The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VI, No. 52 – Sunday, December 30, 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

A MESSAGE FOR THE NEW YEAR - the Gift of Forgiveness
Adapted from an article by Fr.  Constantine Alecse

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do"  (Luke 23:24)
 

     Forgiveness of sins is one of the great themes of the Bible. There is so much that scripture says about it that it would take volumes of books to adequately deal with the subject. It will suffice to say that the blood of Jesus is what provided us with forgiveness of sins. That sacrifice was so great that it outweighed all our sins. It covered all the sins of the world-past, present, and future.

      The forgiveness of our sins is not the ultimate goal of our salvation. It is just a necessary step. The real goal of salvation is relationship with the Father and sin is a barrier to that relationship. So, it had to be dealt with, and it was, through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and His victory over Death, sin, evil and the demonic through His life-giving Resurrection.. But those who stop with the forgiveness of sins past are missing the heart of salvation. The Lord forgives us so that we may enter into intimacy with the God.

      From the riches of God's grace that have received forgiveness for our sins. We obtain forgiveness by humbling ourselves, asking for, and receiving forgiveness from Christ: “Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent” (Rev. 3:19).

    There are, however, two conditions for continuing to receive forgiveness from God for our sins committed after Baptism. The first is that we should offer heartfelt repentance for things we have thought, said and done that separate us from God. We should do that daily in our prayers (“. . . and forgive us our trespasses”). To be assured of the Lord’s forgiveness, we should take Him up on His invitation to confess our sins in the Sacrament of Confession (“. . . whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven” said to the Apostles and their successors). The second condition is that we forgive those who have harmed us in any way (“. . . and forgive us our trespasses and we forgive those who trespass against us”) Our sins cannot be forgiven if we do not forgive others their sins against us.

May 2008 be a year of seeking, giving, accepting and rejoicing in forgiveness,
In 2008 . . .

   "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24)

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

Today’s Saints: Joseph the Betrothed, David, the Prophet, and James the Brother of the Lord; Anysia, Martyr of Thessalonika (+298); Philetairos, Martyr (+311); Theodora of Caesaria (+781); Righteous Leon; Neomartyr Gideon the Younger of Tyrnavo.

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POST-NATIVITY SUNDAY

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

     Dismissal Hymn of Christmas sung in Greek “E Ghennis sou Christe”  by the Leader before the Entrance, Hymnal, 105-106.

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

 Dismissal Hymn of Joseph, David, James

   (Read) Proclaim, O Joseph, / to David, the forefather of God, / the amazing wonders; / for you have seen a Virgin great with child. / With the shepherd you gave glory, / with the Magi you did worship, / and by the angel it was revealed to you. / Therefore, we ask, / pray to Christ God / to save our souls.

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

Kontakion of Christmas

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

Return to p. 26 of the Hymnal, to sing “Holy 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 go 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."

  FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, December 23:  Candles $73; Visitors’ Donations $101; Stewardship 2007 $1,090;  Stewardship 2007 $250; Stewardship 2008 $295; Attendance 54; Coffee Hour Free Will Basket $9; Christmas Offerings $235; Christmas Card $25. Many thanks to all for your support!

One Tray Today: Stewardship Offering and Visitors Donations

  TRISAGION: Stewards John and Fay Demetriades have requested that a Trisagion be offered today on behalf of their dearly departed family members and friends. Please join in the prayers offered today. May their memories be eternal! 

  COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS FOR DECEMBER AND JANUARY: 12/30 Carol Gymnaos & Kanella Hantzis; Harriet Pasisis 1/6/08; Vasilopita - Skevy Larson & Venice Cosmadelis; Elaine Underwood & Gloria Vardakis 1/20; Spaghetti Dinner – Diane Covington & Emily Thomas.  Please do your share! Take your turn!

   YOUR 2008 CHURCH CALENDAR will be distributed today after services at the entrance of the church. All envelopes will contain your 2008 church calendar. Stewards will also receive a copy of the recently approved Christ the Savior By-Laws, and also some souvenir photos of the Ground-Breaking Events. Please be patient as they are distributed.

   DECEMBER NAME DAY BLESSINGS: Stacy Angeliadis 12/22;  Christos Arvanitis 12/25; David Covington 12/30; Anastasia Feola 12/22; Seraphim Ferriero 12/4; Chrysokaty Georgacopulos 12/25; Nicholas Gymnaos 12/6; Daniel Hazivasilis 12/17; Nicholas Hazivasilis 12/6; Donna Hodas 12/3 Nikolai Kastelan 12/6; Nicole Knowlton 12/6; Christian Knowlton 12/25; Spiro Lemonedes 12/12; Niko Maroulis 12/6; Nicholas Narverud 12/6; Nicholas Skaroulis 12/6; Curtis Emmanuel Thomas 12/25; Stacey Underwood 12/22; Nicole Underwood 12/6; Nicholas Underwood 12/6. Many Years!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Argiri & Carol Gymnaos 12/30; Venice Cosmadelis 1/06;  Frances Porter 1/13; Presbytera Emily Harakas 1/20. Become a Prosforon Baker! The recipe is simple. To offer to bake or to volunteer to chair the Prosforon Bakers, call Fr. Stanley! 796-2377.

