Holy Saturday
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Strict Fast
Visit the Online Chapel for more daily readings, hymns, a monthly calendar of saints and feasts, and more.
Lenten Prayer Of St. Ephrem The Syrian

O Lord and Master of my life!
Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
Yea, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our FaithThe Church

The life of the Orthodox Church perpetuates and fulfills the ministry of Jesus Christ. The close association between Christ and His Church is reflected in the images from the Scriptures which declare that Christ is the Head and the Church is His Body, and that Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church is His bride. Learn more»

Great Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha Website

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

Today marks the crowning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace. Wherefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you."

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"

Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Annunciation of the Theotokos.

Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
Proti Anastasi
Sat, Apr 19 – 8:45 am

Canon of Anastasi and the Anastasi followed by Divine Liturgy of Pascha
Sat, Apr 19 – 11:00 pm

Resurrection Service
Sun, Apr 20 – 12:00 am

The Paschal Liturgy
Sun, Apr 20 – 12:30 am

The Agape Vespers
Sun, Apr 20 – 11:30 am

Great Vespers
St George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Tue, Apr 22 – 7:00 pm

Orthros & Hierarchical D. Liturgy
Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
+ St. George the Great Martyr
Wed, Apr 23 – 8:30 am

Orthros & Divine Liturgy
Theotokos of the Life - Giving Spring
Fri, Apr 25 – 9:00 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sun, Apr 27 – 8:15 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sun, May 4 – 8:15 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sun, May 11 – 8:15 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sun, May 18 – 8:15 am

Office closed
Mon, Apr 21 – 12:00 am

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tue, Apr 22 – 11:30 am

Adult Greek - intermediate I
Tue, Apr 22 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - beginner
Tue, Apr 22 – 6:45 pm

Adult Greek - advanced
Thu, Apr 24 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - upper intermediate
Thu, Apr 24 – 6:45 pm

Children's Greek
Mon, Apr 28 – 5:30 pm

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tue, Apr 29 – 11:30 am

Adult Greek - intermediate I
Tue, Apr 29 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - beginner
Tue, Apr 29 – 6:45 pm

Adult Greek - advanced
Thu, May 1 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - upper intermediate
Thu, May 1 – 6:45 pm

Children's Greek
Mon, May 5 – 5:30 pm

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tue, May 6 – 11:30 am

Adult Greek - intermediate I
Tue, May 6 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - beginner
Tue, May 6 – 6:45 pm

Adult Greek - advanced
Thu, May 8 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - upper intermediate
Thu, May 8 – 6:45 pm

Children's Greek
Mon, May 12 – 5:30 pm

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tue, May 13 – 11:30 am

Adult Greek - intermediate I
Tue, May 13 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - beginner
Tue, May 13 – 6:45 pm

Adult Greek - advanced
Thu, May 15 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - upper intermediate
Thu, May 15 – 6:45 pm