Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
15625 S. Bell Road - Homer Glen, IL 60491 - 708-645-0652
Fr. Sotirios Dimitriou, Protopresbyter
February 16, 2020 – Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Pamphilus the Martyr & his Companions, Flavianos, Patriarch of Constantinople & Romanos the Younger
Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Gospel Reading: Luke 15:11-32
Wednesday Evening – Greek School 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
We Would Like to Welcome All Visitors to Our Community Today!
When receiving Holy Communion, we ask that you kindly come up, row by row and follow the direction of the Parish Council Member.
WHO CAN RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION
Receiving Holy Communion and any other Sacraments is an expression of our acceptance of the dogmatic and moral teachings of the Orthodox Church. Only Orthodox Christians (by Baptism or Chrismation) in good standing may participate. For this reason, persons who do not agree with these teachings, or are not in good standing (for example, married outside the Church, or civilly divorced but not ecclesiastically divorced), must return to good standing in order to participate in the Sacramental life of the Church. For the same reasons, Orthodox Christians cannot receive sacraments in non-Orthodox.
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.
When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.
Apolytikion of Synaxis of John the Forerunner in the Second Tone
Μνήμη δικαίου μέτ' ἐγκωμίων, σοὶ δὲ ἀρκέσει ἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ Κυρίου Πρόδρομε, ἀνεδείχθης γὰρ ὄντως καὶ Προφητῶν σεβασμιώτερος, ὅτι καὶ ἐν ῥείθροις βαπτίσαι κατηξιώθης τὸν κηρυττόμενον. Ὅθεν τῆς ἀληθείας ὑπεραθλήσας, χαίρων εὐηγγελίσω καὶ τοὶς ἐν ἅδῃ, Θεὸν φανερωθέντα ἐν σαρκί, τὸν αἴροντα τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου, καὶ παρέχοντα ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou was granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.
Apolytikion of Dormition of the Theotokos in the First Tone
Εν τή Γεννήσει τήν παρθενίαν εφύλαξας, έν τή Κοιμήσει τόν κόσμον ού κατέλιπες Θεοτόκε, Μετέστης πρός τήν ζωήν, μήτηρ υπάρχουσα τής ζωής, καί ταίς πρεσβείαις ταίς σαίς λυτρουμένη, εκ θανάτου τάς ψυχάς ημών.
In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone
Τῆς πατρῴας, δόξης σου, ἀποσκιρτήσας ἀφρόνως, ἐν κακοῖς ἐσκόρπισα, ὅν μοι παρέδωκας πλοῦτον· ὅθεν σοι τὴν τοῦ Ἀσώτου, φωνὴν κραυγάζω· Ἥμαρτον ἐνώπιόν σου Πάτερ οἰκτίρμον, δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ ποίησόν με, ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου.
O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants."
St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20
Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God
The Gospel of Luke 15:11-32
The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Savior has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.
Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.
Community New …
Mardi Gras - On Sunday, February 23rd, the Assumption Philoptochos will be hosting their Annual Apokriatiko Brunch immediately following the Divine Liturgy at Ruffled Feathers Country Club, located at 1 Pete Dye Drive, in Lemont, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost of the Luncheon is $30 per adult, $20 per child 12 and under. We will have entertainment for the children and also raffle baskets for you to bid on. For reservations please call Sophia Karnezis at 708-476-5633. Please make your reservations no later than February 9th
St. John Oratorical Festival .. Once again, our parish is seeking students in 7th & 8th grade, as well as high school to participate in this year’s Oratorical Festival. For topic information and other specific details, see Father Sam.
Stewardship News ... We would like to take this opportunity and thank everyone who has fulfilled their 2019 Stewardship Commitment. Last month, you should have received final stewardship statement for 2019. If you have any questions concerning your statement please see Father Sam. Once again, your love and support has been tremendous over the past year. But now, its time to turn our focus to this year’s Stewardship Pledge Drive.
We have already mailed out the 2020 Stewardship Form to your homes, and now we ask that you be so mindful as to complete them and return them to the Church Office. Your pledge is confidential, and not for public knowledge.
We have also enclosed in this month’s issue of the Ladder a pledge form for our convenience.
Church Calendars … If you have not received your 2020 Church Calendar, please stop by the office and you may pick one up.
