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The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. VII, No. 30 – Sunday, June 29, 2008
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; Fax
(352-796-9081)
SAINTS PETER AND PAUL & US
The Orthodox Church
celebrates today the two leading Apostles and Missionaries of the
earliest Christian era. Both great men were convinced that the message
of salvation brought to the world by Jesus Christ was to be extended to
all people, regardless of ethnic, gender or racial distinctions. It is
for this reason that the Church was characterized by the title
“Catholic,” which is a word composed of two Greek words, which when put
together mean “for all,” or “universal.”
St. Peter the Apostle was one of the first of the Disciples called
by Christ. He was present at many miracles performed by Christ and was
among the earliest witnesses to Christ’s resurrection from the dead.
After he saw a vision, described in Acts of the New Testament, he
accepted that Jesus’ message and Church were for all people, though his
preaching was primarily focused on converts from Judaism. He was
considered the first or chief of the Twelve Apostles. He is the author
of two books or letters in the New Testament. It is believed that he was
martyred in Rome in 64AD.
St. Paul the Apostle was not one of the Twelve original Disciples
but was chosen by Christ in a vision as he was going to Damascus to
arrest Christian believers. He changed completely and became the
greatest of all Christian missionaries, spreading the Gospel and
establishing Churches in major cities throughout Asia Minor and the
Mediterranean Sea. His name is attached to thirteen New Testament
letters. It is he, as an evangelist of Christ, almost single-handedly
brought Christianity into the Greek and Roman world of that time. His
writings are an extremely important source of Christian teaching about
faith and life. His letters inspire many to this very day. He, too, was
martyred under the pagan Emperor Nero in Rome, in the same year as St.
Peter.
What do these two great saints say to the members of our Church?
They were devoted and committed to Christ – we should be the same.
They told other people about Christ and his Church – we should do
the same. They loved the Lord and sacrificed of themselves for him
– we should follow their example. They brought people of all
backgrounds into the life of the Church – we should similarly, open
our hearts and the doors of our Church to persons of all backgrounds.
As they reached out to others – so should we.
In short, we should follow the example of Saints Peter and Paul
as best as we can!
Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine
Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
Evening
Services as Announced
TODAY’S SAINTS:
Saints Peter and Paul (+64).
===============================================================
2nd SUNDAY OF
MATTHEW – SAINTS PETER AND PAUL
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 Sts. Peter and Paul
(Read) O Peter and Paul, / higher in rank / than any other
apostle, /doctors of the world, / intercede with the Master of All, /
that He may give peace to the world / and great mercy to us all.
Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See paper in the
pews)
Return to p.
26
of the
Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .”
EPISTLE – 2
Corinthians 11:21-1:9 (Sts. Peter and Paul) +
BRETHREN, whatever anyone dares to boast of -- I am speaking as a
fool -- I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are
they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are
they servants of Christ? I am a better one -- I am talking like a madman
-- with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless
beatings, and often near death. Five times I have received at the hands
of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I have been beaten
with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; a
night and a day I have been adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in
danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people,
danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness,
danger at sea, danger from false brethren; in toil and hardship, through
many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in
cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily
pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I
am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must
boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and
Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for ever, knows that I do
not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of
Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a
window in the wall, and escaped his hands. I must boast; there is
nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations
of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up
to the third heaven -- whether in the body or out of the body I do not
know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise --
whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows -- and
he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf
of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except
of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for
I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may
think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me
from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given
me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from
being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it
should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for
my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast
of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
GOSPEL –
Matthew 16:13-19 (Sts. Peter and Paul) + At that time, Jesus came
into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do
men say that the Son of man is?" And they said, "Some say John the
Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him,
"Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed
this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are
Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades
shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
In the place of the Communion Hymn “Praise the Lord” the
leaders sing “Eis pasan ten gheen”
(Read): Their voices went out / through all the earth
/ and their words / to the far ends of the world.
