The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VII, No. 08 – Sunday, February 3, 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

“HAVE YOU NOT READ . . .?”

n His many encounters with the Pharisees and the Sadducees, the teaching class of religious leaders of His time, Jesus often challenged them on the basis of the Bible. Frequently, He would ask them “Have you not read . . .? One example is in the Gospel of Matthew, where at the conclusion of a Parable, it says, “Jesus said to them “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner . . .” referring to Himself as the cornerstone of the faith. Jesus assumed that reading the Bible was something that believers in God should do. He, Himself read the Bible in public during the synagogue worship (Luke 4:16). St. Paul, in the second letter to the Corinthian Christians, declares “For we write you nothing but what you can read and understand; I hope you will understand fully” (1:13), and in his letter to the Ephesians, he tells them “When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ (3:4).

     Since those days, many Christian writings have appeared that help edify Christians so that they may grow in faith and God-like living. These words of St. Paul about the Bible also apply to many of these writings, chief of which are the writings of the Church Fathers: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12)

     Which means that Orthodox Christians should read about our Orthodox Christian Faith. First in importance is the Bible. Many of the sessions of our Parish Education Program help us do just that. There are books available in our Parish Library. There are many articles, short and easy to understand, in publications such as The Orthodox Observer or the quarterly magazine of our Atlanta Metropolis, Diakonia. Don’t let the Lord ask you, as He did the Pharisees, “Have you not read . . . ?” Here is the prayer said before the reading of the Gospel in the Divine Liturgy. Say it before you begin any religious reading:

     O Master who loves humankind, with the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Your gospel teachings; implant in us also reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that trampling down all sinful desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things that please You. For You are the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and to You we ascribe glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

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

16TH SUNDAY OF LUKE

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (Sing in English before the Entrance)

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 3rd Tone

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) "Let all things rejoice." Hymnal,  83-84. (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (Sing in English before the Entrance)

Kontakion of the Presentation: Sung in Greek by the Leader: “O metran partheniken”

(Read) O Christ our God, / who through Your birth / have sanctified the virginal womb / and have blessed the arms of Symeon, / You have come today to save us! / When wars prevail, / keep Your people in peace / and strengthen our public authorities / in every good deed, / for You alone are the one who loves humankind.

EPISTLE –  2 Corinthians 6:1-10 (16th Matthew)

rethren, working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

GOSPEL –  Matthew 25:14-30 (16th Matthew)

he Lord said this parable: "A man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." As he said these things he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

 Return to p. 31 of the Hymnal

   COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS FOR FEBRUARY: Donna Hados & Presbytera Emily 2/03; Skevy Larson & Jennie Palmentari 2/10; Diane Covington & Denise Zotto 2/17; Harriet Pasisis & Nancy Kastelan 2/24. Sign up for March! 

   THANKS TO NEW PROSFORON VOLUTEERS - Diane Covington, Bette Ferriero, George Nikas, Stacy Underwood & Denise Zotto. A Stewardship of Time & Talent!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Venice Cosmadelis 2/03;  Presbytera Emily Harakas 2/10; Argiri & Carol Gymnaos 2/17; George Nikas 2/24; 3/2 Diane Covington; Bette Ferriero 3/8 (Saturday of Souls); Stacy Underwood 3/9; Denise Zotto 3/16. Many thanks!

   FOR THE RECORD: Treasurer Curtis Thomas reporting.  Jan. 10 -  Mail received towards Stewardship $380 Sunday, Jan 13 - Candles $71; Visitors’ Donations $35; Stewardship $465; Xmas Donation $75 Attendance 41; St.Basil’s Vasilopita Donations    $133. Sunday, Jan.20 - Candles $74; Visitors’ Donations $133; Coffee Hour $15; Stewardship $545; Bulletin: $25; Attendance 36. Sunday, Jan 27 - Candles $105; Visitors’ Donations  $422.70; Stewardship $405; Bulletin $50; Attendance 58.

    HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: George Nikas, Steve Mourgides, William Hesseling. We pray for a rapid recovery! Inform Fr. Stanley when a family member is hospitalized.

    VASILOPITA: Many thanks to Co-Chairs Skevy Larson & Venice Cosmadelis for chairing this community event and to Fr. Jerry for conducting the service.

    Spaghetti Dinner: Many thanks to Co-Chairs Helene Arvanitis and Denise Zotto for a delicious spaghetti and meatball dinner this past Sunday. The Italian décor and music added to the pleasure of the day (our two bearded and mustachioed servers were Bill Zotto and Curtis Thomas). The fund-raiser earned $359 for our church treasury.

    GARAGE SALE!  We need more items to sell! Now is the time to clean out your house to bring useful items for the sale. Pricing and preparation will take place Wed., Feb. 27 from 10 am to 2 pm. The Garage Sale will be Fri. & Sat. Feb. 29/March 1, 8 am to 4 pm each day. We need  help from everyone! Volunteer to help by calling Co-Chairs Harriet Pasisis (688-7465), Gloria Vardakis (688-2270) or Helen Vangel (597-4504).

   FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: Birthdays - 2/4 Pat Tsausis; 2/8 Dora Halvatzes; 2/14 Bette Ferriero; 2/18 Marida Zoumberos; 2/19 Helene Arvanitis; 2/20 Nikolai Kastelan; 2/24 Christian Manolis. Anniversaries - 2/8 Michael & Frances Triantafilon; 2/21 Christos & Helene Arvanitis. Many Years!

   HELP SOLICIT ADS for the 2008-2009 Parish Telephone Directory. A meeting of all who want to help will be held during the Coffee Hour next Sunday, Feb.12. Help this project succeed! Co-Chairs are Achilles Thomas &Venice Cosmadelis.

   PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM:  The topic for this Friday, February 8, will be Ch. 11 on Health of the Russian Orthodox Bishop’s Church and Society Statement.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611