The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VI, No. 25– Sunday, June 24, 2007

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

 Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org     

Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D., D.D. (352) 796-2377; Cell (352) 263-3005; Email:Rharakas@aol.com

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What’s Special About Christ the Savior Orthodox Church?-2

WHY DO YOU SING DURING THE SERVICES? SHOULDN’T CHOIRS & CANTORS DO  THAT?

       Since in most Orthodox churches, the people are mostly silent, with either Cantors or Choirs singing the responses, visitors to Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church immediately sense that something is different. So it is not strange that they would ask the question, “Why do you sing during the services? Shouldn’t Choirs and Cantors do that?”

    What we do at Christ the Savior Church is how the ancient church conducted services in the earliest history of the Church, going back to the very beginning of Christianity. The tradition at our church here in Hernando County, FL, came into existence several decades ago, when our worship was part of the activities of a youth camp. The children were encouraged to participate in worship. They learned to sing the responses together, rather than have someone sing in their place. In this, they unwittingly jumped many centuries back into the worship life of the Orthodox Church, for that is how the early Church worshipped.

    We see in the Bible that the Apostles and the first followers of Christ, sang hymns together with Him (Matthew 26:40, Mark 14:26). St. Paul encourages Christians to sing. He writes to the Christians of Ephesus: “Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart” (Ephesians 5:26) and says, “sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). Clement of Alexandria (150-215 A.D.) expresses the hope “that we may sing eternal thanksgiving to the one only Father and Son, Son and Father, Educator, Teacher, and the Holy Spirit.”

     Very important is the fact that in the earliest manuscripts used for the Church’s worship, we see that portions of the service are marked to be said by the Bishop or the Priest or the Deacons. But other parts of the service are marked to be said by the “Laos” (Greek - Laov~), that is “the People.”  No mention is made of Choirs or Cantors. It was many centuries before the parts said by “the People” were replaced by Choirs and the Cantors.

    So, from the beginning of our Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church, we have followed the ancient tradition, encouraging the congregation to sing the responses in the Divine Liturgy and in the other services. Once you learn to sing the hymns you will find it spiritually uplifting and will find deeper meaning in worship. It takes only a few weeks of attentive participation in worship to learn how to sing the hymns. Try it! You’ll  like it!

    Yes, it is right and good for you to add your voice to the hymns and readings!

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

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 3rd  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Efrainestho ta Ourania"). Hymnal,  83-84.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance)"Let all things rejoice"). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

(Read) O Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, / in spite of our eagerness to render you due honor, / we fall short when singing your praise. / Your glorious birth saved your mother / from the shame of barrenness, / returned to your father the power of speech / and heralded the worldwide preaching / of the Incarnation of the Son of God.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See paper in the pews)

Kontakion of the Theotokos sung in Greek by the Leader (Prostasia ton Christianon)

(Read)  A protection of Christians unshamable, / intercessor to our Holy Maker unwavering, / please reject not / the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. / Instead, come to us, for you are good; / your loving help bring unto us, / who are crying in faith to you. / Hasten to intercede for us, / and speed now to supplicate to Him, / as a protection for all time, / Theotokos, / for those who honor you.

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

In the Place of “Praise the Lord” the Leader sings “Eis Mnemosynon” in Greek.

(Read) The just man shall be remembered forever: / he shall not fear a bad name.

   EPISTLE – Romans 13:11-14:4 (Nativity of St. John) +BRETHREN, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

   GOSPEL – Luke 1:1-25, 57-68, 76, 80 (Nativity of St. John) + Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers. of the word, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilos, that you may know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed. In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they wondered at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them and remained dumb. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, "Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men." Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zacharias after his father, but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." And they said to her, "None of your kindred is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marveled. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways." And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

  A 40 day Memorial with Kolyva will be offered today for the rest of the soul of Maria Gymnaos, late mother of Argyri and mother-in-law of  Carol Gymnaos. “May her memory be eternal!”  

  ANOINTING FOR HEALTH TODAY: Following the Divine Liturgy today, all in attendance are invited to come forward to be anointed with holy oil for the healing of soul and body. Let seek healing from the Lord!

