The MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE

HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS · 60714 PHONE (847) 647-8880 WWW.SAINTHARALAMBOSGOC.ORG

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)

FEBRUARY 2017

‘

Our St. Haralambos

66th Anniversary Luncheon Banquet Sunday afternoon, February 12, 2017

1:00 pm Allgauer’s at the Chicago/Northbrook Hilton Hotel

2855 Milwaukee Avenue, Northbrook

A family event with entertainment for the kids,

Silent Auction and dancing! ‘

For reservations, please call

Rubine Giannopoulos (847-977-8775) or Ruby Antonopoulos (847-508-2961)

Let’s celebrate! Plan to join us!

Feastday of Saint Haralambos

Wednesday evening, February 8 7:00 pm—Paraclesis to Saint Haralambos

Thursday evening, February 9 7:00 pm—Great Vespers of St. Haralambos

Friday, February 10 8:30 am—Orthros (Matins)

10:00 am—Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Artoclasia

WORSHIP SCHEDULE February 2017

Thursday, Feb 2—The Presentation of our Lord 8:30 am—Orthros and Liturgy

Sunday, February 5—The Publican and the Pharisee 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, Feb 8 7:00 pm—Paraclesis to St. Haralambos

Thurs, Feb 9—Feastday of St. Haralambos 7:00 pm—Great Vespers

Friday, February 10— ST HARALAMBOS THE PRIEST MARTYR 8:30 am—Orthros 10:00 am—Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Sunday, February 12—The Prodigal Son 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy Followed by our 66th Anniversary Celebration!

Saturday, Feb 18—ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ-Saturday of Souls 8:30 am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy

Sunday, February 19—Meat Fare Sunday (Apokreas) 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

Saturday, Feb 25—ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ-Saturday of Souls 8:30 am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy

Sunday, February 26—Cheese-Fare Sunday 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

Sunday Evening, February 26 7:00 pm—Forgiveness Vespers

GREAT LENT BEGINS

Monday, February 27—Pure Monday-Καθαρά Δευτέρα 5:00 pm—Great Compline 6:30 pm—Lenten Dinner

Tuesday, February 28 6:00 pm—Great Compline

Wednesday, March 1 6:00 pm—Presanctified Liturgy

Thursday, March 2 6:00 pm—Great Compline

Friday, March 3 7:00 pm—Salutations to the Theotokos ((Χαιρετισμοί)

Saturday, March 4—Saturday of the Souls 8:30 am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy

Sunday, March 5 8:15 am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy

SUNDAY MARCH 5 IS THE SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY

6:30 pm: Pan-Orthodox Vespers At St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church

in Cicero, Illinois

SACRAMENTS AND BLESSINGS MINISTRY TO PERSONS WHO ARE SICK-We urge Orthodox Christians who would like to receive Holy Sacraments but are unable to attend church (hospitalized or at home) to contact the church office so Holy Sacraments can be administered to them.

If your loved one is hospitalized please call us, even if the illness is not serious! In a wholistic approach to healing and well-being, a visit from the priest can be very positive. Most hospitals do not inform us when they receive patients from our parish. We depend on you!

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 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.

MEMORIAL SERVICES—Memorial Services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Customari-ly, 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 proper-ly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls.

END OF LIFE ISSUES 1 - The Right to a Proper Funeral It is an honor to have a church funeral. When the funeral does not take place at the church it indicates that someone is not in good order. Sometimes out of convenience, we consider omitting a church funeral for our loved ones, not realizing that we are depriving them of their right to be honored. Let us honor our parents and relatives with the respect they deserve!

2 - About Cremation Orthodox Christians believe that in the General Resurrection, our bodies and souls will be restored to each other. Cremation is the de-liberate desecration and destruction of what God has made, and is viewed as the denial of the Resurrection. In cases where there is intention for the body of a deceased person to be cremated, thus choosing to disregard our understanding of the Resurrection, the honor of a church funeral is not given, either in the church, or the funeral home or any other place. Additionally, memorial services with kolyva are not allowed, since the connection of the “kernel of wheat” as a sign of the Resurrection has been intentionally destroyed.

2017 STEWARDSHIP

DISCOVER THE LIGHT!

