The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. IV, No. 52 – Sunday, December 25, 2005

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

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE - METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS OF ATLANTA

My dearest members of our Metropolis of Atlanta family,

“Think not, therefore, it is of small things thou art hearing, when thou hearest of this birth, but rouse up thy mind, and straightway tremble, being told that God hath come upon earth.For so marvellous was this, and beyond expectation, that because of these things the very angels formed a choir, and in behalf of the world offered up their praise for them,  and the prophets from the first were amazed at this, that "He was seen upon earth, and conversed with men." Yea, for it is far beyond all thought to hear that God the Unspeakable, the Unutterable, the Incomprehensible, and He that is equal to the Father, hath passed through a virgin's womb, and hath vouchsafed to be born of a woman, and to have Abraham and David for forefathers.”     -St John Chrysostom, Gospel According To St. Matthew, Homily 2

   As we prepare to celebrate our Lord’s Incarnation and the end of a year that was both exciting and challenging, I would like to greet you and to share the joy of our Savior’s blessed Nativity. I glorify our Lord Jesus Christ for blessing me with the great opportunity to serve His faithful of our Holy Metropolis of Atlanta, co-workers in our Lord’s Vineyard, who serve Him and His Holy Church with love and commitment, with zeal and enthusiasm.

   Now we prepare to celebrate the Birth of our Savior, as the Almighty God comes to us in human form, becoming man in order to reconcile us to each other and Himself. In order for this reconciliation, He brought us the gifts of peace and love, as the angels sang at His Birth, “Glory to God in the Highest! And on earth, peace and goodwill to man!” With this message, we understand that He brought us love, so that we might live our lives with love for one another, and with peace in our hearts. Above all, we must strive to promote the spirit of Christian love, understanding, hope and good will to prevail in everything we have undertaken. 

   As we celebrate, I would also ask you to join me in thinking about some questions, so that we may find a personal answer, in relation to our God and the society that we live in. It seems that, despite our Lord’s message of peace and love, today, two thousand years have passed, we are far away from Bethlehem, and we do not see much peace and love among people or in the world.

   My beloved ones, this is the question. Is God responsible for this? Is God responsible for the misery, want and violence we see in our world? Is it His responsibility that we don’t love one another, care for one another, show compassion for the “least of these, our brethren”, as He commanded us? Is God responsible because we have surrounded ourselves with material things, and yet find ourselves still unsatisfied and unhappy? Is God responsible that we have lost our way?

   So the answer to these questions will vary from person to person, depending on our knowledge and experience of God, philosophy, psychology, ideology and religion. Yet we as Orthodox Christians, as Hellenes and philhellenes, know the answer – deep in our hearts, we know! We know, that because we are children of God, because we have a Savior, we are so powerful, and that power, the power of “free will”, has been given to us by Almighty God.  Don’t tell me that a person with free will is not responsible for their actions! So we know that if we are unhappy, if we are appalled by the violence, war and misery in our world, we also know that it is not God who is responsible.

   For this reason, at this holy time, when we celebrate the Birth of God as a human infant, and our Savior, I would like for us all to think and pray about how we can use the wonderful gifts from God, of love and peace in our lives and the lives of those around us.

   During this season of spiritual rejoicing, I pray that you and your loved ones will be blessed with the abundance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the blessings of God the Father and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  A joyous Christmas to all of you, and a New Year abundant in the blessings of joy, prosperity, peace and love, not only in your personal and family life but also in your professional life.

    I remain, with love in our Incarnate Lord, Paternally yours, Metropolitan Alexios                                                                                     

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

Evening Services as Announced

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THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST ACCORDING TO THE FLESH

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn After the Doxology

   (Sung) in Greek by the Leaders “E Gennesis Sou Christe . . .”  Hymnal, 105-106.

   Translation: Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon the world and through the light of wisdom, illumined the universe. And to those who held the stars in worship, did through a star learn to worship You, worship you the Sun of Righteousness and came to know You, the Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord.

  Antiphon, Hymnal, 18: English – Save us O Son of God, Born of A Virgin, we sing to you, Alleluia. Greek – Sos-on emas EE-eh The-ou, oh ek par-theh-nou tech-thees, psal-on-tah see, Allelouia

Gospel Entrance Dismissal Hymn of the Nativity

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“E Gennesis Sou Christe").Hymnal,  105-106

   Priest: From the womb before the morning star have I begotten You. The Lord has sworn and will not repent: You are a priest forever after the order of Melchisedek.

   (Sing) : English – Save us O Son of God, Born of A Virgin, we sing to you, Alleluia.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("From on high did you descend"). Hymnal, 105-106

Kontakion of the Nativity

 (Sung in Greek by the leaders) “E parthenos semeron ton yperousion tikte . . .)

 (Read) On this day the Virgin gives birth / to the Super-essential One. / To the Unapproachable, / earth is providing the grotto. / Angels sing and with the shepherds offer up glory. / Following a star the Magi are still proceeding. / He was born for our salvation, / a newborn Child, / the pre-eternal God.

