The MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS · 60714 — PHONE (847) 647-8880 WWW.SAINTHARALASMBOSGOC.ORG “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18) JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 You Belong Here! Belonging through Stewardship Helps Provide:  The Life-Giving Sacraments  Divine Services and Gospel message  Personal Spiritual Growth  Youth Programming      Religious Education Greek Education Philanthropy throughout the World Opportunities to share in Ministry through service The Future of our Church and Faith WORSHIP SCHEDULE January/February 2015 Sat, January 17—St Anthony 8:30 am—Orthros and Liturgy Sun, January 18—St Athanasios 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:45 am—Divine Liturgy Sun, Jan 25—St Gregory the Theologian 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:45 am—Divine Liturgy Friday, Jan 30—Three Hierarchs 8:30 am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, February 1—St. Tryphon Triodion begins 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:45 am—Divine Liturgy Monday, Feb 2—Presentation of our Lord Η ΥΠΑΠΑΝΤΗ 8:30 am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy Friday, February 6 7:00 pm-Paraclesis to St. Haralambos Sunday, February 8—The Prodigal Son 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:45 am—Divine Liturgy Monday, Feb 9—Eve of St. Haralambos 7:00 pm—GREAT VESPERS Tues, Feb 10—Feastday of St Haralambos 8:30 am--ORTHROS AND LITURGY Saturday, Feb 14—Saturday of the Souls 8:30 am—Orthros and Liturgy Sunday, February 15—Meat-Fare Sunday 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:45 am—Divine Liturgy Saturday, Feb 21—Saturday of the Souls 8:30 am—Orthros and Liturgy Sunday, Feb 22—Cheese Fare Sunday 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:45 am—Divine Liturgy Sunday evening, February 22 7:00 pm—Forgiveness Vespers HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN IAKOVOS invites you to Great Vespers at the Metropolis Chapel at 7:00 pm on Friday evening, January 16 in honor of the Feastday of St. ANTHONY, and to Divine Liturgy the morning of Saturday, January 17. ( Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on Saturday, January 17.) OUR SISTER COMMUNITY OF ST ATHANASIOS in Aurora invites you to Great Vespers at 7:00 pm on Saturday evening, January 17 in honor of the Feastday of St. Athanasios, and to Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, Jan 18. (Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on January 18.) SACRAMENTS AND BLESSINGS BLESSINGS OF INFANTS—Forty days after birth, a child and its mother come to church to receive a 40 Day Blessing, imitating Christ who was presented in the Temple 40 days after He was born. Please call the church office to arrange this blessing. BAPTISMS—Please call the church office to schedule Baptisms. Plan ahead!—there are some days when Baptisms are not performed. Keep in mind that there should be only one Godparent and that a child is supposed to be given one name when he or she is baptized. WEDDINGS—Please arrange an appointment with Fr. Dean at least eight months before the proposed wedding date to allow time for all necessary marriage preparation. CONFESSION—Confessions are arranged by appointment. Please call the church office to schedule Confession. MINISTRY TO PERSONS WHO ARE SICK—Orthodox Christians who would like to receive Holy Sacraments but are unable to attend church (hospitalized or at home) should contact the church office so Holy Sacraments can be administered to them. Please inform the church office if your loved one is hospitalized! Most hospitals no longer inform us when they receive patients from our parish. MEMORIAL SERVICES—Memorial Services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Customarily, these services are offered at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at 3 years. When three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls. DID