March 2019

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)

The Significance of Great Lent by Fr. George Mastrantonis

Great Lent before Easter is when the Christian participates fully in

preparing himself to praise and glorify his God as Lord and Savior. Great

Lent is like a "workshop" where the character of the faithful is spiritually

uplifted and strengthened; where his life is rededicated to the principles

and ideals of the Gospel; where the faith culminates in deep conviction of

life; where apathy and disinterest turn into vigorous activities of faith and

good works.

Lent is not for the sake of Lent itself, as fasting is not for the sake of

fasting. But they are means by which and for which the individual believer

prepares himself to reach for, accept and attain the calling of his Savior.

Therefore, the significance of Great Lent is highly appraised, not only by the

monks, but also by the lay people themselves. As such, Great Lent is the

sacred Institute of the Church to serve the individual believer in participat-

ing as a member of the Mystical Body of Christ, and, from time to time, to

improve the standards of faith and morals in his Christian life.

The deep intent of the believer during the Great Lent is "forgetting

what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on

toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ

Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).

WORSHIP SCHEDULE/MARCH 2019

Sat, March 2 —Saturday of the Souls ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ 8:30 am—Orthros and Liturgy

Sunday, March 3 — Meat Fare ΑΠΟΚΡΕΑΣ 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

Sat, March 9 —Saturday of the Souls ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ 8:30 am—Orthros and Liturgy

Sunday, March 10 — Cheese Fare ΤΥΡΙΝΗΣ 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

7:00 pm—Forgiveness Vespers ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΥΓΧΩΡΗΣΕΩΣ

GREAT LENT BEGINS Monday, March 11 —Pure Monday ΚΑΘΑΡΑ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ 5:00 pm—Great Compline (followed by Lenten Dinner)

Tuesday, March 12 6:00 PM—Great Compline

Wednesday, March 13 6:00 pm--Presanctified Liturgy

Thursday, March 14 6:00 PM—Great Compline

Friday, March 15 7:00 pm—Salutations to the Theotokos

Sat, March 16 - Saturday of the Souls ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ 8:30 am—Orthros and Liturgy

Sunday, March 17 — SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

Monday, March 18 6:00 pm—Great Compline

Wednesday, March 20 6:00 pm--Presanctified Liturgy

Friday, March 22 7:00 pm—Salutations to the Theotokos

Sunday, March 24 — St Gregory Palamas 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

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

Wednesday, March 27 6:00 pm--Presanctified Liturgy

Friday, March 29 7:00 pm—Salutations to the Theotokos

Sunday, March 31—Veneration of the Holy Cross 8:15 am—Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy THE ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRAL invites you to Great Vespers at 7:00 on Sunday evening, March 24, and Divine Liturgy on Monday, March 25 in honor of the Great Feastday of ther Annunciation of the Theotokos. (Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on March 25.)

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 in-form 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 sup-posed 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. 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.

END OF LIFE ISSUES 1 - A Proper Funeral Conveys Divine Grace to Our Loved One For an Orthodox Christian, a church funeral is a necessity. As we pray, the funeral service brings divine Grace to those who have fallen asleep, for their forgiveness and eternal rest. Our journey toward perfection (Θέωσις) continues after death! A church funeral is an act of love and it is our duty. What good reason can there be to deny our loved ones from God’s saving Grace and the honor they deserve? Let us hon-or our parents and relatives with prayers and a proper Trisagion and funeral.

2 - About Cremation Orthodox Christians believe that in the General Resurrection, our bodies and souls will be restored to each other. Cremation is the delib-erate 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.

2019 STEWARDSHIP

THINKING CHRIST FIRST

2019 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

As of February 20, 2019 253 Stewards have committed $184,815!

THANK YOU!

Have you become a 2019 Steward yet?

HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

From Father Dean Great Lent, 2019

Dear Stewards and Friends,

On February 10, we celebrated the 68th Anniversary of our community! His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael led our liturgical celebration, which was followed by a festive Dinner Dance at the Meridian. We thank Eleni Kiria-zopoulos, the event chairman, and all who worked with her for a beautiful evening. Special thanks to Argy Koutsikos and Lambro Konstantellos for their amazing help, and our Philoptochos for their outstanding energy and hospitality!

