The Orthodox Messenger 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 SOME HYMNS FROM THE SERVICES OF CHRISTMAS From the Great Vespers
ticheron”: “O Christ our God, Your Kingdom is eternal and Your dominion from generation to generation. You have become incarnate of the Holy Spirit, being made Man through the ever-virgin Mary. Your coming, O Christ, has shed upon us a great light, O You Light of Light and Radiance of the Father! You have illumined the whole creation. Wherefore everything that breathes sings to You a hymn of praise., O Image of the Father’s glory, eternal God, existing before all ages, who shown forth from the Virgin! O Lord, glory to You!” “Stichera”: “O Christ, what shall we offer You for Your coming on earth as a Human Being 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 God who is from all eternity, have mercy on us!” From the Orthros Canon, Ode 9: “Magnify, O my soul, the Virgin more glorious than the heavenly Powers. Behold a strange and wonderful Mystery: the cave is heaven, the Virgin a Cherubic throne, the manger a noble place where reposes Christ the Uncontainable God. Let us praise and magnify Him!” “Doxastikon”: “Today Christ is born of the Virgin in Bethlehem of Judah. Today is the beginning of the One who always existed; today the Word becomes flesh! The powers of heaven rejoice, the earth and all humanity dance with glee, the Magi offer gifts and the shepherds shout in amazement. As for us, we cry out with untiring voices, ‘Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will among men!” Dismissal Hymn: “Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn from it to worship You, O Sun of righteousness, and to know that from the east of the Highest, You came O Lord, glory to You!” MAY YOU AND YOURS HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am. Evening Services as Announced Saints: The Genealogy of Christ; Boniface, Martyr (+290); Ares (+308); Eutychios, Martyr; Thessalonike, Martyr; Aglaia the Roman; Gregentios of Ethiopia (+552); Tryphon the Martyr; Elias the Wonderworker of Kiev. Sunday Before the Nativity of ChristGospel Entrance Hymns 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 Ancestors of Christ (Read) Magnificent are Faith’s accomplishments! / The three holy Youths / exultingly stood in the fountain of fire / as if beside the still waters of rest. / And Daniel the Prophet / was shown to be / a shepherd of lions. / At their entreaty, / O Christ God, / save our souls. Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See sheet in the pew). 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. Return to a page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel ReadingsEPISTLE – Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40 (Pre-Nativity)
rethren, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. GOSPEL – Matthew 1:1-25 (Pre-Nativity)
he
book of the Genealogy of
Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was
the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob
the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of
Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and
Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and
Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of
Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the
father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse
the father of David the king. And David was the father of
Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa,
and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of
Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of
Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of
Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the
father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the
father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the
deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon:
Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father
of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the
father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the
father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the
father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar
the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and
Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus
was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from
Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to
the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the
deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
SUNDAY SERVICES FROM TODAY ON WILL BE HELD IN OUR NEWLY REMODELED CHURCH (the former “Fellowship Hall”). Not everything is finished, most notably, the rug for the Altar Area, and many other minor details are still to be completed. But, from now on, we will be conducting regular services in “The Church.” Our December 24 Christmas Services will be conducted in “The Church.” Weekday Liturgies, Baptisms, Weddings, Lenten Services, occasional worship, and some meetings will be in “The Chapel.” Social Events, Parish Educational Programs, and Fund-Raisers will be in “The Parish Hall.” We thank those who donated various liturgical and items, and those who labored to prepare our new house of worship. Attend Church Regularly! THOMAS BAPTISM: On Saturday, December 11, 2004 the son of Achilles and Evangelia Thomas was baptized at Christ the Savior Church, and named Evangelos (Evan). Sponsors were Renee Mavros, Georgia Legakis, and Athena Skandalaris. We pray “Many Years” to all! THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH will be regularly observed as “Anointing For Health and Healing Sunday.” The prayers for the Blessing of the Prayer Oil and Anointing will be read over the oil lamp and then all will come forward for the anointing at the end of the Divine Liturgy. We will begin today. HOSPITALIZED at Oak Hill Hospital, Connie Mourgides, Lynn Hammer. We pray for their rapid recovery! PARISH COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS Election Committee Members, Nikolai Kastelan, Chair, Cathy Lemonedes and Venice Cosmadelis, announce that of the six candidates for three year terms to the Parish Council the four persons elected to the class of 2007 were Seraphim Ferriero, George Nikas, Dorothy Triantafilon and Gloria Vardakis. Congratulations! Many thanks to Maria Angeliadis and Constantine Pappas who graciously offered their candidacies. May God bless you all! PAVE IT! DRIVE Contributions so far: $7097. Still Needed: $521. Please help us conclude this drive before the end of the year. Consider giving again, or give for the first time. We all agree that the paving of Olympic Village Lane was a blessing. Help conclude this drive by December 31. Thank you! 2005 Stewardship Declarations Thanks to You If You Have Given In Your Stewardship Cards!If Not Yet, Please Send Them As Soon As You Can. Thank You! SACRAMENT OF HOLY CONFESSION: Wednesday, December 22, 7-9 p.m. Also, by appointment. Call Fr. Stanley at 688-2382. CHRISTMAS COMMUNIONS: Fr. Harakas has been contacting shut-ins to arrange for Christmas Communion at home. If you are a shut-in you are asked to contact Fr. Stanley to make arrangements for receiving Holy Communion for Christmas. 688-2382. PROSFORON BAKERS: George Nikas 12/19; Connie Mourgides 12/24 (Christmas); Gloria Vardakis 12/26; Bette Ferriero (New Year) 1/1/05; Argyris & Carol Gymnaos 1/2/05; Patricia Lilore 1/9/05; Fran Triantafilon 1/16; Fran Mather 1/23; Helen Nicolelis 1/30; Presbytera Emily Harakas 2/2 (Presentation of Christ). George Nikas is Chair. NO P.E.P.-1 Friday, December 24 (Christmas) or Friday, December 31 (New Year’s). Our next session will be on Friday, January 7, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to give gifts and donations of food for our distribution to the 12 families and 53 children we seek to help at the Christmas season. See Spiro Lemonedes or George Nikas today, to help in this worthy endeavor. Our “Santa’s Helpers” will be delivering the Christmas Baskets and Gifts this Tuesday, December 21.
CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! Friday, Dec. 24, 2004 10:00 a.m. Service of the Nativity Hours 4:30 p.m. The Nativity Orthros 5:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy of the Nativity Followed by Christmas Program With Carols BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED for all of January, 2005. To reserve your sponsor- ship, call Connie Mourgides at 686-0589. Only $25. HELPERS AT OUR FRESH GULF SHRIMP LUNCHEON held on Sunday, Dec. 5 were Venice Cosmadelis, Demetri Hazivasilis, Nikolai & Nanka Kastelan, Cathy Lemonides, Steve & Connie Mourgides, Tyke & Helen Nicolelis, George & Dee Nikas, Connie Pappas, Bill & Harriet Pasisis, Emily Thomas, Mike & Fran Triantafilon, Stacy Underwood, Gloria Vardakis, Ed & Gloria Zahka. Again, thanks to Capt. John Saittis for the Shrimp, Yanni Kotsifakis for cooking the orzo & sauce, and Chairpersons of the event were Dora Halvatzes and Bette Ferriero. Fund Raising Chairperson of the Parish Council is Betty Roussos. A social and financial success! Thanks to all! NEW PROCEDURE FOR GIVING STARTING JANUARY, 2005: Beginning in 2005, we will no longer be passing a regular collection tray for the support of Christ the Savior Church during the Divine Liturgy. Nor will be raising money during the Coffee Hour. Our Stewardship of Treasure Declaration of Intention for 2005 should include these two giving items. Please note these changes: On the 1st, 3rd and 5th (if there is one) Sundays of each month NO OFFERING TRAYS WILL BE PASSED DURING THE DIVINE LITURGY. But on the 2nd Sunday of each month a tray for the BUILDING FUND will be circulated at the Divine Liturgy. Also, on the 4th Sunday of each month, a tray for the DINO ADAMIS PHILANTHROPIC FUND will be passed by the women of the “St. Katherine Ladies Society.” A separate notice will be posted each Sunday at the Candle Stand. Thank you for your cooperation. NEW PROCEDURE UPON ENTERING THE CHURCH: Starting January, 2005 when you enter “The Church” there will be three offering trays at the Candle Stand. The first is for Stewardship Offerings (in envelopes, for privacy); the second is for Visitors Contributions; and the third is for your Candle Donation. Thank you for your support! SUMMARY OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Dec. 8, 2004, chaired by Parish Council President Paul Cosmadelis: Recording Secretary Theodore Halvatzes read the minutes of the previous meeting. Membership: William Pasisis, Membership Chair, reported that for 2004 we had 78 Stewards. It was voted to publish an “Honor Roll of 2004 Stewards” in the Orthodox Messenger. We lost six Stewards from the previous year, and gained 21 new Stewards for 2004. Facilities and Grounds: George Nikas, Facilities and Grounds Chair reported on repairs. It was voted to authorize Parish Council member Demetri Hazivasilis and crew to proceed with the paving of a walkway from the Gazebo to the Office, so that it will be easier after Services to get to “the Parish Hall.” Community Relations: Spiro Lemonedes reported on the Thanksgiving and Christmas distribution of food and gifts. Fund Raising: Regarding Fund Raising it was agreed to authorize Bette Ferriero and Dora Halvatzes to distribute flyers of the “Sue Bonnet Sue” Quilt made by Fran Mather, to benefit our Church treasury. The goal is to raise $600. Planning and Development: George Nikas, chair of Planning and Development led a discussion on the plans for our new Church, subject to a decision by the General Assembly of the Parish to continue offering our property for sale in 2005. Nikolai Kastelan reported that there are several active inquiries about the sale of the property at this time. It was voted to hold a Special General Assembly on Sunday, January 23, 2005 following the Divine Liturgy on this topic only, to extend the authorization to sell the church’s property for one year, to January 31, 2006. Philanthropy: It was voted to contribute to a fund for the support of Hernando County military families at Christmas. Church Renovation: A report was made on the progress of converting the Fellowship Hall into our new Church. Elections: Tyke Nicolelis reported on the results of the election. The results will be submitted to the Metropolis for ratification. THIS WEEK’S BULLETIN SPONSOR: WILLIAM & OLGA EUGENIDES In Memory of Our Beloved Father & Father-In-Law Apostolos Eugenides
CHRIST THE SAVIORGREEK ORTHODOX CHURCHP.O. BOX 5566 SPRING HILL, FL 34611 “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”
CHRISTMAS SERVICES FRIDAY, DEC. 24 -10 A.M. NATIVITY HOURS - 4:30 P.M. ORTHROS - 5:00 P.M. DIVINE LITURGY & PROGRAM
All Services in “The Church”
|