CHRIST IS RISEN!
Enjoy viewing these videos taken at the Pascha Service at Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit!
Nocturns - Ode Nine Katavasia of the Canon, 'Do Not Lament Me, O Mother... For I Shall Arise!'
Nocturns - Final Blessing before the Paschal Procession Begins:
Paschal Procession, Part 1 - 'Come Ye Take Light...'
Paschal Procession to Front of Church, Proclamation of the Resurrection, First Singing of 'Christ is Risen!' and 'Let God Arise':
Matins - The Paschal Canon, Ode 1:
Matins - The Paschal Canon, Ode 4:
Liturgy - Joseph Kormos reads the Epistle:
Liturgy - Fr. Steven reads the Holy Gospel according to St John in different languages:
INDEED HE IS RISEN!
Scroll down for photos and videos from past Holy Weeks and Paschas at Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit...
Holy Week & Pascha, 2015 - 04/12/15
Highlights covering Palm Sunday, Bridegroom Matins, Great and Holy Friday Evening (Matins of Holy Saturday, Lamentations w/Procession), and Agape Vespers on Pascha.
(28 images)
Palm Sunday and Bridegroom Matins marks beginning of Holy Week - 04/05/15
The Great Feast of Palm Sunday, preceded by the Raising of Lazarus, was celebrated with a full church and waving palms and pussywillows... The evening of Pam Sunday saw our first celebration of the Bridegroom Matins, as Fr Steven processed through the church with the Nymphios icon.
(11 images)
Our new Bishop joined us for the weekend of March 28-29 - 03/28/15
Strong parish turnout and a shining church greeted His Grace, Bishop Paul of Chicago and the Midwest for his first visit to Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit. On Saturday, His Grace enjoyed lunch with the Parish Council, before presiding at Saturday evening Great Vespers. After Vespers, Bishop Paul shared with us a little about himself and conducted a Q&A session with parishioners.
On Sunday, His Grace was greeted by Parish Council President Ellyn Gillette with the traditional gift of bread and salt, and Fausta and Fiona Fenner bearing flowers on behalf of the parish youth.
At the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace tonsured Paul Gansle, Johnothon Sauer, and Stephen Wendland as Readers, the first stage of ordination in the Orthodox Church. Paul, Johnothon and Stephen are enrolled in the OCA Diaconal Program.
After Liturgy, a wonderful lenten meal was enjoyed by all.
We thank His Grace for his archpastoral visit, and hope he returns soon and as frequently as his busy schedule allows!
Eis Polla Eti Despota!
(30 images)
Parish Cleanup sees Great Turnout, Shining Church - 03/21/15
Approximately 27 adults and a dozen youth joined forces to dust, vacuum, polish, sweep, mop, swiffer, shine, clean, replace light bulbs and flourescent tubes indoors, as well as rake, clean, plant and pickup the grounds. We wish we had more pictures, but everyone was pretty busy, and there was little time for these, let alone a staged group shot. Thank you one and all for helping get the church, hall and grounds ready for Bishop Paul's visit March 28-29, as well as for Holy Week and Pascha.
(7 images)
Born of Water and the Spirit... - 12/13/15
Sophia Boehne, daughter of Jacob and Adalia, was baptized on Sunday, December 13 in the context of a Baptismal Liturgy. Erin Lockridge is her godmother/sponsor. A beautiful, peaceful Liturgy and Baptism was experienced, as you will see from these pictures! 'Many Years!' to the newly illumined Sophia, her parents Jacob & Adalia, big brother Elijah, and her sponsor Erin!
(41 images)
Annual Church School Nativity Celebration and Charity Dinner delights parish, raises $750 for charity - 12/06/15
We had a wonderful day, Sunday, December 6, following the Liturgy, with our Nativity play and meal. We would like to thank our "Production Co-ordinator," Presvytera Deborah and all of her helpers - costume designers, musicians and singers, etc. - for a finely-conceived and executed Nativity Play. The Charity Dinner to follow brought in around $750.00, one of our highest totals ever. Our high school students will determine how that charity money will be distributed.
Special thanks to Mike Fleisch for the photos and video, and to Nadya Gerasimchuk for the top two videos added Jan. 16 2016. (Scroll down for video!)
(27 images)
TWO ADDITIONAL VIDEOS ADDED JANUARY 16!
Includes visit by St Nicholas . . .
Special thanks to videographer, Nadya Gerasimchuk!
First-born son of Andrew and Suzanne Herbst is Baptized - 11/22/15
On Sunday morning, November 22, we celebrated a Baptismal Liturgy, baptizing Athanasius Herbst, son of Andrew and Suzanne Herbst. The sponsor is Chuck Haynes. The experience of a Baptismal Liturgy is always a powerful one, reminding us of the ancient yet timeless practice of the Church from her earliest days, wherby believers were born anew "of water and the Spirit." Many Years!
