The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. III, No. 30 – Sunday, August 1, 2004

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

13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

A TIME FOR GROWING SPIRITUALLY

      Here in the midst of Summer, there is a danger is to become too engrossed with the “sun and fun” mentality, when our attention can easily be drawn away from our identity as Orthodox Christians. So the Church presents us with a “back to God” opportunity through the two week fast of the Dormition of the Theotokos , August 15.

     The Theotokos (Virgin Mary) is central to our Orthodox Christian Faith. As the Creed says, we believe in the Son of God, “who for us all and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man.” The Theotokos gave to the Son of God, His human nature. She made possible the coming Jesus Christ into the world for our salvation.

    There are many feasts of the Theotokos throughout the Church year, but none is more important than her holy Dormition. “Dormition” is an English word that expresses what the Greek word “Koimesis” means, that is the “falling asleep,” or death of the Theotokos. The earliest Feast of the Theotokos, as it is for nearly all saints, is the remembrance of the day when she passed on into the eternal life of God’s Kingdom. August 15 is the ancient date for remembering this passing of the Theotokos.

    From the earliest of times, Church Fathers honored the memory of the Theotokos’ Dormition, or “falling asleep” in the Lord. It is listed as one of the twelve great feasts of the Church. One of the earliest sermons on this event that we still have was preached by Bishop John of Thessalonica around 550 A.D. We also have other such sermons from the following centuries, including the Canon of the Orthros, written by St. John of Damascus.

   In preparation for this great event in the Church’s calendar, we are called to turn our attention to our spiritual preparation for this feast. We should fast from meat during these two weeks if our health allows. At least, we should minimize our eating to focus on our inner relationship with the Lord, and to honor the Theotokos. Read the Bible more frequently, or borrow a book about our Christian Faith from our Church library. Find a way to show Christ’s love to a person who is ill, or housebound, or in need. Most of all, increase the time you spend in prayer, both privately and in our Church worship.

   Make the Dormition Fast an important focus these coming two weeks, beginning today.

Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

 

9^th  SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn - Plagal 4th  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Ex ypsous katelthes").Hymnal,  89.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("From on high did you descend"). (Same)

Dismissal Hymn of the Holy Cross

   (Sing in Greek) “Soson, Kyrie, ton  laon sou”  Hymnal, 107-108.

   (Read) Save, O Lord, / Your people, / and bless Your inheritance, / giving us victory over all / who assail us / and protect the Church of Your faithful / by Your Cross.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ - (Sing) From the sheet in the pew.

   (Text): “Hail, O Mother of God, Virgin full of Grace. Through you did arise the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. And you made glad righteous Elder Simeon, receiving and embracing the liberation of our souls; also giving to us the resurrection.”

Kontakion of the Transfiguration of Christ (August 6)

   (Read)  O Christ God, / you were transfigured on the Mountain, / and you disciples / saw as much of your glory as they could bear, / so that seeing you crucified / they would know You had willed / to suffer your passion / and would proclaim to the world / that You are truly / the Reflection of the Father.        

Return to a page 26 for “Holy God”and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

   EPISTLE –  1 Corinthians 3:9-17 (9^th Sunday) +  Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder. I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.

      GOSPEL – Matthew 14:22-24 (9^th Sunday of Matthew) + At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.

   BLESSING PRAYERS will be offered today following the Divine Liturgy for Stewards and Friends who celebrate their Wedding Anniversaries and Birthdays during the month of August. We pray God’s blessings upon all those who celebrate!

   SUPPLICATORY SERVICES TO THE THEOTOKOS for the Fast, will be conducted today, following the Divine Liturgy and on Wednesday, August 4, at 5 p.m. Please bring a covered dish Lenten contribution to a shared supper on Wednesday for those in attendance. Supplicatory Services  to the Theotokos will also be sung following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 8 and on Wednesday, August 11 at 5 p.m. followed by a Lenten Covered Dish Supper.

   PRAYER LIST FOR THE LIVING: Enclosed pleas find a “Prayer List” Sheet for the names of the living whom you want to be commemorated at each of the Supplicatory Services to the Theotokos to be offered during the Dormition Fast. Fill the sheet out and give to the attendants at the Candle Stand, or mail it to the Church as soon as possible.

   THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST, is one of the Twelve Major Feast Days of the Church year. It will be celebrated this week on Friday, August 6, with the Orthros at 9:30 am and the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am. Plan on attending.

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Anonymous 8/1; Connie Mourgides 8/6 (Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ); Gloria Vardakis 8/8; Argyris & Carol Gymnaos 8/15 (Dormition of the Theotokos); Presbytera Emily Harakas 8/22; Fran Mather 8/29; Fran Triantafilon 9/5; George Nikas 9/12. To learn how to bake the Prosforon Bread call our Prosforon Coordinator, George Nikas at 597-1375.

   JULY 19 WINE TASTING REPORT: Co-Chairs Kathy Lemonedes and Dee Nikas, together with Parish Council Fund-Raising Chairperson, Betty Roussos, report that our July 19 Wine Tasting event was very well attended and that all who came to the Wine Tasting at Yanni’s Restaurant on Rt. 19 in Homosassa had an enjoyable evening. We had a group of about 100 people.  Because Yanni & Jenny Kotsifakis donated the facilities and the food, and our expenses covered only advertising, service, and the music, the proceeds for the benefit of our church were exceptional - $775. Many thanks to all who worked to make this event a success and to those who supported this fund-raising effort!
 

NOTICE:  Fr. Stanley and Presbytera Emily Harakas will be away from Monday, July 26 to Monday, August 2. In case of emergency please contact  Spero Lemonedes, Vice-President of the Parish Council at  684-4082.
 

Come to Church On Sunday During the Summer!

 

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

 

           

 

 

 

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 Let us help pay for the paving!”

 

 

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