SAINT SPYRIDON

Hellenic Orthodox Church

The Sunday of Orthodoxy

By Monk Moses the Athonite

The Sunday of Orthodoxy, the festive celebration of the prevalence of truth, is the victory against heresies and delusions, schisms and conflicts. For two thousand years Orthodoxy remains true, steadfast, beloved, authentic, just, honorable, integral, genuine and inspiring. It cannot cease, cannot bend, cannot wilt, cannot fear, cannot be defeated, cannot be opposed, and cannot be conquered.

Orthodoxy is faithful to the Gospel, to the requirements of the Holy Apostles, to canonical apostolic succession. We need to proclaim to our neighbor the true ecclesiastical tradition, not only with words but by a powerful example. Orthodoxy is not sterile knowledge, but life and experience. The personal taste of faith is a sublime wealth, inexhaustible treasure, a source of joy and hope.

The uniqueness of Orthodoxy in times of confusion, anxiety, darkness and crisis raises a bright star to illuminate the mind and heart. Holy Orthodoxy does not lose its foundation easily when confronted by progressive nihilists. Its base is strong and the faithful people have felt well its great power.

Orthodoxy is a living meeting between people and God. It is not extremism, fanaticism, jealousy, hatred and obstinacy. It is the middle way, frank, measured, balanced, free and graceful. It unites, brings rest, animates and sanctifies. It is beyond natural, beyond logic, transformative, light-giving, meaningful and substantial. It is incorrupt, ancient and new, perfect, sacred, comprehensive, ecumenical, but not ecumenistic. Orthodoxy is not a museum exhibit, a nebula, an abstract habit, a statue, a worn out idol, or a rotting swamp. It is not ancestor obsession, folklorism, a beautiful religion among others, but a new way of life.

It is not a human construct, a witticism, an eloquence, a formality or externality. It is not a window display, a picture frame, egotistical and belonging to the past. It is a cross and resurrection, a crowned martyrdom, manly and brave. Its symbol is a cross. Its throne is modesty, humility and simplicity. It does not coerce, blackmail, enslave or revolt. An Orthodox is not born but made, is baptized and re-baptized. It is a stadium of struggle, repentance, freedom, fearlessness, security and hope. Joy, peace and refuge are elements of Orthodoxy. Hopefully we experience these comfortably. Let us not be spectators in the stands, but athletes in the arena - begining today - the Sunday of Orthodoxy.

EPISTLE READING

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 12:1-10

BRETHREN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father.

GOSPEL READING



 John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Sunday, March 9th--Sunday of Orthodoxy

Orthros and Divine Liturgy —8:00 a.m.

***Sunday School

***Youth Procession at the end of the Divine Liturgy

*** General Assembly after the Divine Liturgy

Pan-Orthodox Vespers-- Triumph of Orthodoxy

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL

—6:30 p.m.

Monday, March 10th

Great Compline—6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 12th

9th Hour & Presanctified Liturgy—5:45 p.m.

***Presanctified Potluck & Presentation after Liturgy

Friday, March 14th

2nd Salutations to the Theotokos —6:30 p,m.

Sunday, March 16th--2nd Sunday of Great Lent

Orthros and Divine Liturgy —8:00 a.m.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Monday, March 10th

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

Greek School Classes—4:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m.

Adult Greek School (Beginners)—6:45 p.m.—8:30 p.m.

Floga Dance (Beginners & Intermediate) - 6:45 p.m.—7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 11th

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

Iconography—5:30 p.m.—7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 12th

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

Potluck Dinner hosted by Family Night Ministry & GOYA

 following Liturgy service.

Thursday, March 13th

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

Food Distribution—1:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m.

Paradosis Dance—7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

Golf Outing Meeting—8:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

Friday, March 14th

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

Greek School Classes—4:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 15th

All Youth and Families - visit to the

St John Chrysostom Monastery—11:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Adult Greek School (Intermediate) 2:30 p.m.—4:00 p.m.

Byzantine Chant (Level 3) 4:15 p.m.—5:00 p.m.

All the stewards of St. Spyridon are asked to gather for our Spring Annual General Assembly this Sunday, March 9th immediately following the Divine Liturgy.

We wish to thank the 152 Stewards who have made a stewardship commitment for 2025. 

Stewardship materials for 2025 are available at the church office and on our website.

Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church

12307 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Palos Heights, IL 60463

708.385.2311