Great Lent is just around the corner. We feel it coming with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, and the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, and on the evening of March 10, we will have the Vespers of Forgiveness. His Emi-nence Metropolitan Nathanael and clergy from throughout the Metropolis will be with us to mark the beginning of Great Lent at this Service. We hope to see you, too!

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.

We also have March 2, 9 and 16 as Saturdays of the Souls. As we prepare for the glorious celebration of Pascha, the Orthodox Church takes the opportuni-ty on those days to remember those who have fallen asleep in the Lord, antic-ipating their and our general Resurrection in His Kingdom! It is a great bless-ing that our Faith understands the importance of remembering our parents, relatives, teachers and friends who have fallen asleep; as an expression of our love for them, and to console us through our faith in Christ and His Resurrec-tion. Plan to attend these Saturday of the Souls Liturgies.

Following the Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday, March 13, our Inreach Committee will offer a very special presentation: Deacon Perry Hamalis will give a talk called: “The Mystery and Meaning of Forgiveness.” A light dinner will also be offered; plan to join us!

Great Lent begins on March 11, and we invite you to the Great Compline at 5:30 that evening, followed by a Lenten Dinner. It is a fitting way to begin our Lenten Journey, along with all the special services, and the Triumph of Orthodox Vespers which will take place this year at St. Andrew Church in Chicago on Sunday, March 17!

We have prepared this issue of Visions with all of this in mind, including a brief article about fasting and even a couple of Lenten recipes!

Finally, a few words about Phase 3. Yes! Of course we are going to build! There have been more delays than I expected, but the Village of Niles, the Illinois Dept of Transportation and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation Dis-trict have all approved our permits. Part of the delay has also been due to “value engineering,” which means “trying to get the cost down.” The first bids we received were over $5 million, while our goal was $4 million. It appears that our cost will be in the middle, which is more than we planned but, with your support, it is manageable.

We are grateful for all the donations and commitments we have received! We are still short of our goal, and we would certainly be grateful for any support that comes in, because we still need a generous amount of help!

Finally, as Easter draws near, I think we should rethink some of our phrases. I cringe when people say “American Easter” because I am an American, but that’s not MY Easter! It’s just as bad to say “Greek Easter,” which we should call “Orthodox Easter”, or Pascha. Think about it!

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

IN THIS ISSUE:

Letter from our Priest (pg 3) Announcements (pg 4) Fasting and Food (pg 6) Stewardship Challenge (pg 7) Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers (pg 9) Calendar (pg 10) Donations for Holy Week (pg 12)

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……....................... Tom Sikoral Building & Grounds Chairman……. …. Michael Pontikes and Theodoros Karabatsos Decor Committee Chairman.....................Stephan Aliferakis Outreach Committee…….......................………...…..John Pierce Inreach Committee………………… ...…Voula Asimacopoulos, and Elaine Loomos Communication Committee………………….…..George Giolas Iconography over Altar……………………..... Dr. Tom Bournias 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. Magda Kelesidis Sunday School Directors……. …….Presvytera Georgia Botsis and Anna Sikoral Athletic Director………………..……...…....…....… David Loomos Scoutmaster..……..…………....………………....... Vasili Zimbrakos Asst Cubmaster…...…………………………...……......... John Frake Little Angels……………….Anastasia Liapi / Presvytera Diana YAL President………………....................….......... Christina Botsis Sr GOYA President…............................................. … 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

Don’t say “american easter!”

Don’t say “Greek easter!”

Yes, say orthodox easter!

COMMUNITY NEWS ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ

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.

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

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

FORGIVENESS VESPERS--Great Lent begins on Monday, March 11, and the beginning of Lent starts with the beautiful Forgiveness Vespers on the preceding evening. Plan to join us at 7:00 on Sunday evening, March 10 for this service!

LENTEN DINNER FOR FIRST DAY OF GREAT LENT— Monday, March 11th is the first day of Great Lent, and there will be church services every evening during the first week of Lent. It is customary to have a Lenten Dinner on the first day of Lent, and our Philoptochos invites you, following the Great Compline Service, on Monday, March 11, to our annual Len-ten Dinner, at 6:30 pm in our Community Center. This affords us the opportunity to be together and observe the beginning of the Lenten Season. Plan to join us!

