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The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. VI, No. 51 – Sunday, December 23, 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
Fr. Stanley S.
Harakas, Th.D.,D.D. (352) 796-2377; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax
(352-796-9081)
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did
you know
that your baby boy has come to make us new?
This child
that you’ve delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know
that your
baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know
that your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did
you know
that your
baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And
when you kiss
your little baby, you kiss the face of God?
The
blind will see
The
deaf will hear
The
dead will live again
The
lame will leap
The
dumb will speak
the praises of the Father’s Son.
Mary, did you know
that your baby is the Lord of all nations?
Mary, did you know
that your
baby is the Heavenly Father’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child
you’re holding is the Great “I Am.”
(REVISED)
May the true joy of the Nativity of Christ Inspire You This Coming Year!
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: The Ten Martyrs of Crete (+250); Neomartyr
Nicholas; Righteous Naoum, Wonderworker of Ochrid (900-950); Paul,
Archbp. of Neocaesaria (4th c.).
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PRE-NATIVITY SUNDAY: THE GENEOLOGY
GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS
Dismissal Hymn of the
Resurrection - 1st Plagal Tone
(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) "Ton synanarchon logon
" Hymnal, 85-86.
(Sing in English after the Entrance) "The Eternal Word" (Same).
Dismissal Hymn of the Pre-Feast of Christmas
(Read) Bethlehem, make ready, / for Eden has been opened for
all; / Ephrata, be alert, / for the Tree of Life has blossomed forth /
from the Virgin in the cave. / Her womb has become a spiritual paradise
/ wherein the divine Fruit was planted – and if we eat of it, we shall
live and not die like Adam. / Christ is coming forth to bring back to
life / the likeness that had been lost in the beginning.
Troparion of the Pre-Feast of the Nativity
(Read) Great are the accomplishments of faith; / for
the three holy youths / rejoiced in the fountain of flames, for You are
the waters of rest. / And the Prophet Daniel / appeared as a shepherd to
the lions / as though they were sheep. / Wherefore, by their prayers, /
O Christ God, / have mercy upon us!
Kontakion of the Pre-Feast of the Nativity
Sung in Greek by the Leader “E Parthenos Semeron ton
Proaionion Logon . . .”
(Read) Today the Virgin is on her way to the cave / where she
will give birth / in a manner beyond understanding / to the Word who
exists in all eternity. / Rejoice, therefore, universe, / when you hear
it heralded. With the angels and shepherds, glorify Him who chose to be
seen / as a new-born Babe, / while remaining God in all eternity.
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 – Hebrews
11:9-10, 32-40 (Pre-Nativity) BRETHREN, 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) The 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. Now the birth of Jesus
Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed
to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of
the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling
to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he
considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a
dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your
wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will
bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his
people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord
had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a
son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us).
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded
him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and
he called his name Jesus.
FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, December 16: Candles $80;
Visitors’ Donations $59; Stewardship 2007 $1,090; Stewardship
2008 $385; Attendance 68; Coffee Hour Free Will Basket 12/9 $20;
Coffee Hour Free Will Basket 12/16 $44; Christmas Offerings $160;
Christmas Card $50. Many thanks to all for your support!
BAPTISM: Following an extensive period of instruction Airien
Bryan was baptized and chrismated a member of the Orthodox Church
following church services last Sunday, December 16, receiving the name
Irene. Her God-Parents were Filio Koulouvaris, Kalliope
Koulouvaris and Emily Thomas. The Sponsors offered a delicious Lenten
meal to all in attendance following the Divine Liturgy. We pray “Many
Years!”
Two Trays Today: 1) Stewardship
Offering and Visitors Donations;
2) Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund
NEW 2007 STEWARDS – Stavros and Kathy Zoumberos. They are
already listed in the 2006-2007 Parish Telephone Directory.
Welcome!
HOSPITALIZED:
Oak Hill:
Presbytera Mary Liadis. We pray for a rapid
recovery!
COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS FOR DECEMBER:
12/23 Helen Arvanitis; 12/30 Carol Gymnaos & Kanella Hantzis. Please do
your share! Take your turn!
YOUR 2008 CHURCH CALENEDAR will be distributed today after
church at the entrance of the church. All envelopes will contain the
calendar. Stewards will also receive a copy of the recently approved
Christ the Savior By-Laws, and also some souvenir photos of the October
20-21 Ground-Breaking Events. Please be patient as they are distributed.
We recommend that you do not open the envelope until you get home.
THE CHRISTMAS FOOD AND GIFT DISTRIBUTION: St. Katherine’s
Society thanks the following volunteers for their participation in the
food and gift program for the needy of Hernando County. For purchasing
and packing the food: Presbytera Emily, Nikolai & Nanka Kastelan, Paul &
Venice Cosmadelis. For purchasing and wrapping the Christmas gifts:
Presbytera Emily, Venice Cosmadelis, Nanka Kastelan and Harriet Pasisis.
For getting the list of those in need and handling the pick up and
delivery, Carol Gymnaos. Venice Cosmadelis, Chair. Many thanks to all
who donated food and gifts!
PROSFORON BAKERS: 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.
PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD
ADDITIONS
Stavros & Kathy
Zoumberos South Capital Construction
George & Stacy
Angeliadis Gregory & Maria Angeliadis
JUST A FEW
Poinsettia Plants remain to be donated! You can donate a plant for $10
to help decorate our church for Christmas. After Epiphany, you can take
your Poinsettia home! Thank you for supporting this fund-raiser!
NEXT WEEK a report of the Parish Council Meeting held this
past Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007 will be published in the Bulletin.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES: Honor the Birth of Christ! Come to one of two
Christmas Services to be held at Christ the Savior Church. Tomorrow,
Monday, December 24, Hours and Orthros -9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10
a.m. and Christmas Day, Tuesday, December25, Orthros 9:30 a.m.,
Divine Liturgy 10 a.m. Carol Sing follows both services.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT – 15
The Building
Committee consisting of Co-Chairs Paul Cosmadelis and Nikolai
Kastelan, & members Ellen Atwood, Charles Chronopoulos, Nicholas
Maroulis, William Pasisis, together with Parish Council President
Gloria Vardakis and Fr. Stanley Harakas, were called to a meeting on
Thursday, Dec.13, 2007. Topics of discussed were the following:
Financial Report:
Discussed was
the anonymous donation for $46,125.65 for the fourteen church
furniture items and the pews. The Committee expressed its deep
appreciation for the gift through a letter to the donor. Building
Fund collections so far this year are $1,568. The Building Fund
paid the Hernando County Taxes on the Anderson Snow Road
property in the amount of $2123.22 billed to the church as a result
of the transfer of the property this year.
Building Removal:
The Building
Committee is working together with the new owners of the Olympic
Village Lane property to remove twelve structures. The contract for
the Asbestos Survey has been completed. Negotiations on the cost of
the actual removal are in process. It is anticipated that the
buildings will be removed early in 2008.
Permits:
South Capital Construction Co., our church / hall builder, has
received the “Swiftmud” construction permit. They will soon receive
the Environmental Protection Agency permit. Work is in progress for
the various Hernando County permits. Once all permits are received
construction will begin.
Cornerstone
Committee:
Anticipating a late January to mid-February beginning of
construction, a Cornerstone Committee has been established,
consisting of Niko Maroulis and Ellen Atwood, Co-Chairs, who will be
soliciting volunteers to work on the Cornerstone Committee, as well
as suggestions of what might be placed in the cornerstone. If you
want to help, please speak to Niko or Ellen.
Contract For
Liability Insurance:
In accordance with the building contract, the Building Committee has
purchased a one year Builders Liability Insurance Policy at a cost
of $2,336.84, beginning January 1, 2008.
Keeping All
Up-To-Date:
Though the Building Committee is responsible to the Parish Assembly,
it tries to regularly inform the Parish Council and the Parishioners
of its work. If you have questions, please contact either of the
co-chairs.
YES, YOU CAN! You can sponsor an issue of The Orthodox
Messenger together with a short message. The donation of $25
supports the printing, distribution and mailing of the bulletin to
up to 145 households. Send your donation and your message to our
Treasurer, Curtis Thomas, 1593 Fayetteville Drive, Spring Hill, FL.
We need a sponsor for next week.
EPIPHANY 2008: This year, the feast of the Baptism of Christ,
Epiphany, or “Theophania” falls on a Sunday. We normally do not have
Epiphany Services at Christ the Savior Church because the Priest and
Parishioners are invited to participate in the Hierarchical Divine
Liturgy conducted by Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Alexios. This
year we will conduct the services exclusively at Christ the Savior
Church. We will have the Divine Liturgy with the “Lesser Water Blessing
Service” on Saturday, January 5, 2008 and the Divine Liturgy with
the “Greater Water Blessing Service” on Sunday, January 6, 2008.
2nd ANNUAL GREEK CULTURAL CRUISE sponsored by our
neighboring Greek Orthodox Mission of Ocala, FL. Join this night day
special cruise of the Western Caribbean of Greek music, dance, Greek
food, lectures, religious discussions and exciting private functions
aboard the “Costa Mediterranean” Cruise is February 23 to March 1, 2008.
For reservations and information call TravelGroup International at
1-561-447-0750 or toll free 1-866-447-0750. Email:
opacruise@travelgroupint.com .
BULLETIN SPONSORS:
Dr. Marios & Ourania
Stephanides
We wish growth and
abundance for this wonderful community!
START THE
NEW YEAR RIGHT! COME TO CHURCH REGULARLY DURING THE NEW YEAR 2008!
CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Day Before Nativity -
Monday, Dec. 24
Hours & Orthros 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.
Carol Sing
Christmas Day -
Tuesday, Dec.25
Orthros -9:30 am,
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
Sanctify Christmas! Come to Church!
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