The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. III, No. 5 – Sunday, February 1, 2004

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A GIFT TO CHRIST THE SAVIOR CHURCH

FROM HIS EMINENCE, METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS OF ATLANTA

FOR OUR FEAST DAY

 

A 150 YEAR OLD ICON OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST AT THE TEMPLE

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

Evening Services as Announced

PRE-FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION – BEGINNING OF THE TRIODION

SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARISEE (16th LUKE)

                                     
Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes

Dismissal Hymn - Plagal 4th  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Ex ypsous katelthes").Hymnal,  89.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("From on high did you descend"). (Same)

Dismissal Hymn of the Pre-Feast (Read) The hosts of Angels / look down from the balconies of Heaven / to behold upon earth / the First-Fruits of all creation / carried to the temple, / a nursing babe / in the arms of a mother all-pure. / Together with us, / they sing with joy / a hymn in preparation for the Feast.

Dismissal Hymn of St. Tryphon (Read) Your martyr, O Lord, / received the crown of immortality from You, / O our God, / on account of his struggle. / Armed with your strength, / he has vanquished his persecutors, / and crushed the powerless arrogance of demons. / Through his supplications, / O Christ God, / save our souls.

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.”

Kontakion for the Pre-Feast of the Presentation of Christ at the Temple

   (Read)  Symeon, receiving the infant in his arms / and seeing God in his spirit, / proclaimed Christ the Savior of the world.  Return to Page 26 – “Holy God . . .”

EPISTLE – Romans 8:28-39 (St.Tryphon)

rethren, we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first?born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GOSPEL – Luke 18:10-14 (Publican & Pharisee)

he Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, January 25, 2004: Attendance - 51; Candles - $75; Offering - $185; Hospitality $57. Thank you! 

   HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Helen Nicolelis; Tony Vardakis, recuperating at home. Spring Hill Regional: Delcie Kelo. We pray for a rapid recovery! Let Fr. Stanley know when a family member is hospitalized!

    RENEW YOUR STEWARDSHIP! Fifty one households have made their good faith Stewardship declaration so far, for 2004. Help us reach and surpass last year’s 65 Stewards! We will soon be publishing our “2004 Stewards Honor Role.” Send your Stewardship declaration cards for 2004, so that you can be included.  If you need additional cards, call Bill Pasisis, Stewardship Committee Chairman at 688-7465, who will send them to you.

    P.E.P CLASS: Friday, February 6, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. Our topic will be “The Sacrament of Holy Unction – The Gift of the Seal of the Holy Spirit.” Plan to attend. Refreshments!

   MISSION COUNCIL MEETING: The first regular meeting of the Christ the Savior Mission Council was held on January 21, 2004. It was decided to inform the membership of the actions of the Council.

   Committees: Mission Council President and the Council Members discussed and agreed upon Committee responsibilities for the year 2004. They are as follows:

     Membership / Stewardship Committee: William Pasisis and Dorothy Triantafilon

     Planning and Development Committee: George Nikas

     Facilities and Grounds Committee: George Nikas and Demetri Hazivasilis

     By-Laws Committee: John Hatzi, George Angeliadis, Attorney

     Budget and Finance Committee: Nick Kastelan, Connie Mourgides

     Fund Raising / Social Committee: John Tsausis, Assisted by Venice Cosmadelis and Bette Ferriero

     Community Relations Committee (includes Publicity, Dino Adamis Fund and Outreach Programs): Spiros Lemonedes and Tyke Nicolelis

     Church Care Committee: Nick and Nancy Kastelan.

    Secretarial Responsibilities: The Council also divided the Secretarial Responsibilities as follows:

   Recording Secretary - Keeps minutes in a numbered and bound book; takes attendance; maintains a list of motions made at special and regular Mission Council & General Assembly meetings: Dora Halvatzes

   Corresponding Secretary: - Signs and countersigns all documents when called upon to do so by the Priest or Mission Council President. Responsible for all correspondence; maintains files of correspondence. Notifies Council members of meetings: Dorothy Triantafilon.

   Time and Talent Declarations: On the basis of the returns of the 2004 Time and Talents Stewardship Cards, a list was prepared of the Stewards in conjunction with the Council Chairpersons. They will contact all Time and Talent Stewards to engage their assistance.

   Financial Report: Our proposed budget for 2004 adopted at the General Assembly, November 2, 2003 is $63,070. This is supported by Stewardship of Treasure giving, Sunday collections, candle offerings, fundraisers and donations. The financial picture of our Mission, as of January 18, 2004, as reported by the Treasurer is as follows: Checking Account -  $4,933.72; Savings Account - $24,195.17; Building Fund - $29,234.07; Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund - $2,227.47.

   Trailer Situation: The single-wide trailer has not been rented for several months. It is in dire need of extensive repairs. Tyke Nicolelis and George Nikas with the assistance of our property caretaker, Greg Levandis, will investigate the extent of needed repairs and report back to the Mission Council at the February meeting.

   University of Illinois Mission Group: A group of 12 to 15 college students, members of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at the University of Illinois-Champaign with their Director, Fr. George Pyle will be coming on a work mission to our property in March. They will spend one week with us painting, repairing, and sprucing up the buildings on our property. We are excited about their coming. More details will be announced at a later date. Tyke Nicolelis is the contact person. They will be living on the property (air mattresses and sleeping bags) and will cook and serve their own meals. On Sunday, they will join with us in worship. Dates will be announced as soon as they are finalized. Welcome! And thanks!

   Mudslide Donation: At the request of the Archdiocese, a donation was made on behalf of our Mission to the Fund for the victims of the California mudslides on the property owned by the St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles.

   Calendar Bulletin Insert: Dorothy Triantafilon, our Corresponding Secretary will prepare a monthly calendar insert for the end of each month. Contact her to include your function in the Mission Calendar at 683-4279. The first one is included in this issue.

   Mission Council “Classes”: As a result of the Mission Council expansion to twelve members, the following terms of service were determined: One Year (2004):  John Hatzi,  Dora Halvatzes, George Nikas, Dorothy Triantafilon; Two Years (2004, 2005):  Paul Cosmadelis,  Nick Kastelan, Connie Mourgides, William Pasisis; Three Years (2004, 2005, 2006): Demetri Hazivasilis, Spero Lemonedes, Tyke Nicolelis, John Tsausis.

   Parish Bus / Van: It was decided to investigate the possibility of obtaining a bus / van for our Mission to assist persons without transportation to come to our church.

   Coffee Hour Location: The Sunday Coffee hour will be returned to the Fellowship Hall and several new tables will be purchased so as to avoid repeatedly carrying tables back and forth. from the Dining Hall.

   Property Sale: Three potential buyers of our present property have expressed interest. No offer has been received as yet. An anonymous donor is privately attempting to purchase property on Anderson Snow Road in Spring Hill, to secure it for a potential future location for our church. No mission monies are involved at the present time. County approval for an exception to build a church on it is being sought at present. A March date is anticipated for the decision.

    BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED! Support “The Orthodox Messenger” and honor someone, or give your message by becoming a Sponsor of an issue. The cost is only $25 per issue. We have Sponsors for the Sundays of February. See Nick Kastelan to reserve a Sunday in March or call him at 686-0634. Thank you for your support!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: George Nikas 2/1; Patricia Lilore 2/2 (Presentation of Christ); Eleni Nicolelis 2/8; Connie Mourgides 2/14 (Saturday of Souls); Betty Roussos 2/15; Venice Cosmadelis 2/22; Emily Thomas 2/29; George and Maria Angeliades 3/7; Fran Mather 3/14; Gloria Vardakis 3/21; Bette Ferriero 3/25 (Annunciation); Fran Triantafilon 3/28;  Presbytera Emily  4/3 (Saturday of Lazarus).George Nikas is Prosforon Coordinator.

    YOUR CHECKS: Treasurer Nick Kastelan asks you to continue to make checks payable to Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County (HOMHC) until further notice.

   MANY THANKS to Greg Levandis who donated a large and attractive  metal rack which will be used to collect food donations for our Dino Adamis Philanthropic Committee activities. The rack is in the Fellowship Hall. Bring boxed or canned foods every time you come to Church. Help feed the hungry and needy of Hernando County. Many thanks, Greg!

   COMMUNION WINE: The Church needs donations of Communion Wine. Paul and Venice donated three bottles of Mavrodaphne Wine, as did another couple who wish to remain anonymous. Mavrodaphne, Commandaria Cyprus Wine, or a red regular or fortified Port Wine are all acceptable for use for Communion. If you have questions, please speak to Father Stanley about this gift of sacramental wine to our Church.

   THE SUPERBOWL starts at 6:25 P.M.  today. That lets you come to tonight’s Vespers and attend the reception with time to get home by the start of the game. Just in case, we will have a television set up for those who want to attend the reception and watch the game also. But above all, “Come first to the Vespers!”

   DEEP THANKS TO METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS for the gift of the beautiful 150 year old icon of the Presentation of Christ at the Temple, marking our first Feast Day Celebration. It is a sign of His Eminence’s special support for our Mission, as we seek to become a full parish of the Metropolis of Atlanta. A card expressing our gratitude to His Eminence was signed by all those in attendance on Sunday, January 25 and mailed the following day.

   ATTENDING and presiding at the Vespers this afternoon, we’ve been informed, will be the Vicar of the Tampa Bay Conference of our Metropolis, Fr. James Rousakis. Welcome!

You are urged to attend this festive occasion and join in a Feast Day Reception in the Dining Hall

Bulletin Sponsors: HELEN & PETER (TYKE) NICOLELIS

For Our Sister & Sister-in-law Catherine Kalligeros

“We Pray that the Lord grant you the gift of complete health for many years”

CHRIST THE SAVIOR GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”