The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. IV, No. 25 – Sunday, June 19, 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 -3
PERSONAL PENTECOST

  Today our Church celebrates the first Pentecost, when Christ sent the Holy Spirit upon the Holy Apostles. It was a remarkable event, which was the birthday of the Church. Fifty days after Pascha, the disciples were gathered together and the Holy Spirit came upon them powerfully. A mighty wind rushed through the room, and flames of light illumined their heads. They began to speak in strange tongues as the Holy Spirit manifested itself to the Church. It was at once a corporate experience of the whole Church and a personal experience for each of the Apostles.

   So it is today. During the Vespers of Pentecost, all the Church together, rejoices at the sending of the Holy Spirit so that the work of preaching, sanctifying, edifying, and spreading the message and grace of salvation to all people is empowered. But it is also a personal experience of sanctification for each of us. Receiving the Holy Spirit at our Baptism or at our conversion to the Orthodox Faith through the Sacrament of Holy Unction granted us the “seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit” personally. Renew and reinforce the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, by repeating this prayer to the Holy Spirit each day of your life:

Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth,

Who are present everywhere, filling all things,

Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell in me.

Cleanse me from every stain, and save my soul,

Gracious Lord. Amen

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

Evening Services as Announced

8^TH SUNDAY OF PASCHA - PENTECOST SUNDAY

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn after Doxology – “Evloghetos e Christe” Hymnal, 115

Instead of “Save O Son of God” Hymnal, 18, we sing “Save us O gracious Paraklete, we

   sing to you alleluia.”  

Dismissal Hymn of Pentecost. Sing in Greek before the Entrance ("Evloghetos e

   Christe…"). Hymnal, 115.

Priest: “Be exhalted, O Lord in Your strength! We will sing and chant the praise of your

    might.” Priest & People: “Save us O gracious Paraklete, we sing to you alleluia.”  

Dismissal Hymn of Pentecost. Sing in English before the Entrance ("O blessed are You").

     Hymnal, 115.

Kontakion of Pentecost

   Sung in Greek by the leaders “O katavas tas glossas. . .”

   Read: When the Most High came down / and confused the tongues / at the tower of Babel, / He divided the nations; / but when He distributed the tongues of fire at Pentecost, / He called all persons to unity. / Wherefore, we glorify / the Holy Spirit with one accord.

In the place of “Holy God” sing “Osoi eis Christon . . .” – “Those who have been baptized . . .  Hymnal, 109.

Return to page 28  for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

   EPISTLE – Acts 2:1-11 (Pentecost) +   When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontos and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."

   GOSPEL – John 7:37-52,8:12 (Pentecost) + On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. The officers then went back to the chief priest and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed." Nikodemos, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee." Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

  In the place of “Truly it is proper” Hymnal 54-56, the leaders sing “Me tis fthoras. . .”

 Read:  O Mother who has known no man, / you did not conceive experiencing marital relations, / lending a body to the Word, / the Creator of all, / you became a receptacle to your gracious Creator, / and a dwelling place for your incomprehensible Maker. / Wherefore, O virgin Theotokos, / you do we magnify.

  In the place of the Communion Hymn “Praise the Lord” Hymnal, 66, the leaders sing “To Pnevma Sou to agathon . . .”

   Read Your Good Spirit shall guide me on level ground. Alleluia!

In the place of “We have seen the light” Hymnal, 70, we sing  the Dismissal Hymn for Pentecost. Sing in English ("O blessed are You"). Hymnal, 115.

   PENTECOST VESPERS: Following the Divine Liturgy and a brief message, we will conduct the service of Kneeling, the Pentecost Vespers, as is the tradition of the Orthodox Church. We pray for the blessing and healing of the Holy Spirit. All those who are able to kneel, should do so. Those who are not may sit with heads bowed. Let us pray for the grace, enlightenment and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives on this day!

  FOR THE RECORD: June 12 Attendance 36; Stewardship $575; Candles  $97; and    Building Fund  $124 Thank you! We are grateful for your support!

   Make all contributions at the Candle Stand today! There is no additional tray today.

  FATHERS’ DAY: Today, in addition to Pentecost, we celebrate Fathers’ Day with our International Pot Luck Supper. Plan on staying to enjoy the fellowship and the meal.     HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Anna Lee. We pray for a rapid recovery.

   INCLUDE IN YOUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING: Kyriaki Athan, Vera Mae Fondulas, Argyris Gymnaos, John Halvatzes, Helen Keriakis, Patricia Lilore, Mike Panopoulos, Bill Pasisis, Kathy Lemonedes, Fran Mather, Helen Nicolelis, Fifika Stylian, and Mike Zoumberos. We pray for health and well-being for our brothers and sisters who are ill.

