The MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE

Transcription

1 The MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE (847) Where there is no vision, the people perish. (Proverbs 29:18) MERRY CHRISTMAS! Today the Lord is born for the life and salvation of mankind; today a reconciliation is made of Divinity to humanity, and of humanity to Divinity; today all creation has leapt for joy; those above sent toward those below; and those below towards those above; today occurred the death of darkness and the life of humanity; today a way was made toward God for man and a way for God into the soul. + St. Macarios the Great +

2 WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 2009 Saturday, December 12 St. Spyridon 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, December 13 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Tuesday, December 15 St. Eleftherios 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, December 20 Sunday before Christmas 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Thursday, December 24 6:00 am Ninth Hour 7:00 am Vesperal Liturgy of Christmas Eve December 24 Christmas Eve 8:00 pm Orthros and Divine Liturgy FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS DAY THE BIRTH IN THE FLESH OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, December 27 St. Stephen the First Martyr 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Family Worship Friday, January 1, 2010 New Year s Day, Feastday of St. Basil the Great 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, January 3 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Family Worship Tuesday, January 5 Eve of Theophany 8:30 am Royal Hours 10:00 am Vesperal Divine Liturgy, Great Blessing of the Waters Wednesday, January 6 THE GREAT FEAST OF THEOPHANY 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy 10:00 am Divine Liturgy, Great Blessing of the Waters OUR SISTER COMMUNITY OF ST SPYRIDON in Chicago invites you to Great Vespers at 7:00 pm on Friday evening, December 11th in honor of the Feastday of St. Spyridon, and to Divine Liturgy the morning of Saturday, December 12. OUR SISTER COMMUNITY OF ST BASIL in Chicago invites you to Great Vespers at 7:00 pm on Thursday evening, December 31st in honor of the Feastday of St. Basil, and to Divine Liturgy the morning of Friday, January 1st. (Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on January 1st.) DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH? The Orthodox Church traces its origin to the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after Christ s Resurrection from the dead, when the Holy Spirit descended on the Holy Disciples. If you are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Faith, feel free to visit our Bible Study, or call the church office. Instruction for adults who desire to become Orthodox Christians is also offered. Please call Fr. Chris Kerkeres ( ) if you have questions or would like to attend! SACRAMENTS AND BLESSINGS BLESSINGS OF INFANTS Forty days after birth, a child and its mother come to church to receive a 40 Day Blessing, imitating Christ who was presented in the Temple 40 days after He was born. Please call the church office to arrange this blessing. BAPTISMS Please call the church office to schedule Baptisms. Plan ahead! there are some days when Baptisms are not performed. Keep in mind that there should be only one Godparent and that a child is supposed to be given but one name when he or she is baptized. WEDDINGS Please arrange an appointment with Fr. Dean at least eight months before the proposed wedding date to allow time for all necessary marriage preparation. CONFESSION Confessions are arranged by appointment. Please call the church office to schedule Confession. MINISTRY TO PERSONS WHO ARE SICK Orthodox Christians who would like to receive Holy Sacraments but are unable to attend church (hospitalized or at home) should contact the church office so Holy Sacraments can be administered to them. Please inform the church office if your loved one is hospitalized! Most hospitals no longer inform us when they receive patients from our parish. MEMORIAL SERVICES Memorial Services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Customarily, these services are offered at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at 3 years. When three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls. DID YOU KNOW?.....About Saturday nights: Saturday night is the time of preparation for the Lord s Day (Sunday) and for the Divine Liturgy. It should be a quiet time of prayer and contemplation, a time to offer incense in our homes. Did you know that the day begins with the setting of the sun? That is why the vespers of our holidays falls the evening before the holiday: the holiday has already begun! For this reason, we should avoid planning parties and dinner dances on Saturday evenings. 2

