Hellenic Orthodox Mission

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

Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D, D.D., (352) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846; Email: Rharakas@aol.com

Today, August 24, our holy Church commemorates St. Cosmas Aitolos. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website describes his life in this brief account:

“Our holy Father Cosmas was from the town of Mega Dendron (Great Tree) of Aitolia (Greece). At the age of twenty, he went to study at the school of the Monastery of Vatopedi on the Holy Mountain. Later, he came to the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou where he was tonsured. With the blessing of his abbot, he departed for Constantinople where he learned the art of rhetoric, and thereafter, he began to preach throughout all the regions of northern Greece, the Ionian Islands, but especially in Albania, for the Christian people there were in great ignorance because of the oppression and cruelty of the Moslems. Finally, in 1776, after having greatly strengthened and enlightened the faithful, working many signs and wonders all the while, he was falsely accused by the leaders of the Jewish people and was executed by strangulation by the Moslem Turks in Albania.”

First, it is clear that Cosmas was a devoted and committed Christian believer. His monastic commitment makes that very clear. Yet, he obviously also wanted more than to live piously for his own salvation.

He thus went and learned how to speak in public, that is, he developed one of God’s many gifts and skills so that he could serve God better. All of us have gifts that we can put to God’s service, exercising –as St. Cosmas did- a stewardship of time and talents.

Third, he shared the message of faith with the enslaved and subjugated people in various places of the Ottoman Empire. One of the important things necessary for us is to share our Orthodox Faith with others in the area where we live with a spirit of love.

Finally, we see that Cosmas lived in an environment hostile to the Orthodox Faith, much like our own in recent times. Previously, our culture was at best neutral; but now it seems every day brings a new spiritual and moral challenge. Like Cosmas we are to be firm in our Orthodox Faith, resisting false teachings and ways of life.

May Saint Cosmas Aitolos intercede for us that we may live our own Orthodox Christian lives faithfully and committedly in the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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

Saints: Eutyches, Holy Martyr and Disciple of St. John the Theologian (2^nd c.); Martyr Tation of Claudiopolis; George of Limnios, Confessor; Arsenios, Abbot of Cologna, Vologda; Neomartyr Cosmas of Aitolia, Equal to the Apostles (+1779); Patrick the Elder of Ireland; Dionysios, Bishop of Aegina, the Wonderworker;

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Tou lithou sfragisthenos").Hymnal, 80-81.

(Read) By thy holy birth-giving, / O pure one, / Joachim and Anna were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; / and Adam and Eve were delivered / from the corruption of death; / your people celebrate it, / having been saved from the stain of sin, / crying to you, / The one who was barren / gives birth to the Theotokos, / who nourishes our life.

(Read) Coming from Aitolia, / O God-bearing Father, / you became a righteous monk on Mount Athos; / and as a true initiate of the glory of God, / you preached the word of truth to all persons, O most blessed one, /and you brought them all to Christ /as a true follower of the Apostles' choir, /and you became a priest-martyr / in shedding your sacred blood.

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

EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 +Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

GOSPEL – Matthew 17:14-23 + At that time, a man came up to him and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."

FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, August 17- Attendance was 45; Candles - $41; Offering Tray – $88; Hospitality - $47. Thanks to all for your support!

TOUR ORTHODOX RUSSIA! This coming Friday, August 29, our Parish Education Program (P.E.P.) will feature the video “Under the Protection of Grace: The 1,000 Year History of the Orthodox Church in Russia.” Refreshments will be “Make Your Own Sundaes.”

YOU CAN SPONSOR AN ISSUE OF THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER with a $20 donation. You can help! See Connie Mourgides today (686-0589).

THERE ARE NOW 59 STEWARDS OF THE HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION OF HERNANDO COUNTY. In next week’s Orthodox Observer, we will publish and “Honor Roll Stewards for 2003.” Thank you very much for your support.

STEWARDS SHOULD LOOK FORWARD to receiving the next issue of the Orthodox Observer. The names of our 59 Stewards were sent to the newspaper this past week.

PROSFORON BAKERS: Presbytera Emily Harakas 8/17; Connie Mourgides 8/24; Venice Cosmadelis 8/31; George Nikas 9/7; Fran Triantafilon 9/14 (Feast of the Cross); Fran Mather 9/21 (Welcome back!); Betty Roussos 9/28 (New Prosforon baker! Welcome!) Contact George Nikas, our Prosforon Chairperson (597-1375) to join the Prosforon Bakers.