             Turn to pp. 109-110 of the Hymnal,“Those who have been baptized . . . .”

EPISTLE – Galatians 4:4-7 (Nativity of Jesus Christ in the Flesh) + Brethren, when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir of God through Christ.

   GOSPEL – Matthew 2:1-20 (Nativity of Jesus Christ in the Flesh)  + Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'" Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

  FOR THE RECORD: December 18, 2005 Attendance 41; Stewardship $138; Candles  $74. Building Fund – Charles Chronopoulos, $100; Tyke & Helen Nicolelis $1,000, completing a pledge of $2000 – We are most grateful!.  Fund Raisers: additional for the Garage Sale,  $15 and for the  Shrimp Dinner  $20   Many thanks for the generosity of all!

  SO FAR, 32 STEWARDS have signed their “Declaration of Intention Cards” for 2006. We thank you for your support. If you haven’t yet sent in your Stewardship cards for 2006, please know that your support is needed! Only with the support of all can we continue the work of the Lord at our church. Send in your Stewardship “Declaration of Intention Cards for 2006.”

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Helen Nicolelis 12/25 (Christmas); Gloria Vardakis 1/1/06 (St. Basil – New Year’s Day); Bette Ferierro 1/05 (Fore Feast of Epiphany); George Nikas 1/8; Connie Mourgides 1/15. Presbytera Emily Harakas 1/22; Argiris & Carol Gymnaos 1/29; Fran Triantafilon 2/2 (Presentation of Christ). George Nikas, Prosforon chair will be glad to show you how to bake Prosforon. Call 597-1375.

   BAPTISM: Nicholas, child of Nicole Underwood and Lance Perez, was baptized at Christ the Savior Church on Saturday, Dec. 10. Elaine Underwood was Sponsor and Fr. Jerry Murphy officiated. We pray God’s blessings on the newly baptized, his parents and family.

   DINO ADAMIS CHRISTMAS MEALS: The St. Katherine Ladies Society, assisted by men from the Breakfast Club delivered meals and gifts to thirteen needy families for Christmas on December 20. We will have a report next week.

   COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD: Sincere apologies to Chrysokaty Georgakopulos and Connie & Patricia Pappas, whose names were inadvertently not listed among the parishioners sending greetings. Also apologies to Theona Hatzi for the error in listing her name. Many thanks for your support!

  PARISH ELECTIONS were held last Sunday, Dec. 18, with thirty nine Stewards voting. The following were elected Parish Council Members for 2006-2009: Demetri Hazivasilis, Stephen Heuer, Connie Mourgides, William Pasisis. Supernumerary was Nikolai Kastelan. We thank all who offered their services to the parish as candidates. Thanks also, to the Election Committee members for a fine job: Venice Cosmadelis,  Nanka Kastelan, Cathy Lemonedes, Dee Nikas and Gloria Zahka. The names will now be submitted to the Metropolis for ratification, after which the swearing in and election of officers for 2006 will take place.

   HOSPITALIZED: Brooksville Regional: Eleni Roussos, now recovering at home.

   POINSETTIA PLANTS: Twenty four beautiful poinsettia plants were donated for the decoration of our church during the Nativity and Epiphany seasons. Chairperson Nanka Kastelan informs us of the donors: Electra Butcher, Venice Cosmadelis; Bette Ferriero, Dora Halvatzes; Theona Hatzi,  Presbytera Emily Harakas, Ruby Hazivasilis, Patricia Heuer, Janice Jabbour, Cathy Lemonedes, Fran Mather, Carmen Moshonisiotis, Connie Mourgides, Helen Nicolelis, Nanka Kastelan, Dee Nikas, Patricia Pappas, Harriet Pasisis, Emily Thomas, Fran Triantafilon, Pat Tsausis, Helen Vangel, Stacy & Elaine Underwood, Gloria Zahka. Many thanks! You can pick up your plants after church on Sunday, January 8, 2006.

SPECIAL THANKS to all Stewards and Friends of Christ the Savior church who participated in the “Angel Tree Project” providing Christmas gifts for the children of the families we assist. Did you see all the beautiful packages under the tree in the Parish Hall? Thanks to Betty Roussos for chairing this event once again this year!

 EPIPHANY AT CHRIST THE SAVIOR: At the suggestion of the Metropolis, our local observance of Epiphany will be postponed to Sunday, January 8, 2006 when the Greater Water Blessing will be held. This is in addition to the Lesser Water Blessing conducted on the day before Epiphany, January 5. Plan to attend. If  you want Fr. Stanley to come to your home or business to bless it, please call him at 796-2377.

  INVITATION: Christ the Savior parishioners are invited to the Great Vespers of St. John the Baptist, on Friday, January 6 at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa (2418 Swann Ave., Tampa, FL. On Saturday, Jan. 7 Liturgy is at 10 a.m.

  APPROVED TRANSLATIONS of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer have been received from the Holy Eparchial Synod and Archbishop Demetrios. These new translations will be incorporated into our worship as soon as possible. In a short time, copies will also be provided for your personal use at home.

COME TO CHURCH!

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

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