3 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE: 847/ From Father Dean December 2009 Dear Stewards and Friends of St. Haralambos, The Days of Christmas are here! Let us think about the deeper meaning of the holidays we will celebrate: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel (which means, God with us). (Mathew 1:23) Our warmest congratulations go to all the ladies of the St. Haralambos Philoptochos for a wonderful Christmas Bazaar! This is truly one of the finest events of the whole year, and we commend Mrs. Georgia Litsogiannis and all the fine ladies who get tired (yet work tirelessly) for the good of our church and its mission! We also offer hearty congratulations to Jim Karalekas for his energetic leadership for this year s men s event. Everyone had a wonderful time! We were very blessed to be able host the Pan-Orthodox Thanksgiving Liturgy at St. Haralambos this year. With the participation of the magnificent Pan-Orthodox Choir of Chicago, this was truly one of the most spiritual and moving services of the whole year! Our Parish General Assembly was held on November 22 to discuss and approve our parish s operating budget for Unfortunately, very few stewards attended this important meeting. Although our parish is in relatively good shape financially, it was reported that we still have an outstanding balance of about $170,000 on the property that our community purchased in Our church also suffered some serious damage to the roof and dome (see page 8), so we do have some serious financial considerations before us in At the same time, however, and in the Christian spirit, the general assembly voted to increase our outreach allowance from $3000 to $15,000 so that we might offer some help to persons in need. Our 2010 budget did lower its Stewardship expectations. Although the economy has seriously affected many people, we should not continuously put the needs of our Church last on our list of priorities! If we cannot meet our budget requirements for the normal operation funds of our community, how can we hope to expand? The only real solution is sincere Stewardship! Our annual expenses approximate $690,000 for 2010, or an average of $20 weekly per steward. If we consider the cost of cable television, or eating out, or vacations, we would see that this amount is not unreasonable for many of us! Christmas is almost here! We will have two Christmas Liturgies this year; one on the Eve of Christmas and one on Christmas morning. Plan to prepare for the real meaning of Christmas by fasting, confessing, almsgiving and receiving Holy Communion, thus making room for Him in the Inn, which is your heart. On behalf of Fr. Chrysanthos, Deacon John and the whole community, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Fr. Dean HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH NILES, ILLINOIS Proistamenos....Fr. Constantine P. Botsis Synefimerios Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres Pastoral Assistant..... Deacon John G. Suhayda Chanter......Nick Harisiadis Parish Council Officers President Niki Tziavaras Vice President..... Nick Andrews Treasurer... George Houpis Secretary Angelo Anastasiadis Budget Committee Chairman...George Conopeotis Building & Grounds Chairman...Michael Pontikes Decor Committee Chairman..Stephan Aliferakis Finance Committee Chairman...George Kotsionis Phase III Chairman...Pete Zouras Board Chairman John Pierce Stewardship Com Chairman..Dr. Thomas Bournias Philoptochos President......Ritsa Bazianos PTA Co-Presidents (Afternoon )...Linda Politis and Pauline Sarantopoulos PTA President (Preschool)... Joanne Kereakes Greek Principal... Mrs. Anastasia Liapi GSL Director...Mrs. Evangelia Vlahou-Khouri Preschool Director Stacey Chiampas Sunday Director....Presvytera Georgia Botsis Athletic Director..... David Loomos YAL President.....Patricia Grivas GOYA President... George Adams Book Store Manager... Jolynn Ruggerio Web Page..... John Melonides Office Staff......Barbara Skaouris and Alexandra Grivas IN THIS ISSUE: Letter from our Priest (pg 3) Parish Announcements (pg 4) Ανακοινώσεις (pg 5) Stewardship (pg 6) Holiday Service Schedule (pg 7) Dome Damage Report (p 8) Youth page (pg 9) Calendar for December (pg 10) 2009 STEWARDSHIP & TITHING FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT FOR OUR FAITH As of November 18, 626 stewards have committed $296,196 to the ministries of our church. Have you become a 2009 Steward yet? 3

