UNSUNG HEROS

As we celebrate our feast day of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior to the Temple, one figure in the Gospel remains somewhat in the background, but deserves our special attention. Anna the Prophetess is described as an elderly woman who lived day and night in the temple fasting and in prayer giving praise to God.  She, like Simeon the Righteous, made a public proclamation when she saw the infant, that Jesus was the Lord and Savior of His people.  The Gospel tells us little else about Anna except that she lived a continent life and devoted herself entirely to prayer, fasting and a life of service in the temple.             Upon reflection, I am sure that we can identify many Annas in our own time and in our local churches.  While growing up in Connecticut, we had an elderly lady who was our Anna.  She attended every Liturgy and Service in the church and made the prosphora (bread) for every Liturgy.  She kept all of the fast days in a very quiet way never making a spectacle of herself.  Her one witness was to take Holy Communion at every Liturgy during a time when most of the faithful took Communion only rarely at the holy days. She was influenced by the Zoe Movement in Greece, a movement of spiritual renewal popular in the 50’s.  She taught us all to love the Eucharist by her example and to prepare for taking Holy Communion by prayer and fasting. Most of all, our local Anna was a lady of joy.  She never gossiped and was often asked to pray for members of our families who were sick or experiencing some difficulty.  I feel sure that our Anna went directly to God when her time came.  Many priests served her funeral.  We suspected that we had been blessed with a saint in our midst.
            There are many Annas in our midst.  They work behind the scenes giving quiet witness to their love for God and His church.  Their efforts are tireless and unselfish, as they never seek public recognition or applause.  They are content to serve the Master who sees all and rewards all in secret.  If you have an Anna near you, thank God for her wonderful witness.  Would that we all could be like her in some way. Happy Feast Day!  Fr. Jerry

Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

Evening Services as Announced.

SUNDAY OF THE PARABLE OF THE TEN TALENTS

Gospel Entrance Hymns

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection- 3^rd Tone

    (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“Evphrainestho ta ourania”) Hymnal 83-84

    (Sing in English after the Entrance) (“Let All Things Rejoice”) (Same)

Dismissal Hymn of St. Photius

   (Read) O Guide of the true faith/ Teacher of a godly and holy life, / You are a beacon to the Christian world./ Pride and adornment of hierarchs,/ who was inspired by God./ By your teachings,/ you have given light to mankind./ You are a harp on which the Spirit played./ O Holy Photius, intercede with Christ, our God,/ to grant salvation to our souls.

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

Kontakion for the Presentation of Christ in the Temple

   (Sung in Greek by the leaders) “O mitran partheniken”

   (Read) O Christ our God, /who through Your birth/ has sanctified the virginal womb/ and have blessed the arms of Simeon./ 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 mankind.

Return to page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

EPISTLE-- Timothy 4:9-15

TIMOTHY, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you.  Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

GOSPEL: Matthew 25:14-30

The 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!"

  
FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, January 30. Attendance 47; Stewardship $445; Candles: $89.00; Building Fund: $34.20 Visitors $5.00; Special gift from St. John’s Tampa $300-

   FATHER HARAKAS was released from the hospital and is recuperating at home. We ask that folks refrain from visiting or phoning during this time of rest for Father.  Cards and notes may be sent to his home at 12443 Little Farms Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609.

   PRE-LENTEN PERIOD: The Pre-Lenten Period (Triodion) begins on Sunday, Feb. 20^th or the Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee.  Great Lent begins on Pure Monday, March 14^th with Easter (Pascha) on Sunday, May 1^st.  The week of Feb. 20-26 is a fast-free week when both meat and dairy products are allowed on Wednesday and Friday.

   SPECIAL THANKS: Special thanks to all who contributed towards our delicious feast day Pot Luck Supper held following Vespers on Tuesday past. Many folks went to great lengths to assure a beautiful celebration.  Their efforts are most appreciated. THANK YOU.

   P.E.P. CLASSES: Continued discussion on the Creed with a video. John Hatzi will lead the discussion.  All are most welcome.

   MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Outback Steakhouse Dinner-a fundraiser for our parish will be held on Tuesday, March 8^th at The Hernando County Senior Citizen Center-Cave Hill Rd. (opposite Target’s on Rte 19). We aim to sell 225 tickets to friends and neighbors.  Please help.  For details and tickets see Dee Nikas.

   BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED for March 2005. To reserve your sponsorship, call Connie Mourgides at 686-0589. Only $25. Two Sponsorships needed for March.

   FEAST DAY BANQUET:  We look forward to our First Annual Feast Day banquet to be held on Saturday, February 19^th at the Wellington at Seven Hills Restaurant.  It is possible to make reservations for this special parish event by contacting Paul or Venice Cosmadelis at 686-1199.  The event is a celebration with Metropolitan Alexios as our guest of honor.  There will be a very brief speaking program and no fund raising planned for this occasion.  Please plan to join us.

   METROPOLITAN’S VISIT: His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios will conduct a Hierarchical Liturgy at our church on Sunday, February 20^th. The Liturgy will be followed by a parish luncheon at which time we will have an opportunity to greet the Metropolitan in person.  Your presence at this Liturgy will make our celebration complete.

 

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

 

PLAN TO ATTEND

OUTBACK STEAK HOUSE

DINNER-March 8^th.

Hernando County Senior Citizen Center

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