   POINSETTIA DONORS: Many thanks to the following who donated to the St. Katherine Ladies Society for the beautiful Poinsettia Flowers that decorated our church for the Christmas season. Those who donated the flowers may pick up their plants following Church Services today or after the Liturgy January 1, 2008. We thank Christos & Helene Arvanitis;  Paul & Venice Cosmadelis; Geraldine Council; David & Diane Covington (2); William & Olga Eugenides; Thomas & Betty Frangos; Chrysokaty Georgopulos; Fr. Stanley & Presbytera Emily Harakas (2), Nikolai & Nanka Kastelan; Paul & Angie Maniates;  Fr. Bill Mattis; Fr. Jerry Murphy; Dr. Marios & Ourania Stephanides (2); Curtis & Emily Thomas; John & Patricia Tsausis; Elaine Underwood; William & Denise Zotto. Thank you! Our church was beautifully decorated for Christmas!

   ACHILLES THOMAS, the proprietor of Spring Hill Singles.com has informed us that the website is now donating 100% of its proceeds to the Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund. The St. Katherine Ladies Society thanks Achilles for his generous support!

   CHRISTMAS PARTY! Many thanks to all who contributed to a very joyous (and hilariously noisy) Parish-Wide Christmas party on Friday, December 21. A St. Katherine Ladies Society sponsored event, it was very well attended with both adults and children, together with the guest of honor, Santa Clause (Bill Pasisis). Fun and a good time was had by all! A joyous time was had by all. See photos in this issue.

STEWARDSHIP 2008! SEND IN YOUR DECLARATION CARDS TODAY!

   IN APPRECIATION: With the end of 2007, the Presidency and term of office of Gloria Vardakis, our whole parish extends thanks and gratitude to her for her service a Parish Council President during this past year which was a difficult period in the life of Christ the Savior Church. Gloria maintained a steady hand on the helm of the Parish Council, made every effort to attend every committee meeting as well as the meetings of the Building Committee. Christ the Savior Church is indebted to her for her faithful and committed leadership. Many thanks Gloria! May the Lord bless you in the future!

JANUARY, 2008 – CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CHRIST THE SAVIOR GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA

 1 – Tu – Circumcision of Christ, St. Basil, Orthros 9:30 am, D. Liturgy & Doxology -10:00 am

 2 – We – Fast Day

 4 – Fr –   Fast Day

                Parish Educational Program, Liturgical Topic – The Epiphany Services -2:00 pm           

 5 – Sa – Eve of Epiphany, Orthros 9:30 am, D. Liturgy and Lesser Water Blessing -10:00 am

 6 – Su – Epiphany, Orthros 9:30 am, D. Liturgy and Greater Water Blessing -10:00 am

                Swearing in of 2008 Parish Council; First Parish Council Meeting of 2008.

 7 – Mo – Education Committee, 10 am

 8 – Tu –  ? Parish Council Meeting, 7:00 pm ?

 9 – We – Fast Day

10 - Th – ? Building Committee, 10:30 am ?           

11 – Fr – Fast Day

                 Parish Educational Program, New Testament Passage -2  James 2 -2:00 pm

13 – Su – Sunday After Epiphany, Orthros 9:30 am, D. Liturgy 10:00 am

                 Annual Vasilopita and Pot Luck Luncheon (Bring your favorite dish) to benefit

                 St. Basil’s Academy, our church’s child-care facility

16 – We – Fast Day

17 – Th – ? Building Committee, 10:30 am ?

18 – Fr –   Fast Day

                 Parish Educational Program, Book -3 Living the Liturgy, Ch. 3 “Living the Liturgy”

19 – Sa -  Wedding of Harisis Manolis & Christine Thomas,

                  St. Andrew’s Church in West Palm Beach, FL

20 – Su – Sunday of the Ten Lepers, Orthros 9:30 am, D. Liturgy 10:00 am

23 – We – Fast Day

24 – Th –  ?Building Committee 10:30 am.?

­­­25 – Fr –  Fast Day

                 Parish Educational Program, Old Testament -3 Vesper Psalm 142 (143) 2:00 pm

27 – Su – Sunday of Zacchaeus, Orthros 9:30 am, D. Liturgy 10:00 am.

