Clicking here goes to information on the icon.Welcome to the St. Luke Web Page.
Search the site.Talk with fellow followers of Christ.See What St. Luke Orthodox Church has planned.Password protected area for only members of St. Luke Orthodox Church.Contact the St. Luke Orthodox Church Web Development Team.
Find something on the site in a hurry.
St. Lukes Orthodox Church Home PageDonate Now!Shop for Orthodox goods from your Computerchurchdirectory Pages that deal with St. Luke the Evangelist Orthodox Church. What's the news at St. Lukes.View all the previous and current Evangelist newsletters.View the Sunday bulletin.Information about St. Luke Orthodox Church including the Mission and Vision statements. Pages for 'keeping in touch' with God. Information on prayers and prayingView the prayer of the week and all other previos prayers of the week.Need to pray for something? What is the Orthodox Church and how/why do Orthodox Christians worship? What is the Orthodox Church of America?Who were the Saints, and why do we honor them?Find and explore many different liturgical texts we have available, including the Divine LiturgyWhat is Pascha? See what it's like at St. Luke's.How is Orthodoxy playing a role in the present times?Learn what are icons and how are they used in the Orthodox Church today.BellsSee what we have to offer!Current Issues Pages for Organizations of St. Lukes. Christian Education, Youth Group, Music, Church Resource Center, Adult Education, and Junior Olympics.Maintenance, New Building, Strategic Planning, Cell Phone Tower, Inventory, Cemetery/Memorial Book, and Historian.Outreach, Charities, Internet, Evangelist Newsletter, Media, Prison, Sanctity of Life, and Mission.Fellowship, Supply Coordinator, Prayer, Women's Ministry, New Americans, Sunshinem, Flowers, and Vestments. Some stuff Study the bibleSearch the bibleOrthodoxy on the lighter side...Words of Wisdom...If you've got the taste for great Orthodox foods, this is the place to be.Children friendly section of the pageMessages

Events Are In Sequence - Please Scroll Down

Sanctity of Life Sunday

Scene from Sanctity of Life Sunday.

Each year Orthodox Churches in America commemorate Sanctity of Life Sunday on the third Sunday in January. This year, Fr. Andrew read the letter from Metropolitan Herman, he also read the official position of the Orthodox Church on the practice of abortion. The commemoration ended with a memorial service for all aborted children. The letter and position are posted in Contemporary Issues on this web site.

Click Here to view the Metropolitan's letter.

The Baptism of Andrew

Scene from The Baptism of Andrew.

This year the feast of Theophany was very special, Andrew was baptized during the Divine Liturgy. Theophany in ancient times was one of the special holy days in which new Christians were baptized. In this photo Andrew is receiving the anointment with the Oil of Gladness.

Scene from The Baptism of Andrew.

The moment when Andrew becomes a Christian and receives the new covenant of faith in Jesus Christ. Andrew dies with Adam in the baptismal waters and is resurrected into new life with Jesus Christ.

Scene from The Baptism of Andrew.

Here Andrew is now tonchured. Hair is cut from is his head as a first offering. It is a sign that he is now a member of the Church and a partaker in the priesthood of believers.

Scene from The Baptism of Andrew.

At this point Andrew is churched with the words. "In the midst of the congregation he will sing praises to our God".

Blessing Of The Waters

Scene from Blessing Of The Waters.

This year we processed on our new walkway around the church for our annual Theophany well water blessing.

Scene from Blessing Of The Waters.

Father Andrew's hands got very cold as he made the sign of the cross, even though the outside temperature was over 40 degrees - a welcome gift on a January day in Chicago.

Scene from Blessing Of The Waters.

Our Handmaidens participated in the blessing by plunging lighted candles into the water commemorating Elijah's defeat of the priests of Baal. (1 Kings 18:30-39)

Scene from Blessing Of The Waters.

At this point in the blessing service, Fr. Andrew dipped the cross into the water three times while the choir under the direction of Maria sang the hymn of the feast. During the singing, bells were rung by our bell ringer Lynn. Proto-Deacon Andrew and Sub-Deacon John assisted.

Scene from Blessing Of The Waters.

The final blessing and sprinkling with Holy Water ended the celebration. Each parishioner was anointed with the Holy Water using a specially made brush.

Scene from Blessing Of The Waters.

Subdeacon John along with Pearl, and Anthea escorted Fr. Andrew singing the Hymn of the Theophany as he sprinkled the entire church, church school building and fellowship hall.

Hymn of Theophany in Tone 1 - When You, O Lord were baptized in the Jordan the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bore witness to You and called You His beloved Son. And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the truthfulness of His word. O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself and have enlightened the world, glory to You!

New Year's Liturgy And St. Basil's Bread

Scene from New Year's Liturgy And St. Basil's Bread.

Following the Liturgy on New Year's Eve, Fr. Andrew blessed the St. Basil bread - (Vasilopita). The tradition of the St. Basil bread comes from a legendry story about how St. Basil practiced charity by baking gold coins into bread which was distributed to the poor.

Scene from New Year's Liturgy And St. Basil's Bread.

After blessing the bread, it was sliced and given to each parishioner. They searched in the bread for the gold coin. The one who finds it is granted a year of special blessings from God.

Scene from New Year's Liturgy And St. Basil's Bread.

This year Matushka Alexandria found the coin. Fr. Andrew said that it is our prayer that the New Year will bring her many blessings. In his sermon he reflected on how this tradition should be a reminder for all of us to be more charitable like St. Basil.

New Year's Eve Celebration

Scene from New Year's Eve Celebration.

St. Luke Parish held it's annual New Year's Eve Celebration this week. Things got started with a little "fiddlin" music provided by two of our parishioners.

Scene from New Year's Eve Celebration.

All were invited to participate in the festivities both young and old.

Scene from New Year's Eve Celebration.

Parishioners from Saints Peter and Paul from Burr Ridge were guests at the party.

Scene from New Year's Eve Celebration.

Parishioners and clergy enjoy the fellowship and the meal.

Scene from New Year's Eve Celebration.

Our parish band, Kruzin got things jumping. Out in front we see Paul, Deacon Andrew, Caye and Peter.

Scene from New Year's Eve Celebration.

Nick tickles the ivories.

Scene from New Year's Eve Celebration.

George on guitar.

Scene from New Year's Eve Celebration.

Jim maintained the beat on the drums.

Scene from New Year's Eve Celebration.

Some spontaneous dancing.

Scene from New Year's Eve Celebration.

Father Andrew sings karoke. The song he was singing was Little Star.

Scene from New Year's Eve Celebration.

Even the youth got into the action.

A wonderful time was had by all. Our thanks go out to all who worked so hard on planning and working for this event. Mark your calenders for next year so you won't miss out.

Presents For Pass

Scene from Presents For Pass.

In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, Church school students and parishoners donated diapers and baby clothes. Here they are seen under the Christmas Tree. They will be given to Pregnancy Aid South Suburbs (PASS). Many mothers and babies will benefit from their generosity.

We had three charitable projects during the Nativity lent. We collected diapers and baby clothing for PASS, we supported two local food pantries as part of an on going project and we collected pharmacy items to be taken to an orphanage in Guatemala by our missionary. Thanks to those who gave of their time and resources.

Back to 2007 Events
Back to Current Events