The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. IX, No.01 – Sunday, January 3, 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

EPIPHANY WATER BLESSING

It is an irony of history that the Feast of the Epiphany or Theophany, celebrated January 6, should have come to be considered a footnote on the celebration of Christmas. The irony of it was that in the earliest period of Church life, Epiphany WAS a celebration of the Birth of Christ, as well as of His Baptism. Only in the fourth century was Christmas added to the calendar of the Church.

   So now, in the Orthodox Church, Theophany commemorates the baptism of Christ in the Jordan river by St. John the Baptist. It was a "Theophany" (a "showing of God") because the Bible tells us that as Jesus Christ was coming up out of the waters of the Jordan River, a voice was heard saying "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove. In Christ's baptism, the belief that the One God is also a Holy Trinity, was revealed.

   The Dismissal Hymn of Epiphany summarizes the Feast: "By your baptism, O Lord, in the River Jordan, worship to the Trinity has made its appearance; for the voice of the Lord did come 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 did appear and gave light to the world, O Christ, glory to you."

   From the last sentence of the hymn you can understand why the Feast of the Baptism of Christ is also called the "Feast of Lights" ("Ta Phota"). Through it the world was illumined to learn of the One God who is a Trinity of persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But, in addition, the Gospel of Matthew in chapter four expands that meaning when it quotes the Prophet Isaiah of the Old Testament emphasizing the light of Christ's message of salvation to the whole world: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--the people who wait in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned." It was the beginning of Christ's public ministry. Matthew adds, "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"

            The Feast of Theophany is celebrated with "The Great Water Blessing," in which water is sanctified. The church building, the icons and altar, and the worshipers are sprinkled with the Holy Water. Parishioners take the Holy Water home and sprinkle their own homes. Recently, the blessing of waters has taken on ecological meaning. Our use of God's world should be to sanctify it, not pollute it.

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

Sunday BEFORE EPIPHANY – Gospel Entrance & Other Hymns

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection -  1st Plagal Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) "Ton synanarchon logon " Hymnal, 85-86.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) "The Eternal Word" (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of the Nativity of Christ

   (Sung) in Greek by the Leader “E Gennesis sou, Christe . . .”

   (Read) Your Nativity, O Christ our God, / has shed the light of knowledge / upon the world. / Through it, / those who had been star-worshipers / learned through a star / to worship You, / O Sun of Justice, / and to recognize in You / the one who rises / and who comes from on high. / O Lord, glory to You!

Dismissal Hymn of Pre-Theophany

   (Read) Make ready, Zabulon, / and prepare, Nephtali; / and you, Jordan River, / stop your flow / and receive with a thrill of joy / the Master coming to be baptized. / And you, Adam, / rejoice with the first Mother, Eve, / and hide not as you did of old / in paradise. / For Christ as the sight of your nakedness / has come forth to clothe you / with the robe of innocence. / Indeed, Christ has come forth / to renew the whole creation.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ – See paper in the pews.

Kontakion of the Pre-Feast of Epiphany

   (Read) Today the Lord has appeared / in the waters of the Jordan River. /He has cried out to John, saying / “be not dismayed at having / to baptize Me, / for I have indeed come / to save Adam, / the first to be created.

Return to p. 26 of the Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .”

EPISTLE – 2 Timothy 4:5-8 (Pre-Theophany)

imothy, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

GOSPEL – Mark 1:1-8 (Pre-Theophany)

he beginning The beginningTThof the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight" John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

  EPISTLE READER TODAY: Reading the Epistle today will be Nikolai Kastelan.

  CANDLE STAND ASSIGNMENTS: 1/3/10 Helene Arvanitis and Pete Hantzis.

  PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: P.E.P. resumes on Friday, Jan. 8 at 2:00 p.m. - Video: Enter In: 8) The Presentation (Meeting) of Christ at the Temple and Theophany. Bible Study 1 Corinthians, ch. 8. All are welcome to attend! 

  2010-2011 TELEPHONE DIRECTORY: Co-Chairs Pete Hantzis and Emily Thomas invite you to solicit ads from businesses you patronize for our forthcoming 2010-2011 Christ the Savior Telephone Directory. Forms will be available today, Sunday, January 3, 2010 for you to take and return by January 17.

   BAPTISM: The son of James and Ekaterini Ann Ladoucer was baptized on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Christ the Savior Church and was given the name Christopher James. Baptismal Sponsor was Anna Albarella. Congratulations and we pray “Many Years!”

   2010 PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS will take the oath of office following the Divine Liturgy today. A short meeting following will be held to elect officers for the year. The Parish Council consists of the following: Helene Arvanitis, David Covington, Nikolai Kastelan, Pete Hantzis, George Maniates, Niko Maroulis, Jennie Palmenteri, William Pasisis, James Soulis, Rosamond Soulis, Curtis Thomas, Emily Thomas. Congratulations to all, with prayers for a progressive and successful New Year 2010!

  POINSETTIAS beautifully decorate our church for the Christmas season! Many thanks for all who donated these beautiful flowers. After Epiphany you can take yours home! Thanks to Venice Cosmadelis and Nanka Kastelan for decorating the Church!

    PROSFORON BAKERS: We resume the making of the Prosforon Offering bread for each Divine Liturgy. The schedule is as follows: 1/10 – Kara Hazivasilis; 1/17- Venice Cosmadelis; 1/24 – Bette Ferriero; 1/31 (how about YOU?). Learn to make the Prosforon Offering Bread for use at the Divine Liturgy. Speak to Venice Cosmadelis, or call her at 686-1199 for instructions. It is a spiritually rewarding Stewardship of Time and Talent.

   ST. KATHERINE PHILOPTOHOS 2010 OFFICERS: President-Rosamond Soulis; Vice President-Jennie Palmenteri; Treasurer-Stacey George; Recording Secretary-Diane Covington. Board Members: Helene Arvanitis, Venice Cosmadelis, Presbytera Emily Harakas, Nanka Kastelan, Harriet Pasisis. Congratulations and prayers for a successful year in the service of those in need!

   FOR THE RECORD: 12/27/09 - Candles $44; Visitors’ Donations  $33; Steward-ship 2009 $260; Stewardship 2010  $325. We thank everyone for your continued support!

   FROM JAMES HARGRAVE, our sponsored Missionary, a message dated December 22, 2009: “I trust that everyone at Christ the Savior is in good health and spirits.  Since we last saw each other, I’ve been on the road almost non-stop, raising up support for my Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) work in Tanzania. My first two years of service are now more than 60% funded, and I hope to be at 100% support by the end of February.  . . . Now I am headed to Ohio for the Nativity of Christ and hope to back home afterwards in Florida by Theophany until heading overseas. Please give my love to the faithful of Christ the Savior Church and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. By your Prayers, James Hargrave. -Our Church is committed to support Missionary James Hargrave with a modest monthly donation of $25. You can also help him meet basic expenses for his missionary needs in Tanzania, Africa, with a one time or monthly gift to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) 220 Mason Manatee Way, St. Augustine, FL 32086. In the memo line on your check, write M:Hargrave. Or, to make a pledge call OCMC at 1-877-GO-FORTH, or click on “Support Missionary” at http://hargrave.ocmc.org/.

Bulletin Sponsors Are Needed! Donate $25 and a brief message for an issue!

 

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611