The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. V, No. 54– Sunday, December 31, 2006

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 Sign for a Scientist                         

    Returning to Boston from a conference held in Tipton N.H., scientist Albert Leo and his colleague, Prof. Eric Lien, were fortunate to be the first people to get on the bus. To get the best view, they chose the right-hand front seats while two other colleagues from Germany sat across the aisle. At first, Eric and Albert discussed the technical papers given at the conference, but then Eric asked Albert for some personal advice. Eric began by saying, “I saw you reading ‘God and the New Physics’ during the breaks in the conference, Al. Are you a religious person?”
   “I try to be,” Albert answered. Eric then proceeded to briefly summarize his life, and what had led to his present problem. He was born and raised in Taiwan by parents who practiced a form of Confucianism that he respected but was not drawn to. When some Christian missionaries located to their area, Eric’s parents allowed him to attend their classes, but after listening to their teachings, he decided that Christianity had no appeal for him either, because the missionaries’ were too rigid and unforgiving, it seemed to him.

   Later, he emigrated to the U.S. to complete his education. He also met Linda, a practicing Christian, who he married. Eric had no objections to Linda and their children practicing Christianity, but he thought it would be hypocritical for him to do so. But, as their kids began to ask why Dad did not attend church services, Linda began to put pressure on Eric to accompany them. But he did not, though in his mind, he questioned his stance.
   After finishing his brief "biography," Eric turned to Albert and asked: “Al, what do you think is the answer to my problem?” Albert had anticipated this question while Eric was speaking, but now he was at a loss how to answer it honestly. Meanwhile, traffic had slowed as vehicles approached a bridge leading into the city. Just before the bus came to a complete halt, and before Albert could answer Eric, a white truck pulled directly in front of their bus. The truck, clearly visible through the large windshield, had one message written on the back of it in large blue script: “Don’t worry. Be happy. God loves you.”
   “We both looked at it for a few seconds,” Albert remembered. “Then, I turned to Eric and said: ‘That answers you better than I ever could.’” Across the aisle, our two German colleagues, who undoubtedly had been listening to our conversation, burst out laughing. Prof. Kubinyi slapped his knee and said: ‘Al, how did you manage to do that?’ But I had nothing to do with it. God decided to use a little humor to teach four scientists a simple lesson.”
    Signs and wonders--they can be very small. Yet even the most minor event can have heavenly meaning if we’re open to it. Adapted.

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

Evening Services as Announced

A BLESSED AND HOLY NEW YEAR 2007 TO ALL!

RESTITUTION / “APODOSIS” OF THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST

SUNDAY BEFORE THE HOLY EPIPHANY (BAPTISM) OF CHRIST

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Christmas Antiphon: (Sing): Save us O Son of God, born of a Virgin, we sing to you, Alleluia. Hymnal, 18-19.

Dismissal Hymn of Christmas

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

    Priest’s Entrance Hymn: 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 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 – 2 Timothy 4:5-8 (Sunday Before Theophany) + TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

  GOSPEL – Mark 2:1-8 (Sunday Before Theophany) + The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight" John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

  The Leaders sing in Greek “Megalynon phyche mou . . .”

(Read)  v. Magnify, O my soul, her who is more honorable and more exalted in glory than the heavenly hosts.  I behold a strange and wonderful mystery -the cave a heaven, the Virgin a cherubic throne, and the manger a noble place in which there rests Christ the uncontained God. Let us, therefore, praise and magnify him.

AFTER COMMUNION

Instead of “We have seen the light . . .” we sing

   in Greek "E genesis sou Christe o Theos emon") and in English “Your birth o Christ our God”.Hymnal,  105-106.

To see photos from November-December 2006 click here

FOR THE RECORD:   December 24 -Candles $78; Visitor’s Donations $201; Stewardship $400; Attendance 58. We are grateful to all who support Christ the Savior Church!

    TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR 2006! We thank all those Stewards who fulfilled their Declaration of Treasure for the year 2006. Several thousand dollars still remain to be given for 2006. If you are among those few who have not remitted their full Stewardship amount, please do so today, or as soon as possible. Thank you! Your support is greatly needed to meet the increasing needs of the Mission.

   TOMORROW IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR 2007! Christ the Savior Church appreciates all those who have made their Stewardship Commitments, by returning their Stewardship Cards for 2007. If you have not yet returned your Stewardship Cards, we ask you to send them in this week, so that we can plan for the New Year. Thank you!

   ST. BASIL THE GREAT & NEW YEAR’S DAY: Start the New Year 2007 with prayer and blessings! Orthros at 9:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Doxology for the New Year will be sung at the end of the Divine Liturgy. The best way to start the year!

   EPIPHANY SERVICES: Friday, January 5: Day Before Epiphany Orthros at 9:30 a.m., Epiphany Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. followed by Lesser Blessing of the Waters. Saturday, January 6: AT ST. NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL, TARPON SPRINGS: Orthros 8:30 a.m. Hierarchical D. Liturgy 10 a.m. Blessing of Waters at Spring Bayou 12:00 noon.

