The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. III, No. 2 – Sunday, January 11, 2004
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
13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482
Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org
Fr. Stanley S. Harakas,  Th.D, D.D., (352) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846;
 
 
November 25, 2003
Reverend Father Stanley S. Harakas Th.D., D.D.
Connie Mourgides, President of Parish Council
Esteemed Members of the Parish Council Board and
the Faithful of Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church
 
My beloved in the Lord,
                                   “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”
(Romans 15:73)
   As we have embarked upon the blessed period of the Christmas Fast in preparation for the His Divine Incarnation, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
   I have received the announcement that your community, the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County, adopted a new name and will be referred as Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church, celebrating your Feastday on February the 2nd, which commemorates the Presentation of Christ at the Temple.
   As the Hierarch of the God-protected Metropolis of Atlanta it gives me great pleasure that you have dedicated your church to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Shepherd and Savior! I pray that He will guide and enlighten you to use your wisdom, talents, energy and resources in the most productive way. May your labor produce much fruit as you profess your faith, glorifying His Holy name!
   Finally, I congratulate all of you and I pray for the continuous success of all your endeavors. May His Grace and Mercy always be with you and your loved ones. With this, I remain,
 
 
 
 
 
Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.
Evening Services as Announced
 
Saints: Post-Epiphany; Theodosios the Righteous Abbot (+529);
Theodosios of Athos; the Righteous Agapios.
sunday after epiphany
Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes
 Dismissal Hymn of the Epiphany
   Sung in Greek before the Entrance by the leaders (“En Iordane baptizomenou sou”).
   Priest & People Sing “Save us O Son of God, who by John was baptized in the Jordan, we sing to you, Alleluia.”
Dismissal Hymn - Plagal 1st  Tone
   (Sing in Greek after the Entrance) "Ton synanarchon logon "  Hymnal, 85-86.
   (Sing in English after the Entrance) "The Eternal Word" (Same).
Dismissal Hymn of the Epiphany
   (Read) By Your Baptism, / O Lord, / in the River Jordan, / worship to the Trinity as made its appearance; / for the voice of the Lord / came forth to You / with the testimony, / naming you the beloved Son; / and the Spirit in the likeness of a dove, / confirming the truth of the word. / Wherefore, / O You who appeared and gave light to the world, / glory to You.
the robe of innocence. / Indeed, Christ has come forth to renew the whole creation.
Dismissal Hymn of St. Theodosios
   (Read) Your abundant tears / made the wilderness sprout and bloom, / and your sufferings / made your labor fruitful a hundredfold. / You became a shining torch / over the world, O Holy Father Theodosios. / Pray to Christ God / that He may save our souls!
Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ - (Sing) From the sheet in the pew.
   (Text): “Hail, O Mother of God, Virgin full of Grace. Through you did arise the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. And you made glad righteous Elder Simeon, receiving and embracing the liberation of our souls; also giving to us the resurrection.”
Kontakion for Epiphany
   (Sung in Greek by the leaders) “En tes reithreis semeroni”
   (Read) Today / the Lord Christ has appeared / in the Jordan’s waters, / and He has cried out to John: / “Do not fear to baptize me, / for by my own will / have I indeed come to save Adam, / the first-created human being.
 
EPISTLE – Hebrews 13:7-16 (St. Theodosios)
B
RETHREN, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, `They always go astray in their hearts; they have not known my ways.' As I swore in my wrath, `They shall never enter my rest.'" Take care, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end, while it is said, "Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." Who were they that heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses?
 
GOSPEL – Matthew 4:12-17 (Post-Epiphany)
A
    T THAT TIME, Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
      
    Come and Celebrate our First MissionFEAST DAY!


     
    Sunday, February 1
    •  
      Vespers at 4:00 pm

    • Feast day reception at 5:00 pm

    Letters of Invitation are being sent to neighboring parishes.

    Let Us Have An Excellent Attendance From Our Own Stewards and Friends!

    Monday, February 2

    • Orthros at 9:30 a.m.