2017 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

As of February 1, 2017

152 families have promised 91,257.00 for 2017 Stewardship!

Average level of giving is $600!

Have you become a 2017 Steward yet?

HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS 60714 PHONE: 847/647-8880

From Father Dean

February 2017

Dear Stewards and Friends of St. Haralambos,

February! What a busy and wonderful month it will be! The Feastday of our patron Saint Haralambos falls on Friday, February 10, and we will honor his memory with a Paraclesis to St. Haralambos on Wednesday, February 8, Great Vespers on the 9th, and Divine Liturgy on February 10th. Plan to join us in honoring our Patron Saint!

We will continue the festivities with a Luncheon Banquet and Silent Auction on Sunday afternoon, February 12 at the Chicago/Nor thbrook Hilton (Allgauer’s). We will have a delicious brunch, entertainment for the kids, an exciting Silent Auction and Dancing! If you have not already made reservations, hurry!

The Triodion (pre-lent) began on Sunday, February 5th, and the first day of Great Lent will be Monday, February 27. We look forward to all the special observances that characterize this pre-Lenten season: our annual Tsiknopempti Dinner which our Philoptochos ladies will host on Thurs-day, February 16 and our annual Apokreatiko Glendi, which our PTA will host on Saturday, February 18.

During the first weeks of Triodion, according to our Orthodox Christian tradition, we ease into Great Lent gradually. There is no fasting permitted in the first week of Triodion (Feb 5-11). The second week (Feb 12-18), we are to fast on Wednesday and Friday; the other days we are permitted all foods, but Sunday, February 19 is Meat-Fare (Απόκρεας) Sunday—the last day of eating meat until Pascha. The week of February 20-25 is Cheese-Fare week, and all manners of milk and cheese products are prescribed every day, with February 26 as Cheese-Fare Sunday, or the day we say good-bye to dairy products. On that evening we have the Vespers of Forgiveness, and the next day is Pure Monday (Καθαρά Δευτέρα), the first day of the Great Fast, which we observe with a modest Lenten community meal.

I would like to remind you of the importance of making your 2017 Stewardship Commitment. This commitment is an expression of our support for our church for one full year, whether we commit in January or in December. We ask everyone to make their commitment by February; pay-ment can be spread out through the year. (We suggest monthly or quarterly payments so that we can be more generous.)

As our personal and household expenses increase every year, so do the church’s. Stewardship works if we all increase our level of giving every year, even if it’s only a few dollars! If you have not yet made your 2017 commitment, please do so as soon as you can!

Have you made a three-year commitment to our Phase 3 Expansion Building Fund? We would like to have Groundbreaking this Spring! But we need your support and the support of each and every member for this to hap-pen. Please look at page 4 for more details!

I would like to thank our advertisers who make our monthly VISIONS Newsletter possible. Please read through our list of sponsors, and patronize them!

Sometimes, we complain that we have too much to do, but we should count our blessings and be grateful; there are so many people who do not have much reason to celebrate. Let us seize every opportunity with fervor and enthusiasm, and thanks to God!

IN THIS ISSUE:

Letter from our Priest (pg 3) Phase 3 Expansion (pg 4) Thank You to our Phase 3 Donors! (pg 5) Announcements/Ανακοινώσεις (pg 6-7) Events (pg 8) Passages: Remembering 2016 (pg 9) Calendar (pg 10)

HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH NILES, ILLINOIS

Proistamenos…………....…... Fr. Constantine P. Botsis Synefimerios…………..….…....... Fr. George Lamberis Pastoral Assistant....….…..... Deacon John G. Suhayda Chanter…………..........…….....…..…..Nick Harisiadis Parish Council Officers President………...…...………..… Perry Giannopoulos Vice President….................…...……..… Nick Andrews Treasurer……….…............................... David Loomos Secretary……………….……………..… Kathy Apithis Phase III Chairman......................... Perry Giannopoulos Stewardship………………………………. Budget Committee Chairman .........Perry Giannopoulos Building & Grounds Chairman……. …... Michael Pontikes and Theodoros Karabatsos Decor Committee Chairman..............Stephan Aliferakis Finance Committee Chairman...…............. Tom Sikoral Outreach Committee………....………...…..John Pierce Inreach Committee………………... School Board Chairman….................Olympia Bournias Audit Committee Chairman……..……..George Houpis ..

