The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. VII, No. 01 – Sunday, January 6, 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)
TODAY’S FEASTDAY: tHEOPHANY / EPIPHANY
Today’s Feastday
is known either as “Theophany” or “Epiphany.” The first comes from the
Greek word theophania, meaning "appearance of God." The second is
from the Greek word which means “appearing upon.” It is one of the
Great Feasts of the
Orthodox Church,
celebrated on
January 6. The reason it
has these names is that it is the feast which reveals the Most Holy
Trinity to the world through the Baptism of the
Lord (Mt.3:13-17; Mark
1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). This observance commemorates
Christ's
baptism by
John the Forerunner in
the River Jordan, and the beginning of Christ's earthly ministry. The
Feast of Theophany/Epiphany is the culmination of the Christmas Season,
which starts on
December 25 and ends on
January 6. In commem-oration
of this event, the
Great Blessing of Water
is performed on this day, and
Theophany / Epiphany Celebrated TodayTthe
Holy Water so sanctified
is used to bless the homes of the faithful.
The feast is called Theophany or Epiphany
because at the baptism of Christ the
Holy Trinity was revealed
clearly to humanity for the first time -- the
Father's voice is heard
from
Heaven, the
Son of God is
incarnate and standing
physically in the Jordan River, and the
Holy Spirit descends on
Him in the form of a dove.
Originally, there was just one Christian feast of the
shining forth of God to the world in the human form of Jesus of
Nazareth. It included the celebration of
Christ's birth, the
adoration of the Wise Men, and all of the childhood events of Christ
such as
his circumcision and
presentation to the temple
as well as his baptism by John in the Jordan. There seems to be little
doubt that this feast, like Easter and Pentecost, was understood as the
fulfillment of a previous Jewish festival, in this case the Feast of
Lights.
The main feature of the
feast is the blessing of water, which we conduct today following the
Divine Liturgy. You can take the blessed Holy Water home, to sanctify
your home by sprinkling some throughout the house. There are several
other traditions associated with the Holy Water.
You can add some regular water to it and pour the
holy water at the four or more corners of your home. Also, some people
will drink some of the Holy Water before breakfast in the morning
following Epiphany/Theophany. The Holy Water sanctifies both our
homes and ourselves as a blessing for the New Year. May 2008 be a
blessed year!
Service
Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy
at 10:00 a.m.
Evening Services as Announced
FEAST OF THE
THEOPHANY/EPIPHANY – THE BAPTISM – OF CHRIST
GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS
After the Doxology - Dismissal Hymn of Theophany
sung in Greek “En Iordane
Vaptizomenou” by the Leader.
“Save us O Son of God” substitution
Hymnal p. 18: Amen. Save
us O Son of God, who was baptized by John in the Jordan, we sing
to you Alleluia.
Dismissal Hymn of Theophany before the Entrance
sung in Greek “En Iordane Vaptizomenou” by the Leader.
Priest’s Entrance Verse: “Blessed is he that comes in the Name
of the Lord. God is the Lord and has appeared to us.”
Priest & People Sing: Save us O Son of God, who was baptized
by John in the Jordan, we sing to you Alleluia.
Sing The Dismissal Hymn in English after the Entrance
“As You were baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, / then was the worship of
the Trinity made manifest. / for the voice of the Father bore
witness to You, / naming You the Beloved Son; / and the Spirit in the
form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of the word. / O Christ God, /
who appeared and illumined the world, / glory to You
Kontakion of the Feast: Sung in Greek by the Leader: “Epephaneis
semeron”
(Read) You appeared to us on earth / today, O Master, / and Your
light was shown on us / who cry aloud to You and say / with
understanding O Christ our God: / You came and shown forth, O Light
unapproachable.
Instead of “Holy God” (Hymnal 26, 28) we sing “Osoi eis
Christon” – “Those who have been baptized” Hymnal 110.
Return to
p. 28
of the
Hymnal
EPISTLE – Titus
2:11-14, 3:4-7 (Theophany)
itus, my son, the grace of
God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce
irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly
lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the
glory of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us
to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his
own who are zealous for good deeds. Declare these things; exhort and
reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. But when the
goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us,
not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his
own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy
Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our
Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in
hope of eternal life.
GOSPEL – Matthew
3:13-17 (Theophany)
t that time, Jesus came
from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would
have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you
come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is
fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And
when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and
behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying,
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Instead of the Communion Hymn “Praise the Lord . . .”
Hymnal p. 66 the leader sings in Greek “Epephane e haris”
(Read) The grace of God our Savior has appeared to all
persons. Allelouia!
Instead of “We have seen the true light” Hymnal p.
70, we sing in Greek and English, “En Iordane Baptizomenou
. . .” & “As you were baptized in the Jordan”
(above).
PARISH COUNCIL AFFIRMATION OF OFFICE TODAY
All members of the 2008 Parish Council will be sworn in
following the Divine Liturgy. Then the 2008 Parish Council will be
convened to elect officers, fill a vacancy caused by a December 31,
2007 resignation, decide on a regular meeting date and other
important start-up parish business.
One Tray Today: Stewardship Offering
and Visitors Donations
COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS FOR DECEMBER
AND JANUARY: Harriet Pasisis
1/6/08; Vasilopita - Skevy Larson & Venice Cosmadelis; Elaine
Underwood & Gloria Vardakis 1/20; Diane Covington & Emily Thomas.
Please do your share! Take your turn!
NEXT SUNDAY -JANUARY 13, 2008
The
Annual Vasilopita
St. basil’s sweet-bread
Benefits our church’s child-care center, St. Basil’s Academy in
Garrison, NY. Help the children! Come to Church Sunday, January 13
and stay for the Blessing of St. Basil’s Sweet-Bread. Make a
donation for St. Basil’s Academy. You may be blessed to receive the
coin in your bread which, tradition says, will “bring you blessings
throughout the year 2008!” Sing the New Year’s Kalanda in Greek and
English!
PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: Friday, January 11, 2:00 p.m. in
the Church Hall. The topic will be “New Testament Passage-2, James 2”
Come and learn!
STEWARDSHIP 2008!
SEND IN YOUR DECLARATION CARDS TODAY!
Declaring your intention
of support for the year 2008 is very important for Christ the Savior
Church of Hernando County! When you do, you will become a part of
our Mission during this year of growth and the construction of our
New Church and Hall on Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill, FL. You will
be part of history!
It will be the year when
Christ the Savior Church will begin a new era,
in a highly visible and
accessible location!
Do you need
Stewardship Cards? Call Bill Pasisis at 688-7465
