SAINT SPYRIDON

Hellenic Orthodox Church

6th Sunday of Luke

By: St. Theophan the Recluse

After the Gadarene man who was possessed with devils was healed, he cleaved to the Lord and desired to be with Him always; then, upon hearing His will, goes and preaches throughout the whole city about the good things he received. The benefactor attracts, His will becomes law for the receiver of the benefaction, and the tongue cannot resist proclaiming what was received from Him. If only we kept in mind all the good things which we have received and are receiving from the Lord, there would not be ungrateful people among us, there would not be transgressors of His holy will, there would not be people who do not love Him more than anything. We are saved through baptism from our forefathers’ sin and all of its perdition; in repentance we are constantly washed from sins, which incessantly cling to us. Through God’s providence we are preserved from misfortunes which often are not visible to us ourselves, and we receive a direction for our life which is safer for us and favorable to our goals; but also all that we possess is from the Lord. That is why we must belong to the Lord with our whole soul, fulfill His will in all things, and glorify His most holy name—especially in our life and deeds, so that we might not fall behind the Gadarene man possessed by devils, who immediately proved himself to be so wise that he became an example worthy of everyone’s imitation.

EPISTLE READING

St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

 GOSPEL READING

Luke 8:26-39

At that time, as Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me." For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday, October 25th

Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Memorials: †1 yr Margarita Kremmydas,

†27 yr Dimitrios Kremmidas

Great Vespers at St. Demetrios, Elmhurst, 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Monday, October 26th - St. Demetrios

Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, October 28th - Agia Skepi

Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, October 31

Vespers - 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 1st

Cosmas & Damian the Holy Unmercenaries of Asia

and their mother Theodora

Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

   COMMUNITY SCHEDULE

Sunday, October 25th

Family Worship - No Sunday School

General Assembly following the Divine Liturgy

Monday, October 26th

Archangels Academy Preschool, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Plutarchos Greek School, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Bible Study, 5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.

Tuesday, October 27th

Archangels Academy Preschool, 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Philoptochos Tyropita Baking, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 28th

Archangels Academy Preschool, 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Iconography Class, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Jr. GOYA, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Sr. GOYA, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 30th

Archangels Academy Preschool, 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Food Distribution, 1:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m.

Relationship Project, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Friday, October 31st

Archangels Academy Preschool, 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Plutarchos Greek School, 4:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m.

Adult Greek School, 6:45 p.m.— 8:15 p.m.

Wonderworkers Dance Practice, 6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Floga Dance Practice, 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 1st

Philoptochos Sunday

Family Worship - No Sunday School

Philoptochos Cancer Walk Presentation following the Divine Liturgy

We wish to thank the 286 Stewards who have made a stewardship commitment for 2026. 

Stewardship materials for 2026 are available at the church office and on our website.

As a steward of Saint Spyridon Parish, and with gratitude to God,  let's together strive to improve in each area of stewardship:

·     Time: I will increase my time in prayer, worship, and service by about 10%.

·     Talent: I will offer one new gift or ministry to strengthen our Saint Spyridon family.

·     Treasure: I will increase my financial giving by 1–2% of my income this year.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

We are excited to share the 2025 Annual Impact Report for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago! This year's report stands as a powerful testament to what is possible when our six states, fifty-eight parishes, and two monastic communities walk together in faith, generosity, and purpose. From record-breaking sacramental growth to our fifth consecutive year of clean financial audits, the report showcases a vibrant spiritual family guided by a clear vision.

Inside the report, you will find inspiring stories from across our parishes. Read about how our youth and Philoptochos chapters mobilized to serve over 800,000 meals to neighbors in need. See how our new regional vicariate system is strengthening parish leadership. And learn how a transformational $2.9 million legacy gift is securing our mission for generations to come.

The report was designed to allow you to dive deep into our milestones or skim the highlights, so we invite you to explore the incredible impact your stewardship and support has made!

Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church

12307 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Palos Heights, IL 60463

708.385.2311