Food Fest Chairman………………. Philoptochos President..…………........Maria Dimitriou PTA Co-Presidents (Afternoon School)…. ….....Anna Sikoral and Kathy Ioannidis PTA President (Preschool)…....…...Marianna Memmos PTA Co-Presidents (Saturday School)……. ......Melina Papadopoulos and Irene Mohr Greek School Principal….............. Mrs. Anastasia Liapi Saturday School Director…Mrs. Andrianna Panayiotou Preschool Director…..…...…….........Mrs. Rita Petratos Sunday School Director….....Presvytera Georgia Botsis Athletic Director…………...…....…..… David Loomos Scoutmaster..……..…………....…..... Vasili Zimbrakos Asst Cubmaster…...…………...………....... John Frake Little Angels…………..……… Mrs. Christine Kavadas YAL President……..................….....Christina Pappadis GOYA President….......................... ……... Alex Anton Jr. Goya Advisor……..….….…..……… Father George Bookstore Manager….........…......……Jolynn Ruggerio Web Master…...….....…....…....…..…. George Houpis Facebook……………..………………...Elizabeth Kotis Office Staff….. …………………….. Barbara Skaouris, Alexandra Grivas, Anna Sikoral Maintenance Staff…..Juan Caro and Carolina Contreras

At the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, the Deacon says to the priest, “Καιρός τοῦ ποιῆσαι τῶ

Κυρίω” —”The time has come to do the work of the Lord.” Indeed, the same command is now given

to us and our community!

With your help, we are planning the Groundbreaking for our amazing new facility in 2017—this

year! Imagine a new gym/auditorium where we can have programs, athletic events and dinners!

Imagine a new facility with classrooms and meeting rooms! Imagine a spacious new kitchen with

walk-in coolers and storage space. Imagine dedicated preschool classrooms, and the possibility of

expanding our educational programs!

The projected cost of the construction is $6 million. Of course the best thing would be to have

3-year pledges cover the full amount from you and our other members and friends. We have decided,

however, that if we could get 60% (or $3,600,000) promised, we could start construction.

At the present time about $2,200,000 has been raised, including $600,000 from the Consecration. The

additional $1,600,000 has been pledged from about 130 stewards and friends, including generous gifts

from our very gracious “Visionaries.” (On page 5, we have listed our donors up to now.) The average

donation from these 130 stewards and friends is over $10,000 and we are extremely grateful to them

all!

But wait! Our community has over 700 families! 530 families have not yet pledged!

Dear friends, this is a major construction project that needs everyone’s help. We still need to raise

$1,400,000! And it is quite realistic! We don’t expect those 530 to commit an average of $10,000. But If

the 530 families donated an average of only $900 a year for three years ($2700), WE CAN DO IT! Do

you realize this is only $75 a month?

There are a number of families on fixed incomes who might not be able to commit at this level, but

we have a large number of “Leaders” who can commit $5000 or more over 3 years, if they have the de-

sire to help build this project. WE CAN DO IT!

Everyone is needed to pitch in! Obviously, all gifts are appreciated, but donations of $100 or $500

over the 3 year period will not get us to our goal.

We will all benefit from the marvelous new facility that is being planned! Please be generous! Let

your heart be touched with the desire to support. This is a worthy project. It calls us to make some

sacrifice for our own good and for future generations, with faith and with love.

“Καιρός τοῦ ποιῆσαι τῶ Κυρίω” —”The time has come!”

