Hellenic Orthodox Mission



Contents		The Orthodox Messenger Vol. I, No. 29 – Sunday, August 4, 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 TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST This Tuesday, August 6, we will commemorate one of the most meaningful events in the life of Christ -the Transfiguration. An Orthros hymn summarizes the event of Christ’s Transfiguration: "Christ took Peter, James and John to a high mountain alone. And he was transfigured before them, his countenance shining as the sun, and his clothes became white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared and conversed with him, and a bright cloud covered them. Then behold, a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased -hear him.'" Reflecting on the Transfiguration, the Church has found many truths and lessons for us. For example, the radiance of the light of the Transfiguration points to the divinity of the Son of God, who was incarnate in Jesus Christ. The Transfiguration, points to the nature of God as a Holy Trinity of persons. The transfiguring power of the Holy Spirit is perceived in the dazzling light of Mount Tabor, just as we refer to "the light of the Holy Spirit" in the Pentecost Vespers. Christ's Transfiguration is a model for our own lives. One of the hymns of the feast calls: "Come, let us go up to the mount of the Lord . . .to behold the glory of his Transfiguration." Another hymn also prays "Let your everlasting light also enlighten us sinners." Still another declares "You have been transfigured, O Savior, on Mount Tabor, indicating the transformation of humanity." The Transfiguration Dismissal Hymn prays "Let your everlasting light also enlighten us" pointing to our goal as Christians to be transformed so that we, too, become vessels of God's light. So, St. Paul says: he says to us, "Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8). Let us honor Christ's Transfiguration by reflecting it in our lives! Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Evening Services as announced. ============================================================ 6^th Sunday of Matthew Saints: The Seven Children of Ephesos: Maximilianos, Exakoustodianos, Iamblichos, Martinianos, Dionysios, Antonios and Constantine (+249-251). EPISTLE – ROMANS 12:6-14 Brethren, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. GOSPEL - MATTHEW 9:1-8 At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS Dismissal Hymn – 1^st Plagal Tone (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“Ton synanarchon logon”).Hymnal, 85-86. (Sing in English after the Entrance) (“The eternal word. . . ”). Hymnal 85-86. Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas (Sing in English) “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111 Kontakion of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (Read)You were transfigured on Mount Tabor, / O our God, / between blessed Moses and Elias, / in the presence of Peter, James and John. / Seeing this, / Peter cried out, / “It would be good to set up three tabernacles here: / one for Moses, one for Elias, and one for You, / O Jesus, our Master!” / As You once shone upon them with Light, / so now send Your radiance / upon our souls. ANNOUNCEMENTS THE FAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS begins on Thursday, August 1. Try to avoid meat products during this two week period, and increase your prayer life. Seek, also, to help those in need. Also, plan to attend the Supplicatory Service (“Paraklesis”) at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, in English, to begin the fast in a prayerful way. The Paraklesis Service will also be sung in English following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 4 THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST: A Divine Liturgy will be conducted on Tuesday, August 6, feast of the Transfiguration. Orthros at 9:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Grapes will be blessed for distribution to the congregation. Set this date aside for worship and prayer. HOSPITALIED this past week at Spring Hill Regional and Bay Point Hospitals was Harriet Pasisis. We pray for a rapid recovery! MEMORIAL DONATIONS were received by our Mission in memory of Alice Marty from Harry & Constance Martigopoulos, Lazarus & Martha Politakis, George & Jeannette Marty. May her memory be eternal! FORMER SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS and others interested in helping start a Sunday School for our Mission Parish, please contact Fr. Stanley. Thanks! BECOME A STEWARD! The Mission needs your support. You can help by making a pledge to support the work of “The Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County.” We are again including in The Orthodox Messenger a Pledge Form for your use. We look forward to your support. STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: George Nikas 8/4; Fran Triantafilon 8/6 (Transfiguration of the Lord); Cathy Lemonedes 8/11. Venice Cosmadelis 8/15 (Dormition of the Theotokos); Connie Mourgides 8/18. Prosforon bakers, remember to include names for commemoration. *We need more Prosforon Bakers!* Contact George Nikas – 597-1375. DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS SUNDAY LUNCH: Plan on staying after Church on Sunday, August 18 for a delicious Chicken Salad Platter Lunch! A full meal! These Sunday Feast Day Lunches are fund raisers to benefit the work of our Mission. It is a full meal with vegetables, coffee and desert. Only $6 per person. 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 9 at 2:00 p.m., we study the 12th 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. COME TO CHURCH! THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR: DEMETRIUS HARAKAS in Memory of Paul Robert McGraw & Katherine Harakas DeFilippo 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