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Epistle Reading of the Day
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14
BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
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Gospel Reading for the Day
The Gospel According to Mark 10:32-45
At that time, Jesus took his twelve disciples, and he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
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Απόστολος της Ημέρας
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 9:11-14 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα
Ἀδελφοί, Χριστὸς δὲ παραγενόμενος ἀρχιερεὺς τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν, διὰ τῆς μείζονος καὶ τελειοτέρας σκηνῆς, οὐ χειροποιήτου, τοῦτʼ ἔστιν, οὐ ταύτης τῆς κτίσεως, οὐδὲ διʼ αἵματος τράγων καὶ μόσχων, διὰ δὲ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος εἰσῆλθεν ἐφάπαξ εἰς τὰ ἅγια, αἰωνίαν λύτρωσιν εὑράμενος. Εἰ γὰρ τὸ αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων, καὶ σποδὸς δαμάλεως ῥαντίζουσα τοὺς κεκοινωμένους, ἁγιάζει πρὸς τὴν τῆς σαρκὸς καθαρότητα, πόσῳ μᾶλλον τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς διὰ πνεύματος αἰωνίου ἑαυτὸν προσήνεγκεν ἄμωμον τῷ θεῷ, καθαριεῖ τὴν συνείδησιν ὑμῶν ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, εἰς τὸ λατρεύειν θεῷ ζῶντι;
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Ευαγγέλιον της Ήμέρας
Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 10:32-45 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραλαβάνει ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς δώδεκα μαθητάς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἤρξατο αὐτοῖς λέγειν τὰ μέλλοντα αὐτῷ συμβαίνειν, ὅτι ἰδοὺ ἀναβαίνομεν εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθήσεται τοῖς ἀρχιερεῦσι καὶ γραμματεῦσι, καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτὸν θανάτῳ καὶ παραδώσουσιν αὐτὸν τοῖς ἔθνεσι, καὶ ἐμπαίξουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ μαστιγώσουσιν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐμπτύσουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται. Καὶ προσπορεύονται αὐτῷ ᾿Ιάκωβος καὶ ᾿Ιωάννης υἱοὶ Ζεβεδαίου λέγοντες· διδάσκαλε, θέλομεν ἵνα ὃ ἐὰν αἰτήσωμεν ποιήσῃς ἡμῖν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί θέλετε ποιῆσαί με ὑμῖν; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· δὸς ἡμῖν ἵνα εἷς ἐκ δεξιῶν σου καὶ εἷς ἐξ εὐωνύμων σου καθίσωμεν ἐν τῇ δόξῃ σου. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε. δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· δυνάμεθα. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τὸ μὲν ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω πίεσθε, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθήσεσθε· τὸ δὲ καθίσαι ἐκ δεξιῶν μου καὶ ἐξ εὐωνύμων οὐκ ἔστιν ἐμὸν δοῦναι, ἀλλ᾿ οἷς ἡτοίμασται. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ δέκα ἤρξαντο ἀγανακτεῖν περὶ ᾿Ιακώβου καὶ ᾿Ιωάννου. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτοὺς λέγει αὐτοῖς· οἴδατε ὅτι οἱ δοκοῦντες ἄρχειν τῶν ἐθνῶν κατακυριεύουσιν αὐτῶν καὶ οἱ μεγάλοι αὐτῶν κατεξουσιάζουσιν αὐτῶν· οὐχ οὕτω δὲ ἔσται ἐν ὑμῖν, ἀλλ᾿ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ γενέσθαι μέγας ἐν ὑμῖν, ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος, καὶ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ ὑμῶν γενέσθαι πρῶτος, ἔσται πάντων δοῦλος· καὶ γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἦλθε διακονηθῆναι, ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι, καὶ δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν.
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This week's Gift of Light is given in loving memory of Gerasimos Vasilatos.
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3 months for the late Paschalis Paskalides
1 year for the late Frances Stamas Riha
May their memory be eternal!
