THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS

 

  Tomorrow, Monday, August 15 our Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, also know as “The Falling Asleep” (Greek, “Koimesis”) of Mary, Mother of our Lord.

   In the Church’s calendar, there are many feasts dedicated to the Theotokos, but this feast is considered the most important, because it is the remembrance of her death and translation to heaven.

   There are many traditions recorded in the history of the Church regarding the death of the Theotokos. Shortly before her death, the Virgin Mary is said to have gone to Jerusalem’s Mt. of Olives to pray, just as her beloved son, Jesus Christ had done prior to His Crucifixion.

   Returning to her home she prepared herself spiritually through prayer and fasting in anticipation of her dying. The Twelve Apostles were scattered throughout the world, preaching the Gospel, but each was informed of the impending death of the mother of our Lord and each quickly was brought to Mary’s bedside to comfort her and to offer prayers for her.

   All except Thomas, who was delayed. So it was that eleven of the disciples were at her bedside when the Theotokos died. As was the custom of that time and place, she was quickly buried with psalms and hymns, and her body was placed in a tomb. Several days later, Thomas arrived and asked to be shown the body of our Lord’s mother.

   But when the tomb was opened, it was not to be found. The ancient tradition holds that Mary was taken up to heaven to be with her Son. From this, some churches are dedicated to “the Assumption of the Virgin Mary” as a remembrance of this tradition.

                                      The Dismissal Hymn of the Dormition

      In your birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death, by your intercessions.

Come to Church Tomorrow to Honor the Memory of the Theotokos.

Most Holy Theotokos Pray for Us! Orthros at 9:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

 

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

Evening Services as Announced

8^th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

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)

Preparation Hymn for the Dormition

  (Read)  Peoples, dance with joy / and clap your hands with fervor; / gather today in eagerness and jubilation / and sing with glee, / for the Mother of God is about to rise in glory, / going up from earth into heaven. / It is to her we always sing / hymns of praise, / for she is the Mother of God.

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

Kontakion of the Dormition

(Read) Today, the whole universe dances with joy / at your glorious memory, O Mother of God, / and it cries out to you: / “Rejoice, O Virgin, / Pride of Christians.

                        Return to p. 26 of the Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .”

   EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians  1:10-17 (8^th Matthew) + Brethren, I appeal to you by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispos and Gaius; lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

   GOSPEL – Matthew 14:14-22 (8^th Matthew) + At that time, Jesus saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

  FOR THE RECORD: August 7, 2005:  Attendance 33; Stewardship $1019; Visitors’ Offering  27; Candles $53; Building Fund $25.  Many thanks!  

TODAY A TRAY FOR THE BUILDING FUND WILL BE PASSED

  40 DAY TRISAGION: Today, Cathy Lemonedes has requested that a 40 day Trisagion be sung for the rest of the soul of her late family friend in New York, Demetrios Psaltos. May his memory be eternal!

 1 YEAR TRISAGION: Also today at the request of Dora Halvatzes, a 1 year Trisagion will be sung for the rest of the soul of Dora’s late cousin, John Adams. May his memory be eternal!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Fran Triantafilon 8/14; Connie Mourgides 8/15 (Dormition of the Theotokos); George Nikas 8/21; Presbytera Emily Harakas 8/28;  Argyris and Carol Gymnaos 9/4. You, too, can make Prosforon Bread. For the recipe and instructions call George Nikas, Prosforon Bakers Chairperson at 597-1375.

   WISDOM FROM THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH: “Curb your tongue which rages to leap into arguments. Seventy times seven in the day, wrestle with this tyrant.” St. John of the Ladder

   PARENTS! You are urged to enroll your children in the Christ the Savior Sunday School for the 2005-2006 school year. Enrollment will take place on Sunday, September 4 and Sunday, September 11. Classes will begin on Sunday, September 18. Don’t forget . . .

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER!

    ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: In September we will begin our Parish Education Program on Friday afternoons with Bible Study alternating with other topics weekly. We are investigating the possibility of resuming evening sessions for those who cannot attend in the daytime P.E.P. classes. Please contact Fr. Stanley at 688-2382 to indicate what days and hours would be good for you for these evening sessions.

   CHURCH BULLETIN BOARD MESSAGE: “If you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd!”

   CONGRATULATIONS to George and Dee Nikas, whose grandson Nicholas Ressel graduated from the University of Florida this past weekend!

   GREAT-GRANDPARENTS! We extend congratulations to Connie and Pat Pappas on the birth of their great grandson Mark Normand Morin, on August 5, which was also Pat’s birthday! Many years!

   EAT FREE! Did you know that Chick-fil-A’ Restaurant at 13143 Cortez Blvd. in Brooksville will exchange a copy of this bulletin for a free sandwich? But never on Sunday! The store is open Mondays through Saturdays.

   PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: Practically every Wednesday, the Planning and Building Committee, chaired by George Nikas, meets in our Church Hall to prepare specifications for our new building, to be built on Anderson Snow Rd. in Spring Hill, once our present property is sold. The final, recommended plan will be presented to the General Assembly for acceptance at the proper time.

   FR. STANLEY & PRESBYTERA EMILY will spend several days next week for a family reunion at the Metropolis “Diakonia Center” in S. Carolina to celebrate the Harakas’ 50^th Wedding Anniversary.