30 – We – Fast Day

---------------------Looking Ahead to February, 2008-------------------------

 1 – Fr – Fast Day

               Parish Education Program Video – 3  From Christ to Constantine: c) Accusations 2:00 pm

               Presentation of Christ Vespers 4:00 pm – Followed by Reception   

 2 – Sa -  Parish Feast Day – The Presentation of Christ at the Temple

                Orthros 9:30 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

                Baptism of David Larson, Sponsors-Chris & Denise Spirou, 4:00 Pm

COME TO CHURCH REGULARLY IN 2008 – MAKE IT A BLESSED YEAR!

A Letter to the Parish from Very Rev. Fr. Michael Miklos . . .

                                                        November 8, 2007

To Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church Members,

   I again wish to thank you for sponsoring my trip to Cameroon this year. As you may be aware of I was not able to make the Mission Trip to Alaska in June of this year, however by October my condition improved and I was able to make this journey. This team was comprised of people from Florida, Arizona, California, Virginia, and Alaska

   The trip was both enjoyable and rewarding. After a 19 hour flight through Paris to Younde, Cameroon, we were met by His Eminence Metropolitan Gregorios, and Fr. Demetri, Dean of St. Marc’s Seminary and Fr. Dosethee, a French Orthodox Priest, who lives in Doula, Cameroon. We traveled to St. Marc Seminary for an overnight stay. The next day we traveled by Cameroon Airlines to Garoua, Cameroon. Staying at a local hotel and again the next day traveling by car 5 hours to Katrang Mission Center which is on the border of Chad. We were housed there for the next 11 days, traveling each day approximately 25 miles to the village of Tchatibali, Cameroon where we worked alongside the local people on the various projects we were to accomplish. Every day after our work we traveled to different villages in this area of Extreme North Cameroon, and one day traveling into Chad to visit a parish community.

   After our work was accomplished we then traveled by car, to the city of Maroua to again visit parishes. All of this area is considered sub Sahara desert and being at the end of the rainy season things were beginning to dry up rapidly. The rivers and creeks were already dry.

   We then traveled by car back to Garoua for an overnight stay and then a one hour flight back to Younde, a drive this same distance would have taken three days because of the road conditions after the rain.

   During this journey I was honored to be participant in the Consecration of a new Church, St. Irene in the village of Tchatibali and the ground breaking for a new church in the Village of Bianga and the city of Garoua. Back at Younde we were privileged to meet the Ambassador of Greece and visit the Greek Embassy.

   This is where we found out that Air France (our Airline) was on strike and flights were limited. However the President of Cameroon was in Paris and needed to return home, that allowed us to take this same aircraft back to Paris where each of us was able meet our schedule to return home.

   This Mission was rewarding and spiritual. The local children came and said “we are so happy you have come to be with us we brought you a gift.” And they brought us a Goat, which of course we had to leave there.

   Again I thank you as do the people of Cameroon for helping me to make this journey.

I remain the servant of Jesus Christ,     
Fr. Michael Miklos        

HIGHLIGHTS – DEC. 17, 2007 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Among items discussed were a report by our Treasurer Curtis Thomas  on the finances of the mission as of December 17^th  showing income of  59,131.04, and expenditures of 49,334.90. Curtis also reported that the Archdiocese  Fair Share Assessment, for next year which was over $8,000 this year was under discussion. One case (12 books) of The Orthodox Study Bible (containing both Old & New Testaments) will be ordered and sold at the discounted price of $40 (regular price $49.95). This year Epiphany falls on Sunday, so both the day before and the day of the Feast will be conducted at our Church. The Church calendar, the Parish By-laws and Groundbreaking pictures will be handed out after Liturgy to save on postage. President Gloria  Vardakis reported that we are waiting for the Parish Elections ratification. Niko Maroulis reported that the church sign which had been knocked over by the wind has been re-installed by Argiris Gymnaos. Several parents have shown interest in their children participating in the Greek Independence Day Parade, as reported by Carol Gymnaos. Bill Pasisis reported that we had 79 Steward households with 114  individual members for 2007. To date we have a total of  43  2008 Stewardship households consisting of 62 individual members.

PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: Friday, January 4, 2:00 p.m. in the Church Hall. The topic will a liturgical one – “The Epiphany Services.” Come and learn!

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

   EPIPHANY SERVICES

    Jan 5 –Sat  Day Before Epiphany

9:30 am – Orthros

10:00 am – D. Liturgy

Lesser Blessing of the Waters

        Jan 6 –Sunday  Epiphany

             The Baptism of Christ

9:30 am – Orthros

10:00 am – D. Liturgy

Greater Blessing of the Waters