The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VI, No. 28– Sunday, July 15, 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?-5

WHY Do You Shake Hands With Each Other in the Liturgy?

   When you attend the Divine Liturgy at Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church, you will notice that when the Priest says, “Let us love one another that we may with one mind confess . . .” (page 42 in the Hymnal) just prior to the saying of the Creed, the people turn to each other and shake hands with each other. You may think that this is something new, but it is not. It is based on a very ancient practice in the Church variously called “the holy kiss,” “the kiss of love,” or “the kiss of peace.”

   From the earliest times a kiss was not only a token of love, but also a symbol of profound respect. It is in accordance with this symbolism that the Orthodox Church practices the kissing of many holy objects, such as holy icons, relics of the saints, the Gospel book, the Holy Cross, the Priest’s hand, sacred utensils and vestments, and the Holy Altar. This practice is very ancient.

   So it is no surprise that Christians would express their respect for each other with “a holy kiss,” or a “kiss of peace.” This practice is referred to five times in the New Testament (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12;  1Thessalonians 5:26 and 1 Peter 14) saying "Greet one another with a holy kiss" or a similar expression. Doing this was a way of affirming brotherly love and regard on the ground of our shared Christian Faith and identity. Placed where it is just before the Creed, the “Holy, Holy, Holy” hymn, the repetition of Christ’s words for the establishment of the Sacrament, and the consecration of the Holy Gifts, we are reminded of the words of the Lord, "First be reconciled with your brother  . . . " before making our offering(Matthew. 5:23), showing unity among us the believers . It first took place among the clergy themselves and the congregation followed.

   This helps explain why in the Orthodox churches, the separation of the sexes was observed so as to prevent scandal. In the fourth century St. John Chrysostom affirms actual kissing on the lips during the Divine Liturgy, but expressed great concern that certain people would turn the “holy kiss” into the “unholy kiss.” Eventually, kissing on the lips stopped, and was replaced by the greeting familiar to many people from the Mediterranean and elsewhere, a formal touching of cheeks, sometimes twice and in some other cultures, three times.

   Thus, we at Christ the Savior Church continue the ancient tradition of the “Kiss of Peace,” expressing our unity if faith and love, by shaking hands with each other. It is a modification, for purposes of propriety, of the “Peace” given among Christians as we prepare ourselves for the Consecration and for Holy Communion. So “shaking hands” is based both on the Bible and on the Holy Tradition of our ancient Orthodox Faith.   

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

Evening Services as Announced

HOLY FATHERS OF THE 4^TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn - 2nd  Plagal  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Angelike dynameis").Hymnal,  86-87.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("The Angelic Powers "). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of the Fathers

   (Read) O Christ our God, / You are above all glory, / for You have established / our Holy Fathers / as radiant stars on earth, / and through them / You have guided us all / to the true Faith, / Most Merciful One, / glory to You!

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

Kontakion of the Theotokos

   (Sung) in Greek by the Leader ”Prostasia ton Christianon”

   (Read)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 – Titus 3:8-15 (Holy Fathers) +BRETHREN, 

   GOSPEL – Matthew 5:14-19 (Holy Fathers) +

   NAME DAY BLESSINGS TODAY: Following the Divine Liturgy today, we will be honoring those who celebrate their name days during the month of July. Because the Name Day Project is in the process of development, we welcome that you either correct or add your name to the list. See Fr. Harakas. Many Years!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Argyri & Carol Gymnaos 7/15; Venice Cosmadelis 7/22; Constantina Selemaj 7/29; Presbytera Emily Harakas 8/5; Fran Triantafilon 8/6 (Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ). We are in need of more persons to make the Prosforon / Offering

Bread for the Divine Liturgy for each Divine Liturgy. We wish to thank George Nikas for his committed service over the past few years as Prosforon Committee Chairperson. We are now seeking a  new chairperson for this position. Please speak to Fr. Stanley 796-2377.

   SUMMER COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: 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!

   HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: John Levandis, recuperating at home. Rapid recovery! Spring Hill Regional: Sophia Donato who gave birth to a son on July 4. Congratulations!

   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. Twenty eight of the books have been donated so far. Two left!

    2007 YOUNG ADULT PILGRIMAGE: The Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is pleased to announce the National Young Adult Pilgrimage to Florence, Ravenna, and Constantinople, November 2-10, 2007. His Grace Bishop Savas of Troas, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, will once again lead the pilgrimage to sites of great historical importance and spiritual significance for all Orthodox Christians. Join other young adults from  across   the country on this  unique journey!    Additional information and  registration

materials are available online at http://www.youth.goarch.org.

  2008 CHURCH CALENDAR: We have been informed by Mr. Douglas A. McCaul of the Pinecrest Funeral Chapels that  they will again  sponsor our Christ the Savior  Church calendar for 2008. We are indeed grateful for this continued support!

  FATHER & PRESBYTERA HARAKAS on vacation:  Fr. Stanley and Presbytera Emily will be visiting family members in Massachusetts this week, but will return for services next Sunday, July 22. They will then continue their vacation the following week and return in time for the Divine Liturgy on July 29. Should a need arise during these two weeks, please contact Gloria Vardakis, Parish Council President at 688-2270.

  SUMMER TIME is a period when our church’s income, for various reasons, declines some. Please remember to bring or send in your 2007 Stewardship contributions so that we can meet our expenses.

  SUMMER TIME is also a time when there is great need for Sponsors for the bulletin of our church, The Orthodox Messenger. You can help publish and distribute it with a donation of $25 per issue. You can have a brief message included in your sponsorship. Please send your check with “Bulletin Sponsorship” on the memo line by mail or give it to our Treasurer

Curtis Thomas today, with your message.

   WE’VE BEEN INFORMED by the Home Missions Department of the Archdiocese Director, Fr. James Kordaris, that we have been recommended for an additional year of Home Missions Support through the Metropolis of Atlanta. This is indeed welcome news, which will continue the $400 monthly support for our Mission church. We are most grateful!

   YOUTH COMMITTEE CHAIR Carol Gymnaos is pleased to announce that two new chairpersons have volunteered to serve on the Committee. Maria Angeliadis has volunteered to be “St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Chair,” and Angela Tsoumaris has volunteered to serve as “Atlanta Metropolis Youth Committee Liaison.” Welcome!

   SUPPORT THE ARCHDIOCESE WHILE SEARCHING THE WEB:  The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has partnered with GoodSearch.com, a new search engine that donates some of its revenue to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search  engine and  get  great results.  To use GoodSearch.com and  support the ministries of  the Archdiocese go to: http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=833607 .

   YOUTH COMMITTEE MEETING: The next meeting of the Christ the Savior Youth Committee will be held in the Church Hall on Monday, July 30 at 2:00 p.m. All members are urged to attend! This new Committee of our Church has been organized by the May 20, 2007 Parish Assembly to develop a variety of Youth Programs for our church.

   PARENTS! MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Following the successful “Kids Camp” held at the Anderson Snow Road Recreational Center on June 18, the St. Katherine’s Ladies Society, Emily Thomas, President, announces  “Kids Camp II” to be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, August 13 at our church. More information to follow, but mark your calendars for the event. Highlight of the day will be the children making Prosforon Offering Bread for the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, August 15.

   COMING UP! The two week fast period before the August 15 Feast Day of the Dormition of the Theotokos begins on Wednesday, August 1 and concludes on Tuesday, August 14. This fasting period prepares us in mid-summer for the most important of all of the feast-days of the Theotokos, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Plan to honor the fast!

               HONOR GOD DURING THE SUMMER! - COME TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611