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The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. II, No. 1 – Sunday, January 5, 2003

Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta

Services Held at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

 THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

N 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.

   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. Thus, 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 Epiphany is also called the "Feast of Lights" ("Ta Phota"). Through it the world was illumined to learn of the Holy Trinity. 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 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.

            The Feast of Theophany is celebrated with "The Great Water Blessing.” The church building, the icons and altar, and the worshipers are sprinkled with the Holy Water. Today is the day before Epiphany, when we also bless Holy Water. After the Service you will be sprinkled with Holy Water, and may take some to bless your home. Recently, the blessing of waters has taken on ecological meaning. Our use of God's world should be to sanctify it, not pollute it.

Pre-Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord

EPISTLE –   2 Timothy 4:5-8

 Timothy, as for you, 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

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."

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn – 3rd Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Efrainestho ta Ourania"). Hymnal,  83-84.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance)"Let all things rejoice"). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of Pre-Epiphany

   (Read) The Jordan River once turned back / when Elisha struck its stream / with his mantle in the wake / of Elias’s ascent; / and the water was parted to the one side and to the other. / And thus the fluid stream becam a dry way for him,  / a symbol and a type truly of Baptism, / by which we now pas over the streaming passage of this life. / And Christ appeared at the Jordan River / to sanctify the waters.

Hymn of St. Nicholas (Sing in English) “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111.

Kontakion of Epiphany

   The leaders sing “En tes reethrees semeron . . .”

   (Read) Today the Lord Christ has appeared in the waters of the Jordan / 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.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday 12-29-02: Attendance - 32; Candle Offerings - $46; Offering - $65. Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund Collection - $84. 

   PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS RATIFIED! His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios has approved the results of our Mission/ Parish Council Elections. The terms are 2003 - Bette Ferriero, Spiro Lemonedes, Helen Nicolelis; 2004 - John Hatsi, Dora Halvatzes, George Nikas; 2005 – Paul Cosmadelis, Connie Mourgides, William Pasisis. The Council Members will be sworn in today after Services.

   ST. BASIL’S SWEETBREAD (VASILOPITA) will be blessed and offered at the Coffee Hour on Sunday, January 12. A free-will offering for St. Basil’s Orphanage will be taken.

   EPIPHANY SERVICES IN TARPON SPRINGS will begin tonight with Vespers at 5 p.m. The Divine Liturgy and Blessing of the waters and the diving for the Cross at the Spring Bayou will begin Monday at 10:30 a.m. All are invited to attend. Fr. Harakas will participate in the services.

   ST. ANTHONY THE GREAT: Friday, January 17, 2003. Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. Plan to attend.

   PROSFORON BAKING: Presbytera Emily 1/1 (St. Basil and New Year); Gloria Vardakis 1/5 (Sunday Before Epiphany); Connie Mourgides 1/12. Venice Cosmadelis 1/19; Fran Mather 1/26; George Nikas 2/2 (Presentation of Christ at the Temple); Fran Triantafilon 2/9; Bette Ferriero 2/16; Helen Nicolelis 2/23. Remember to include family names, both living and deceased.

   CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA PLANTS:  Following Services today, those who donated Poinsettia plants may take them home. The plants not picked up today will be put in the Fel-lowship Hall to be picked up later. Thank you for your contribution to our Mission parish!

   PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.): Our P.E.P. Sessions have resumed! Plan on coming every Friday, at 2:00 p.m.

   “INTRODUCING THE ORTHODOX CHURCH” sessions have resumed, also. One session is left, to be held on  Jan. 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Club House at Wellington, Mariner Drive, Spring Hill. You are welcome!

   HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill Hospital, Spring Hill – Michael Triantafilon. We pray for a rapid recovery. Please let Fr. Stanley know when a family member is hospitalized.

   FOOD PANTRY NEEDS: Please remember to bring boxed or canned foods to Church when you come. Our pantry is empty as a result of our Christmas donations. Help feed the hungry and the poor through our Food Pantry.

   DONATION OF VACUUM SWEEPLER: Many thanks to our Spring Hill neighbors Barney and Sonya Kleist, who kindly donated a renovated Eureka Vacuum to our Mission-Parish. It replaces a worn out vacuum. We are very appreciative!

   YOUR LIBRARY: Take advantage of your Mission-Parish Library! Check out the books we have about the heritage of our Church and peoples

    RETURN YOUR “DEACON” SURVEY if you haven’t done so yet.

                                                Come to Church!

HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION

OF HERNANDO COUNTY

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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