Assumption. Greek Orthodox Church. Agape news

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1 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Agape news October 2012

2 PARISH LIFE The Parish of the Assumption warmly extends her love and respect to His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos, our Archbishop and Father, on the occasion of the celebration of his Nameday - October 23 rd, the Feast of St. Iakovos!!! Είς Πολλά Έτη Δέσποτα!!! Blessing of the Backpacks Michael s Fun World Outing Philoptochos Agape Award

3 PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption, For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have behaved in the world, and still more toward you, with holiness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God. (RSV 2 Corinthians 1:12) A time, not so long ago, the faithful of the Orthodox Church relied on God, first and foremost, and then on their talents and abilities, which they also recognized as God-given. Today, the opposite is true. Most now rely on themselves and when things get too rough, then they call on God. They believe that they have all the answers within themselves and don t even think about God until they have exhausted all other options. Their expectation is that God will listen and respond to every supplication regardless of the sincerity of their belief or depth of faith. This must be how in the last minute of a football game, the very long end zone pass became known as the Hail Mary. How do we face the challenges in our lives that will inevitably be placed before us? For the Lord tells us that we will be constantly harassed by Satan just as we shall harass him: he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (RSV Genesis 3:15) How we choose to face our challenges is what defines our character. Do we have faith in God that He will provide us with all that we need? For as Christ said, Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (RSV Matthew 6:26). Or do we try to depend on our earthly wisdom without relying on the Lord or simple try and run away. Unfortunately, we can try and avoid the challenges that are before us, but they remain with us and reappear in the form of our imperfection until we allow them to be perfected in our faith. We must understand that our faith in God is not an answer, it is the answer! Thanking the Lord for His Blessings on us, I remain in His Service, Rev. Father Jon Boukis PROISTAMENOS

4 SUNDAY SCHOOL Cereal Club Each month our Sunday School children of the level 2 class will each bring in a box of cereal to aid in the fight against hunger in the Quad Cities. The cereal will be delivered to different food pantries and charities throughout the year. All children with cumulative attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed monthly in the Agape News. Congratulations to: Vasilia Boukis Daniel Dounoulis Evan Dounoulis Lydia Dounoulis ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY Bible Study is an opportunity for us to apply the Scriptures to our everyday lives. The Bible is the Good News that enriches our faith and deepens our understanding of every issue that we face. This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!! Anthony Gorman Naina Ninan Naveen Ninan Peter Stopoulos The Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Wednesday Evenings from 6:00pm-7:00pm and on Thursday Mornings from 9:30am-11:00am to study the Book of Acts. Make a commitment to learning His Word!

5 PHILOPTOCHOS Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale Saturday, December 8, :00 am - 12:00 noon Baking Schedule Spanakopites To Be Announced Tiropites To Be Announced Melomakarona To Be Announced Baklava October 8 th Kourambiethes & Koulourakia To Be Announced Packaging December 6 th Next Philoptochos Meeting is following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 14 th OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 1 st Susan Fotiadis 2 nd Madison Dokolas 4 th Georgia Lovejoy 6 th Alaina Mekus 8 th Derek Anderson 8 th Bill Minas 10 th Helen Petaros 15 th Litsa Gregory 16 th Victoria Olvera 18 th Anthony Gorman 18 th Lisa Mihalopoulos 20 th Nicholas Passini 21 st Soc Spurgetis 24 th George Georgiadis 27 th Dimitra Dokolas 28 th George Argeros 30 th Suzanna Staken 31 st Tricia Thodos Just a few of the Saints (Namedays) commemorated in October... 2 nd Cyprian 3 rd Dionysios, Dionisia 6 th Thomas 12 th Symeon 18 th Luke 19 th Joel 20 th Gerasimos 23 rd Iakovos (James) 26 th Demetrios, Demetra

