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The Orthodox Messenger 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; Email: Rharakas@aol.com THE CHURCH: WHAT IS IT?
he Church was founded by God for HIS purposes. God sent His Son into the world for its salvation. In the Church we human beings access that salvation. We are talking about "the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son" (Acts 20:28). That is why Jesus Christ "is the head of the body, the Church" (Colossians 1:18). The Creed says the Church is "one, holy, catholic and apostolic." One: There is one Body of Christ that identifies continuously throughout history with the one Church that Jesus Christ founded. This one Church, the Scriptures teach is “the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth”(1 Timothy 3:15). It is in the one Church of Christ that we find grace for forgiveness, strength for growing in holy God-likeness, and the truth to be able to discern right from wrong. Holy: The Church is holy because its purposes and means are holy, that is, it seeks to bring humanity and all creation into relationship with the Holy God. So we read, "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25). The "washing of the water" is the sacrament of Baptism, and by extension to all of the Holy Sacraments, which make our unity with Christ real. Catholic: St. Cyril of Jerusalem (+386), says the Church “is called catholic because it is spread through the whole world . . . and because it teaches fully (‘katholikos’) without omission every doctrine which ought to be brought to men's knowledge . . . also because it brings into religious obedience every sort of men, rulers and ruled, learned and simple, and because it brings a universal (‘katholikos’) remedy and cure to every kind of sin.” Apostolic: The Church is apostolic because it is founded on the authority of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. That is why the Orthodox Church prides itself on its theological, episcopal, doctrinal and historical continuity in unbroken succession through twenty centuries from Christ and His Apostles. In another sense, the Church is apostolic because its mission is to reach out to all persons with the saving message and the reality of salvation. The Church exists to help all persons “see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known” (Ephesians 3:9-10).
Evening Services as Announced Saints: Clement, Bishop of Ankyra (+312); Fathers of the 6th Ecumenical Council in Constantinople (+680); Martyr Agathangelos (+312); Dionysios of Mt. Olympus (+1540); Maysimas the Syrian; Paulinus of Nola, Theoctistos of Novgorod. 14th sunday of Luke – HEALING OF the MAN BORN BLINDGospel Entrance 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. Clement (Read) O all sacred one, / you flourished as a vine-brance of holiness, / a stalk of martyrdom, / a most sacred flower, / and a very sweet fruit / given by God to the faithful. / We pray you who ran with martyrs / and shared the throne with hierarchs, / intercede with Christ our God, / entreating that our souls be saved. 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 a page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings EPISTLE – 1 Timothy 1:15-17 (31st Sunday)
imothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory to the ages of ages. Amen. GOSPEL – Luke 18:35-43 (14 Luke)
t that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. GENERAL ASSEMBLY TODAY: Following Church services today, there will be a Special General Assembly in the Parish Hall. The only item on the agenda is the proposal of the Mission Council to extend the authorization for an additional year to keep our CSGOC property in the Real Estate Market. All Stewards should attend. FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, January 16. Attendance 63; Stewardship $970; Candles $75; Visitors $12; Building Fund $5. We appreciate your generosity. FR. HARAKAS TO BE HOSPITALIZED: After a series of medical tests, it was determined that Fr. Stanley needs to have bypass surgery. He will be admitted to the hospital tomorrow, January 24 and will be operated on the next day, with the expectation that he will be released a week later. He will need four to six weeks of recuperation. During this period, the Mission Council is making all necessary arrangements for the normal functioning of our Church. Fr. Gerasimos Murphy and Fr. William Mattis will conduct the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. Fr. Gerasimos will visit the hospitals. Fr. Gerasimos and Fr. John will be available for emergency calls. The Feast Day Vespers (Feb. 1) and Feast Day Divine Liturgy (Feb. 2) will be conducted as usual. All the Priests of the Tampa Bay area have been invited to attend the Vespers and a reception will be held following the Vespers. His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios will attend the 1st Feast Day Celebration and Banquet on February 19, and will conduct the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on February 20. Arrangements have been made to continue the P.E.P. Sessions on Fridays. An abbreviated version of The Orthodox Messenger will be issued each Sunday and mailed. We will do our best to pull together so as to continue the orderly life of Christ the Savior Church. We ask you to bear with us. Continue to come to Church each Sunday. Bring or mail your Stewardship of Treasure regularly. Continue your usual Time and Talent Stewardship. Support the special events and programs of our Mission. We anticipate that Fr. Stanley will return to regular duties by early or middle March. Also, please include Fr. Stanley and Presbytera Emily in your personal prayers. Please, no flowers or gifts. There can be no hospital or home visits until notified. You may make “prayer gifts for health” for Fr. Stanley to the Building Fund of Christ the Savior Church, if you wish. Your “get well” cards are most welcome, however. Send to 12443 Little Farms Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609. OUR PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: Beginning Friday, January 21, at 2:00 p.m., series of video programs began to be shown at our P.E.P.-1 sessions. It was “Orthodoxy 101” and introduction to the Orthodox Church. John Hatzi led the discussion and refreshments were served. January 28 will begin four videos on the Creed. Interesting! HOSPITALIZED: Tampa General: Kathy Lemonedes. We pray for rapid recovery! 2005 Stewardship Declarations Not Yet Renewed Your Stewardship for 2005? Send Your Stewardship Cards This Week! Thank You!
PROSFORON BAKERS: Fran Mather 1/23; Helen Nicolelis 1/30; Presbytera Emily Harakas 2/2 (Presentation of Christ). George Nikas 2/6; Connie Mourgides 2/13; Gloria Vardakis 2/20; Bette Ferriero 2/20/05; Argyris & Carol Gymnaos 2/27/05; Patricia Lilore 3/6; Fran Triantafilon 3/13. Join the Prosforon Bakers. Call George Nikas (597-1375). ATTEND THE FIRST ANNUAL FEAST DAY OF OUR CHRIST THE SAVIOR GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH CELEBRATION AND BANQUET! Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Wellington at Seven Hills in Spring Hill, FL MUSIC AND DANCING BY “FUSION” HONOR OUR METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS, VISITING CLERGY, OUR CHURCH MEMBERS AND OUR FUTURE Deadline Extended – Please Return Your Reservation Form Today (No More Time To Wait – Last Notice!) THERE WILL BE NO FUND-RAISING DURING THIS EVENT - IT IS A CELEBRATION!
BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED
for January and February, 2005. To reserve your sponsorship,
call Connie Mourgides at 686-0589. Only $25. We have only one
for February! THIS WEEK’S BULLETIN SPONSORS: WILLIAM AND OLGA EUGENIDES
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O. BOX 5566
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: lSaturday, February 19, 2005 1st Anniversary Celebration and Banquet of our Church! Send in your reservations now! lSunday, February 20, 2005 Metropolitan Alexios conducts the Divine Liturgy at Christ the Savior Church! Plan to attend!
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