“O Lord, O Lord, Bless This Vineyard…”

       In the Book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 19:10), we are introduced to the allegory of the vineyard as a symbol of the community or church.  A moving moment occurs in the Divine Liturgy when served by a bishop during the chanting of the familiar hymn: “Holy God, Holy Almighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.” The hierarch turns to the faithful and blesses them with a set of lighted candles.  He chants: “O Lord, O Lord, look down from heaven and bless this vineyard that You have planted with Your right hand, and strengthen (establish) it.”  The candles used for the blessing are arranged in a symbolic way.  In one hand, the bishop holds a set of three candles (Trikiron) signifying the Holy Trinity—Three Persons in One God.  In his other hand, the bishop holds a set of two candles (Dhikiron) that symbolize Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His two natures, divine and human, in the one person of Christ, who is fully God and fully human.  The bishop’s blessing is a lesson in fundamental Orthodox-Christian theology reminding us of the basic teachings that we cherish concerning the Holy Trinity and the person of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The hierarchical Liturgy is rich in additional symbolism all of which is aimed to remind us of elements of our beliefs.  The bishop wears a mitre (miter) shaped like a crown that was conferred on bishops by the Emperor in the Byzantine era of history.  We are reminded of the bishop’s role as administrator of the flock and his diocese.  He carries a staff with added symbols that remind us of his role as our shepherd.  Each piece of his vestments has symbolic value reminding us of the bishop’s role as a high priest in our midst who offers the unbloody sacrifice of Calgary to the Father at every Liturgy as our act of sublime worship of God, our Father.
     We look forward to the visit of our Metropolitan next Sunday and to the Hierarchical Liturgy when we can join together with him as a community in the vineyard of the Lord.  We pray that our prayers and efforts will bear much good fruit. 

 

 

SUNDAY OF THE CANAANITE WOMAN

Gospel Entrance Hymns

Dismissal hymn of the Resurrection-4^th Tone

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

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

Dismissal Hymn of St. Martinian

   (Read) You quenched the flames of passion with abundant tears,/ O blessed one;/You     calmed the waves of the sea,/ and checked the assaults of wild beasts,/ saying: Most Blessed are You, O Almighty God,/ who has saved me from the flame and storm!

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 of the Theotokos:

   (Read) O never-failing protectress of Christians / and their ever-present intercessor before the Creator: / do not be heedless to the prayerful voices of us sinners, / but in your goodness extend your help to us / who call upon you with confidence. / Hasten, O Mother of God, / to intercede for us. / You have always protected those who honor you!

 Return to a page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

EPISTLE-- Second Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1
BRETHREN, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

GOSPEL-- Matthew 15:21-28
At 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. 

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, February 6—Attendance 46; Stewardship $1047. Candles $75; Visitors $5.; Building Fund $140. ($100 given by Helen Vangel in memory of her parents: Fimi & Victoria Vangel).  Vespers on February 1^st: attendance 34; candles $34.-- Feast Day Liturgy on 2/2/05: attendance 18; candles $33.  Many thanks!

   TRISAGION SERVICE:  There will be a one-year Trisagion Service following the Divine Liturgy today in memory of Anthony Vardakas.  Memory Eternal.

   FATHER HARAKAS:  Father Harakas continues to make steady progress in his convalescence following major surgery.  He can receive notes and cards at his family home: 12443 Little Farms Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609.

   REHEARSAL TODAY:  Would altar servers and leaders of our music ministry please remain in church after Liturgy today for a brief rehearsal in preparation for the visit of the Metropolitan next Sunday.

   METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS:  Our Metropolitan will visit our community next Sunday, February 20^th.  He will offer a Hierarchical Liturgy beginning at 10:00 am, following Orthros at 9:30 AM.  A parish luncheon will follow the Liturgy. Please plan to attend.  Your presence will make our celebration complete.

  BENEFIT DINNER: The Outback Steak House is sponsoring a dinner to benefit our parish on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at 6:00 pm at The Senior Citizen Club of Hernando County on Cave Hill Road across from Target on US 19 in Spring Hill.  Tickets are $10 per person. Call Dee Nikas at 597-1375 for tickets.

  PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: P.E.P.--- Friday February 18^th at 2:00 pm. A video series on the Creed will be shown. John Hatzi will lead the discussion.

  PROSFORON BAKERS: Connie Mourgides 2/13; Gloria Vardakis 2/20; Bette Ferriero 2/20/05; Argyris & Carol Gymnaos 2/27/05; Patricia Lilore 3/6; Fran Triantafilon 3/13; Fran Mather 3/20. To join the Prosforon bakers, please call George Nikas, Chairman (597-1375).

  BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED for April 2005. To reserve your Sunday sponsorship, call Connie Mourgides at 686-0589. Each weekly issue costs $25. Your donation would be most helpful and appreciated.

  CONGRATULATIONS: Christina Thomas, the daughter of Curtis & Emily Thomas, participated in a GOYA soccer meet at Fort Myers on Saturday, February 5^th. Her team won second place. Congratulations, Christina!

  WEEKLY BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS:  For announcements to be listed in our weekly Messenger, please contact Father Jerry at 683-7637.  We go to press on Thursdays.

  STEWARDSHIP:   Please renew your Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure to support the work of our Church. Send in your Declaration of Intention as soon as possible, so that we can organize and budget properly for 2005. Please plan to submit your stewardship pledge card as soon as possible. Thank you.

   SATURDAY OF SOULS: The annual Saturday of Souls, when we commemorate the memories of our departed relatives and friends, occurs on Saturday, March 5^th. There will be a Divine Liturgy & Memorial Service at 10:00 am. You may submit the names of your departed loved ones beginning next Sunday.  Kindly print plainly the names of the departed for inclusion in our Memorial prayers. Helpful forms are available at the rear of the church.

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

 

PLAN TO ATTEND

OUTBACK STEAK HOUSE

DINNER-March 8^th.

Hernando County Senior Citizen Center

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