The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. III, No. 25 – Sunday, June 20, 2004

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

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

                                           Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

 Father’s Day     

     Father's Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards. In fact when a "father's day" was first proposed there were no Father's Day cards! Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington state, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.

     The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across American other people were beginning to celebrate a "father's day." In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. Father's Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all honored on Father's Day.

      For Orthodox Christians, Fathers Day reminds us of our Heavenly Father, also. God the Father is the source of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the Son, who is forever born of the Father. He is also the source of the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit, who forever proceeds from the Father.

    The Heavenly Father is the also, through His creative work, our earthly Father. Jesus taught us that God created humanity in particular, in His own image and likeness. Jesus also taught us that our Heavenly Father has given us directions for our life, through His Commandments. Jesus also taught us to turn to our Heavenly Father in our needs, for God the Father is a merciful and caring Lord, in whom we can trust. Above all, Jesus taught us that our Heavenly Father loves us. Let us honor all Fathers, but above all, let us honor our Father, who is in Heaven.

   Following the Liturgy, a blessing and a gift will be offered to fathers attending today.

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

 3^rd  SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn - 2nd  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Ote katelthes").Hymnal,  81-82.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("When you descended"). (Same)

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

   EPISTLE –  Romans 1:1-11 (3^rd  Matthew) + Brethren, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man -- though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received our reconciliation.

   GOSPEL – Matthew 6:-22-33 (3rd Matthew) + The Lord said, "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love  the other,  or he will be  devoted to the one and  despise the  other.  You  cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well."

PARISH EVENTS OF MAY AND JUNE, 2004

Picnic Scenes-Saturday, June 5, 2004

FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, June 13: Attendance – 36; Candles - $47; Offering - $79; Building Fund - $68; Hospitality - $30. Many thanks!

   GREAT NEWS! THE ROAD IS PAVED! As of this writing, the paving of Olympic Village Lane, from Sunshine Grove Road to the entrance of our property has been completed! No more dust. No more mud. A smooth, even ride! Please send your generous gift to help pay for the paving in the special I Say “Pave It!” return envelope that you received in the mail. Let’s finish this drive right away!

   WELCOME TO NEW STEWARDS George and Marian Maniates! We thank you for your generous support!

   YARD SALE: Helen Nicolelis reminds all of our Stewards and friends that we are now collecting items, such as housewares, appliances, dishes, glassware, entertainment items, lamps, etc. for our October, 2004 Yard Sale. Bring your donations Sundays for storage. Leave items in front of, or in the Dining Hall. Speak to Connie Mourgides for details.

     PROSFORON BAKERS  Patricia Lilore 6/20; Connie Mourgides 6/27; Argyris & Carol Gymnaos 6/29 (Sts. Peter & Paul). Presbytera Emily Harakas 7/4; Fran Mather 7/11; Fran Triantafilon 718; George Nikas 7/25; Learn to make Prosforon. We could use a few more persons to make prosforon during the Summer. Please see Prosforon Chairman George Nikas for the recipe or call him for a demonstration at 597-1375.

   NEEDED! BULLETIN SPONSORS FOR JULY AND AUGUST! You can honor a loved one, remember a deceased relative, or thank God for a special blessing by becoming a bulletin sponsor. Only $25. Contact Connie Mourgides - 686-0589.

   CONDOLENCES BY ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS: On behalf of Greek Orthodox Christians in America, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, offered condolences to the family of President Ronald W. Reagan and to President George W. Bush. In a letter written to the former First Lady Nancy Reagan, Archbishop Demetrios stated, "As you, your family, and our nation mourn the loss of your beloved husband, President Ronald W. Reagan, I extend to you on behalf of the Greek Orthodox faith community, our heartfelt condolences and sincere prayers. May the "Father of mercies and God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3,4) console you and your family and give you strength today and in the days to come.  The many meaningful gestures of outreach to our faith community by President Reagan will be remembered and cherished.  May our Lord Jesus Christ reward this faithful servant of God, country, and humankind with life everlasting and eternal peace." On Friday June 11, Archbishop Demetrios participated with other religious leaders in the funeral services held in the National Cathedral, Washington, DC.

   HOSPTALIZED: Oak Hill: Dia Eleftherion, now recuperating at home, and Helen Ratcovich. We pray for a rapid recovery!

    REPORT FROM MAY 18, 2004 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Paul Cosmadelis, Parish Council President, led the meeting. The driveway and the parking area have been resurfaced at a cost of $477. Bill Hazivasilis donated the stone ($227.91) and Demetri Hazivasilis spread the stone with a rented bull-dozer (cost-$238). Yanni’s Restaurant is hosting benefit Wine Tastings on July 19 and in October. Community Relations include preparation for the purchase of school supplies for needy pupils in the area. Several potential buyers have inspected our property, but there has been no offer as yet. Building upgrades, including water coolers for both halls and new bulletin boards were installed. Betty Roussos donated a water cooler. Engineering and legal work is in the final stages for new Signs. The plans must be approved by the County Commissioners. The official name of our Church with the State of Florida is “Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church.” Sprinklers will be extended to the area around the Dining Hall. The Dawn Center sent our Church a letter of thanks for our assistance.

    FROM A Church Billboard:  Come work for the Lord.  The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low.  But the retirement benefits are out of this world.

    Note to Orthodox about Holy Communion: Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is one of the most holy experiences for a Christian in order to receive the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. We, as imperfect humans, are never worthy to partake of Divine Gifts. Yet, we should prepare ourselves as best we can for this sacred Communion by prayer, reading the Scriptures and other Orthodox spiritual books, regular fasting and periodic Confession.  In addition, we should not have separated ourselves from the Church through serious sin so as to avoid “judgment…not discerning the Lord’s body” (1Cor. 11:29). We should fast the morning before Communion, arrive at the beginning of Liturgy, and receive the Sacrament reverently and thankfully.

   DON’T FORGET! Please remember to bring canned or boxed food for our Food Pantry, to help feed the hungry! The collection rack is located in the Fellowship Hall.

 MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Come to Church On Sunday!

CHRIST THE SAVIOR GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

“ PAVE IT!

    FUND DRIVE ”

Cost:                         $7,618

06/06/04 Donated:      $300

Still Needed:            $7,318

  Send Your Donation

             Today!

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