The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VII, No. 09 – Sunday, February 10, 2008

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

              Your Spiritual Calendar

here are many kinds of calendars. There is the sun-based civil calendar of the Western world. But there are also moon-based calendars like the Jewish calendar. There are tax calendars, sports calendars, and calendars regulating all kinds of activities. There is also an Orthodox Church calendar. As we come closer to the beginning of the Lenten cycle of services, the Orthodox Calendar is designed to be your spiritual calendar.

    Today is the Sunday of the Canaanite woman. It is the last Sunday or the regular cycle of readings from the Gospel of St. Matthew. Next Sunday a period of preparation for our souls begins in anticipation of the Great Lent.

    So, February 17 this year is the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, the beginning of the Triodion –the Lenten book of Services. The message given us is to eliminate pride and the develop humility. Next, comes the Sunday of the Prodigal Son on February 24, encouraging us to repentance for our sins.

    The next to the last Sunday before Great Lent, March 2, is known both as Judgment Sunday and Meatfare Sunday. We are reminded that each of us will be judged by God regarding the kind of life we have lived. It is also the last Sunday we eat meat. The final Sunday of the Pre-Lenten period, March 9 this year, is Forgiveness Sunday, where the themes of forgiveness, fasting and trusting in God are emphasized.

    The next day, March 10, is called “Clean Monday” because it is a day of strict fasting that begins Great Lent. Lent is a forty day time of spiritual preparation as we anticipate the great events of Holy Week leading up to the Crucifixion of Christ and the Glorious Resurrection of Christ at Pascha (Easter) this year on April 27.

Your Stewardship Is Important!

Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church

   When you send in your Stewardship Declaration Cards, you make it possible for Christ the Savior Church to function and grow. Your Time, your Talents, and your Treasure, given in thankfulness to the Lord make this work of service and support of the Lord possible. See your name on the Stewardship Honor Roll to be published next month in “The Orthodox Messenger!”

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

Today’s Saints: Priest-Martyr Haralambos (+202); Zenon the Messenger (4th c.); Anastasios, Patrriarch of Jerusalem; Baptus & Porphyrios, Martyrs; Ennatha,

17th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW – THE CANAANITE WOMAN

 GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection – 4th  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“To faidron tes Anastaseos”).Hymnal, 84-85

   (Sing in English after the Entrance)“When the tidings . . . ”). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of St. Haralambos

   (Read)  O wise Haralambos, / you became and unshakable column / in the Church of Christ / and a lamp of everlasting light / to the 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.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ

   (Sing) From the sheet in the pew.

EPISTLE –  2 Timothy 2:1-10 (St. Haralambos)

imothy, 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 hardworking 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 15:21-28 (17th Matthew)

t that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

 Return to p. 31 of the Hymnal

“The Best Vitamin for a Christian is B1”