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The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. VII, No. 03 – Sunday, January 20, 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
Fr. Stanley
S. Harakas, Th.D.,D.D. (352) 796-2377; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax
(352-796-9081)
WHY TEMPATION?
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by the devil."
(Matthew 4:1)
ven the Lord
Jesus was tempted. Why? St. John Chrysostom notes: ". . . He endures
also to be led up there, and to wrestle against the devil: in order
that each of those who are baptized, if after his baptism he have to
endure greater temptations, may not be troubled as if the result
were unexpected
Temptation is our human lot (1 Cor. 10:13). But the Lord Jesus had
a greater purpose in undergoing temptation than merely to remove the
surprise of it. He aims at our survival in spiritual combat.
Therefore we must be alert to "watch our flank." And more: the Lord
went into the desert to be tempted because He desires that each
disciple understand how and when temptations are going to come.
The Spirit often drives Christians into the struggle against the
whispering of the evil one. Why? St. John Chrysostom says, "...to
teach you that you are to become much stronger" by acting as a
Christian, and "...that you may become stronger and better tempered
than any steel and discover your strength in God.
Temptation comes when we are isolated. As St. Theophylact says
of the Lord, "He is led into the wilderness to show us that the
devil tempts you when he sees you alone and without help from
others. Therefore we must not put our trust in ourselves without any
counsel from others." So St. John Chrysostom suggests that we flock
"...together continually, that we may not be open to the devil's
attacks."
The devil's name, "Diabolos," means "slanderer." So, he
suggests to Christ "If You are the Son of God" (Mt. 4:3),
insinuating that the Lord was abandoned. You belong to the Holy
Trinity, and are never alone or abandoned. Never trust "feelings" of
abandonment.
Temptation to turn from God also comes through the allure of
power, riches, and this world's tangible pleasures (Mt. 4:8). The
devil paints the picture beautifully to arouse our desires, stir us
up and lead us to fall. He offers bread made from stones when we are
hungry! (cf.: Mt. 4:3). “Beware, O my soul! Blessed is my God,
and let the God of my salvation be exalted. O my Deliverer from
enemies...from them that arise up against me will You lift me high.”
(Ps. 17)
(Excerpted and
Revised from Dynamis Website, Saturday, January 12, 2007)
Service
Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at
10:00 a.m.
Evening Services as Announced
Today’s Saints: Euthymios the Great (+473); Neomartyr Zacharias
of Arta (+1782);
Martyrs Bassus, Eusebius, Eutychius and Basilides; Women Martyrs
Inna, Pinna, Rimma; Peter the Publican.
12th SUNDAY OF LUKE
GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER
HYMNS
Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 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 St. Euthymios
(Read) Joy to you, barren wilderness! / Rejoice, you
sterile desert / that never has known the travail of birth, / for the
man of desires has multiplied your children. / He has planted them in
devotion and piety / and made them grow in detachment / for the sake of
perfect virtue. / Through his supplications, / Christ God, / give peace
to our lives!
Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See sheet in the
pew)
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 4:6-15 (Saint Euthymios)
rethren, it is the God who
said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of
Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the
transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in
every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always
carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may
also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being
given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be
manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in
you.Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I
believed, and so I spoke," we too believed, and so we speak, knowing
that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and
bring us with you into His presence. For it is all for your sake, so
that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase
thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
GOSPEL – Luke
17:12-19 (12th Luke)
t that time, as Jesus
entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and
lifted up their voices and said: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When
He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”
And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that
he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell
on his face at Jesus’s feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
Then said Jesus: “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one
found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And He
said to him: “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Return to
p. 32of the Hymnal
WE ARE GRATEFUL to Fr. Jerry Murphy for conducting the Divine
Liturgy on short notice this past Sunday because of Fr. Stanley’s
illness. Many thanks!
THE VASILOPITA this past Sunday was an enjoyable event and
with the generosity of all in attendance approximately $300 was raised
for the St. Basil Academy, the child care facility of our Archdiocese in
Garrison, NY. Many thanks to all!