Trays Today-1) Stewardship & Visitors’ Offering; 2) Adamis
Philanthropic Fund
FOR THE RECORD: June 15, 2008 –
Candles $69; Vistors’ Donations $41; Coffee Hour 6/08 -$15,
6/15-$13; Bible Sales $40; Stewardship $610; Bulletin $50;
Attendance 53. Lift up your spirit! Come to Church and pray for God’s
blessings!
PARISH COUNCIL CANDLE STAND ASSIGNMENTS
June 29 – Helene Arvanitis & Venice Cosmadelis; July 6 –
Curtis & Emily Thomas; July 13 – Bill Pasisis & Helene Arvanitis;
July 20 – Argiris & Carol Gymnaos; July 27 – Venice
Cosmadelis & Jennie Palmenteri. This is a “stewardship of Time and
Talent.” Thank you!
PROSFORON BAKERS: Diane
Lydia Covington 6/22; Presbytera Emily Harakas 6/29; Betty Ferriero 7/6;
Venice Cosmadelis 7/13; Argiris and Carol Gymnaos 7/20; George Nikas
7/27; Diane Lydia Covington 8/3. If you would like to learn to make
Prosforon Bread, please contact George Nikas for the recipe and
assistance -597-1375,
A “DAILY MESSAGE”
of inspiration is sent to those on our Christ the Savior email list.
If you would like to receive it, let Fr. Stanley know your email
address.
2008-2009 PARISH
TELEPHONE DIRECTORY is available
at the Candle Stand today. Pick yours up after the Divine Liturgy, so
that we can avoid the high postal charges. We will be mailing books not
picked up this week.
FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGY
on Sunday, June 17 at the Coffee Hour, it was
decided that Christ the Savior Stewards and Friends might like to
contribute to a fund here at our Church toward a memorial gift in our
new church in Memory of Fr. Stanley and Presbytera Emily’s son Spero. If
you would like to contribute, please mark your checks “Spero Harakas
Memorial” in the memo line and on the envelope. Send it to the Church’s
address at P.O. Box 5566, Spring Hill, FL 34611 or put it in the
collection plate. Thank you!
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT #21
Parish Assembly Report:
A thorough report was made by Co-Chairs Paul Cosmadelis and Nikolai
Kastelan on the progress of the Building Committee, both in terms of
finances and progress with the permitting process with Hernando
County. Several questions were posed by the Stewards and a
discussion was held.
Review of Plans: A meeting of our Engineering Firm,
Nicholson Engineering and our Builder, South Capital Construction,
Inc. and the Architect was held with all concerned Hernando County
Departments at the Department of Public Works offices in Brooksville
on Thursday, May 1 and a number of unresolved issues were raised
regarding the plans for the building. The deadline for addressing
these issues was May 28. All were met satisfactorily by that date.
One of the most interesting was the need to resolve the issue of
four Gopher Tortoises on our site, a protected species. After
looking at several possible resolutions, it was determined best to
relocate the tortoises to the back fifty feet of the Anderson Snow
Road property, which is a set-back area where we cannot build
anything. Mr. Christ Johnson was engaged to move the tortoises at
the appropriate time. Another item was the obtaining of a
“Revegetation Bond” for $28,000 required by Hernando County, to
cover the potential cost of replanting in the case that the builders
clear the land, but do not proceed to build. We were one of the
first projects to be required to post such a two year bond. Through
hard work, the Committee was able to obtain the bond at a very low
rate of about $145.
Permit Report: Nicholson Engineering and South Capital
Construction Co. informed us of a June 16, 2008 Zoning Commission
Report that indicated that the review of the permits for the
buildings themselves has been favorably completed by the County
Offices, which was a good sign.
However, several issues regarding the land site, most of which
are minor, and easily taken care of, have yet to be resolved. Two
stand out as issues which might extend the time before final permits
may be issued. The first requires a redesign of the entrance to the
property from Anderson Snow Road. The second is the intention of
Hernando County to seek a take-over of forty feet along the front of
our property bordering on Anderson Snow Road, rather than the
customary 15 or 25 feet. This condition will be appealed by Mark
Guttman of Nicholson Engineering on our behalf.