THE EXPANSION OF OUR ST HARALAMBOS COMMUNITY CENTER

VISIONARIES Pledges of $100,000 and more Mr. & Mrs. Michael Bousis Mr. & Mrs. Chris Giannoulias Mr. & Mrs. Bill Kokalias Saint Haralambos Philoptochos Mr. Chris Tomaras Anonymous

LEADERS Pledges of $5,000 and more Mr. & Mrs. Stephan Aliferakis Mr. & Mrs. George Alpogianis Mr. & Mrs. George Anastasiadis Mr. Andy Andrews Mr. Telly Andrews Mr. & Mrs. Tom Andrews Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Peter Antonopoulos Dr. Voula Asimacopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Balabanos Mr. & Mrs. Mike Balourdos Dr. & Mrs. John Barron Mr. & Mrs. Peter Baziotes Ms. Joann Bellos Fr. Dean & Presvytera Georgia Botsis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Bournias Mr. & Mrs. William Callas Mr. & Mrs. George Conopeotis Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel Couris Mr. & Mrs. Harry Couris Dr. & Mrs. Perry Danos Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Daskalopoulos Mr. & Mrs. John Deligiannis Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Demeros Mr. & Mrs. Chris Demopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Dimitriou Mr. & Mrs. Dino Gavanes Ms. Georgia Gavaris Mr. & Mrs. Perry Giannopoulos Mrs. Panagiota Giannoulias Mr. & Mrs. George Giolas Mr. & Mrs. Jim Grammas Mr. & Mrs. Chris Haralampopoulos Dr. & Mrs. Dimitri Haralampopoulos Mr. & Mrs. John Harisiadis Mr. & Mrs. John Harty Mr. & Mrs. Ted Karabatsos Dr. & Mrs. Louis Karras Ms. Marianna Koliopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kontos Ms. Argy Koutsikos & Mr. David Tafreshing Mr. & Mrs. Gus Lamberis

Fr. George & Pres. Diana Lamberis Mr. & Mrs. Bill Laskaris Ms. Christine Liakopoulos Mr. George Liakopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Efstratios Litsogiannis Mr. & Mrs. David Loomos Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Magoulas Mr. & Mrs. Spero Margaris Mr. & Mrs. Diamade Mitsakopoulos Ms. Eva Nikelly Mr. & Mrs. Polikarpos Papaioanniou Mr. & Mrs. Andy Politis Mr. & Mrs. Dean Pontikes Mr. & Mrs. Michael Pontikes Mrs. Venetia Poulakos Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Rizos Saint Haralambos Afternoon Greek School PTA Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Sikoral Ms. Kathleen Slowik Mr. & Mrs. John Sotos Mr. & Mrs. Tom Sotos Dn. John & Dcnsa. Helen Suhayda Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Tabrizi Mrs. Eleni Touzios Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Tsaganos Mr. & Mrs. Tom Tsaganos Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Tzotzolis Mr. & Mrs. Bill Vaselopulos Mr. & Mrs. Paul Yannias Mr. & Mrs. Tom Zavos Anonymous

CONTRIBUTORS Mr. & Mrs. John Adinamis The Adreani Foundation Ms. Bia Adams Mr. & Mrs. Chris Adams Mr. & Mrs. Nick Andrews In Memory of Vasiliki Asimacopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Arvanitis Ms. Georgia Bexes In Memory of Pantelis Bleas Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Bouris DARA Association of America Mr. & Mrs. John Drivas Ms. Antoinette Farmakis Ms. Joann Farsalas Mr. & Mrs. Michael Giannos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Goudes Mr. & Mrs. James Govis Ms. Sandy Grivas Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kanellos Ms. Lee Karnezis Mr. & Mrs. Chris Katsikas

Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Kostiuk Ms. Grammatiki Kotis Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kotis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Koutsovitis Mrs. George Laskaris Mrs. Kristine Lenrow Mr. & Mrs. Peter Liakouras Ms. Kathy Limnios Ms. Roula Mareskes Ms. Polyxeni Marlantas Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Maroulis Mr. & Mrs. George N. Marquisos Mr. Constantine Megremis Mr. & Mrs. Nick Megremis Mr. & Mrs. William Michaels Ms. Mae Panoplos Mr. & Mrs. William Panos Ms. Angie Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Sam Prassinos Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation Mr. Dino Poulakos Ms. Antonio Poulos Mr. & Mrs. Gus Spears Mr. & Mrs. Paul Stavridis Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Theodoropou-los Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Tourlis Mr. & Mrs. Alkis Tsoutsias Tsoutsias, Balabanos & Associates If you made a pledge more than 7 days ago and do not see your name on this list, please contact the Church Office.

WE WISH TO EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO ALL WHO HAVE PLEDGED!

