Great Lent 2018

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)

Σήμερόν Σε θεωροῦσα ἡ ἄμεμπτος Παρθένος ἐν

σταυρῷ, Λὀγε, ἀναρτώμενον, ὀδυρομένη μητρῷα

σπλάγχνα ἐτέτρωτο τἠν καρδίαν πικρῶς, καὶ

στενἀζουσα ὀδυνηρῶς ἐκ βἀθους ψυχῆς, ἀνέκραζε

γοερῶς, Οἴμοι, θεῖον τέκνον! Οἴμοι, τὸ φῶς τοῦ

κόσμου! Οὐ φέρω καθορᾶν Σε ἀδίκως σταυρούμενον.

(Ὄρθρος, Μεγάλης Παρασκευῆς)

Today the blameless Virgin seeing You, O Word of God,

hung upon the Cross, she mourned with motherly grief

and was bitterly pierced in her heart; and she groaned

in agony from the depth of her soul. Wailing, she cried

out: “Alas! My Divine Son! Alas! Light of the world! I

cannot endure to see You unjustly crucified!”

(Matins, Holy Friday)

HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

From Father Dean Great Lent, 2018

Dear Stewards and Friends,

There’s excitement in the air! Can you feel it? Watch for news about our Phase 3 Expansion very soon!

We are all looking forward to the arrival and Enthronement of the New Met-ropolitan of Chicago, Metropolitan NATHANAEL! He will be ordained to the Episcopacy on March 17 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in New York City. On Saturday, March 24, his Enthronement as Metropolitan of Chicago will take place at 11:00 am at the Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago.

Following the ceremony, the Enthronement Luncheon will take place at the Chicago Hilton, at 1:00 pm. All are welcomed! This will be a wonderful, happy celebration and a chance to welcome our new spiritual leader. We hope that many of our friends and members will plan to attend. Please call our church office (847-647-8880) to make your reservations! The donation for the luncheon will be $125.

Last month, we had a beautiful celebration of our community’s 67th Anniversary with St. Haralambos liturgical celebrations and a delightful Anniversary Luncheon at the Northbrook Hilton. Many thanks and congratu-lations to Rubine Giannopoulos and Rubina Antonopoulos who were the chairpersons. Excellent job!

We also commend our Philoptochos ladies for the outstanding hospitality they offered following the Paraclesis, Vespers, and Liturgy honoring the St. Haralambos Feastday, and thank them for the delicious Tsiknopempti Dinner on February 8th. The good ladies are already at work to plan for the Annual Spring Bake Sale, that will take place March 28-29!

As we enter the heart of Great Lent, we would like to remind you of the beautiful, special worship services. On Monday evenings, we have the Great Compline, on Wednesday evenings the mystic Presanctified Liturgy, and on Friday evenings the Salutations to the Theotokos. These are all wonderful opportunities to deepen our spiritual lives and to grow closer to our Lord.

Following the Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday, March 14, our Inreach Committee will offer a very special presentation: Mr. Christian Gonzalez, from the Young Adult Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, will give a talk called: “The End of Orthodoxy!” This will be especially interest-ing to young adults, as well as parents and all of us who are trying to live a Christian life. A light dinner will also be offered; plan to join us!

Team Chicago invites you to the annual Benefit Dinner for Orthodox Missions on Thursday evening, March 15. It will take place at St. John the Baptist Church in Des Plaines, and the speaker will be His Grace Bishop Athanasios of Western Kenya. Please call our church office to make your reservations!

Another very special service to remember is the Pan-Orthodox Akathist, which will take place at 7:00 Tuesday evening, March 27 at the New Gracan-ica Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Grayslake, IL. We hope to see you there!

We are looking forward to our annual Oratorical Festival after church on Sunday March 18. This gives us a chance to see the wonderful things that our children are learning from the dedicated and inspired teachers of our Sunday School Department! Plan to stay.

March 31 is the Saturday of Lazaros. You are invited to our Family Retreat on that day, beginning with our Commentary Liturgy! Watch for more infor-mation.

And Palm Sunday will be on April 1. Remember to make your reservations for the excellent Palm Sunday Luncheon that our Afternoon School PTA sponsors every year!

We pray you have a meaningful, productive and spiritual Lenten Season!

