MONASTERY VISITATION
Our monastery trip began with a delicious lunch after Liturgy.
We boarded our transportation to St. Sava’s Monastery & New Gracanica Monastery.
St. Sava’s Monastery. The monastery was founded in 1923 by Montenegrin Serb Bishop Mardarije as a school for the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Iconography above the entrance to the church.
One of the reasons for our trip was to venerate the relics of the newly canonized St. Mardarije of Libertyville. This is an icon of St. Mardarije.
The reliquary of St. Mardarije.
Parishioners venerate the relics.
Parishioners venerate the relics.
The relics of St. Mardarije.
Fr. Paul held a prayer service in the church.
Iconography of St. Sava Monestery.
Iconography of St. Sava Monestery.
Iconography of St. Sava Monestery.
Iconography of St. Sava Monestery.
Group Photo.
Next we traveled to New Gracanica Church. In 1984, New Gracanica Church and the main building on the ground, dedicated to the feast of the “Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God”, were completed and consecrated. It is an impressive architectural replica of the old Gracanica of Kosovo, but eighteen percent larger than the one built in 1321 in Serbia.
Iconography of New Gracanica Church.
Iconography of New Gracanica Church.
We received a tour and presentation.
Representation of the Icon of the Three-handed Theotokos. The history of the Icon of the Three-handed Theotokos is closely connected with the life of John of Damascus who put a lot of efforts into defending icons during the time of the iconoclasm. In order to get rid of such a dangerous defender he was belied and as a sign of punishment for alleged treason he was subjected to cutting off of his right hand. For the whole night John of Damascus fervently prayed before the icon of the Theotokos for the healing of his hand with which he had ardently defended holy icons in his letters. His plea was heard and his hand healed. As a token of gratitude he attached a silver right hand to the icon of the Theotokos before which he had been praying. The icon is known for its miraculous healings.
Close up of the icon. Special thanks go out to Aristea for the planning of this informative and spiritual trip and also to all those who made this a memorable day.
ST. LUKE PARISH CELEBRATES FEAST DAY
This week St. Lukes celebrated its feast day with Vespers on Tuesday evening and Liturgy in Wednesday morning.
Protinica Michelle was unable to be present so Fr. Paul directed a mens group to sing the service.
Fr. Herman from Sts. Peter and Paul presided over the service.
The Three Old Testament Readings.
Scene fron the vesper service.
Fr. Herman was the speaker for the evening.
Scene fron the vesper service.
At the conclusion of the service parishioners were annointed with oil.
On Wednesday morning Liturgy was celebrated. Fr. Paul gives the sermon.
Scene from the service.
Scene from the service.
A VISIT FROM THE CONVENT OF ST. ELIZABETH IN BYELORUS
St. Luke Parish received a visit from The Convent Of St. Elizabeth In Byelorus. Following vespers there was a short video presentation on the work of the Convent of St. Elizabeth with patients and homeless in Minsk, Byelorus.
Sister Joanna from the Convent then spoke and answered questions.
Following the presentation items from their religious gift store were on display for sale.
125TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORTHODOXY IN CHICAGO
Preparations for the service. Dn. Saed of St. Mary’s converting Lane Tech stage into a chapel.
Another photo of the preparations.
Scene from Pan-Orthodox liturgy.
Scene from Pan-Orthodox liturgy.
St. Luke altar servers James and Justin at the historic service.
Protinica Michelle Jannakos after the service. The choir was well received.