The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. V, No. 37– Sunday, August 27, 2006

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

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

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D.,D.D. (352) 796-2377; Cell (352) 263-3005; Email: Rharakas@aol.com

FR. Michael Miklos
An African Mission Report
(Exclusive to The Orthodox Messenger)

     Fr. Michael Miklos returned to Spring Hill on Wednesday August 9th from his Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Mission Trip to Bukoba, Tanzania.
     Fr. Michael was the team leader of the Mission that traveled there to teach the tenets of the Orthodox Faith to people who attended the Seminars from all over Tanzania and Uganda.  

   The team met at Marywood Retreat Center near St. Augustine on Sunday July 16,  Fr. Michael could not attend the orientation.  He met the team in Detroit  Michigan the first stop on their journey and continued on with them.  The team consisted of Fr. Michael, 3 Seminarians, 2 University Professors, a Secretary for Legal Aide, and a College Student, so it was very well rounded.

 The subjects they taught ranged from Theology to more secular issues: mainly the Orthodox perspective on AIDS prevention. 

    While in Tanzania Fr. Michael co-celebrated 5 Divine Liturgies, including two Hierarchical Liturgies,  While in Tanzania the team visited many villages of the growing Orthodox communities and were warmly received by all of the faithful. 

    At the village of Ntungago they were given a gift of a goat that they then presented to the Orthodox complex at Kasiziki, where they were housed for their stay. Another village gave them a gift of a chicken.  Given the poverty of the people these were very lavish gifts. 

   Fr. Michael also served Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Kampala,. Uganda.  He and his team then visited the village of Dejenge where they met Metropolitan Jonah of Uganda for an afternoon of native singing and dancing.  This village is also the site of an Orthodox School for Primary and Secondary Education. The majority of these students have no families.  Students can be sponsored at this School for $100.00 per year in the primary school, or $300.00 per year in the secondary school.  This cost includes tuition, clothing, food, books, and all school supplies.

   Fr. Michael has many interesting stories to relate concerning this Missionary Trip and might tell them in the near future. (Note: Fr. Michael Miklos will preside at the Divine Liturgy next Sunday, September 3, and speak about his missionary trip early in September to Tanzania & Uganda. Come and hear his interesting stories. See photographs on page 6 of today’s bulletin.)

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

Evening Services as Announced

11^th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 2nd  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Ote katelthes").Hymnal,  81-82.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("When you descended"). (Same)

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

Kontakion of the Birth of the Theotokos (September 8)

      (Read) Through your holy birth, / O immaculate One, / Joachim and Anna /were delivered from childlessness, / and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. / Your people re-deemed from the debt of their sins / celebrate your birth / crying out to you: / the barren one gives birth to the Mother of God, / the sustainer of our life.

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

   EPISTLE –1st Corinthians 9:2-12 (11^th Sunday) Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

   GOSPEL – Matthew 18: 23-35 (11^th Sunday) The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailors, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to everyone of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

FOR THE RECORD: August  20: -Candles $45; Stewardship $275; Visitors’ Offering $83; Metropolis/Archdiocese Mission Support $400. Attendance 26. We thank all who support our Church’s work!

   BARBEQUE CHICKEN LUNCHEON: We thank Demetri Hazivasilis, Chair, and Bill Pasisis, Co-Chair, and Fr. Stanley & Presbytera Emily, sponsors of the Barbeque Chicken Luncheon, held last Sunday for a deliciously served and enjoyed meal. Those in attendance supported the treasury of Christ the Savior Church with donations of $336. Many thanks to all who supported this fund-raising effort.

  BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3:

Celebrating their birthdays and wedding anniversaries during the month of September are the following Stewards and Friends of Christ the Savior Church- Birthdays: Argyri Nicholas Gymnaos 9/8; Fifika Stilian 9/10; George Maniates 9/12; Nick Gymnaos 9/15; Emily Thomas 9/15; Karyn Underwood 9/22; John Kotsifakis 9/23; Richard Urling Jr. 9/20; Eleni Gymnaos 9/20; Pani Karen Miklos 9/28. Wedding Anniversaries- Fred & Elaine  Underwood 9/3; John & Dora Halvatzes 9/7; Bill & Harriet Pasisis. We pray “Many Years!”

    PROSFORON BAKERS: Fran Triantafilon 8/27; Gloria Vardakis  9/3; Bette Ferriero 9/10; George Nikas 9/17. Venice Cosmadelis 9/24; Presbytera Emily Harakas 10/1; George Nikas 10/8; Argiris & Carol Gymnaos 10/15;.George Nikas is Chair. We need more people to make the Offering Bread for the Divine Liturgy. It is easy to make. For a recipe and instructions, call George Nikas at 597-1375.