IN THIS ISSUE:

Letter from our Priest (pg 2) Enthronement of new Metropolitan (pg 3) Announcements (pg 4) Stewardship update (pg 5) Donations for Holy Week (pg 5) About Fasting (pg 6) “Becoming Children of Light” pg 7 Holy Week Schedule (pg 8) Events! (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…………………..…...…...….…........… Richard Kozlowski Vice President…..........................................……..… Nick Andrews 2nd Vice-President………………………………..... George Giolas Treasurer……….….................................................. David Loomos Secretary…………………………..……….…...…...… Krystal Ioannou Phase III Chairman................................... Perry Giannopoulos Stewardship…………………………..………..….….… George Giolas Audit Committee Chairman………….…...….. George Houpis 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………………… ...…Voula Asimacopoulos, and Elaine Loomos Communication Committee………………….…..George Giolas School Board Chairman…...........................Olympia Bournias Food Fest Chairman………………. Philoptochos President…………..…….. Georgia Litsogiannis PTA Co-Presidents (Afternoon School)…. ………....Eleni Gonzalez and Mona Giolas PTA President (Preschool)…………...………….. Serena Coines PTA Co-Presidents (Saturday School)……. .....Melina Papadopoulos and Dimitra Mihalopoulos Greek School Principal…………............... Mrs. Anastasia Liapi Saturday School Director ……..Mrs. Andrianna Panayiotou Preschool Director….....……......................... Mrs. Rita Petratos Sunday School Directors……. …….Presvytera Georgia Botsis and Anna Sikoral Athletic Director………………..……...…....…....… David Loomos Scoutmaster..……..…………....………………....... Vasily Zimbrakos Asst Cubmaster…...…………………………...……......... John Frake Little Angels…………….….Anastasia Liapi / Presvytera Diana YAL President………………....................……....... Christina Botsis GOYA President….............................................. … Maria Hartas Jr. Goya Advisor……..….…….…………..…..……… Father George Family Night …………………….……………………. Father George Bookstore Manager….........…......……………. Jolynn Ruggerio Web Master and IT.....…....….........................… George Houpis Facebook……………..…………Elizabeth Kotis/Christina Botsis Office Staff…..…………………….. Barbara Skaouris, Alexandra Grivas, Anna Sikoral Maintenance Staff……... Juan Caro and Carolina Contreras

Metropolitan-Elect Nathanael

Will Be Enthroned on March 24 as Metropolitan of Chicago

Metropolitan-elect Nathanael was born in Thessaloniki, Greece (1978). He is graduate of Hellenic College (BA, 2000) and of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (MDiv, 2003). He earned an STM (2003) and a ThD (2007) in Bioethics from Boston University. Metropolitan-elect Nathanael has also studied history and ethics of public health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. He is a guest professor of Christian ethics and bioethics at Fordham University, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and Saint Vladimir Theo-logical School. He has authored numerous articles in theology and bioethics.

Metropolitan-elect Nathanael was ordained a Deacon (2003) and a Presbyter (2010) by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. His ecclesial and pastoral work includes service as the Deacon to Met-ropolitan Methodios (2003-2006); Deacon to the Archbishop (2006-2010); and Pastor of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, NY (2010-2013).

In September of 2013 he was appointed Director of the Office of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, where he managed and directed the relation-ships between the Archdiocese and numerous religious organizations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and Permanent Missions to the United Nations. As the Director of the Department, Metropolitan-elect Nathanael is best known for promoting cooperation and inclusivity. Most recently, he convened a colloquium entitled, Orthodoxy and Humanitarianism: Ideas and Action in the Contemporary World, which provided experts from around the world the opportunity to meet and consider ways in which the Church may help respond to humanitarian crises and promote sustainable development in post-crisis regions.

Metropolitan-elect Nathanael will be ordained Bishop on March 17 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in New York City. His Enthronement as Metropolitan of Chicago will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 24 at Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago. All are invited to attend!

THE ENTHRONEMENT OF METROPOLITAN NATHANAEL

Enthronement Ceremony Saturday, March 24

11:00 am Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral,

1017 North LaSalle Blvd, Chicago.

Enthronement Luncheon Saturday, March 24

1:00 pm Chicago Hilton Hotel

Donation: $125

For reservations, Please call

St. Haralambos Church office

COMMUNITY NEWS ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ

SHUT-INS–Please inform the Church office about elderly or ill individuals who would like our priest to visit them and bring them Holy Communion during this holy season.

HOLY CONFESSION--Great Lent has begun, and it is customary to receive the Sacrament of Holy Confession during Lent. This can be done by appointment with Fr. Dean. We urge you: schedule your confession as early as possible and please do not wait until Holy Week!

OUR INREACH COMMITTEE will offer a very special presentation following the Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday evening, March 14! Mr. Christian Gonzalez, from the Young Adult Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, will give a talk called: “The End of Orthodoxy!” This will be especially interesting to young adults, as well as parents and all of us who are trying to live a Christian life. A light dinner will also be offered; plan to join us!

MISSIONS DINNER—Team Chicago invites you to its 21st Annual Benefit Dinner to support Orthodox Missions, at 6:30 pm on Thursday evening, March 15 at St. John the Baptist Church in Des Plaines. The guest speaker will be Bishop Atha-nasios of Kisumu and all Western Kenya. Plan to attend and support this worthy cause. The donation is $35; call our church office by March 8 for reservations!