    • Divine liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
       

    “CHRIST THE SAVIOR” MISSION EVENTS 
            
          12/11-New Council Members’ Orientation Session          1/1-Forty Day Churching of Gregory Angeliadis

 

     
   1/3-Nick & Gayle Mourgides’ Marriage Blessing           1/3-Steve Enjoys His Surprise 80th Birthday Party
 

 


 
   EPIPHANY HOLY WATER: Following the Divine Liturgy today, all in attendance will be blessed with Holy Water from the Epiphany services. Bottles of the Holy Water will be distributed to all in attendance to take home for blessing the home and drinking. If you would like Fr. Harakas to come to your home to bless it, please call him at 688-2382 to arrange a time. Many thanks to the Pharmacy at the Barclay Publix, which donated the bottles.  
   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, January 4, 2004: Attendance - 45; Candles - $67; Offering - $95; Hospitality $25. Thank you!
  BLESSING OF MARRIAGE: On Saturday, January 3, the marriage of Nicholas and Gayle Mourgides was blessed with the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony in the presence of family and friends. Sponsor was Andrew Mourgides and Witness was Emily Mourgides. We pray God’s blessings upon Nicholas and Gayle and their family. Many years!
   80th BIRTHDAY PARTY: Immediately following the marriage blessing, the Mourgides family, with friends, celebrated with a surprise 80th Birthday Party in the Dining Hall, for Steve Mourgides, who was truly surprised by the gathering, receiving the congratulations and best wishes of all. Congratulations, Steve, and many happy returns!
   THE ANNUAL “VASILOPITTA” OBSERVANCE took place on Sunday, January 4 following the Divine Liturgy in the Dining Hall. The traditional event, during which pieces of three “Saint Basil’s Sweetbreads” were cut and distributed to all in attendance, was a fund-raiser for our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese child care center, St. Basil’s Academy, in Garrison, NY. $133.50 was contributed. Included in each loaf was a coin. According to tradition, those who received it, will be blessed throughout the New Year 2004. They were Venice Cosmadelis, Nanka Kastelan, and William Pasisis. A cake, observing the completion of two years of service as our Mission Priest by Fr. Harakas (January 14) was donated by Nick and Nancy Kastelan and all in attendance sang in honor of the event.  Blessings to all for 2004!
     P.E.P CLASS: Friday, January 16, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. We will continue our study of the Gospel of John 8:15-30. – “Jesus the Light of the World Who Warns Against Unbelief” Plan to attend the P.E.P. Class each week in 2004.
    NOTICE!! Treasurer Nick Kastelan asks you to continue to make checks payable to Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County (HOMHC) until further notice.
     SYMPATHY: Our mission parish extends sympathy to Fr. Gerasimos Murphy on the death of his beloved sister-in-law Margaret Murphy, whose funeral was conducted in Connecticut, on Saturday, January 3. May God grant comfort to her family, and life eternal!
WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? For those who work or are in School, we are thinking of establishing an EVENING PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM CLASS.  If you think that you might be interested in attending such a class, you are encouraged to contact Fr. Stanley (352-688-2382) to let him know of your interest. We will hold an organizational meeting on Wednesday, January 21 in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00 p.m. Mark the date!
    BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED NOW! Support “The Orthodox Messenger” and honor someone, or give your message by becoming a Sponsor of an issue. The cost is only $25 per issue. See Nick Kastelan to reserve a Sunday or call him at 686-0634.
   PROSFORON BAKERS: Connie Mourgides 1/11; Bette Ferriero 1/18; Presbytera Emily  1/25; George Nikas 2/1; Patricia Lilore 2/2 (Presentation of Christ); Eleni Nicolelis 2/8; 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. George Nikas is Prosforon Coordinator.
Today’s Bulletin Sponsors: Edward and Gloria Zahka
For The Good Health and Happiness of Nick & Gayle Mourgides and Family
May God Grant Them “Many Years”
RESOLVE TO Come To Church Regularly!
 
CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”
  
 It’s the New Year – Time to Send in
     Your 2004 Stewardship Cards!

 

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