Hellenic Orthodox Mission

“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 – Email: Rharakas@aol.com

On December 6 we will celebrate the memory of St. Nicholas, the Patron Saint of our Chapel. The Orthros will be at 9:30 and the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Honor his memory by being present at the Divine Liturgy.

Saint Nicholas lived during the reign of St. Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330. As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused.

No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike my man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety.

The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock . . was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travelers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.

In our Chapel we sing the Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas at each Divine Liturgy. We will profit also from reading the Kontakion Hymn for St.Nicholas: “Saintly One, St. Nicholas, in Myra you proved yourself a priest; for in fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, venerable One, you laid down your life for your people and saved the innocent from death. For this you were sanctified as one learned in divine grace.” (Adapted: G.O. Archdiocese website).

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

Evening Services as announced.

Saints: Nahum the Prophet (7th c. B.C.); Righteous Philaretos the Merciful (+802); Ananias the Persian, Martyr; Theokletos, Arkchbishop of Lakedaimonia;

Anthony the New: and Onesimos of Ephesus

BRETHREN, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

AT THAT TIME, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Hymn of St. Nicholas (Sing in English) “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111.

(Read) Today, the Virgin comes to the cave to bring forth the eternal Word, an unspeakable mystery. Rejoice, O universe, at the message. Glorify, with the angels and the shepherds. He was willing to be looked upon as a new-born child, the eternal Word.

FROM THE FATHERS: “Fortunate is the person who has come to have God as a helper and to have all hope in Him alone. Let the devil bear malice against him, let all men persecute him and plot against him, let all his adversaries fight against him – he never fears anyone, because he has God as his helper.” St. Nicephoros of Chios.

IN THE MAIL – Your Stewardship letter and “Good Faith Declarations” for 2003. Please read the “Stewardship 2003” letter carefully and prayerfully. Then decide how you will respond. Return the cards after you have filled them out in the special enclosed envelope (your stamp will help) immediately! This is your way of showing support for the work of our Mission-Parish. On the cards you will indicate how you plan to exercise your Stewardship of Time & Talent, by selecting one or more ways you will help do the work of church community. You will also let us know by filling out the enclosed card regarding your Stewardship of Treasure how you plan to financially support our Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County. Only you can decide what it will be. Will it be 25 cents a day? Fifty cents a day? A dollar a day? A dollar and a half a day? Three dollars a day? More than that? You decide. But please fill out your card and send it in right away! We will announce the results on Next Sunday, December 8 following Church Services. Thanks for your support!

FOR THE RECORD: 11/17/02-Attendance 31; Candles-$38; Tray-$60; Sunday Feast Day Luncheon-$150.

FOR THE RECORD: 11/24/02: Attendance 36; Candles-$76; Tray-$96; Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund Tray-$69; Coffee Hour-$36.

BECOME A BULLETIN SPONSOR! Contribute $20 to place a message in an issue of The Orthodox Messenger. You can give in honor of a celebration in your life, or give it in memory of a beloved departed relative. Your contribution allows us to print the bulletin, and send it to those not in attendance. It is part of our outreach efforts to keep all in touch with our com-munity. See Connie Mourgides today! Or call 684-4082.

OUR FLEA MARKET at the USA Flea Market at Routes 19 and 50 in New Port Richey last Saturday and Sunday, was a success-$315 was earned. Thanks to all who donated items for sale without whom nothing would have been accomplished. Special thanks are due, especially, to Paul and Venice Cosmadelis, who chaired the event. They were assisted on Sunday by Bill and Harriet Pasisis. We are grateful to all.

ST. NICHOLAS FEAST DAY: December 6, Orthros, 9:30 a.m. Liturgy, 10:00 a.m. Come to Church to honor the Patron Saint of our Chapel.

PROSFORON BAKING: Connie Mourgides 12/1. Venice Cosmadelis 12/06 (St. Nicholas); Fran Mather 12/08; George Nikas 12/15; Fran Triantafilon 12/22; Bette Ferriero 12/24 (Day before Christmas/Christmas); Helen Nicolelis 12/29; Gloria Vardakis 1/5; Presbytera Emily 1/12. Include family names for commemoration.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA PLANTS: Contact Helen Nicolelis (684-1219) to purchase a "poinsettia" plant for $10 in memory of a loved one for the church for the Christmas Holiday Season. You can take them home after Epiphany. This project not only decorates our chapel for the Christmas / Epiphany Season, but it is also a fund-raising project.

THE PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE of our Mission-Parish has distributed Thanksgiving food baskets to a number of needy families in our area. Most of the food in the Fellowship Hall has been distributed along with purchases funded by the Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund. Thanks to all who contributed so that this good work could take place. Special thanks to those who distributed the baskets: George Nikas, Paul Cosmadelis, Steve Mourgides, Mike Triantafilon, Bill Pasisis, and Alex George.

POST-THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS: It is amazing to reflect that in the richest country in the world, the United States of America, there are people who live in desperate poverty. Right here in Hernando County, one of those listed above who distributed the Thanksgiving food baskets described a house in which there were no lights (just candles), no running water, and conditions of abject poverty. Let’s not forget the words of our Lord, “As you did it (fed, clothed, housed) one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

COMING SOON! You will soon be receiving a Questionnaire in the mail. This questionnaire will be used to establish our “Deacon Parish Records System.” This computer program valued at $400, was donated to our Mission Parish, to establish a system of Church Records for our growing and developing community. But without your cooperation, it will be $400 thrown away!

You can help by filling out the form for your family with all the information. Then, return it in the enclosed envelope as quickly as you can! The information will be entered into the Deacon Parish Records System in December so that we will be “up and running” by the beginning of the New Year! Thanks for your cooperation.

THE DAWN CENTER, the “Outreach Project” of our Mission Parish, helps abused persons, especially women and mothers with their children. It also assists in elderly abuse cases. Its motto is “Building Futures: A New Dawn for Parents and Children.” Among its many services are: 24 Hour Crisis Line; One-on-One Crisis Outreach; Safe Shelter; Law Enforcement Liaison; Legal Advocacy Program; Community Education; Training and Specialized Programs; Volunteer Program. We, as the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County, are committing time and effort to help the Dawn Center do its work. You can volunteer to help the Dawn Center through your “Good Faith Time and Talent Declaration for 2003.”

IN MID-DECEMBER you will be receiving your copy of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County Christmas Card, together with your 2003 Church Calendar. Also included will be a special gift to you for Christmas. It is a small book with an address given by Fr. Stanley Harakas on the topic Fun and Joy: Knowing and Living the Difference. Your Mission Church wants you to know that your support, help, attendance and prayers are important to the work being done. We are poised for growth! And with God’s help we will become a regular parish and be a spiritual force in Hernando County.

THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: George Nikas – in memory of my parents

KATINA AND JOHN NIKAS – MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL!