Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church 1400 N. O’Plaine Road, Libertyville, IL 60048 -­‐‑ Tel (224) 513-­‐‑5530 www.saintdemetrioslibertyville.com M a r c h -­‐‑ 2 0 1 7 Sunday Services: 8:30am Orthros
9:30am Liturgy
Church Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 9a.m.-1p.m.
Clergy:
Fr. Cosmas Halekakis
Fr. John Sardis (Retired)
Chanters:
Yanni Halekakis
Nectaria Zouras
Altar:
Theodore Colombus
Parish Council:
President: Connie Jelatis Hoke
Vice Pres.: Kathy Leoris
Treasurer: Ted Galatsianos
Rec. Sec.: Roman Keating
Corr. Sec.: Donna Krissek
Peter Danos
Helen Exarhakos
John Iskalis
Dr. Jim Karagiannes
Jason Keeling
Dr. Mary Nunchuck
Maria Sakas
Patty Stianos
Gus Tziavaras
Sunday School:
Maria Earth
Greek School:
Rena Paros
Youth Groups:
Rae Anne Alvarez
Demetra Utter
Nectaria Zouras
Philoptochos:
Brenda Costopoulos
AHEPA:
John Papanos
Bookstore/Bookclub:
Dr. Mary Nunchuck
Do you know the 5 Sundays of Great Lent?
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT - SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY
This Sunday commemorates the return of the Icons into the churches, according to the
decision of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787). On this Sunday every year the triumph of
the faith of Orthodoxy is celebrated with the procession of the Icons around the inside of the
Church. The Sunday of Orthodoxy recalls the sacrifice of the Holy Fathers and Mothers of the
Church, and calls upon the people to rededicate themselves to the deep meaning of their faith.
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT - ST. GREGORY PALAMAS
This Sunday commemorates the life of St. Gregory Palamas (14th century). The Church
dedicates this Sunday to St. Gregory for his Orthodox faith, theological knowledge, virtuous
life, miracles and his efforts to clarify the orthodox teaching on the subject of Hesychasm
(from the Greek, meaning quiet.) Saint Gregory Palamas was dedicated to an ascetic life of
prayer and fasting, which are the primary practices of Great Lent.
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT - VENERATION OF THE CROSS
This Sunday commemorates the veneration of the Holy Cross and ultimately the Crucifixion
of our Lord Jesus Christ. The veneration of the Cross is placed in the middle of Great Lent to
remind the faithful, in advance, of the Crucifixion of Christ. The faithful express their
veneration of the Holy Cross in Great Lent through prayer, fasting, almsgiving and the
forgiveness of the trespasses of others. On this Sunday the Veneration of the Cross is
commemorated with a special service following the Divine Liturgy in which the faithful are
blessed and receive Basil and/or other wild flowers like Daffodils.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT - ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER
This Sunday commemorates St. John of the Ladder (6th century) who wrote The Ladder of
Divine Ascent. This book contains 30 chapters, with each chapter as a step leading up to a
faithful and pious life in Christ Jesus. The spirit of repentance and devotion to Christ
dominates the essence of this book, along with the monastic virtues and vices. He was an
ascetic and writer on the spiritual life as a monk-abbot of Sinai Monastery. These steps of the
ladder as set forth by St. John are to be practiced by the Christian especially during this period
of the Great Lent.
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT - ST. MARY OF EGYPT
This Sunday commemorates the life of St. Mary of Egypt, who is a shining example of
repentance from sin through prayer and fasting. She lived a sinful life for many years, but was
converted to a Christian life. She went into the wilderness to live an ascetic life for many
years, praying and fasting in repentance of her previous sinful life, and dying there. St. Mary's
life exemplifies her conviction about Christ, which motivated the changing of her life from sin
to holiness through repentance. Her understanding of repentance involved not a mere change
from small things in her life, but an extreme change of her entire attitude and thoughts. The
Church commemorates St. Mary for her recognition of her own sins as an example of how
one can free oneself from the slavery and burden of wrongdoings. This recognition of sin is
imperative during Lent for the faithful as a means of self-examination and preparation for a
more virtuous life in anticipation of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Christ. - Fr. Cosmas
Parish Announcements
COFFEE HOUR
We always need sponsors and hosts for our weekly Coffe Hour fellowship. Any items brought in for coffee
hour during the months of March and April must follow fasting guidelines. No eggs or dairy allowed. Should
you have any questions, please contact Maria Sakas at (847)395-7499.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Please send your child to Sunday school with an icon for the March 5th Sunday of Orthodoxy Icon procession.
