The Orthodox Messenger
Vol.
V, No. 52 – Sunday, December 17, 2006
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
Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D., D.D.
(352) 796-2377 (fax also); Cell (352) 263-3005; Email:
Rharakas@aol.com
STILL TIME TO
PREPARE SPIRITUALLY FOR CHRISTMAS!
or the Orthodox Church, the most crucial event in the
history of humanity is the Incarnation of the Son of God, the second
person of the Holy Trinity, as a human being. It
 was
the Incarnation that became the source of the salvation of humanity.
The Incarnation made possible Jesus Christ's teaching, healing,
Crucifixion, Resurrection and the sending of the Holy Spirit to
empower all aspects of our salvation. Here are some passages that
can help you in your meditation and prayers for the next two weeks
before Christmas.
+ "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal
life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him" (John 3:16-17).
+ "From a virgin did You come, not as an ambassador, nor
as an angel, but as the very Lord himself incarnate, and did save
me, the whole man. Wherefore, I cry to You: Glory to thy power, O
Lord" (Holy Communion Canon, Eirmos, 4th Ode).
+ (Jesus Christ's) birth was for us the beginning of
salvation. If Christ had not been born of woman, he would not have
died either, and would not 'by death have destroyed him who had the
power of death, that is, the devil.' [Hebrews 2:14]" (St. Proklos of
Constantinople, Homily on the Mother of God).
+ "He became man, that we who die as men might live
again, and that death should no more reign over us; for the
Apostolic word proclaims, 'Death shall not have the dominion over
us' [Romans 6:9,14]" (St. Athanasios, Letters, 10).
+ "O Christ, what shall we offer You for Your coming on
earth as a Man for our sake? Every creature that has its being from
You gives thanks to You; the angels offer hymns of praise, the
heavens give a star; wise men present their gifts, and the
shepherds, their wonder; the earth provides a cave and the desert a
manger. As for us, we offer You a Mother, a Virgin Mother. O You who
are from all eternity, have mercy on us!" (Sticheron, Vespers of
Christmas).
+ "Christ is born, glorify Him. Christ has come from the
heavens, receive Him. Christ is on earth, elevate Him. Sing to the
Lord, all the earth; and you nations, praise him with joy; for he
has been glorified" (Katabasia, Christmas Orthros).
The rest of Christmas Lent is a wonderful opportunity to
reorient your life to God by reflecting on the true meaning of
Christmas – the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Don't waste this great opportunity!
Service
Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at
10:00 a.m.
Evening Services as
Announced
Today’s Saints: Holy Forefathers of Christ; Daniel the
Prophet and the Three Holy Children Ananias, Azarias and Misael (5th
c. B.C.); Dionysios Bishop of Aegina (1621); Martyrs Patermuthios,
Copris & Alexander (4th c.); Deacon Avakum, Martyr of Serbia;
Tydecho of Wales (6th c.); Briach, Monk of Brittany.
11th SUNDAY OF LUKE – OF THE
FOREFATHERS OF CHRIST
GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS
Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 2nd Tone
(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Ote katelthes").Hymnal,
81-82.
(Sing in English after the Entrance) ("When you descended"). (Same)
Dismissal Hymn of the Forefathers
(Read) Faith can accomplish great things. / Through it, the
three holy young men / rejoice in the flames / as if they had been in
refreshing water, / and Daniel in the midst of lions / is like a
shepherd / among his sheep. / Through their intercession, O Christ God,
save our souls!
Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (from sheet in the
pew).
Pre-Nativity Kontakion Sung in Greek by the Leader - “E
Parthenos Semeron”.
(Sing) Today the Virgin comes / to the cave to give
birth / in an ineffable manner / to the Word before all ages. /
Therefore, rejoice O universe, / and when you hear this, / Glorify, with
the Angels and the shepherds, / Him who shall appear as a new Babe; /
and as God before the Ages.
Return to
p. 26
of the
Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .”
EPISTLE – Colossians
3:4-11 (29th Sunday-Forfathers)
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 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.'"
ONE TRAY TODAY
– STEWARDSHIP & VISITORS’ GIFTS
FOR THE RECORD: December
6 (St. Nicholas) Candles $18;
December 10 -Candles $61; Visitor’s Donations $22;
Building Fund $105; Stewardship $535.
Attendance 48. We are grateful to all who support Christ the Savior
Church!
ANOINTING FOR HEALTH AND HEALING
today, following the Divine Liturgy.
DONATION:
Many thanks to Spiro and Cathy Lemonedes who
donated $150 to cover the cost of refurbishing our Altar Gospel Book.
