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Taste of Chicago

"Restaurant Rovers experience Taste of Chicago '07. A group of St. Luke Restaurant Rovers descended upon Chicago's Grant Park on a quest to satisfy their hunger for the local fare. Here Marika and Fr. Andrew try not to point and laugh at the Meatball Guy. The heat was oppressive, the views spectacular and the food delicious."

Mission to Tanzania

Each month one Sunday is set aside as Charity Sunday. This month Fr. Paul Martin who will be leading a missionary team to Tanzania came to St. Luke to request support. Last year he was part of the mission team who went to India. He gave a slide show and explained the missionary work of the Orthodox Christian Mission Commission.

Folding the Flag

To commemorate the 231st birthday of the United States, Fr. Andrew ask our Boy Scouts, Nick and Alexander Lisowski to perform the flag folding ceremony while Fr. Andrew read the text. This ceremony took place at the end of the Divine Liturgy

Flag Folding Ceremony

The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation's honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to unravel and fold the flag into a quarter fold--resume reading when Honor Guard is standing ready.)

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."

(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the flag--after the inspection, resume reading.)

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

Garden Center Anniversary

Fr. Andrew cutting the anniversary cake with eight of the 15 clients living at the Garden Center.

Stea provided a wonderful cake layered with ice cream which everyone enjoyed.

What a sweet way to celebrate nine years of prayers, stories, singing, questions and just pure delight.

Sts. Peter and Paul Anniversary Celebration

Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Burr Ridge celebrated their 75th anniversary with Metropolitan Herman, Archbishop Job and Bishop Tikhon of Eastern Pennsylvania. To honor the occasion, all the parishes in the South Suburban area of Chicago closed so all the parishioners could join together in the celebration. This photo shows the welcoming of his Beatitude with Archbishop Job on the right and Bishop Tikhon on the left and Fr. Stephen Karaffa, the Rector of Sts. Peter and Paul, in the center.

This is the Little Entrance during the Hieratical Liturgy. Metropolitan Herman is honoring Fr. Stephen Karaffa the with the Palitsa while Fr. Andrew is holding the Gospel.

At the end of the Liturgy all the celebrants gathered for a group shot. Fr. Andrew, the parishioners of St. Luke wish Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Fr. Stephen and Matushka - Many Years!

Father Andrew Visits St. Vladimir's

Fr. Andrew attended St. Vladimir's Seminary Summer Institute for continuing education. The topic title was: Why Liturgy Matters Worship as witness in a changing world. Fr Andrew said that the Institute confirmed many of the liturgical practices that we already do at St. Luke like our involvement of children, including our handmaidens, reading the priest prayers aloud and the use of more modern English.