The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VI, No. 26– Sunday, July 1, 2007

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; Email:Rharakas@aol.com

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What’s Special About Christ the Savior Orthodox Church?-3

WHY do you use mostly english in the services ?

   Jesus was greatly concerned about people  understanding His truth. Frequently he chastised even His disciples that they “did not understand” while showing the tremendous importance of understanding which allows and encourages faith to “bear fruit.” So we read in Matthew 13:19 and 23: “When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart.” And, “As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit.” That’s why understanding is so important in comparison to just formal worship. As the Lord said, you are “to love him with all your heart, and with all your understanding, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:33).

   In reference to worship, the early Church adopted a principle that worship should be in the language of the people -not a single sacred language inaccessible to the average person. So there was variety of languages, but basically, one Divine Liturgy. In this the Orthodox Church followed the lead of St. Paul, who in discussing the uttering of incomprehensible “tongues” in worship, declared in his first letter to the Christians in Corinth, “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. (1 Corinthians 14:14-15).

   But there is a rub in all this for our Orthodox churches. Though we use many different languages in Orthodox worship throughout the world -Greek, Slavonic, Arabic, Romanian and other traditional languages- many Orthodox do not understand what is said. Some say that they feel that the unknown language is “sacred” to them. But the lack of understanding becomes a barrier to true worship, that is, worship that invites the Orthodox Christian to say with St. Paul “I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also.”

   This points to the need for the Orthodox to restore the fundamental principle of Orthodox worship, that worship take place in a language understood by the worshippers. At Christ the Savior Church we conduct the Divine Liturgy primarily in English, because that is what we understand, even though we use some other Orthodox languages to “connect” with our past. The Liturgy in the language of the people is the Biblical and the Orthodox Christian way! So, it is right and Orthodox that at Christ the Savior Church our worship is in English, the language of the people.

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

Evening Services as Announced

5th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

 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).

(Read) Holy moneyless ones / and wonderworkers, / heal us of our diseases. / Your have received free gifts, / freely give to us.

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

Kontakion of the Theotokos

(Sing)  A protection of Christians unshamable, / intercessor to our Holy Maker unwavering, / please reject not / the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. / Instead, come to us, for you are good; / your loving help bring unto us, / who are crying in faith to you. / Hasten to intercede for us, / and speed now to supplicate to Him, / as a protection for all time, / Theotokos, / for those who honor you.

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

   EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, 13:1-8 (Kosmas & Damian) +BRETHREN,  you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

   GOSPEL – Matthew 8:28-9:1 (5^th  Matthew) + At that time, when Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one would pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.

   A TRISAGION will be offered today by Frances Porter on behalf of the rest of the soul of her mother Metaxia Porter on the sixth month anniversary. May her memory be eternal!

  INDEPENDENCE DAY DOXOLOGY TODAY:Come to the Coffee Hour Today and Enjoy A Delicious INDEPENDENCE DAY SHRIMP COCKTAIL!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Presbytera Emily Harakas 6/26 (Sts Peter & Paul); George Nikas 7/1, Fran Triantafilon 7/8. Argyri & Carol Gymnaos 7/15; Venice Cosmadelis 7/22.

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, June 24, 2007 Attendance – 35; Candles $53; Visitors Donations $153; Coffee Hour Free Will Basket $14; Stewardship $335. Many thanks!

   SUMMER COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: 7/1 Harriet and Bill Pasisis; 7/8 Helene Arvanitis; 7/15 Presbytera Emily; 7/22 Denise Zotto; 7/29 Nancy Kastelan & Venice Cosmadelis. A free will offering is requested to cover costs. Give what you like, but do remember that it costs about $1 for a pastry and a cup of coffee.Please sign up for August!

   PARISH COUNCIL GREETERS: Greeter for today is Parish Council Member Curt Thomas. Greeter for next week is Parish Council Member Dorothy Triantafilon.

   JULY BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS: Next Sunday, July 8, Blessing Prayers will be offered for July Birthdays and Anniversaries. Plan on attending! Birthdays – 7/2 Colleen Skaroulis; 7/3 John Kelo; 7/10 Marco Feola; 7/11 Demetra Flood; 7/11 Paul Maniates; 7/17 Sofia Cavanaugh; 7/17 Brianna Underwood; 7/17 Alex George; 7/20 Carol Gymnaos; 7/21 Jennie Kotsifakis; 7/21 Ruby Hazivasilis; 7/24 Elizabeth Young; 7/26 John Demetriades; 7/26 Nicholas Perez; 7/29 John Hatzi. Wedding Anniversaries – 7/1 Kosta & Eleni Natsis; 7/9 Charles & Vera Mattis; 7/10 Costa & Theresa Hronis; 7/10 Martin & Elizabeth Narverud; 7/11 George & Dee Nikas; 7/7/15 Demetri & Kara Hazivasilis; 7/17 William & Olga Eugenides; 7/22 Nikolai & Nanka Kastelan. “Many Years!