COMMUNITY SURVEY—As our commu-nity continues to grow, we strive to serve our members. You are invited to complete a brief survey about your overall experience at St. Haralambos. This will help us understand what is important to you and your family. Please feel free to provide feedback on minis-tries, activities, and spiritual services. Any suggestions you may have are greatly wel-comed. All completed surveys are anony-mous, and results will be presented without identification. The survey can be completed on line; paper copies are also available in the church office. The deadline to complete the survey is February 15th.

Please use the following link to access the survey: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3219664/St-Haralambos-Parish-Survey

ST HARALAMBOS

66th ANNIVERSARY On Sunday afternoon, February 12, we will celebrate our parish’s 66th Anniversary with a Festive Luncheon Banquet at Allgauers at the Hilton in Northbrook (2855 Milwaukee Avenue)! Please make your reservations and plan to attend with your family!

2017 Stewardship—DISCOVER THE LIGHT! Jesus is the Light of the World, but He also said “YOU are the light of the World; let your light shine before others.” Stewardship is discovering our light by using the talents and gifts God has given us. 2017 information has been mailed to you. When you complete the form, please consider your 2017 Commitment carefully, and also fill out ALL the information. The ministries that in-terest you could reflect your talents and gifts—the light that is in you!

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE “INREACH” COMMITTEE—Just as we have an Out-reach Committee, we are in the process of creating an “Inreach Committee” to research a plan for the internal, spiritual growth of our families. Would you like to help? Please call the church office!

“TSIKNOPEMPTI” DINNER— Join us Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 pm for a delicious dinner hosted by our Philoptochos. This is the last weekday on which meat is served before Great Lent begins. Please call the church office for reservations!

ORTHODOX MISSIONS BENEFIT DINNER — Mission Team Chicago is sponsoring its 20th Annual Missions Benefit Dinner at 6:30 pm on Thursday, February 23 at St. John the Bap-tist Church in Des Plaines. The guest speaker will be Fr. Michael Oleksa, speaking about the “Missionary Importance of the Alas-kan Saints Today.” The donation is only $35, and proceeds will benefit the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. For reservations, please call 317-709-0168 or visit MTCbenefit@yahoo.com by Feb 16.

PARISH COUNCIL OFFICERS—Congratulations to the newly officers of the 2017 Parish Council:

President: Perry Giannopoulos Vice President: Nick Andrews Treasurer: David Loomos Secretary: Katerina Apithis Ass. Treasurer: Bill Bozikis Asst Secretary: Argy Koutsikos 2nd Asst Treas: Anthony Rizos Members: Christos Agalliu, Dr Thomas Bournias, Angelo Demeros, Nick Gianaris, George Giolas, Dino Houpis, Krystal Ioannou, Thomas Kanelos, Theodoros Karabatsos, Eleni Kir-iazopoulos, Richard Kozlowski, Tom Sikoral and Mike Pontikes. We congratulate the officers and all the members of the Parish Council, and wish them much success!

ΠΕΡΙ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΕΥΧΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΜΥΣΤΗΡΙΩΝ

ΕΥΧΕΣ ΝΕΟΓΕΝΝΗΤΩΝ ΤΕΚΝΩΝ--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.

ΒΑΠΤΙΣΕΙΣ—Παρακαλούμε όπως τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να προγραμματίσετε Βαπτίσεις. Σχεδιάστε πολύ ενωρίτερα!-Υπάρχουν μερικές μέρες που δεν γίνονται βαπτίσεις.

ΓΑΜΟΙ—Παρακαλούμε όπως κανονίζετε συνάντηση με τον π. Κωνσταντίνο τουλάχιστον οκτώ μήνες πριν την προτεινόμενη ημερομηνία του γάμου δια τις απαιτούμενες προετοιμασίες.

ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΗ—Οι Εξομολογήσεις κανονίζονται κατόπιν ραντεβού. Δια να προγραμματίσετε εξομολογήσεις, παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας.

ΜΕΡΙΜΝΑ ΑΡΡΩΣΤΩΝ—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 μεταλάβουν.

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.

ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ—Επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις γίνονται για την αιώνιον ανάπαυση των τεθνεώντων. Συνήθως, αυτές οι δεήσεις γίνονται κατά τις 40 ημέρες, τους 6 μήνες, τον 1ον χρόνο και τον 3ον χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια, είναι πιο αρμόζον να ενθυμούμεθα τους αποθανόντας κατά τα Ψυχοσάββατα.

END OF LIFE ISSUES Η Θρησκευτική Κηδεία Είναι Δικαίωμα μας και τιμή Η κηδεία μέσα στην Εκκλησία είναι μεγάλη τιμή. Όταν μια κηδεία δεν λαμβάνει χώρα στην εκκλησία, υποδεικνύει ότι κάποιος δεν είναι εντάξει με τους κανόνες της εκκλησίας. Δυστυχώς, μερικές φορές (λόγω ευκολίας), σκεφτόμεθα να παραλείψουμε την εκκλησιαστική κηδεία των αγαπημένων μας, κυρίως των ηλικιωμένων, χωρίς να καταλαβαίνουμε ότι τους στερούμε την απονομή της τιμής που τους αρμόζει. Ας τιμήσουμε τους γονείς και τους συγγενείς μας με τον σεβασμό που τους αρμόζει!

Αποτέφρωσις Νεκρού Οι Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί πιστεύουμε ότι, στην Γενική Ανάσταση, τα σώματά μας και οι ψυχές μας θα γίνουν ένα. Η καύσις (αποτέφρωσις) του νεκρού είναι μία εσκεμμένη βεβήλωση και καταστροφή του σώματος, που θεωρείται ως άρνηση της Αναστάσεως.

Σε περιπτώσεις όπου υπάρχει πρόθεσις αποτέφρωσης του αποθανόντος, αποφασίζοντας κατά αυτόν τον τρόπο να παραβλέψουμε την σημασία της Αναστάσεως, δεν αποδίδεται τιμή της εκκλησιαστικής κηδείας είτε στην εκκλησία είτε στο νεκροπομπείο ή σε οποιοδήποτε άλλο μέρος.

Επιπροσθέτως, επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις με κόλυβα δεν επιτρέπονται, αφού ο σύνδεσμος «του πυρήνα του σίτου» ως σύμβολο της ανάστασης έχει εσκεμμένα καταστραφεί.

2017 Stewardship— DISCOVER THE LIGHT!

Ο Χριστός, που είναι το Φως του Κόσμου, μας είπε «Εσείς είσαστε το φως του Κόσμου, αφίστε το φως σας να λάμψει μπροστἀ από τους ἀλλους.» Stewardship είναι η ανακάλυψη του δικού μας φωτός χρησιμοποιώντας τα ταλέντα μας και τα δώρα που ο Θεός μας έχει χαρίσει. Πληροφορίες για το Stewardship του 2017 έχουν ήδη σταλεί σε όλους. Σας παρακαλούμε να συμπληρώνετε την κάρτα προσφοράς σας για το 2017 προσεκτικά και να απαντάτε σε ΟΛΕΣ τις ερωτήσεις. Οι εθελοντικές υπηρεσίες που σας ενδιαφέρουν αντανακλούν τα ταλέντα και τα δώρα σας απ΄το Θεό—το φως που υπάρχει μέσα σας!

NEΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΤΩΧΟΥ-Θερμά συγχαρητήρια στις Κυρίες της Φιλοπτώχου μας δια την επιτυχία του γευστικότατου Γεύματος της Βασιλόπιτας της 8ης Ιανουαρίου! Άρχισαν οι προετοιμασίες δια τον εφετεινό εορτασμό της Τσικνοπέμπτης (16 Φεβρουαρίου) και το εφετεινό Σαρακοστιανό Δείπνο (Κούλουμα), το οποίο θα λάβει χώραν την 27 Φεβρουαρίου!

ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΑ—Τα Σάββατα 18ην Φεβρουαρίου, 25ην

Φεβρουαρίου και 4ης Μαρτίου ονομάζονται Ψυχοσάββατα. Καθώς

προετοιμαζόμεθα δια τον εορτασμό του Πάσχα, κατά τηv παράδoση της

Ορθoδόξoυ Χριστιαvικής πίστης μας συvηθίζεται vα αφιερώvoυμε τα

Σάββατα εις μvήμηv τωv ψυχώv, των οποίων προσδοκούμε την

Ανάσταση εις το όνομα του Κυρίου. Είναι μεγάλη ευλογία που η Πίστη

μας κατανοεί την αναγκαιότητα να μνημονεύονται οι απελθόντες γονείς

μας, συγγενείς, δάσκαλοι και φίλοι. Σχεδιάστε να λάβετε μέρος και

εσείς εις αυτή την παράδοση.

ORTHODOX MISSIONS DINNER--To 20ο ετήσιο Pan-Οrthodox Missions Δείπνο θα λάβει χώραν την Πέμπτη, 23 Φεβρουαρίου, στις 6:30 μ.μ. εις τον St. John Church in Des Plaines. H δωρεά είναι μόνον $35 το άτομο. Δια κρατήσεις θέσεων τηλεφωνείτε εις 317-709-0168.

ΔΕΙΠΝΟ ΤΣΙΚΝΟΠΕΜΠΤΗΣ--Η Φιλόπτωχός μας του Αγ. Χαραλάμπους διοργανώνει ένα Δείπνο προς εορτασμόν της Τσικνοπέμπτης, την Πέμπτη, 16 Φεβρουαρίου εις την Κοινοτικήν Αίθουσα. Σύμφωνα με την Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη παράδοση, είναι η τελευταία καθημερινή ημέρα που τρώμε κρέας πριν αρχίσει η Μεγάλη Σαρακοστή. Δια κρατήσεις θέσεων παρακαλούμε όπως τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας.

ΑΠΟΚΡΕΑΤΙΚΟ ΓΛΕΝΤΙ-Το “PTA” σας προσκαλεί να έλθετε με τους φίλους σας στο Αποκρεάτικο οικογενειακό πάρτυ, το οποίο θα λάβει χώρα το Σάββατο, 18 Φεβρουαρίου, στις 5:00 μ.μ. στην Κοινοτική μας Αίθουσα. Είναι μια οικογενειακή εκδήλωση κατά την οποία είναι η τελευταία φορά που τρώμε κρέας πριν το Πάσχα, και το «PTA» έχει σχεδιάσει ένα θαυμάσιο βράδυ! Η δωρεά είναι μόνον $15 δια τους μεγάλους και $10 δια τα παιδιά κάτω των 12 γι’ όσους έχουν κρατήσει θέσεις πριν την 16ην Φεβ. Σας περιμένουμε για ένα νοστιμότατο δείπνο, μουσική και διασκέδαση! Δια κρατήσεις θέσεων παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας.

ΕΝΟΡΙΑΚΕΣ ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ

PASSAGES.........

REMEMBERING 2016 As time marches on, it is good to reflect on the year which has come to a close. We will remember 2016 for its joys and its sorrows. During the year 2016, our parish registry books recorded 39 births and baptisms, 3 chrismations, 13 wed-dings, and 35 deaths.

2016 BAPTISMS Efstratios Anastasiadis Andreas Bakir Eleni Housakos Nathan Lakis Nicholas Lakis Noah John Lazariciu George Touzios Kailie Georgas Kyra Bakas Anastasia Cielocha Emmanuel Demetrios Lamberis Joseph Miller Julia Kalotihos Leonidas Haley

Victoria J. Papagiannis Anastasia Kereakes Anthony Castelucci Evgenios Alfonso Najera Eleni Batio Georgios Thomas Zoe Shamon Vasilios Coologeorgen Anastasia Johnson Isabella Souleles Pennelope Bekiaris Petros Kapsalis Stavroula Houpis Eleni Amalia Lynch

Isabella Chiampas Serena Stavroula Prassas Panagiotis Kosmatos Elpiniki Thomas Anastasia Mellos Olivia Halazonitis Ephrosine Kotsionis Luca Andreas Falzone Ioanna Riley Mosher Haralambos Ari Peterson Julia Alexopoulos ΝΑ ΜΑΣ ΖΗΣΟΥΝ!