That morning the 4th/5th grade class will host coffee hour. If you have a child in that class please bring a lenten
item for coffee hour.
SATURDAY OF LAZARUS RETREAT
Please stay after Divine Services on Saturday, April 8th for our Saturday of Lazarus Retreat. This is for all ages
as we will have lunch for everyone, lesson for the kids and make palm crosses for Palm Sunday. Please join us
as we begin Holy Week!
AHEPA
AHEPA Little Fort Chapter 218 and District 13 are now accepting scholarship applications for the 2016/2017
year. They are available in the narthex, please inform friends and family of their availability. If applications
are not present in the narthex or you wish to have them emailed to you please contact us at
[email protected] requesting them. Our annual SMOKER event was held on Thursday February 9th. We would like to thank all of those who
supported us by purchasing a raffle ticket. Your participation helps us reach out to our community in many
different forms of charitable contributions: helping those who are in need, education scholarships, and donations
to St Demetrios Greek School to name a few. Our next meeting will be held Tuesday March 21st at 6:30PM. Location will be at The Shanty Restaurant. If you
wish to receive further information regarding AHEPA Little Fort Chapter 218 charitable activities, membership,
and scholarships please contact John Papanos (Chapter President) at 773-732-6734 or email
[email protected] ORATORICAL FESTIVAL
Our Parish Oratorical Festival will be Sunday, March 19 after Church services. While we do not have a high
school and junior high entrance to the Metropolis Festival this year; we have several third to 6th graders who
will be giving speeches. These are untimed, noncompetitive speeches of 30 to 90 seconds. Everyone will be
awarded a prize. As in past years, you all are aware that our young people have quite a lot to say in their
presentations. Please make an effort to come and listen to the future of our Church.
PHILOPTOCHOS – LADIES CHARITABLE SOCIETY
We would like to thank everyone for their donations of time, money and food for the Makaronada. A special
thank you to the Peoria Meat Company, Sophia Columbus, the Liberty Restaurant and Father John Sardis. This
year we are holding elections for the board in May. The next thing coming up in this busy Lenten season is our
meeting on March 2nd at 7:15pm at the church. We will be having our annual Palm Sunday luncheon and bake
sale on April 9th. We plan on baking March 11th and 18th, and tsoureki on April 6th and 7th. Please preorder your
Tsoureki $12 and Red Eggs $5 per dozen. As it is the beginning of the year we are still collecting membership
dues $30. If you have any suggestions and would like to help those in need please join us.
GREEK SCHOOL MARCH 25th PROGRAM
Our Greek School will be having it’s annual March 25th Program in celebration of the Annunciation of the
Theotokos and Greek Independence on Sunday, March 19th after Church services. The kids will recite poems,
sing songs and perform folk dances. The program will be followed by a Lenten luncheon to help raise funds for
our Greek School program. The donation is $10 adults and $5 kids – tickets are available for purchase on
Sundays during coffee hour. Please help support our kids and our Greek School program!
Parish Announcements
BESSIE SKARAMAGOS
RETIREMENT PARTY
On Sunday, January 29th we honored our own Bessie
Skaramagos with a small retirement party after
Church Services. Bessie was thanked for her 30 years
of service to our parish, and was able to celebrate
with her family (pictured left.) We cannot thank
Bessie enough for her tireless dedication over the
years, cleaning and caring for our Church. Although
she will still volunteer and help out when she can, we
congratulate her again, and wish her a happy and
well-deserved retirement!
BOOKSTORE
The parish book store has been busy getting ready for
Lent, Holy Week and Pascha. Seasonal stock will be
available starting Sunday, Feb 26. In addition to the
large black Holy Week Services book, we have the
books for Presanctified Liturgy, the Akathist Service
to the Theotokos (Friday evening service during
Lent), as well as the Wednesday evening of Holy Week Service which is not in the black book. We have the
Greek red Easter egg dye. We have a wide assortment of books appropriate for Lenten reading.
BOOKCLUB
Our March book club will meet Wednesday, March 22 from noon to about 1:15. March's selection is Angels
and Demons by Dr. Harry Boosalis. It looks to be an enjoyable read and should provide an interesting
discussion. Consider reading the book to learn what the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox have to say on this topic.
After reading the book, please consider joining us to discuss it. Our book club is open to anyone who wishes to
learn about our Orthodox Faith. The only requirement is that you read the book to participate in its discussion.
Western Region Family
Basketball Tournament
The Saint Demetrios Men's
Basketball Team competed
in the Western Region
Family
Basketball
Tournament the weekend of
Feb 10th. The host parish
this year was Saints
Kosmas and Damianos, so
the team traveled to
Rochester,
Minnesota.
While they did not place
this year, they enjoyed a
weekend of family, friends
and basketball.
Parish Registry
FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
BAPTISMS: Congratulations to Jeffrey and Mary Block (Nee Athanassopoulos) on the occasion of the
Baptism of their son Loucas which took place on Feb. 18th.
MEMORIALS: Our sympathies and condolences to the families who offered memorials last month for the
following souls: George Rodis (40 days), Efstathia Triantafyllopoulou (40 days), Demetrios P. Liapis (40 days).
May their memory be eternal!
Parish Announcements
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
“You can’t always get what you want….
As many of you may know, I had major reconstructive foot surgery at the beginning of February. I have a nonweight-bearing cast for 4 more weeks, after which I get a walking boot for another 6 weeks. I don’t say this for
sympathy. Many of you are dealing with more serious concerns. Rather, I just want to tell you that I miss you
all and share with you a bit of what I am learning.
We read in Acts 20:35, “…It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And certainly, as we enter into this
season of Great Lent, these are words to inspire us and impel us to action. What I am learning, however, is that
it is sometimes also easier to give than to receive. Let me explain.
Having spent the first week of my recuperation pretty heavily medicated, my mobility was decidedly
challenged. Basically, I needed someone to do and get most everything for me. Gordy was prepared for this,
but it was still difficult to ask for things I needed, much less things I wanted. (One quickly learns the difference
between needs and wants, the former being much smaller.) Medication, a glass of water to take it with, a bite to
eat, a pillow to prop my foot, something to read, the remote for the TV… you get my drift. So many of us have
been trained to take care of our own needs and not to “bother” others. Of course, if anyone asks me for
something, it is no bother, and I am happy to help. Why then is it so hard to accept that others might feel the
same way? I’m thinking that to ask for something, you need to humble yourself. You need to admit that you
are unable to meet your own needs. And, you need to risk requesting something that may not be easily or
quickly given. And, you need to be patient, while maintaining a sense of gratitude, even while waiting.
Then I realize that prayer is a lot like that. We need to humble ourselves, accept that we can’t go it alone, and
ask for what we need or want, with no guarantees when or if it will be given. And, always, we need that sense
of gratitude. We need to say, “Thank you!” Humility. Acceptance. Gratitude.
As time goes on, and I can get around a little better and do more for myself, the gratitude is sometimes replaced
with impatience, and anger, and frustration with my limitations. So now I have to work harder at being patient
and thankful. But I don’t have to do that alone. Great Lent is an especially good time to go to confession and
release these less-than-positive sentiments into the hands of God and be renewed with a new sense of
forgiveness and help.
So, I ask you to consider unburdening yourselves and sharing your concerns with God and with others. Take
advantage of the beautiful rite of confession that our Church offers us. And, please help your church family
help you, at least with prayers. You all lift me up. Please let me do the same for you.
…but if you try sometime, you just might find you get what you need.” (Rolling Stones)
-
In Christ, Connie Jelatis Hoke
Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Spring GREEK FEST
Friday, May 5 (4pm – 8pm)
Sat & Sun, May 6 & 7 (12pm – 8pm)
St. Demetrios Church Hall
1400 N. O’Plaine Rd. (Between 137 & 120)
FREE PARKING & ADMISSION! ALL INDOORS!
