Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Homer Glen, Il.

01/04/2026

Sunday Before Epiphany

01/04/2026

In today’s Gospel, St. Mark opens not with a birth story, but with a proclamation: the good news is already breaking into the world, and everything is about to change.

John the Baptist steps onto the scene as God’s messenger, calling people to repentance. This repentance is not just feeling remorse, but turning their whole lives back toward God. His voice in the wilderness reminds us that God often begins His greatest work in unexpected places and through unlikely people.

As we stand on the Sunday before Epiphany, we’re preparing to celebrate the moment when Jesus is revealed as the Light for all nations. John’s message prepares us for that revelation by urging us to clear away whatever keeps us from seeing Christ clearly. He points beyond himself, teaching us that faith is not about drawing attention to our own goodness but about recognizing the One who brings true transformation.

As we leave the Liturgy today, let us see God’s promise fulfilled. Like St. John, let us make space in our life for Jesus to be seen. We do this through our choices, our compassion, our courage, and our willingness to follow Him. Let this week be a time of real preparation, so that when Epiphany comes, we’re ready not just to celebrate Christ’s light, but to reflect it.

01/04/2026

Services this Week

Monday, January 5th – Eve of Epiphany, - Vesperal Liturgy 6:00 pm,
followed by the Blessing of the Waters

Tuesday, January 6th Feast of Epiphany – Orthos at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Divine Liturgy
and the Blessing of the Waters.

Wednesday, January 7th - Feast of St. John the Baptist - Orthos at 8:30 a.m., followed by the
Divine Liturgy.

01/04/2026

01/04/2026

Final day to make your reservation’s if you plan to take the bus. This year, the Metropolis Philotpochos invites you and your familiesto join them for Annual Cutting of the Vasilopita on Sunday, January 8th, at St. Andrews Church in Chicago, beginning at 6:30 p.m. If anyone is interested, please make your reservation today by calling the number on the flyer.

01/04/2026

Sun, January 4, 2026
Today we commemorate: Sunday Before Epiphany - Forefeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ;
Synaxis of the 70 Holy Apostles; Our Righteous Father Theoctistus, Abbot of Cucomo in Sicily;
Nikephoros the L***r

The Readings:
Epistle: Timothy 4:5-8
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

Epistle Reading: St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8: TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, enduresuffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the
good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Gospel Reading: Mark 1:1-8 : The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong, of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

01/04/2026

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