Sunday, March 22

Sunday of the Ladder of Divine Ascent

March 25 - The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

SAVE THE DATE: JULY 18-19

vol. 004

March 30, 1951

Left to right:

First row - Ted Bati, Frank Bati, Jim Nazos, Marina Samios, Diane Samios, Theresa Elfter

Second row - Fr. Panagiotis Mitsis, Ann Elfter, Joan Sammios, Annette Theodore, Irene Samios, Thelma Theodore, Tom Danos, Gus Meltinas

March 27, 1949

Left to right: George Economides, Sophie Petropoulos, Irene Samios, Margie Passas, Thelma Theodore, Fr. Panagiotis Mitsis, Theodora Georgoulakis, "Babe" Passas, Aspasia Georgoulakis, George Dimas

Vol. 004 - Ζήτω η Ελλάδα! Long Live Greece!

In its original Charter, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America required any Greek Orthodox Community looking to establish itself as a parish to be able to support four signature ministries: A Priest, a Greek School, a Philoptochos, and a GOYA chapter. Often times, in smaller communities, the priest would preform double duty, serving the spiritual needs of the community, as well as serving as the primary Greek School Teacher. All of these ministries were viewed as part of the core mission of any parish, to Preserve the Orthodox Faith, to remain connected to the Hellenic culture of the homeland, and to express the common value of generosity and service to the poor.

In the above pictures, we see especially how celebration and remembrance of the struggle for Greek Independence has and continues to inspire and shape our Greek Orthodox Community. The Greek struggle after hundreds of years of enslavement is an inspiration across the world to those who believe in the dignity and freedom of every human being.

The second and third pictures were submitted by Thelma Theodore, who is pictured as a student in both pictures, and of course would go on to become a Greek School teacher as well as the parish secretary for many years (more on that in our 110 Stories Podcast series, episode 2). In addition to seeing many familiar faces from our community as children, we are blessed to have photos of Fr. Panagiotis Mitsis, who served as the priest of our parish twice, once from 1938-1940, and again from 1948-1951. Fr. Panagiotis also served as the Greek School teacher during his tenure.

In the final photo, our Greek Independence day program from 2025 is pictured. All Saints went many years without a Greek School until our very own Dimitra Georgouses Frentzas picked up the mantle of her own accord. Thanks to her leadership and passion for our shared Faith, Culture, and Language she has grown this program in just a few years from a one room schoolhouse with a handful of young children into to 3 classes of children of all ages.

110 Stories History Series: all are invited to submit photos with a short (or not so short) story from the life and history of this parish, or its parishioners. We want this to be an open expression to celebrate everyone from the first Greek immigrants who settled in Joliet to to those who are just now joining this community. We will be sharing at least one story a week here in the bulletin and on social media.

Click the link to the right in order to submit you special occasions to share with the community via our online form.

OR contact the church office to share your birthday, engagement, wedding, anniversary, retirement, birth, baptism or any other celebration or accomplishment with our community!



All Saints Greek

Orthodox Church

102 N. Broadway St.

Joliet, IL 60435

Office: 815-722-1727

Fr. Anastasios: 847-414-4874

Email: tasso.theo@gmail.com

allsaintsjoliet.com