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COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.
COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS NEEDED
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: April 19 & 26
Great Lent is February 23 through April 11. Please only Lenten items on these days. Thank you for your continued love and support!
MYROFORES
Girls interested in being myrofores during Holy Week, please contact Voula Spyropoulos at: (630) 217-0078 for more information.
GOSPEL READERS FOR AGAPE SERVICE EASTER SUNDAY 12 NOON
We are looking for people to read the Gospel in other languages during the Agape Service. English, Spanish, French and Latin have already been reserved. If you would like to read in another language, please contact the Church office.
RED EGGS NEEDED
Over 400 red eggs are needed at church for Pascha services. Please dye red eggs and bring to church any day during Holy Week.
You can leave them in St. Catherine's kitchen with your name written on the egg carton. Please contact Betty Tsiolis with how many dozen you can bring. Phone 847-813-6491 or email james.tsiolis@gmail.com Thank you!
SCAFFOLDING ANNOUNCEMENT
We would like to keep all parishioners informed about the continuing restoration project taking place in the main church. This project continues the exterior repairs which were initiated to stop water leaking into the church.
Starting Monday, February 9th, scaffolding will be installed in order to renovate the plaster for the Dome windows. For the time being, we will have services downstairs. For the next few Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be in Saint Catherine’s Chapel. We are happy to announce that we will be in the Main Church beginning on Palm Sunday.
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Monday, March 30 -11:30 a.m., Tenderhearted Meeting (Seniors 65 and older) in Saint Catherine’s. Join us for prayer, lunch, discussion and fellowship. This month's speaker will be Mrs. Faye Fousekis, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for Wintrust Financial, who will deliver the following presentation: Red flags & smart choices guarding against financial fraud. Seniors in Training are Welcome!
5:30 p.m., Great Compline Service
Wednesday, April 1 - 10:30 a.m., Agiasmos (Blessing of the waters)
Friday, April 3 - Service of the 9th Hour
Saturday, April 4 - 9:00 a.m., Orthros & Divine Liturgy -
Saturday of Lazarus
11:30 a.m., Saturday of Lazarus Family Retreat in Plato Hall.
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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.
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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!
LET’S STAY IN TOUCH - If you would like to receive information about services, activities and events that are happening at our church, please visit our website at: assumptionchicago.org to sign up or call the church office and submit your email address.
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Sunday April 5 - Your Easter bake sale orders are ready to pick up after the Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy.
Καλό Πάσχα!
| | READINGS OF OUR ORTHODOX SAINTS | | |
SUNDAY OF SAINT MARY OF EGYPT
The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed.
Saint Mary of Egypt: Prayer of Repentance
“O Lady, Mother of God, who gave birth in the flesh to God the Word, I know, O how well I know, that it is no honour or praise to thee when one so impure and depraved as I look up to thy icon, O ever-virgin, who didst keep thy body and soul in purity. Rightly do I inspire hatred and disgust before thy virginal purity. But I have heard that God Who was born of thee became man on purpose to call sinners to repentance. Then help me, for I have no other help. Order the entrance of the church to be opened to me. Allow me to see the venerable Tree on which He Who was born of thee suffered in the flesh and on which He shed His holy Blood for the redemption of sinners an for me, unworthy as I am. Be my faithful witness before thy son that I will never again defile my body by the impurity of fornication, but as soon as I have seen the Tree of the Cross I will renounce the world and its temptations and will go wherever thou wilt lead me.” ~Prayer of St. Mary of Egypt while standing in front of the icon of the Theotokos at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
Saint Cyril was a deacon from Heliopolis in Phoenicia. During the reign of the Emperor Constantius, son of Saint Constantine, he had also broken the idols in pieces. When Julian came to power, Saint Cyril was seized by the idolaters and his belly was ripped open. The other holy Martyrs celebrated today, martyred in Gaza and Ascalon during the reign of Julian, were men of priestly rank and consecrated virgins; they were disemboweled, filled with barley, and set before swine to be eaten. The account of all the above Saints is given in Book III, ch. 3, of Theodoret of Cyrrhus' "Ecclesiastical History."
