SAINT SPYRIDON

Hellenic Orthodox Church

SAINT SILOUAN THE ATHONITE

Celebrated September 24

1866 - 1938

Saint Silouan, that citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem, was born of pious parents in the land of Russia in the village of Shovsk in the diocese of the Metropolitan of Tambov. He came into the world in the year of our Lord 1866, and from a young man was called to repentance by the All-Praised Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary.

When he had reached his twenty-seventh year, he renounced the things of this life, and, with the prayers of Saint John of Kronstadt to speed him on his way, he set forth for Greece and the illustrious Holy Mountain. Here, in the cloister of the Holy Great Martyr and Physician Panteleimon, he took upon him the yoke of the monastic life.

Thus he gave himself to God with all his soul, and in a brief while he not only received the gift of unceasing prayer from the Most Holy Mother of God, but was also granted ineffably to see the living Christ in the chapel of the Holy Prophet Elijah that was next to the monastery’s flour mill.

But this first grace was taken away, and the saint was constrained by anguish and great grief, and with God’s permission for fifteen years he was given over to manifold temptations of spiritual foes, and so he followed in the footsteps of Christ, having offered up prayers and strong supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death (Heb. 5:7), being taught by God through a voice from above that gave him this commandment: "Keep thy mind in hell, and despair not." This he observed as an infallible rule, and so ran the way of Anthony, Makarios, Poemen and Sisoes, and the other celebrated preceptors and fathers of the desert, to whose measure and spiritual gifts he also attained, and was manifested an apostolic and inspired teacher both living and after death.

The saint was wondrously meek and lowly in heart, a fervent advocate before God for the salvation of all, and unequaled among teachers: For he says that there is no surer proof that the divine Spirit dwells within us than that we love our enemies.

This blessed Saint Silouan passed over from death to life, full of spiritual days on the twenty-fourth day of September in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 1938: To Whom be glory and might forever and ever. Amen.

EPISTLE READING

2 Timothy 3:10-15

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

GOSPEL READING

Luke 5:1-11

At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Sunday, September 24th - 1st Sunday of Luke

Orthros & Divine Liturgy --8:15 a.m - 11:30 a.m.

***Sunday School

Tuesday, September 26th -- St. John the Theologian

Orthros & Divine Liturgy --8:00 a.m - 10:15 a.m.

Saturday, September 30th

Great Vespers --5:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 1 - 2nd Sunday of Luke

Orthros & Divine Liturgy --8:15 a.m - 11:30 a.m.

***Sunday School

*** INFORMATION FOR BYZANTINE MUSIC CLASS

IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Handmaiden and Altar Boys Families are participating in this wonderful outreach opportunity! We will be packing food that will be sent to third world countries.

When: Saturday, October 7

Time: 11:15 am - 1:15 am

Location: 555 Exchange Ct, Aurora, IL 60504

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

Classes begin on Friday, September 8th. As we make our final preparations for our classes, scheduling of teachers and curriculum needs, lesson plans and educational materials, it is essential to know the number of students in each level.

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.

We wish to thank the 298 Stewards who haave made a stewardship commitment for 2023. Stewardship materials 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