Continuing Committee Work: Kitchen Design: The
Committee received an excellent report by Committee member Demetrios
Hados from a professional kitchen designer, Mr. Mike Spirtos of
Bellaire, FL, indicating the most efficient placement of kitchen
appliances. The design was offered gratis to our Church. A
letter of thanks for this generous offering was sent to Mr. Spirtos.
Alarm System: Two security system firms have been interviewed
in order to determine what is needed regarding and alarm system and
the costs. Another interview is planned. A Cornerstone Committee
has been assigned to collect memorabilia for deposit in the
cornerstone when the time comes. The Corner-stone Committee Chair is
Harriet Pasisis and Presbytera Emily Harakas is the Co-Chair.
Outside Lighting will be investigated by Bill Pasisis; the
Sound System will be investigated by Fr. Stanley Harakas &
Nikolai Kastelan; and the Chain Link Fence will be
investigated by Niko Maroulis and Demetri Hados.
Building Committee Members: Paul Cosmadelis & Nikolai
Kastelan, Co-Chairs. Members are Ellen Atwood, Charles Chronopoulos,
Demetri Hados, Niko Maroulis, William Pasisis, Curtis Thomas and Fr.
Harakas ex officio.
ORTHDODOX STUDY
BIBLES: We have six
Orthodox Study Bibles available for purchase at the discounted price
of $40 each. This is the first English language complete Bible
including the whole of the Septuagint Old Testament in modern English
translation and the whole of the New Testament. This volume consists of
a page by page running commentary on the verses. It is a valuable
resource for studying the Holy Scriptures. To obtain your copy see
either Bill Pasisis or Curtis Thomas after the Divine Liturgy.
“KIDS CAMP”
Look for a report in next week’s Orthodox Messenger regarding the
“Kids Camp” held yesterday, Saturday, June 28 at the Anderson Snow Road
Recreational Center. Adults may purchase “Christ the Savior T-Shirts”
today for $10.
Bulletin Sponsors Needed! See Bill Pasisis or Curtis Thomas Today!
NEW
STEWARDS: Christ the Savior Church
welcomes Anastasia Feola who has renewed her Stewardship for 2008, and
Lewis and Mary Markovich who have also renewed their Stewardship for
2008. Both are listed in the new Telephone Directory. We now have
72 Stewardship Household, with 115 Stewards. If you have not as yet
renewed your Stewardship for 2008, it is not too late. Send in your
Stewardship of Time and Talent, and Stewardship of Treasure Cards
today! Stewardship Cards are available in the Parish Hall. Or, contact
Venice Cosmadelis, Stewardship Chair, at 686-1199.
BULLETIN
SPONSOR: RUBY HAZIVASILIS
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR PRAYERS DURING MY RECENT SURGERY
COME TO CHURCH WEEKLY – ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS NEED THE LORD EVERY SEASON
OF THE YEAR!
CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
JULY BIRTHDAY AND WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 6:
Birthdays-
7/2 Colleen Skaroulis; 7/3 John Kelo;
7/7 Clair Marie Miskis; 7/11 Paul Maniates; 7/17 Brianna Underwood;
7/17 Alex George; 7/20 Carol Gymnaos; 7/21 Ruby Hazivasilis; 7/22
Nicholas Belavilisl7/26 John Demetriades; 7/29 Gregory Angeliadis;
7/29 John Hatzi. Anniversaries- 7/10 Costa & Theresa Hronis;
7/10 Martin & Elizabeth Narverud; 7/11 George and Aphrodite Nikas;
7/15 Demetri & Kara Hazivasilis; 7/17 William & Olga Eugenides; 7/22
Nikolai & Nanka Kastelan; 7/31 Demetri & Maria Belavilas. Many
Years! If your name is missing, call Fr. Stanley right away!
796-2377. Come to Church For Your Blessing!
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