Celebrate the Nativity of Christ
BLESSED NATIVITY FAST
The Ascension of Our Lord Parish Family wishes you and your loved ones a peaceful, spiritual and blessed Nativity & Epiphany season. During the Christmas Fast, may we remain focused on Christ's birth through increased prayer, Holy Communion, confession and fasting. May our hearts become another Bethlehem so that Christ will dwell within us!
THE NATIVITY FAST takes place November 15 - December 24. During the Fast, Ascension will hold Sarantaliturgo - 40 Liturgies - to spiritually nourish us on the path to Christ's birth, and to pray for the well-being of our parish families, as well as for the souls of the deceased. Please visit this webpage often for information regarding Ascension's Liturgical calendar, as well as links to daily readings, events and articles. May your Nativity Fast be blessed, peaceful and filled with the light of Christ!
During the November 15 - December 24 Nativity Fast, fish, wine and olive oil are permitted, except on Wednesdays and Fridays, until December 17. From December 17 - 24, a strict fast is followed in preparation for Our Lord's birth. During the Fast, Ascension will hold Sarantaliturgo - 40 Liturgies - to spiritually nourish us on the path to Christ's birth, and to pray for the well-being of our parish families, as well as for the souls of the deceased.
Sarantaliturgo Schedule & Prayer Requests
Schedule of Divine Services for Christmas 2025 & Epiphany 2026
Will be posted soon
Visit Fr. Sotiri's Confession Scheduling Calendar
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CALLING ALL WOMEN OF ASCENSION TO JOIN THE PSALTER READING. We invite you to participate in the prayerful, ascetic exercise of Psalter (Psalm) reading beginning on Friday, November 15th. It is a true blessing to offer the reading of Psalms together each day as we undertake the 40-day Nativity Fast! We use the book “Songs of Praise” by Sylvia Leontaritis (available in our bookstore for $22). This book contains short, spiritual reflections, journal pages and the Psalms, divided into “Kathisma”. For more information, click below.
THE FEAST OF ST. KATHERINE, which takes place on November 25, is a very special Feast Day for us at Ascension since in 2019, our chapel was dedicated to, and named after this great Saint. On Tuesday, November 25th, we will celebrate Orthros (8 a.m.), Artoklasia and Divine Liturgy (9 a.m.) in our chapel to honor this Saint, venerate her Holy icon, and pray for St. Katherine’s intercessions as we approach the Nativity season as a Parish Family. We also have the great blessing of celebrating daily Liturgies during the Nativity Fast in our beautiful chapel. Please join us in prayer.
UPCOMING EVENTS
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
WE’RE MAKING A LIST, CHECKING IT TWICE! It’s time to reserve your seats for Christmas Breakfast with Santa, following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 7. Calling Moms & Dads, Yiayias & Papous, Nounas & Nounos! You won’t want to miss this special tradition with your young ones! Space is limited, so make your reservations early.
View Flyer and Reserve Your Spot!
PHILOPTOCHOS KITS OF HOPE
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KITS OF HOPE will provide people in need with essential hygiene items this Christmas season. They will be assembled and distributed by the Metropolis of Chicago. How can you help? Bring travel-size toiletries to our collection box at the Ascension, and Philoptochos will take it from there! Read the flyer for details—and thank you for providing basic comfort this Christmas!
BEGINNING DECEMBER 1
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RESOURCES
+ Daily Bible Readings, Saints & Feasts
+ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Advent and Nativity Resources
+ GOA Center for Family Care Introduces: Finding Our Roots in Jesus’s Family Tree: An Advent Video Series
+ Antiochian Archdiocese Advent, Nativity and Theophany Resources
Includes information on Fasting and the Liturgical Cycle of the Nativity and Theophany Season
+ Preparation for Holy Confession
+ Suggestions for hosting a Lenten Coffee Hour during the Nativity Fast (coffee hour temporarily suspended)
+ Suggestions for hosting a Lenten Meal during the Nativity Fast
ARTICLES
+ Lessons in the Faith: Epiphany/Theophany, by Reverend Fr. Sotirios P. Malamis. Published in "Windy City Greek" in November 2015
+ Let's Celebrate: The 12 Days of Christmas, by Melissa Tsongranis, Associate Director for the Center for Family Care
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
+ What Are the Twelve Days of Christmas
By Fr. Andrew George
The commemoration of the Nativity of our Lord, the Baptism of our Lord, and the events related to them developed over time in the life and practice of the Church. Originally celebrated together on the same day, their celebrations - and the sequence of 12 days in between them - offers the faithful a festal period of great joy.
+ In the Beginning -- Reflections on the Nativity Fast
by Fr. Stavros N. Akrotirianakis
+ The Nativity Fast - Why We Fast
November 15, marks the beginning of the Nativity Fast (40 days before Christmas). The following article offers some thoughts on the purpose of fasting.
AROUND THE METROPOLIS
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