Traditional Greek Cuisine! Homemade Greek Pastries!
Raffle tickets $5 each or 5 for $20
Prizes include a Samsung 55” HD Smart TV!
Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Libertyville, IL
Iconography Commitment Form
All of our faithful stewards and friends have an
opportunity to participate in our iconography project
by becoming a Benefactor, Sponsor, or Contributor of
our icon of St. Demetrios (detail pictured) with Sts.
Nestor and Lupo.
All donations can be made over a two-year
period. The three levels of donations are: Benefactor $5000, Sponsor - $2500, and Contributor - $1000. All
those who participate will have their name listed on
the donor recognition display, which will be placed in
the Narthex.
If you would like to participate please complete
and return this commitment form with an initial
payment. If you have questions or want more
information, please speak with Fr. Cosmas Halekakis
(224) 513-5530.
Yes, I would like to participate in the Iconography Project by becoming a:
r$5,000 Benefactor
r$2,500 Sponsor
r$1,000 Contributor
Amount Enclosed_____________________
Name________________________________________________Phone_______________________________
Address__________________________________________________________________________________
Signature________________________________
Date________________
March 2017
Sunday Monday Tuesday FAST DAY 12 2nd Sunday of Lent
St. Gregory
8:30am Orthros
9:30am Liturgy
6 19 3rd Sunday of Lent
The Holy Cross
8:30am Orthros
9:30am Liturgy
Oratorical Festival
March 25th Program
FAST DAY
FAST DAY
FAST DAY 6pm Presanctified
Liturgy
FAST DAY 21 FAST DAY FAST DAY 6pm Presanctified
Liturgy
28 23 11 FAST DAY 18 9:30am Moms
Group
7pm Salutations FAST DAY FAST DAY 9:30am Moms
Group
24 12pm Book Club 6pm Presanctified
Liturgy
FAST DAY FAST DAY 7pm Vespers
FAST DAY 30 Fr. Cosmas at HAA
5pm Greek School
FAST DAY 31 9:30am Moms
Group
7pm Akathist Hymn FAST DAY 6pm Presanctified
Liturgy
FAST DAY FAST DAY 17 Fr. Cosmas at HAA
5pm Greek School
29 8:30am Saturday
of Souls 7pm Salutations FAST DAY 16 4 9:30am Moms
Group
FAST DAY
Fr. Cosmas at HAA
5pm Greek School Saturday 3 9:30am Moms
Group
7pm Salutations FAST DAY 10 Fr. Cosmas at HAA
5pm Greek School
FAST DAY 22 Friday 9 15 6:30pm AHEPA at
The Shanty
27 FAST DAY
FAST DAY FAST DAY
FAST DAY FAST DAY 20 Fr. Cosmas at HAA
5pm Greek School
6pm Compline
7pm Philoptochos
8 6pm Presanctified
Liturgy
14 26 4th Sunday of Lent
St. John Climacus
8:30am Orthros
9:30am Liturgy
2 FAST DAY FAST DAY 1 7 13 FAST DAY
Thursday 5 1st Sunday of Lent
Triumph of Orth.
8:30am Orthros
9:30am Liturgy FAST DAY Wednesday 25 8:30am
Annunciation of the
Theotokos FISH ALLOWED 2017 GREEK FEST
JULY 28, 29 & 30
As you are making your Summer Plans
Please Save the Date for our
2017 Lake County Greek Fest!
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
In December, we held an
exploratory meeting to
measure interest in a St.
Demetrios pilgrimage to the
Holy Land. With about a
dozen attendees and others
who wanted information, we
will proceed with proposing
potential dates, costs and an
itinerary.
Note: the group trip can be
individually
customized.
For example: while the group might fly roundtrip from O’Hare to Jerusalem and
back, individuals could go to Greece before or after the pilgrimage.
If you would like to express interest or need a response, please call the church
office. - Gordy Jelatis Hoke