ORATORICAL FESTIVAL SUNDAY MARCH 18! Our Sun-day School students and teachers invite you our Oratorical Festival after Church on March 18! They will present skits and readings that show their spiritual growth and progress from experiencing Sunday School. All are welcome!

PAN-ORTHODOX AKATHIST HYMN will take place at 7:00 pm on Tuesday evening, Μarch 27th at the Serbian Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Mother of God in Grayslake, IL. The wonderful Pan-Orthodox Choir of Chicago will sing the responses. Plan to attend this beautiful service!

ANNUAL EASTER BAKE SALE—The St. Haralambos Ladies Philoptochos invite you to their Annual Easter Bake Sale, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, March 28-29 in our Community Center. A great opportunity to buy your Easter Tsourekia, red eggs and pastries! Lunch will be served both days, and the Coffee Shop will be open! Please tell your friends, and bring them with you to shop for all your Easter Pastries and breads! The Bake Sale will be from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm.

SATURDAY OF LAZAROS FAMILY RETREAT--Join us for a transformational retreat for the entire family on March 31, beginning at 9:30 am with a TEACHING LITURGY! After wor-ship, there will be a Lenten meal, crafts, music and making palm crosses. The retreat will end at 3:00pm. Proper Church clothes are required.

You must register so there will be enough supplies! There is a registration cost of $25 per family, and registrations will be accepted until Monday, March 26. Don’t miss this!

ANNUAL PALM SUNDAY LUNCHEON—April 1 is Palm Sunday! The St. Haralambos PTA invites you to its annual Palm Sunday Luncheon, after church services on Sunday, April 1. Because of space limitations, reservations will be required. The donation will be $20 for fish with skordalia, and $10 for spaghetti with marinara sauce; a number of "To Go" orders will also be available at $20. To make reservations, please call the Church office (847-647-8880) not later than March 27!

STEWARDSHIP ΔΙΑ ΤΟΥ 2018: ΗΜΕΙΣ ΕΙΜΑΣΤΕ Η ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ

Καθώς σκεπτόμαστε την προσφορά μας δια το 2018, ο Άγιος

Παύλος μας θυμίζει ότι όλοι καλούμεθα να πράξουμε ό,τιδήποτε

με όλη την καρδιά μας. Τι αξία έχει ένα έργο όταν δεν έχουμε

προσπαθήσει ολόψυχα; Τι αξία έχει μια σχέση όταν είναι

επιφανειακή και ανειλικρινής; Τι αξία έχει η προσφορά μας στον

Θεό αφού δεν είναι γνήσιο και ειλικρινές;

Παρακαλείσθε να συμπληρώστε την «κάρτα προσφοράς» σας

για το 2018 Stewardship με αγάπη και ειλικρίνεια. Παρακαλούμε

όπως ενδυναμώσετε την εκκλησία σας δια να μπορέσει να

εξυπηρετήσει καλύτερα εσάς, την οικογένειά σας και όλους

όσους χρειάζονται την βοήθειά μας!

ΤΟ ΜΥΣΤΗΡIΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΕΩΣ--Συvηθίζεται vα γίvονται εξoμoλογήσεις κατά τηv διάρκειαv της Μ. Σαρακoστής. Δια να γίνει αυτό πρέπει να κανονίσετε συνάντηση με τον π. Κωνσταντίνο. Σας παροτρύνουμε να κανονίσετε ημερομηνία εξομολογήσεως το συντομότερον δυνατόν και παρακαλούμε μην περιμέvετε vα εξoμoλoγηθείτε την Μεγάλη Εβδομάδα!

ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΗ—Μια υπενθύμιση ότι την Μεγάλη Τετάρτη, το Άγιον Ευχέλαιον θα δίδεται μόνον κατόπιν χρίσεως από τους ιερείς. Εαν υπάρχει ανάγκη να χρισθεί κάποιος άρρωστος ή κάποιος που δεν μπορεί να έλθει στην εκκλησία, ο ιερέας θα φροντίσει να επισκεφτεί τα άτομα αυτά και να τα χρίσει στο σπίτι την καθορισμένη ώρα. To Άγιον Ευχέλαιον δεν θα δίδεται πλέον εκτός εκκλησίας.

ΕΣΩΚΛΕΙΣΤΑ ΑΤΟΜΑ-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 ο ιερέας μας να προγραμματίσει να τους προσφέρει την Θείαν Κοινωνίαν όπου διαμένουν.