   HOSPITALIZED:  Spring Hill Regional-Metaxia Porter. We pray for a rapid recovery! Please pray for those who are sick.

  PROSFORON BAKERS: Presbytera Emily Harakas 12/31; George Nikas 1/1 (Monday, St. Basil); Argiris & Carol Gymnaos 1/5 (Day Before Epiphany);. Fran Triantafilon 1/7 (St. John the Baptist); Gloria Vardakis  1/14; Bette Ferriero 1/21 Venice Cosmadelis 1/28; Metaxia Porter 2/2 (Presentation of Christ). Would you like to make Prosforo (the Offering Bread for the Divine Liturgy? Contact George Nikas, Chair, for the recipe 597-1375.

  JANUARY COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: 1/7-Presbytera Emily & Nancy Kastelan. 1/14 (Vasilopita) Christina, Emily & Curtis Thomas & Harriet Pasisis. 1/21-Janice Jabbour & Gloria Zahka. 1/28-Bette Ferriero. Please sign up for February Coffee Hours. 

   PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: No P.E.P. this Friday, January 5, Eve of Epiphany. Friday, Jan. 12, 2007: Video – 3  “A Conversation With Bishop Kallistos.” Coming up: January 19: Bible Study – 3  “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” and January 26: Guest Speaker – 3 “Fr. Michael Petrides of St. George Church, New Port Richey – The Christian and Money.” We are informed that a large number of St. George Seniors Club parishioners will accompany Fr. Michael to our Church. Let’s plan to welcome them with Hernando County hospitality!

   JANUARY, 2007 BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS: We invite all those parishioners and friends of Christ the Savior Church who are celebrating their Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries in January to come to Church next Sunday for special blessing prayers: Birthdays: John Tsausis 1/3; Theona Hatzi 1/6; John Halvatzes 1/10; George Nikas 1/12; Kosta Natsis 1/13; Fr. Stanley Harakas 1/13; Janice Jabbour 1/14; William Pasisis 1/15; William Hazivasilis 1/18; Betty Frango 1/20; Helen Vangel 1/20; Yanni Gymnaos 1/24; Stacy Underwood 1/29; Argyris Gymnaos 1/31; Beverly Hall 1/31. Anniversaries: Louis & Mary Markovich 1/2 ; Paul & Angie Maniates 1/4; Gregory & Maria Angeliades 1/13; George and Stacy Angeliades 1/16; Robert & Virginia Kirshy 1/22. Congratulations & Many Years!

  PRINTERS’ GREMLINS! Apologies to Gregory and Maria Angeliadis whose names were accidentally left off of the Community Christmas Card! Many thanks to Gregory and Maria and all those who contributed to wish a Blessed Christmas to all on our mailing list.

   NOW IS THE TIME to start cleaning out your garage and closets. Bring useful, but unneeded and unwanted saleable items whenever you come to Church. We are storing garage-sale items in one of the cabins. We cannot accept clothing and shoes, however. Everything that can be sold to benefit our mission, is needed and welcome! Co-chairs are Harriet Pasisis, Helen Vangel and Gloria Vardakis. Thank you!

   BECOME A BULLETIN SPONSOR! You can extend wishes, memorials, thanks or any message of greetings by becoming a “Bulletin Sponsor”! Bulletin Sponsors contribute $25 to help support the expenses of printing and mailing “The Orthodox Messenger” to the Stewards and Friends of Christ the Savior Church. To donate, send your message and your check to “Treasurer, Christ the Savior Church, P.O. Box 5566, Spring Hill, FL 34611.” 

  ON THE WEB? If you have access to the web, check on our simple but excellent website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org/. You will find all bulletins published, all Parish Educational Program outline handouts, and much more. Check us out!

  SPECIAL THANKS TO FRED UNDERWOOD, our “Agape Canister Program” Chair, who has placed canisters in various stores in Hernando County to assist the work of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, a joint program of all Orthodox Churches in the United States. We recently received a letter from the Mission Center thanking us for this effort.

  ANOTHER “THANK YOU!” One of the families from Pine Grove Elementary school, with a number of foster children, the Seymours, sent a beautiful Christmas card and photo with the following message: “Dear Church Family, Thanks so much for the Christmas gift to our family. Also, thanks for the food for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We really appreciate all you did. In Christ’s Love, Shelli & Family. (See the photo page.)

  MARK YOUR CALENDAR: The feast day of our Parish, the Presentation of Christ at the Temple will be observed on Thursday, February 1 at 4:00 p.m. when Vespers will be held with invited clergy and parishioners from surrounding communities. The following day, Friday, February 2, the Feast Day Liturgy will be held. Orthros 9:30 & Liturgy 10 am.

  PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS RATIFIED by the Atlanta Metropolis! The swearing in of the new Council Members will take place next week, January 7 following Liturgy.

-----Bulletin Sponsors Needed! – See George Nikas-----

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

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Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta