Hellenic Orthodox Mission

The Weekly Newsletter of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County
Vol. I, No. 9 – Sunday, March 17, 2002

Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County
“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta
Meeting at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL - (352) 796-8482: FR. STANLEY S. HARAKAS, PROTOPRESBYTER - (352) 688-2382 (Afternoons and Evenings)

“CLEAN MONDAY”
TOMORROW, Monday, March 18, 2002, as Orthodox Christians we are embarking on a journey. Our journey is spiritual. We are journeying to Pascha, to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
WE CALL TOMORROW “CLEAN MONDAY.” We begin our trip to Pascha prayerfully, conscious of the great spiritual work before us, and in a spirit of humility, love for our Savior Jesus Christ, and with a conscious effort to repent of our sins and grow spiritually.
IN ADDITION, “CLEAN MONDAY” is a day of fasting. We should try to limit our eating of all foods other than vegetables, bread and water on that day so that we can focus on the spiritual meaning of the day.
Also, read the passage from the Bible, which has been appointed for reading tomorrow. The Gospel Reading is from Luke, chapter 19 verses 29 to 40 and Luke chapter 22, verses 7 through 39. It tells of some of the final events in the life of Jesus. So, the Church focuses our attention and thoughts on the Crucifixion and suffering of Christ for our salvation.
THE GOSPEL FOR “CLEAN MONDAY” includes the following verses that are directed to the cultivation of service for one another. Just as Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies of the “Servant of God,” the Lord’s Disciples are taught to serve one another in love. What a beautiful way of beginning the Great Lent! We read: "A dispute also arose among (the Disciples), which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. . . . I am among you as one who serves'" (Luke 22:24-27).
SPEND SOME TIME TOMORROW, “Clean Monday,” meditating on these words.

Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. - Evening Services as announced.

Cheesefare Sunday: – Plagal 4th Tone

Saints: Commemoration of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve, the First Created, from Paradise; Righteous Alexios, “Man of God” (+440); Righteous Theosteriktos, Confessor.

EPISTLE – Romans 13:11-14:4
BRETHREN, you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For 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 the Master is able to make him stand.
GOSPEL – Matthew 6:14-21
THE 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.

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS
Dismissal Hymn – Plagal 4th Tone in the Divine Liturgy Hymnal, p. 89.
(Sing in Greek) (“Ex eepsous kateelthes”) before the Gospel Entrance and in English after the Entrance (“From on high You did descend. . .” )
(Sing in English) Hymn of St. Nicholas - Divine Liturgy Hymnal, p. 110-111
"An example of the Faith and a life of humility. . ."
The Kontakion of Cheesefare Sunday
(Read) O You who guides Your people toward wisdom / and gives them intelligence and understanding, / instructor of the ignorant and helper of the poor: / strengthen and enlighten my heart, / O Lord! O Word of God, / grant that I may speak, / for behold I will not keep my lips from crying out to You: / O Compassionate One, / have mercy on me who has fallen!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Helen Nikolelis – Mar. 17; George Nikas – Mar. 24; Fran Triantafilon – Mar. 25 (Annunciation); Gloria Vardakis – March 31; Venice Cosmadelis – Apr. 7; Bette Ferriero – Apr. 14 Fran Mather – Apr. 21; Connie Mourgides Apr. 28. George Nikas, Prosforon Coordinator (597-1375).
HOSPITALIZATIONS: Inform Fr. Stanley when a family member is hospitalized.
PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.): “Poikilia” – “A Variety of Topics”: 1) Understanding the Salutations and the Akathist Hymn; 2) The “Jesus Prayer”; 3) Some Fathers of the Church on “Anger.” Next Friday, Mar. 22. Join Us! Starts at 2:30 p.m.
THE 1st SERVICE OF THE SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS will be conducted this Friday at 4:00 p.m. Plan to attend! We ask those who are attending to prepare a “Covered Dish,” so that following the service we can share in our evening meal. The food that is prepared should be Lenten fare –no meat, please!
THE PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY was held last Sunday, preceded by a delicious “Pot Luck Supper.” Reports on the finances, relations with the Olympic Village Foundation, our new status as a mission, and discussion of the future development of our parish were heard. It was decided to establish a committee to search for land.
SPONSOR AN ISSUE OF “THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER” with a donation of $20. You can honor a person having a birthday, nameday, or a couple having a wedding anniversary or any other event. Businesses can also support the publication and mailing of our weekly bulletin with a donation of $20 per week. To sponsor an issue, contact Connie Mourgides, Parish Council President (686-0589).
Fr. Harakas will be attending the PAN-ORTHODOX “Sunday of Orthodoxy” Vespers at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Lecanto next Sunday. You are invited! Father Stanley will be leaving our Church at 5:00 p.m. promptly. The Vespers start at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to travel with Father, please call him at 688-2382. First come, first served. You can also follow Fr. Stanley to the St. Michael the Archangel Church. (A Lenten meal will follow).
FLOWERS FOR LENT: All parishioners and friends on the Mission Parish mailing list should have by now received your “Lenten Program” and your “Special Envelope” for your Lenten and Holy Week Flower donations. However, starting this Friday, we need donations for the wreath for the icon of the Theotokos for five weeks of Lent. To donate the wreath for a donation of $25 please contact Dora Halvatzes.
YOUR PLEDGE. If you have signed your Pledge Card, please make regular contributions. If you haven’t returned your pledge card, we will be sending you another for your consideration. A pledge is not a legal document -you can adjust it up or down according to your circumstances. But a pledge card helps our Mission Parish budget for the forthcoming year. Please make your pledge contributions on a regular basis.

