Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-02-09
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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (502) 425-7775
  • Street Address:

  • 930 Ormsby Lane

  • Louisville, KY 40242


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Orthros - Sunday 8:50 am

Divine Liturgy- Sunday 10:00 am


Past Bulletins


Saints and Feasts

February 09

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.


February 09

Leavetaking of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple


February 09

Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch

This Martyr, who was from Antioch in Syria, contested during the reign of Gallienus, about the year 260. Through the working of the evil one, his friendship with a certain Christian priest named Sapricius was turned to bitter hatred. Nicephoros, repenting of his enmity, tried both through intermediaries and in person to be reconciled with Sapricius, but to no avail. Later, when the persecution broke out under Valerian and Gallienus, Sapricius was seized as a Christian. When Saint Nicephoros learned that Sapricius had been arrested by the pagans and was enduring torments for Christ, he sent intermediaries to Sapricius, begging his forgiveness; but Sapricius would not forgive him. Later, as Sapricius was being taken to beheading, Nicephoros, hoping that Sapricius, at his end, in such a holy hour, would at last forgive him, met him on the way, fell before him, and fervently asked his forgiveness; but Sapricius forgave him not. Wherefore, though Sapricius had passed through many sufferings, and the crown of martyrdom was now awaiting him, because he disdained the chief commandments of love and forgiveness, the grace of God, which had been strengthening him in his torments, departed from him, and he told his executioners he would sacrifice. Nicephoros immediately confessed Christ before them, and being himself beheaded, took the crown that Sapricius had cast away.

Should the Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple fall on this day the service to Saint Nicephoros is chanted on the 8th.


February 09

Markellos, Philagrios, & Pankratios the Hieromartyrs


February 09

Teilo, Bishop of Llandaff


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eleventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:14-25

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. And he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me." Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 4th Tone. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 4th Tone

From on high You descended, Most Merciful; for us You condescended to a threeday burial to set us free from the passions. O Lord, our Resurrection and our Life, glory to You!

Apolytikion for Apodosis of the Presentation in the 1st Tone

Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, for from thee hath risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. Rejoice, thou also, O righteous Elder, as thou receivest in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who also granteth unto us the Resurrection.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 1st Tone

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
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Message from Fr. Jon

Pastoral Message from the February Beacon

02/01/2025

Dear Faithful and Friends of the Assumption,

Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

On February 2nd, the Church celebrates the Great Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple - which is in our more common terms, His 40 day blessing.

When each of us was brought to the Church for this blessing, it was so that we might be “introduced” to the Lord.  It is our 1st  act of offering in obedience to the Lord.  Does it make sense that Jesus would need to be presented to the Lord? Is He not the Lord Himself?

This is the great irony of how we understand what is happening around us.  We perceive, thus we believe.  We use our human senses to draw conclusions that are not based on truth but based on our perception.  This is why so many say that perception is more important than reality - which may be true in marketing, but not in the Faith.

Returning to His 40 day blessing - what is really occurring? We know that if the Temple is holy it is because the Lord is present.  Jesus is not sanctified by going to the Temple, it is the Temple that is sanctified by Him, specifically, Simeon who is waiting for His arrival - for it was revealed to Simeon 3 centuries earlier that he would not die until he put his eyes upon the Savior.

Therefore, to the unknowing, it looks as though Christ is being presented to Simeon, when in fact, Simeon is being presented to Christ; it looks as though Christ is presented to be sanctified by the Temple when it is He who is sanctifying the Temple by His presence.

Let us not be like those who think they understand because their eyes have “seen,” when in fact their eyes don’t have the ability to comprehend.  Let us present ourselves that He may be presented to us.

In His Service,

Fr. Jon


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Upcoming Events

Visit of Metropolitan Nicholas

02/09/2025

Hierarchical Visit of

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas

On the occasion of the commencement of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Louisville, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas as the Spiritual Father of the community will preside at the events of

Saturday, February 8 & Sunday, February 9

To include: Congratulatory address at the Greek Glendi, Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Tonsuring of Altar Servers and Chantors, and a Luncheon following services including the “Souper Bowl of Caring” offering ample time for our community to visit with our Spiritual Father.

 


Souper Bowl of Caring

02/09/2025

"Souper Bowl of Caring"

February 9, 2025

$5 Adults   $3 Kids

All you can eat!!!

 His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas and our who community for Soup!

 Funds raised will aid the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)

Sponsored by the  Assumption Youth.

