Contents

The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. II, No. 8 – Sunday, February 23, 2003

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

The Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org/

THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

HAT’S IN A NAME? Regarding the Name of God, the Bible gives a striking response. The Name of God is tantamount to the presence of God Himself! Uttering the Name of God is an invocation of the presence of the very being of God.         St. Peter declared "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). The Name of the Lord, saves.  He ended that message, saying in Acts 2:38: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." The Name of the Lord forgives and sanctifies.

               Shortly after, St. Peter healed a crippled man who was begging for alms. He said to him, "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk" (Acts 3:6). The Name of the Lord heals.

               When St. Paul preached to the Greeks of Ephesus, "the name of the Lord Jesus was  extolled" (Acts 19:17). God is praised through His Name.             In his letter to the Christians of Colossae, St. Paul says "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17). The Name of the Lord leads us to act rightly.

               To the Corinthians, he declared regarding Baptism, "you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11). We are cleansed, sanctified and justified in the Name of the Lord.       St. John the Apostle discloses, "To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God" (John 1:12). Belief in the Name of the Lord makes us God's sons and daughters.

            So, "Jesus Christ" is the name that is "above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come" (Ephesians 1:21). As a result, "God has highly exalted his name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11).

            So now maybe you will understand the seriousness of the Third Commandment: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain" (Exodus 20:7).

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

2nd Sunday of the Triodion: The Prodigal Son – 17th Luke

Saints: Martyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (+166); Martyr Polychronios; Righteous Gorgonia (4th c.); Righteous Damianos, the Younger, Martyr (+1280); Martyr Proterios, Patriarch of Alexandria (+457); Polycarp of Briansk; Damian of the Holy Mountain;

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Brethren, "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

GOSPEL: Luke 18:10-14

And he said, "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry.  "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn – 2nd  Plagal Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“Angelikai Dynameis”). Hymnal,  86-87.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) (“The Angelic Powers”). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas

   (Sing in English) “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111.

Kontakion of the Prodigal Son

   (Read) I revolted senselessly / out of Your fatherly glory; / I have squandered sinfully / all of the riches You gave me. / Hence to You, using the Prodigal’s words, I cry out, / I have sinned before You, merciful, loving Father. / Receive me in repentance, I pray, / and treat me as one of your hired servants.
Turn to page 26 in the Hymnal: Sing HOLY GOD. . .

FOR THE RECORD: Sunday 2-16-03: Attendance - 50; Candle Offerings - $110; Weekly Collection - $114; Building Fund - $25. Thank you for your support!

   The “Valentine For You” Luncheon was successful! Every seat in the Parish Hall was taken! The hall was decorated in a beautiful Valentine Day’s theme to the enjoyment of all. $323 was raised for our Mission budget. Thanks to all who made it possible, especially Dora Halvatzes, who was Chairperson for this Fundraising event.

   CONGRATULATIONS to Ed and Gloria Zahka whose daughter Lisa gave birth to a baby boy recently, Dominic! They are now the proud grandparents of 12 grandchildren!

      PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2:00 PM!

   PROSFORON BAKING: 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; Bette Ferriero 4/13. Remember to include family names, both living and deceased.  

   HOSPITALIZED: Bayonet Point: Tyke Nicolelis; John Levandis. Oak Hill: Ann Prestage; Tampa General: George Roussos. We pray for their rapid recovery. Call Fr. Harakas with information regarding hospitalized parishioners.

   TODAY, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY following the Divine Liturgy. This is an important meeting for our Mission Parish. A free luncheon will be provided for all in attendance following the Divine Liturgy . Plan on attending!

   GROWING IN STEWARD MEMBERS: 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.

Come to Church!

HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION

OF HERNANDO COUNTY

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

• Bulletins
• Contact
• Directions
• Education
• Events
• Fr. Harakas
• Links
• Newspaper
• Photos
•