Update on Iconography in the Dome - New Pantokrator Icon Nearly Completed

Below you'll find a collection of photos taken today on the progress of the work at the church - the first one being the new dome "Pantokrator" ("All-Governing") icon of Christ.  For more information on the work we're doing here and ways to support our rebuilding campaign, click here.

Panoramic photo of the new face of the balcony.

New trim work that will be under the first floor windows (next to the outside pews).

Image of the decorative moldings just below the ceiling in the church.

Close up of decorative moldings.

Stewardship Thought for the Day

Living Generously

Liberality is living generously; it serves as a weapon against greed. Give freely to others when it is within your power to do so, without any expectation of getting something in return. This includes giving to the homeless, neighbors, and those in our own families. We can’t simply expect this from our children. We model it when they watch us joyfully give to others and when they are recipients of our generosity. And we can help them live generously by providing opportunities for them to give and serve.

From The Ascetic Lives of Mothers, by Annalisa Boyd, Ancient Faith Publishing.

40-Day Churching at St. Basil

On Sunday, November 16, Mason Drew Jacobson, the son of Ethan and Marissa, was brought into the church for the 40-day blessing.  Na zisi.

 

Feed the Hungry Ministry Update

On Saturday, November 8th, our Feed the Hungry Ministry Team met at the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church for it's bi-monthly meeting to make food for the residents there.  For more information on this ministry, contact Kelly Poletis at Kelly.poletis@gmail.com.  The next Feed the Hungry outing is scheduled for Saturday, January 10th, 2015.

Stewardship Thought For The Day

Testimonial: A Father's Day Gift

 

When I was a young girl, my father would give me money to buy him a Christmas or birthday gift. This is how it is with our Heavenly Father, too. Stewardship is not simply something we give to God. Rather, it is His own gift given back to Him. In the Divine Liturgy the priest says, “We offer these gifts to You from Your own gifts.” This is what stewardship emulates. When we begin to make our Lord a participating member of our lives each day, we are humbled to learn how much more we have to give back.

- From goodandperfectgift.org

St. Basil Hosts Orthodox Christian Clergy Association Meeting

On November 18th, the parish of St. Basil hosted the November Orthodox Christian Clergy Association meeting.  The OCCA is a local pan-Orthodox clergy brotherhood that coordinates various events throughout the year (including the annual Sanctity of Life Prayer Service, and the pan-Orthodox Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers).  Much thanks to our Ladies Philoptochos for preparing a marvelous lunch for the group.

 

 

Capital Campaign at St. Basil Nearly 60% of the Way Complete

Dome and Ceiling Work Nearing Completion

The photos below show the progress on the ceiling work at St. Basil.  The gold work in the dome is 80% done.  once the gold work in the dome is done, Tom Clark (the iconographer commissioned to paint the Pantokrator icon) will install the new dome icon.

 

Stewardship thought for the day

The amount we give is not judged by the largeness of the gifts but the largeness of our hearts. The poor woman who shares her meager pot of stew with another poor woman is far more to be praised than the rich man who throws a few gold coins into a collection at church.  But although most Christians acknowledge the truth of this, their words and actions convey a different message.  When a rich man makes a large gift to the church, he is heartily thanked; and although he will not feel the lack of that money himself, he is praised for his generosity.  When a poor man makes a small gift, nothing is said, even though that gift may cause him to go hungry, no one praises him or thanks him.  It would be better to praise no one than to confine our praise to the rich.  Better still, we should take trouble to observe every true act of generosity, whether by the rich or the poor, and then offer our praise.  Indeed let us be as generous with our praise as people are generous with their money.

- St. John Chrysostom from On Living Simply

Greek Islands Luncheon on Sunday, November 16th

Thanks to the people at Greek Islands Restaurant and, in particular, Gus Koutsogiorga, we had a beautiful luncheon on Sunday, November 16th.  Nearly 70 people attended and the food was outstanding.

40-Day Churchings at St. Basil

On Sunday, November 9, we offered the 40-day churching prayers for Ilias Verykokakis, son of Mihalis Verykokakis and Effrosyni  (Sanny) Papanikou, and for Dimitri Koutsoubis, son of Dean and Anastasia.  Na zisoun!!!



Stewardship Sundays - November 16 and 23

Pulpit, Baptismal Font and Chanter Pews Completed

Below are photos of the finished woodwork that's been done in Greece (the staining and the adding of the icons (for the pulpit) will be completed here in Chicago).  The first photo is of the pulpit, the second and third photos are of the baptismal font, and the final photo is of the chanter pews.

 

Repair Photos - Face of Balcony and More Dome Progress

More photo updates on the progress at St. Basil Church.

Mock-up of how face of balcony will look.

Dome moldings (with gold detailing) and gold "fish scale" design.

Dome Progress Moving Forward at St. Basil

The photos below were taken this morning of the dome at St. Basil - you can see the progress on the painting and the gold accenting on the molding and in the "fish-scale" design in the dome itself.  For more information on the capital campaign we're organizing to bring this work to completion, visit our parish website here.

Reflection Leading up to This Sunday's Stewardship Kick-Off

Which Sea of Palestine are You?

There are two seas in Palestine. One is fresh, and fish are in it. Splashes of green adorn its banks. Trees spread their branches over it and stretch out their thirsty roots to sip of its healing waters. Along its shores the children play, as children played when He was there. He loved it. He could look across its silver surface when He spoke His parables. And on a rolling plain not far away He fed five thousand people.

The River Jordan makes this sea with sparkling water from the hills. So it laughs in the sunshine. And men build their houses near to it, and birds their nests; and every kind of life is happier because it is there.

The River Jordan flows on south into another sea. Here is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaf, no song of birds, no children’s laughter. Travelers choose another route, unless on urgent business. The air hangs heavy above its water, and neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink.

What makes this mighty difference in these neighbor seas? Not the river Jordan. It empties the same good water into both. Not the soil in which they lie not the country about.

This is the difference. The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the Jordan. For every drop that flows into it another drop flows out. The giving and receiving go on in equal measure.

The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously. It will not be tempted into any generous impulse. Every drop it gets, it keeps.

The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. This other sea gives nothing. It is named The Dead. There are two kinds of people in the world. There are two seas in Palestine.

- From everygoodandperfectgift.org/

A Thoughtful Youtube Video on Stewardship (as we approach our annual stewardship Sunday kick-off)

Work Continues on St. Basil Fire Repair

Some panoramic photos of work being done on the very ornate moldings (top photo) and the dome (after it was primed).

 

Philoptochos Sunday at St. Basil

On Sunday, November 2nd, throughout the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, we honor our Philoptochos chapters and members.  At St. Basil, we offered a mnimosinon (memorial) service for the repose of all of our Philoptochos members who have fallen asleep in the Lord.  And we thank all of our Philoptochos workers for the time and dedication that they offer to our parish of St. Basil (and throughout the country).  May God continue to make fruitful their ministry.

 

Lunch Event at Greek Islands in Greek Town on November 16

To all of our parish friends, family and supporters, an FYI that on Sunday, November 16th, right after Divine Liturgy, we will be having a fundraiser lunch at Greek Islands Restaurant in Greek Town (see the flier below for more information).  The food should be excellent.  Hope you can join us.  God bless.

Progress Photos on Pulpit and Chanter Pews

The woodworker who is crafting the new pulpit and chanter's pews sent the following photos.