2016 CHRISMATIONS Robert Donald Kelsey Tamara Trakas Nektarios Ceasar Shamon

2016 WEDDINGS Carrie Demet and John Panopoulos Tatsiana Coyle and George Axiotis Victoria Kokonas and Theofilos Asimos Maria Tsambika Cucuras and Stefanus Doelman Stella Thanoukos and Matthew Murphy Yvonne Roxanne Vidaurre and Constantinos Demakis Brenda Cline and Anargyros Kereakes

Vanessa Turika and Alexander Patsavas Andrea Ostapa and Thomas Vosnos Rose Tryfonopoulos and Joseph Klippel Tammy Najjar and George Trakkas Ellie Nikitopoulos and James Veikos Nicole Nikodem and Jonathan Sanchez ΝΑ ΖΗΣΟΥΝ!

2016 DEATHS Sophy Bairaktaris Paul C. Pronos Harry Stavrides Alice Stavrides Panagis Papapanayiotou Zoe Sideris Chloe E. Pahigianis Anna Sotirchos Christina Ioannitis Ekaterini Sikaras Pantelis P. Bleas

Bertha Paskalides Jim Moutzouros Angelo Printzis Nicholas G. Chrisopoulos Mary S. Sarantopoulos Alexander Vickas Athina Toliopoulos George Katsoudas Angelo Dimitropoulos Nikolaos Katsafaros Anna anyfiotis Chalres Condes

Nicholaos Loggarakis Vasiliki Asimacopoulos Peter Panagopoulos Antonios Christakos Konstantina Anastasiadis Catherine Papapanayiotou George E. Haramaras John Markos Georgia Katavolos Alexandra Bumbaris Argero Zaverdas Gus Stavrou ΑΙΩΝΙΑ Η ΜΝΗΜΗ ΑΥΤΩΝ

As we look ahead to 2017, let us remember the joys and triumphs of the year that has now ended, and let us also remember our departed loved ones who have loved, guided and inspired us!

February 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 7:30 pm—Philoptochos mtg

2 Presentation

of our Lord 8:30 am—Orthros and Liturgy 7:30-Bible Study

3 4:30 pm—Greek School

4

9:00 am-Saturday Greek School

5 The Publican

and the Pharisee

8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

6

5:30 pm—Family Night 7:30 pm—GOYA

7 11:30—-Little Angels 4:30 pm—Greek School 5:45 pm-PTA mtg

8

7:00 pm-Paraclesis to

St. Haralambos

9

7:00 pm—Great Vespers for St. Haralambos

10 SAINT

HARALAMBOS

8:30 am-Orthros and Liturgy

11

9:00 am-Saturday Greek School

12 The Prodigal

8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

2:00—66th Anniversary Banquet

13 14 11:30—-Little Angels 4:30 pm—Greek School

15

7:30 pm—Parish Council Mtg

16

TSIKNOPEMPTI 6:30 pm— TSIKNOPEMPTI DINNER

17 4:30 pm—Greek School

18

8:30 am-Orthros and Liturgy 9:00 am-Saturday Greek School 5:00 pm- APOKREATIKO PARTY

19 Apokreas

8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

20 Presidents Day

(no school)

5:30 pm—Family Night 7:30 pm—GOYA

21 11:30—-Little Angels 4:30 pm—Greek School

22 23

7:30-Bible Study

24 4:30 pm—Greek School

25

8:30 am-Orthros and Liturgy 9:00 am-Saturday Greek School

26 Cheese-Fare

8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm-Vespers of Forgiveness

27 GREAT LENT BEGINS Καθαρά Δευτέρα

5:00-Compline 6:30-Lenten Dinner

28 11:30—-Little Angels 4:30 pm—Greek School 6:00-Compline

NO FASTING THIS WEEK NO FASTING THIS WEEK NO FASTING THIS WEEK

Saturday of Souls

Saturday of Souls

HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE NILES, IL 60714-4503

Address Service Requested

The St. Haralambos Philoptochos

welcomes you!

Thursday,

February 16 is

“TSIKNOPEMPTI”

Annual Tsiknopempti Dinner

6:30 pm

Delicious Food – Good Music

St. Haralambos Community Center Have you made your reservations?

Please call 847-647-8880!