The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. V, No. 2 – Sunday, January 8, 2006

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 BAPTISM OF CHRIST- EPIPHANY

  THIS PAST WEEK the Orthodox Church observed the Feast of Epiphany, which commemorates the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River. For the first time in the four year history of our Mission, at the instruction of His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios, we will observe this Feast also, today, the Sunday After Epiphany with the Greater Water Blessing Service. Until now, we have conducted the Lesser Water Blessing Service on the day before Epiphany, and then joined in the celebration at the Cathedral in Tarpon Springs and the diving for the Cross in Spring Bayou. This we did, with the special visit of Patriarch Bartholomew.

  THE BAPTISM OF JESUS was a very special. Known also as “Theophany” this feast 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: "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, the form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ God, who appeared and illumined the world, 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.

   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 are invited to take the Holy Water home and sprinkle their own homes, or invite the Priest to bless their 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, a message strongly advocated by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who visited our area this past Epiphany week.

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

Evening Services as Announced

Saints: Martyr George the Chozevite (+7^th c.); Righteous Agathon, Domenike & Makarios (+484); Martyr Theofilos; Righteous Kyros (+712) & Attikos (+425), Patriarchs of Constantinople; Kyranna, Neomartyr; Neomartyr Parthena of Edessa (+1373); Righteous Karterios, Martyr (+295); Gregory, Bishop of Bulgaria; Gregory of Ochrid.

SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY –JANUARY 8, 2006

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Gospel Entrance Dismissal Hymn of the Feast

   Sung in Greek before the Entrance by the Leaders: “En Iordane baptizomenou Sou . . . ".

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection – 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 the Feast

   (Read) 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, the form of a dove, / confirmed the certainty of the word. / O Christ God, / who appeared and illumined the world, / glory to You.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See paper in the pews)

Kontakion of the Feast

   Sung in Greek by the Leaders: “Epephanes semeron. . .”

  (Read) You appeared to us on earth today, / O Master, / and Your light was signed on us / who cry aloud to You and say / with understanding, / O Christ our God: / You came and shone forth, / O Light unapproachable.

Turn to pp. 26-27 of the Hymnal, for “Holy God . . . .”

   EPISTLE – Ephesians 4:7-13 (Sunday After Epiphany) + Brethren, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

   GOSPEL – Matthew 4:12-17 (Sunday After Epiphany) + At that time, Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth He went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

THERE WILL BE TWO TRAYS TODAY-1) FOR STEWARDSHIP OR VISITOR OFFERING;  2) JANUARY BUILDING FUND OFFERING

  CHRIST THE SAVIOR EPIPHANY SERVICES: Today, the Greater Water Blessing of Epiphany will be conducted following the Divine Liturgy, Thursday, January 5, 2006 we will conduct the Divine Liturgy followed by the Lesser Blessing of the Waters. Take home holy water to bless your home! If you want Fr. Stanley to come to your home to bless it, please call him at 796-2377 to make an appointment.

  BIRTHDAY AND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY PRAYERS will be offered today for the following: Anniversaries: Louis & Mary Markovich 1/2; Paul & Angie Maniates 1/4; Gregory & Maria Angeliadis 1/13; George & Stacy Angeliadis 1/16. Birthdays: John Tsausis 1/3; Betty Frangos 1/5; Olga Eugenides 1/5; Theona Hatzi 1/6; John Halvatzes 1/10; George Nikas 1/12; Costa Natsis 1/13; Fr. Stanley Harakas 1/13; Janice Jabbour 1/14; Bill Pasisis 1/15; Alexis Kotsifakis 1/17;  William Hazivasilis 1/18; Helen Vangel 1/20; Yanni Gymnaos 1/24; Fr. Jerry Murphy 1/29; Stacy Underwood 1/29; Beverly Hall 1/31;  Argirios Gymnaos 1/31. Congratulations and “Many Years!”

  THE SWEARING IN OF 2006 PARISH COUNCIL will take place today following the Divine Liturgy. Following the swearing in, the Council will meet in order to elect its officers for the year 2006.

   PROSFORON BAKERS: George Nikas 1/8; Connie Mourgides 1/15. Presbytera Emily Harakas 1/22; Argiris & Carol Gymnaos 1/29; Fran Triantafilon 2/2 (Presentation of Christ). Helen Nicolelis 2/5; Gloria Vardakis 2/12; Bette Ferierro 2/19. George Nikas, Prosforon chair will be glad to show you how to bake Prosforon. Call 597-1375.

   ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 3 Parish Council members and spouses attended a luncheon hosted by St. Nicholas Cathedral to welcome His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios to Tarpon Springs for the 100^th Anniversary celebration.

   THE ANNUAL “VASILOPITA” for the benefit of the St. Basil’s Children’s home of our Archdiocese in Garrison, NY will be held next Sunday, January 15, 2006, with a Pot-Luck Luncheon. Come, bring your favorite dish, and receive your Vasilopita – you may win the coin and be blessed for the whole year 2006! A free will offering will be received. All proceeds will be donated to the children of St. Basil’s Academy.

   ST. KATHERINE LADIES SOCIETY MEETING: President Emily Thomas is calling the first meeting of the St. Katherine Ladies Society for Sunday, January 29 following the Divine Liturgy and Coffee Hour. All women Stewards and Friends of Christ the Savior Church are invited to attend.

   OUR PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM (P.E.P.) resumes this week on January 13, 2006. We will continue our study of the Gospel of John, by learning what the Church Fathers teach us about the 18^th chapter of this important Gospel 

   HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Bette Ferriero, recuperating at home; Arthur Vozeolas; Kosti Yoanidis. We pray for a rapid recoverty!

   MANY THANKS! . . . to John Pappas of Cody’s Restaurant on Rt. 19 in Spring Hill for the donation of ten $10 gift certificates which were given to the families we assist at Christmas time . . . to Argiri and Carol Gymnaos for the donation of two bottles of Mavrodaphne Communion Wine . . . the Thomas Family for the donation of $500 to our Christ the Savior Building Fund. We are indeed grateful for this support!

  SYMPATHY: We recently belatedly learned that our Christ the Savior Steward Eleni Katehis’ father recently passed away in Corfu, Greece. We pray for the rest of his soul and that God grant comfort to Eleni and her family. Eternal Memory!

  CALENDAR: The Church calendar for 2006 has been delayed by a production problem. As soon as we receive it we will be sending it to you. Just note the following: The Vespers of the Presentation of Christ will be held Wed., Feb. 1; the Feast of the Presentation of Christ, our Feastday, is Feb. 2; the Triodion begins Feb. 12; Lent begins March 6; the Sunday of Orthodoxy is March 12; Palm Sunday is April 16; Pascha is April 23.

FIND STRENGTH, INSPIRATION AND GUIDANCE FOR YOUR LIFE IN CHURCH ON SUNDAYS!

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

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