Contents
- 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)
- EPISTLE – Acts 16:16-34
- As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and us, crying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers; and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice." The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one's fetters were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.
- GOSPEL – John 9:1-38
- At that time, as Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is he"; others said, "No, but he is like him." He said, "I am the man." They said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" He answered, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, `Go to Siloam and wash'; so I went and washed and received my sight." They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know." They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was a division among them. So they again said to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet." The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself." His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if any one should confess him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age, ask him." So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see." They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciples?" And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if any one is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that any one opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you." He said, "Lord, I believe"; and he worshiped him.
- GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS
- Dismissal Hymn – For Pascha
- (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“Christos Anesti”). Hymnal, 103.
- Dismissal Hymn – Pl. 1st (English after Entrance) “The Eternal Word” Hymnal, 85-86.
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Fathers’ care benefits children - NEW YORK, Aug 25, 1998 (Reuters) -- Concerned,
loving fathers help keep their children out of harm's way, two new
studies suggest. Boys who grow up without fathers “appear to be at
significantly higher risk than their peers of being incarcerated by
age 30,'” concludes one report by Dr. Cynthia Harper of the University
of Pennsylvania and Dr. Sara McLanahan of Princeton University. And
girls with more involved fathers are less likely to use drugs or
behave violently, according to Dr. Kathleen Mullan Harris of the
University of North Carolina. The studies were presented this week at
the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in San
Francisco, California.
Harper and McLanahan evaluated data on over 6,400 males, aged 14 to 22, followed as part of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, begun in 1979. They note that nearly 90% of the boys were ``born into mother-father households'' but by adolescence, “only 60% (were) still living with both parents.” The researchers compared the boys' upbringing to their later incidence of jail time (if any).
After adjusting for factors such as race and poverty, they concluded that boys raised in households with only one parent (usually mothers) faced nearly double the risk of incarceration as those growing up in two-parent homes. They also found that “the longer the children live in father-absent households the higher are their odds of subsequent incarceration.”
There seemed to be little substitute for the presence of a caring, biological father, according to the study authors. “Receipt of child support does not appear to make a significant difference,” they report, and “the presence of a step-parent does not significantly improve a child's situation either.” In fact, boys with stepfathers experienced even higher rates of adult incarceration than did boys from single-parent homes. This suggests that the “support that a step-parent might bring to a household does not eliminate problems that remarriage might engender, such as conflicts or divided loyalties.”
Harper and McLanahan stress that their study deals in averages: individual families can, and do, flourish with or without fathers. “There will still be certain cases when the absence of a father from a child's life helps to stabilize the home environment,” they point out, “by decreasing conflict or violence. And there will be many cases when a stepfather can help to reconstruct a more solid family life than existed beforehand.”
Preliminary data from a second study of 14,700 teenagers has uncovered similar effects among girls. Harris interviewed the youngsters regarding their level of involvement with their respective fathers. Behavior patterns of all the subjects were then followed over a period of years.
In an interview with Reuters Health, Harris said the study found that “more involved fathers protect girls from engaging in first sex, lower the risk of using (illicit) substances, and also reduce the risk of violent behavior.” - ANNOUNCEMENTS
- PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM! This Friday, our Summer Series on the Epistle and Gospel readings of the Sacrament of Holy Unction. We meet at 2:00 p.m. The session is followed by refreshments. Come to learn about the Bible!
- STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING Volunteers are needed for the Summer! See George Nikas!; Connie Mourgides 6/9; Helen Nicolelis 6/13 (Ascension); George Nikas 6/16; Fran Triantafilon 6/23; Cathy Lemonedes 6/29 (Sts Peter & Paul); Venice Cosmadelis 6/30; Fran Mather 6/2.
- BAPTIZED on May 25, 2002 was the daughter of George and Janice Vardakis. Godparents were Seraphino and Bette Ferriero who gave the name Sophia to the newly baptized. May she live many happy and blessed years! Congratulations to the grandparents Anthony and Gloria Vardakis, members of our mission parish!
- THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: BASIL & HELEN ALLISON
- Raymond James & Associates Investments
- 4345 Commercial Way, Spring Hill – 597-8642 / 1-800-874-7500
- HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION
- OF HERNANDO COUNTY
- P.O. BOX 5566
- SPRING HILL, FL 34611
- “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”
The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. I, No. 21 - Sunday, June 9, 2002
|
CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! |
SCARS
On a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy went to swim in the lake behind his house, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward him. His mother, looking out the window, saw the two as they got closer and together. Fearfully, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son. Hearing her voice, the boy made a U-turn toward his mother. But it was too late.
Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother loved her son too much to let go.
A farmer drivING by, saw what was happening, hastily took his rifle and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks in the hospital the little boy survived. His legs were deeply scarred by the attack. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to her son. when showing the scars on his arms he would say, "Look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."
We have scars, too, the scars of a painful past. Often they are moral and spiritual scars. Some scars, though, are because Christ has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you because He loves you. When we wade into dangerous situations, when our soul is in peril, when we are tempted to do evil, that's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love, be grateful. He did not and will not - let go of you.
Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Evening Services as announced.
6th Sunday of PASCHA – The Man Born Blind
Saints: Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria (+444); Pelagia and the three Virginmartyrs of Chios; Virginmartyrs Thecla, Ennatha, Martha and Mary (+330).
Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas (Sing in English) Hymnal, 110-111.
Kontakion for Pascha (Read) Even though You descended into the grave / O, Immortal One, / You destroyed the power of Hades; / and You arose as a victor, O Christ our God, / saying to the myrrh-bearing women, “Hail!” / and to Your Apostles granting peace; / You also grant resurrection to the fallen.
+Additional Changes+
In Place of “Axion Esti” The hymn “O aggelos evoa - “Fotizou” will be sung in Greek By the Leaders. (Translation: The angel cried out to the one full of Grace: Hail! Holy Virgin, and again I say Hail! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day. Shine, shine, the New Jerusalem! For the glory of the Lord has dawned upon You. Rejoice now and be glad, O Zion; and You, O All-pure Theotokos, delight in the Resurrection of Him, to Whom you gave birth.) In Place of the Communion Hymn (“Aineite”) (Sing in Greek and English) “Soma Christou,” “Body of Christ.” D. L. Hymnal, 104. In Place of “We have seen the true light”: (Sing in English) “Christ is risen” Special Sheet.
SPONSORS NEEDED FOR “THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER”! You can sponsor an issue by donating $20. See Parish Council President Connie Mourgides. Your donation supports our Mission Parish’s outreach program.
AWAY FOR THE SUMMER? Remember to financially support the Church! Please write the purpose of your donation on all your checks to the Church. Part of our Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure helps the Mission meet its ongoing expenses. If you have not yet made your pledge, please do so! Thank you!
PARISH LIBRARY & BOOKSTORE: The Committee will be meeting shortly to begin work on establishing the Parish Library and Bookstore. Members are Venice Cosmadelis, Theona Hatzi, Helen Nicolelis, Harriet Pasisis and Dorothy Triantafilon.
PLEASE RETURN YOUR ENVELOPE to contribute for a memorial marker on the grave of the late Dino Adamis, the homeless New York victim of an accident on Route 19 in Brooksville. As soon as we learn the date of the funeral we will let you know. Send your envelope with your offering today!
NEXT SUNDAY is Father’s Day– All Fathers will be honored following the Divine Liturgy. Plan on attending! See the article that follows regarding the importance of fathers for the upbringing of children.