YOU KNOW?... OUR CHURCH’S TEACHING ABOUT CREMATION The New Testament teaches that the body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The body is further sanctified by the incarnation of Christ—God becoming Man in the body. Consistent with this teaching, the body is an integral part of the whole person, and the Church teaches and expects the resurrection from the dead of the body and the soul, when God’s Kingdom comes in its fullness. The Church considers cremation to be the deliberate desecration and destruction of what God has made, and insists that the body be buried for the natural process to take place. As the denial of the resurrection, in cases where there is intention for the body of a deceased person to be cremated, a church funeral is not allowed, either in the church, or the Funeral home or any other place. Additionally, memorial services with kolyva are not allowed, since the significance between the “kernel of wheat” and the “body” has been intentionally destroyed. —from Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Yearbook 2014 GREAT LENT BEGINS FEB 23! 2015 STEWARDSHIP YOU BELONG HERE! Please complete your Stewardship Giving Card before the end of February! HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH NILES, ILLINOIS 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS 60714 PHONE: 847/647-8880 From Father Dean January 2015 Dear Stewards and Friends, HAPPY NEW YEAR! The coming of the New Year is always a busy time for us all! Not only do we celebrate the Miracle of Christmas, the sanctification of the New Year and the House blessing of Theophany, but we immediately roll into Vasilopita, Godparent Sunday and the Celebration of St. Haralambos and the anniversary of our community. And before we know it, Triodion begins and we gear up for the most exciting and fulfilling season of Great Lent and Pascha! Did you ask the priest to come and bless your home this year? “Well, Father, we were so busy that we forgot all about it.” Everyone is busy—that’s for sure—but what things are really important? What is more important than having our home blessed? It is also an opportunity to live and demonstrate our faith to our children—something they need to see! They will get to see the priest come to THEIR HOUSE! If you would like this, call the church office. It’s not too late! Maybe we should sit down and make a schedule of our year’s priorities so that the important things don’t get lost when we’re busy. You know, it is actually a blessing that we have so many activities and opportunities! But we need to prioritize. We celebrate the 64th Anniversary of our Parish this year! It will be a special celebration: an elegant Masquerade Ball. (Black tie optional means it is somewhat formal—we can dress up like at prom!) It will be a great, beautiful and fun evening, with Rythmos Orchestra, dancing, silent auction, food and drink. We are looking forward to this and hope you will join in the fun! Our 2015 Stewardship Program is off and running (see page 6). We urge you to gently increase your level of giving and return your Stewardship Card before the end of February—you don’t have to fulfill the whole amount until December! Get ready for news about our Phase 3 expansion! The Phase 3 Committee has begun meeting regularly; we know everyone will be excited about the plans that will be presented for approval by the General Assembly! 2015 will be our year—the year of the St. Haralambos Community! We will need your support! May we all have a blessed, prosperous, progressive, happy and healthy New Year! Fr. Dean 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…………………....….......... Argy Koutsikos Phase III Chairman……................. Stewardship………………….. Budget Committee Chairman ….....Perry Giannopoulos Building & Grounds Chairman……. …………. Michael Pontikes and Theodoros Karabatsos Decor Committee Chairman..............Stephan Aliferakis Finance Committee Chairman…......... Outreach Committee…………………..