The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VII, No. 10 – Sunday, February 17, 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

    FROM THE FEBRUARY ARCHPASTORAL REFLECTIONS OF ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS

“THE RENEWAL OF THE SPIRIT”

hat precisely do we mean by “renewal” of the spirit? This question is best answered by observing the characteristics which a person with a renewed spirit displays.  We may first observe that a person who demonstrates a renewed spirit is one who exhibits clarity, purity, and piety in thinking. Such a person’s thought is characterized by the disciplined and manner of approaching abstract concepts and communicating them with simplicity to others.  A person who demonstrates a renewed spirit recognizes that his intellectual abilities are gifts from God, and, therefore, he is mindful of the dangers of being arrogant or prideful due to his intellectual abilities.  Instead, he values humility and views a keen intellect as a gift that God provides to him not to advance himself, but to serve others.

    Second, a person with a renewed spirit is someone who thinks and acts properly with others.  He consciously remembers that relationships with others are to be treasured and valued.  Such a person remembers that other human beings are never to be taken advantage of, abused, or neglected. For example, a team member with a renewed spirit does not take personal credit for work that he knows others are doing.

   Third, a person with a renewed spirit functions properly in being with God.  Such a person is able to balance the stress of work and life issues by knowing that God is a real and constant source of strength.  He reaches out to God in prayer on a daily basis, and he is not afraid express his faith with others.  He knows that God is active in all arenas of life, pouring forth his peace and serenity.

   Finally, we also consider that the “renewal of the spirit,” is not the result of human-initiated activity alone.  Rather, renewal of the spirit is only achievable through human effort combined with the action of the Holy Spirit.

   Through continued commitment of our lives in faith, the Holy Spirit provides us with a constant source of rejuvenation, dwells within us, and allows us to grow as persons, to discover new ideas for the betterment of all humanity, as persons in the likeness of God.

  “Renewal of the spirit” is not a condition that, once obtained, ceases its activity.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, it continually repairs all our human deficiencies, propelling us to ever-increasing heights as we grow in our communion with God and His saving truth.

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

TRIODION BEGINS - 16TH MATTHEW – PUBLICAN & PHARISEE

 GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection -  1st Plagal Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) "Ton synanarchon logon "  Hymnal, 85-86.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) "The Eternal Word" (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of St. Theodore

   (Read)  Faith can accomplish great things. / Because of its power, the holy great-martyr Theodore rejoiced in the midst of flames / as if he had been in refreshing water. / Burned by the flames, / he was offered to the Holy Trinity as a delightful bread. / Through his intercession, / O Christ God, save our souls.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ    (Sing) From the sheet in the pew.

Kontakion of the Pharisee & Publican  Sung in Greek by the Leader.

    (Read) Let us flee the Pharisee’s prideful attitude, / let us learn the Publican’s humble demeanor, / and with sighs / cry out to the Savior and say, / ‘Be gracious to us, / O only forgiving Lord.

EPISTLE –  2 Timothy 3:10-15 (33rd Sunday)

imothy, my son, 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 Iconion, 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.

GOSPEL – Luke 18:10-14 (16th Matthew)

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."

 Return to p. 31 of the Hymnal

“The Orthodox Church: Under the Same Management for 2000 Years”