May

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Eagle Scout Presentation

Nick pins the mother's pin on Sue. In the Eagle ceremony, the parents pin the Eagle medal on the son's uniform, and the scout also gives pins to his parents and a mentor of his choosing, in gratitude for their help.

Nick's standard uniform neckerchief is replaced on his uniform with a new, special blue one with the Eagle symbol. The Eagle also is given a medal and a patch to wear on his uniform.

Jim Relstab of the Arrowhead District of the Chicago Area Council Boy Scouts presents Nick with a certificate in recognition of attaining the Eagle rank.

Father Andrew blessed each plaque of the 12-step meditation walk, ending with the final one in the new garden.

Mission Team Fundraiser

End Of School Year

Garden Center Visit For May

Fr. Andrew began our visit with a story about Saint Zita. She was born in Tuscany in the year 1212 and is the patron saint of maids and domestic servants. She was called the "Little Cook" and is often appealed to in order to help find lost keys. She departed this life in April 1272.

Fr. Andrew asked what a baby bottle, blanket and compass have in common with our mothers. Of course the answer from the residents was, "Our mothers feed us, comfort us and guide us all of our lives".

Everyone enjoyed the small candy treats in plastic eggs that Fr. Andrew passed out.

Conversation, cookies and juice concluded the visit.

Children's Sermon For Mother's Day

Today's Children's sermon was about mothers day. Fr. Andrew began by showng a baby bottle to remind how mothers feed us. He then showed a baby blanket and asked the children what this reminded them of about mothers. A child answered "Mothers keep us warn and care for us".

Fr. Andrew explained how God who we call Father can be a mother to us. He read a verse in the bible about how Jesus said he was like a hen who gather her chicks. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to feed our souls with Holy Communion, to bring us comfort and the bible to show us the way so we don't get lost. Like mothers He gave His life for us because He loves us.

The sermon ended with a prayer to Jesus to send the Holy Spirit and bless our mothers for their love and everything they have given us.

Father blessed gold medals of the Virgin Mary Theotokos with Holy Water with a prayer to the Holy Spirit.

Many Years and Memory Eternal were sung by the choir and Father handed out the medals all mothers including our God mothers.

Agape Vespers And Egg Hunt

Sunday afternoon following Paschal Liturgy, the Agape Vespers service is celebrated. The church is bright and alive and full of children anticipating the Pascha egg hunt. Following a procession proclaiming the Risen Christ, the congregation gathers together to hear readings from the four Gospels in different languages proclaiming that Christ is Risen.

Here Father Andrew reads the Gospel attended by some of our altar servers.

The congregation makes a procession around the church.

Scene from procession.

Scene from procession.

Scene from procession.

During the procession four Gospels are read at the four corners of the church in different languages.

The Gospel is read.

Father Andrew blesses the congregation.

The Gospel is read.

The Gospel is read.

The congregation gathers at the front of the church for the dismissal.

Apparently the Easter bunnies helpers have been busy or eggs have started to grow on bushes.

Get Ready! Get Set! Go!

Got one!

Egg hunting takes intense concentration

An unusual hiding place

Let's see how many eggs we found. Thanks to all who set up the egg hunt for the children.

Pascha - Saturday Night/Sunday Morning

After much preparation and fasting, our sign proclaims the Paschal Service.

All the preparations have been for this night. The church is ready and the faithful have spent the day in strict fast. There is a sense of anticipation in the air. The church is darkened and the music selections are somber as during all of lent.

The nocturns are sung at the tomb of Christ.

The handmaidens guard the tomb. The light from the tomb throws shadows on the ceiling of the church.

All lights in the church are extinquished and there is a total darkness. At midnight the flame from a single candle appears at the altar. The priest brings forth the light of Christ and gives it to the rest of the faithful.

Father Andrew spreads the Light to a single handmaiden and from there it spreads to all the congregation.

"Come Receive Ihe Light".

The entire congregation leaves the church in procession and proceeds around the church. While they are doing this, the tomb is removed from the church, all the lights are turned on, and all candles are lit once again symbolizing Christ's resurrection.

Scene from the procession.

Upon finishing the procession around the church, the congregation gathers at the closed front doors of the church.

The Priest knocks on the doors three times saying: Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. And a voice asks: Who is this King of Glory? The priest answers: The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. The priest the knocks again saying: Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. And again the voice asks: Who is this King of Glory? The priest then replies: The Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.

The doors of the church are opened, the tomb has been removed, the entire building is filled with light and it is now time to begin the joyous Resurrection Service. The priest reenters followed by the congregation.

The congregation enters following the procession.

Led by our choir director, the choir sings the songs of the resurrection.

