The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. IV, No. 27 – Sunday, July 3, 2005

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

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

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

Fr. Stanley S. Harakas,  Th.D. D.D., (352) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846; Email: Rharakas@aol.com

SUMMER THOUGHTS -4 

INDEPENDENCE DAY ENCYCLICAL OF ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS

 My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

   Our annual celebration of American Independence on the Fourth of July is an opportunity for us to grow in our appreciation of the principles of democracy, liberty, and freedom for all humankind.  We celebrate these principles as Greek Orthodox Christians who are blessed to call America our home.  As inheritors of a proud Hellenic legacy, we have been indelibly influenced by the principle of democracy.  As citizens and residents of America, our democratic worldview has been enhanced by our stalwart commitment to liberty and freedom.  Throughout our history, we have learned firsthand of the necessity of these principles for promoting peace, civic prosperity, and authentic relationships with God and with others.  For us then, July 4th is not only a day to celebrate with friends, families, and neighbors; it is also a day to reflect upon the significance of our cultural, religious and national identity within American life.

   Today, we acknowledge the significance of the Fourth of July as a community of Greek Orthodox Christians through prayer and service.  We are moved to consider freedom and liberty as gifts from God that He has lovingly given to all persons, and as inalienable rights that He has endowed upon all men and women throughout our world.  Our festivities on this day may therefore be viewed not only as occasions to participate in an important national observance, but also as opportunities to recognize God's abiding presence in our lives and to comprehend  the  meaning of  freedom in   its ultimate sense,   as expressed by  St. Paul  that "where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17).

   As we celebrate this historic and ever-significant Day of American Independence, let us continue to enshrine in our hearts the true meaning of liberty and freedom, both as responsible citizens and residents of our country and as faithful Greek Orthodox Christians.  Let us also pray that the freedom we enjoy in this land may enable us to grow in our love for God and for others, and in our commitment to freedom for all humankind.  May His perfect peace abide in your hearts always, and may His gift of freedom ring throughout our world.

With paternal love in Christ,
+DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America

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

Evening Services as Announced

2^nd  SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 1st  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Tou lithou sfragisthenos").Hymnal,  80-81.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("The stone was sealed"). (Same)

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

Kontakion “Prostasia ton Christianon”(Sung in Greek by Leaders)

   (Read) O never-failing protectress of Christians / and their ever-present intercessor before the Creator: / do not be heedless to the prayerful voices of us sinners, / but in your goodness extend your help to us / who call upon you with confidence. / Hasten, O Mother of God, / to intercede for us. / You have always protected those who honor you!

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

   EPISTLE – Romans 2:10-16 (2^nd  Matthew) + Brethren, glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

   GOSPEL – Matthew 4:18-23 (2^nd Matthew) + At that time, as Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left their boat and their father, and followed him. And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

   FOR THE RECORD: June 26 - Attendance 32; Stewardship $647; Candles $37; Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund $   Building Fund $10. Thank you!

   ANNIVERSARY AND BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS will be offered today following the Divine Liturgy.

   PROSFORON BAKERS: George Nikas 7/3 Argyris and Carol Gymnaos 7/10; Connie Mourgides 7/17. Fran Triantafilon 7/24; Presbytera Emily Harakas 7/31; You, too, can make Prosforon Bread. Call George Nikas, Prosforon Bakers Chairperson at 597-1375.

   HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Anna Lee, Zachary Klein. We pray for a rapid recovery.

  NEW STEWARDS ARE WELCOME! Become a 2005 Steward to support Christ the Savior Church! For information and material, contact William Pasisis, Membership Chairman at 788-7465. New Stewards will be acknowledged in The Orthodox Messenger.

  SPECIAL THANKS to Feenie and Bette Ferriero for assisting weekly while here in Florida in formatting the text, printing and folding each issue of The Orthodox Messenger. Now that they have “gone north” for the summer, this task has been assumed by Nikolai and Nanka Kastelan. We are grateful for this special stewardship of communication that we all enjoy!

OUR MISSION STATEMENT: The Mission of Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church is to serve the religious and spiritual needs of all Orthodox Christians, converts, those of interfaith marriages and the unchurched living in Hernando County and especially, though not exclusively, those whose mother tongue is English. His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, is our bishop.

COME TO CHURCH DURING THE SUMMER

CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

Christ the Savior Annual Picnic

Have A Fun Family Time!

10:30 - 2:30

Saturday, July 16

Delta Woods Park

Deltona Blvd.,

SpringHill, FL

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