Η ΕΤΗΣIΑ ΜΑΣ ΠΩΛΗΣΗ ΓΛΥΚIΣΜΑΤΩΝ θα λάβη χώραv τηv Τετάρτη και Πέμπτη, 28-29 Μαρτίου στην κοινοτική μας αίθουσα! Ελάτε vα πρoμηθευτείτε τα Πασχαλιvά σας γλυκίσματα και ψωμιά! Ολα είvαι σπιτίσια και voστιμώτατα! Η Πώληση γλυκισμάτωv θα διαρκέσει από τις 9:00 π.μ. έως τις 6:00 μ.μ.

ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΑΚΗ ΣΥΝΑΞΗ ΤΟΥ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΥ ΤΟΥ

ΛΑΖΑΡΟΥ Η Ετήσια ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΑΚΗ ΣΥΝΑΞΗ το Σάββατο

του Λαζάρου θα λάβει χώραν την 31ην Μαρτίου και θα αρχίσουμε

στις 9:30 π.μ. με Διδακτικήν Λειτουργία! Η Σύναξη περιλαμβάνει

νηστήσιμο πρόγευμα, μάθημα και χειροτεχνία. Εγγραφή είναι $25

η οικογένεια!

Πρέπει να εγγραφείτε για να έχουμε αρκετές προμήθειες!

Ημερομηνία λήξεως εγγραφών είναι η Δευτέρα, 26 Μαρτίου.

ΕΤΗΣΙΟ ΓΕΥΜΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΒΑΙΩΝ-Το “PTA” του Αγ. Χαραλάμπους σας προσκαλεί στο ετήσιο Γεύμα της Κυριακής των Βαίων, 1 Απριλίου, μετά το τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας. Επειδή ο χώρος είναι περιορισμένος, χρειάζεται να κρατήσετε θέσεις. Η δωρεά είναι μόνον $20 δια το μπακαλάο με σκορδαλιά, και $10 δια τα μακαρόνια. Επίσης δεχόμεθα παραγγελίες “To Go” με $20. Δια κρατήσεις θέσεων παρακαλούμε όπως τηλεφωνείτε εις το γραφείο της εκκλησίας (847/647-8880) πριν από τις 27 Μαρτίου.

AFTERNOON WITH NICHOLAS AND ELENI GAGE-The Greek American Rehab and Care Center invites you to a luncheon, featuring these famous authors at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 3 at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling. The donation is $85; please call 847-465-1323 to make your reservation, or visit www.greekamericancare.org

WORSHIP SCHEDULE/MARCH 2018

Friday, March 2 7:00 pm—Salutations to the Theotokos

Sunday, March 4 —St. Gregory Palamas 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

Monday, March 5 6:00 pm—Great Compline

Wednesday, March 7 6:00 pm--Presanctified Liturgy

Friday, March 9 7:00 pm—Salutations to the Theotokos

Sunday, March 11 —Veneration of the Holy Cross 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

Monday, March 12 6:00 pm—Great Compline

Wednesday, March 14 6:00 pm--Presanctified Liturgy

Friday, March 16 7:00 pm—Salutations to the Theotokos

Sunday, March 18—St. John of the Ladder 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

Monday, March 19 6:00 pm—Great Compline

Wednesday, March 21 6:00 pm--The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

Friday, March 23 7:00 pm—The Akathist Hymn

SATURDAY, MARCH 24 11:00 am—ENTHRONEMENT OF METROPOLITAN NATHANAEL OF CHICAGO at Annunciation Cathedral

Sunday, March 25—The ANNUNCIATION 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

Monday, March 26 6:00 pm—Great Compline

Tuesday, March 27 7:00 pm—Pan Orthodox Akathist at New Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Grayslake, IL

Wednesday, March 28 6:00 pm--Presanctified Liturgy

The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian

O Lord and Master of my life,

Give me not the spirit of laziness,

meddling, love of power and gossip;

Give, rather, the spirit of purity,

humility, patience and love to me,

Your servant.

Yea, O Lord and King,

Grant me to see my own faults

and not to judge my brother,

For You are blessed to the ages of ages.

Amen.

DONATIONS FOR HOLY WEEK AND PASCHA

The St. Haralambos Church is very grateful, because every year we have so many thoughtful donors who step forward with Easter donations for general purposes and for those things that are needed for our celebration of Holy Week and Easter. If you would like to make a donation to cover any of the items listed below, please call the church office at 847/647-8880.

30 potted Easter Orchids $35.00 each 3 Priest's Easter Candles 25.00 ea 2 Vigil Lambathes 25.00 each Candles for the Cross (6 sets of 3) 18.00 per set 4 Flower Wreaths (stefani) 175.00 20 boxes Vaia 75.00 each 1 white sheet 25.00 7 boxes Palms 20.00 Olive Oil, Flour 35.00 (for Unction Service)

All Easter donations, whether for these specific items or for the general needs of our Church, are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

2018 STEWARDSHIP

WE ARE THE LOVE OF GOD!