(28 images)
Dear Parish Faithful,
The following is from Steve Korach, who took notes during Mother Paula's talk to the parish during the post-Liturgy discussion on October 25. This could serve as an excellent summary of Mother Paula's talk for those who would want to retain the main points of her wonderful presentation; and a summary for those who were not in attendance. The actual audio of Mother Paula's talk is below.
Fr. Steven
_____
"On Living a Christ-Centered Life"
3 C’s: Christ, the Cross, God’s Commandments
(Adapted from the Teachings of Fr. Thomas Hopko)
1. Christ
Do we know who Christ is? We need to establish a relationship with Christ.
It’s done through Prayer. Pray as you can. Pray simply and pray always.
Make prayer a part of your priorities due to the many distractions of life.
Prayer helps us to forgive.
2. The Cross
We belong to Christ. Deny ourselves and take up our Cross.
The Cross is our protection. You have a Cross from baptism.
Wear your Cross and use it to fight the passions.
Committing to Christ is not a one time event.
3. God’s Commandments
Love God and our neighbors. Give yourself to others.
Matthew 11:29-30: "Christ’s yoke is good." The soul is refreshed through Him.
(The actual Greek word usually translated as "easy" in v30 really means 'good', 'virtuous', or 'upright'.)
Do everything with repentance and humility.
Repentance is “getting back on target”.
We need to ask for help: from the Mother of God, from the Saints, and from God.
Mother Paula's message to the high school youth as they return to school:
Remain faithful; trust in God; stay close to Christ.
Be mindful of the 5 S’s: Scripture, Services, Sacraments, Saints and Suffering
A recent book that she recommends is 30 Steps to Heaven.
It is a practical interpretation of the Ladder of Divine Ascent.
The goal is the Kingdom of Heaven. The objective is purity of heart.
Welcome Home, Suzanne! - 09/20/15
We received Suzanne Herbst into full communion of the Orthodox Church this past September, with the first part of the Service of Reception on Saturday the 19th following Great Vespers, and the Chrismation on Sunday morning during the Divine Liturgy. Suzanne's sponsor is Jennifer Haynes. Welcome home, Suzanne, and God grant you Many Years!
(10 images)
Feast-Lovers gather to venerate the Falling Asleep of the Theotokos - 08/15/15
"One of my beloved professors from seminary always used to say that a sign of a spiritually strong parish is that parish's devotion to the Mother of God. For she is the personal image of the Church - warm, embracing, nurturing, protecting..."
~ Fr. Steven
(10 images)
Joseph Foster received into the Church by Chrismation - 07/12/15
Our dear brother Joe Foster has been a friend of Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit for some 25 years or so, and we rejoice at welcoming him into full communion! Joseph's sponsor is Steve Pride. God grant you many years!!!
(9 images)
Prosopon Iconography Workshop at Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit - 06/27/15
This week-long, immersive training in not only the techniques, but the theology, spirituality and anthropology of traditional Orthodox Christian iconology and iconography was a revelation for the participants, and a first for our parish. We are deeply humbled to have been able to host Master Iconographer Vladislav Andrejev and his Prosopon team, and hope to do so again! Full story here.
(15 images)
Baptismal Sunday Liturgy welcomes Amelia Davis into the Church - 06/14/15
Little Amelia, who set a high bar for peaceful, serene infant baptisms, daughter of Leanne Davis, was received into the Church through Baptism and Chrismation during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 14; Anne Taylor, sponsor.
(10 images)
Mother Elizaveta hosts Moleben and Cookout - 05/31/15
To worthily celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, Mother Elizaveta and her sister Chynara and their children Carolina and Aziz hosted a special Moleben service and cookout in honor of The Holy Trinity, the Theotokos and all the Saints. A Joyous Feast!
(9 images)
Recent Chrismations at Christ the Savior - 05/24/15
Laura Menze (May 24) and Melissa Munaco (June 7) were recently received into full communion of the Orthodox Church through the sacraments of Confession, Chrismation and Communion. The Reception by Chrismation occurred during the Little Entrance of the Sunday Divine Liturgy, and so in both cases were truly festal events in the life of the Church, witnessed and joined in by the entire parish community. We wish Laura, Melissa, and their sponsors and families "Many Years!"
(9 images)
Here is an example of local Orthodox evangelism being carried out by our parishioners, Jacob & Adalia Boehne. Please keep their ministry in your prayers. — Fr. Steven
From Jacob Boehne:
This afternoon Adalia and I set up the evangelism table at the bus stop. If was another great day! People are responding well, engaging in prayer/conversation and taking the Bibles/ pamphlets. I am attaching a photo of the table so you can visualize what I am doing.
In Christ,
Jacob