APOLYTIKION – Plagal Fourth Mode
From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou
mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Ascension of Our Lord
Greek Orthodox Church
Apolytikion - All Saints in the Fourth Mode
Adorned in the blood of Thy Martyrs throughout all the world as in purple and fine linen, Thy Church, through them,
doth cry unto Thee, O Christ God: Send down Thy compassions upon Thy people; grant peace to Thy commonwealth,
and great mercy to our souls.
APOLYTIKION - Hymn of our Church
Savior, didst cry out to all: Whosoever is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Wherefore, O Well-spring of life,
Christ our God, glory be to Thee Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Thy disciples with
the promise of the Holy Spirit and they were assured by the blessing that Thou are the Son of God and Redeemer
of the world.
Ανελήφθης εν δόξη, Χριστέ ο Θεός ηµων , χαροποιήσας τούς µαθητάς τη επαγγελία τού Αγίου Πνεύµατος βεβαιωθέντων
αυτών διά τής ευλογίας, ότι σύ ει ο Υιός το΄΄υ Θεού, ο λυτρωτής τού κόσµου.
KONTAKION – Plagal Fourth Mode
As the first-fruits of our nature to the Planter of created things, the world presented the God-bearing martyred
Saints in offering unto Thee, O Lord. Through their earnest entreaties, keep Thy Church in deep peace and divine
tranquility, through the pure Theotokos, O Thou Who art greatly merciful.
EPISTLE READING – Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2
BRETHREN, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the
mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty
in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to
accept release that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains
and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword;
they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by
their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us
they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also
lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before
us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfection of our faith.
GOSPEL READING – Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38; 19:27-30
The Lord said to his disciples, "Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father
who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. He who
loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not
worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Then Peter said in reply, "Lo,
we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the
new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or
mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that
are first will be last, and the last first."
1207 Riverwoods Road – Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
Fr. Sotirios P. Malamis, Proistamenos
TEL: (847) 482-1200 | FAX: (847) 482-9566 | www.ascensiongoc.com
Office e-mail: [email protected]
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN
June 7 - 14, 2015
Prosphora Baker:
FOS Ministry Greeter:
Reader:
Ushers:
Elaine Metropoulos
Michael and Ellen Kaitson
Bill Athenson
Alex Marx, Peter Venetos, Diane Sigalos,
Bob Mantzoros, Steve Sintetas, Doug Hugdahl
SPIRITUAL REFLECTION – A woman who had an affliction heard of Abba Longinus and sought to meet him.
Now, he dwelt at the ninth milestone beyond Alexandria. When the woman came looking for him he was
gathering firewood by the sea. Approaching him the woman said, “Abba, where does Abba Longinus the
servant of God live? She had no idea it was he. His reply was, ‘Why are you looking for that impostor? Don’t
go to him. He is an impostor. What is the matter with you? The woman showed him her affliction. He made
the sign of the cross over the place and sent her away, saying, ‘Go, and God will heal you, for Longinus cannot
be of any use to you. The woman trusted these words and was healed on the spot. Later, when she was
recounting the episode to others and describing the old man, she discovered that he was the Abba Longinus.
Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Longinus, 3 (PG 65, 236-7).
Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church
June 7 - 14, 2015
SUNDAY
8:15 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
12:00 Noon
JUNE 7 – ALL SAINTS
GRADUATES SUNDAY
Orthros
Divine Liturgy
Memorial Service for the Servant of God Konstandina Sikaras (40 days)
Coffee Fellowship hosted by the Maris Family
Festival @ St. George Church, Chicago until 11:00 p.m.
CHURCH NEWS, REMINDERS AND UPDATES
+
GRAND OPENING OF THE ST. IAKOVOS RETREAT CENTER – On June 13th the Grand Opening
of the Retreat Center will start with an Agiasmo Service and Blessing of the facility at 11:00 a.m. followed by
Lunch and Tours at 12:00 Noon. Departure at 3:00 p.m. Cost: Freewill Offering. Parking is limited,
therefore transportation may be offered by our Parish.
