Hellenic Orthodox Mission

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

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

Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Protopresbyter – (352) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846; Email: Rharakas@aol.com

efore Great Lent begins, there is a preparatory period of four weeks called "The Triodion." Each of the Sundays of the pre-Lenten Triodion prepares us for the spiritual journey to Pascha. Today, February 16, the Triodion began with the Sunday of the Parable of the Publican and Pharisee. It presents us with a story Jesus told about the Publican, a tax-collector, who prayed to God praising himself and condemning the Publican. Jesus, praised the Publican, not for his sins, but for his humble prayer of repentance: "God, have mercy upon me, a sinner." The Triodion starts by teaching us that self-centeredness and pride are not God-like ways of living. The Triodion encourages us to live with humility before God.

Next week's Gospel, for February 23, is the story is about the Prodigal Son who demanded his inheritance from his father, went to a far away country, and lived a life of moral corruption. When he lost all his money, he decided to return home, tell his father how sorry he was for his sinful life, and ask to be received as a servant in his father's house. As he was approaching the house, his father ran down the road to meet his son, where he kissed and hugged him. This second message of the Triodion calls us to sincere repentance.

March 2 is the third Sunday of the Triodion. A double message is presented to us. It is called "Meatfare Sunday" because, according to the fasting tradition, it is the last Sunday that we eat meat before Pascha. Christ teaches us about the Last Judgment. We are reminded that those who do good in this life will be rewarded for eternity in God's Kingdom. But those who are evil will suffer forever. The story speaks of good works like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and the imprisoned, Jesus says, "In as much as you have done these things to the least of my brethren, you have done it to me." We will be judged. Deeds motivated by love for Christ are required.

The last Sunday of the Triodion this year is March 9:Cheesefare Sunday, the day before Great Lent begins. The Gospel presents all Orthodox Christians with three requirements for Great Lent: Prayer - Fasting - Almsgiving (Philanthropy). These are to be our daily practice alone, with our families and in Church.

Monday, March 10, this year is "Clean Monday," a day of strict prayer and fasting and the beginning of Great Lent. Incorporate these messages into your life and you will experience Great Lent as you have never experienced it before!

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

The Triodion Begins: Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee – 16th Matthew

Saints: Pamphilos the Martyr (+308); Flavianos, Patriarch of Constantinople (+449); Righteous Romanos, Martyr (+1694); Nicholas, Archbishop of Japan.

rethren, now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

he Lord said, "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 thee 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 every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

(Sing in Greek before Entrance (“Tou lithou sfragisthentos”) Hymnal, p. 80-81

(Sing in English after the Entrance) (“The stone that had been sealed”) (Same)

(Read) Let us flee the Pharisee’s exalted self-praise; / let us learn the Publican’s humble demeanor, / and with sighs / let us cry out and say to the Savior, / To us be gracious, / O only forgiving Lord.

FOR THE RECORD: Sunday 2-9-03: Attendance - 36; Candle Offerings - $75; Weekly Collection - $78; Building Fund - $109. Thank you for your support!

PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.): Come to the P.E.P. Sessions held on Fridays, at 2:00 p.m. This Friday, February 21, we will be studying John 1:1-42 – Jesus Meets the Samaritan Woman at the well – Living Water! Come and learn!

PROSFORON BAKING: Bette Ferriero 2/16; Helen Nicolelis 2/23. Presbytera Emily 3/2; Gloria Vardakis 3/9; Connie Mourgides 3/16; Venice Cosmadelis 3/23; Fran Mather 3/25 (Feast of the Annunciation); George Nikas 3/30; Fran Triantafilon 4/6;. Remember to include family names, both living and deceased.

HOSPITALIZED: Bayonet Point: Tyke Nicolelis, Sal Fico. Oak Hill: George Barbas. We pray for there rapid recovery. Call Fr. Harakas with the information regarding hospitalized parishioners.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING Sunday, February 23 following the Divine Liturgy. This is an important meeting for our Mission Parish. We will be discussing the Budget and the relationship of the Mission Parish with the Olympic Village Foundation and the future of both. A free luncheon will be provided for all in attendance following the Divine Liturgy . All Steward Members have the right to speak and to vote on the issues.

GROWING IN STEWARD MEMBERS: Our Mission is seeking to increase our Stewardship Members so as to qualify to become a Parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America . You can become a Steward Member by filling out your “Good Faith Stewardship Intention Card” and submitting it. This card indicates your Time and Talent offering and your intention for 2003 financial support of our Mission. It is NOT a legal contract. You are free to reduce it or increase it as you see fit. But, WE NEED at least 17 more Stewards to reach the point where we can apply for Parish Status. You can help make Parish Status possible. If you are not yet a Steward Member, call Mission Parish Council President Connie Mourgides (686-0589), or Fr. Stanley Harakas (688-2382) for your Stewardship material.

Our Big Mardi Gras Apokreatiko Glendi

Date: Saturday, March 1 at 5:00 p.m.

At Our Chapel Grounds

You Will Soon Receive Your Tickets in the Mail!

Donation $10 – Ages 6-11 $5 - Children Ages 5 and under Free

($4 of adult ticket and $1 of children’s ticket is tax deductible)

Chairpersons: Dee Nikas and Bette Ferriero

OOPS! Get your pen or pencil out! You need to make a correction on the “Prayer Card” you received together with the 2003 Church Calendar this past week. In “A Morning Prayer,” 5th line from the end of the prayer, add to “with” the letters o-u-t. It should read
”Teach me to act firmly and wisely without embittering and embarrassing others.” Thanks to Connie Pappas for being the first to bring our attention to it.

THE COLUMBIA TRAGEDY: Saturday evening, February 2, we received an encyclical letter by email from His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios, instructing all parishes to offer prayers for the downed Astronauts. On Sunday, the Archbishop’s letter was read to the congregation and a prayer was offered. We also remembered the four chaplains of World War II who gave up their places in the rescue boats when the Dorchester was sunk so that others might live. May all their memories be eternal!

SUNDAY SCHOOL: For the past two Sundays, we have missed our Sunday School children, some because of illness. We hope parents will not deprive the children of the special opportunity of learning about our Faith. Bring your children to Church and Sunday School as frequently as possible!

THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: louis and mary mavrogian

In Memory of Dimitrios Zolotos. May His Memory Be Eternal!

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Come to Church!

‘A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”