NEXT SUNDAY August 31, after Church, we will enjoy a “Summer Luncheon” of various cold sandwiches (roast beef, turkey and ham), with side dishes, desserts and drinks. Adults / $7; Children 6-11 / $3; Children under 5 / Free! This is a Mission Fundraiser! Please support this effort!

Help is needed! If you would like to help, call Betty Roussos at 683-2135. Betty says, “I especially need your help eating all this food on August 31^st, so I hope you’ll come and bring a friend. Everyone is welcome!”

PROPERTY UPDATE: At a meeting of the Olympic Village Youth Camp Foundation membership on August 21, it was voted unanimously to dissolve the Foundation and to transfer the property of the Foundation to the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County. We are very grateful! More on this next week.

PARISH NAME SELECTION: At the Mission Council Meeting on August 21, the results of the preference poll on the name selection for our Church were announced by President Connie Mourgides. There were 84 persons participating with 238 preference selections. The top three preferences were identified (in alphabetical order): St. Basil (January 1); Christ the Savior (celebrating February 2 –The Presentation of Christ at the Temple); and St. Gregory the Theologian (January 25). More on this next week.

GARAGE SALE: Please bring in your garage sale items when you come to Church on Sundays. This year the Garage Sale will be held on the Mission grounds. No clothing please! The items will be stored in the Dining Hall. If it is locked, leave them on the bench on the front porch and then be sure to inform one of the Council members.

SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION: Registration for Sunday School classes begins today after Church in the Fellowship Hall. Classes start on September 14.

ST. MICHAEL ARCHANGEL CHURCH in Lecanto will hold a “Mortgage Burning Celebration Dinner Dance” on Saturday, Sept. 27. For tickets call Alice at 1-352-746-5469.

“Do not be one who stretches out his hands to receive, but closes them when it comes to giving” (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, 100 A.D.)