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Meditation on the Sacrament of Confession
If we desire spiritual progress in our lives, we must seek out an experienced Spiritual Father and Confessor. Let us open our hearts to him, confess our sins sincerely, and discuss our struggles with trust. By humbly obeying his guidance, our souls will be illumined by the Grace of God, enabling us to face life's challenges, temptations, and difficulties with hope and the strength of the Lord. This spiritual growth will lead us back to the path that guides us to the Kingdom of God.
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ΜΑΡΙΑ Η ΑΙΓΥΠΤΙΑ
Η πέμπτη Κυριακή των Νηστειών είναι αφιερωμένη στην οσία Μαρία την Αιγυπτία. Κι’ αυτό γιατί η οσία Μαρία αποτελεί ζωντανό παράδειγμα ειλικρινούς μετάνοιας και μεταστροφής. Από μιά ζωή δουλωμένη στα εγωκεντρικά πάθη, μεταστρέφεται σε ένα βίο σταυρικής ασκητικής πορείας. Η μορφή της οσίας Μαρίας υπενθυμίζει στον καθένα νηστευτή, ότι η νηστεία της περιόδου αυτής θα είναι ανώφελη, άν δεν συνοδευτεί από επίμονη προσπάθεια πάταξης του εγωκεντρισμού. Για δεκαεπτά ολόκληρα χρόνια η ζωή της ήταν γεμάτη ακολασία και αμαρτίες. Ο Θεός όμως απεφάσισε να φροντίσει για τη Μαρία. Οδήγησε τα βήματά της στους Αγίους Τόπους. Όταν η Μαρία ένιωσε ότι ήθελε να προσκυνήσει τον Τίμιο Σταυρό, μία αόρατη και απροσδιοριστη δύναμη την κρατούσε στην είσοδο του ναού. Τελικά παρακάλεσε την Παναγία να της επιτρέψει, όπως και έγινε. Αφού προσκύνησε τον Τίμιο Σταυρό με θεία νεύση πήγε στην έρημο του Ιορδάνη, όπου εξομολογήθηκε, κοινώνησε το Σώμα του Κυρίου, και ασκήτεψε εκεί 50 ολόκληρα χρόνια με αυστηρή νηστεία και προσευχή επιβεβαιώντας την αλλαγή στα βάθη της ψυχής της. Έκαψε έτσι το αμαρτωλό παρελθόν της και συγχρόνως έγινε μεγάλο παράδειγμα μετανοίας.
ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΛΑΖΑΡΟΥ
Ο Λάζαρος είχε πατρίδα τη Βηθανία της Ιουδαίας και ήταν φίλος του Ιησού. Και μαζί με τις αδελφές του, πολλές δορές φιλοξένησαν και υπηρέτησαν τον Κύριο. Ο Λάζαρος λίγες μέρες πρίν από το Πάθος του Κυρίου, αρρώστησε και οι αδελφές του Μάρθα και Μαρία, έστειλαν να ειδοποιήσουν τον Ιησού, που έμενε τότε στη Γαλιλαία. Αλλά όταν έφθασε ο Ιησούς στην Ιουδαία, ο Λάζαρος είχε ήδη πεθάνει και ήταν θαμμένος τέσσερις ημέρες. Ο Χριστός βρίσκεται αντιμέτωπος με το θάνατο, το θάνατο του φίλου του Λαζάρου και δακρύζει αναλογιζόμενος το μέγεθος του κακού που προξένησε στον άνθρωπο ο θάνατος. Τότε ο Κύριος διέταξε να σηκώσουν την πέτρινη πλάκα που έφραζε τον τάφο και μετά από πρπσευχή φώναξε δυνατά : «Λάζαρε δεύρο έξω». Ο τεσσάρων ημερών νεκρός Λάζαρος, αμέσως αναστήθηκε και σηκώθηκε τυλιγμένος στα σάβανα. Αυτό το υπερφυές θαύμα γιορτάζουμε τηνμ ημέρα αυτή. Λέγεται, ότι ο Λάζαρος ήταν τότε 30 χρόνων και αφού έζησε άλλα 30 χρόνια, τελείωσε την επίγεια ζωή του στην Κύπρο το έτος 63. Το 890 ο αυτοκράτορας Λέων ο Σοφός, μετακόμισε το ιερό λείψανο του Λαζάρου στην Κωνσταντινούπολη.
