First Monday of Lent - Clean Monday
Monday, March 18, 2024
Strict Fast
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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.

9th Hour & Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Wednesday, March 20 – 5:30 PM

Salutations to the Theotokos
Friday, March 22 – 6:30 PM

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Saturday of Souls
Saturday, March 23 – 8:15 AM

Pan Orthodox Vespers
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 2350 E Dempster St, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA
Saturday, March 23 – 6:30 PM

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sunday, March 24 – 8:15 AM

Hierarchical Great Vespers
The Feast of the Annunciation
Sunday, March 24 – 7:00 PM

Orthros and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
+Annunciation of the Theotokos
Monday, March 25 – 8:15 AM

9th Hour & Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Wednesday, March 27 – 5:30 PM

Salutations to the Theotokos
Friday, March 29 – 6:30 PM

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sunday, March 31 – 8:15 AM

Great Compline
Monday, April 1 – 5:00 PM

9th Hour & Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Wednesday, April 3 – 5:30 PM

Salutations to the Theotokos
Friday, April 5 – 6:30 PM

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sunday, April 7 – 8:15 AM

Great Compline
Monday, April 8 – 5:00 PM

9th Hour & Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Wednesday, April 10 – 5:30 PM

Salutations to the Theotokos
Friday, April 12 – 6:30 PM

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sunday, April 14 – 8:15 AM

Great Compline
Monday, April 15 – 5:00 PM

9th Hour & Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Wednesday, April 17 – 5:30 PM

Great Lent Begins - Strict Fast
Monday, March 18 – 12:00 AM

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tuesday, March 19 – 11:30 AM

Adult Greek-Intermediate I.
Tuesday, March 19 – 5:30 PM

Catechism class
Tuesday, March 19 – 6:30 PM

Adult Greek-Beginner.
Tuesday, March 19 – 6:45 PM

Feast Day Reception
Sunday, March 24 – 8:30 PM

Parish Feast Day Luncheon
Monday, March 25 – 11:30 AM

Annual Flag Raising
Daley Center Plaza 66 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
Monday, March 25 – 1:00 PM

Children's Greek.
Monday, March 25 – 5:00 PM

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tuesday, March 26 – 11:30 AM

Catechism class
Tuesday, March 26 – 6:30 PM

Adult Greek-Advanced.
Thursday, March 28 – 5:30 PM

Adult Greek-Intermediate II.
Thursday, March 28 – 6:45 PM

Children's Greek.
Monday, April 1 – 5:00 PM

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tuesday, April 2 – 11:30 AM

Adult Greek-Intermediate I.
Tuesday, April 2 – 5:30 PM

Catechism class
Tuesday, April 2 – 6:30 PM

Adult Greek-Beginner.
Tuesday, April 2 – 6:45 PM

Children's Greek (*)
Wednesday, April 3 – 5:00 PM

Adult Greek-Advanced.
Thursday, April 4 – 5:30 PM

Adult Greek-Intermediate II.
Thursday, April 4 – 6:45 PM

Annual Greek, Independence Day parade
Sunday, April 7 – 2:00 PM

Children's Greek.
Monday, April 8 – 5:00 PM

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tuesday, April 9 – 11:30 AM

Adult Greek-Intermediate I.
Tuesday, April 9 – 5:30 PM

Catechism class
Tuesday, April 9 – 6:30 PM

Adult Greek-Beginner.
Tuesday, April 9 – 6:45 PM

Adult Greek-Advanced.
Thursday, April 11 – 5:30 PM

Adult Greek-Intermediate II.
Thursday, April 11 – 6:45 PM

Children's Greek.
Monday, April 15 – 5:00 PM

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tuesday, April 16 – 11:30 AM

Adult Greek-Intermediate I.
Tuesday, April 16 – 5:30 PM

Catechism class
Tuesday, April 16 – 6:30 PM

Adult Greek-Beginner.
Tuesday, April 16 – 6:45 PM