…..John Pierce School Board Chairman...........….....Olympia Bournias Audit Committee Chairman…..………….Evan Houpis Philoptochos President...…..................Maria Dimitriou PTA Co-Presidents (Afternoon School)…. ...…....Anna Sikoral and Kathy Ioannidis PTA President (Preschool)………...Marianna Memmos PTA Co-Presidents (Saturday School)……. .. ....Angelo Mihalopoulos and Georgia Pipikios 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..……………….....….. George Alpogianis Asst Scoutmaster…………....…….…....Sam Parmakis Asst Cubmaster…………….....………....... John Frake Little Angels………….…………..…Mrs. Tasia Liapis YAL President…….................….....Christina Pappadis GOYA President…......................... Vasiliki Karabatsos Jr. Goya Advisor………………..…… Jolynn Ruggerio Bookstore Manager……..….........……Jolynn Ruggerio Web Master.….....……..….…...…..…. George Houpis Office Staff… ..Barbara Skaouris and Alexandra Grivas Maintenance Staff….Juan Caro and Carolina Contreras .. IN THIS ISSUE: Letter from our Priest (pg 3) Announcements/Ανακοινώσεις (pp 4-5) Stewardship (pg 6) Masquerade! (pg 7) Sanctity of Life Service (pg 8) Passages (pg 9) Calendar (pg 10) COMMUNITY NEWS HEAVEN ON EARTH—The Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago) is featuring an exhibit called “Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections,” until February 15, 2015. More than 60 artworks—icons, sculptures, textiles, glass and silver from museums throughout Greece! This is a special opportunity and we encourage you to visit the Art Institute. GODPARENTS SUNDAY—Our Godparents Sunday will be observed on January 18, 2015! Godparent Sunday gives us the opportunity to renew the relationship between Godparents and their Godchildren by receiving Holy Communion together and attending our Godparents Luncheon. This is a popular event every year, and reservations are required! Please call the church office to make your reservations, and plan to participate in our Godparents Sunday. SATURDAYS OF THE SOULS--The Saturdays February 14, February 21 and February 28 are called Saturdays of the Souls. As we prepare for the glorious celebration of Pascha, the Orthodox Church takes the opportunity on those days to remember those who have fallen asleep in the Lord, anticipating their and our general Resurrection in His Kingdom! It is a great blessing that our Faith understands the importance of remembering our parents, relatives, teachers and friends who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Plan to participate in this observation! PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS--We congratulate our Philoptochos Ladies for a delicious and successful Vasilopita Luncheon that took place on January 11th! The ladies are now preparing for this year's Tsiknopempti (February 12), and the annual Lenten Dinner ("Koulouma") which will take place on February 23! “TSIKNOPEMPTI” DINNER—Plan to join us on Thursday, February 12—known as “Tsiknopempti”— for a delicious dinner hosted by our Philoptochos Ladies. According to our Greek Orthodox tradition, this is the last weekday on which meat is served before Great Lent begins, and it is a festive occasion. Please call the church office to make reservations! APOKREATIKO GLENDI—Our PTA invites you to our annual Apokreatiko Glendi at 5:00 on Saturday afternoon, February 14. This is a family event marking the last days of eating meat until PASCHA, and the PTA is planning a wonderful evening! The donation is only $15 for adults, and 10 for children under 12 years old. There will be delicious food and music, and everyone is encouraged to wear costumes! Please call the church office for reservations! OUR 2015 PARISH COUNCIL—We congratulate our Parish Council officers for 2015, who were elected on January 4th: President: Perry Giannopoulos Vice Pres: Nick Andrews Treasurer: David Loomos 1st Asst Treas: Bill Bozikis 2nd Asst Treas: Marko Constantinou Secretary: Argy Koutsikos Asst Sec: George Anastasiadis Council Members: Christos Agalliu, John Aliferis, Kathy Apithis, Dr. Thomas Bournias, Angelo Demeros, Evan Dimoutsikos, Nick Gianaris, Krystal Ioannou, Thomas N. Kanelos, Theodoros Karabatsos, Richard Kozlowski, John Pierce, Michael Pontikes, Anthony Rizos. We are grateful to our Parish Council members for their devotion and hard work on behalf of our church community! PRAY FOR Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Paul Yazigi and Syriac Orthodox Archbishop John Ibrahim, both of Aleppo, Syria, who were kidnapped April 22, 2013. Twenty months have passed, and their location and well-being remain unknown. There has been practically no media attention to their kidnapping. THANK YOU TO….. …Mr. John G. Adinamis, for again donating this year's church calendars. MANY THANKS! (If you have not yet received a calendar for 2015, please request one at the church office.) ΕΝΟΡΙΑΚΕΣ ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΑ του 2015 διατίθενται εις το γραφείο της εκκλησίας. Παρακαλούμε όπως οι stewards του 2014 ή 2015 περνάτε από το γραφείο, εαν θέλετε ένα ημερολόγιο της εκκλησίας δια το έτος του 2015! ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΝΟΝΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΑΔΟΧΩΝ-Η Κυριακή, 18 Ιανουαρίου είναι Κυριακή των Νονών και Αναδόχων εις τον Αγ. Χαράλαμπον. Είναι ευκαιρία δια τους Νονούς και Αναδόχους μαζί να λάβουν Θεία Κοινωνία εκείνη τη Κυριακή, και να παρακαθήσουν στο γεύμα που θα δοθεί μετά την Θ. Λειτουργία εις την Κοινοτική Αίθουσα του Aγ. Χαραλάμπους. Τηλεφωνήσατε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας (847/647-8880) δια να κρατήσετε θέσεις και να παρευρεθείτε στην Κυριακή των Αναδόχων! ΤΟ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΟ ΜΑΣ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΔΙΑ ΤΟ 2011: Πρόεδρος– Παρασκευάς Γιαννόπουλος Αντιπρόεδρος-Νικόλαος Ανδρεόπουλος Ταμίας-Δαβίδ Λούμος 1ος Βοηθ. Ταμίας-Βασίλειος Μποζίκης 2ος Βοηθ. Ταμίας-Μάρκος Κωνσταντίνου Γραμματέας-Αργυρώ Κουτσίκου Βοηθός Γραμμ-Γεώργιος Αναστασιάδης Μέλη Συμβουλίου: Χρήστος Αγαλίου, Ιωάννης Αλιφέρης, Κατερίνα Απίδη, Δρ. Αναστάσιος Μπουρνιάς, Ευάγγελος Δημεράκος, Ευάγγελος Δημούτσικος, Νικόλαος Γιάναρης, Κρυσταλιώ Ιωάννου, Aθανάσιος Κανέλος, Θεόδωρος Καραμπάτσος, Richard Kozlowski, Ιωάννης Παπαθεοδόρου, Μιχαήλ Ποντίκης, και Αντώνης Ρίζος. Είμεθα ευγνώμονες εις τα μέλη του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου μας δια την αφοσίωσίν τους και τον σκληρό αγώνα που καταβάλλουν δια την κοινότητά μας! ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΑ—Τα Σάββατα 14ης, 21ης, και 28ης Φεβρουαρίου 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. ΝΕΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΤΩΧΟΥ-Θερμά συγχαρητήρια στις Κυρίες της Φιλοπτώχου μας δια την επιτυχία του γευστικότατου Γεύματος της Βασιλόπιτας της 11ης Ιανουαρίου! Άρχισαν οι προετοιμασίες δια τον εφετεινό εορτασμό της Τσικνοπέμπτης (12 Φεβρουαρίου) και το εφετεινό Σαρακοστιανό Δείπνο (Κούλουμα), το οποίο θα λάβει χώραν την 23 Φεβρουαρίου! 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 τα λάβουν. Παρακαλούμε να επικοινωνείτε με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας εαν κάποιος συγγενής σας είναι στο νοσοκομείο! Τα νοσοκομεία πλέον δεν μας πληροφορούν όταν έχουν αρρώστους από την ενορία μας. 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. ΔΕΙΠΝΟ ΤΣΙΚΝΟΠΕΜΠΤΗΣ--Η Φιλόπτωχός μας του Αγ. Χαραλάμπους διοργανώνει ένα Δείπνο προς εορτασμόν της Τσικνοπέμπτης, την Πέμπτη, 12 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, 14 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. Σας περιμένουμε για ένα νοστιμότατο δείπνο, μουσική και διασκέδαση! Δια κρατήσεις θέσεων παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας. ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΟΥΜΕ ......τον κ. Γιάννη Αδυναμή, ο οποίος και πάλιν εδώρισε τα εφετεινά ημερολόγια της εκκλησίας. (Εαν δεν έχετε λάβει το ημερολόγιο του 2015, παρακαλούμε όπως ζητήσετε ένα από το γραφείο της εκκλησίας.) ΠΟΛΛΕΣ ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΙΕΣ! St. Haralambos Masquerade Ball 5:30 in the afternoon Sunday, February 15, 2015 Rosemont Hilton Hotel Rsvp by February 1, 2015 Stewardship 2015—You Belong Here! To belong is one of our most important needs. As we pursue having a meaningful life, we see the value of belonging; to belong is to embrace love and acceptance from one another and from God! That is why our Church and our home are so important: they are the places where we experience love from God and His people. And we need your help to ensure that our Holy Taxiarhai and St. Haralambos Church will be here to offer the love and belonging that is so essential to every person. You belong here! Many thanks to the 88 families listed below who have enthusiastically become Stewards for 2015! 2015 STEWARDS AND SPOUSES (As of January 9, 2015) Mr. & Mrs. Christos Agalliu Mr. & Mrs. Arturo Alvarez Mr. & Mrs. K Anagnostopoulos Mr. Kyriako Anastasiadis Mr. Evangelos Anastasiadis Mr. & Mrs. Nick Andrews Mr. Telly Andrews Mr. Andy Andrews Mr. & Mrs. Bill Andros Mrs. Ourania Antoniades Mr. & Mrs. Michael Balourdos Mr. & Mrs. Leonidas Bilissis Fr. & Presv. Dean Botsis Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Brillakis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Caldes Mr. & Mrs. George Callas Mrs. Thalia Chresanthakes Mr. & Mrs. George Conopeotis Mr. & Mrs. Tony Couris Mr & Mrs Dimitrios Dandinidis Dr. & Mrs. Perry Danos Mr. & Mrs. John Demakis Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Demeros Mr. & Mrs. Christ Demopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Demos Mr. & Mrs. Evan Dimoutsikos Mr. & Mrs. Markos Dounis Mrs. Joann Farsalas Mr. Phil Farsalas Mrs. Trisevgeni Frentzas Mrs. Anastasia Gevrekis Dr. & Mrs. Chris Giannopoulos Ms. Tina Gountanis Mr. & Mrs. Jim Grammas Mr. & Mrs. Ourania Grapsas Mr. & Mrs. Evan Houpis Ms. Koula Kalogeros Mr. & Mrs. Tom Kanelos Mr & Mrs Constantine Kanellos Mr. James Kantzavelos Mr. Alexandros Karelidis Mrs. Lee Karnezis Mr. & Mrs. Andy Kartsistaris Mr. & Mrs. Ted Kiriazopoulos Mr. Gus Kokenes Mrs. Veneta Kokenes Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kontos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Koupas Mr. & Mrs. Ted Kostiuk Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Kotis Mr. George Kotsionis Mr. & Mrs. John Koularmanis Mr. & Mrs. Gus Lamberis Fr. & Presv. Diana Lamberis Mr. & Mrs. Paul Lanzourakis Mrs. Georgia Laskaris Mrs. Christina Liakopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Tom Liakos Mr. & Mrs. David Loomos Mr. Athanasios Magoulas Mrs. Joanne Marlantis Mr. & Mrs. Nick Megremis Mrs. Elizabeth Michaels Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Mohr Mr. & Mrs. George Morikis Mr. & Mrs. Tim Mourtokokis Mr. Demosthenes Nikolopoulos Ms. Angie Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Bill Pappas Ms. Angelica Pollard Mr. & Mrs. John Prodromos Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Provis Mr. & Mrs. Stratis Sapuntzakis Mr. & Mrs. George Sarolas Mrs. Josephine Sbarounis Mrs. Margaret Sfikas Ms. Efthalia Spyratos Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Spanos Mr. & Mrs. Sam Souleles Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Tabrizi Dr & Dr Philip Theodoropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Tom Tsaganos Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Tsaganos Mr. & Mrs. Gus Tzotzolis Mrs. Sophia Vlahos Mr. & Mrs. John Xamplas Mr. & Mrs. Paul Yannias Mrs. Angeline Yutakis Mr. & Mrs. Basil Zofakis Mr. & Mrs. Steven Zook Mr. & Mrs. John N. Zouras Did you know...      Only 5% of our funding goes toward outreach and supporting our precious ministries. The rest is used to pay basic operating expenses such as wages, Archdiocese commitments, maintenance of our aging buildings, utilities, and supporting our schools. There is very little that can be done to reduce spending, considering the size of the Saint Haralambos Parish. Over the past several years, all of the proceeds from the Food Festival have gone toward paying our basic operating expenses. None of those profits were available for ministries or capital improvements. All of the proceeds from the Consecration are held in a separate, restricted account that is reserved for capital improvements. The Consecration Account currently holds over $500,000. We have begun the design of a capital improvement project that will include a new multi-purpose gymnasium and a renovated community center with more classrooms, meeting areas, a larger kitchen and storage. Funds from the Consecration Account will be used to pay for that design, but that Account only has a fraction of the projected construction costs. It is our responsibility as Stewards of Saint Haralambos to support the needs of our church through heartfelt Stewardship. Stewardship expresses the depth of our love for our faith, and our desire to sustain our church’s ministries. We should eliminate depending on our Food Fest for the basic Operating Budget of our Church! If we could do that as a community, proceeds from the Festival, typically well over $100,000 per year, could support new ministries and school programs, and help realize the vision of a new gymnasium with a renovated community center, kitchen and classrooms. Plan to spend a beautiful and elegant evening celebrating the 64th Anniversary of the Holy Taxiarhai and Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church Sunday, February 15, 2015 5:30 Cocktails 6:30 Reception style Dinner  Black Tie Optional The Hilton Hotel 5550 North River Road Rosement, Illinois Cocktails Dinner Silent Auction Dancing The Rythmos Orchestra Kindly Rsvp by February 1, 2015 Thursday, February 12 is “TSIKNOPEMPTI” Masks are encouraged! Donation: $100 Children 12 and under, $35 Call Argy Koutsikos 312-403-2227 or Eleni Kozlowski 773-822-2452 You’re invited! Come to our annual Tsiknopempti Dinner Apokreatiko Glendi Delicious Food – Good Music! Saturday, February 14, 2015 6:00 pm St. Haralambos Community Center Have you made your reservations? Please call the church office: 847-647-8880. Hosted by the St. Haralambos PTA 4:00 pm Appetizers 5:00 pm dinner $15.00 Adults $10.00 Children 5-12 yrs old Kids 4 yrs and under Free Join us for a night of dinner, dancing & fun at our Church Community Center Call the church office for reservations 847-647-8880 Dress in your favorite mardi gras costume! PASSAGES......... REMEMBERING 2014 As time marches on, it is good to reflect on the year which has come to a close. We will remember 2014 for its joys and its sorrows. During the year 2014, our parish registry books recorded 39 births and baptisms, 3 chrismations, 14 weddings, and 27 deaths. 2014 BAPTISMS Sophia Jaramillo Αγάπη Eva Panagopoulos Anna Lourgos Demetra Sarantopoulos Haroula Tirovolas Mia Sofia Maglaris Nikolas Iliopoulos Alec Constantiine Serrano Violet Theodora Serrano Aria Kehagias Constantine Kolitsas Zoey Sylvia DalCerro Christopher Cammarata Anthony John Pontikis P:anayiotis Sotiropoulos Peter Christopher Corasis Dimitrios Benetatos Norah Shanahan Theodore Ochonicki Stavroula Mihalopoulos Αθανάσιος Thomas Papagiannis Αλεξία Alexis Marie Chmielarz Georgia Stella Chmielarz Stavroula Prokos Zoe Mejis Isabella Tragas Anastasios David Barnes Konstantinos Kapsalis Ευάγγελος Blake Evan Johnson Joshua Lange Melina Mourgelas Christina Castellucci Kathleen Giannoulias Sophie Rose Bouikidis Kostas Frentzos Georgia Vergos Constantine Lamberis Stella Provis Loukas Korkofigas 2014 CHRISMATIONS Thomas Sikoral Danielle-Marie Goravica Gabrielle-Ann Goravica 2014 WEDDINGS Amalia Poulakos and Martin Keane Anastasia Leotsakos and Nikolaos Kanaloupitis Stephanie Jo Krolicki and Alexandros Giannikoulis Sara Ariana Swiderski and Dimitrios Dandinidis Emily Sophia Gevrekis