Contents

The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. II, No. 17 – Sunday, April 27, 2003

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

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

The Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org/

 We Rejoice Together With the Joyous News

CHRIST IS RISEN!

TRULY, HE IS RISEN!

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

         PASCHA!  EASTER!

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

1st Dismissal Hymn  for Pascha

   Sung in Greek before the Entrance ("Christos Aneste…").

   Sung in English after the Entrance – “Christ is risen. . .”

   (Read after the Entrance)

Troparion for Pascha

  (Read) They who were with Mary came / before the dawn, / and finding the stone rolled away from the Tomb / heard from the Angel: / “Why do you seek as man among the dead, / Him Who dwells in Light Eternal? / Behold the shroud of the grave; / make haste and proclaim to the world / that the Lord is risen, putting Death to death; / for He is the Son of God, / the Savior of humankind.”

Kontakion for Pascha

   (Read) Even though You descended into the grave, / O immortal One, / You destroyed the power of Hades; / and You arose as 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.

In the place of “Holy God, Holy Mighty”

   (Sing) “Osee ees Christon ebaptistheete”/ Those who have been baptized . . .Hymnal 109

Return to page 28 for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

In the place of “Truly it is proper. . .” (p. 54)

   The leaders will sing “O Angelos eboa. . .”

   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.

EPISTLE: Acts 1:1- 8

In the first book, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit." So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of lsrael?" He said to them, "it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth."

GOSPEL: John 1:1-17

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

   FOR THE RECORD: For April 20: Attendance-73; Candles-$154; Offering-$163.

   The Parish Education Program (P.E.P.) resumes this week on Friday, May 2. Plan to attend as we continue our study of the Gospel of John. 2:00 p.m. Refreshments.

   EASTER LILIES DONORS: Paul & Venice Cosmadelis; Alex George; Feenie & Bette Ferriero; John & Dora Halvatzes; Fr. Stanley & Presbytera Emily Harakas; Bill & Ruby Hazivasilis; Spiro & Kathy Lemonedes;  Fr. John and Presbytera Maria Liadis; John & Theona Hatzi; Nikolai & Nanka Kastelan; Charles & Vera Mattis; Connie & Steve Mourgides (2); Tyke & Helen Nicolelis (2); George & Dee Nikas;  Connie & Patricia Pappas; Bill & Harriet Pasisis, in memory of their daughter. George & Betty Roussos; Helen Vangel. Given for the blessings of our children and grandchildren and for Memory Eternal for our parents. All the Easter Lillies were donated. Many thanks to Nanka Kastelan who arranged for these contributions to our Holy Week observance.

    MANY THANKS JOHN & JENNY KOTSIFAKIS of Yanni’s Restaurant in Homossassa, who donated and prepared all the food for our Palm Sunday Fish Dinner, which was enjoyed by all. Delicious! The affair earned  $508 for our Mission. Thanks for this most generous contribution. We are appreciative! See below!

SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2003 AFTER CHURCH

To All Steward Members of the Hellenic

Orthodox Mission of Hemando County,

You are hereby called to a special General Assembly of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County to be held following Church Services on Sunday, May 4, 2003. A light luncheon will be served, at no charge.

AGENDA

1.         Report on the transfer of property from the Olympic Village Youth Camp Foundation to the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County. The future development of our Mission.

2.         Report on Church attendance figures; the need for more space for worship.

3.         Proposal to make over the Fellowship Hall into a temporary church building

           for use by Sunday, September 14, 2003.

4.          Description of Proposed Temporary Make-Over of Fellowship Hall. Space requirements — Narthex — Altar Area — Iconostasis — Vestry Area

5.      Seating Proposal — Availability of pews seating 130.

6.          Budget Authorization of $7,000 from Savings Account.

7.          Proposal for Parish Status Application; Choosing Name for our Parish.

8.          Adjournment.

Connie Mourgides, President                                                                                        Rev. Stanley S. Harakas

Mission Council                                                                                                  Priest

YOU CAN HELP! On Saturday, May 3 at 10:00 A.M. volunteers are needed to help put together a mailing being sent out by the Membership Committee. This mailing is being sent to prospective members of our Mission. The names have been culled from the telephone book. We have about 200 names on our prospect list. We need your help to fold the letter, the questionnaire, the welcome folder, to address the envelopes, and stamp them. Please call Helen Nicolelis, Chair of the Membership Committee to let her know that you are planning to attend. 684-1219. This is a Stewardship of Time and Talent opportunity. Thank you!

