Contents
- HELP CHOOSE A NAME
- FOR OUR WEEKLY BULLETIN
- Vol. I, No. 5 – Sunday, February 17, 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) 796-8482FR.
- STANLEY S. HARAKAS, PROTOPRESBYTER - (352) 688-2382 (Afternoons and Evenings)
- GETTING READY FOR LENT
- Before 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, the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.
- This coming Sunday, on February 24, the Triodion will begin with the Sunday of the Parable of the Publican and Pharisee. Two men who went to the Temple to pray. The Pharisee praised himself and condemned the Publican. Jesus, however, condemned the first and praised the latter, 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 pridefulness is not God-like. Instead, the Triodion encourages us to be humble.
- The following week's Gospel, for March 3, takes us one step forward in preparing for Lent. 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. This second message of the Triodion calls us to genuine and sincere repentance before God.
- On the third Sunday of the Triodion, March 10 this year, a double message is presented to us. It is known as "Meatfare Sunday" because, according to the fasting tradition, it is the last day that we eat meat before Pascha. Also, Christ teaches us about the Last Judgment. We are reminded that those who do what is good in this life will be rewarded for eternity in God's Kingdom. But those who are evil will suffer forever. Speaking 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."
- The last Sunday of the Triodion is March 17, known as Cheesefare Sunday, the day before Great Lent begins. The Gospel presents all Orthodox Christians with three great requirements for Great Lent: Prayer - Fasting - Almsgiving (Philanthropy). These are to be our daily practice alone, with our families and in Church.
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- Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
- Evening Services as announced.
- 17th Sunday of Matthew – 4th Tone
- Saints: Great Martyr Theodore of Tyron (+306); Marcian and Pulcheria, Emperor and Empress “The Pious”; Theodore of Mytilene, Neomartyr (+1795), and Michael; Righteous Euxiphios; Mariam, Equal to the Apostles (1st c.); Righteous Theostiriktos
- EPISTLE - 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1
- WHAT AGREEMENT has the temple of God with idols? For we 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 – The Canaanite Woman
- AND JESUS WENT away from there and withdrew 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 masters' 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.
- GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS
- Dismissal Hymn – 4th Tone Divine Liturgy Hymnal, p. 84-85
- (Sing in Greek) (“To Faidron tes Anastaseos”) before the Gospel Entrance and in English after the Entrance (“When the tidings of the Resurrection” . . . )
- Hymn of St. Theodore of Tyron
- (Read) Faith can accomplish great things: / because of its power, / the holy great-martyr Theodore rejoiced in the midst of flames / as if had been in refreshing water. / Burned by the flames, / he was made an offering to the Holy Trinity. / Through his intercession, / O Christ God, / 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
- HOW TO CONTACT FR. STANLEY: Fr. Harakas' home phone is (352) 688-2382. Church Office phone - (352) 796-8482. E-mail: Rharakas@aol.com.
- PARISH COUNCIL MEETING FOR FEBRUARY: Thursday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
- TODAY IS THE DEADLINE: Last chance to submit a name for our Sunday Bulletin. The Parish Council will choose the winner and the prize will be awarded in Church next Sunday, February 24, 2002. Give your suggestion to any Parish Council member.
- BEING A STEWARD: “As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 4:10-11).
- PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.): Friday, February 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Topic: “Poikilia” – A variety of themes: 1) Hymns from the Publican and Pharisee Services; 2) A Reading from a 2nd Century Christian Writing; 3) The Meaning of Fasting. Come and Learn!
- MANY THANKS to Dimson and Margaret Andoniades for the gift of Mavrodaphne wine for Communion and for the Singing Leader’s chair in the front of the Church. We are grateful for these thoughtful gifts.
- HOSPITALIZED briefly this past week was Fr. John Liadis at Oak Hill Hospital. We pray for his rapid recovery. Inform Fr. Stanley when a family member is hospitalized.
- BIRTHDAYS: Nick Kastelan – Feb. 20; Helen Nicolelis – Feb. 24; Angie Maniates – Feb. 25; John Cologna – Feb. 25; Stacie Feola – Feb. 28. Happy Birthday!
- WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: Steve & Connie Mourgides – Feb. 20. Happy Anniversary!
- A THREE DAY MEMORIAL service was sung on Sunday, February 10 for the rest of the soul of Susanna Syrios, sister of Theoni Hatzi. We express our Church’s condolences to John and Theoni. May her memory be eternal!
- WE COLLECT NON-PERISHABLE FOODS for those in need. Each time you come to Church, please bring a can or box of food and place it on the Food Table at the back of the Fellowship Hall.
- A COMPUTER HAS BEEN DONATED to our Mission Church by Spiros and Catherine Lemonedes. We are grateful for this valuable addition to our office equipment!
- A PANASONIC FAX MACHINE was donated to our Church by George Maniates of Amen Air of Port Richey. As soon as it is installed we will inform everyone on how to send faxes to the Church. George is the son of our members Paul and Angie Maniates.
- On Prayer and Bible Reading
- “Be constant in both prayer and reading. First, speak with God; then let God speak with you. Let Him instruct you in His teachings, let Him direct you.” St. Cyprian (250 A.D.)
- EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH
- OF HERNANDO COUNTY
- P.O. BOX 5566
- SPRING HILL, FL 34611