KATHARA DEFTERA – CLEAN MONDAY … On Monday, March 2nd, the Orthodox Church enters into the Great Lenten Period. A Compline Service will be chanted at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Strict Fast Lenten Pot-Luck Dinner (dinner is free!). The entire family of the Assumption Church is asked to come to the service that evening in order that we may properly prepare ourselves for the Great Lenten Journey that lies ahead of us. In other words, please don’t make any excuses why you cannot come, but rather, make it a point to be there and offer prayers for strength and guidance from our Lord.
Donations Needed For Great Lent & Holy Week... As Great Lent approaches, March 2nd, we are in need of various items that are required during the Lenten period. The following items are needed:
Flowers for the Epitaphio - $800.00
Flowers for the 5 Salutation Service Icon @ $75
3Stefania for Holy Thursday evening - $135 each
4 dozen Rose Pedals
2 Bottles Rose Water
200 eggs
15 dozen Yellow Flowers (Jonquils) for the 3rd Sunday of Lent
Flowers for the Nymphio Icon - $125
Palm Sunday Icon - $75
Last Supper Icon $100
Flowers for the Large Resurrection Icon $125
Flowers for the Small Resurrection Icon $100
Bay Leaves for Palm Sunday - $300
Palms for Palm Sunday - $300
100 Chocolate Easter Bunnies for Sunday of Agape.
Easter Lilies
If you would like to donate one of the items listed above, please see Father Sam.
Sunday Hostess’s Needed … Every Sunday, you are all invited to stay and enjoy each other’s fellowship during the coffee hour after the Divine Liturgy. In order for this to continue on a weekly basis we need your help. We are in need of volunteers to host the Sunday Fellowship. If you are able volunteer, please sign up. Thank you.
When scheduling a Memorial Service, please see Father Sam first. There are certain Sundays throughout the year that Memorials are not permitted, especially now as we draw closer to Great and Holy Lent.
Church Etiquette: During the Divine Liturgy, we all have the responsibility of maintaining proper decorum in the Church. Please be on time for the beginning of the Divine Liturgy and not the conclusion. Turn off your cell phones before entering the Church. No conversations should take place during worship. During the reading of the Gospel people in the narthex should not be talking, purchasing or lighting candles, but rather stand reverently and listen to the reading. Lipstick and lip gloss should be removed before kissing icons and receiving Holy Communion When receiving antidoron, please use both hands and do not allow the crumbs to fall to the floor, the bread has been blessed
Food for thought: Our aim in life should be service not success.
15625 S. Bell Road - Homer Glen, IL 60491 - 708-645-0652
Fr. Sotirios Dimitriou, Protopresbyter
February 16, 2020 – Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Pamphilus the Martyr & his Companions, Flavianos, Patriarch of Constantinople & Romanos the Younger
Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Gospel Reading: Luke 15:11-32
Wednesday Evening – Greek School 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
We Would Like to Welcome All Visitors to Our Community Today!
When receiving Holy Communion, we ask that you kindly come up, row by row and follow the direction of the Parish Council Member.
WHO CAN RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION
Receiving Holy Communion and any other Sacraments is an expression of our acceptance of the dogmatic and moral teachings of the Orthodox Church. Only Orthodox Christians (by Baptism or Chrismation) in good standing may participate. For this reason, persons who do not agree with these teachings, or are not in good standing (for example, married outside the Church, or civilly divorced but not ecclesiastically divorced), must return to good standing in order to participate in the Sacramental life of the Church. For the same reasons, Orthodox Christians cannot receive sacraments in non-Orthodox.
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.
When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.
Apolytikion of Synaxis of John the Forerunner in the Second Tone
Μνήμη δικαίου μέτ' ἐγκωμίων, σοὶ δὲ ἀρκέσει ἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ Κυρίου Πρόδρομε, ἀνεδείχθης γὰρ ὄντως καὶ Προφητῶν σεβασμιώτερος, ὅτι καὶ ἐν ῥείθροις βαπτίσαι κατηξιώθης τὸν κηρυττόμενον. Ὅθεν τῆς ἀληθείας ὑπεραθλήσας, χαίρων εὐηγγελίσω καὶ τοὶς ἐν ἅδῃ, Θεὸν φανερωθέντα ἐν σαρκί, τὸν αἴροντα τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου, καὶ παρέχοντα ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou was granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.
Apolytikion of Dormition of the Theotokos in the First Tone
Εν τή Γεννήσει τήν παρθενίαν εφύλαξας, έν τή Κοιμήσει τόν κόσμον ού κατέλιπες Θεοτόκε, Μετέστης πρός τήν ζωήν, μήτηρ υπάρχουσα τής ζωής, καί ταίς πρεσβείαις ταίς σαίς λυτρουμένη, εκ θανάτου τάς ψυχάς ημών.
In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone
Τῆς πατρῴας, δόξης σου, ἀποσκιρτήσας ἀφρόνως, ἐν κακοῖς ἐσκόρπισα, ὅν μοι παρέδωκας πλοῦτον· ὅθεν σοι τὴν τοῦ Ἀσώτου, φωνὴν κραυγάζω· Ἥμαρτον ἐνώπιόν σου Πάτερ οἰκτίρμον, δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ ποίησόν με, ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου.
O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants."
St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20
Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God
The Gospel of Luke 15:11-32
The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Savior has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.
Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.
Community New …
Mardi Gras - On Sunday, February 23rd, the Assumption Philoptochos will be hosting their Annual Apokriatiko Brunch immediately following the Divine Liturgy at Ruffled Feathers Country Club, located at 1 Pete Dye Drive, in Lemont, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost of the Luncheon is $30 per adult, $20 per child 12 and under. We will have entertainment for the children and also raffle baskets for you to bid on. For reservations please call Sophia Karnezis at 708-476-5633. Please make your reservations no later than February 9th
St. John Oratorical Festival .. Once again, our parish is seeking students in 7th & 8th grade, as well as high school to participate in this year’s Oratorical Festival. For topic information and other specific details, see Father Sam.
Stewardship News ... We would like to take this opportunity and thank everyone who has fulfilled their 2019 Stewardship Commitment. Last month, you should have received final stewardship statement for 2019. If you have any questions concerning your statement please see Father Sam. Once again, your love and support has been tremendous over the past year. But now, its time to turn our focus to this year’s Stewardship Pledge Drive.
We have already mailed out the 2020 Stewardship Form to your homes, and now we ask that you be so mindful as to complete them and return them to the Church Office. Your pledge is confidential, and not for public knowledge.
We have also enclosed in this month’s issue of the Ladder a pledge form for our convenience.
Church Calendars … If you have not received your 2020 Church Calendar, please stop by the office and you may pick one up.
KATHARA DEFTERA – CLEAN MONDAY … On Monday, March 2nd, the Orthodox Church enters into the Great Lenten Period. A Compline Service will be chanted at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Strict Fast Lenten Pot-Luck Dinner (dinner is free!). The entire family of the Assumption Church is asked to come to the service that evening in order that we may properly prepare ourselves for the Great Lenten Journey that lies ahead of us. In other words, please don’t make any excuses why you cannot come, but rather, make it a point to be there and offer prayers for strength and guidance from our Lord.
Donations Needed For Great Lent & Holy Week... As Great Lent approaches, March 2nd, we are in need of various items that are required during the Lenten period. The following items are needed:
Flowers for the Epitaphio - $800.00
Flowers for the 5 Salutation Service Icon @ $75
3Stefania for Holy Thursday evening - $135 each
4 dozen Rose Pedals
2 Bottles Rose Water
200 eggs
15 dozen Yellow Flowers (Jonquils) for the 3rd Sunday of Lent
Flowers for the Nymphio Icon - $125
Palm Sunday Icon - $75
Last Supper Icon $100
Flowers for the Large Resurrection Icon $125
Flowers for the Small Resurrection Icon $100
Bay Leaves for Palm Sunday - $300
Palms for Palm Sunday - $300
100 Chocolate Easter Bunnies for Sunday of Agape.
Easter Lilies
If you would like to donate one of the items listed above, please see Father Sam.
Sunday Hostess’s Needed … Every Sunday, you are all invited to stay and enjoy each other’s fellowship during the coffee hour after the Divine Liturgy. In order for this to continue on a weekly basis we need your help. We are in need of volunteers to host the Sunday Fellowship. If you are able volunteer, please sign up. Thank you.
When scheduling a Memorial Service, please see Father Sam first. There are certain Sundays throughout the year that Memorials are not permitted, especially now as we draw closer to Great and Holy Lent.
Church Etiquette: During the Divine Liturgy, we all have the responsibility of maintaining proper decorum in the Church. Please be on time for the beginning of the Divine Liturgy and not the conclusion. Turn off your cell phones before entering the Church. No conversations should take place during worship. During the reading of the Gospel people in the narthex should not be talking, purchasing or lighting candles, but rather stand reverently and listen to the reading. Lipstick and lip gloss should be removed before kissing icons and receiving Holy Communion When receiving antidoron, please use both hands and do not allow the crumbs to fall to the floor, the bread has been blessed
Food for thought: Our aim in life should be service not success.
