How many times have we absolutely known that something was a certain way, only to discover later that what we believed to be true...was not? "Keep An Open Mind And An Open Heart, Because... You Just Never Know... “Ya might be eating someone else's cookies!”                                                                         

           (Thanks to George Mavros!)

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

Evening Services as Announced

POST-FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION

2nd SUNDAY OF THE TRIODION- THE PRODIGAL SON (17th LUKE)

 

Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes

Dismissal Hymn - 1st  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Tou lithou sfragisthenos").Hymnal,  80-81.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("The stone was sealed"). (Same)

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

Kontakion for the Presentation of Christ at the Temple

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

   (Read) O Christ our God, / who through Your birth / have 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 humankind. Return to Page 26–“Holy God . . .”

EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20  (34th Sunday)

rethren, "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 and in your spirit which belong to God.

GOSPEL – Luke 15:11-42 (Publican & Pharisee)

he Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the 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.'"

    FOR THE RECORD: Sunday Morning, February 1, 2004: Attendance - 47; Candles - $58; Offering - $84; Hospitality $41. Sunday Evening Feast Day Vespers: Attendance - 58; Candles – $48; Offering $102. Monday, February 2 Feast Day Divine Liturgy: Attendance - 21; Candles - $35.  Thank you!

   FEAST DAY VESPERS: Out church’s first Feast Day Vespers was a great success. The parishioners filled the church and we were blessed with the presence of many visiting Priests. Presiding was Fr. James Rousakis, of Holy Trinity Church, Clearwater and Vicar of the Tampa Bay Conference. Preacher was Fr. Michael Shuster of Holy Trinity Church, Spring Hill and Vicar of the Florida Carpatho-Russian Churches. Also participating were Fr. Petros Kopsahilis, Fr. William Mattis, Brooksville; Fr. John Protopapas, St. Raphael, Nicholas and Anna Church in Palm Harbor; Fr. Nicholas Samaras, Archangel Michael Church, Lecanto; and Fr. Constantine Xanthakis, Clearwater, who served as chanter. We are grateful!

   A BREAD-BLESSING (ARTOKLASIA) service was offered at the Vespers by the Angeliadis Family – Gregory & Maria Angeliadis and George & Stacey Angeliadis. Unfortunately, Maria was hospitalized on Sunday and the family could not be present. Maria is now feeling much better. We ask for God’s blessing!

   ANOTHER BREAD-BLESSING (ARTOKLASIA) was offered at the Divine Liturgy on Monday, February 2, by Michali and Fotine Mylonas of Tarpon Springs on behalf of the health of their family members. We pray “Chronia Polla!” – “Many years!”

  VESPERS RECEPTION: Many thanks to a number of Stewards for preparing the Dining Hall and feast. Mission Council President, Paul Cosmadelis reports and expresses thanks to the members of the Men’s Breakfast Club, Paul Cosmadelis, Alex George, Speros Lemonedes, George Nikas and Bill Pasisis, who cleaned and re-arranged the furniture for the reception. The setting up was done by a group of our church women after Friday’s P.E.P. class. Thanks to Bette Ferriero, Venice Cosmadelis, Nancy Kastelan, Dee Nikas, and Harriet Pasisis. The delicious shrimp, and old Cosmadelis family recipe, was prepared by Venice and Paul Cosmadelis, Nancy Kastelan, and Nick Kastelan. Because so many of our people were ill or otherwise occupied, the platters were purchased from Publix.

  TRISAGION SERVICE: A Trisagion Service will be offered today at the Divine Liturgy by George & Betty Roussos and Eleni and James, for the rest of the souls of Betty’s mother Georgia and George’s father James and his mother Eleni. May their memories be Eternal!

   ALTAR WINE DONATIONS: Altar Wine donations were made by Michalis & Fotine Mylonas (1); Connie Pappas (1); Bill and Harriet Pasisis (3); and John Tsausis (3). Thanks!

   HOSPTITALIZED: Oak Hill: Maria Angeliadis; Stanley Cratcha; Helen Nicolelis, recovering at home; Christos Spirou; Tony Vardakis. Spring Hill Regional: Delcie Kelo recovering at home. Let Fr. Stanley know when a family member is hospitalized!

   SATURDAY OF SOULS – THIS SATURDAY, FEB. 14. - LITURGY 10:00 A.M.

   SIGN TRIM: Did you notice the beautiful blue trim around our three signs? They are a gift of sign-maker Steve Ferriero, owner of ESP Enterprises. We are indeed, grateful. Thanks!

    P.E.P CLASS: Friday, February 13, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. Our topic will be “John 8:48-9:12.”

