The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. IX, No.06 – Sunday, February 7, 2010

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

Church Location: 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL 34614 + 352-796-8482

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?

(Adapted from last Sunday’s sermon)

 

 I would like to tell you about a long Eskimo word. The word is ISSU-MAGI-JOU-JUNG-NA-INER-MIK! Do you think that it is not such a pretty word? Maybe if I explain it, you might change your mind. Last Sunday focused on the “Parable of Prodigal Son.” Today our Church marks “Meatfare Sunday” which warns us of the consequences sinful living and the promise of righteous living.

   Once our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told a story about a family that had two sons. One of these sons told his father that he wanted to leave home, take his inheritance and go far away to another place. When the son got there, he began living a very bad life. He went to wild parties, did everything bad you could think of, and then he lost all his money and ended up starving and homeless and cold, while he fed pigs.

   He then decided to go back home and tell his father how sorry he was for doing all those bad things. As he was coming home, his father came out of the house, ran to him, hugged and kissed him and forgave him for doing all those bad things, and had a nice party for his son who decided from then on to live a good life.

   This story is really about us – God and us. The Prodigal Son accepted he had sinned and the he was truly sorry, that he had decided not to repeat his sins, and to live according to the Lord. When you and I do this, we call it “Repentance.” His father ran out and welcomed him back home. We call this “forgiveness.” His father forgave him his sins!

   But what does forgiveness mean?

   Well, that’s where the Eskimo word ISSU-MAGI-JOU-JUNG-NA-INER-MIK comes in. It is a strange and funny sounding word. But it tells us what God's forgiveness is really like. It means in the Eskimo language, "not-­being-able-to-think-about-it-anymore.” God doesn't think about our sins any more when He forgives us. He takes us back into his house as if we did nothing wrong. He forgives us.

    But, for God to forgive us, we have to repent, be sorry for our sins, ask for forgiveness, and commit ourselves seriously to changing our ways.

    Now don't you think that ISSU-MAGI-JOU-JUNG-NA-INER-MIK is really a very nice and beautiful word? It describes a fresh new relationship we have with God and with one another. When we repent, confess our sins and resolve to not to do them in the future everything changes we prepare ourselves also for eternity and the Last Judgment. During Great Lent there are many opportunities scheduled for you to come to Confession, and receive God’s forgiveness, so that He doesn’t think about your sins anymore!

 

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

TRIODION – SUNDAY AFTER THE PRESENTATION – MEATFARE / FORGIVENESS SUNDAY

Gospel Entrance & Other Hymns

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 2nd Tone

  (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("When you descended") Hymnal, 81-82.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation (Hail of Mother of God) From sheet in pew

Kontakion of the Presentation of Christ at the Temple: Sung in Greek by the leaders: “O metran parthenikeen”

   (Read)    "O Christ our God / who through your birth / have sanctified the virginal womb / and have now blessed the arms of Simeon, / today You have come to save us. O Lord, / when wars prevail, keep your people in peace / and strengthen our Public Authorities / in every good deed, / for You alone are the Lover of humankind."

EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 8:8-9:2-20 (Meatfare Sunday)

rethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

GOSPEL – Matthew 25:31-46 (Meatfare Sunday)

he Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." 

   A 40 DAY MEMORIAL SERVICE with Kolyva was offered in memory of the late Alkiviadis Stampoulis, this past Sunday at the Divine Liturgy by his wife Patricia and the Stampoulis family. May his memory be eternal!

   THANKS to all who helped Christ the Savior Presented at the Temple Church celebrate our Feast Day with Vespers on February 1, followed by a delicious reception, and on February 2 with the Divine Liturgy. We are grateful for the contributions of food and attendance at the services.

   A BREAD BLESSING SERVICE was offered at the Presentation Vespers by the Larson family – David, Skevy, Argyri and Angela. We pray that the Lord bless them and keep them in good health.

   A TRISAGION is being offered today by Amy Mirialakis for the rest of the soul of her late husband George who passed away on February 6, 2004. Light refreshments will be offered during the Coffee Hour after Liturgy in his memory.

   CONGRATULATIONS to Steward David Larson, who heads the Brooksville Army Recruitment Office. Dave was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant at a promotions ceremony in Clearwater on January 29. We are proud of his achievement and pray for blessings upon him and the family.

   TODAY! Following the Divine Liturgy we will offer Birthday, Wedding Anniversary and Name Day Blessings for the month of February. We pray to all, “Many Years!”

  PARISH COUNCIL MEETING tomorrow, Monday, February 8, at 7:00 p.m.

  BUILDING COMMITTEE, Thursday, February 11, 7:00 p.m.

  PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: Friday, February 12 - 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Video and Bible Study 1 Corinthians, ch. 11. Refreshments! All are welcome! 

  2010-2011 TELEPHONE DIRECTORY: Co-Chairs Pete Hantzis and Emily Thomas ask you to donate a Booster Ad in our upcoming 2010-2011 Christ the Savior Telephone Directory. Forms available on the back table in the church and the Hall.

 

 

FOR THE RECORD: 01/31/10 & 02/1,2/10. Candles 1/31-$95, 2/1-$18, 2/2 $32;  Visitors’ Donations  $43; Coffee Hour $29;  Stewardship  $1,640; Bulletin $125. We thank everyone for your continued support!

  HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Theodora Williams, Sophie Basile. Evergreen Woods: Toula Panagopoulos, John Messaris; Health South: Delcie Kelo, Chrysokaty Georgakapulos. We pray for the rapid recovery of all.

  SATURDAY OF SOULS: This coming Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – Orthros; 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy & Memorial Service. Forms for names available at the Candle Stand. 

   PROSFORON BAKERS: 2/07/10 – Rosamond Soulis; 2/14/10 - Diane Covington; 2/21/10 - Kara Hazivasilis; 2/28/10 - Richard Triconi; 3/07/10 - Venice Cosmadelis.

         

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611