The All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet, IL is an institution that has been around for centuries. It is a place of worship where believers can come together to enjoy the sacraments and other aspects of the Orthodox Christian faith. In addition to this, it has an opportunity for people to get involved with the parish community and volunteer their time to serve in the parish.
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Liturgical life at the church
Eucharist or Divine Liturgy is the central event in the Orthodox Church. It is a service of prayer that orchestrates art, music, and architecture. The Eucharist touches people’s emotions and senses.
Holy Eucharist is the oldest Christian worship experience. The origin of the Eucharist is traced to the Last Supper. Various prayers and chants have been added to the core of the liturgy.
Byzantine Liturgy is famous for its complex rhetorical language. Often, there are many omissions in the text. For example, the Gospel of St Mark is not always sung. Several texts, such as the “Cutting-off of the Honorable Head of Forerunner John,” mention Herod.
The Roman Rite and the Ambrosian Rite both mark divisions with feasts of patrons of Rome. Historically, very little use is made of the Gospel of St Mark. Today’s feast uses Mark 6, 17-29.
The earliest Christians in Rome were foreigners and slaves. Their Bibles were in Greek. They also ministered in local languages.
Structure of the church
All Saints Greek Orthodox Church is celebrating its centennial this year. It was founded in 1916 and offers services in both English and Greek. The church is also a gathering place for descendants of original Greek founders.
Members of the parish include a number of Pioneers. These are people who are 75 or older. They have been members of the church for a long time. Some of these individuals include Stanica Zimonja, Helen Borota, Stanley Dragovich, and Joseph Vulich.
In addition to the church, the parish is home to a small house. This is the Simon Hausser House. A group of residents met to learn about the history of each structure and what repairs had to be done.
There are many different aspects to the Orthodox Eucharist. It is a very distinctive worship experience. During the service, the priest may use gestures, music, architecture, and art to help convey his message.
One of the things that distinguishes the Orthodox Eucharist is the ritual of communion. Originally known as the Mystic Supper, the Eucharist has several names. Among them are Holy Offering, Holy Mysteries, and Holy Communion. Despite its many names, the Orthodox Eucharist is an experience of being in communion with the living God.
Iconostasion
One of the best things about an Orthodox church is the way the building is decorated. The beauty of creation is a reminder of the glory of God and a blessing to the congregation. A Greek Orthodox church, like the one in Joliet, Illinois, is no different.
The iconostasis is a display of religious art. Its purpose is to separate the sanctuary from the nave. It’s not uncommon for an Orthodox church to have a separate altar from the rest of the body of the church. Generally, an Orthodox church is shaped like a square and its seating area is covered with cloths.
While an iconostasis might not have been the first thing on your mind when you walked into the all saints greek orthodox church, it makes a nice change of pace from the standard white marble and acoustic panels. When not in use, the book of Gospels rests on the altar.
Current ministry opportunities
All Saints Greek Orthodox Church of Joliet is in the midst of celebrating its centennial year. In addition to celebrating the anniversary of the church, parishioners are inviting former altar servers to a shish kebab lunch on Sept. 25. The parish is also hosting its annual Greek version of Mardis Gras before Lent.
The Orthodox Church is a vibrant, universal, and diverse faith that continues the ministry of Christ. Its universal appeal and open membership invites people from every walk of life to join.
Father John Matusiak worked in a variety of capacities for the Orthodox Church in America, and he was active in different age groups. He was a teacher, an iconographer, a composer, and a missionary. His work with youth and youth retreats across North America was an example of his commitment to the Orthodox Church.
Father John also served as the Director of Church Growth for the Orthodox Church in America. As such, he was responsible for expanding the church’s reach into the suburbs and beyond. A key part of his work was to train clergy, teachers, and youth. He also developed and published curricula, training materials, and educational resources.