The entire tone of the service is changed. The dim interior of the church is gone. The dark vestments and candle holders are also gone. The tomb and somber music are also gone. The church is as bright as possible. The vestments are bright and the singing joyous. It is the triumphal resurrection of Christ saving us from death and granting us resurrection. Christ is risen! Glorify Him. The Hymn "Christ is Risen from the Dead" is sung repeatedly with joy and power. The Cry of "Christ is risen" and the response "Indeed he is risen." fill the air. This is proclaimed in many different languages.

OCA - Christ is Risen! / Indeed He is Risen!
Greek Diocese - Christ is Risen! / Truly He is Risen!
Greek - Christos Anesti! / Aleithos Anesti!
Slavonic - Christos Voskrese! / Voistinu Voskrese!
Arabic - Al-Masih-Qam! / Hakkan Qam!
Romanian - Christos E Anviat! / Adeverat Anviat!
Spanish - Christo Ha Resucitado! / Verdaderamente, Ha Resucitado!
German - Christus ist Auferstanden! / Jawohl Er ist Auferstanden
French - Le Christ est ressuscite! / En verite il est resuscite!
Japanese - Harisutosu Siochatsu! / Makoto-ni Siochatsu

Fr. Andrew reads the sermon of St. John Chrysostom welcoming all to the celebration.

Our bell ringers proclaim the Glory of the Risen Christ.

The Gospel Reading.

Blessing of the Arthos and the red eggs.

At the conclusion of the service, the parishioners venerate the Arthos and receive a red egg. All are invited to break the fast and break bread together.

Father Andrew blesses the baskets laden with food.

Orthodox Christians as they are able, fast from all meat and dairy products for all of Holy Week and the preceeding forty days of Lent. After the Paschal Liturgy a pot luck dinner is served and as you can imagine, some serious eating goes on. The celebration lasts into the early hours of the morning.

Vigil

Following the Lamentations on Friday night, parishioners volunteer to stand watch and "guard" the tomb of our Lord. This vigil lasts for 24 hours until the Pashcal services the following night. The church remains open during this time for visitors to come and worship before the tomb. The mood is that of a present-day wake. Bible verses are read during this time.

Saturday Morning

Holy Week - Holy Saturday Liturgy

Holy Saturday Liturgy celebrates Christ's descent into hell to free Adam and Eve and all who lived and died in anticipation of the coming of Christ. Historically this service was a time for new members to be chrismated into the church.

During this Vesper service, 15 different readings from the bible are read. The readings all refer to resurrection.

Here Father Andrew reads the 15th reading concerning the three Holy Youths and the Fiery Furnace.

At the point when Christ raises out of hell, the covers are changed. The priest, deacon, and altar servers change their vestments from the somber dark colors of lent to white. The words "Let God arise," are said. The altar cloths and candle holders are also changed at this time.

Father Andrew and Proto deacon Andrew change the altar cloth to white.

The Gospel reading.

Scene from the Liturgy.

Following the Liturgy, parishioners venerate the icon of Christ and the Eucharist is extended into an agape meal consisting of wine, bread, fruit, dates, figs, and nuts.

We invite all to join us at St. Luke's on our lenten journey to Pascha. If you are unable to attend in person please visit "Journey To Pascha" on our website to follow along and for more information on the faith and services. Each year we try to update this part of our site with new pictures so you can look ahead or follow along as we progress towards Pascha.

Friday Evening The Lamentations

As the name suggests the service is a mournful one lamenting the death of Christ. Psalm 119 "Blessed are those who walk in the law of the Lord." is chanted by the priest. The refrains are sung by the congregation, "O Life, how can You die?". During the singing of the 9th ode of the Canon, the priest blesses the congregation with rose water as rose petals are scattered around the church. Here we see some of our handmaidens standing guard at the tomb.

Father Andrew blesses the congregation with Rose Water.

Rose petals are scattered around the church by the handmaidens.

During the service, the shroud is removed from the tomb and four men along with the priest, choir and entire congregation make a procession around the entire exterior of the church while the "Hymn of Noble Joseph" is sung. They return to the church to hear the reading Ezekiel about the valley of the dry bones. The service ends with the veneration of the shroud and the distribution of flowers. Immediately following this service the vigil of the tomb begins and continues all the way up to Saturday morning.

Father Andrew under the burial shroud leaves the church for the procession.

Scene from procession.

Scene from procession.

Scene from procession.

Scene from procession.

The procession is concluded as the parishioners reenter the church walking under the burial shroud.

The reading of The Prophecy of Ezekiel.

The Gospel Reading.

We invite all to join us at St. Luke's on our lenten journey to Pascha. If you are unable to attend in person please visit "Journey To Pascha" on our website to follow along and for more information on the faith and services. Each year we try to update this part of our site with new pictures so you can look ahead or follow along as we progress towards Pascha.