Bulletin Sponsor: VON LILLIOS

In Loving Memory of My Husband Judge Nicholas E. Lillios – 7/20/24- 5/8/03



Contents		The Orthodox Messenger Vol. II, No. 34 – Sunday, August 24, 2003 “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community” 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 Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D, D.D., (352) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846; Email: Rharakas@aol.com ================================================================== St. Cosmas Aitolos Today, August 24, our holy Church commemorates St. Cosmas Aitolos. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website describes his life in this brief account: “Our holy Father Cosmas was from the town of Mega Dendron (Great Tree) of Aitolia (Greece). At the age of twenty, he went to study at the school of the Monastery of Vatopedi on the Holy Mountain. Later, he came to the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou where he was tonsured. With the blessing of his abbot, he departed for Constantinople where he learned the art of rhetoric, and thereafter, he began to preach throughout all the regions of northern Greece, the Ionian Islands, but especially in Albania, for the Christian people there were in great ignorance because of the oppression and cruelty of the Moslems. Finally, in 1776, after having greatly strengthened and enlightened the faithful, working many signs and wonders all the while, he was falsely accused by the leaders of the Jewish people and was executed by strangulation by the Moslem Turks in Albania.” St. Cosmas’ life is instructive for us, who live in the twenty first century. First, it is clear that Cosmas was a devoted and committed Christian believer. His monastic commitment makes that very clear. Yet, he obviously also wanted more than to live piously for his own salvation. He thus went and learned how to speak in public, that is, he developed one of God’s many gifts and skills so that he could serve God better. All of us have gifts that we can put to God’s service, exercising –as St. Cosmas did- a stewardship of time and talents. Third, he shared the message of faith with the enslaved and subjugated people in various places of the Ottoman Empire. One of the important things necessary for us is to share our Orthodox Faith with others in the area where we live with a spirit of love. Finally, we see that Cosmas lived in an environment hostile to the Orthodox Faith, much like our own in recent times. Previously, our culture was at best neutral; but now it seems every day brings a new spiritual and moral challenge. Like Cosmas we are to be firm in our Orthodox Faith, resisting false teachings and ways of life. May Saint Cosmas Aitolos intercede for us that we may live our own Orthodox Christian lives faithfully and committedly in the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am. Evening Services as Announced Saints: Eutyches, Holy Martyr and Disciple of St. John the Theologian (2^nd c.); Martyr Tation of Claudiopolis; George of Limnios, Confessor; Arsenios, Abbot of Cologna, Vologda; Neomartyr Cosmas of Aitolia, Equal to the Apostles (+1779); Patrick the Elder of Ireland; Dionysios, Bishop of Aegina, the Wonderworker; 10th^TH Sunday of MATTHEW GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS Dismissal Hymn - 1st Tone (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Tou lithou sfragisthenos").Hymnal, 80-81. (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("The stone was sealed"). (Same) Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas (Sing in English) “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111. Kontakion of the Birth of the Theotokos (Sept. 8) (Read) By thy holy birth-giving, / O pure one, / Joachim and Anna were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; / and Adam and Eve were delivered / from the corruption of death; / your people celebrate it, / having been saved from the stain of sin, / crying to you, / The one who was barren / gives birth to the Theotokos, / who nourishes our life. Kontakion of St. Cosmas Aitolos (Read) Coming from Aitolia, / O God-bearing Father, / you became a righteous monk on Mount Athos; / and as a true initiate of the glory of God, / you preached the word of truth to all persons, O most blessed one, /and you brought them all to Christ /as a true follower of the Apostles' choir, /and you became a priest-martyr / in shedding your sacred blood. Return to a page 26 for “Holy God”and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 +Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. GOSPEL – Matthew 17:14-23 + At that time, a man came up to him and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, August 17- Attendance was 45; Candles - $41; Offering Tray – $88; Hospitality - $47. Thanks to all for your support! TOUR ORTHODOX RUSSIA! This coming Friday, August 29, our Parish Education Program (P.E.P.) will feature the video “Under the Protection of Grace: The 1,000 Year History of the Orthodox Church in Russia.” Refreshments will be “Make Your Own Sundaes.” YOU CAN SPONSOR AN ISSUE OF THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER with a $20 donation. You can help! See Connie Mourgides today (686-0589). THERE ARE NOW 59 STEWARDS OF THE HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION OF HERNANDO COUNTY. In next week’s Orthodox Observer, we will publish and “Honor Roll Stewards for 2003.” Thank you very much for your support. STEWARDS SHOULD LOOK FORWARD to receiving the next issue of the Orthodox Observer. The names of our 59 Stewards were sent to the newspaper this past week. PROSFORON BAKERS: Presbytera Emily Harakas 8/17; Connie Mourgides 8/24; Venice Cosmadelis 8/31; George Nikas 9/7; Fran Triantafilon 9/14 (Feast of the Cross); Fran Mather 9/21 (Welcome back!); Betty Roussos 9/28 (New Prosforon baker! Welcome!) Contact George Nikas, our Prosforon Chairperson (597-1375) to join the Prosforon Bakers. NEXT SUNDAY August 31, after Church, we will enjoy a “Summer Luncheon” of various cold sandwiches (roast beef, turkey and ham), with side dishes, desserts and drinks. Adults / $7; Children 6-11 / $3; Children under 5 / Free! This is a Mission Fundraiser! Please support this effort! Help is needed! If you would like to help, call Betty Roussos at 683-2135. Betty says, “I especially need your help eating all this food on August 31^st, so I hope you’ll come and bring a friend. Everyone is welcome!” PROPERTY UPDATE: At a meeting of the Olympic Village Youth Camp Foundation membership on August 21, it was voted unanimously to dissolve the Foundation and to transfer the property of the Foundation to the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County. We are very grateful! More on this next week. PARISH NAME SELECTION: At the Mission Council Meeting on August 21, the results of the preference poll on the name selection for our Church were announced by President Connie Mourgides. There were 84 persons participating with 238 preference selections. The top three preferences were identified (in alphabetical order): St. Basil (January 1); Christ the Savior (celebrating February 2 –The Presentation of Christ at the Temple); and St. Gregory the Theologian (January 25). More on this next week. GARAGE SALE: Please bring in your garage sale items when you come to Church on Sundays. This year the Garage Sale will be held on the Mission grounds. No clothing please! The items will be stored in the Dining Hall. If it is locked, leave them on the bench on the front porch and then be sure to inform one of the Council members. SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION: Registration for Sunday School classes begins today after Church in the Fellowship Hall. Classes start on September 14. HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Steven Zachok. We pray for a rapid recovery. ST. MICHAEL ARCHANGEL CHURCH in Lecanto will hold a “Mortgage Burning Celebration Dinner Dance” on Saturday, Sept. 27. For tickets call Alice at 1-352-746-5469. “Do not be one who stretches out his hands to receive, but closes them when it comes to giving” (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, 100 A.D.) Bulletin Sponsor: VON LILLIOS In Loving Memory of My Husband Judge Nicholas E. Lillios – 7/20/24- 5/8/03 *Come To Church During the Summer!* HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION OF HERNANDO COUNTY P.O. BOX 5566 SPRING HILL, FL 34611 “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”
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	Meeting at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville. Florida Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta HOME