6 ASSUMPTION / ST. GEORGE EVENTS On October 13 th, the JOY and GOYA groups will be going to the Buffalo Pumpkin Patch!!! The Churches will sponsor a bonfire with fixins at 6pm. We will meet at 4pm to enjoy many attractions: hayride, pumpkin pickin, the Straw Castle, bottle feeding and milking goats, petting many other farm animals, etc.!!! Parents are welcomed and encouraged to participate. Youth Bowling The details are still in the works but the date is set!!! On Friday, November 16 th, our Youth will be going out for Bowling and Pizza!!! Fellowship Lamb Roast At 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20 th, we will come together for fellowship on the St. George patio and enjoy the company of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. $20 per person for lamb! Come & enjoy! Metropolis of Chicago Christmas Open House His Eminence Metropolitan IAKOVOS has extended to his Parishes an invitation to the Annual Christmas Open-House at the Metropolis to be held on December 16 th. Let us take this opportunity to extend our love to our Spiritual Father.

7 GREEK WINE TASTING ST. DEMETRIOS DINNER

8 SAINT JAMES, BROTHER OF THE LORD Celebrated October 23 According to some, this Saint was a son of Joseph the Betrothed, born of the wife that the latter had before he was betrothed to the Ever-virgin. Hence he was the brother of the Lord, Who was also thought to be the son of Joseph (Matt. 13: 55). But some say that he was a nephew of Joseph, and the son of his brother Cleopas, who was also called Alphaeus and Mary his wife, who was the first cousin of the Theotokos. But even according to this genealogy, he was still called, according to the idiom of the Scriptures, the Lord's brother because of their kinship. This James is called the Less (Mark 15:4) by the Evangelists to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee, who was called the Great. He became the first Bishop of Jerusalem, elevated to this Episcopal rank by the Apostles, according to Eusebius (Eccl. Hist., Book II: 23), and was called Obliah, that is, the Just, because of his great holiness and righteousness. Having ascended the crest of the Temple on the day of the Passover at the prompting of all, he bore testimony from there concerning his belief in Jesus, and he proclaimed with a great voice that Jesus sits at the right hand of the great power of God and shall come again upon the clouds of heaven. On hearing this testimony, many of those present cried, "Hosanna to the Son of David." But the Scribes and Pharisees cried, "So, even the just one hath been led astray," and at the command of Ananias the high priest, the Apostle was cast down headlong from thence, then was stoned, and while he prayed for his slayers, his head was crushed by the wooden club wielded by a certain scribe. The first of the Catholic (General) Epistles written to the Jews in the Diaspora who believed in Christ was written by this James.

9 SAINT DEMETRIOS THE MYRRHBEARER Celebrated October 26 S a i n t D e m e t r i o s w a s a Thessalonian, a most pious son of pious and noble parents, and a teacher of the Faith of Christ. When Maximian first came to Thessalonica in 290, he raised the Saint to the rank of Duke of Thessaly. But when it was discovered that the Saint was a Christian, he was arrested and kept bound in a bath-house. While the games were under way in the city, Maximian was a spectator there. A certain friend of his, a barbarian who was a notable wrestler, Lyaeus by name, waxing haughty because of the height and strength of his body, boasted in the stadium and challenged the citizens to a contest with him. All that fought with him were defeated. Seeing this, a certain youth named Nestor, acquaintance of Demetriοs', came to the Saint in the bath-house and asked his blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handed. Receiving this blessing and sealing himself with the sign of the precious Cross, he presented himself in the stadium, and said, "O God of Demetriοs, help me!" and straightway he engaged Lyaeus in combat and smote him with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving the former boaster lifeless upon the earth. Maximian was sorely grieved over this, and when he learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded straightway and Demetriοs was pierced with lances while he was yet in the bath-house, As for Nestor, Maximian commanded that he be slain with his own sword.

10 O C T O B E R CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday 7 3 rd Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Golden Circle Breakfast at Davenport Family Restaurant All-English Sunday 4 th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Philoptochos Meeting Coffee Hour 6 th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour All-English Sunday 7 th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Bakalava Baking 9:00am Feast of St. Iakovos Divine Liturgy 10:00am Metopolitan Iakovos Nameday Dinner (Chicago) 29 30

