The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. III, No. 1 – Sunday, January 4, 2004

THE EPIPHANY FEAST

“EPIPHANY” is the Orthodox Church's celebration of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist. On Monday, January 5, the "Pre-Feast of Epiphany" is a day of fasting. An unusual Divine Liturgy will be conducted. It begins as the Vesper Service for the Feast and turns into the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. It is a "Vesperal Liturgy." At the end of the Divine Liturgy, "The Greater Water Blessing" is conducted. The Priest will sprinkle the people and the Church with Holy Water. Attendees will take small bottles of Holy Water home for the blessing of their homes and for drinking at appropriate times.

   On the Feast Day itself, on January 6, "The Holy Epiphany of Our Lord, and God, and Savior Jesus Christ," the Orthros is conducted with beautiful hymns praising the Baptism of Christ. This is followed by the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. The service of the Great Blessing of the Waters follows and once again the people are blessed with it. In the Tampa Bay area, all the local parishes close and the Priests and people attend the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Tarpon Springs. Following the services, there is a procession to Spring Bayou when the Holy Cross is tossed into the waters and retrieved by one of the divers.

   The following day, January 7, the Church commemorates St. John the Baptist whose message of repentance prepared the way for the saving ministry of Jesus Christ. The ordinary cycle of Vespers, Orthros and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is conducted. In our area, this is conducted at St. John the Baptist Church in Tampa.

   These services point to profound realities of faith for us Orthodox Christians. The Bible readings remind us of the Old Testament prophesies of the coming of Christ, the Messiah, for the salvation of the world. When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan, a revelation of the Holy Trinity took place: "and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, 'Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased'" (Luke 3:21-22).

   Even though, this year, the day before Epiphany is tomorrow, Monday, January 5, everyone is encouraged to attend the services at our Christ the Savior Church. Those who can, are encouraged to travel on Tuesday, January 6 to Tarpon Springs. The Liturgy will begin at 9:45 a.m., followed by the Holy Water Blessing and the diving for the Cross at Spring Bayou.

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

Evening Services as Announced

sunday before epiphany

Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes
 

 Dismissal Hymn – 4th  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“To faidron tes Anastaseos”).Hymnal,  84-85

   (Sing in English after the Entrance)“When the tidings . . . ”). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of Pre-Epiphany

   (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. / An you, Adam, / rejoice with the first mother Eve, / and do not hide / 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 - (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 – 2 Timothy 4:5-8 (Pre-Epiphany)

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-Epiphany)

he beginning of 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."

   2004 MISSION COUNCIL: Following the Liturgy last Sunday, the newly sworn in members of the 2004 Mission Council met and elected their officers: President: Paul Cosmadelis; Vice President: Spero Lemonedes; Recording Secretary: Dora Halvatzis; Corresponding Secretary:  Dorothy Triantafilon; Treasurer: Nick Kastelan; Assistant Treasurer: Connie Mourgides. The Mission Council members are John Hatzi, Demetri Hazivasilis, Tyke Nicolelis, George Nikas, William Pasisis,. John Tsausis. Monthly meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Congratulations!

   FOR THE RECORD: Christmas Liturgy December 24, 2003: Attendance - 48; Candles - $88; Offering - $125. Sunday, December 28, 2003: Attendance - 42; Candles - $81; Offering - $99; Adamis Philanthropic Fund - $111; Hospitality $29. Thank you!

   PAUL COSMADELIS AND GEORGE NIKAS report that on the 18th of December, the Christmas Elves of Christ the Savior Church were busy delivering food baskets to fourteen families. In addition, they also brought gifts for sixty-two children whose ages ranged from eighteen months to seventeen years of age. The nine Elves were Paul Cosmadelis, Feenie Ferriero, Nick Kastelan, Spiro Lemonedes, Steve Mourgides, Tyke Nicolelis, George Nikas, William Pasisis and Michael Triantafilon. A big thank you to the ladies that helped wrap and pack the Elves’ bags and to the parishioners that contributed food, gifts and money for the purchase of last minute gifts. This effort is supported by the Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund.

   FORTY DAY CHURCHING: On Thursday, January 1, following the Divine Liturgy, the son of George and Stacey Angeliadis, Gregory, was “churched.” May he, his sister Amelia, his parents and his grandparents, Gregory and Maria Angeliadis be blessed with many years of happiness and spiritual growth.

    THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL on January 1 was conducted by Fr. Bill (Vasileios) Mattis, assisted by Fr. Stanley, to commemorate his name day. Many Years!

    NOTICE!! Nick Kastelan, our Treasurer asks you to continue to make checks payable to Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County (HOMHC) until further notice.

   THOSE CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY will be honored today following the Divine Liturgy. Blessing prayers will be offered for them.

   P.E.P CLASS: Friday, January 9, 2004. “Understanding the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.” Make a New Year’s resolution to attend the P.E.P. Class each week.

   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 invited to contact Fr. Stanley (352-688-2382) to let him know of your interest. If there are enough interested persons, we will hold an organizational meeting on Wednesday, January 21 at the Fellowship Hall, 7:00 p.m.

   FEAST OF EPIPHANY: TOMORROW, Monday, January 5, 2004, the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil, for the Fore Feast of  Epiphany will begin at 9:30 a.m.  On Tuesday, January 6, 2004, Epiphany Services will be conducted at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs.

   BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED FOR 2004! You can 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. Call him at 686-0634.

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Fran Mather 1/4/2004; Gloria Vardakis (Day Before Epiphany) 1/5; 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. Many thanks!

   Think About It:  “A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.”  - William Arthur Ward, Educator

Make a New Year’s Resolution 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!