SAINT SPYRIDON
Hellenic Orthodox Church
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St. Euthymios
Celebrated January 20
By St. Nikolai Velimirovich
Of noble and distinguished parents, Euthymius was born in the Armenian town of Melitene near the Euphrates river about the year 377 A.D. He was the only child, a son, born in answer to the prayer of his mother Dionysia, who had a heavenly vision regarding the birth of Euthymius. From his youth, he lived a life of asceticism, at first in the proximity of his town [Melitene] but then, after he visited Jerusalem at age twenty-nine, in the desert between Jerusalem and Jericho called Pharan.He filled his days and nights with prayer, internal thoughts about God, contemplation and physical exertion. Around him many disciples gathered some of whom are glorious saints, such as Kyriakos the Hermit, St. Savvas the Sanctified, Theotictus and others.
By God's gift, Euthymius was a great miracle worker; he expelled demons, healed the gravely ill, brought water to the desert, multiplied bread and prophesied. He taught monks the love of labor saying, "If you eat bread, not of your own labor, know that you are eating of someone else's labor." When some of the younger monks wanted to fast more than others, he forbade them to do so and commanded them to come to the communal table so that they would not become prideful as a result of their excessive fasting. He also said that it was not good for a monk to move from place to place, for he said, "A tree frequently transplanted does not bear fruit. Whoever desires to do good, can do it from the place where he is."
About love, he said, "What salt is to bread, love is to other virtues." During the first week of the Honorable Fast [Lenten Season], he retreated to the desert and remained there in solitary silence and godly-thoughts until just before the Feast of the Resurrection.
During his life time, a large monastery [Lavra] was established in the proximity of his cave which later, throughout the centuries, was completely filled with monks as a beehive is filled with bees. His final command was that the monastery always adhere to hospitality and that the gates of the monastery never be closed. He died at the age of ninety-seven.
The Patriarch of Jerusalem was in attendance at his funeral. The patriarch waited all day long until the great masses of people reverenced the body of the saint and only in the evening were they able to complete the Office for Burial for the Dead. On the seventh day following his death, Euthymius appeared radiant and rejoicing to Domentian, his disciple. The Venerable Euthymius, in truth, was a true "son of Light". He died in the year 473 A.D.
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EPISTLE READING
Ephesians 3:4-11
Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
GOSPEL READING
Luke 17:12-19
At that time, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus's feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
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Sunday, January 19th - 12th Sunday of Luke
- St Mark of Ephesus
Orthros & Divine Liturgy—8:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
* Sunday School
Saturday, January 25th—St. Gregory the Theologian
Orthros & Divine Liturgy —8:00 a.m.—10:15 a.m.
Vespers—5:00 p.m
Sunday, January 26th—15th Sunday of Luke
Orthros & Divine Liturgy—8:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Sunday, January 19th
Sunday School—10:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
Monday, January 20th
Greek School—4:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m.
Floga Dance (Beginners & Intermediate) -
6:45 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 21st
Archangels Academy Preschool—9:00 a.m.— 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 22nd
Archangels Academy Preschool—9:00 a.m.— 3:00 p.m.
Iconography Class—5:30 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 23rd
Archangels Academy Preschool—9:00 a.m.— 3:00 p.m.
Food Distribution—1:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m.
Philopthochos Membership Night Mix & Mingle Event at Elements by the Odyssey, Orland Park
6:30 p.m.—9:30 p.m.
Friday, January 24th
Archangels Academy Preschool—9:00 a.m.— 3:00 p.m.
Greek School—4:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m.
Floga Dance (Advanced Group) - 6:40 p.m.—7:40 p.m.
Adult Greek School— 6:45 p.m.—8:15 p.m.
Saturday, January 25th
Byzantine Chant / Level 3—4:15 p.m.—5:00 p.m.
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Youth Programs/Programs & Events | |
This year, Fanari Winter Camp offers one session, for all Fanari Camper Grades (5th-12th).
Our most enjoyable activities include: Worship, Orthodox Life, Winter Olympics, tubing & skiing, Sunday night dance, and much more!
Our 2025 Fanari Winter Camp session is
January 17-20, MLK Weekend
hosted at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center.
Cost is $400 per camper.
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ARCHANGEL ACADEMY PRESCHOOL | |
PLUTARCHOS ACADEMY GREEK SCHOOL | |
Enroll your children in “Πλούταρχος» Academy Greek School, and watch them flourish in the beauty of Greece's heritage! Classes are offered Mondays and Fridays, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. For more information please call 708-385-2311 or email us at office@saint-spyridon.net
Ellinomatheia: 6th grade Greek School graduates can take this Greek Language Seminar to prepare for the Ellinomatheia exam. The Ellinomatheia certificate can be used to receive a seal of Biliteracy. For more information, please see the flyer below.
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Consider the Following Info...
Coming to worship and participating in the sacramental life sanctifies our soul and body so that we may contribute to the sanctification of the world. It is an important component of stewardship. Christ’s gift to us through the Eucharist is an invitation for us to truly experience the Lord and receive Him. In gratitude, centered and strengthened by worship, we offer our entire life in return to Him. This is the greatest form of stewardship which fuels our souls to offer ourselves entirely to Him! With over 170 services offered annually at our parish, we encourage you to participate in 10%—20% more worship opportunities than the previous year.
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We wish to thank the 330 Stewards who have made a stewardship commitment for 2024.
Stewardship materials for 2025 are available at the church office and on our website.
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Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church
12307 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Palos Heights, IL 60463
708.385.2311
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