OUR INREACH COMMITTEE will offer a series or talks dur-ing the month of March! (See our flyer on page 8!) Plan to hear Deacon Perry Hamalis on Wednesday, March 13 (following the Presanctified Liturgy), speaking on “The Mystery and Meaning of Forgiveness.” A light dinner will also be offered; plan to join us!

PAN-ORTHODOX AKATHIST HYMN will take place at 7:00 pm on Tuesday evening, April 16 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst. 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, April 17-18 in our Community Center. A great opportunity to buy your Easter Tsou-rekia, 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.

2019 STEWARDSHIP: ΠΡΩΤΑ Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ—Πιστεύουμε ότι έχετε λάβει τις πληροφορίες για το 2019 Stewardship. Προτείνουμε να σκευθείτε «Πρώτα ο Χριστός» καθώς κοιτάζουμε τις ανάγκες μας στο 2019 και λογαριάζουμε το ποσόν του Stewardship που θέλουμε να προσφέρουμε. Σας παροτρύνουμε να σκευθείτε μηνιαίες δόσεις. Με το ποσό μόνο των $93 το μήνα από όλους τους stewards μας, μπορούμε να καλύψουμε τις ανάγκες μας. Για τους περισσότερους είναι ένα ποσό εφικτό!

Με την ειλικρινή προσφορά σας προς το Stewardship, θα 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!

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, 17-18 Απριλίου 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.

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.

GREAT LENT BEGINS ON MARCH 11

We mark the beginning of Great Lent with a num-ber of beautiful church services, which help us focus on the meaning and the goal of Lent: our sanctification.

The evening before the first day of Lent, our church offers us the Vespers of Forgiveness. We are honored to inform you that His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael will be with us at the Forgiveness Vespers at 7:00 pm on Sunday even-ing March 10, along with the clergy of the whole Metropolis.

We have church services every evening of the first week of Great Lent. On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, we will read the service of Great Compline, which includes verses from the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. This canon is very introspective, as it focuses on themes of repent-ance and love.

Every Wednesday during Lent, we celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. During Lent we do not celebrate the Liturgy as we do on Sundays, so Holy Communion that was sanctified on the previous Sunday is offered to strengthen us during the week.

On Friday evenings, we read the beautiful Saluta-tions to the Theotokos, which trace the entire story of Christ’s Incarnation while honoring the Mother of God.

Plan to attend these beautiful services! (If you do, you can check off one of your Stewardship Chal-lenges!)

SCHEDULE:

• Sunday, Mar 10 at 7:00 pm-Forgiveness Vespers

• Monday, March 11 at 5:00 pm--Great Compline followed by Lenten dinner)

• Tuesday, March 12 at 6:00 pm--Great Compline

• Wednesday, March 13 at 6:00 pm—Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

• Thursday, March 14 at 6:00 pm-Great Compline

• Friday, March 15 at 7:00 pm--Salutations to the Theotokos

• Saturday, March 16 at 8:30 am—Orthros and Liturgy for the Third Saturday of the Souls.

GREAT LENT AND FOOD Lent is about Humility, Repentance, Confession, Prayer and Catharsis, as well as Fasting.

In these Food Channel times, we thought you’d enjoy a page about Lenten cooking and food!

Lenten Recipes Here are a couple of our favorite Lenten Recipes that we thought you might like to try. For more recipes, visit these sites:

http://greekfood.about.com/od/greekfastingrecipes/Greek_ Orthodox_Fasting_Lenten_Recipes.htm http://stgeorgepantry.org/vegetarianrecipes.html http://orthodoxlife.info/component/option,com weblinks/catid,64/ Itemid,177/

FOODS PERMITTED DURING GREAT LENT

One of the great disciplines of the Lenten season is fasting. After His baptism, even Christ fasted for 40 days in the wilderness; to fast, therefore, is one way of imitating Christ.