11 . CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 3 4 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 5 + Sacrament 6 6:00pm-7:00pm Orthodox Bible Study Golden Circle Lunch at Olympic Gyro 12:00 Noon :30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 12 + Sacrament 13 6:00pm-7:00pm Orthodox Bible Study Youth Pumpkin Patch Trip & Bonfire 4:00pm 17 6:00pm-7:00pm Orthodox Bible Study 18 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 6:30pm - Parish Council Meeting (2013 Budget Meeting) Fellowship Lamb Roast of the Parishes of the Assumption & St. George 4:00pm :30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 26 Feast of St. Demetrios Divine Liturgy 10:00am 27 6:00pm-7:00pm Orthodox Bible Study St. Demetrios Dinner 5:00pm - 8:00pm 31 6:00pm-7:00pm Orthodox Bible Study Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free

12 SERVICE SCHEDULE October 7 Sunday 3 rd Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy October 14 Sunday 4 th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy October 21 Sunday 6 th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy October 23 Tuesday Feast of St. Iakovos 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. Iakovos in Chicago October 26 Friday Feast of St. Demetrios 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy October 28 Sunday 7 th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Πρόγραμμα Ιερών Ακολουθίων 7 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Γ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 14 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Δ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 21 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΣΤ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 23 Οκτωβρίου Τρίτη Άγιος Ιάκωβος ο Αδελφόθεος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγίου Ιακώβου (Σικάγο) 26 Οκτωβρίου Παρασκευή Άγιος Δημήτριος ο Μυροβξύτης 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 28 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Ζ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία

13 DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule October 7 Cathy Diakogeorgiou October 14 Kulla Anggeloplos October 21 Katherine Moraetes October 28 Marena Panousis Coffee Hour October 7 Not Yet Reserved October 14 Constantinou Family October 12 Not Yet Reserved October 28 Chirackal and Ninan Families Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings October 7 Gospel Luke 7:11-16 Epistle II Corinthians 9:6-11 October 14 Gospel Luke 8:5-15 Epistle Titus 3:8-15 October 21 Gospel Luke 8:26-39 Epistle Galatians 1:11-19 October 28 Gospel Luke 8:41-56 Epistle Galatians 2:16-20 Parish Council Ushering Schedule October November December 7 th - Mike Haney 14 th - Denny Mekus 21 st - Kosta Dounoulis 28 th - John Stopoulos 4 th - Orest Akulow 11 th - Cathy Diakogeorgiou 18 th - Liz Gorman 25 th - Paris Fotos 2 nd - Mike Haney 9 th - Denny Mekus 16 th - Kosta Dounoulis 23 rd - John Stopoulos 30 th - Orest Akulow For each Sunday, the council member listed is to be present at 9:00 a.m. The council member listed for the week following will be assigned to help during the Divine Liturgy beginning at 9:50 a.m. through the processing of the collection.

14 Άγιος Ιάκωβος ο Αδελφόθεος 23 Οκτωβρίου Η παράδοση αναφέρει ότι ήταν ένας από τους γιούς του Ιωσήφ από άλλη γυναίκα, γι αυτό ονομαζόταν αδελφός του Κυρίου. Η συγγενική του, όμως, σχέση με τον Κύριο δεν είναι ομόφωνα καθορισμένη. Αλλά το γεγονός είναι ότι ο Ιάκωβος ο αδελφόθεος έγινε πρώτος επίσκοπος Ιεροσολύμων και είναι αυτός που έγραψε την πρώτη Θεία Λειτουργία της χριστιανικής Εκκλησίας. Ο Ιάκωβος, λοιπόν, ποίμανε την Εκκλησία τών Ιεροσολύμων με δικαιοσύνη, με γενναία στοργή και στερεότητα στην πίστη. Αυτό όμως, εξήγειρε τη μοχθηρία και την κακουργία των Ιουδαίων. Αφού τον έπιασαν, τον έριξαν πάνω από το πτερύγιο του Ναού, και ενώ ακόμα ήταν ζωντανός, τον αποτελείωσαν με άγριο κτύπημα ροπάλου στο κεφάλι. Έργο του Ιακώβου είναι και η Καθολική Επιστολή του στην Καινή Διαθήκη, στην οποία να τί μας συμβουλεύει, σχετικά με το πώς πρέπει να χειριζόμαστε το λόγο του Θεού: "Γίνεσθε ποιηταί λόγου και μή μόνον ακροαταί, παραλογιζόμενοι εαυτούς". Δηλαδή να γίνεσθε εκτελεστές και τηρητές του λόγου του Θεού και όχι μόνο ακροατές. Και να μή ξεγελάτε τον εαυτό σας, με την ιδέα ότι είναι αρκετό και μόνον να ακούει κανείς το λόγο.