4 THE BULLETIN BOARD Parish Announcements HOLY COMMUNION----During the Christmas Season, all Orthodox Christians usually plan to receive Holy Communion. In order to receive Holy Communion properly, please plan to prepare yourself through prayer, Holy Confession, fasting and almsgiving. Let us think of our heart as the manger in which Christ will be born, and let us prepare our manger to receive Him! SHUT-INS--Please inform the church office about elderly or ill who would like to receive Holy Communion but are unable to come to church, so that our priests can bring the Sacrament to them. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS will take place in December! Have you ever served on the Parish Council? Every Orthodox Christian should take a turn at least once rather than sitting passively and letting someone else do it, get involved! See how our church functions and what is needed for the Church to fulfill its sacred mission. NOMINATIONS FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL-- Candidates are needed to fill eleven vacancies, and the deadline for nominations is December 8. Parish Council elections will take place after church services on Sunday, December 20! Stewardship and Tithing for 2009 FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT FOR OUR FAITH By now, everyone knows how important Stewardship is! It is the major source of support for our church, and it is FAIR, because we are all asked to give in proportion to our means. This year, we asked everyone to think about the concept of tithing, which means giving 10 percent of our income to the Church. On the path to Tithing, we asked everyone to start at a mere 1% for 2009, knowing that we can gradually increase our giving every year. As we begin planning our budgets for the year 2010, it is time to think about this more seriously. Can we implement tithing in 2010? If not 10%, how about 2%, or even 1%? How important how valuable is your Church to you? If you did not have your church, would it matter? Is forgiveness important? Is it significant that you have a place to baptize your children? Are funerals really necessary? Do we need our priests and teachers and organizations? We are especially grateful to those many stewards who have increased their level of giving this year!! ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FAMILY RETREAT THE JESSE TREE Our annual Christmas Family retreat will take place on Saturday, December 5, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Saint Iakovos Camp & Retreat Center, and the whole family is invited! The day s program will include morning prayer, craft, lunch, discussion, and a service project. This is a wonderful family event watch for more information and plan to participate! PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS PARTY The ladies of our St. Haralambos Philoptochos will have their annual Christmas Dinner on Tuesday evening, December 8 at the Rosewood in Rosemont. The reception hour will begin at 6:00 and Dinner will be at 7:00, and the donation is only $30. Bring a friend! For reservations, call Maria Dimitriou ( ), Kathy Apithis ( ) or Yiota Giannoulias ( ). ANNUAL METROPOLIS CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos invites you to the annual Metropolis of Chicago Christmas Open House on Sunday afternoon, December 13th, beginning at 5:00 pm at 40 East Burton Place in Chicago. This event gives all of us the opportunity to exchange Christmas Greetings with one another and with our spiritual father, Metropolitan Iakovos. Plan to attend; His Eminence will be pleased to see you! BLESSING OF HOMES--It is an annual custom in the Epiphany Season (Epiphany is Wednesday, January 6) to bless our homes with the Agiasmos of Epiphany. If you would like to have your home blessed by the priest, please call the church office ( ). ANNUAL VASILOPITA LUNCHEON-our St. Haralambos Vasilopita Luncheon will take place on Sunday, January 10 th in our Community Center after Church services. Plan on coming, and bring your entire family. The donation is only $10. METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO VASILOPITA--Our Annual Metropolitan Vasilopita will take place Sunday evening, January 10th at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, and all are invited to join Metropolitan Iakovos and the clergy and laypeople of our Metropolis at this annual event. The Vasilopita benefits St. Basil Academy. GODPARENTS SUNDAY-Our Godparents Sunday will be observed on January 24 th 2009! Godparent Sunday gives us the opportunity to renew the relationship between Godparents and their Godchildren by receiving Holy Communion together and attending our Godparents Luncheon. This is a popular event every year, and reservations are required! Please call the church office to make your reservations, and plan to participate in our Godparents Sunday! MANY THANKS...To all our stewards and friends who participated in this year s DCFS Gift Drive! Through your generosity, gifts were provided by St. Haralambos Church members for 200 foster children in Cook County! 4