WISDOM FROM ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
“Going through the Fast does not consist of merely going through the time, but in going through it with the amendment of how we live. Let us consider this: whether we have become more diligent; whether we have corrected any of our defects; whether we have washed away our sins.”

THIS WEEK’S “THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER” SPONSOR:
Bette and Feenie Ferriero
In Memory of Their Brother and Brother-in-Law Anthony Nicholson on the Anniversary of His Birthday – March 17.


HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION OF HERNANDO COUNTY
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
“A Pan-Orthodox Community”



Contents		The Orthodox Messenger The Weekly Newsletter of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County Vol. I, No. 9 – Sunday, March 17, 2002 Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community” Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta Meeting at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL - (352) 796-8482 FR. STANLEY S. HARAKAS, PROTOPRESBYTER - (352) 688-2382 (Afternoons and Evenings) “CLEAN MONDAY” TOMORROW, Monday, March 18, 2002, as Orthodox Christians we are embarking on a journey. Our journey is spiritual. We are journeying to Pascha, to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. WE CALL TOMORROW “CLEAN MONDAY.” We begin our trip to Pascha prayerfully, conscious of the great spiritual work before us, and in a spirit of humility, love for our Savior Jesus Christ, and with a conscious effort to repent of our sins and grow spiritually. IN ADDITION, “CLEAN MONDAY” is a day of fasting. We should try to limit our eating of all foods other than vegetables, bread and water on that day so that we can focus on the spiritual meaning of the day. Also, read the passage from the Bible, which has been appointed for reading tomorrow. The Gospel Reading is from Luke, chapter 19 verses 29 to 40 and Luke chapter 22, verses 7 through 39. It tells of some of the final events in the life of Jesus. So, the Church focuses our attention and thoughts on the Crucifixion and suffering of Christ for our salvation. THE GOSPEL FOR “CLEAN MONDAY” includes the following verses that are directed to the cultivation of service for one another. Just as Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies of the “Servant of God,” the Lord’s Disciples are taught to serve one another in love. What a beautiful way of beginning the Great Lent! We read: "A dispute also arose among (the Disciples), which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. . . . I am among you as one who serves'" (Luke 22:24-27). SPEND SOME TIME TOMORROW, “Clean Monday,” meditating on these words. Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. - Evening Services as announced. Cheesefare Sunday: – Plagal 4th Tone Saints: Commemoration of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve, the First Created, from Paradise; Righteous Alexios, “Man of God” (+440); Righteous Theosteriktos, Confessor. EPISTLE – *Romans 13:11-14:4* BRETHREN, you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For 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 the Master is able to make him stand. GOSPEL – *Matthew 6:14-21* THE 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. GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS Dismissal Hymn – Plagal 4th Tone in the Divine Liturgy Hymnal, p. 89. (Sing in Greek) (“Ex eepsous kateelthes”) before the Gospel Entrance and in English after the Entrance (“From on high You did descend. . .” ) (Sing in English) Hymn of St. Nicholas - Divine Liturgy Hymnal, p. 110-111 "An example of the Faith and a life of humility. . ." The Kontakion of Cheesefare Sunday (Read) O You who guides Your people toward wisdom / and gives them intelligence and understanding, / instructor of the ignorant and helper of the poor: / strengthen and enlighten my heart, / O Lord! O Word of God, / grant that I may speak, / for behold I will not keep my lips from crying out to You: / O Compassionate One, / have mercy on me who has fallen! ANNOUNCEMENTS STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Helen Nikolelis – Mar. 17; George Nikas – Mar. 24; Fran Triantafilon – Mar. 25 (Annunciation); Gloria Vardakis – March 31; Venice Cosmadelis – Apr. 7; Bette Ferriero – Apr. 14 Fran Mather – Apr. 21; Connie Mourgides Apr. 28. George Nikas, Prosforon Coordinator (597-1375). HOSPITALIZATIONS: Inform Fr. Stanley when a family member is hospitalized. PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.): “Poikilia” – “A Variety of Topics”: 1) Understanding the Salutations and the Akathist Hymn; 2) The “Jesus Prayer”; 3) Some Fathers of the Church on “Anger.” Next Friday, Mar. 22. