SAINT SPYRIDON

Hellenic Orthodox Church

The Presentation of our Lord (Ypapanti)

celebrated February 2nd

Icon of the Feast

The Holy Icon shows that the meeting takes place inside the Temple and in front of the altar. The altar has a book or a scroll on it and is covered by a canopy. The Theotokos stands to the left and is holding out her hands in a gesture of offering. The one hand of the Theotokos is covered by her cloak or as it is known, the maphorion. She has just handed her Son to Simeon.

Christ is shown as a child, but He is not in swaddling clothes. He is clothed in a small dress and his legs are bare. Jesus appears to be giving a blessing. Simeon holds Jesus with both hands which are covered. This shows the reverence Simeon had for the Messiah. Simeon is bare headed and there is nothing to show that he is a priest. Some biblical scholars say that Simeon was probably a priest of the Temple or a Doctor of the Law.

Joseph is behind the Theotokos. He is carrying the two turtle doves for the sacrifice. Anna the Prophetess is also standing behind the Theotokos and is pointing to the Christ child.

The words Simeon spoke when he saw the Christ Child are known as "St. Simeon's Prayer." This prayer is sung daily at the evening Vespers services of the Orthodox Church.

In the Orthodox Church, both baby boys and baby girls are taken to the Church on the fortieth day after their birth. This is done in remembrance of the Theotokos and Joseph taking the infant Jesus to the Temple.

EPISTLE READING

2 Corinthians 4:6-15

Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

GOSPEL READING

Matthew 22 : 35-46

At that time, a lawyer came up to Jesus and asked him a question, to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, "What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." He said to them, "How is it then that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I put your enemies under your feet'? If David thus calls him Lord, how is he his son?" And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Sunday, February 4, 2024--15th Sunday of Matthew

Orthros - 8:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy - 9:30 a.m.

***Sunday School

Sunday, February 11, 2024 - 16th Sunday of Matthew

Orthros - 8:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy - 9:30 a.m.

***Sunday School

GOYA MEETING

Wednesday, February 7

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

ALTAR BOY MEETING

Saturday, February 17

10 AM - 11:30 PM

Today is "Go Red Sunday" in support of Heart Health for Women! Philoptochos is proud to partner and support the American Heart Association to increase awareness of heart health for women. 

Our Philoptochos Ladies are proud to wear RED, PINK, and MAROON in support of women's heart care! Many thanks to Dr. Chris Kolyvas for providing Philoptochos with heart care information. 

PLEASE JOIN PHILOPTOCHOS

FOR OUR UPCOMING MEETING . . . 



Wednesday, February 7th 

at 6:30 p.m. at St. Spyridon  

(please disregard previous date of 2/17)

Please support our Baby Food Drive!

The last day to support this is February 14!

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.

Consider offering one hour of service to the church every week or every two weeks (not including worship).

We wish to thank the 88 Stewards who have made a stewardship commitment for 2024. 

Stewardship materials for 2024 are available at the church office and on our website.

13th District Scholarship Foundation

Due: Before March 15

Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church

12307 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Palos Heights, IL 60463

708.385.2311