   SYMPATHY: It is with sorrow that we report the death of Steward Evangelos Dapsis after an extended illness. The family of Evangelos arranged for his funeral at the Annunciation Cathedral in Boston, MA. We pray “Eternal Memory” and that the Lord grant his wife Thoula and their children and grand-children comfort and strength in their loss.

   SYMPATHY: Services for the rest of the soul of Mike Panopoulos were conducted on Wednesday, August 23 by Fr. Stanley of Christ the Savior Church. Mike was a long-time Steward of our parish but because of ill health, did not attend in recent years. We pray for the rest of his soul and that the Lord grant him eternal rest and that Patricia, his wife, and his daughters Susan and Michelle find comfort and strength. May his memory be eternal!  The family asks that memorial donations for Mike be made to Christ the Savior Church B.F.

RECENTLY HOSPITALIZED:Spring Hill- John Kelo; Heartland-Ann Vergos. Jefferson Hospital,Philadelphia-Mary Markovitch. Please pray for those who are sick, for a rapid recovery.

   WEEKLY BULLETIN SPONSORS ARE NEEDED! Your support makes this bulletin ministry possible. Bulletin Sponsors donate $25 for each issue and can have a brief message of their own choosing published in each issue. See Gloria Vardakis after Church today.

   THE PARISH COUNCIL of Christ the Savior Church met for its regular August meeting on Wednesday, August 16, President Gloria Vardakis presiding. Continuing our report from last week:  General Assembly- President Vardakis announced that the next regular Parish General Assembly will be held on Sunday, October 15. Mailing List-At the suggestion of Dorothy Triantafilon, a plan was accepted for paring down the bulletin mailing list in the light of the increase of postage in 2007. Chapel Use-A request from a new Romanian congregation (OCA) to use the Chapel on Sunday was discussed. A procedure was agreed upon and will be communicated to the group. Birthday/Anniversary Program-The Council welcomed Frances Porter as the new Birthday/Anniversary Chairperson. New cards have been designed and will be sent for the first time for September’s observances. Parish Counsel Classes: It was decided to choose by lottery the classes (end of term) of the three new Parish Council Members. Rental of Cottage-With the completion of the renovations to the cottage, it was agreed to offer the cottage for rent to parishioners and other known interested parties. Stewardship: Chair Bill Pasisis reported that we have 68 Steward households, with 101 voting members. Activities: Bill Pasisis discussed the forthcoming Chicken Barbeque and announced that so far in 2006, our fund raising efforts have produced $6,164 for the treasury. Grounds: Chairperson Carol Gymnaos expressed the gratitude of the Community to Demitri Hazivasilis for the resurfacing of our entrance road at a very great savings to our Church. Demitri got the material at a very low cost and applied it with his own equipment. Thanks also were expressed by the Parish Council for the excellent appearance of the property to Argyris Gymnaos and for all his hard work. It was decided to retain Argyris as our Groundskeeper. George Nikas will discuss remuneration with Argyri and report at the next meeting. Church Air-Conditioning: A letter of thanks will be sent to George Maniates of Amen Air in Port Richey, for the prompt repair of our Church air-conditioning system. Letters of thanks will also be sent to Cathy Lemonedes for her continuing service as Stewardship Secretary and to Spiro Lemonedes for his faithful service on the Planning and Building Committee regarding the design of our proposed new church and hall complex. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20.

    SPIRITUAL LIFE: In a mailing from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary in New York, a list was offered regarding what makes up the Spiritual Life. This is the list: Forgiveness, Tolerance, Patience, Living Simply, Spiritual Guidance, Counseling, Confession, Fasting, Prayer. Included in the mailing was a separate list concerning Worship. It is a good check list to measure our lives against as we each seek to become better Orthodox Christians.

    SEPTEMBER CALENDAR: The theme for September in our calendar is based on the “BE commands in the Bible” one for each day of September. Read them daily and try to “Be” what the Lord wants you to “Be!”

  CONGRATULATIONS to Fr. Michael and Pani Shuster of our neighboring parish, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Spring Hill who recently celebrated their 25^th Wedding Anniversary and Fr. Michael’s 25^th Ordination Anniversary. “Many Years!”

  THANKS to Bill Hazivasilis and Demetri Hazivasilis for removing the piles of brush around our property, following the clean-up by Argyri Gymnaos. We are grateful!

  LEBANON RELIEF: The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is helping the people recover from the war. You can contribute by sending a donation to: International Orthodox Christian Charities, 110 West Road, Suite 360. Baltimore, MD 21204.

WORSHIP THE LORD ON SUNDAYS DURING THE SUMMER!   

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
 

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