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The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. VI, No. 29– Sunday, July 22, 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?-6
WHY
Do You Say The Consecration Prayers Aloud?
When you attend Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church in
Hernando County, FL you notice that the Priest says the words that
consecrate the bread and wine to make them the Body and the Blood of
Christ, not secretly, but aloud. You will also notice that at each
of the three blessing phrases, the people respond with the “Amen.”
Why is this done this way? Is it right?
One of the significant belief differences between the Orthodox
Church and the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches is our belief
about the Eucharist, the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ,
often referred to as “Holy Communion.” It is not only what we
believe about the Sacrament, but also what we believe about how the
Sacrament takes place that makes Orthodox Christianity unique among
the Christian Churches.
For example, in the Roman Catholic Church and in some of the
major Protestant denominations, the consecration of the bread and
wine is believed to take place when the clergyman repeats Jesus’
words establishing the Sacrament, often described as “The words of
Institution” – “This is my body . . ., This is my blood . . . .”
Following ancient practice, the Orthodox Church believes
differently. The Priest invokes the Lord to make the bread into the
Body of Christ, and to make the wine into the Blood of Christ. This
is technically called “the Epiklesis,” which literally means,
“the calling down.” That is, the Priest calls on God Himself to
change the bread and the wine into Christ’s Body and Blood.
Also, there is no such thing as a “private Liturgy” said alone
by the Priest, because it is the Church –made up of clergy and lay
people– that does the Lord’s work. That is why it is right and
proper that the people respond to the Priest’s words with the
repetition of “Amen.” This was so from the beginning. We see this in
the “First Apology” of St. Justin Martyr, a Christian writer who
died in 165 A.D. There, in chapter 67, titled “Weekly Worship of the
Christians,” St. Justin describes how the first Christians conducted
the Liturgy. Part of what he says is this: “. . .when our prayer is
ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and he who presides in
like manner offers prayers and thanksgiving according to his
ability, and the people assent, saying Amen.” The word “Amen”
means literally, “So be it” or “I/we affirm it.” We do the same at
Christ the Savior church!
So, it is in accordance with the Holy Tradition of the
Christian Church that the People assent to the words of consecration
said by the Priest with their own “Amen.”
Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine
Liturgy at 10:00 am
Evening Services as Announced
Saints: Mary Magdalene, Myrrhbearer and Equal of
the Apostles; Virginmartyr Markella of Chos (16th c.)
8TH SUNDAY
OF MATTHEW
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 Resurrection - Grave Tone
(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Katelysas to
Stavro").Hymnal, 88-89.
(Sing in English after the Entrance) ("O Lord by Your
sacred Cross"). (Same)
Dismissal Hymn of Mary Magdalene
(Read) You followed Christ / who was born of the
Virgin / for our sakes, / O Mary Magdalene, / keeping his precepts
and statutes. / Wherefore, / as we celebrate today your holy
memorial, / we receive, through your prayers, / forgiveness of sins.
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.
EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (8th Matthew) +
BRETHREN, I appeal to you by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among
you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is
quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of
you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong
to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul
crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank
God that I baptized none of you except Crispos and Gaius; lest any
one should say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize
also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether
I baptized any one else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but
to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross
of Christ be emptied of its power.
GOSPEL – Matthew 14:14-22 (8th Matthew) +
At that time, Jesus saw a great throng; and he had compassion on
them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came
to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over;
send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for
themselves." Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them
something to eat." They said to him, "We have only five loaves here
and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered
the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and
the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave
the loaves to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And
they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And
those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and
children. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before
him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
Return to
p. 26
of the
Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .”
PROSFORON BAKERS: Venice Cosmadelis 7/22; Constantina
Selemaj 7/29; Presbytera Emily Harakas 8/5; Fran Triantafilon 8/6
(Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ) Argyri & Carol Gymnaos
7/15; We are in need of more persons to make the Prosforon /
Offering Bread for the Divine Liturgy for each Divine Liturgy. We
are seeking a Chairperson for the Prosforon Committee Speak to Fr.
Stanley today.
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!
FATHER & PRESBYTERA HARAKAS
on vacation this
week. They will return in time for the Divine Liturgy on July 29.
Should a need arise during this coming week, contact Gloria Vardakis,
Parish Council President at 688-2270.
FOR THE RECORD: July 8 – Attendance 42. Candles $56;
Visitors’ Donations $131; Free Will Basket $15; Stewardship $500.
Many thanks for your support!
LITURGY BOOKS: Many thanks to William & Denise Zotto for
one book and Charles & Vera Mattis for three books “For the Health &
Well Being of our Children.” Many thanks for these donations. All
the books have been donated! We are grateful!
BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED! You can help with a donation of
$25 per issue with a brief message included in your sponsorship.
Send your check with “Bulletin Sponsor” on the memo line by mail or
give it to our Treasurer Curtis Thomas today.
PARENTS! MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
“Kids Camp II” to be held from
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, August 13 at our church grounds.
More information to follow, but mark your calendars for the event.
The children will make 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. Plan to keep this fast
period!
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The Parish Council met on Tuesday, June 19,
2007 in the Parish Hall, presided over by President Gloria Vardakis.
Following the approval of the Minutes, presented by Acting Recording
Secretary, Bill Pasisis. Treasurer, Curtis Thomas presented a
detailed financial report for the 2nd Quarter. Income was $12,818.10
and Expenses were 11,381.23. Also, the discussion of our report to the
Metropolis of our 2005 and 2006 financial years took place with a decision to
schedule an Audit Committee meeting for June 27. Fr. Stanley reported on
the meeting he had with Les George, who is responsible for recommending approval
for our By-Laws to Metropolitan Alexios. President Gloria Vardakis
recommended that a letter of appreciation for many years of devoted service be
sent to George Nikas, who had tendered his resignation from the Parish Council.
A potential candidates list was discussed for the six month term remaining.
Gloria spoke of the need to include clear rules regarding the status of voting
in Parish Assemblies. A By-Laws Committee was appointed: Gloria Vardakis,
Curt Thomas, Niko Maroulis and Fr. Stanley. It was decided, in the light of
rising postage, to trim the bulletin mailing list, maintained by
Corresponding Secretary Dorothy Triantafilon. Reporting for the Grounds
Committee, Niko Maroulis spoke of the grass-cutting every two weeks and the
disabled irrigation system. Carol Gymnaos reported on the Youth
Committee meeting, scheduled for June 25. Niko Maroulis, Facilities
Committee, reported that the Fire Department ordered that the stove no
longer be used and the removal of the propane tank. He also reported on the
developments of the Building Committtee, including the forthcoming sale
of the camp property and the signing of the documents for the building of our
new church and hall. Bill Pasisis made the Stewardship Committee
report: 76 Stewardship households, with 109 adult individuals. Twelve have
not renewed their 2006 Stewardship, but we have 23 new 2007 Stewards. He also
reported on the Fund-Raising Committee, highlighting the September 23
Chicken Barbeque. The Council approved the use of Free Will Offering Baskets
at the Coffee Hour. It was agreed not to meet in July. Next meeting is set
for August 21.
BULLETIN
SPONSOR: NIKO MAROULIS
-IN
MEMORY OF PAPOU NIKO MAROULIS-
HONOR GOD DURING THE
SUMMER! - COME TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS
CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
LET
US
WORSHIP TOGETHER
WORK
TOGETHER
WALK
TOGETHER
IN
THE UNITY OF
CHRIST’S LOVE
NEEDED!
BULLETIN SPONSORS!
See Curt
Thomas or Gloria Vardakis Today! |
