Hellenic Orthodox Mission

“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

Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D, D.D., (352) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846;

St. Basil the Great Christ the Savior -Presentation of Christ St. Gregory the Theologian

AS A RESULT OF THE PREFERENCE POLL three clear choices were made of the candidate patrons for our church: St. Basil the Great, Christ the Savior – celebrated on the feast of the Presentation of Christ at the Temple, and St. Gregory the Theologian.

BRIEFLY, here is some information about the three potential names for our church .

ST. BASIL THE GREAT lived from 330 to 379 in Caesarea in Cappadocia of Asia Minor. Born into a prominent family, he received an extremely good education. He began as a monk, but his bishop in Caesaria called him in 364, whom he succeeded. He was a man of great spiritual graces. He established a center of philanthropic institutions, and he wrote many books on the Christian Faith, which are still read with profit today. His feast is January 1.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR – THE PRESENTATION AT THE TEMPLE is described in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 22-35. As a first-born son, Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple for a sacrifice. The Prophet Symeon and the Prophetess Anna recognized him as the Messiah for the salvation of the world. It was the first recognition of Jesus as the Savior as “a light for the revelation to the gentiles.” Celebrated February 2.

SAINT GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN, also known as Nanzianzus, lived from 329 to 389. The son of a bishop, whom he assisted in Nazianzus of Cappadocia, after he received an excellent education. In 379 he assumed the last remaining Orthodox Church in Constantinople, and his preaching converted the city from its Arian heresy. In 381 he became Patriarch of Constantinople. He is famous for his “Five Theological Orations.” His feast is January 25.

IN COMING ISSUES of The Orthodox Messenger you will read more about these candidates for our church’s name. The name will be selected by lot on Sunday, October 26.

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

Evening Services as Announced

Saints: Deposition of the Cincture of the Theotokos at the Monastery of Vatopedi (+1101); Cyprian of Carthage; Gennadios, Patriarch of Constantinople; Aiden, Enlightener of

Northumbria; Eanswythe, Abbess of Folkestone.

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

(Read) Ever-virgin Theotokos, / the shelter of humankind, / you have given to your City / as a protective wall / the Garment and Cincture that you wore / on your immaculate body. / By your seedless childbirth, / they have remained incorrupt. / For in you both nature and time are made new. / Therefore we implore you, / grant peace to your commonwealth, / and great mercy to our souls.

(Read) O Mother of God, / the cincture that encircled your body / which had borne the Son of God / is for us an object of glory, / a treasure abundant in grace. / You are the mother of God, / the only ever-virgin Mother!

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

EPISTLE – Hebrews 9:1-7 +Brethren, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.

GOSPEL – Matthew 18:23-35 + 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: Sunday, August 24- Attendance was 33; Candles - $38; Offering Tray – $67; Hospitality - $26. Thanks to all for your support!

P.E.P. DOUBLE FEATURE! This coming Friday, September 5, our Parish Education Program (P.E.P.) will be a “double feature:” “Go And Make Disciples of All Nations: The Orthodox Christian Mission Center;” and “Icons and Icon Painting.”. Refreshments!

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

PROSFORON BAKERS: 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!) Presbytera Emily Harakas 10/5; Connie Mourgides 10/12. Contact George Nikas, our Prosforon Chairperson (597-1375) to join the Prosforon Bakers.

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. In order to transfer the property legally a deed has to be prepared. An appointment with an attorney has been made for this week. We hope to be able very soon to record the deed in the name of our Mission. You will be kept informed.

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 will take place today after Church in the Fellowship Hall. Classes start on September 14.

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS AND WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: Birthdays: Louis Mavrogian 9/7; Emily Thomas 9/15; John Haskedakis 9/18; Jan Vardakis 9/21; John Kotsifakis 9/23. Anniversaries: John & Dora Halvatzes 9/7; Gloria & Toni Vardakis 9/20; Bill & Harriet Pasisis (50^th!) 9/20; John & Gerry Levandis 9/27. Congratulations to all! If you have a birthday or wedding anniversary and are not listed above, please let Fr. Stanley know before next Sunday, when blessing prayers will be offered. Please attend Church next week.

“Faith is power for salvation and strength to eternal life.” Clement of Alexandria (195 AD)

Delicious Sandwiches (beef, turkey and ham), with side dishes, desserts and drinks. Adults / $7; Children 6-11 / $3; Children under 5 / Free!

DIALOGUE SERMON TODAY – Please prepare a question for today “Dialogue Ser-mon” so that Fr. Stanley can offer a response to what you want to know. Know your Faith!

