The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. II, No. 49 – Sunday, December 14, 2003

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

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

                                                           Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

         Archbishop Demetrios’ Reflections for December 2003

                                                               (Condensed Version)

he joyous holiday season presents us with two occasions that we celebrate as families and as communities: the Feast of the Nativity and the New Year.  These holidays present us with a wonderful opportunity to consider the important question, "How do our relationships with others reflect the infinite love and everlasting peace of Jesus Christ?"
   This question rests on our belief as Orthodox Christians that God, the Logos, became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), that He loved us so much that He became one of us, imparting His loving presence upon the entirety of creation.  This triumph of love, the Incarnation, has tremendous practical implications for us in our relationships, since Christ is the paradigm par excellence of love. These implications are seen in situations of conflict in our relationships.  In times when there might be discord or friction, we may look to the model that Christ offers to us for overcoming conflict through patience, love, and understanding.

   It is too easy to turn to argument or to coercive tactics in the face of disagreement. It is more difficult to cultivate respect for the other person. Yet, this is the way of Christ, for we are all children of God. His presence imbues all of our relationships with His pure love and peace.  This is what we see in the humble birth of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:23).
   With this incredible blessing, we are challenged to demonstrate our love for others; we are called to love others with our whole hearts and minds, to allow our souls to be transformed by the love of Christ.  Relating to others, then, is not a simple task.

   Rather, it is a spiritual discipline that demands our patience in building up one another in faith and in trust; it requires us to be voices of courage in the face of conflict, boldly confronting destructive patterns of behavior, which are contrary to the way of God..

   These voices of courage are appropriate to this season of the New Year, a time that inspires genuine love and goodwill amidst families and communities, and also amongst peoples of our world.  It is my heartfelt prayer that this spirit of love, clearly manifested in the birth of Christ, may be with you this year, and that your relationships with one another be a realization of the perfect love and peace of our Savior Jesus Christ.

                                                                           + DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America 

                      

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

Evening Services as Announced

Sunday of the forefathers

                                     Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes

Dismissal Hymn - 1st  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Tou lithou sfragisthenos").Hymnal,  80-81.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("The stone was sealed"). (Same)

Dismissal Hymn of the Forefathers

   (Read) By faith You vindicated the Fore-Fathers, / having through them / betrothed to Yourself / the Church that come 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 descendents. / Through their prayers, / O Christ our God, / save our souls.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ - (Sing) From the sheet in the pew.

   (Text): “Hail, O Mother of God, Virgin full of Grace. Through you did arise the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. And you made glad righteous Elder Simeon, receiving and embracing the liberation of our souls; also giving to us the resurrection.”

Kontakion of the Preparation for Christmas

   The Leaders sing “E Parthenos semeron, ton proaionion logon”

   (Read) Today the Virgin is on her way / to the cave / where she will give birth / to the Eternal Word of God / in an indescribable manner. / Rejoice therefore, O Universe / when you hear this news, / and glorify with the angels and the shepherds, / Him who shall appear as a new Child / being God from all eternity.

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

hen 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. 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, "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for 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 must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, `I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I 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 still there is 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."

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, December 7, 2003: Attendance - 44; Candles - $103; Offering - $80. Thank you!

   SPAGHETTI LUNCHEON REPORT: Co-chairs Connie Mourgides and Helen Nicolelis report that our 13th Annual Spaghetti Luncheon was held on Sunday, Dec. 7th.  We thank Yanni & Jenny Kotsifakis of Yanni's Restaurant in Homossasa for their generous donation of all the food, those who donated the beverages and the ladies of our parish who baked the delicious deserts.  Thank you also to the Moonlighters Quartet who provided our entertainment.  A total of $818.00 was raised to benefit our Parish.

    NOTICE!! Spero Lemonedes, our treasurer, says please continue to make checks payable to Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County (HOMHC) until further notice.

   P.E.P CLASS: The Parish Education Program (P.E.P.) will take place on Friday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m. Our topic will be “Looking at the Sacrament of Baptism.” Refreshments!

   DID YOU? Did you send in your Stewardship cards? If you did, thank you very much. If you haven’t sent your Stewardship cards in as yet, please do as soon as you can!

    BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED FOR 2004! Starting in January 2004, the contribution to sponsor an issue of the Orthodox Messenger will be $25 per issue. Your support is needed to maintain this valuable outreach effort of our church. Please help! See Connie Mourgides to reserve a Sunday.

   CLEANING UP: Would you be willing to help clean our facilities at a time and day convenient for you? To volunteer please see or call George Nikas at 352-597-1375.

   CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS: Helen Nicolelis announces that we are selling Poinsettias for $10.00, which will adorn our church for the holidays and can be taken home after the Epiphany Feast, January 6.  The flowers can be for the blessing of a family, the health, recovery or in memory of a loved one. Contact Helen at 352-684-1219 or see her after Liturgy to place your order.

   PROPERTY SALE: The motion for the sale of our camp property reads as follows: “Resolved that the Parish Council be authorized to place the property on the market for one year with the asking price of $600,000. The determining factor on the final acceptable price is that it must meet the cost of a new Church, related buildings and grounds. The General Assembly will be the final judge of whether the criteria have been met.” The property is on the market.

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Eleni Nicolelis 12/14; Betty Roussos (Sunday Before Christmas) 12/21; Venice Cosmadelis (Christmas Eve Liturgy) 12/24; Emily Thomas 12/28; George and Maria Angeliades (New Prosforon Bakers! Welcome!) (St. Basil) 1/1/04. Fran Mather 1/4/2004; Gloria Vardakis (Day Before Epiphany) 1/5; Connie Mourgides 1/11; Bette Ferriero 1/18; Presbytera Emily  1/25; George Nikas 2/1; Patricia Lilore 2/2 (Presentation of Christ).

Many thanks to all who prepare the Prosforon for our Divine Liturgies!

  SYMPATHY: Funeral Services were conducted on Tuesday, December 9th from our Church for the late Teresa-Anastasia Okula-Aeger. Christ the Savior Church extends sympathy to her son Paul and daughters Karen, Michelle and Irene and their families. “Eternal Memory!”

    COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD: You will soon be receiving your Christ the Savior Church Christmas Card. Co-chairs were George and Dee Nikas. The voluntary contributions for this parish fund-raiser were $980!   Many thanks for your support!

    NOMINATED to the Parish Council at the General Assembly were Demetri Hazivasilis, Nick Kastelan, Spero Lemonedes, Tyke Nicolelis, Dorothy Triantafilon, and John Tsausis. Since six positions were open and there were only six nominees, the Secretary will cast a single vote for the slate at the forthcoming Parish Council meeting on Thurs., December 18.

Come To Church Regularly!