GREEK SCHOOL NEWS
+
APPLICATIONS for the next school year beginning this coming September may be obtained by
calling the Church Office between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. Applications for registrations will also
be mailed to your homes in the middle of July!
MONDAY
JUNE 8
APOSTLES FAST BEGINS (Fish, oil, and wine are allowed. Refrain from eating meat, dairy,
and eggs.)
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
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THERE IS STILL TIME to be a part of the Celebration of Giving on June 11th at Dover Straits.
Please join our Philoptochos for a very enjoyable evening. Cost $25.00 for a great dinner. For information
and reservations please call Vicky Douvlis at (847) 951-3089.
TUESDAY
7:00 p.m.
JUNE 9
Parish Council Meeting
THURSDAY
6:00 p.m.
JUNE 11
Philoptochos Celebration of Giving @ Dover Straits
FROM UGANDA WITH LOVE – A SPECIAL PRESENTATION AT ASCENSION
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On June 28th following the Divine Liturgy, Ascension will warmly welcome Orthodox Christian
missionaries Peter and Sharon Georges, who will tell the fascinating story of their ministry to AIDS orphans
and vulnerable children in the slums of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.
FRIDAY
6:00 p.m.
JUNE 12
Wedding Rehearsal
SATURDAY
11:00 a.m.
5:00 p.m.
JUNE 13
Baptism of the Daughter of Stacie and Matt Brown
Vespers
SUNDAY
8:15 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
JUNE 14 – 2ND SUNDAY OF MATTHEW
Orthros
Divine Liturgy
Swearing-in of Philoptochos Board Officers
Coffee hosted by the Philoptochos
Sponsor: Melissa Duitsman
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OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES to the family of Lisa (Frank) Karkazis on the death of her mother,
Mary Panton who recently fell asleep in the Lord. The funeral took place yesterday at Assumption Church.
WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS
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WE ARE GLAD you came to our Church. We hope your visit was memorable and meaningful in every
way. Our doors and hearts are always open to you. Please join us for fellowship following the Divine Liturgy
and visit with Fr. Sotiri and with members of the Parish Council. They will answer questions and provide you
with information regarding the programs and life at the Ascension.
GRADUATES SUNDAY
+ TODAY IS GRADUATES SUNDAY – This morning we will honor our Ascension Graduates with a gift on
behalf of the entire Congregation. Please refer to the enclosed list in this Sunday’s Bulletin.
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
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CONGRATULATIONS to all that participated in the Jr. Olympics on Memorial Day weekend! We will
be acknowledging the participants after the Divine Liturgy today. We also had 3 medalists this year! Ted
Tapas, son of George and Georgia Tapas received a GOLD medal in Individual Bowling; Chris Svigos, son of
John and Anastasia Svigos won a SILVER medal in Checkers; and Mark Curran, son of Mark and Irene Curran
won a BRONZE medal in Shot Put. Thank you to our Parish rep. Doug Hugdahl and to all the coaches/advisors
who also helped.
PRAYER REQUESTS FOR HEALTH
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PRAYER REQUESTS – Please include in your personal prayers the servants of God: Georgia, John,
Penelope Athanasia, Eleni, George, Nicholas, Ethel, Louise, Efstathios, Paraskevi, John, Sophia, Panagiota,
Anastasia, Stella, Athanasia, Mitchell and Joanne.
DID YOU KNOW?
FROM FEAST TO FAST: Last week was a fast-free week; however, on the Monday after the Feast of All
Saints, we begin the Apostles Fast. We paraphrase St. Leo the Great to explain why this timing makes sense
for our Liturgical life. After the long feast of Pentecost, fasting is especially necessary as a wholesome and
needful practice to purify our thoughts and make us worthy to continue receiving the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
During the Pentecostal season, we draw strength from the Lord who is present among us, like nourishing food
for the Christian. On the days that follow His Ascension into Heaven, however, the remedy of strict
abstinence when we fast helps us to draw on the Holy Spirit bestowed on us during Pentecost, and helps to
keep us on a faithful path. The Apostles Fast lasts from the day after the Feast of All Saints until June
29th, the Feastday of SS Peter and Paul.