Middle Eastern War Memorial In Marseilles Illinois

Fr. Andrew, a retired Air Force Chaplain and member of the Civil Air Patrol was called for the second year to participate in Illinois Freedom Run which was organized by the state motor cycle organization of the same name. Last year they funded, constructed and dedicated this memorial. Many of the members are Vietnam veterans who want to make sure that the sacrifice being made in this war will be honored and not forgotten.

Civil Patrol Cadets standing guard next to the Middle East War Memorial which now has over 800 names on it.

Father Andrew in his Air Force uniform standing next to Jerry Kincaid who is a Civil Air Patrol Moral Leadership officer. Jerry is a graduate of St. Tikhon's Seminary and will be Ordained to the Priesthood some time in the future. He is Fr. Andrew's assistant for teaching moral leadership to CAP cadets at the Lincoln Way Civil Air Patrol composite squadron.

Fr. Andrew giving the invocation before 25000 bikers, members of the Armed forces, invited state officials and families of commemorated veterans. The names of all 800 veterans killed in action were read.

Text Of Father Andrew's Prayer.

Let Us Pray To the Lord. Lord have Mercy.

O Lord God of Hosts, God of our Salvation - God who alone does wonders. With mercy and goodness, look upon the souls of the valiant soldiers, sailors and airmen and women who have fallen making the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. For they have placed their trust in Your infinite wisdom. May they receive the reward for their high calling.

Forgive them of any unrighteous act in the performance of their duties remembering that the responsibility for this and every war is upon us who live in a world under the control of the evil one.

Grant solace to their grieving families for their suffering continues as each combatant is added the list of the honored dead.

O Holy and Almighty Father pour out Your justice upon those who brought evil upon us and by the power of Your right hand grant us victory over the adversary. We pray that peace and tranquility may rain on all nations and the tools of war will be turned into the implements of prosperity. We pray this prayer in name of the Prince of Peace, for to You belong all honor and majesty forever. Amen.

Bikers from all over the country attended. The Freedom Run began in Joliet Illinois and ended in Marseilles which is about 60 miles away. Interstate 80 and Interstate 55 were closed to handle all the bikers.

Andrew giving the closing prayer and blessing.

Jerry Kincaid and member the Civil Air Patrol and former member of St. Luke with his Fiancee Jessica who will be married in October.

Quad Parish Liturgy And Picnic

This Sunday the parishes of St. Luke, Saints Peter and Paul, St. Michael the Archangel, and St. Panteleimon joined together to celebrate Divine Liturgy followed by a picnic. For several the day began early with the setting up of tables and a tent and making sure all was ready.

The clergy gathered together in preparation for the service.

His Eminence, Archbishop Job, Bishop of Chicago and Diocese of the Midwest was present and here we see him being greeted by Father Harrison.

His Eminence and the clergy begin the service.

His Eminence teaches the faithful following the reading of the Gospel.

Following the Liturgy, the food is blessed and the picnic begins.

The day provided a great chance for friends who have not seen each other to get caught up.

Scene from the picnic.

Nice Hat.

Scene from the picnic.

Scene from the picnic.

Scene from the picnic.

Scene from the picnic.

Raffles were held with prizes for both children and adults.

A chilli cookoff was held with winners in two catagories: with beans and without. Here we see the third place finisher in the with beans catagory.

Next is the second place with beans.

Here was our winner in the with beans catagory. Congradulations Karen.

On to the no beans catagory and our third place finisher.

Father Andrew took second in the no beans catagory and is seen here with our first place finisher and reigning champion, Luba.

As is customary our first place winner gets to sign our chefs hat each year. Here Karen puts her name on our hat of fame.

Our thanks go out to all who participated in the day and helped to make it such a hugh success.

A Wedding In Brooklyn

Father Andrew attended the wedding of his God Daughter Ia Heckman which took place in Brooklyn on June 5th. Her husband is Elias Safadie. Also pictured is her father Fr. Theodore Heckman.

Youth Sunday

As this week was the last Sunday of Church School for the summer, it was declared Youth Sunday at St. Luke Parish. As part of the program, several of our youth assumed positions normally filled by adults. Here we see two of our young people serving as greeters and taking up the collection.

Following Liturgy, Father Andrew gave one of his popular Children's Sermons. He explained to the children using a plant that if a branch is removed from the stem it dies. He told them that we are like the branch and Christ is the stem and that if we are removed from the stem that is Christ we likewise die spiritually.

Following the sermon, Father Andrew blessed icons that the children had been making in class.

Maria, our choir director, had been working with the children during the year. The congregation was then treated to several songs and hymns by the children.

Next attendance awards were given out to the deserving Church School children.

St. Luke Parish then honored all of our graduates. These ranged from Jr. High School thru Post Graduate Education. Students that graduated High School were given a copy of the Orthodox Study Bible to take with them as they go foward in the education process.

Many of our youth participated in the Children's Olympics sponsored by SSt. Constantine and Helen Parish. After marching in to the sounds of the Olympic Theme song, the participants received their awards.

Andrew received a bronze, silver, and gold medal for his events.

Congratulations to all our youth and we wish them sucess in all their upcoming endeavors.

Most appropriately for Youth Sunday, a baptism was scheduled today as well. Here we see Father Andrew baptizing baby Helen. Today she was baptized, chrismated and received Holy Communion. Congratulations to Helen and her family and God Grant Them Many Years!