2018 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

As of February 16

236 families have promised $169,776.00 for 2018 Stewardship!

Average level of giving is $719.39!

Have you become a 2018 Steward yet?

In our age of culinary science and technology, there is some de-bate about how to fast. There are many examples. While observ-ing a strict fast, for example, we abstain from oil. Traditionally, this was olive oil (there were not other oils in those days!).

Today, many say that they are fasting from oil, but corn oil or peanut oil is permitted, because it is not olive oil. But if it serves almost exactly the same purpose, is it truly adhering to the spirit of the fast, or is it legalistically bypassing that spirit?

The term for strict fasting is ξηροφαγία (xirofagia), or eating dry food, such as nuts and grains. When we fast from oil, it means no fried foods. To use some other oil gives the sense and satisfaction of fried food, and is not xirofagia.

There are many example of foods made with soy and other ingre-dients that very closely imitate foods which we normally do not eat when fasting (such as hot dogs and hamburgers). We should question whether we are being honest about our fast.

In his chapter “Sanctify a Fast” (above), St Athanasios shares something very special about fasting: that we are to “sanctify our fast.”

What does this mean? It means that our fast is not only the physi-cal discipline of controlling what we eat; it is not only the mental discipline of making a decision and remaining committed to it. It is a sacred and spiritual act!

It is possible to go through the season of fasting without praying at all! How sad and empty this would be. When we fast, we should contemplate why we are fasting. Fasting is a weapon against pride; it can help us acquire humility because we are to fast not only with our body but with our soul.

St. Athanasios reminds us that many of the truly holy men experi-enced God when they fasted. As they fasted in body, they were nourished in soul and acquired great virtue, being strengthened to complete their fast.

Let us remember that even Christ fasted for 40 days in the wilder-ness; to fast, therefore, is one way of imitating Christ.

During the 40 day period of Great Lent we abstain from certain foods over a long period of time. Our goal is to train and liberate us from the dominance of the flesh and realize that we do not live "by bread alone". During fasting periods like Great Lent, we con-tinue to keep the fast even after receiving Holy Communion, and meats and fats are not permitted until the period of fasting has ended.

FOODS PERMITTED DURING GREAT LENT So what can we eat? Here is a list of foods that are permitted during Great Lent:

1. Sea foods (other than fish): Shrimp, lobster, squid, octopus, oysters, clams, scallops, etc. 2. All fresh, canned or dried fruits. 3. All fresh, canned or dried vegetables. 4. Olives. 5. Bread and pastas: Spaghetti, macaroni, couscous, etc. 6. Grains and legumes: Rice, beans, chick peas, lentils, etc. 7. All kinds of nuts: Peanuts, walnuts, almonds, etc. 8. On weekends, oil and wine are permitted, also.

Note: Fish is permitted on March 25 and Palm Sunday

FASTING BY THE SPIRIT OF THE FAST, OR THE LETTER OF THE LAW?

Joel the Prophet says, “Blow the trumpet in Sion: sanctify a fast.” This is a warning trumpet, and commands with great earnestness that when we fast, we should hallow the fast. For not all those who call upon God hallow God, since there are some who defile Him; yet not Him—that is impossible—but their own mind concerning Him; for He is holy, and has pleasure in the saints.

….So, to make a separation from those who pollute the fast, he says, “sanctify a fast.” For many, crowding to the fast, pollute themselves in the thoughts of their hearts, sometimes doing evil against their brethren, sometime by daring to defraud. And, to mention nothing else, there are many who exalt themselves above their neighbors, thereby causing great mischief.

For the boast of fasting did no good to the Pharisee, although he fasted twice in the week, only because he exalted himself against the publican. In the same manner the Word blamed the children of Israel on account of such a fast as this, exhorting them by Isaiah the Prophet, and saying, “This is not the fast and the day that I have chosen.”

But that we may be able to show what kind of persons we should be when we fast, and of what character the fast should be, listen again to God commanding Moses, as it is written in Leviticus, “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘In the tenth day of this seventh month, there shall be a day of atonement; a convocation, and a holy day shall it be to you; and you shall humble your souls, and offer whole burnt-offerings to the Lord.’ And afterwards, that the law might be well defined on this point, He proceeds to say: ‘Every soul that shall not humble itself, shall be cut off from the people’.”

Behold, my brethren, how much a fast can do, and in what manner the law commands us to fast. It is required that not only with the body should we fast, but with the soul! Now the soul is humbled when it does not follow wicked opinions, but feeds on virtues. For virtues and vices are the food of the soul, and it can eat either one of these two meals and incline to either one of the two, according to its will. If it is bent towards virtue, it will be nourished by vir-tues, by righteousness, by temperance, by meekness, by fortitude, as Paul says: “Being nourished by the word of truth.” Such was the case with our Lord, who said: “My meat is to do the will of My Father which is in Heaven.” But if it is not thus with the soul, and it inclines downwards, it is then nourished by nothing but sin…

Not only does such a fast as this obtain pardon for souls, but being kept holy, it prepares the saints, and raises them above the earth.

That great man Moses, when fasting, conversed with God, and received the law. The great and holy Elias, when fasting, was thought worthy of divine visions, and at the last was taken up like Him who ascended into heaven. And Daniel, when fasting, although a very young man, was entrusted with the mystery, and he alone understood the secret thing of the king, and was thought worthy of divine visions….The angels are not otherwise sustained than by beholding at all times the face of the Father, and of the Savior who is in heaven. Thus Moses, as long as he talked with God, fasted indeed bodily, but was nourished by divine words.

St. Athanasios of Alexandria, Letter 1. Easter 29, 4,5,6. B#29A. Vol. IV, SS. Pp507-508...

SANCTIFY A FAST St. Athanasios the Great, Patriarch of Alexandria

By Fr. George Lamberis

On the Saturday of the Souls, one day before the beginning of Great Lent, the Church commemorated the holy men and women who excelled in asceticism and bore the light of Christ to a darkened world.

These Holy Fathers and Mothers of the Church are described beautifully in one of the hymns found in the Orthros service:

As we remember the God bearing Great Ascetics, it is like walking in a meadow full of flowers of their virtues that fill us with sweet fragrance; They struggled and thus temptations were overcome. Their bodies became their servants through self-control and submitted to the spirit. And as they dwelt here on earth they were living an angelic life.

The church purposefully remembers these ascetic Saints days before Great Lent to remind us also of the ascetic struggle we are to incorporate on our Lenten Journey.

But what exactly is “asceticism?” Most dictionaries define an ascetic as “a person who practices self-discipline.” Sergei Baikalov-Latshyev, a Russian Orthodox theologian, describes aceticism as a strict, purposeful life, expressed in spiritual labors such as prayer, contemplation, and the directing of the mind toward God with abstention from any negative activity.

Too many times we hear the words, “Asceticism sounds like a monastic practice. It’s not for me.” The Christian faith, how-ever, is founded on Jesus Christ and His asceticism. Jesus’ life was strict and purposeful; he prayed to His Father; he fasted; he healed and gave to those in need; he directed His mind toward His Father’s will; He was perfect here on earth and maintained that discipline all the way to the Cross. Should we not follow his example?

The Ascetic Fathers and Mothers, the Saints who followed Christ’s example, remind us of humanity’s potential to bear light through asceticism. We are in the middle of Great Lent, and we are guided by the Church to use the spiritual and ascet-ic tools of fasting, prayer and almsgiving to follow Christ and become bearers of light.

The Church gives us the opportunity to spend more time with God through our divine services and private prayer. Prayer is an ascetic practice which helps us remember the name of Jesus on our lips, in thoughts and in our hearts as much as we can.

Fasting is also an ascetic practice. Because eating is so cen-tral to our lives, to abstain from certain foods and to eat less is a constant reminder for us to remember God instead of our own desires. As we deny ourselves of food, it also reminds us to be watchful over our senses and to guard our thoughts. As we fast, then we can also have more resources to share with others.

When we give alms, another ascetic practice, we can more clearly see the face of Christ and His image in other people, and we are reminded that we don’t need as much as we have in order to live.

All of these ascetic practices help us resist our egocentric individualistic lives and thoughts, and come into greater

communion with God and our fellow human beings.

This type of discipline that God calls us to is not just a means to discipline but about walking in what Christ calls “the light.” What does it mean to walk in the light?

Christ says He is the light; John 9:5, “I am the light of the world.”

St. Paul says in Ephesians 5:8, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”

St. John says in 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from sin.”

When I was younger, I believed that walking in the light meant to walk in knowledge and truth, to know the difference between good and evil, and to know God. And it does. But one will discover that being in the light of Christ is experienc-ing a spiritual place and warmth from a light within, that only Christ and His Holy Spirit can provide.

It was this kind of asceticism which illumined the Holy Ascet-ic Fathers and Mothers to overcome temptations and to have self-control strengthened by the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. Within their “spiritual place”, they cultivated joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithful-ness, modesty, self-control and chastity.

What other forms of asceticism exist for us and bring us toward holy illumination? The asceticism of controlling your emotions when your child misbehaves; the asceticism of caring for a loved one with a permanent illness without complaining; the asceticism of forgiving others when they hurt you; the discipline of attending Divine Liturgy and pre-paring for Holy Communion; the asceticism of simply bring-ing our younger children to church (which sometimes seems impossible to do!), the asceticism of courageously scheduling Holy Confession.

