The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. II, No. 51 – Sunday, December 28, 2003

EPIPHANY AND ECOLOGY

   On January 5 and 6 our Church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany is the remembrance of Christ's Baptism in the river Jordan by St. John the Baptist. The Gospel of Mark describes how it happened: "In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, 'Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased'" (Mark 1:9-11).

   The most important and obvious teaching that comes from this event is that God appears for the first time in all clarity as a divine Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Another teaching arising from the Baptism of Christ in the waters of the Jordan River has to do with the sanctification of creation. Ordinary water becomes a means of revelation.

   Unlike science, which speaks of nature, the Church speaks of creation. Creation implies a Creator. Originally, the Bible tells us that the creation "was very good" (Genesis 1:31). But with the appearance of sin, together with us humans, the whole of creation was distorted. We do not romanticize nature as if it were perfect and whole. St. Paul said it dramatically: "We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit. . . . For in this hope we were saved." (Romans 8:22-24). 

   Two very important conclusions flow from this passage. First, salvation and redemption are directed to both humanity and the rest of the creation. Secondly, both the creation and human beings are closely related in sharing in the fulfillment of our natures as defined by God.

God's purpose is the sanctification of the whole of creation. For the Orthodox Church, God sanctifies humanity and the creation together.

   This means that God loves the creation and wants us to care for it. It is to be preserved, not polluted. That is why Patriarch Bartholomew declared that the destruction of the environment is a sin at an environmental interfaith conference in Santa Barbara, CA in 1991.

   For us Orthodox Christians, the service of the blessing of the waters in the Epiphany observance is also a moral imperative. We should not contribute to environmental destruction, but rather, we should work to restore and protect God's creation.

         
Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

Evening Services as Announced

sunday after christmas

Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes
 

Dismissal Hymn - 3rd  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Efrainestho ta Ourania"). Hymnal,  83-84.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance)"Let all things rejoice"). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of Christmas

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("E genesis sou Christe o Theos emon").Hymnal,  105-106.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("Your Birth O Christ our God"). Hymnal, 105-106

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ - (Sing) From the sheet in the pew.

   (Text): “Hail, O Mother of God, Virgin full of Grace. Through you did arise the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. And you made glad righteous Elder Simeon, receiving and embracing the liberation of our souls; also giving to us the resurrection.”

Dismissal Hymn of St. Joseph

   (Read) Announce the miracles to David / the ancestor of God, / O Joseph. / You saw the Virgin pregnant. / You glorified with the shepherds. / You worshipped with the Magi. / And you were warned by an Angel. / Entreat Christ God / that our souls be saved.

Kontakion of Christmas

   (Sung in Greek by the leaders) “E parthenos semeron ton yperousion tiktei”

   (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.

   EPISTLE –Galatians 1:11-19 (Post-Nativity) + Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I do up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.

  GOSPEL – Matthew 2:13-23 (Post-Nativity)  + When the wise men departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son." Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more." But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaos reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

    MISSION COUNCIL OATH OF OFFICE: The Metropolis has approved the newly elected Mission Council members, Demetri Hazivasilis, Nick Kastelan, Spero Lemonedes, Tyke Nicolelis, Dorothy Triantafilon, and John Tsausis. Together with them, the ongoing members, Paul Cosmadelis, Dora Halvatzis, John Hatzi, Connie Mourgides, George Nikas, William Pasisis, will take the oath of office following the Divine Liturgy today. Immediately following, the Council will meet to select its officers. It has been decided that the monthly meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Congratulations!

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, December 21, 2003: Attendance - 45; Candles - $62; Offering - $173; Building Fund (Dec. 14) -$118. Thank you!

    NOTICE!! Spero Lemonedes, our treasurer says please continue to make checks payable to Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County (HOMHC) until further notice.

   P.E.P CLASS: Friday, January 3, 2004. We will continue our study of the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verses 1-30. Make a New Year’s resolution to attend the P.E.P. Class

   FEASTS OF THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST AND OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT: Thursday, January 1, 9:30 a.m. Orthros and 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil.

   DID YOU FORGET? It’s time to send in your Stewardship cards! If you did, thank you very much. If you haven’t sent your Stewardship cards in as yet, please do as soon as you can!

    BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED FOR 2004! Starting in January 2004, the contribution to sponsor an issue of the Orthodox Messenger will be $25 per issue. Please help! See Connie Mourgides to reserve a Sunday.

   CLEANING UP: Would you be willing to help clean our facilities at a time and day convenient for you? To volunteer please see or call George Nikas at 352-597-1375.

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Emily Thomas 12/28; George and Maria Angeliades (New Prosforon Bakers! Welcome!) (St. Basil)1/1/2004. Fran Mather 1/4/2004; Gloria Vardakis (Day Before Epiphany)1/5; Connie Mourgides 1/11; Bette Ferriero 1/18; Presbytera Emily  1/25; George Nikas 2/1; Patricia Lilore 2/2 (Presentation of Christ); Eleni Nicolelis 2/8; Betty Roussos 2/15; Venice Cosmadelis 2/22 (Sunday of Orthodoxy). Many thanks!

   ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY: Anniversaries: Paul & Angie Maniates 1/4; Gregory & Maria Angeliades 1/13; George & Stacey Angeliadis. Birthdays: John Tsausis 1/3; Theona Hatzi 1/6; John Halvatzes 1/10; George Nikas 1/12; Fr. Stanley Harakas 1/13; Tony Vardakis 1/13; William Pasisis 1/15; William Hazivasilis 1/18; Helen Vangel 1/20; Fr. Gerasimos Murphy 1/29; Clark Brown 1/29; Beverly Hall 1/31. Blessings! 

   A HAND MADE GREEK CROSS was crafted by John Halvatzes and finished by Dora Halvatzes and Betty Ferriero for use in our services. We are very grateful! Many thanks!                 

Come To Church Regularly!

 

Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church

P.O. Box 5566

Spring Hill, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

                

St. Basil – Thursday, January 1, 2004

Orthros – 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – 10:00 a.m.