In Orthodox Christian tradition, we can distinguish two kinds of fasting. One is absolute fasting, which means to eat or drink nothing at all. Obviously, absolute fasting is observed only for short periods of time; this, for example, is the fast that we keep from the time we wake up until receiv-ing Holy Communion.

We also observe certain seasons of fasting, such as the 40 day period of Great Lent which precedes Holy Week and Pascha. This kind of fasting may be called ascetical fasting, because it consists mainly in abstinence from certain foods over a longer period of time. Its goal is to train and liberate us from the dominance of the flesh. To restore the primacy of the soul over the body requires a slow and patient effort; through fasting, we discover that we do not live "by bread alone". During these fasting periods, we con-tinue to keep this ascetical fast even after receiving Holy Communion, and meats and fats are not permitted.

But 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

VEGETARIAN THREE-BEAN CHILI (makes 6 cups)

from Fr. Makarios Mannos

1 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup chopped green pepper 1 can - 14 oz. diced tomatoes with juice. 1 can - 15 oz. each of black beans, red kidney beans, and white northern beans, drained and rinsed. 4 tsp. Chili powder 1 tsp. each of garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and basil 2 tsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. each of salt and pepper

Saute onion in a 2 T. of veg oil or water, add other ingredients. Bring to boil and simmer 20-30 minutes. Serve with....rice or pasta.

LENTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE

(9x13 size pan)

Preheat oven 350 degrees (ready-made canned frostings are Lenten)

3 cups flour 2 tsps soda 6 tbsps cocoa (non sweetened, powder) 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 tbs. vinegar (white or cider) 2 tsps. vanilla 3/4 cup vegetable oil (or substitute applesauce for strict fast) 2 cups cold water

Measure flour, soda, cocoa, salt, and sugar into large mix-ing bowl, mix with wire whisk. Add vinegar, vanilla, oil and water; mix well with wire whisk. Pour batter into greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom;

fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

SPANAKORIZO (SPINACH AND RICE) (serves 4—6 people)

1 pound fresh spinach rinsed and chopped OR 1 cup of frozen spinach thawed and drained 1/4 cup olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1/3 cup chopped garlic 1/4 cup fresh chopped dill OR fresh chopped mint OR combination of both 1 tbsp dried Greek oregano 1 cup white rice (medium grain) 3 cups water 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper optional : 1/4 cup tomato paste dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water Sautee onions and garlic with oil in a pot over low heat. Add salt, pepper, orgeano and dill or mint. Stir to combine. If adding tomato, mix tomato paste in 1/2 c of warm water. (continue to the left of this column)

(continued from Spanakorizo recipe). Add to pot and mix well. Add rice and cook for 5 minutes stirring often. Add spinach and 3 cups of water to pot. Mix and bring to a low boil. Lower to gen-tle simmer and cook for 25-30 min. Check the rice for doneness at 25 min. It may need additional time. When rice is cooked, mix ingredients well, cover and set aside for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Stewardship Challenge By: Father George Lamberis

It’s that time of year again for us to embark on the journey of Great Lent! Perhaps in the past we have made great efforts to use this time for prayer, spiritual growth and reflection. If you happen to be some-one who is seeking to grow in these areas but has never been able to accomplish this, I want to challenge you to try something different.

Our Stewardship Campaign, “Thinking Christ First,” has offered our entire parish family the opportunity to take the Stewardship Challenge. This effort was organized to help our parish understand that Steward-ship is what Psalm 24:1 tells us, “The earth is the Lord’s and the full-ness thereof.” Everything belongs to Him! Everything from our talents, our time and treasure are His.

It’s all His.

With this in mind, we decided to create the Stewardship Challenge for 2019. We are challenging you—and ourselves—to figure out how to be better stewards of this life and what God has given us for His glory.

Some people have given us feedback such as “This list is too long” or “I can’t do all of this.” That’s ok! If you cannot attain all of these goals, try to do at least a few things that you have never done before! The point is for every person in the community to challenge them-selves so they may be in a healthier spiritual state than the previous year. If this means challenging yourself to do a few things on the list that you have never done then you are taking steps closer to Christ!

Great Lent is a perfect time for us to strive for spiritual growth in the areas of fasting (7), confession (11) and worship (4) (numbers corre-spond with the stewardship challenge checklist to the right).

