The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. IV, No. 50 – Sunday, December 11, 2005

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) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846; Email: Rharakas@aol.com

                 'L I T T L E'  things 
  l As you might know, the head of a company survived 9/11 because

         his son started kindergarten. 
  l Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts. 
  l One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in

         time. 
  l One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because

          of an auto accident. 
  l One of them missed his bus. 
  l One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change. 
  l One's car wouldn't start. 
  l One went back to answer the telephone. 
  l One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he

          should have. 
  l One couldn't get a taxi. 

   The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morn-ing, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today. 
 
   Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone... all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be  at this very moment... 
 
    Next time your morning seems to be going wrong,  the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; God is at work watching over you! . 
 
   May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose. 
                                                              Thanks to Janice Vardakis for passing this on to us!

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

Evening Services as Announced

11th LUKE -SUNDAY OF THE FOREFATHERS OF CHRIST

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - Plagal 4th Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Ex ypsous katelthes").Hymnal,  89.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("From on high did you descend"). (Same)

Dismissal Hymn of the Forefathers of Christ

   (Read) By faith You vincicated the Forefathers, / having through them / betrothed to Yourself the Church / that came out of the nations. / The Saints are boasting in glory; / for the glorious fruit, the Virgin, / who without seed gave birth to You, / is from their progeny. / At their entry, O Christ our God, / save our souls.

Dismissal Hymn of St. John of Damascus

   (Read) Guide of Orthodoxy / and a sacred teacher of piety and decorum, / luminary of the world, / and God-inspired adornment of monastics, / O wise John, the Spirit’s harp. / By your teachings you enlighten us all. / Intercede with Christ our God / for the salvation of our souls

Pre-Nativity Kontakion “E Parthenos Semeron”  (Sung in Greek by Leaders)

   (Read) Today the Virgin cometh / to the cave to give birth / in an ineffable manner / to the Word before all ages. / Therefore, rejoice O universe, / when thou hearest, / Glorify, with the Angels and the shepherds, / Him who shall appear as a new Babe; / appear as God before the Ages.

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

EPISTLE – Colossians 3:4-11 (29th Sunday - Forefathers)

rethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

GOSPEL – Luke 14:16-24; Matthew 22:14 (11th Luke - Forefathers)

he Lord said this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'"

  A 5 YEAR TRISAGION TODAY is being offered by Chrysokaty Georgacopulos for her late husband George on the occasion of his birthday, Dec. 12 also for the rest of the soul of John Soteropoulos on the anniversary of his birthday. Eternal Memory!

  FOR THE RECORD: December 4, 2005 Attendance 56; Stewardship $875;  Visitors’ Offering $36; Candles  $114; Building Fund $200 in honor of Alexis Kotsifakis’ Baptism. Many thanks for the generosity of all!

   STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY last week started our effort for our new 2006 Stewards! Your support is needed! If you have not sent in your Stewardship “Declaration of Intention Cards” please do so now!

  ?DEMETRIOS HARAKAS, foster son of Fr. Stanley & Presbytera Emily Harakas, a Steward of Christ the Savior Church, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Fr. Stanley traveled to Hyannis, MA for the funeral. May his memory be eternal!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Presbytera Emily Harakas 12/11; Argiris & Carol Gymnaos 12/18; Fran Triantafilon 12/24 (Saturday before Christmas); Helen Nicolelis 12/25 (Christmas); Gloria Vardakis 1/1/06 (St. Basil – New Year’s Day); Bette Ferierro 1/05 (Fore Feast of Epiphany); George Nikas 1/6; Connie Mourgides 1/15.

  GENERAL ASSEMBLY: A quorum was present last Sunday for the General Assembly. It was announced that we have accepted a conditional offer of $625,000 for our property with a lease agreement allowing us to stay without charge for 18 months following closing. Closing is expected by March 1, 2006. Sketches for the new Church and Hall, by the Building and Planning Committee, were presented. Designer plans will be prepared.

   PATRIARCHAL VISIT: After Epiphany Services, Jan. 6 in Tarpon Springs, there will be a massive Glendi for all in attendance – 300 volunteers are needed. To volunteer email Capt. Spanos Harding at spanosharding@nextel.blackberry.net  or call him (727-423-3313).

  THANKS to all who prepared 50 Health Kits during the coffee hour a few Sundays ago. for Hurricane Victims. Materials were bought, boxed and shipped to International Orthodox Christian Charities. Co-chaired by Nanka Kastelan & Venice Cosmadelis.

  CONFESSIONS: Saturday, December 17 in the Chapel, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

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Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta