Hellenic Orthodox Mission

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)

Few, if any, of the hymns in the day's service make reference to the bodily Assumption of the Theotokos to heaven. But the story of the feast, known as the "Synaxarion" describes how when the Theotokos died, her body was buried by eleven of the Twelve Apostles at Gesthemane, the garden area where Christ prayed before His arrest. The only missing Apostle, Thomas, arrived after three days. The Apostles opened the tomb so that he too, could pay his last respects. However, the Synaxarion relates that when the tomb was opened the body of the Theotokos was not in it. Though in any case her soul certainly had been "Translated" to Heaven, the Synaxarion of the "Dormition" expresses the pious belief that the Theotokos was also bodily assumed into Heaven, just as her Son also Ascended into Heaven.

The spirit of this greatest feast of the Theotokos, the first of the Church's saints, is expressed most fully in this hymn from the Vespers:

"Come, O gathering of those who love to keep the feasts, come and let us form a choir. Come, let us crown the Church with songs, as the Ark of God goes to her rest. For today is heaven opened wide as it receives the Mother of Him who cannot be contained. The earth, as it yields up the Source of life, is robed in blessing and majesty. The hosts of angels, present with the fellowship of the apostles, gaze in great fear at her who bore the Cause of life, now that she is translated from life to life. Let us all venerate and implore her: Forget not, O Lady, thy ties of kinship with those who commemorate in faith the feast of your all-holy Dormition."

So it is, Orthodox Christians honor the "Ark of God," and the one "who bore the Cause of life," Jesus. We "venerate and implore" the Theotokos and Mother of our Lord on this great feast of her "Dormition."

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

Saints: Deacon Euplus, Martyr (+304); Nephon II, Patriarch of Constantinople (+1508); Miracle of St. Spyridon, deliverer of Kerkyra (1716);

Anastasios, and Demetrios, Neomartyrs.

Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons." And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn – 2^nd Plagal Tone

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

(Sing in English after the Entrance) (“The Angelic Powers ”). Hymnal 85-86. Dismissal Hymn of the Transfiguration

(Read) You were transfigured on the Mountain, / O Christ God, / showing your Disciples / as much of your glory / as they could grasp. / Let your eternal light shine / also upon us sinners, / through the prayers / of the Mother of God. / O Giver of light, / Glory to You.

(Read) On the Mountain You were transfigured / O Christ our God, / and Your Disciples saw / as much of your glory as they could grasp, / so that when they should see you crucified, / they would know that You suffered willingly, / and would proclaim / to the world / that You are truly / the Splendor of the Father.

FOLLOWING DIVINE LITURGY TODAY, and abbreviated “Paraklesis” – Supplicatory Service to the Theotokos will be conducted.

THE FEAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS will be observed this Thursday August 15. Orthros at 9:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Plan on attending. Set this day aside for worship and prayer.

RECOVERING AT HOME after hospitalization is Harriet Pasisis. We pray for a rapid recovery!

FORMER SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS and others interested in helping start a Sunday School for our Mission Parish, please contact Fr. Stanley. We need to start religious education classes for younger members of our parish. Thanks!

DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS SUNDAY LUNCHEON

Plan on staying after Church next Sunday, August 18, for this month’s Feast Day Luncheon. Bring a friend or two to Church and stay for the delicious home-made Chicken Salad Platter Lunch, a full meal, including delicious sides with desert and drinks. Let us know how many adults and children, so that we will be able to provide plenty of food for everyone. Call Paul or Venice Cosmadelis at 686-1199. If they’re not home, leave a message. Price is a low $6 per adult and $3 per child.

COME AND ENJOY OUR DORMITION FEAST-DAY SUNDAY LUNCHEON!

STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Venice Cosmadelis 8/15 (Dormition of the Theotokos); Connie Mourgides 8/18. George Nikas 8/25; Fran Triantafilon 9/1; Prosforon bakers, remember to include names of living and deceased members of your family for commemoration. We need more Prosforon Bakers! Contact George Nikas – 597-1375.

LIBRARY & BOOKSTORE NEWS: The Library/Bookstore Committee is hard at work preparing for the opening of our Mission Parish Library later this month. Books are being prepared and catalogued. Watch for the Library opening!

PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM: This Friday, August 16 at 2:00 p.m., we study the 13th of the “Fourteen of the Most Beautiful Passages of the New Testament” (Galatians 5:22-6:3) We finish with coffee and socializing until 3:30 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Plans are in the works for a Fund-Raising Flea-Market Sale in October at the USA Flea Market on Rt. 19. Please collect flea market items for this sale. Details to Follow. In November, we will have a Bake Sale at the Walmart Store on Rt. 19. What will you make for the Bake Sale?

THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: JOHN AND DORA HALVATZES

in Memory of Our Parents



Contents		The Orthodox Messenger Vol. I, No. 30 – Sunday, August 11, 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) THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS AUGUST 15 Few, if any, of the hymns in the day's service make reference to the bodily Assumption of the Theotokos to heaven. But the story of the feast, known as the "Synaxarion" describes how when the Theotokos died, her body was buried by eleven of the Twelve Apostles at Gesthemane, the garden area where Christ prayed before His arrest. The only missing Apostle, Thomas, arrived after three days. The Apostles opened the tomb so that he too, could pay his last respects. However, the Synaxarion relates that when the tomb was opened the body of the Theotokos was not in it. Though in any case her soul certainly had been "Translated" to Heaven, the Synaxarion of the "Dormition" expresses the pious belief that the Theotokos was also bodily assumed into Heaven, just as her Son also Ascended into Heaven. The spirit of this greatest feast of the Theotokos, the first of the Church's saints, is expressed most fully in this hymn from the Vespers: "Come, O gathering of those who love to keep the feasts, come and let us form a choir. Come, let us crown the Church with songs, as the Ark of God goes to her rest. For today is heaven opened wide as it receives the Mother of Him who cannot be contained. The earth, as it yields up the Source of life, is robed in blessing and majesty. The hosts of angels, present with the fellowship of the apostles, gaze in great fear at her who bore the Cause of life, now that she is translated from life to life. Let us all venerate and implore her: Forget not, O Lady, thy ties of kinship with those who commemorate in faith the feast of your all-holy Dormition." So it is, Orthodox Christians honor the "Ark of God," and the one "who bore the Cause of life," Jesus. We "venerate and implore" the Theotokos and Mother of our Lord on this great feast of her "Dormition." Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Evening Services as announced. ============================================================ 7^th Sunday of Matthew – After the Transfiguration Saints: Deacon Euplus, Martyr (+304); Nephon II, Patriarch of Constantinople (+1508); Miracle of St. Spyridon, deliverer of Kerkyra (1716); Anastasios, and Demetrios, Neomartyrs. EPISTLE – ROMANS 15:1-7 Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. GOSPEL – MATTHEW 9:27-35 At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons." And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS Dismissal Hymn – 2^nd Plagal Tone (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“Angelike dynameis”).Hymnal, 86-87. (Sing in English after the Entrance) (“The Angelic Powers ”). Hymnal 85-86. Dismissal Hymn of the Transfiguration (Read) You were transfigured on the Mountain, / O Christ God, / showing your Disciples / as much of your glory / as they could grasp. / Let your eternal light shine / also upon us sinners, / through the prayers / of the Mother of God. / O Giver of light, / Glory to You. Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas (Sing in English) “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111 Kontakion of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (Read) On the Mountain You were transfigured / O Christ our God, / and Your Disciples saw / as much of your glory as they could grasp, / so that when they should see you crucified, / they would know that You suffered willingly, / and would proclaim / to the world / that You are truly / the Splendor of the Father. ANNOUNCEMENTS FOLLOWING DIVINE LITURGY TODAY, and abbreviated “Paraklesis” – Supplicatory Service to the Theotokos will be conducted. THE FEAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS will be observed this Thursday August 15. Orthros at 9:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Plan on attending. Set this day aside for worship and prayer. RECOVERING AT HOME after hospitalization is Harriet Pasisis. We pray for a rapid recovery! FORMER SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS and others interested in helping start a Sunday School for our Mission Parish, please contact Fr. Stanley. We need to start religious education classes for younger members of our parish. Thanks! *DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS SUNDAY LUNCHEON* Plan on staying after Church next Sunday, August 18, for this month’s Feast Day Luncheon. Bring a friend or two to Church and stay for the delicious home-made Chicken Salad Platter Lunch, a full meal, including delicious sides with desert and drinks. Let us know how many adults and children, so that we will be able to provide plenty of food for everyone. Call Paul or Venice Cosmadelis at 686-1199. If they’re not home, leave a message. Price is a low $6 per adult and $3 per child. COME AND ENJOY OUR DORMITION FEAST-DAY SUNDAY LUNCHEON! STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Venice Cosmadelis 8/15 (Dormition of the Theotokos); Connie Mourgides 8/18. George Nikas 8/25; Fran Triantafilon 9/1; Prosforon bakers, remember to include names of living and deceased members of your family for commemoration. *We need more Prosforon Bakers!* Contact George Nikas – 597-1375. LIBRARY & BOOKSTORE NEWS: The Library/Bookstore Committee is hard at work preparing for the opening of our Mission Parish Library later this month. Books are being prepared and catalogued. Watch for the Library opening! PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM: This Friday, August 16 at 2:00 p.m., we study the 13th of the “Fourteen of the Most Beautiful Passages of the New Testament” (Galatians 5:22-6:3) We finish with coffee and socializing until 3:30 p.m. UPCOMING EVENTS: Plans are in the works for a Fund-Raising Flea-Market Sale in October at the USA Flea Market on Rt. 19. Please collect flea market items for this sale. Details to Follow. In November, we will have a Bake Sale at the Walmart Store on Rt. 19. What will you make for the Bake Sale? Come to church! THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: JOHN AND DORA HALVATZES in Memory of Our Parents A CHURCH SIGN: “No God – No Peace \| Know God – Know Peace” HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION OF HERNANDO COUNTY P.O. BOX 5566 SPRING HILL, FL 34611 “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”
Bulletins Contact Directions Education Events Fr. Harakas Links Newspaper Photos
	Meeting at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville. Florida Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta HOME

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn – 2nd Plagal Tone

Dismissal Hymn – 2^nd Plagal Tone