My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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13th JUNE - SATURDAY OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH CELEBRATES THE APODOSIS, OR LEAVETAKING, OF PENTECOST
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Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of Pentecost
Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Blessed are Thee, O Christ our God, Who made fishermen all-wise, sending upon them the Holy Spirit and, through them, netting the world. O Loving One, glory To Thee.
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Kontakion
Plagal of the Fourth Tone
When the Most High came down and confounded tongues of men (Tower of Babel), He divided the Nations. When He dispensed the Tongues of Fire, He called all to to unity, and with one voice we glorify the Most Holy Spirit.
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Some years ago, Orthodox blogger, John Sanidopoulos, had a wonderful reflection on the reason for an Apodosis or Leavetaking:
Every major feast has its Apodosis (Leavetaking). Why? The main reason is that the Church once again gives us the opportunity to celebrate the beauty of the feast. When we see or experience something beautiful, it is human nature to desire to have that experienced again. The feasts of Christ and the Theotokos are a sweetness to the soul which arouses the desire to celebrate more than once.
The beauty and richness of the Paschal Canon and the Paschal Stichera, the joy of the chants on Sunday morning are so marvelous that the Orthodox Christian believer is glad to repeat them every day of the Pentecostal season. But there is a special delight on this day of Pentecost in being able to re-pray all of the services one last time, fifty days later. It is like an anniversary party for a happily married couple, hosted at the same time as the original celebration.
At the same time, in every remembrance there is a sense of incompleteness, a yearning, for a future that more perfectly embodies that original greatness and solemnity. And so on Saturday, June 13th, the Apodosis of Pentecost is celebrated.
After today's end, we cease chanting the Pentecostal hymns, apolytikion, kontakion, and other celebratory hymns of Pentecost.
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DIVINE LITURGY AT 10:00 A.M. specifically for all of our seniors over the age of 65 or those with underlying risk factors. The Metropolis Clergy of Chicago were informed this morning by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael that he is giving the option for those 65 years old and over to return to regular services on Sundays. It is now a personal choice.
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George