15 Άγιος Δημήτριος ο Μυροβλύτης 26 Οκτωβρίου Ο Μεγαλομάρτυς Δημήτριος, γόνος της ένδοξης πόλης Θεσσαλονίκης, ήταν στρατιωτικός στα χρόνια του Διοκλητιανού. Γ ε ν ν α ί ο ς κ α ι α τ ρ ό μ ητ ο ς στρατιώτης του Χριστού και κήρυκας της χριστιανικής πίστης, είναι παράδειγμα χριστιανού μάρτυρος. Θα λέγαμε ότι υπήρξε ο πρώτος κατηχητής της Εκκλησίας μας. Διότι χωρίς τον παραμικρό φόβο κατηχούσε τους νέους της πόλης, εμπνέοντας σ αυτούς τη χριστιανική πίστη. Η δραστηριότητα του Δημητρίου καταγγέλθηκε στο Διοκλητιανό, ο οποίος τον κάλεσε στα ανάκτορα. Ο Δημήτριος δήλωσε στο Διοκλητιανό ότι πράγματι είναι χριστιανός, διότι μόνο η θρησκεία του Χριστού παρέχει ηθική λύτρωση και αιώνια ζωή. Τότε ο Διοκλητιανός διέταξε και τον έκλεισαν στη φυλακή. Αλλά τις ημέρες εκείνες γίνονταν στη Θεσσαλονίκη αγώνες. Οι ειδωλολάτρες, εκμεταλλευόμενοι τη δύναμη κάποιου Λυαίου, προκαλούσαν τους χριστιανούς να τον αντιμετωπίσουν. Τότε ένας νεαρός χριστιανός, ο Νέστωρ, αφού πήρε την ευχή του Δημητρίου μέσα από τη φυλακή, μπήκε στο στάδιο και νίκησε το σωματώδη Λυαίο. Οδιοκλητιανός έμαθε την αιτία της ήττας του Λυαίου. Πήγε στη φυλακή και με τη λόγχη σκότωσε το Δημήτριο και το Νέστορα. Η δε μητέρα Εκκλησία περιβάλλεται "ώς πορφύραν και βύσσον τα αίματα τών μαρτύρων της", διότι αυτά τα τέκνα της αποτελούν το καύχημά της.

16 FALL GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOTICE OF PARISH ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2012 An assembly of all the stewards* of the parish will occur on Sunday, November 4, following the DIVINE LITURGY. The agenda will be as follows: 1. Opening Prayer / Attendance 2. Determination of Quorum* requirement of parishioners** 3. Election of Assembly Chairperson 4. Minutes of Previous Assembly 5. Reports (President s Report, Treasurer s Report) 6. Proposal of 2013 Parish Budget 7. Parish Bylaws 8. Nomination of Candidates for Parish Council, Election / Auditing Committees Greek Cultural Festival 10. Property Renovations/Improvements (HVAC, roof, patio/pavilion) 11. Unfinished and New Business affecting the life of the Parish 12. Adjournment / Closing Prayer *Quorum The presence of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Parishioners in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. If a quorum cannot be achieved, no vote can be taken. Within twenty-one (21) days, a Parish Assembly shall be called a second time. At such time, decisions may be taken by the number of parishioners in good standing present, with the exception of matters pertaining to the purchase, sale or encumbering of Parish property which shall require a quorum. **Parishioners Any person, eighteen years of age or over, who was baptized according to the rites of the Church, or was received into the Church through Chrismation, who lives according to the Faith and canons of the Church, abides by the Uniform Parish Regulations and these appended by laws, and fulfills his or her financial obligation to the Parish, and cooperates in every way towards the well-being of the Parish is a member in good standing of the Parish. The definition of fulfilling one s financial obligation to the Parish is by necessity flexible. Generally, for purposes of participating in Parish Assemblies and elections, one is considered to have fulfilled his or her financial obligation to the Parish if he or she has pledged and paid an amount certain for the year