5 -Κατά την εορταστικήν εποχή των Χριστουγέννων, όλoι oι Ορθόδoξoι Χριστιαvoί πρoγραµµατίζoυv vα λάβoυv Θείαv Κoιvωvία. ια vα δεχθoύµε τηv Θ. Κoιvωvία, πρέπει vα πρoετoιµασθoύµε αvάλoγα, µε πρoσευχή, Εξoµoλόγηση, vηστεία και ελεηµοσύνη. Ας θεωρήσουµε την ψυχή µας ως την φάτνη όπου γεννήθηκε ο Χριστός, και ας πρoετoιµάσoυµε τηv ψυχή µας ως φάτvη δια vα δεχθoύµε τov vεoγέvvητo Χριστό! -Παρακαλούµε όπως πληροφορείτε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια τους ηλικιωµένους ή αρρώστους που θέλουν να λάβουν την Θείαν Κοινωνίαν και δεν δύνανται να έλθουν στην εκκλησία, ούτως ώστε οι ιερείς να προγραµµατίσουν να τους προσφέρουν την Θείαν Κοινωνίαν όπου διαµένουν STEWARDSHIP-Y -Βασιζόµεθα στην υποστήριξή σας. Έχετε γίνει steward δια το έτος 2009; -Το ετήσιο Χριστουγεννιάτικο πάρτυ της Φιλοπτώχου του Αγ. Χαραλάµπους θα λάβη χώραν την Τρίτη το βράδυ, 8 εκεµβρίου εις το Rosewood εις Rosemont. H φιλική ώρα στις 6:00 µ.µ. και είπνο στις 7:00 µ.µ. Η δωρεά είναι µόνον $30 το άτοµο. ιά κρατήσεις θέσεων, παρακαλείσθε όπως επικοινωνείτε µε τις Κa Μαρία ηµητρίου (847/ ), την Κατερίνα Απειθή (773/ ) ή την Γιώτα Γιαννούλια ( ) Y I I I I εχόµεθα δηλώσεις υπoψηφιότητoς για ένδεκα κενές θέσεις πριv τις 8 εκεµβρίου. Τηv Κυριακήv 20 εκεµβρίoυ, µετά τηv Θεία Λειτoυργία, θα γίvoυv oι εκλoγές τoυ ιoικητικoύ Συµβoυλίoυ. : THE JESSE TREE- Η ετήσιά µας Οικογενειακή Χριστουγεννιάτικη Σύναξη, υπό της αιγίδος του Κατηχητικού θα λάβει χώραν το Σάββατο, 5 εκεµβρίου, από τις 10:00π.µ. 3:00µ.µ. εις Saint Iakovos Camp και Retreat Center, και προσκαλείται ολόκληρη η οικογένεια! Το πρόγραµµα της ηµέρας περιλαµβάνει Προσευχή, χειροτεχνήµατα, γεύµα και συζήτηση. Είναι µια θαυµάσια οικογενειακή εκδήλωση σχεδιάστε να συµµετάσχετε! -Ο Σεβασµιώτατος Μητροπολίτης µας κ.κ. Ιάκωβος σας προσκαλεί στην ετήσια Χριστουγεννιάτικη εξίωση της Iεράς µας Μητροπόλεως στις 5:00 µ.µ. την Κυριακή, 13 εκεµβρίου, εις 40 Εast Burton Place στο Σικάγο. H εκδήλωση αυτή µας δίδει την ευκαιρία να ανταλλάξουµε ευχές µεταξύ µας και µε τον πνευµατικό µας πατέρα, Μητροπολίτη κ.κ. Ιάκωβο. Σχεδιάστε να παρευρεθήτε! Θα χαρεί να µας δει όλους! I I I -Τo έθιµo καλεί vα αγιάζoυµε τα σπίτια µας κατά τηv επoχή τωv Θεoφαvείωv (Ηµέρα των Θεοφανείων είναι Τετάρτη, 6 Ιανουαρίου). Εαν θέλετε ο ιερέας να έλθει σπίτι σας για αγιασµό παρακαλoύµε όπως τηλεφωvείτε στo γραφείo της εκκλησίας (847/ ). I I Η εκκλησία µας θα εoρτάσει τηv Βασιλόπιτα εις τις 10 Ιαvoυαρίoυ µε γεύµα τo oπoίo θα πρoετoιµασθεί από τηv Φιλόπτωχo µετά την Θεία Λειτουργία στην Κοινοτική µας Αίθουσα. Σας περιµένουµε µε την οικογένειά σας. Η δωρεά είναι µόνον $10. - Η ετήσια Βασιλόπιτα της Μητρόπολης θα λάβει χώρα την Κυριακή, 10 Ιανουαρίου στον Άγιο Ανδρέα εις Σικάγο, και προσκαλούνται όλοι να συνεορτάσουµε µε τον σεβασµιώτατο Μητροπολίτη µας κ. κ. Ιάκωβο αυτό το σπουδαίο γεγονός. Τα έσoδα θα διατεθoύv δια τηv Ακαδηµίαv τoυ Αγ. Βασιλείoυ. -- Κάθε µάνα και το παιδί της, σαράντα ηµέρες µετά την γέννησή του προσέρχονται στην εκκλησία για να λάβουν την Ευλογία των 40 Ηµερών, κατά µίµησην του Ιησού Χριστού ο οποίος παρουσιάσθηκε στον Ιερόν Ναόν σαράντα ηµέρες µετά την γέννησή του. Παρακαλούµε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας για να κανονίσετε την ευλογία αυτή. Παρακαλούµε όπως τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να προγραµµατίσετε Βαπτίσεις. Σχεδιάστε πολύ ενωρίτερα!-υπάρχουν µερικές µέρες που δεν γίνονται βαπτίσεις. Σας υπενθυµίζουµε ότι, κανονικά, πρέπει να δοθεί ένα όνοµα στο παιδί, και πρέπει να είναι ένας ανάδοχος. -Παρακαλούµε όπως κανονίζετε συνάντηση µε τον π. Κωνσταντίνο τουλάχιστον οκτώ µήνες πριν την προτεινόµενη ηµεροµηνία του γάµου δια τις απαιτούµενες προετοιµασίες. Οι Εξοµολογήσεις κανονίζονται κατόπιν ραντεβού. ια να προγραµµατίσετε εξοµ ολογήσεις, παρακαλούµε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας. Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί που θα ήθελαν να λάβουν τα Άγια Μυστήρια και δεν µπορούν να έλθουν στην εκκλησία (βρίσκονται εις νοσοκοµεία ή ανήµποροι εις τα σπίτια τους) παρακαλούνται να επικοινωνούν µε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να µπορέσουν να τα λάβουν. Παρακαλούµε να επικοινωνείτε µε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας εαν κάποιος συγγενής σας είναι στο νοσοκοµείο! Τα νοσοκοµεία πλέον δεν µας πληροφορούν όταν έχουν αρρώστους από την ενορία µας. Επιµνηµόσυνες δεήσεις γίνονται για την αιώνιον ανάπαυση των τεθνεώντων. Συνήθως, αυτές οι δεήσεις γίνονται κατά τις 40 ηµέρες, τους 6 µήνες, τον 1 ον χρόνο και τον 3 ον χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια, είναι πιο αρµόζον να ενθυµούµεθα τους αποθανόντας κατά τα Ψυχοσάββατα. 5