   WELCOME BACK! Pani (Presbytera) Karen Miklos returned on Tuesday from her Missionary Trip to Alaska, where she helped the Orthodox Christians in Alaska learn more about their Orthodox faith and traditions. We will soon publish some of the photos of her trip and are eager to learn about her work there. W e are proud of your work, Pani Karen!

   DONATION OPPORTUNITY: You can donate one or more Liturgy Books at $10 each. Send your check for as many copies as you wish to CSGOC, P.O. Box 5566, Spring Hill, FL 34611, or bring it to church. Seventeen books of the thirty have been donated so far.

   THE YOUTH COMMITTEE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING was held Monday, June 25, 2007 and began with Greetings by Parish Council President Gloria Vardakis and Ladies Society President Emily Thomas. Carol Gymnaos was elected Chairperson and will report to the Parish Council. Sofia Cavanaugh was elected Secretary. Areas of activity with chairs were Sunday School (Venice Cosmadelis & Nanka Kastelan) and Dance Committee (Sofia Cavanaugh). We are looking for Chairs for Altar Boys, the Oratorical Contest, St. Stephen’s Summer Camp and other Metropolis and Tampa Bay Conference Activities. Website and Funding resources were discussed. Presb. Emily Harakas will Chair the Youth Census. The next meeting will be Monday, July 30 at 2:00 p.m. You are encouraged to contact Youth Committee Chair Carol Gymnaos, if you would like to help -683-6513.

   CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES! Michael Kotsifakis graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Anthropology and International Relations from the University of Florida. Christine Thomas graduated from Springstead High School. We are proud of you! Please let us know of other graduates from our church! Call 796-2377!

               HONOR GOD DURING THE SUMMER! COME TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

MESSAGE

TO CHRIST THE SAVIOR GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

STEWARDS AND FRIENDS

FROM THE BUILDING COMMITTEE – SUNDAY JULY 1, 2007

 
Dear Christ the Savior Church, Hernando County, FL
Stewards and Friends,
 
   We, the Building Committee of Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church of Hernando County, FL (CSGOC) are writing to inform you that we have received  an offer to purchase our Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, property. Also, legal steps are now being made to transfer the Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill, FL property to CSCOC, and that an Anonymous Donor has committed to giving $300,000 to our Church upon the sale of our property. We have also received a “Design-Build Agreement” proposal to build our new church-offices-parish hall buildings.
 
   This has taken many years to come about. In early November, 2003, after consideration of all alternatives, we decided by a solid majority to move our church to a more visible and accessible location.
 
   At our most recent Parish Assembly we accepted a unique proposal by an Anonymous Benefactor to sell our Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville property for $400,000, together with a generous donation of $300,000, for a total of $700,000. This was accompanied by an offer to build our new buildings in conformity with the sketches and concept plans produced in August of 2006, and presently on display in the parish hall. At that Parish Assembly the Building Committee was authorized to execute all decisions for the Parish Assembly, regarding this project.
 
   On Thursday, June 28, 2007, the Building Committee of CSGOC met and in consultation with our Attorney, Steward George Angeliadis, discussed the following:

1)      The legal steps being presently taken to transfer the 4.75 acre property on Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill, FL to CSGOC for the purpose of constructing a new Orthodox Church, offices and Parish Hall for Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church of Hernando County, FL;

2)      The offer to purchase the Olympic Village Lane property for $400,000 and the concurrent $300,000 anonymous contribution, for a total of $700,000

3) A “Design-Build Agreement” to construct the new church--offices-parish  hall building on the Anderson Snow Road property for $700,000, including an agreement  that we be   permitted to stay  at our  present location  for  up to  18 months  without payment  of rent, but  that we continue  to  maintain the property and pay all expenses including utilities and taxes;

4)    The tax implications of these transactions. After extensive and detailed discussion we voted to submit some questions and requests for minor changes in the documents, which have been conveyed to the lawyer representing the Buyer and the Builder. Our Committee is now awaiting their responses. As soon as the details are finalized, we are anticipating that all documents will be signed at the same time within a week or two.
 
    When all these arrangements are completed, we will inform you of the results. You should note that upon the completion of these agreements, CSGOC will be able to build our new church and parish hall without a mortgage.
 
     We wish to conclude with an expression of thanks to all who have generously contributed and donated financially toward making this progressive step in the life of Christ the Savior Church a possibility.
 
     Above all, we thank our Lord Jesus Christ for His blessing on this endeavor to build a church building complex dedicated to His Holy Name!
 
The Building Committee of Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church
of Hernando County, FL

Co-Chairs: Paul Cosmadelis and Nikolai Kastelan
Members: Ellen Atwood, Charles Chronopoulos, Niko Maroulis,
 William Pasisis, John Tsausis.
Attorney George Angeliadis
President, Parish Council: Gloria Vardakis
Parish Priest: Fr. Stanley S. Harakas