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FOR OUR WEEKLY BULLETIN

Vol. I, No. 4 – Sunday, February 10, 2002

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Eastern Orthodox Church of Hernando County

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

Meeting at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

THE PRIEST-MARTYR HARALAMBOS

  St. Haralambos was a priest who lived in the town of Magnesia in Asia Minor during the second century. He was ordained a priest at an early age to serve his home town in a province fiercely hostile to Christians. A man of the people, Haralambos brought the light of the Lord's love to everyone in his community. In so doing he also brought down upon himself the envy and wrath of those in power.

   The provincial governor, Loukianos, had little regard for the people; for the Christians he had only contempt. Haralambos was arrested and brought before the governor who declared that Haralambos must renounce Christ or be punished. This set the scene for the longest period of human suffering in the name of the Savior. When he refused to worship the idols, his persecutors began a planned assault on his body.

   Haralambos was first lashed to a post in the public square to be held up to public scorn and ridicule. Then they slashed him repeatedly with sharp knives, taking care that no wound would be fatal. When Haralambos refused to denounce the Lord, they cut him down and dragged him through the streets by his beard. Still, he refused to renounce Christ.

   After a series of cruelties that spanned several months, the derision of the pagans turned to wonder at the power and the faith of this Christian. When their methods of punishment only served to draw converts to Christianity, Haralambos' enemies sought to put him to death but the people rose in opposition. The Emperor Servius ordered the battered priest to be brought to Antioch, Syria. Once there, Haralambos was led through the streets with a horse's bit in his mouth. Then they nailed him to a cross.

  Not only did Haralambos refuse to relent, but he also refused to die. Then they ordered him to be beheaded. At that moment he died without a blow being struck, thus denying the pagans their revenge. We honor his memory today, February 10.

                                                 (Adapted from George Poulos, Orthodox Saints, vol. 1)

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

16TH Sunday of Matthew – 3rd Tone

Saints: The Priest-Martyr Haralambos the Miracle Worker (+202); Anastasios, Patriarch of Jerusalem; Righteous Zenon, the Messenger (+4^th cent.)

 

EPISTLE - 2 Timothy 2:1-10

YOU THEN, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will  be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.  Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.

 

GOSPEL - Matthew 25:14-30

THE LORD SAID, "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, `Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, `Master, you  delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, `Master, I knew  you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.'

 

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

  Dismissal Hymn – 3rd Tone Divine Liturgy Hymnal, p. 83-84

(Sing in Greek (“Efrenestho ta ourania”) before the Gospel Entrance and in English after the Entrance (“Let all things rejoice” . . . )

  Hymn of St. Haralambos

 (Read) O wise Haralambos, / you became an unshakable column / in the Church of Christ / and a lamp of everlasting light / to the entire world. / Well-known to the world through your martyrdom, / you dispelled the dark night of idolatry. / Intercede with Christ God, / that He may save our souls.

  (Sing in English) Hymn of St. Nicholas - Divine Liturgy Hymnal, p. 110-111

"An example of the Faith and a life of humility. . ."

  (Read) The Kontakion – Champion of Christians not put to shame, / advocate before the Maker / always steadfast, / do not spurn sinner’s voices / raised in prayer. / In your goodness / respond to bring help to us / who devoutly petition you. / Hasten your intercession / and urgently make entreaty; / for you unfailingly defend, / O Theotokos, / those who honor you.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A DIOCESE LEADERSHIP MEETING for the Tampa Bay Conference was held yesterday, Saturday, February 9 at St. George Church in New Port Richey, attended by Fr. Stanley; Parish Council President, Connie Mourgides; John Hatzi, V. Pres.; Spero Lemonedes, Treasurer; and members Paul Cosmatelis, Bette Ferriero, Theodora Halvatzes, George Nikas. Also attending was Presbytera Emily.

 

OLYMPIC VILLAGE FOUNDATION MEMBERS' MEETING – This coming Saturday, February 16, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Plan to attend this informative meeting.

HOW TO CONTACT FR. STANLEY: Church Office phone - (352) 796-8482. Leave a message if there is no answer. Fr. Stanley's home phone is (352) 688-2382. Call in the afternoons and evenings (Emergencies - anytime). Or, e-mail: Rharakas@aol.com.

 

HAVE YOU SENT YOUR ENTRY TO NAME OUR WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN? The deadline is Sunday, February 17, 2002. The prize will be awarded in Church on Sunday, February 24, 2002. Send your suggestion with your name, address, phone number and Email Address.

A STEWARD, according to the Bible is one who manages his or her affairs in a way that serves the purposes of the Lord. It is a way of living our Orthodox Faith.

SIX PROSFORON BAKERS HAVE VOLUNTEERED! Volunteers will take turns baking. See or call (597-1375) George Nikas, Prosforon Coordinator. A meeting will be held shortly to provide guidance and assistance to the Prosforon Bakers. Please join them.

HOSPITALIZED briefly this past week was Aphrodite Nikas in Ocala.  We pray for rapid recovery. Inform Fr. Stanley when a family member is hospitalized or is ill at home.

 

BIRTHDAYS: Feb. 5 – Presbytera Emily Harakas; Feb. 8 – Theodora Halavatzes; Feb. 12 Chris Feola; Feb. 14 – Bette Ferriero. Happy Birthday!

ANNIVERSARY – Feb. 8 – Mike and Frances Triantafilon. Happy Anniversary!

 

A DONATION OF TWO PROSFORON SEALS was received by our Church from George and Aphrodite Nikas. We are grateful! Thank you!

 

PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.): Every Friday at 2:00 p.m. for an hour in the Fellowship Hall. Rotating Themes: 1) “A Bible Study”; 2) Understanding the Liturgy; 3) “Poikilia” (A variety of Topics) and 4) “Question Session” Next Friday, February 15, “What is the Divine Liturgy?” Join Us!

 

 

EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH

OF HERNANDO COUNTY

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

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