6 STEWARDSHIP 2010 FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF THE FAITH But as for you, aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called. I Timothy 6:11-12 The Christian Life is a struggle. As David fought Goliath, we contend with many obstacles and temptations as we try to live a life that is pleasing to God. As St. Paul says, let us strive for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. And fighting the good fight also involves our material world, because worthy giving is part of our struggle for salvation! In these expensive times, many of us say: I can t afford to give any more than this to the church. Even the disciples of Christ feared the thought of feeding the crowd; they didn t have enough, they said. But when a young lad offered his two fish and five loaves, Christ multiplied them and it became an overabundance! As Orthodox Christians, we are all called to give with faith, trusting that God will continue to provide for our needs. Stewardship means proportional giving, which involves two things. First, that our level of giving rises out of our level of income. Second, that giving out of thanks will involve sharing a portion of that income for God s work. In this way, we take hold of the eternal life to which we were called. (Genesis 28:22, Leviticus 27:30, Malachi 3:10) WHAT IS A WORTHY LEVEL OF GIVING? Most of us require guidance as to our level of giving. The Bible gives much guidance by teaching us that direct giving to God and His work should be proportionate to our income, wealth and possessions. Each person is to give according to his or her own ability. The Old Testament laid down the standard of the TITHE or 10% of one s income. This provides us with the principle that giving should be a proportion of our income. It s time to think and pray about our Stewardship Commitment for The Church's mission of salvation and evangelism depends directly on your generosity, which supports your Parish, Metropolis and Archdiocese. The Holy Taxiarhai and Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church operating budget for the calendar year 2010 will be $689, If we all do our fair share, we can be successful! We count on your help. Sunday, December 22 will be our STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY. We would be honored to receive your Stewardship Commitment card at that time! 6

7 Schedule Of Holiday Services- Christmas and Epiphany Thursday morning, December 24 Eve of Christmas 6:00 am Ninth Hour, Vesperal Divine Liturgy Thursday evening, December 24 Christmas Eve Liturgy 8:00 pm Orthros 9:00 pm Evening Divine Liturgy Friday, December 25 THE BIRTH IN THE FLESH OF OUR LORD AND GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST 8:30 am Orthros 9:45 am Divine Liturgy *Note: There is no fasting from Dec 25 through Jan. 4 Sunday, December 27 Family Worship Sunday 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΩΝ / ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ µ, 24 ε εµ Παραµονή της του Χριστού Γεννήσεως 6.00 πµ Ενάτη Ωρα, Εσπερινή Θεία Λειτουργία µ, 24 ε εµ -- α ει α ι 8.00 µ.µ. Όρθρος 9 00 µ.µ. Θεία Λειυουργία µ, 25 ε εµ Η ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ 8.30 πµ Ορθρος µµ Θεία Λειτουργία ΣΗΜ: Από την 25 ην εκ. µέχρι την 4 ην Ιαν. δεν νηστεύουµε. ια, 27 ε εµ ε µα πµ Ορθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Friday, January 1, 2010 Feastday of St. Basil the Great 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, January 3 Family Worship Sunday 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Tuesday, January 5 Eve of Epiphany (Day of Fasting) 8:30 am Ninth Hour 9:30 am Vesperal Divine Liturgy, The Great Blessing of the Waters Wednesday, January 6 THE GREAT FEAST OF THEOPHANY 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy, followed by The Great Blessing of the Waters ΕΥΤΥΧΕΣ ΤΟ ΝΕΟΝ ΕΤΟΣ! α α ε, 1 α α 2010 Αγ. Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου, Αρχιεπισκόπου Καισαρείας 8.30 πµ Ορθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία ια, 3 α α 8.30 π.µ. Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία, 5 α α α αµ ε α ε (Ηµέρα νηστείας) 8.30 πµ 9η Ώρα 9.30 πµ Θεία Λειτουργία, Τελετή του Μεγ. Αγιασµού, 6 α α πµ Ορθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία, Τελετή του Μεγ. Αγιασµού THIS YEAR S VASILOPITA LUNCHEON WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGY. ΕΦΕΤΟΣ, ΘΑ ΕΟΡΤΆΣΟΥΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΒΑΣΙΛΟΠΙΤΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΗ ΜΑΣ ΑΙΘΟΥΣΑ ΤΗΝ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ, 10 ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΥ, ΜΕΤΑ ΤΗΝ ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ. 7

8 ST HARALAMBOS DOME DAMAGE We regret to announce that the dome of our church has suffered severe damage which has affected the copper roof, the plaster interior of the dome and the Pantocrator iconography. We do not yet know the extent of the damage to the iconography. The structural damage, not including the iconography, has been estimated at about $125,000 and may rise. Last spring, powerful storm winds twisted the cross from its setting at the top of the dome, allowing water to enter and to saturate sections of the plaster interior. The damage went undetected until sections of paint from the iconography began to peel and fall off, as these photographs show. The cross is scheduled to be removed, and the top of the dome is being sealed to prevent further damage during the winter. We have filed a claim with our insurance carrier, and are consulting with specialists about the best way to repair the damage. We expect the work to begin in the spring, but we hope that everyone will want to offer their financial help for this project. It has been our very good fortune that we have not had to trouble our stewards with extra expenses and major fund-raising for several years. Although we are going through a difficult economic period, we ask that everyone will recognize that this is a special situation. All the information is not yet known; you will be receiving more information and we hope that you respond generously! 8

9 St. Haralambos Youth Ministries Goyans donate food and make Thanksgiving baskets for those in need Sunday children wrap Christmas gifts for their DCFS child Jeremiah The Saint Haralambos Sunday hopes that the DCFS children receive all that they wished for and much, much more! 9

10 December 2009 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 4:30 pm Greek 7:30 pm Bible Study 2 7:30 pm Philoptochos Meeting 3 3:00 pm Preschool Parent/teacher Conferences 4 Feastday of St Barbara 8:30 Orthros and Liturgy 4:30 pm Greek 6:00 -Conferences 5 8:00 am-family RETREAT 9:00 am GSL 6 ST NICHOLAS 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy 2 5:30 pm Family Night 7:30 pm GOYA 8 4:30 pm Greek 6:00 pm-philopt. Christmas Party 7:30 pm Bible Study 9 7:30 pm Parish Council Meeting :30 pm Greek 12 Feastday of St. Spyridon 8:30 Orthros and Liturgy 9:00 am GSL 13 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy 5:00 Open House at Metropolis Home Feastday of St. Eleftherios 8:30 Orthros and Liturgy 4:30 pm Greek 4:30 PTA meeting 7:30 pm Bible Study :30 Preschool Christmas Program 4:30 pm Greek 6:00 pm- Christmas Program 19 9:00 am GSL 20 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy CHRISTMAS PAGEANT STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY! 2 5:30 pm Family Night 7:30 pm GOYA 22 7:30 pm Bible Study CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING: 6:00 am-9th Hour and Vesperal Liturgy EVENING: 8:00 pm Orthros and Divine Liturgy 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 Orthros and Liturgy ST STEPHEN 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Meeting for Jerusalem trip 10

11 For information about ad sponsorship, please call St. George Publishing at or St. George Publishing, Inc. N0194 4c mss

12 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE NILES, IL Address Service Requested PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, WI PERMIT #5654 On behalf of the Clergy, the Parish Council, the Office Staff and all our parish organizations, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Joyous, Healthy and Holy New Year! 12