17 FALL GENERAL ASSEMBLY prior to the current year and has no outstanding pledge balances for any year prior. However, in the event an individual neglects to pledge a specific amount for the prior year, but has committed spiritually, morally and financially (at a minimum of 50% of the parish s prior year average pledge) to the Greek Orthodox Faith and the parish and the records of the parish so reflect the financial commitment, he or she will be considered to have fulfilled his or her financial obligation and be eligible to vote. (Stewardship is recommended to be ten percent (10%) of one s annual income as stated in Holy Scripture to help meet the financial obligations of the Parish, the Metropolis and the Archdiocese.) For new members, as stated in the UPR (Article 25, Section 5): A new parishioner of the parish may vote in the election if he/she has become a member in good standing at least three (3) months prior thereto. In instances of financial hardship or of dependent students and/or parents, the Parish Priest may waive or modify the above requirements. STEWARDSHIP 2012 Stewardship Update 99 Pledges received for a total of: $140,300 These same 99 stewards pledged $115,721 in a $24,579 increase for these stewards alone - that s a 17.52% increase and an average of $1,532 per Assumption family!!! Are you 1 of the 10 stewards of 2011 that hasn t pledged yet for 2012? FINANCIAL POSITION 2012 Budgeted General Fund Expenses $199, through September 20 th Total General Fund Expenses through September 20 th $146, Total Stewardship through September 20 th $94, YTD 2012 Shortfall of Expenses to Stewardship $52, Other General Fund Income (Candles, Events, Etc.) $30, Year-To-Date 2012 Shortfall $21,855.86

18 Agape News SPONSORS The Agape News is made possible by the generous support of the following parishioners: Fr. Jon, Presbytera Doreece and Vasilia Boukis In Memory of Harry and Alfreda Arvanis In Memory of George Bagatelas Paul and Christine Bagatelas Family Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Paula Baker In Memory of Sadie (Elias) Bakeris Victor and Judy Cherevko Dennis and Pam Collier Miltos and Cathy Diakogeorgiou Litsa Gregory Tom P. Gregory Mike and Helen Haney James Jannes Mike and Terri Kandis George and Helen Kontos Joyce Coughlin and JoAnn Kontos Anastasios and Dimitra Korovilas Ninan Family In Memory of Christ T. Panousis Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Ann Polillo Steve and Nancy Pyevich In Memory of Nickolaus, Halina, Andrei and Nickolaus Anthony and Joan Stopoulos John and Mary Velon In Memory of George and Grace Vretis Sponsors offer $20 for the Ecclesiastical Year (beginning and ending Sept. 1 st ) Do you enjoy the Agape News? Then become a supporter!!! Here is my support of $20. Please list my sponsorship as follows:

19 The Windmill FAMILY RESTAURANT Reserve our banquet room today for your next celebration. Let us help create a special memory for you with our award-winning dishes. ADVERTISEMENTS Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL (309) Miltos Diakogeorgiou, Parishioner Jose Zepeda, Chef Owners Owned by Chris & Kathy Panouses 3629 Avenue of the Cities Moline, IL LCV Company Now selling retail to the public 985 Ave. of the Cities Silvis, Illinois Owned by Parishioners John & MaryBeth Stopoulos Olympic Gyros Open 7 Days a Week 207 W. 53rd St. Davenport, IA Presenting Sponsor of the 2012 Greek Cultural Festival Annual Golf Tournament Advantage Pest Control Servicing Assumption for 5 years Call Steve Today! FULL COLOR ADVERTISEMENTS 2.5 x 3 $400 $ x 1.5 $250 $ x 1.5 $150 $125 Ecclesiastical Year Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 For wonderful Greek Foods including Feta, Olives, Extra Virgin Olive Oil & much more Lambros Mihalopoulos Gulliver's Travel Southpark Mall Northpark Mall Duck Creek Plaza Todd Bagatelas, President

20 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 4900 Kennedy Drive East Moline, Illinois Return Service Requested Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID E. Moline, IL. Permit No. 153