The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VI, No. 50 – Sunday, December 16, 2007

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

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST THE SAVIOR - DECEMBER 25

From the Prologue

   'And when the fullness of time was come, God sent His only-begotten Son' (Gal. 4:4), to save the human race. And when the ninth month had come after the archangel Gabriel appeared to the most holy Virgin in Nazareth, saying: 'Hail! you that art highly favored... you shall conceive and bear a son' - at that time a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the inhabitants of the Roman Empire be taxed. In accordance with this decree, everyone had to go to his own town and there be recorded. Therefore righteous Joseph came with the most holy Virgin to Bethlehem, the city of David, for they were both of the royal House of David. But, there being a great many people in that small city for the census, Joseph and Mary could not find lodging in any house, and found shelter in a cave which the shepherds used as a sheepfold. In this cave the most holy Virgin gave birth to the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ. Bearing Him without pain, as He was conceived without sin of the Holy Spirit and not of man, she herself wrapped Him in swaddling bands, worshipped Him as God and laid Him in a manger. Then righteous Joseph drew near and worshipped Him as the divine Fruit of a virgin womb. Then the shepherds came in from the fields, directed by an angel of God, and worshipped Him as Messiah and Savior. The shepherds had heard a multitude of angels singing: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men' (Luke 2:14). At that time there also came wise men from the East, led by a wonderful star, bearing their gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh, and worshipped Him as King of kings, offering Him their gifts (Matt. 2:11). Thus He came into the world Whose coming had been foretold by the prophets and Who was born in the way that they had prophesied: of the most holy Virgin, in the city of Bethlehem, of the lineage of David according to the flesh. At the time when there was no longer in Jerusalem a king of the tribe of Judah, but Herod the stranger was on the throne. After many types and prefigurings, messengers and heralds, prophets and righteous men, wise men and kings, finally He appeared, the Lord of the world and King of kings, to perform the work of the salvation of mankind that could not be performed by His servants. May His be eternal glory and praise! Amen.

Troparion  

Your Nativity, O Christ our God, / has shone forth the light of wisdom upon the world; / for in the world / those who worship the stars / have been taught by a star / to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, / and to know You, the Dayspring from on high. / O Lord, glory be to You!

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

Today’s Saints: Holy Forefathers of Christ; Haggai, the Prophet (+520 B.C.) Holymartyr Modestos (+386); Empress Theopano (+896); Lucia of Syracuse (+304); Martyrs Probus & Hillary; Nicholas, Patriarch of Constantinople; Memnon Archbishop of Ephesus.

THE HOLY FOREFATHERS OF JESUS CHRIST

  Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection – 4th  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“To faidron tes Anastaseos”).Hymnal,  84-85

   (Sing in English after the Entrance)“When the tidings . . . ”). (Same).

   Dismissal Hymn of the Forefathers

   (Read) You justified by faith / the ancient forefathers / and through them / You have gone before and betrothed / the Church of the Gentiles to Yourself . / Let these saints, therefore, / take pride in Your glory. /  For from their seed / sprouted forth a noble fruit, / as she it was that gave birth to You without seed. / Wherefore, by their prayers, / O Christ God, / save our souls.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See paper in the pews) 

Kontakion – Pre-Nativity

   (Sung) by the leader in Greek  “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 ineffable 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.

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

 EPISTLE – Galatians 3:4-1  (The Forefathers) BRETHREN, 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) The 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.'"

   FOR THE RECORD: Thursday, December 6: Candles 15. Sunday, December 9:  Candles $58; Visitors’ Donations $40; Stewardship 2007 $480;  Attendance 34; Christmas Donation $240. WREC Annual Refund  $  280.89 for 2007.

One Tray Today for: Stewardship Offerings 

  HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Peter Thomches, Mary Palivides, Presbytera Mary Liadis, Helen Allison. HealthSouth:  Michael Liolios, recuperating at home. We pray for a rapid recovery! Please let Fr. Stanley know when a member of your family is hospitalized.

  COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS FOR DECEMBER: 12/16 Diane Covington; 12/23 Helen Arvanitis; 12/30 Carol Gymnaos & Kanella Hantzis. Please do your share! Take your turn! Sign up for January, 2008! For details see Harriet.

   PARISH COUNCIL meets this coming Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

   HAVE YOU? If you have not yet returned your Declaration cards for 2008, please take the time to prayerfully fill them out and send them in prior to the end of the year. Thank you!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Anet Jones 12/16; Fran Triantafilon 12/23; Presbytera Emily Harakas 12/24; Argiri & Carol Gymnaos 12/30; Venice Cosmadelis 1/06;  Frances Porter 1/13.  To offer to bake or to volunteer to chair the Prosforon Bakers, call Fr. Stanley! 796-2377.

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CHRISTMAS PARTY!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21  
At 4:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall   

FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS, SINGLES . . . EVERYONE!

Food!  Fun!  Gifts! Fellowship! Games! Snow Balloon!

…..And SANTA CLAUS!   

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   PREPARE YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY FOR CHRISTMAS! Holy Confession, Wed. Dec. 19, 7:30-8:30 pm. Or, by appointment – call Fr. Stanley at 796-2377.

  BEAUTIFUL POINSETTIAS! You can donate one or more Poinsettias decorating our church at $10 each! See Nanka Kastelan today!

  WE ARE SORRY to report that Parish Council Member Helen Vangel has submitted her resignation from the Parish Council effective December 31, 2007. Helen has been a valued member of our Parish Council and will be missed. We all thank her for her dedicated service to Christ the Savior Church and pray for God’s blessings upon her.

  SYMPATHY: It was with sorrow that we learned of the passing after a long illness of Charles Jacobsen, brother of our Parish Council President, Gloria Vardakis this week. The Funeral was held in Baltimore, MD yesterday. We extend sincere sympathy to Gloria and pray that God will grant comfort to Gloria and her family. Eternal Memory!

  SYMPATHY: Word was received on Wednesday of this past week that the brother of Delcie Kelo passed away suddenly in Hinesville, GA. John Glandon was Delcie’s last surviving sibling, and will be deeply missed by John and Delcie.We pray God will grant them comfort  in their loss. Eternal Memory!

  CHRISTMAS SERVICES CORRECTION: Tuesday, Dec. 25 Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Orthros -9:30 am, Divine Liturgy of St Basil 10:00 am (Note Time Correction) & Carol Sing. Sanctify Christmas! Come to Church!

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

Come to the Christmas Party
Friday, Dec. 21 at 4:30 p.m.
  Everyone is Invited! Come and Celebrate the Season!