SAINT SPYRIDON

Hellenic Orthodox Church

5th Sunday of Luke

By: St. Theophan the Recluse

The parable about the rich man and Lazarus shows that those who do not live as they should will suddenly wake up to reality, but they will no longer have the opportunity to correct their state. Their eyes will open and they will clearly see where the truth lies. Remembering that on the earth there are many who are blind as they were, they would like someone to be sent from the dead for the assurance that one must live and understand things only according to the indication of the Lord’s Revelation. But they will be denied even this, because for those who desire to know the truth, Revelation alone is a witness. But for those who do not desire it, and do not love the truth, even the resurrection of the dead will not be convincing. The feelings of the rich man in this parable are probably felt by everyone who departs this life. Consequently, according to the conviction of that world which will be the conviction of us all, the only guidance for us on the path of life is the Lord’s Revelation. But there, for many, this conviction will have come too late—it would have been more useful here, but not everyone had it. We will believe, at least, the testimony of those there, putting ourselves into their state. Those who are in torments do not lie; pitying us they want our eyes to be opened, that we not come to the place of their torment. We cannot say of this subject as we often do of current affairs, “Maybe somehow things will go all right.” No, it will not just go all right somehow. We must be fundamentally certain that we will not find ourselves in the place of the rich man.

EPISTLE READING

St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 12:27-31; 13:1-8

Brethren, you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

 GOSPEL READING

Luke 8:26-39

The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE

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.

Memorials: †4 Yr Alexandros Georgiou

Memorial for the departed members of St. Spyridon’s Philoptochos Sisterhood

Artoclasia is offered for the health and well being of the

members of Philoptochos

Tuesday, November 3rd

Paraklesis to St. John the Baptist at

Assumption Church, Homer Glen, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

followed by Christianiki Philoxenia

Paraklesis to the Theotokos, 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 7th

Great Vespers at Holy Taxiarhai & St. Haralambos Church,

7373 N. Caldwell Ave., Niles, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 8th

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers

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

Great Vespers at St. Nektarios Church, Palatine, 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

   COMMUNITY SCHEDULE

Sunday, November 1st - Philoptochos Sunday

Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Philoptochos Cancer Walk Presentations

Monday, November 2nd

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.

Philoptochos General Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 3rd

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

Christianiki Philoxenia at Assumption Church,

Homer Glen, following the Paraklesis to St. John, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Parish Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 4th

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

Cherubs Ministry, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

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

GOYA Gathering at Shady Oaks, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 5th

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

Philoptochos Melomakarona Making, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

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

Friday, November 6th

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.

Saturday, November 7th

Prison Ministry Liturgy, 6:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, November 8th

Family Worship - No Sunday School

Godparent Brunch, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

We wish to thank the 290 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