 


Fall Parish General Assembly

02/16/2025

NOTICE OF SPECIAL PARISH ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 16, 2025

 An assembly of all the stewards* of the parish will occur on Sunday, February 16, following the DIVINE LITURGY. The draft agenda will be as follows:

  1. Call to Order / Opening Prayer
  2. Determination of Quorum* requirement of parishioners**
  3. Adoption of Agenda
  4. Appointment of Assembly Chairperson and Assembly Secretary
  5. Parish Council Proposed Motion of New Building Path Forward (Motion TBD)
  6. Adjournment / Closing Prayer 

 

 *Quorum

To be legally binding, a quorum must be present before any meeting of the Parish Council or the Parish Assembly.

A majority of the Parish Council shall constitute a quorum. The minimum affirmative vote to pass a motion in a meeting of the Parish Council shall be a majority of a quorum.

For a Parish Assembly, at least twenty-five percent (25%) of current members in good standing shall constitute a quorum, except in matters pertaining to the purchase, sale or encumbering of Parish Property, which require a quorum of the current members in good standing per Part One, Article VI, Section 5 of the UPR. The minimum affirmative vote to pass a motion in a Parish Assembly shall be two-thirds (2/3) of a quorum.

**Parishioners

Parish membership is in accordance with the Part One, Article V of the UPR. An eligible Orthodox Christian may become a member in good standing of this parish by:

  1. Submitting a signed yearly Stewardship Pledge card reflecting a contribution that is sacrificial in nature, and;
  2. Meeting one’s financial obligation in a timely fashion, including an initial remittance at the time of initial yearly pledging.

To maintain member in good standing status for the purposes of the two annual Parish Assemblies, a parishioner should fulfill at least 25% of their annual Stewardship Pledge prior to the first annual Parish Assembly and at least 75% of their pledge before the second annual Parish Assembly.

To maintain member in good status for any Special Parish Assemblies or ecclesiastical services (such as weddings and baptisms), a parishioner will need to have their pledge current as of the annual quarter in which the Assembly or service takes place.


Book Club

02/16/2025

Sunday, February 16 (5 PM), at the Dimitropoulos Home!!!

“I have run to the fragrance of your myrrh, O Christ God, for I have been wounded by your love; do not part from me, O heavenly Bridegroom.” - Elder Porphyrios

We are reading Wounded by Love: The Life and Wisdom of Saint Porphyrios. If you will be attending, please RSVP to [email protected].


Lunch Bunch

02/18/2025

"Bristol Bar and Grill"

300 N. Hurstbourne Pkwy, Louisville

  12 Noon on Tuesday, February 18

Come and enjoy great fellowship with others you have flexibility during the daytime hours

RSVP to Nancy Anas at

(502) 645-2307 by 2-16-25

 


Livestreaming Services

Click on this link (www.facebook.com/AGOCLou) and bookmark our page in your browser.  Faith is foundational in our lives and, when so many thinks around us are changing, it is steadfast.  I have offered thanksgiving to God that we have such great technology for our faithful to stay connected.

Kroger Community Rewards®

Are you already Kroger shopper?
Your current shopping could be benefitting the Assumption!

Kroger Community Rewards® makes fund-raising easy...all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!

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TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

· Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus Card (if you are already registered, click “Sign In” instead of “Create an Account.”)

· Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions

· You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.

· Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.

· Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number. If you use your phone number at the register instead of a card, call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.

· Update or confirm your information.

· Enter “Assumption” or our NPO number of AT066 and select us from the list and click on confirm.

· If enrollment is complete, you will see Assumption’s name on the right side of your information page.

· That’s it!!! Use your registered Kroger Plus card or phone number at the register and our parish benefits!!!

By registering online, coupons can be electronically attached to your Plus Card. Not only do you help the Church, but you save money. Talk to everyone you know about registering to benefit our parish!!!


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Assumption Parish Calendar

  • AGOC Calendar

    February 9 to February 23, 2025

    Sunday, February 9

    8:50AM Orthros

    10:00AM Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM IOCC Souper Bowl of Caring Fellowship Lunch

    6:00PM Parish Super Bowl Party - Cancelled

    Wednesday, February 12

    6:00PM Orthodox Bible Study

    Saturday, February 15

    10:30AM Daughters of Penelope Meeting

    Sunday, February 16

    8:50AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Sunday School

    11:30AM Special General Assembly

    12:00PM Parish Council Meeting

    5:00PM Book Club

    Wednesday, February 19

    6:00PM Orthodox Bible Study

    Saturday, February 22

    9:30AM Orthros for Saturday of the Souls

    10:00AM Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy

    Sunday, February 23

    8:50AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Sunday School

    12:00PM Philoptochos Meeting

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