In Matthew 6:16, Christ does not say “If you fast,” but “when you fast”. Fasting is not an option—it is essential! In early Christian texts, the disciples regularly fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays. Great Lent instructs us to fast for more than 40 days from Meat, dairy, oil and wine (wine and oil are allowed on Saturday and Sunday). We don’t fast to earn merits. It’s not a form of legalism. Fasting is abstinence from certain foods while also consuming smaller portions. This makes us conscious on our dependence upon God but also subdues our pas-sions and self-will.

As we learn to control our stomachs, we can learn to control other urges and temptations we may have. We learn to cut our will and live more according to our Lord’s will. One could easily fast legalistically from food but not grow at all. This is why we must conquer the pas-sions of the flesh through our fasting. For example, if we have trouble using inappropriate language, we must make this part of our fast—part of our effort to control and conquer our passions.

Fasting in the gospel is also accompanied by prayer. When the apos-tles wondered why they struggled to cast out a demon from a person who was possessed, Christ responded with the words, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:28,29). The Lenten period provides opportunities to pray the Great Compline on Monday nights, Presanctified Liturgies (4) to prepare and receive Holy Communion (8) on Wednesday evenings, and Salutations to the Theotokos on Friday nights. One can also incorporate daily readings from your bible or download the Daily Readings App (13) to read the daily Bible readings prescribed during Lent.

As we incorporate our fasting and silence ourselves in prayer, we more accurately can look within to see where we fall short from being who God wants us to become. This level of introspection leads us to the Holy Sacrament of Confession (11). Saint Matthew the Poor says “the consistent practice of confession severs the bond of egotism and selfishness. The confession of sins always gives renewed strength to the soul.” A heart-felt confession frees the soul from sin and gives the penitent wings to ascend toward the Kingdom.

Do your very best to accomplish what you can! As you can see, Great Lent gives us the opportunity to grow and get much closer to com-pleting the stewardship challenge and grow in our faith (and I haven’t even mentioned outreach opportunities (3), service projects (13) or retreats (16) that are available during Lent!). Half of the challenges are attainable within these seven weeks. If this still seems unattaina-ble to you, adhere to the words of St. Peter: “Do your best to improve your faith by adding goodness, understanding, self-control, pa-tience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7). Do your best, and let God do the rest.

2019 STEWARDSHIP CHALLENGE CHECKLIST

We challenge you to complete this list or some of it during 2019

[ ] 1) Invite someone to church for Divine Liturgy [ ] 2) Attend 10 Bible Studies (Tuesday evenings at 7 pm) [ ] 3) Volunteer for at least 3 Outreach Projects

Bessie’s Table Meals on Wheels Thanksgiving Luncheon Feed My Starving Children [ ] 4) Attend one Presanctified Liturgy (Wednesdays during Great Lent) [ ] 5) Attend one Great Vespers at the Feastday of a Neighboring Parish [ ] 6) Read the 4 Gospels of the New Testament

Matthew Mark Luke John [ ] 7) Fast During at least one of the fasting periods of the Church (Fast from food and from bad habits)

Pascha (Easter) Christmas Apostles’ Fast Wednesdays and Fridays Dormition Fast [ ] 8) Receive Holy Communion at least once per month [ ] 9) Read a Religious Book [ ] 10) Attend 3 Meetings of Ministries that you have never attended

Stewardship Outreach Inreach Philoptochos [ ] 11) Make an appointment for confession [ ] 12) Volunteer to help a Service Project

Feed My Starving Children Cradles to Crayons Habitat for Humanity Ronald McDonald House The Giolas Foundation [ ] 13) Download an app to receive daily bible verses [ ] 14) Pray at least once on a daily basis. [ ] 15) Submit an Idea to the Stewardship Committee [ ] 16) Attend/participate in three events

Christmas Retreat Annual Dinner Dance Golf Outing Food Fest Philoptochos Dinner God Parents Sunday Men’s Event [ ] 17) Memorize the Nicene Creed in either the Greek or English language

