅπως καὶ ὁ δίκαιος Ἰώβ, δοκιμάσθηκε σκληρὰ ἀπὸ φοβερὲς σωματικὲς ἀσθένειες, πληγὲς καὶ κακώσεις που τῆς κατέφαγαν ὅλο τὸ σῶμα. Καὶ ὅλα τὰ δεινοπαθήματα τὰ ὑπέμεινε μὲ ὑποδειγματικὴ καρτερία καὶ ὑπομονή. Ἡ Ἁγία Συγκλητικὴ κοιμήθηκε ὁσίως μὲ εἰρήνη σὲ μεγάλη ἡλικία.

Τα άγια Θεοφάνεια - (6 Ιανουαρίου) «Επεφάνη η χάρις του Θεού η σωτήριος..» είναι γραμμένο στις επιστολές του Αποστόλου Παύλου. Καί πάλι « η χάρις και η αλήθεια δια Ιησού Χριστού εγένετο», είναι γραμμένο στο Ευαγγέλιο του Ιωάννου. Το νέο λοιπόν που κομίζει ο Ιησούς Χριστός στον κόσμο είναι η χάρις. Το χαροποιό Μύνημα του Ευαγγελίου, η ουσία και το βάθος του Χριστιανισμού είναι η χάρις. Το ξεχωριστό γνώρισμα της Εκκλησίας και η διαφορά της από τη Συναγωγή είναι η χάρις. Ότι έχει η «καινή κτίσις», που δεν υπάρχει στον παλαιό κόσμο, είναι η χάρις. Βασίλειο της χάριτος είναι η «βασιλεία των ουρανών». Και η μεγάλη εορτή Θεοφάνεια ή Επιφάνεια, είναι η ημέρα, όπου επίσημα και πανηγυρικά με τη «φανέρωση της Αγίας Τριάδος, έκαμε την είσοδο της στον κόσμο η θεία χάρις: «Επεφάνεις σήμεροντη οικουμένη και το φώς, σου Κύριε, εσημειώθη εφ’ ημάς» ψάλλει η Εκκλησία.

Ο ΄Αγιος Ιωάννης ο Πρόδρομος - Τίς εορτές του Δωδεκαημέρου τις επισφραγίζει η εορτή του Αγίου Ιωάννου, «την σύναξιν επιτελούμεν του αγίου και τιμίου Προδρόμου εξ αρχής και άνωθεν παραδιδομένην, ως τω μυστηρίω του Θείου Βαπτίσματος υπουργήσαντος». Ο Ιωάννης ο Πρόδρομος, αναδείχθηκε όντως ο «σεβασμιώτερος» από όλους τους Προφήτας, όχι μόνον για την αγιότητα του βίου του και το μαρτυρικό του τέλος, όχι μόνον γιατί είδε τον «κηρυττόμενον», μά και γιατί αξιώθηκε να τον βαπτίση. Μέσα σε όλες τις προνομίες, με τις οποίες ο Θεός ετίμησε τον Ιωάννη, εκείνος έμεινε πάντα με την βαθειά συναίσθηση, πώς ήτανο λύχνος απέναντι στο φώς, ο υπηρέτης εμπρός στο Δεσπότη, ο άνθρωπος ενώπιον του Θεού.

΄Ας μην το ξεχνούμε εμείς οι απλοί και αμαρτωλοί, που αξιωθήκαμε να υπηρετούμε στο έργο της σωτηρίας των ανθρώπων. Ο Ιωάννης έλεγε: «Εκείνον δεί αυξάνειν, εμέ δέ ελαττούσθαι». (7 Ιανουαρίου)

Guided by our Orthodox Faith, our Outreach Ministry embraces a divine calling to serve and uplift the Assumption and surrounding Austin community in the spirit of Christ's love and transformative power. Our mission is to be a beacon of light providing hope and love by extending a helping hand to those in need. Through various outreach initiatives, including providing meals and clothes, compassion, love, prayer and essential human support, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families. Our Assumption Church serves as a platform to share our commitment to community service, foster connections, and inspire others to join us on this sacred journey of service in creating a more compassionate and thriving community for all.

For volunteer work, donating food and clothes, sponsorship, please contact us at: outreach@assumptionchicago.org

Check out our work at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/141235211@N07/albums/

HOLY APOSTLES FEED 6 CHALLENGE



January 24 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Holy Apostles' Church is inviting Panagia's to "FEED6", one of their most impactful events. It is open to everyone to help pack boxes of food- like Feed My Starving Children. 

We are going to have a Jr. GOYA and GOYA table to help pack food. Youth as well as young adults are invited to participate! If you'd like to be at the GOYA table, please email:

Youth Director Alexa Kakis YouthDirector@holyapostleschurch.com

If you would like to volunteer and are not the age of GOYA or Jr. GOYA, please sign up via the link below:

https://form.jotform.com/252784017322151

The event will take place at Holy Apostles' Church, located at 2501 S Wolf Rd, Westchester, IL 60154.