Contents

The Orthodox Messenger 

Vol. I, No. 23 - Sunday, June 23, 2002

Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta

Services Held at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

The Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://worship.nu/hellenicorthodoxmission/index.htm 

FR. STANLEY S. HARAKAS, PROTOPRESBYTER - (352) 688-2382  (Afternoons and Evenings)

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THE ASCENSION AND PENTECOST

THIS PAST THURSDAY we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord on the fortieth day after Pascha. We remember the striking event described in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. Jesus met with His Disciples and promised them: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1 :8a). He was telling them that he would send to the Church through them, the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the source of the grace that we have in the Church. He also gave the Disciples their “marching orders.” He said, “you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth” (Acts I :8b). Then, the Bible describes what happened — “And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). Jesus had pointed out to them that unless He was to ascend to His Father, the Holy Spirit could not come. With the Ascension we close the liturgical period following Pascha. We will not sing “Christ is Risen” again until next observance of Pascha, which will be on April 27 in the year 2003.

PETECOST IS FIFTY DAYS after Pascha. Next Sunday is Pentecost, when we will remember the coming of the Holy Spirit in power to the Church. Thus Pentecost is the “Birthday of the Church.” We will observe Pentecost at our mission parish with a service of the Vespers of Pentecost. We will kneel again in awe and reverence for the wonderful saving work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who not only came to us to teach and heal us, but also to die for our sins and to conquer death and sin and evil through His Three-day Resurrection. At Pentecost sends us His Holy Spirit for our sanctification.

 

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Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

Evening Services as announced.

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7th Sunday of PASCHA - 318 FATHERS OF 1^st  ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

Saints: Fathers of 1^st  Ecumenical Council (+325): Tychon. Bishop of Amathea. Cyprus, the Wonderworker (+425)

 

EPISTLE — Acts 20:16-18. 28-36

   In those days Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia: for he was hastenin2 to be at Jerusalem. if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him. he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you all the time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not snaring the flock: and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”’ And when he had spoken thus. he knelt down and prayed with them all.

 

GOSPEL — John 17:1-13

At that time Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said. “Father, the hour has come: glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, since thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. And this is eternal life. that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do: and now. Father, glorify thou me m thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made. “1 have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gayest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gayest them to me, and they have kept thy word. Now they know that everything that thou hast given me is from thee: for I have given them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from thee; and they have believed that thou didst send me. I am praying for them: I am not praying for the world but for those whom thou hast given me, for they are thine; all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world. but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given inc. that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me: I have guarded them and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

 

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn — Plagal 2nd Tone

(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) “AngeIike dynameis” Hymnal, 86-87.

(Sing in English after the Entrance) “The Angelic Powers” Hymnal, 86-87.

Ascension Day Dismissal Hymn

(Sing in Greek) “Anelefthes en doxei” Hymnal, 114-115. See English translation there. Dismissal Hymn of the Holy Fathers

(Read:)You, O Christ, / are our God / worthy of exceeding praise, / for You established our Holy Fathers / as shining stars upon the earth. / and through them you guided us  / to the true Faith, /O most merciful Lord, / glory to you.

Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas (Sing in English) D. L. Hymnal. 110-111.

Kontakion for the Ascension

(Read) When You fulfilled Your dispensation for our sakes. / uniting those on earth with those in heaven, / You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, / continuing everywhere Present. / and remaking without separation. / while crying to those whom you love. / I am with you and no one shall be against you.

+Additional Change+

In Place of “We have seen the true light”:

(Sing in Greek) “Anelefthes en doxei” Hymnal. 114-115. See English translation there.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

   CONGRATULATIONS FATHERS! The Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County joins in praying for blessings this day on all our members who are celebrating Fathers Day! In honor of the day, each Father will receive a flower in recognition of his contributions to the upbringing of his children. May God bless you!

   STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: George Nikas – 6/16: Fran Triantafilon -6/23; Cathy Lemonedes 6/29 (Sts. Peter and Paul); Venice Cosmadelis — 6/30; Fran

Mather —7/14: Connie Mourgides — 7/21. Our Prosforon Coordinator is George Nikas (597-1375).

   MAKE PROSFORON THIS SUMMER! Volunteers! You are needed to help during the Summer! Making Prosforon Bread is easy and rewarding. See George Nikas.

   STS. PETER AND PAUL DIVINE LITURGY: Saturday. July 29 at 10:00 a.m.

   SPONSORS NEEDED FOR “THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER”! You can sponsor an issue by donating $20. Contact Parish Council President Connie Mourgides (686-0589).

   AWAY FOR THE SUMMER? Remember to financially support the Church! Please write the nurnose of your donation on all your checks to the Church. Thank you!

THE BODY OF THE HOMELESS GREEK ORTHODOX MAN from New York City, who was killed in an accident on Rt. 19 on May 8, in Brooksville has been released by the Medical Examiner’s Office. The funeral of Dino (Constantine) Adamis will take place this Tuesday. June 18, at St. Nicholas Chapel at 10:30 a.m. under the care of our Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County. Since he has no family, and is otherwise unknown here, our parishioners are the only ones who can mourn him here. Please plan on attending the funeral of this fellow Orthodox Christian who died a lonely and tragic death. Burial will take place at Brooksville Cemetery at the juncture of Rts. 50 and 50A. The Memorial Meal (“Makaria”) will take place immediately following at the nearby Mykonos II restaurant. All members of the parish are invited! Funeral arrangements are being handled by Mr. Douglas A. McCaul, Pinecrest Funeral Chapels, Brooksville and Spring Hill. “Eternal Memory!”

PLEASE MAKE A CONTRIBUTION for the headstone that will be placed on the grave of Dino (Constantine) Adamis. On it, will be the scriptural passage, “I was a stranger and you took me in.” All other expenses of the funeral are being covered from other philanthropic sources. Please be generous. Thank you!

HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION

OF HERNANDO COUNTY

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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