The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. V, No. 32 – Sunday, July 30, 2006

Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church - Presentation of Christ at the Temple
The Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County, F lorida–“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

"What is important about the Theotokos?"

   In the teaching of the Orthodox Church, the place of the Theotokos is central. But to understand this, we need to understand the doctrine of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Then only will we see why Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ is so important.

  In every Divine Liturgy and many other services, the Church proclaims its Creed. In it we state, we believe "in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not made . . . for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became Man."

  In short, the second person of the Holy Trinity -the Son- at a particular point in time, took on complete human nature. He became one person who was both divine and human. The Greek word which perfectly expresses this truth is made up of the word for God (Theos) and the word for human being (Anthropos), to form the word Theanthropos, one word meaning “God-Man. As St. Athanasios pointed out, "what is not assumed cannot be healed." By taking on human nature, God healed it through the saving work of Jesus Christ.

  The instrument of this work of salvation was the Theotokos, who gave not only human flesh, but also full human soul and mind to the “theanthropos,” that is, to the Savior, Jesus Christ. We call this, "The Incarnation."

  The Theotokos served as the representative of the whole human race -men and women- in the event of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. She, thus, is the first among the saints. We Orthodox have honored her from the earliest of times. Throughout the whole Orthodox World today, every Orthodox church is  a witness to her role in the incarnation of Christ. For, behind the altar table there is an icon of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child on her lap. It is an icon of the Incarnation of Christ through the Theotokos.

  Throughout the Church year, we honor various events in her life, such as on November 21, when we commemorate her childhood entry into the Temple. This and many other feasts express our honor and respect for the Mother of God - the Theotokos. After the two week fast from August 1 to 14, we will celebrate her most important feast, the Dormition of the Theotokos on Tuesday, August 15. Come and honor her with the Church!

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

Today’s Saints: Silas, Silouanos, Cresces, Epainetos & Andronikos of the 70 Apostles. ===============================================================

7^TH  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 Presentation of Christ (See paper in the pews)

Kontakion for the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6)

   (Read) On the Mountain You were transfigured, / O Christ our God, / and your Disciples saw / as much of your glory as they could hold, / so that when they should see you crucified, / they would know that You suffered willingly, / and would proclaim to the world / that You are truly the Splendor of the Father.

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

   EPISTLE – Romans 15:1-7 (7^th Matthew) Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

   GOSPEL – Matthew 9:27-35 (7^th Matthew) At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons." And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

   COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS for last week was Patricia Heuer & Tania Preda. This week’s sponsors are Venice Cosmadelis & Gloria Vardakis. We are grateful for this stewardship. Please sign up for this much appreciated Stewardship of Time and Talent. Instructions are posted. Everyone is invited to the Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall immediately following the Divine Liturgy.

PARISH EVENTS – JUNE, 2006 AND EARLIER

REFLECT ON EACH DAY’S QUOTE IN THE AUGUST CALENDAR. FOR EACH DAY THERE IS A MESSAGE ABOUT “THE I AM’S OF JESUS”

  FUNNY CHURCH BULLETIN NOTICES -1: “The Sermon this morning-“Jesus Walks on the Water.” The sermon tonight-“Searching for Jesus.”

  BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS will be offered for all those celebrating in the month of August next Sunday. Birthdays: Charles Chronopoulos 8/1; Chrysokaty Georgakoplos 8/2; Bill Hazivasilis 8/3; Pat Pappas 8/5; Mike Kotsifakis 8/7; Nicole Underwood 8/13; Ten Gioshes 8/17; Peter Stilian 8/18; Richard Urling III 8/22; Fran Triantafilon 8/23; Kaliana Kotsifakis 8/24; Evangelos Thomas 8/29; Gloria Zahka. Wedding Anniversaries: Dimi & Margaret Andoniades 8/18; Fr. Stanley & Presbytera Emily Harakas 8/28. Congratulations and we wish all “Many Years!”   

  DIAKONIA MAGAZINE: Pick up your copy of the most recent issue of the Metropolis of Atlanta magazine Diakonia. You should know that Christ the Savior must pay for those copies not sold. Enjoy the magazine and make it easier for our Church. Leave your $3 donation in the glass next to the magazines.