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.

Bulletin Sponsor: NICHOLAS MARTY

In Loving Memory of His Yiayia, Alice L. Marty – May Her Memory Be Eternal!

OF HERNANDO COUNTY

Sixty Steward Families Supporting Our Church

Andoniadis, Dimi, Margaret

Angeliadis, Gregory & Maria

Athan, kay

Bolio, Alice / Chigos, Barbara

Brown, Frances & Clark

Butcher, Electra

Chandler, Maria & Robert

Constantinidis, George & Eftyhia

Cosmadelis, Paul & Venice

Elisavitis, Bill & Mather, Fran

Feola, Marco & Anastasia

Ferriero, Fennie & Bette

Flood, Mark & Demetra

Fondulas, William & Vera

George, Alex

Gioshes, Theodore

Gregerson, Kay

Halvatzes, John &Theodora

Harakas, Fr. Stanley & Presb. Emily

Harakas, Demitrius

Hatzi, John & Theona

Hatzi, Peter

Hazivasilis, Demitri & Karen

Hazivasilis, William & Ruby

Hronis, Costa & Theresa

Kalogiannis, Edna

Kastelan, Nick & Nancy

Katehis, Spero & Eleni

Kayiales, John & Venessa

Kotsifakis, John & Jenny

Koulouvaris, Achilles & Filio

Kelo, John & Dulcie

Lemonedes, Spiro & Catherine

Liadis, Fr. John & Pres. Mary

Maniates, Paul & Angie

Marty, Gus

Mattis, Charles & Vera

Mavrogian, Louis & Mary

Mourgides, Steve & Connie

Murphy, V. Rev. Gerasimos

Naldrett, Stephanie & Richard

Mavrogian, Louis & Mary

Mourgides, Steve & Connie

Nicolelis, Peter & Helen

Nikas, George & Dee

Panopoulos, Mike & Patricia

Pappas, Connie & Pat

Pasisis, William & Harriet

Reado, Katina & Steven

Rodriguez, Charlotte

Roussos, George & Betty

Thomas, Achilles & Evangelia

Thomas, Curtis & Emily

Thomas, Bobby (Demetrios)

Triantafilon, Dorothy

Triantafilon, Mike & Fran

Tsausis, John & Patricia

Urling, Nancy & Richard

Vangel, Helen

Vardakis, George & Janice

Vardakis, Tony & Gloria

Zahka, Edward & Gloria

The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas
                                        8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021
                                                                                                                             August 27, 2003
                               STATEMENT ON MORAL CRISIS IN OUR NATION
     As members of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), representing more than 5 million Orthodox Christians in the United States, Canada and Mexico, we are deeply concerned about recent developments regarding "same sex unions."
     The Orthodox Christian teaching on marriage and sexuality, firmly grounded in Holy Scripture, 2000 years of church tradition, and canon law, holds that marriage consists in the conjugal union of a man and a woman, and that authentic marriage is blessed by God as a sacrament of the Church. Neither Scripture nor Holy Tradition blesses or sanctions such a union between persons of the same sex.
     Holy Scripture attests that God creates man and woman in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:27-31), that those called to do so might enjoy a conjugal union that ideally leads to procreation. While not every marriage is blessed with the birth of children, every such union exists to create of a man and a woman a new reality of "one flesh." This can only involve a relationship based on gender complementarity. "God made them male and female... So they are no longer two but one flesh" (Mark 10:6-8).
     The union between a man and a woman in the Sacrament of Marriage reflects the union between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:21-33). As such, marriage is necessarily monogamous and heterosexual. Within this union, sexual relations between a husband and wife are to be cherished and protected as a sacred expression of their love that has been blessed by God. Such was God's plan for His human creatures from the very beginning.
     Today, however, this divine purpose is increasingly questioned, challenged or denied, even within some faith communities, as social and political pressures work to normalize, legalize and even sanctify same-sex unions.

The Orthodox Church cannot and will not bless same-sex unions. Whereas marriage between a man and a woman is a sacred institution ordained by God, homosexual union is not. Like adultery and fornication, homosexual acts are condemned by Scripture (Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Timothy 1:10). This being said, however, we must stress that persons with a homosexual orientation are to be cared for with the same mercy and love that is bestowed by our Lord Jesus Christ upon all of humanity. All persons are called by God to grow spiritually and morally toward holiness.
As heads of the Orthodox Churches in America and members of SCOBA, we speak with one voice in expressing our deep concern over recent developments. And we pray fervently that our nation will honor and preserve the traditional form of marriage as an enduring and committed union only between a man and a woman.