Friday Afternoon Procession With The Burial Shroud

Procession with the Burial Shroud - At this service the icon of Christ is removed from the Cross as the priest reads,"And taking Him down they wrapped Him in a linen shroud." The tomb prepared by the women stands empty in the center of the church. The shroud is carried by four men over the head of the priest who is carrying the gospel as the choir sings the "Hymn of Noble Joseph". The procession ends as the shroud is placed in the flower-decorated tomb. While the lamentations of the Virgin Mary are sung, the faithful make a prostration before the tomb and kiss the wounds on the figure of Christ on the shroud.

The readers chant for the service.

Here Father Andrew reads the Gospel.

Christ is removed from the Cross.

Father Andrew removes the burial shroud from the altar.

Procession with the burial shroud.

Procession with the burial shroud.

Burial shroud is placed in the tomb.

Icon of Christ in place in the tomb.

Parishioner venerates the Burial Shroud.

Parishioner venerates the Burial Shroud.

We invite all to join us at St. Luke's on our lenten journey to Pascha. If you are unable to attend in person please visit "Journey To Pascha" on our website to follow along and for more information on the faith and services. Each year we try to update this part of our site with new pictures so you can look ahead or follow along as we progress towards Pascha.

Friday Morning - Preparing The Tomb

Following the crucifiction, the myrrh bearing women prepared the tomb and Christ for burial. The women of the parish decorate the tomb of Christ with flowers.

Ester and Karen prepare the Cross for the top of the tomb.

The women prepare the tomb.

The women prepare the tomb.

We invite all to join us at St. Luke's on our lenten journey to Pascha. If you are unable to attend in person please visit "Journey To Pascha" on our website to follow along and for more information on the faith and services. Each year we try to update this part of our site with new pictures so you can look ahead or follow along as we progress towards Pascha.

Thursday Evening - The Passion Gospels

Passion Gospel Service - This is one of the most important and solemn Holy Week services. It is a remembrance and an entrance into the suffering and death of Christ. The priest, standing in the center of the church surrounded by twelve lighted candles, reads the words of the apostles who witnessed the events. As each Gospel is read one candle is extinguished.

Father Andrew reads the Gospel.

During the fifth reading, the priest processes with the Cross carried his shoulder as he chants, "He who hung the earth upon the waters is now being hung on the cross." As Simon carried the cross for Christ during his walk to the crucifixion, the priest now carries the cross. In doing so here presents the entire congregation.

At the point of the sixth Gospel when "He yielded up the spirit" is read, the priest places a wreath of red flowers over the cross." (This is the moment in the scripture reading when Christ died).

Following the placing of the wreath, the hymn "The Wise Thief" is sung in remembrance of the thief who was crucified with Christ and accepted Him while on the cross.

Parishioners venerate the cross.

We invite all to join us at St. Luke's on our lenten journey to Pascha. If you are unable to attend in person please visit "Journey To Pascha" on our website to follow along and for more information on the faith and services. Each year we try to update this part of our site with new pictures so you can look ahead or follow along as we progress towards Pascha.

Thursday Morning - Mystical Supper Liturgy

Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil - This service relives the Lord's Supper and betrayal by Judas. The hymn "Of Your Mystical Supper, O Son of God" is sung throughout the service. At the conclusion of the service, breakfast is served as an agape meal.

We invite all to join us at St. Luke's on our lenten journey to Pascha. If you are unable to attend in person please visit "Journey To Pascha" on our website to follow along and for more information on the faith and services. Each year we try to update this part of our site with new pictures so you can look ahead or follow along as we progress towards Pascha.

Wednesday Holy Unction Service

Sacrament of Holy Unction - The Church is called the Body of Christ. We are members of the Body through our Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, and Holy Communion. As the sinful woman anointed Christ, we are also anointed with the oil of healing, so we can go with Christ to the Cross, suffer, die, and be resurrected with Him.

The reading of the Gospel.

Father Andrew prays over the Holy Oil.

During the service all who are in need of special healing gather together in the center of the church. The priest holds the open Gospel over them and reads the Prayer of Absolution. Epistle and Gospel lessons regarding healing are read. "The prayer of the faithful will save the sick." (James 5:15) We prepare for this service by prayer and fasting from noon.

At the conclusion of the service, the faithful are anointed with the sacrament of Holy Unction. The priest anointes each of the faithful with the oil of healing on various parts of the body: forehead, eyes, ears, mouth, chest, palm, and the back of each hand. These areas are associated with the senses of smell, hearing, taste, and touch. The neck or chest is anointed for breath and for the heart.

We invite all to join us at St. Luke's on our lenten journey to Pascha. If you are unable to attend in person please visit "Journey To Pascha" on our website to follow along and for more information on the faith and services. Each year we try to update this part of our site with new pictures so you can look ahead or follow along as we progress towards Pascha.

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