In today’s wounded and egocentric world, Jesus Christ can heal us and the world around us by using these ascetical tools for us to become truly human—to become like Jesus Christ. And as we learn to heal and cultivate the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we can also live an angelic life, exuding a sweet fra-grance, and becoming a healing presence of Christ that the world needs today more than ever. May our crucified and resurrected Lord bless us all with a fruitful Great Lent (of what remains) so we can become “children of light.”

GREAT AND HOLY

WEEK 2018 Η ΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΙ MΕΓΑΛΗ

EΒΔΟΜΑΣ 2018

THE SATURDAY OF LAZAROS (March 31) 8:30 am – Orthros 9:30 am – Divine Liturgy with Commentary

PALM SUNDAY (April 1) 8:15 am – Orthros 9:30 am – Sunday School 9:30 am – Divine Liturgy

PALM SUNDAY EVENING 7:00 pm– Service of the Bridegroom

GREAT AND HOLY MONDAY (April 2) 7:00 pm – Service of the Bridegroom

GREAT AND HOLY TUESDAY (April 3) 7:00 pm – Service of the Bridegroom;

Hymn of Cassiani

GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY (April 4) 2:00 pm – The Sacrament of Holy Unction 7:00 pm – Orthros of the Last Supper,

Holy Unction Anointing

GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY (April 5) 6:00 am – Divine Liturgy of the Mystical Last

Supper (Holy Communion) 7:00 pm – The Twelve Passion Gospels

GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY (April 6) 9:00 am – The Royal Hours 2:00 pm – The Descent from the Cross 7:00 pm – Service of the Lamentations

GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY (April 7) 8:30 am– Liturgy of the "First Resurrection"

(Holy Communion)

HOLY SATURDAY EVENING 11:00 pm – Orthros 12:00 am– THE RESURRECTION,

LITURGY OF PASCHA

PASCHA SUNDAY (April 8) 12:00 noon – THE "AGAPI" EASTER VESPERS

OF LOVE

BRIGHT FRIDAY – (April 13) THE LIFE-GIVING FOUNTAIN 8:30 am – Orthros and Divine Liturgy

HAPPY EASTER!

ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΖΑΡΟΥ (31 Μαρτίου) 8:30 πμ – Ὄρθρος 9:30 πμ – Θεία Λειτουργία

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΒΑΙΩΝ (1 Ἀπριλίου) 8:15 πμ – Ὄρθρος 9:30 πμ – Κατηχητικό Σχολείο 9:30 πμ – Θεία Λειτουργία

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΒΑΙΩΝ – ΒΡΑΔΥ 7:00 μμ – Ἀκολουθία τοῦ Νυμφίου

ΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ (2 Ἀπριλίου) 7:00 μμ – Ἀκολουθία τοῦ Νυμφίου

ΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΤΡΙΤΗ (3 Ἀπριλίου) 7:00 μμ – Ἀκολουθία τοῦ Νυμφίου, Ὕμνον τῆς Κασσιανῆς

ΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ (4 Ἀπριλίου) 2:00 μμ – Τό Μυστήριον τοῦ Εὐχελαίου 7:00 μμ – Ὄρθρος τοῦ Μυστικοῦ Δείπνου,

Εὐχέλαιον

ΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΠΕΜΠΤΗ (5 Ἀπριλίου) 6:00 πμ – Θεία Λειτουργία τοῦ Μυστικοῦ

Δείπνου (Θεία Κοινωνία) 7:00 μμ – Τά Πάθη (Δώδεκα Ευαγγέλια)

ΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ (6 Άπριλίου) 9:00 πμ – Οἱ Βασιλικές Ὥρες 2:00 μμ – Ἐσπερινός τῆς Ἀποκαθηλώσεως 7:00 μμ – Ὁ Ἐπιτάφιος Θρῆνος

ΑΓΙΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ (7 Ἀπριλίου) 8:30 πμ – Λειτουργία «Πρώτης Ἀναστάσεως» (Θεία Κοινωνία)

ΜΕΓΑ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ ΒΡΑΔΥ 11:00 μμ – Ὄρθρος 12:00 πμ – H ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΙΣ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ

ΤΟΥ ΠΑΣΧΑ

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΣΧΑ (8 Ἀπριλίου) 12:00 μμ – ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΑΓΑΠΗΣ

ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ ΤΗΣ ΛΑΜΠΡΗΣ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΟΔΟΧΟΥ ΠΗΓΗΣ (13Ἀπριλίου)

8:30 πμ –Ὄρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία

ΕΥΛΟΓΗΜΕΝΟ ΠΑΣΧΑ!