  WHO IS FAMILY? Of all human relationships, none is more vital to us than that of family. We usually think of family as husband and wife, mother and father, sister and brother, and other blood relatives, but family can be more than that. We can extend family to our friends, to those with whom we work, to those with whom we strive in a common cause, or to those with whom we pray in CHURCH. This is a basic need for all of US: that we nurture and treasure all those who may compose our TOTAL FAMILY! (from The Orthodox Herald).

  FUNNY CHURCH BULLETIN NOTICES -2: “Miss Charlene Mason sang ‘I will not pass this way again,’ giving obvious pleasure  to the congregation.”    PROSFORON BAKERS: Presbytera Emily Harakas 7/30; George Nikas 8/6 (Sunday, Holy Transfiguration); Connie Mourgides 8/13; Metaxia Porter 8/15 (Dormition of the Theotokos); Argiris & Carol Gynmaos 8/20; Fran Triantafilon 8/27; Helen Nicolelis 9/3; Gloria Vardakis  9/10; George Nikas 9/17. Venice Cosmadelis 9/24.George Nikas is Chair. For recipe and the seal, call George at 597-1375
   HATS! HATS! HATS! Did you see our new church hats? They are blue with white raised lettering: “Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church.” Your $10 contribution supports the Building Fund. Available during the Coffee Hour. Many thanks to Paul Cosmadelis for this special fund-raiser. Did you get yours yet?

   FUNNY CHURCH BULLETIN NOTICES – 3: “Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the Choir. They need all the help they can get.”

   PLANNING & BUILDING COMMITTEE: At its last meeting, the Planning and Building Committee met under the co-chairmanship of Nikolai Kastelan. The Committee met with our Architect, Alex Nomikos of the Spring Hill firm Creative Solutions Inc.  Mr. Nomikos presented the revised plans for our proposed new building. Following a few minor changes, it was decided to send the plans for preliminary approval to the Atlanta Metropolis so that an acceptable plan can be presented to the General Assembly for approval. This was done so that if an offer for our property is made our Parish Council can present simultaneously the offer for the property and a plan for the Church and Hall for construction on the Anderson Snow Road property in Spring Hill. One of the major problems we will need to address if the property is sold is where we will continue to function during the period that permits are sought and obtained, land preparation takes place, construction bids are given out, and then the time for construction. We included in our announcement the consideration of a “lease back arrangement” for a period of 18 months during the construction process. If an offer is received, it will first be examined by the Parish Council who will decide whether or not to recommend its acceptance to the General Assembly. If the decision is to proceed, a General Assembly will be called. This will require full information regarding the details of the sale and the construction of our new Church and Hall. According to Uniform Parish By-Laws of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, a ten-day notice has to be sent to all Stewards with a complete agenda prior to the scheduled meeting. If a quorum is not achieved, a second date, usually a week later, must be included in the original notice. A two thirds vote is required to sell the property of the Mission and the sale must be approved by the Atlanta Metropolis.

   We are happy to report that there is steady interest by interested persons in our property, which is being marketed vigorously by some of our Real Estate agents. Hopefully, a buyer will appear soon with an acceptable offer.

     FUNNY CHURCH BULLETIN NOTICES – 4 “Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.”

  HAVE YOU NOTICED? The appearance of our church grounds has significantly improved lately. Many thanks to Argyi Gymnaos for his very hard work in the sun to clean up and improve the grounds and buildings of our church property. We are very grateful to Argyri for this ministry of property stewardship, which included painting and repairing the cottage in preparation for possible rental. Many thanks!

  MANY THANKS to Nick Maroulis for donating $100 worth of paint to repaint the walls of the cottage on our property. We are indeed grateful for this stewardship of treasure to Christ the Savior Church.

  NEXT SUNDAY, August 6^th is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, a major event in our Orthodox Church Year. We remember that Christ took three of His Disciples with Him to Mount Tabor and was transfigured so that He shown with light, displaying to them His divinity. To prepare, read the Gospel description of the event in Matthew, chapter 17.

WORSHIP THE LORD ON SUNDAYS DURING THE SUMMER

Christ The Savior

Greek Orthodox Church
P.O. Box 5566
Spring Hill, Fl 34611

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