Deacon

Perry Hamalis

THE MYSTERY AND MEANING

OF FORGIVENESS

7:30 in the evening

Wednesday, March 13

(following the Presanctified Liturgy)

Monday, March 25 6:30 pm Compline

Followed by 8:00 pm Presentation

Very Rev. Dr. Josiah Trenham St. Andrew Orthodox Church,

Riverside, CA

“Sanctifying American Soil” (The Orthodox Saints of America)

Tuesday, March 26 6:30 pm Compline

Followed by 8:00 pm Presentation

Very Rev. Dr. Josiah Trenham St. Andrew Orthodox Church,

Riverside, CA

“Sanctifying Space” (The House of God)

Thursday, March 28 6:30 pm Compline

Followed by 8:00 pm Presentation

Rev. Fr. Nicholas Palis St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church,

Bethlehem, PA

“Sanctifying Ourselves” (The Lives of the Holy Elders

and Saints)

Deacon Perry s is the Cecelia Schneller Mueller professor of Religion at North Central College in Naperville. He teaches, speaks and writes in the field of Christian Ethics. He is a deacon of the Orthodox Church of Korea.

Fr. Jonathon Bannon

7:30 in the evening

Monday, March 18

(following the Great Compline)

Fr. Jonathana received his Bachelor's of Science in Art Education from Central Connecticut State University. He completed the Christ the Savior Seminary program. He serves at the Christ the Savior Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in Rockford, IL.

St. Haralambos Community Center 7373 Caldwell Avenue, Niles, IL

Light Dinner Free Admission

All are welcomed!

The St. Haralambos

INREACH COMMITTEE

Invites you:

March 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 9 am-Preschool Apokeas Party 4:30 pm—Greek School

8pm- -Bowling League

2

8:30 am-Orthros and Liturgy (Saturday of the Souls)

9:00 am-Saturday Greek School

5:30pm- APOKREATIKO GLENDI

3 APOKREAS

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

4 7:30pm-Sr. GOYA

5 11:30—-

Little Angels

4:30 pm—Greek School 4:45—PTA Mtg

7:00 Bible Study

6 7:30 pm—Philoptochos

7 8 (Preschool- No classes) 4:30 pm—Greek School

9

8:30 am-Orthros and Liturgy

(2nd Saturday of the Souls)

9:00 am-Saturday Greek School

10 Cheese-Fare

FORGIVENESS

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

7:00pm-Vespers of Forgiveness

11 GREAT

LENT BEGINS Καθαρά Δευτέρα

5:00-Compline 7:00-Lenten Dinner

12 11:30—-Little Angels 4:30 pm—Greek School

6:00-Compline

7:00 Bible Study

13

6:00pm— Presanctified Liturgy

7:30—Inreach: Deacon Perry

Hamalis

14

6:00-Compline

15 4:30 pm—Greek School 7:00-Salutations

16

8:30 am-Orthros and Liturgy

(3rd Saturday of the Souls)

9:00 am-Saturday Greek School

Greek School Programs

17 ORTHODOXY

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

6:30 pm—ORTHODOXY VESPERS at St. Andrew

18

6:00-Compline 7:30— Inreach: Fr. Jonathan Bannon

19 11:30—-Little Angels 4:30 pm—Greek School

7:00 Bible Study

20

6:00pm— Presanctified Liturgy 8:00-Parish Council

21

22 10:30a-Preschool

Program for March 25

4:30 pm—Greek School

7:00-Salutations

23

9:00 am-Saturday Greek School

24 St Gregory Palamas

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

25 THE

ANNUNCIATION 8:30 am—Orthros and Liturgy (no Compline)

26 11:30—-Little Angels

(no Greek School)

Jr GOYA Confession Nite

7:00 Bible Study

27

6:00pm— Presanctified Liturgy

7:30 pm –Inreach: “Ask Father” Presentation

28

29 10am—GOYA RETREAT

(no Greek School)

7:00-Salutations

30

(No Saturday Greek School)

31 Veneration

of the Holy Cross 8:15 am-Orthros 9:30 am—Sunday School 9:30 am—Divine Liturgy

FANARI WINTER CAMP

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

Address Service Requested

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.

26 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 25.00 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!