PAN-ORTHODOX AKATHIST

HYMN

7:00 IN THE EVENING, TUESDAY, MARCH 27

Holy Mother of God Serbian Orthodox Monastery Rt. 45, 1 mile south of Rt 132

(Grand Av.) Third Lake (Grayslake), IL

RESPONSES WILL BE SUNG BY THE PAN-ORTHODOX CHOIR

OF GREATER CHICAGO

Holy Friday Family Gathering

12:00 noon to 2:00 pm Friday, April 6, 2018

Proper Church clothes required

Activity, Wrap eggs for Anastasi, Snack

2:00 pm—Apokathelosis Service

SATURDAY OF LAZAROS

FAMILY RETREAT!

9:30 am to 3:00 pm

Saturday, March 31

Commentary Liturgy 9:30 am Proper church clothes required

A day of Liturgy, Crafts, Lenten Lunch and learning

for the whole family!

Come and help us make palm crosses and decorate the Church

for Palm Sunday!

You must register so there will be enough supplies! There is a registration cost of $25 per family, and registrations will be accepted until Monday, March 26. Don’t miss this!

26th ANNUAL IOCC BANQUET

6:00 pm Thursday evening,

April 26, 2018

Café la Cave 2777 Mannheim Road,

Des Plaines, IL

Please call St. Haralambos Church Office for reservations,

by Monday, April 23! 847-647-8880

The St. Haralambos

INREACH COMMITTEE

presents

Christian Gonzalez

The End of Orthodoxy:

Deification in a Secular Age

7:30 in the evening

Wednesday, March 14

(following the Presanctified Liturgy)

St. Haralambos Community Center

7373 Caldwell Avenue, Niles, IL

Light Dinner Free Admission

All are welcomed!

Christian Gonzalez is the Young Adult Ministries Coordinator for the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Department of the Greek Orthodox

Archdiocese of America.

Great Lent 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

(no Bible Study)

2

4:30 pm—Greek School 7:00-Salutations

3

8:30-Phase 3

9:00 am-Saturday Greek School

4 2nd Sunday of

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

5

5:45 pm—Family Night

6:00-Great Compline

8:00 pm—GOYA Feed my Starving Children

6 11:30—-Little Angels 4:30 pm—Greek School 5:45-PTA Mtg

7:30 pm—Philoptochos Mtg

7

6:00-Liturgy of Presanctified

8

7:30 pm-Bible Study

9 4:30 pm—Greek School 7:00-Salutations

10

8:30-Phase 3

9:00 am-Saturday Greek School

11 3rd Sunday

of Great Lent ΣΤΑΥΡΟΠΡΟ-ΣΚΥΝΗΣΕΩΣ

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

12 6:00-Great Compline

6-8 pm -Jr GOYA and Compline

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

7:00 pm-School Board

14

6:00-Liturgy of Presanctified

Inreach Presentation:

Meet Christian Gonzalez!

15 6:30—OCMC Missions Benefit Dinner

7:30 pm-Bible Study

16 4:30 pm—Greek School 7:00-Salutations

17

8:30-Phase 3

9:00 am-Saturday Greek School 4:00 pm--March 25 Afternoon School Program

18 4th Sunday

of Great Lent

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

19

5:45 pm—Family Night

6:00-Great Compline

7:30 pm—GOYA Con-fession Night

20 11:30—-Little Angels 4:30 pm—Greek School

7:30—Parish Council Mtg

21

6:00pm—Great Canon of St Andrew

of Crete

22 7:30 pm-Bible Study

23 10:00 a-Preschool March 25 Program 4:30 pm—Greek School (no dance)

7:00– The Akathist Hymn

24 ENTHRONEMENT METROPOLITAN

NATHANAEL OF CHICAGO

9:00 am-Saturday Greek School 10:30—Program for March 25

25 THE

ANNUNCIATION

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

26 6:00-Great Compline

7:30 pm -Jr GOYA Confession Night

27 11:30—-Little Angels 4:30 pm—Greek School

7:00pm—-Pan-Orthodox Akathist

28

6:00-Liturgy of Presanctified

29 7:30 pm-Bible Study

30 4:30 pm—Greek School

31 SATURDAY

OF LAZAROS 8:30—Orthros 9:30—Liturgy

LAZAROS RETREAT DAY

SPRING BAKE SALE

Oratorical Festival

FANARI WINTER CAMP

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

Address Service Requested

St. Haralambos PTA Annual

Palm Sunday Luncheon

Sunday, April 1, 2018 following church services

Adults: $20 (Fish and skordalia)

Children: $10 (Spaghetti dinner)

$20 Orders “to go”

Seating is limited!— Please make reservations

right away!

Call our Church Office (847/647-8880)

to make your reservations!