One Tray Today: Stewardship Offering
and Visitors Donations
THE WEDDING of Harisis Manolis and
Christina Thomas will take place at St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox
Church in West Palm Beach, FL this weekend. Fr. Stanley and Presbytera
Emily plan to attend the wedding. Fr. Jerry has graciously accepted to
conduct the Divine Liturgy. Our whole parish wishes Harisis and
Christina many blessings and “Many Years” of happiness and joy!
PROSFORON BAKERS:
1/27-Argiri & Carol Gymnaos; 1/30 Three Hierarchs (Sts. Basil, Gregory
the Theologian, John Chrysostom ??????????. Become a Prosforon
Baker! For information about the
Prosforon Bakers, call Fr. Stanley! 796-2377.
HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Dora Halvatzes. We pray for a rapid
recovery!
 NEXT
Sunday, January 27
Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner
·
After Church
·
Fund-Raiser For Our Church
Mmmm, Good!
Adults $8 - Children 6-12 $4 & 5 and under - Free!
Co-Chairs: Denise
Zotto and Helene Arvanitis.
COME AND ENJOY
A HOME COOKED DINNER!
FEAST OF THE THREE HIERARCHS:
We honor the three great saints of
Orthodoxy, St. Basil, St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory the Theologian
on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Orthros at 9:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10:00
a.m. Come and honor their memory!
PARISH FEAST DAY EVENTS: “The
Presentation of Christ at the Temple will be observed on
Friday, February 1 with Feast Day Vespers at 4:00 p.m. A
reception will follow the Vesper Service which will be co-chaired by
Venice Cosmadelis and Nancy Kastelan. It being Friday, the reception
following will be a delicious seafood salad with all the fixings! Plan
to come and honor Christ the Savior, whose name honors our parish!
The Feast Day Liturgy will be at 10 a.m. on
Saturday, February 2. Plan on attending!
PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM:
The P.E.P. program for Friday, January 11, was cancelled because of Fr.
Stanley’s illness. The topic for that day will be joined with another
session on Feb. 22. The topic for this Friday, January 18, will be
the Old Testament Psalm 142. The session will be led by Fr. Jerry, in
the absence of Fr. Stanley.
COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS FOR JANUARY:
Elaine Underwood & Gloria Vardakis 1/20; Diane Covington & Emily Thomas
1/27. Sign up today for February!
GARAGE SALE! On Friday, February
29 & Saturday, March 1 our parish will hold a Garage Sale! We
need more items to sell! Now is the time to clean out your garage
and storage space and bring all useful items to the church. We need
help from everyone! If you bring items and no one is there to
receive them, please leave them on the porch of the Parish Hall. You can
also help in pricing beforehand and selling during the two days. Let’s
make this a great success! To offer your help, speak to co-chairs
Harriet Pasisis (688-7465), Gloria Vardakis (688-2270) or Helen Vangel
(597-4504). Proceeds of the Garage Sale will support our Church.
PARISH COUNCIL COMMITTEES: Chairs: Candle Stand -
Helene Arvanitis. All Parish Council members in rotation; Grounds -
Argiris Gymnaos; Stewardship - Venice Cosmadelis & Bill
Pasisis; Legal Counsel - George Angeliadis; 2008-2009
Telephone Directory - Achilles Thomas; Facilities - Niko
Maroulis and George Maniates; Youth - Carol Gymnaos;
Stewardhip Secretary - Curtis Thomas. Reporting from St.
Katherine Ladies Society - Emily Thomas; Reporting from the
Building Committee - Niko Maroulis.
A SIGN
OF LOVE FOR GOD = REGULAR CHURCH ATTENDANCE!
BULLETIN SPONSOR: THE
THOMAS FAMILY
We
Wish Harisis & Christina Happiness In Their New Life Together!
Be A
Bulletin Sponsor – A Message & $25 – See Treasurer Bill Pasisis Today
CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
Mark Your Calendar!
-Sunday,
Jan. 27
Spaghetti Dinner
-Friday,
Feb. 1
Feast Day Vespers
-Saturday, Feb. 2
Feast Day Liturgy
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