The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VII, No. 17 – Sunday, April 6, 2008

Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church - Presentation of Christ at the Temple

The Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County, Florida – “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

RELIVING THE LAST DAYS OF CHRIST’S LIFE ON EARTH - 1

Last week’s bulletin article imagined what a Jerusalem newspaper might have written about the last days of Christ’s life to emphasize that these events were real and actually happened. In today’s and next week’s bulletin articles, we will see how we can participate in these same events, as if they were happening today during Holy Week.

   Saturday of Lazarus (April 19) – The Orthros and the D. Liturgy bring us to the moment when Christ raises his friend Lazarus, four days after his death, from the tomb.

   Palm Sunday (April 20) – Palm Sunday places us through the blessing of the Palms in that day when Jesus entered Jerusalem, and the people received Him waving palms and shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!”

    Palm Sunday Night (April 20) – The first Service of the Bridegroom is based on the Parable Jesus told in order to teach us to be prepared for His Second Coming. Here, however, the message is applied to preparing ourselves to relive the suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ. “Behold the Bridegroom comes in the midst of the night; and blessed is the servant, whom He shall find vigilant; and unworthy is he, whom he shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, that you will not be overcome by sleep, lest you be given up to death, and be shut out from the Kingdom. Wherefore, rouse yourself, crying out: "Holy, Holy, Holy are You, our God, through the protection of the Heavenly Hosts save us.”

    Holy Monday Night (April 21) – The second Service of the Bridegroom is conducted and the focus is on cultivating a prayer life.

    Holy Tuesday Night (April 22) – The third Service of the Bridegroom includes the Hymn of Kassiane, a masterful and moving expression of repentance.

    Holy Wednesday Night (April 23) – The final day of special preparation: the Sacrament of Healing, known as Holy Unction is conducted to heal our souls and bodies from spiritual and physical maladies.

    Holy Thursday Morning (April 24) – We are present at the Mystical or Last Supper, hear the words of remembrance and institution from the lips of Christ. We share in the last meal of Christ on earth, and together with the Apostles, we receive His Body and Blood. “Of Your mystical supper, on this day O Son of God, do receive me as I seek to partake, and unto Your adversaries I will not reveal Your mystery Lord, nor betray You with a kiss as did Judas. But as did the thief will I confess to You: remember me O Lord when you enter  into Your Kingdom.”                                                       (Continued next week.)

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

4TH  SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT  - ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER

 GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - Grave Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Katelysas to Stavro").Hymnal, 88-89.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("O Lord by Your sacred Cross"). (Same)

Dismissal Hymn of St. John of the Ladder

   The leaders sing in Greek “Tes ton dakryon sou rhoes”

   (Read) Your abundant tears / made the wilderness to sprout  and bloom, / and your deep sighs of love / made your labors fruitful / a hundredfold; / you became a shining star / showering miracles upon the world. / Holy Father John, / pray to Christ God / that He may save our souls.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See paper in the pews)

Kontakion of Lent: Sing in Greek “Tee Ypermacho. . .”  Hymnal, 98

 Turn to pp. 26-27 of the Hymnal, for “Holy God . . . .”

EPISTLE – Hebrews 6:13-20 (4th Lent- St. John of the Ladder)

rethren, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

GOSPEL – Mark 9:17-31 (4th Lent- St. John of the Ladder)

t that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

   A THREE YEAR MEMORIAL SERVICE will be conducted at today’s Divine Liturgy for our late and beloved Archbishop Iakovos. May His Memory be Eternal!

   APRIL BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS will be offered today following the Divine Liturgy. “Many Years!”

   HOSPITALIZED: Herron Pointe Rehab:  Demetra (Toula) Panagopoulos. Let Father Stanley know when a family member is hospitalized. We pray for a “Rapid Recovery”!

    PARISH COUNCIL-CANDLE STAND: 4/6 - George Angeliadis and William Pasisis; 4/13 - Argyris & Carol Gymnaos.

    PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, Tuesday 4/8, 7 pm.

    MOTHERS DAY GIFT BASKETS will be prepared for the Dawn Center Women’s Shelter during the coffee hour today by the St. Katherine Ladies Society. All are encouraged to help. Supplies will be provided.

  COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: 4/6 - Denise Zotto & Helene Arvanitis; 4/13 - Bette Ferriero, Dora Halvatzes & Helen Vangel; 4/20 - (Palm Sunday Fish Dinner) Diane & David Covington & Harriet Pasisis; 4/27 - (After Easter Sunday Midnight Liturgy) Hazivasilis Family, Harriett Pasisis, Diane Covington; (Easter Sunday Vespers followed by “Easter Sunday Glendi”) Curtis and Emily Thomas.  Thanks to all volunteers.

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, 3/30/08 Candles 3/25 $14, 3/28 $39, 3/30 $78; Visitors’ Donations $96; Stewardship $970; Lenten/Holy Week Flowers $25; Phone Book Ads $350; Bulletin $25; Coffee Hour 3/23  $24, 3/30 $30. Attendance  64. Many thanks!

     ORTHODOX STUDY BIBLES: Get your copy of the first complete (Old and New Testaments) Orthodox Bible with Orthodox commentary. If twelve people sign up the price is $40 each! To get yours, sign up at the entrance table in the Parish Hall. When the 12 are reserved, you will pay the $40 per volume and the books will be ordered.

 “LET US WORSHIP TOGETHER, WORK TOGETHER, WALK TOGETHER IN

THE UNITY OF CHRIST’S LOVE”

   “MAGERITSA” will be served after the Resurrection Service, April 26 The traditional “Mageritsa Soup Meal,” made only with real lamb meat by Bill Hazivasilis and his crew. Come, experience the Resurrection, share in the Liturgy and enjoy the fellowship!

   PASCHA (EASTER) NOON: The “Easter Vespers of Love” in which the Gospel is read in many languages, will be followed by an “Easter Celebration Glendi” for the whole parish, with lamb and all the fixings. Easter Baskets for all the Children – Free will donation. Co-Chairs, Curtis and Emily Thomas.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611