  VESPERS OF LOVE: This afternoon, Pascha, we will conduct the Vespers of Love at 4:00 p.m. in which we will read the Gospel in many different languages. All are invited to attend, especially families with children. A special Easter Gift will be given to all children in attendance! Following the Vespers, all Stewards and Friends of our Mission are invited to go to Yianni’s Restaurant in Homosassa for Easter Dinner – “Dutch Treat!”

   MAY BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: Birthdays: James Roussos 5/2; Betty Roussos 5/7; Vera Fondulas 5/7; Mary Mavrogian 5/11; Delcie Kelo 5/16; Connie Mourgides 5/25; Lexi Vardakis 5/28; Fran Mather 5/31; George Roussos. Anniversaries: Louis & Mary Mavrogian 5/11; Bill & Ruby Hazivasilis 5/19; Spiro & Cathy Lemonedes 5/19; Henry & Ann Prestage 5/25; George & Betty Roussos 5/27. Congratulations! Blessing prayers will be offered for all at the Divine Liturgy, next Sunday, May 4. Please attend!

   REPORT ON EASTER OUTREACH: Members of our Mission community contributed packaged and canned goods for our Easter Outreach program. Although these donations were more than generous, the Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund of our Mission provided $306 to supplement them. Money was needed for Easter baskets, hams, potatoes, etc. Venice Cosmadelis assembled the baskets and candy. George Nikas used his contacts at the elementary school to identify needy families. Then George Nikas and Paul Cosmadelis purchased the food and assembled everything in 22 banana boxes. Deliveries were made on April 17th following the meeting of the Breakfast Club. The deliverers were Paul Cosmadelis, Alex George, Sam Jabbour, Steve Mourgides, George Nikas, Peter Nikas,  Bill Pasisis, Mike Triantafilon, and Ed Zahka. Our Mission family rose to the occasion once again and eleven needy families with 32 children had a happier Easter. Well done!

   COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS FOR MARCH AND APRIL: Many thanks to those who sponsored the Coffee Hour! March 15 - Fran Mather, Dee Nikas; March 23- Theona Hatzi, Helen Vangel; March 30 – Cathy Lemonedes, Gloria Zahka; April 6 – Nanka Kastelan, Gloria Vardakis; April 13 – Presbytera Emily Harakas, Fran Triantafilon. No Coffee Hour on April 20 and April 27. You too, can sponsor a Coffee Hour. Two persons each week select the date they want to sponsor and they write in their names on the COFFEE HOUR SIGN UP SHEET in the Fellowship Hall. They supply the goodies. The Mission supplies the coffee and paper goods. Try it! You’ll like it! (So will the rest of us!)

   THE FEAST OF ST. GEORGE will be celebrated this year tomorrow, April 28. All of the Stewards and Friends of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County are invited to celebrate the feast at St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Little Road in New Port Richey, FL. The Orthros will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Fr. Stanley Harakas plans to attend and participate.

   CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION: On Holy and Great Friday and for the Pascha Services tonight, we worked to provide closed circuit television viewing of the services on the television monitor in the Fellowship Hall. We are doing this as an experiment so as to accommodate those who may not be able to fit in the Church. Thanks to Costa Hronis and Nikolai Kastelan who made this effort possible.

   THE FOOD CUPBOARD IS BARE! Donations are needed to help feed the poor.

    HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Vera Mattis, now at home; Healthsouth Rehabilitation: Electra Butcher. Brooksville Healthcare Center: James Arvanites, Despina Dimitriou. Let Fr. Harakas know when a family member is hospitalized.

   PROSFORON BAKING: Connie Mourgides 5/4; Venice Cosmadelis 5/11; Fran Mather 5/18; Helen Nicolelis 5/24 (Mid-Pentecost/Sts. Constantine & Helen); Bette Ferriero 5/21 George Nikas 5/25; Fran Triantafilon 6/1 Presbytera Emily (Holy Saturday) 6/5 (Ascension); Gloria Vardakis (Pascha) 6/8. Going North? Inform George Nikas for schedule adjustments.

   POETRY READING: Internationally renowned poet, Fr. Nicholas Samaras will give a poetry reading tomorrow, Monday, April 28 at 6 p.m. at the West Hernando Branch Library near Weeki Wachee. Fr. Samaras is pastor of Archangel Michael G. O. Church, Lecanto, FL.

Come to Church!

HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION

OF HERNANDO COUNTY

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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