Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church

he theme of this Sunday refers to the expulsion of Adam from Paradise. Adam in Paradise misused his freedom by allowing himself to be persuaded by the evil one to disobey the command to not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The evil one convinced him that by so doing he would know more than God. The Church in its hymnology presents the condition of Adam outside of Paradise as weeping and working hard for his livelihood. The Gospel passage of the day refers to the manner of praying, fasting, almsgiving and all good works. These are to be done in secret, without boasting. The meaning of this Sunday is the condescension of God to the human weakness, "for if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (v. 14-15). This is emphasized in the Lord's Prayer. The week (six days) preceding Sunday of Cheese and after Meatfare Sunday, is the addition to the period of the Great Lent, which completes the forty days of fasting (excluding Saturdays and Sundays). The name of this Sunday, "Cheesefare", implies that the fast of this week is the gradual transition from eating meat to the strict fast of Lent, which starts the next day, Monday, with the first Sunday of Lent at the end of the preliminary seven days (Sunday of Orthodoxy). This 40-day period of Lent is a period of "abstinence" from foods, but primarily from personal iniquities. Abstinence from foods (fasting) alone is a means of attaining virtue; it is not an end in itself. During the period of fasting one makes a special attempt to evaluate his calling as a Christian; to listen to the voice of the Gospel and heed its commandments; to accept the constant invitation to enter Christ's Kingdom. It is an open invitation to everyone willing to enter; who believes in Christ and repents his iniquities; who makes an "about face" directly to Christ. To accomplish this - which is a year-round concern - the Christian Church, dating back many years, out of experience and according to the nature of man, instituted certain days of prayer and fasting as steps in a ladder to help those who need guidance to reach this spiritual plateau. All of these steps must have genuine personal meaning to avoid becoming merely a habit and routine. Fasting encompasses the entire pious life of the Christian, as Christ proclaimed, that symbolizes a deep acceptance of His admonition to "repent". This can be achieved not so much in terms of time, but in deeds in love of God and one's fellow man. Additionally, the church cautions those who are sick, infirm or aged to become good stewards of their health. The canons of the church speak to this point clearly when we read: Fasting from foods is relevant to the condition of the health of the Christian, however. Fasting is not for the sake of fasting alone: "Fasting was devised in order to humble the body. If, therefore, the body is already in a state of humbleness from illness or weakness or age , the person ought to partake of as much food and drink as he or she may wish.” (Canon 8 of St. Timothy of Alexandria, 381 A.D.).

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

CHEESEFARE SUNDAY – FORGIVENESS SUNDAY

(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“Ex Ipsous Katilthes”) Hymnal, page 89

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

Kontakion of Cheesefare (Read) “O You who are the source of all wisdom and discernment,/ instructor of the ignorant and champion of the poor,/ strengthen my heart, O Master,/ and grant me understanding./ O Word of the Father,/ bring words to my lips/ that nothing will keep me from crying out to You:/ in Your compassion, have mercy on me for I have fallen.”

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

EPISTLE: Romans 13:11-14; 14: 1-4

rethren: 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: Matthew 6: 14-21

he Lord Said: "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, March 6th - Attendance 53; Stewardship $1294; Visitors $141; Adamis Fund $15; Building Fund $15; Donations $339.

GREAT LENT: Great Lent begins tomorrow, Monday, March 14th, known as Clean Monday. The first Salutations to the Theotokos will be held on Friday evening at 4 p.m. followed by a Pot Luck Lenten supper. Plan to attend these beautiful prayers to the Holy Mother of God.

PROSFORON BAKERS: Fran Triantafilon 3/13; Fran Mather 3/20; Chrysokaty Georgacopulos 3/25; Connie Mourgides 3/27; To join the Prosforon bakers, please call George Nikas, Chairman (597-1375).

PARISH COUNCIL REQUEST: When sending in your checks for whatever reason, please write in the lower left hand corner of the envelope its purpose such as: stewardship, Messenger sponsorship, Outback Steak dinner etc. Many envelopes arrive from different sources, and to insure complete privacy, please label your envelopes so that they may be forwarded to the appropriate persons.

FOOD DRIVE 2005 Once again we are planning to prepare food baskets to be distributed to needy families of Hernando County at Easter. Please plan to bring food items before March 20th to be included in baskets to be distributed on or before Western Easter on March 27th. Contact Helen Nicolelis, Chairperson, at (352) 684-1219.

PAN ORTHODOX VESPERS: Next Sunday, March 20th is the Sunday of Orthodoxy and the first Sunday of Great Lent. There will be a Pan Orthodox Vesper Service at 6:30 p.m. at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs. Plan to attend and celebrate the gift of faith with Orthodox Christians from the area.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The regular monthly meeting of the Parish Council will be held Wednesday evening, March 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the Dining Hall.

NEW ROOF: Have you noticed the newly shingled roof on the Dining Hall? Our thanks to Connie Pappas, Chairman of the Facilities Committee, and to all who helped in any way.

SPECIAL THANKS: Our special thanks go to all who supported the sold-out Outback Steakhouse benefit dinner on Tuesday past. Dee Nikas and Cathy Lemonedes co-chaired the successful event. Our sincere thanks.

SPIRITUAL READING FOR LENT: An excellent book describing our Holy Week and Pascha services is Great Week and Pascha in the Greek Orthodox Church by Rev. Father Alkiviadis Calivas, Professor of Liturgy, from Holy Cross Bookstore, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445 at $12.95 plus postage or by telephoning 1.800.245-0599.

PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: Beginning Friday, March 18th, P.E.P. will meet at 2:30 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. The Salutations to the Theotokos will follow in the church and we will enjoy a Lenten Covered Dish or Pot Luck supper. Please correct your calendars and note the new time for P.E.P. Father Jerry will give a series of five brief talks at the weekly P.E.P. sessions on the Fridays during lent and discussion will follow. All are most welcome.

SAINT KATHERINE LADIES: The Saint Katherine Ladies Society will meet in the chapel this morning following Liturgy.

CLERGY-LAITY ASSEMBLY: Mark your calendars now! The Clergy-Laity Assembly of the Metropolis of Atlanta is scheduled for June 1-5 in Mobile, AL. More information will be forthcoming.

FEAST DAY PICTURES: pictures of the Feast day Banquet and Celebration and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy taken by Dorothy Triantafilon are on our website at http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org/photos.htm

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

FORGIVENESS SUNDAY

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

Evening Services as Announced

CHEESEFARE SUNDAY – FORGIVENESS SUNDAY

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

EPISTLE: Romans 13:11-14; 14: 1-4

GOSPEL: Matthew 6: 14-21

BULLETIN SPONSOR: CATHY LEMONEDES

MY THANKS, LOVE & BEST WISHES TO MY FRIENDS & FELLOW PARISHIONERS FOR YOUR PRAYERS, CARDS AND LOVE.