   PROSFORON BAKERS:  Eleni Nicolelis 2/8; Connie Mourgides 2/14 (Saturday of Souls); Betty Roussos 2/15; Venice Cosmadelis 2/22; Emily Thomas 2/29; George and Maria Angeliades 3/7; Fran Mather 3/14; Gloria Vardakis 3/21; Bette Ferriero 3/25 (Annunciation); Fran Triantafilon 3/28;  Presbytera Emily  4/3 (Saturday of Lazarus). George Nikas 4/4 (Palm Sunday); Patricia Lilore 4/8 (Holy Thursday). George Nikas is Prosforon Coordinator.

    RENEW YOUR STEWARDSHIP!: Fifty two households have made their good faith Stewardship declaration so far, for 2004. Help us reach and surpass last year’s 65 Stewards! We will soon be publishing our “2004 Stewards Honor Role.” Send your Stewardship declaration cards for 2004, so that you can be included.  If you need additional cards, call Bill Pasisis, Stewardship Committee Chairman at 688-7465, who will send them to you.

   University of Illinois Mission Group: A group of 12 to 15 college students, members of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at the University of Illinois-Champaign with their Director, Fr. George Pyle will be coming on a work mission to our property in March. They will spend one week with us sprucing up our buildings. Tyke Nicolelis is the contact person and he is working with Council Members to plan for the work which needs to be done. Dates will be announced as soon as they are finalized. Welcome! We will also announce how we as a mission can express our thanks to the young people for their generous support.

Archpastoral Reflections - January 2004 – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
A Vital New Year’s Resolution: Read and Hear the Holy Scriptures!

he beginning of the New Year offers many people an opportune time to make or renew commitments…. This sense of newness and the impetus it gives to change is basically the result of how we mark time. One year is completed, and a new one begins. Another year . . . has passed, and a New Year filled with possibilities has begun.

   Certainly, the feelings, thoughts, and actions that this annual transition inspires are linked to the innate desire to find peace, to secure and enhance well-being, and to improve mind, body, and soul. However, the challenge faced by many in their attempt to do any of these things is finding guidance among the myriad of “life-changing” programs and self-help products. In addition, we live in a world and a culture that continuously offers goals for living and definitions of success that are as transitional as time itself. Just as the previous year has passed, so too do the “latest” means and methods for self-improvement.

   As Christians we are truly blessed to have guidance that has not only stood the test of time but will also lead us to eternity. Our provident and gracious God has given to us the Holy Scriptures, a sacred text that “is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). Within the pages of the Holy Scriptures we have not only God’s plan for our salvation from evil, sin, and death, but we have a wealth of divine truth, wisdom, knowledge, and direction that nurtures the mind, soul, and body in the way of peace and life. Through historical narrative, stories, teachings, hymns, and prayers that acknowledge in the most specific ways the conditions of our lives, the Holy Scriptures direct our attention first and foremost to Christ, the one who knows intimately our human experience and who will guide us in fulfilling our potential as persons created in the image of God. Through the record of our Lord’s ministry and teaching and that of His Apostles, and throughout all of the Scriptures, we find tremendous resources that guide us in setting goals, improving our well-being, and achieving new heights of knowledge, understanding, and communion with God and one another. Moreover, we can be assured that when one year passes into another, or even if heaven and earth passes away, the words of our Lord will not pass away (Matthew 24:35); the guidance provided to us within the pages of the Holy Scriptures will be applicable today, tomorrow, and into the ages to come.

   In this New Year, we must resolve to read and to hear the Holy Scriptures. As we gather for worship in our parishes, we must listen attentively to the readings. We must resolve to teach and preach in a manner that not only affirms our commitment to the Gospel of truth, but also in a way that relates the Truth to the lives of people. We must also resolve to read the Scriptures regularly. Through reading, study, prayer, and teaching, we will find divine guidance for living in this world; we will understand growth and change in terms of our spiritual lives and well-being; and our lives will be filled with the knowledge and the presence of the One who came to be with us—Jesus Christ our Lord. May His blessings be with you and your families in this New Year.  
                              + DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America

  SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21  - 4:00 P.M.  AT THE PARISH DINING HALL

  DEE JAY CAL BUCK PROVIDING GREEK,  AMERICAN & INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FOR YOUR DANCING PLEASURE

                                      “Heavy” Hors D’oeuvres Will Be Served

            Meat Balls, Chicken Wings; Tiropittes, Dolmades, etc. Wine included.

$8 per person at the Door

                              COME AND BRING FRIENDS OR NEIGHBORS

CHRIST THE SAVIOR GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”