   SUMMER OR WINTER Church attendance is important for our spiritual life. Don’t put off coming to Church on Sundays. Bless your soul with worship, prayer and fellowship. Besides that, we need you to build up our Church fellowship! Come!

   WE CONTINUE TO COLLECT food for the needy and supplies for abused women through our St. Katherine Ladies Society. Please bring something each Sunday. Thank you!

  A REAL NEED: At the recent General Assembly Treasurer Connie Mourgides told us that Stewardship pledges did not meet the budgeted amount. Last year we voted to do away with regular weekly offering trays and Coffee Hour giving. What each of us would have given to these was to have been rolled over into our 2005Stewardship. Not everyone did this, so that our income has dropped. If we keep giving at this level we will have a budget shortfall. Please help by increasing your Stewardship giving. Start this week! Thank you!  

    PROSFORON BAKERS: Connie Mourgides 6/12; Fran Triantafilon 6/19; Presbytera Emily Harakas 6/26; George Nikas 7/3 Argyris and Carol Gymnaos 7/10. We could use a  few more Prosforon Bakers, especially during the Summer. It is easy to prepare and bake the Prosforon Bread, which is used to prepare Holy Communion. For a recipe and simple directions, contact George Nikas, Prosforon Bakers Chairperson at 597-1375.

    LAST CALL FOR STEWARDSHIP HONOR ROLL: If you have been intending to send in your 2005 Stewardship Declaration of Intention cards, and have not done it yet, please do it right away. You don’t have the cards? No problem! Just call Bill Pasisis who will be glad to see that you get them right away. We will soon publish the “2005 Stewardship Honor Roll.” Bill’s phone number is 688-7465.

   AN OFFER ON OUR PROPERTY: Parishioners of Christ the Savior Church should know that a bona fide offer on our property has been made through our real estate dealer,  Bickel Realty. The offer is now being actively negotiated between the Parish Council and the potential buyers, who want to maintain the camp character of our property. There are many details that still must be negotiated, so a final decision has not been made by the Parish Council to bring the offer to the General Assembly of our Church. When the details of the offer are finalized, a proposal to sell the property will be mailed to all Stewards so that      

all are informed. The Metropolis will also have to be informed before the sale can take place. As yet, it is too early to discuss the details, but the Parish Council is inclined to continue negotiations with the potential buyers. Your prayers are asked for at this time.

   INTENSIFIED BUILDING PLANNING: The Building and Planning Committee is continuing its detailed work so as to be able to examine affordable alternative plans for our new Church building and Parish Fellowship Hall at the Anderson Snow property site in Spring Hill. The possible plans have been expanded to cover new alternatives, in a thorough manner. But, once again, nothing is fixed or even close to finalizing. It is hoped that when the sale of the property is brought forward to the General Assembly, a plan can also be presented which will allow the construction of our new complex without a mortgage.

  ROOF REPAIR: Connie Pappas, serving as chair of the facilities committee reports that the small leak in the roof of our Temporary Church has been repaired at a modest cost, and that John Tsausis has replaced the stained ceiling tiles.

   FROM THE ATLANTA METROPOLIS: VOLUNTEER AT ST. STEPHEN'S SUMMER YOUTH CAMP- Fr. Stavros Akrotirianakis of Tampa, FL is calling for volunteers to help with St. Stephen's Camp this summer - not just as camp counselors but with art, crafts, food, music etc. The sessions are Session I: Sunday, July 10-Saturday July 16, 2005. Session II: Sunday, July 17-Saturday, July 23, 2005. Session III: Sunday, July 24-Saturday, July 30, 2005. Contact Fr. Stavros at St. John’s Church, Tampa 1-813-876-8830.

  PINE GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, with which Christ the Savior Church partners in providing food, gifts and school supplies to needy families and children through our Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund of the St. Katherine Ladies Society, honored our Church once again. On Thursday, May 26 a recognition breakfast was held at the School. Principal Dave Dannemiller, the Hernando Today newspaper reported “called out a roster of good citizens who had helped the school in some way during the past year.” We thank Pine Grove Elementary School for the opportunity to be of service!

   ST. PHOTIOS SHRINE HOSTS GREEK LANDING DAY CELEBRATION JUNE 25-26:  A commemoration of the arrival of the first colony of Greeks on 26 June 1768 in North America. This popular annual festival includes Greek food, folk music and crafts, and is held at the St. Photios National Greek Orthodox Shrine in St. Augustine. The Greek Landing Day Celebration 2005 is Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26. For more information call: 904-829-8205.

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