“Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome in your mind, and then you will see riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the joy of grace. Throw wide the gate of your heart, stand before the sun of the everlasting light that shines on every person." St. Ambrose of Milan
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On Sunday, Holy Apostles parishioners were offered an edifying presentation by our own Luke Christy, first-place winner in the Senior Speech Division at our parish Oratorical Festival and second place at the Metropolis Oratorical Festival. Luke reminded us that religious identity is crucial to our lives as Orthodox Christians: "For a start, we can unite in prayer and draw strength from our history...Just as these early Christians held to their religious identity by giving their faith and love to Jesus Christ, you can fight and bear witness through your faith and love in Christ—your Orthodox identity." We congratulate Luke on his outstanding achievements and thank him for his continued witness and desire to serve Christ. To hear Luke's entire speech, please click on the video.
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(Click the Image Above to Enlarge)
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Our Parish Feast Day Celebration
The Synaxis of the Glorious and All-Praiseworthy Twelve Apostles of Christ is an ancient feast in the Orthodox Church. As the Patron Saints of our parish, we celebrate the Synaxis of the Holy Apostles annually on June 29th and 30th. Thus, with great joy we invite you to celebrate this holy feast beginning with our Great Vespers Service (with Artoklasia) on Tuesday, June 29 at 7:00 pm with our guest homilist, Nathan Hoppe (Long-Term Missionary in Albania). Philoptochos will be hosting a reception immediately following.
On Wednesday, June 30th, Orthros begins at 8 am, and Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am. Artoklasia and an opportunity to venerate the relics of the Holy Apostles will follow the Divine Liturgy. We welcome all the Metropolis clergy and all Holy Apostles' friends and family to join us. May the Holy Apostles intercede for us and guide us in our holy mission!
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Friday, June 18, 7:00 PM
Paraklesis to the Holy Theotokos
The Small Paraklesis, or Supplicatory Service, is sung to petition for spiritual and physical health for the living. On Friday evenings, we will gather to pray for Father Nicholas Georgiou and others who are ill in body or spirit. If you would like to submit a prayer request, please click on the button below and be sure to check the box for 'Paraklesis' on the form.
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Saturday, June 19th Saturday of Souls
8:00|9:00 AM
Orthros and Divine Liturgy
"Give rest among the Saints to the souls of Your servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no grieving, but life everlasting."
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Sunday, June 20th - Pentecost
8:15|9:30 AM
Orthros and Divine Liturgy
"You are greatly glorified, O Christ our God, who established our Fathers as luminaries upon the earth, and through them led us all to the true Faith. O Most compassionate, glory to You."
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Monday, June 21st - Feast of the Holy Spirit, 8:00|9:00 AM
Orthros and Divine Liturgy
"Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made fishermen all-wise, sending upon them the Holy Spirit and, through them, netting the world. O Loving One, glory to You."
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"Pray for the salvation of others as you would pray for your own salvation." Saint John of Kronstadt
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Prayer and Candle Requests
If you would like to have your living or departed loved ones commemorated during the Divine Liturgy, or if you cannot attend a church service and would like to light a candle, please click on the buttons below. All requests should be made by 7 pm the night before the service.
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The Holy Apostles family wishes all of our Fathers, Grandfathers, Spiritual Fathers, and Godfathers a blessed Father's Day and thank God for the influential and inspirational role they have played in our lives. We especially pray for and hold in our hearts our Metropolitan Nathanael, our Chancellor Bishop Timothy, Father Nicholas Georgiou, Father Nicholas Dahdal, and all beloved clergy who help direct us to a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father. Blessings for a wonderful Father's Day to all.
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Father Nicholas Dahdal pictured with his daughter, Michele (Dahdal) Zayed
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Men In Black, Priests Who Cook
Join the (virtual) fun and watch our Metropolis Clergy—including Father Nicholas Dahdal—serve up some of their favorite dishes on June 20, 2021! Support this wonderful cause today and get a glimpse inside our clergy's kitchens. Registration includes access to the Men In Black: Priests Who Cook video series where you will be able to get a first hand look into the kitchens of our Metropolis Clergy. Cookbooks with all of the featured recipes will be available for sale in September. All event proceeds
will benefit the Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Philanthropy Fund. For more information, to register, donate, or buy raffle tickets, please click HERE.
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Parish Assembly
We invited all Holy Apostles stewards in good standing to attend the Parish Assembly Meeting Sunday, June 27, 2021, immediately following Divine Liturgy. Please find the attached agenda. Your attendance and opinions are essential to our parish's future, and we thank you for sharing your questions and ideas.
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Volunteer to Host Fellowship Hour
Are you looking for a way to give back your time and talents? Do you wish to honor someone's memory or celebrate a loved one? Please consider volunteering to host an upcoming Fellowship Hour! Your generosity allows our Holy Apostles' family and friends to gather together and welcome visitors to our parish. We are looking for hosts beginning Sunday, June 27, 2021. Fellowship Hours can be hosted by individual families, multiple families, or ministry groups.
To host a Fellowship Hour or to view the latest hosting guidelines, please click on the buttons below.
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Stewardship Committee - June Update
Our Stewardship Committee is challenging every family and member of Holy Apostles to offer their time, talent, or treasure and unite as one. So far, we have reached 79% of our goal of total pledges and 68% of dollars pledged. We thank all who have already pledged, but Holy Apostles needs everyone's help to reach our goals.
Click below to see the Stewardship Report as of May 31st and to give back to our beloved home today:
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“He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians 9:6
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A new week has begun, and with it, a new opportunity to offer the first fruits of your labor to Our Lord. If you'd rather give digitally for the weekly tray offering, you can do so with one easy click below:
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Why Do We Use Prayer Ropes
Why do Orthodox Christians use prayer ropes, and how can such a tool help your prayer life? Our friends at Trisagion films offer us a short little film on the history of the prayer rope and how to use one. Consider bringing your prayer rope to Divine Liturgy to focus your prayer life. If you don't have a prayer rope, please visit HARC (Holy Apostles Resource Center) Sundays after Divine Liturgy to purchase one for yourself or your friend. May God bring us closer to Him in prayer!
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Archdiocese's New Initiative to Support Pension Fund
Please read the letter sent by Archbishop Elpidophoros regarding the new initiative that the Archdiocese is presently undertaking to support the Clergy and Lay Employee Pension Fund of our Archdiocese. To read the letter or for more information please click on the buttons below:
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Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
2501 South Wolf Road
Westchester, IL 60154
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