and Matthew Ryan Eberhardt Trisha Panos and George Nikolarelis Anne Maris an Spiros Tzakis Lauren Stelmach and Nickolas Karahalios Maria Mitsos and Curtis Barnes Danielle Goravica and Dimitri Kametas Stamatia Mallas and Antonis Maris Bozena Mulvenna and Philip Theodoropoulos Anna Vlahandreas and Konstantinos Nikolopoulos Amanda Najjar and Peter George Thomas 2014 DEATHS -- During 2014, we also note the falling asleep of the following persons: Dr. Spiros H. Gianoulias Vasilios G. Tsiodras Konstaninos Kousikos Sokratis Papadopoulos Anastasia “Stacey” Spear Sofia I. Politis Gus Katsaros George Tsoutsas Anastasios Papakostas John Vassos Diamanto Sakellariou Chrisanthe Antipas Anastasios Theodoropoulos Demetra Papadeas Georgios Petrakis Dimitrios Kokalias Kenneth H. Hughes, Jr. Tina Soursos Polychronis Paul Sfikas Persefoni Printzis Nikos Bumbaris Michael P. Katsiamakis Irene Sealepis Stephanos Dimitriou Ekaterini Adamidis Grace Ann Kantzavelos Christ “Kamaras” Papakonstantinou As we look ahead to 2015, 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! UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER: Thursday, February 12—Tsiknopempti Saturday, February 14—First Saturday of Souls Saturday, February 14—Apokreatiko Glendi Sunday, February 22—Forgiveness Vespers Monday, February 23— Great Lent begins. Lenten Dinner Sunday, March 1—Sunday of Orthodoxy Pan Orthodox Vespers at St. George Antiochian in Cicero, IL Sunday, March 15—Veneration of the Holy Cross Wednesday, March 25—Feastday of the Annunciation; Greek Independence Day Tuesday, March 31—Pan-Orthodox Akathist Hymn Sunday, April 5—Palm Sunday Sunday, APRIL 12—PASCHA! JANUARY 2015 18 ST ATHANASIOS 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:45 am—Divine Liturgy 19 20 M LUTHER KING DAY (no school) 11:30 am—Little Angels Playgroup 6:30-Jr. GOYA GODPARENT SUNDAY 25 ST 22 23 24 9:00 am-Saturday Greek School 4:30 pm—Greek School 4:30 pm—Greek School 7:30-Bible Study 26 27 28 11:30 am—Little Angels Playgroup GREGORY 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:45 am—Divine Liturgy 21 5:30 pm—Family Night 7:00 p-Sr GOYA 6:00 pm-Sanctity of Life Service 29 The Three Hierarchs 12:00-Preschool 3 Hierachs Program 4:30 pm—Greek School 7:30-Bible Study 30 7:30 pm—Parish Council Mtg 31 9:00 am-Saturday Greek School 8:30-Orthros and Liturgy 7:00 pm— SYNERGY FEBRUARY 1Triodion begins 2 Publican/Pharisee 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:45 am—Divine Liturgy NO Presentation of our Lord 8:30 am-Orthros and Liturgy 6:00 p-Jr. GOYA 3 4 4:30-Greek School 4:45-PTA Mtg 7 pm-Phase 3 9 SON 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:45 am—Divine Liturgy 15 Απόκρεας 11 12 9:00 am— Saturday Greek School 13 TSIKNOPEMPTI 6:30 pm— Tsiknopempti Dinner 17 4:30 pm—Greek School 18 19 4:30 pm—Greek School 4:30-Greek School 7 pm-Phase 3 7:30 pm— Parish Council Mtg 14 Saturday of Souls 8:30 am-Orthros and Liturgy 9:00 -Saturday Greek School 5pm— Apokreatiko Glendi 20 21 4:30 pm—Greek School 9:00 am— Saturday Greek School 11:30 am—Little Angels Playgroup 5:30 pm—Family Night 7:00 p-Sr GOYA (Whirley Ball) 1pm—School Board NO FASTING THIS WEEK 7:00 pm-VESPERS ST HARALAMBOS 16 7 HARALAMBOS HARALAMBOS 8:30 am—Orthros and Liturgy Meat-Fare Sunday 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:45 am—Divine Liturgy 6 pmMASQUERADE! 10 SAINT 6 7:00 pm— PARACLESIS to St. 7:30 pm— Philoptochos mtg FASTING THIS WEEK 8 PRODIGAL 5 11:30 am—Little Angels Playgroup 6:00 p-Jr GOYA Saturday of Souls 8:30 am-Orthros and Liturgy Feastday of Saint Haralambos TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Friday evening, February 6 7:00 pm—Paraclesis to Saint Haralambos Monday evening, February 9 7:00 pm—Great Vespers Tuesday, February 10 8:30 am—Orthros (Matins) 10:00 am—Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Artoclasia HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE NILES, IL 60714-4503 Address Service Requested