   THE FATHERS DAY Luncheon was a pleasant gathering of parishioners and friends of Christ the Savior Church, co-chaired by Gloria Vardakis and Harriet Pasisis. The Free Will Offerings were enough to pay for the Pizzas with some money left over. Many thanks to all who contributed and to those who gave the “fixins’” for the salad and for the delicious Fathers Day cake! All fathers received a small token of respect, a tassled bookmark with the Bible verse on it. A few are left -you can pick up yours if you didn’t get one at the back table. “Many Years” to all the fathers of Christ the Savior Church!

   FOR THE RECORD: Attendance 6/3-45; 6/10-42; 6/17-39. Candles 6/3-$43; 6/10-$64; 6/17-$79. Visitor Donations  6/3-$31; 6/10-$26; 6/17-$139. Coffee Hour Free Will Basket 6/03-$24; 6/10-$20; 6/17-$75. Stewardship 6/3-$615; 6/10-$417; 6/17-$425. Thank you!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Presbytera Emily Harakas 6/24; George Nikas 7/1 Fran Triantafilon 7/8. Argyri & Carol Gymnaos 7/15; Venice Cosmadelis 7/24.

   SUMMER COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: June 24: Curt & Emily Thomas. A free will offering is requested to cover costs. Give what you like, but do remember that it costs about $1 for a pastry and a cup of coffee. Please sign up for July!

   PARISH COUNCIL GREETER for today is President Gloria Vardakis; for next Sunday, July 1 it is Bill Pasisis. You are welcome at Christ the Savior Church!

   DONATION OPPORTUNITY: You can donate one or more Liturgy Books at $10 each. We are seeking people to donate thirty of these books. Almost half have been spoken all ready! Many thanks to John & Theona Hatzi; Helen Keriakis (In Memory of Parents Angelo & Deena Keriakis); Maria Angeliadis; Gregory Angeliadis; Amelia Angeliadis; Miccah Rylee Basilia; Patricia Panopoulos (2 Books  In Memory of Mike Panopoulos); Helen Arvanitis (2 Books); David and Diane Covington; Bill & Harriet Pasisis (In Memory of our Daughter Pamela Anna Pasisis) and another book (In Loving Memory of Harriet's Sister Gloria Doomouselis). Many thanks! To donate, send your check for as many copies as you wish to CSGOC, P.O. Box 5566, Spring Hill, FL 34611, or bring it to church. Mark your check memo line “Liturgy Book(s).” You can give books in memory of loved ones or for the health of a family member or to honor some one. Just mark it clearly on a separate sheet of paper and include with your check. Thanks!

   THE KIDS CAMP held on Monday at the Hernando County Anderson Snow Recreational Center in Spring Hill was a good success! Dubbed “Fantastic Adventures in Faith & Fun,” over twenty young people, brought by parents, grandparents and caregivers attended, participating in Bible study, games, crafts and a delicious pizza luncheon, followed by a special cake given by Kanella Hantzis for all to enjoy! Children in attendance were Rory Atwood, Amelia Angeliadis, Gregory Angeliadis, Haleigh McDuff, Athena Martinez, Adam Martinez, William Hazivasilis, Daniel Hazivasilis, Nicholas Hazivasilis, Matthew Hazivasilis, Maria Gymnaos, John Gymnaos, Alexandra Hantzis, Katerina Hanzis, Yannis Hantzis, Andreas Hantzis, Thanansis Hantzis, Christo Hantzis, Evan Thomas, Angie Thomas, Nicole Hoyd and T.J. Hoyd. All children received a free “Christ the Savior Tee Shirt!” You can buy one for $10. Special thanks to the parents who helped and to St. Katherine Ladies Society President Emily Thomas, assisted by Christina Thomas who organized the event! Watch for another children’s event in the last two weeks of August.

   THE PARISH COUNCIL has received with regret word of George Nikas’ decision to resign from the Parish Council and has voted to extend sincere thanks to George for his years of devoted service to Christ the Savior Church. We wish him and Dee well and ask for the Lord’s blessings on all of their endeavors in the future.

   ENJOY A SHRIMP COCKTAIL following Church services next Sunday, July 1 as a celebration of our nation’s Independence Day. There will be a Doxology sung and prayers offered for our nation, with the reading of the Archbishop’s encyclical and an Independence Day message. Plan to attend!

HONOR GOD DURING THE SUMMER! COME TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611