They have given this “For the Health of their Granddaughter Lola
Lemonedes Stam.” We are most grateful!
ABOUT TWO THIRDS of our Christ the Savior Stewards have
returned their 2007 Stewardship Declarations so far.
If you are among the one third
who have not yet sent in your 2007 Stewardship Declaration Cards,
please do so this week. Let’s try to have 100% by the New
Year! Do it today! Many thanks to all who have returned their 2007
Stewardship Declarations already.
HOSPITALIZED: Spring Hill Health and Rehab - Metaxia
Porter, now recuperating at home; Brooksville Healthcare -
Blanche Vratsiotes. Pray for those who are ill.
SHUT-IN COMMUNIONS: Fr. Stanley will begin visiting shut-ins
to administer Christmas Communions this week. If you have not heard from
him by the time you read this notice, please call him to schedule a
visit to your home (796-2377).
THE LADIES SOCIETY MEETING scheduled for today has been
postponed. A new date will be announced shortly.
DECEMBER COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: 12/17 - Dora Halvatzes; 12/24
There will be no Coffee Hour on the day before Christmas to allow for
family gatherings. Please sign up for January Coffee Hours. Thanks to
all!
FAREWELL: In a surprisingly quick time, Stewards Stephen and
Patricia Heuer left Hernando County to their new home in South Carolina,
because of Stephen’s work. Last Sunday our Mission Parish bid them
farewell, offered prayers on their behalf and some were able to have
lunch with them. Their new address for your 2006-2007 Telephone
Directory is:12 Perkins Court, Greer, SC 29561. Stephen’s cell phone
is 352-346-4159.
CALENDAR MEDITATION TOPICS FOR THIS WEEK: Meditate this week on
these “God-Pleasing Character Traits” - Sun. 12/17 - Good
Example; Mon. 12/18 - Avoiding the Wicked; Tues. 12/19 -
Sincerity; Wed. 12/20 - Spirit Led; Thurs. 12/21 -
Steadfastness; Fri. 12/22 - Respect for Authority; Sat. 12/23
- Acceptance of Injuries. Reflect on these topics.
FOOD PANTRY! More canned and boxed foods are needed for the
Christmas distribution. You can help. Bring foodstuffs for the pantry
each Sunday. Thanks!
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD: Kara Hazivasilis, Chair of the
Community Christmas Card informs all that the
Christmas Card is closed. You will receive your card sometime this week.
Thanks all who contributed to this expression of community spirit.
PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM: There will be no P.E.P. sessions on
Friday, Dec. 22, Friday, Dec. 29, or Friday, Jan. 5 due to the Holy
Days. We resume Jan 12, 2007!
SAVE YOUR EMPTY INK CARTRIDGES! Put them in the box in the
Parish Hall.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES: Friday, Dec. 22, 10 am - Service
of the Nativity Hours; Sunday, Dec. 24, Sunday Before Nativity –
10 am. Divine Liturgy; 7:30 pm Great Vespers of the
Nativity, Carol Sing; Monday, Dec. 25, NATIVITY OF CHRIST,
9:30 am Orthros; 10 am DIVINE LITURGY OF THE NATIVITY,
CAROL SING. Honor Christ’s Birth this year by attending Church Services
for Christmas.
CHURCH GARAGE SALE: Start collecting items for our Spring
Church Garage Sale! Bring them to the Church Hall. No clothing or shoes.
Co-Chairs are Harriet Pasisis, Helen Vangel and Gloria Vardakis. A way
to clean out your house and help the church, too!
THE CHRISTMAS PARTY held Saturday, Dec. 9 was a
wonderful success, with many adults and children attending. Santa Claus
made a spectacular visit with presents for every child and even for some
of the St. Katherine Ladies Society Santa’s Helpers! A delicious Pizza
dinner was served, games played, photos taken and Santa (Nick Maroulis)
donated a beautiful giant Christmas Scene balloon (with snow!) for the
Hall. A great family time for all to enjoy. Photos will soon be posted
for all to see.
TODAY’S BULLETIN SPONSORs: fr.
stanley & presbytera emily HAPPY NAMEDAY TO OUR SON SPERO HARAKAS –
DEC. 12!
-----Bulletin Sponsors Needed! – See George Nikas-----
CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
|
COME TO CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS!
Please Correct Your Christmas Program:
Dec.25 Liturgy is at 10:00 A.M.
|
Holy Confession
– Wed, Dec.20 7:30-8:30 pm - Chapel
Home
Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America +
Diocese of Atlanta |