ΠΩΣ ΝΑ ΠΡΟΣΕΥΧΟΜΑΣΤΕ – Μη ζητάς να λέγεις πολλά στην προσευχή σου. Ένας λόγος τελωνικός εξιλέωσε τον Θεό και ένας λόγος πίστεως έσωσε τον ληστή. – άγιος Ιωάννης της Κλίμακος.
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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/
| | Visit our bookstore to explore a thoughtfully curated selection of spiritual treasures. We offer Holy Books for $35, along with a special Pascha section featuring children’s books, Pascha cards, and informative “zines” that explain Lent and Holy Week. You’ll also find a wide variety of beautiful icons, books, prayer ropes, incense, livani, and many other religious items. The bookstore is open after the Divine Liturgy on Sundays, and if you need something during the week, simply contact the Church office—we’ll be happy to arrange a time to open for you. | | |
Prayers for: Theodora, Maralyne, Tom, Panagiota, Alexandra, Demetrios, Sophia, Julia, Evgenia, Vasili, John, Petros, Anna, Charlie, John, Nicoletta, Sarah, Nathan, Konstantine
Lord our God, Who by word alone did heal all diseases, Who cured the mother in law of Peter, You Who chastise with pity and heal according to Your goodness; grant aid to these Your servants (Names) and heal them of every sickness of which they are grieved; lift them up from their pain, and send down upon them Your great mercy. For to you we send up Glory: to Father, and to Son, and to Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers for the living will be retained on the list for 40 days. Contact Church Office to add names at office@assumptionchicago.org or call Panagia office at 773.626.3114
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April 5 - Palm Sunday Luncheon in Plato Hall following the Diving Liturgy
April 12 - Traditional Agape Fellowship Meal following Anastasi Services in Plato
April 19 - 2:30 p.m., Greek Independence Day Parade in Greektown. We will have a float again this year. Everyone is encouraged to come and march together as one beloved Assumption Panagia Family! There will be a light lunch following the Divine Liturgy for those who will be participating in the parade.
May 18 - 11th Annual Assumption Church Golf Outing at
Eaglewood Resort & Spa
Saint Euphrosynos Kitchen Meal Delivery Schedule:
4/5, 5/10, 6/7, 7/12, 8/23, 9/20, 10/18, 11/8, 12/20
Please contact the Church office if you would like to volunteer or know of someone who would benefit from this ministry
Austin Community Meals in Plato Hall from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Schedule: 4/18, 5/16, 6/20, 7/18, 8/22, 9/19, 10/17, 11/21, 12,19
| | DONATIONS NEEDED FOR HOLY WEEK SERVICES | | |
Flowers for Large Icon of the Last Supper (Eve of Holy Wednesday - April 8) - $400
2 Baskets of Flower Petals for 1st Anastasi Service – Mixed large bags of flower petals mixed with Palm leaves strewn in Church during service - $150 per basket
Flowers for the Epitaphio
We need families to contribute toward the cost of flowers for the Epitaphio. You may place your offering in the acrylic box located on the Pangari as you exit the church or visit our website at: www.assumptionchicago.org to donate online. If you would like, you may also contact the church office to donate. Thank you and God bless!
| | To access our Facebook page, please visit our website at assumptionchicago.org and click on the Facebook link as shown in the picture above. | | | | |
