The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. III, No. 29 – Sunday, July 25, 2004

Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Metropolis of Atlanta

13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

                                             Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

 

2004 CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESS INFORMATION

   For the information of our Stewards and Friends, two of the announcements issued by the Archdiocese regarding this important event are listed below.

CONGRESS ANNOUNCEMENT

   New York, NY - Plans have neared completion for the 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Convention of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to be held Sunday, July 25th through Friday, July 30th, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The Congress is expected to attract over 2,000 total participants, including observers,  guests  and

over 1,000 delegates from 550 parishes.

   "Building Communities of Faith and Love: Orthodox Parishes in Worship and Ministry" is the theme of this year's Congress. On Monday July 26th, His Eminence Demetrios of America, spiritual leader of 1.5 million Greek Orthodox faithful in America, will share his vision for the Church at the Congress'  Opening Ceremonies. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg will welcome the delegates to New York City.
   The Clergy-Laity Congress is the highest legislative body of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and is convened biennially and presided over by the Archbishop. It is concerned with all matters, other than doctrinal or canonical, affecting the life, growth and unity of the Church, her institutions, her finances, her administration, educational and
philanthropic concerns and her growing role in the religious life of the nation.

CONGRESS REPORTS NOW ONLINE

   In preparation for the 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Clergy-Laity Congress Reports, which have already been sent to each Parish for distribution to the Delegates, are also being made available on-line. In order to provide for a widespread distribution, the Administration Report containing the proposed Regulations of the Archdiocese as well as the 2005-2006 Proposed Budgets  of the Greek Orthodox  Archdiocese are now available  on the website

of the Archdiocese at http://www.clergylaity.org/reports/.
   In addition to the Administration  Report and  Proposed Budget,  also  available  on  the web site are the National  Ministries  Reports.  These  National Ministries Reports will be distributed in the delegate packages at the Clergy-Laity Congress in New York City.

Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

8^th  SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn - 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 St. Anna

   (Read) O Godly-minded Anna, / you gave birth to God's pure Mother / who conceived Him Who is our Life. / Wherefore, you have now passed with joy / to your heavenly rest, / which is the abode of them / that rejoice in glory; / and you ask for the forgiveness of sins / for them that honor you with love, / O ever-blessed one.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ - (Sing) From the sheet in the pew.

   (Text): “Hail, O Mother of God, Virgin full of Grace. Through you did arise the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. And you made glad righteous Elder Simeon, receiving and embracing the liberation of our souls; also giving to us the resurrection.”

   Kontakion of St. Anna

   (Read) We celebrate now the memory of Christ's ancestors, / while asking their help with faith, / that we may all be saved / from all manner of tribulation / as we fervently cry aloud: / Be with us, O Lord our God, /Whose pleasure it was to glorify them both.

Return to a page 26 for “Holy God”and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

   EPISTLE –  Galatians 4:22-27 (of St. Anna) +  Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."

   GOSPEL – Matthew 14:14-22 (8^th Sunday of 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.

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, July 18: Attendance – 40; Candles - $43.25; Offering - $230; Hospitality - $20; I Say PAVE IT! Fund Drive - $195. Many thanks!

   YARD SALE: Bring your donations Sundays for storage. Leave items in front of, or in the Dining Hall. Speak to Connie Mourgides or George Nikas for details. 

   DONATIONS STILL NEEDED! You can help! $3,261 is still needed to pay for our share of the paving of Olympic Village Lane. If you have not given yet, or you want to increase your gift, please make a contribution. Make your check out to CSGOC and write I Say “Pave It!” on the memo line. Thanks!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: George Nikas 7/25; Patricia Lilore 8/1; Connie Mourgides 8/6 (Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ); Gloria Vardakis (New Prosforon Baker!) 8/8; Argyris & Carol Gymnaos 8/15 (Dormition of the Theotokos); Presbytera Emily Harakas 8/22; Fran Mather 8/29; Fran Triantafilon 9/5. To learn how to bake the Prosforon Bread call our Prosforon Coordinator, George Nikas at 597-1375.

   THE JULY 19 WINE TASTING was very successful, with approximately a hundred people attending. Special thanks to Yanni and Jenny Kotsifakis, owners of Yanni’s Restaurant who hosted the event on behalf of our Church. We are very grateful for their continuous generous support! A report will be in next week’s Orthodox Messenger.

   THE FOURTEEN-DAY FAST before the August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is from August 1 to 14. It is a period of spiritual preparation to commemorate the entry into heaven of the Mother of our Lord. Increase your prayer and sacramental life, participate in the Supplicatory Services to the Theotokos which will be held on Sundays, August 1 & 8 and on Wednesdays, August 4 & 11, and celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ on Friday, August 6. Fast, pray, worship and grow spiritually!

   BAPTISM: On Saturday, July 17 the daughter of Stacy Underwood was baptized and given her Christian name, Brianna (Bruaivnh in Greek), on her first birthday! Sponsor was Grandmother Elaine Underwood, assisted by sisters Nicole and Karyn. Congratulations, and “Many Years!”

    AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAYS: Wedding Anniversaries: Dimi & Margaret Andoniadis 8/18; Fr. Stanley & Presbytera Emily Harakas 8/28. Birthdays: Spero Katehis 8/1; Chrysokaty Georgacopulos 8/2; Bill Hazivasilsi 8/3; Patricia Pappas 8/5; Michael Kotsifakis 8/7; Eleni Katehis 8/11; Nicole Underwood 8/13; Paula Katehis 8/18; Alice Bolio 8/19; Richard Urling III 8/22; Vera Mattis 8/23; Fran Triantafilon 8/24; Kalianna Kotsifakis 8/24; Gloria Zahka 8/29. Blessing prayers will be offered after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 1. Please plan to be present for your blessing!

   NOTICE:  Fr. Stanley and Presbytera Emily Harakas will be away from tomorrow Monday, July 26 to Monday, August 2. Fr. Gerasimos Murphy will conduct the Liturgy on Sunday, August 1. In case of hospitalization please contact Fr. Gerasimos (683-7637) or Fr. John Liadis (754-1836) who have offered to help. For other matters, contact Spero Lemonedes, Vice-President of the Parish Council at  684-4082.

ON FASTING: “God does not prohibit us from fasting publicly;

but God does prohibit us from showing off our fasting in public.”
 

Come to Church On Sunday During the Summer!

 

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

 

 

 

 

            I Say  “ PAVE IT!”

        FUND DRIVE

     Cost:                           $7,618

     07/18/04 Donated:      $4,357

     Still Needed:     $3,261

     Send Your Donation Today!

 

 

“No dust, no mud, just a nice clean ride from

Sunshine Grove Rd. on Olympic Village Lane!

Great! Let’s help finish paying for the paving!”

 

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Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta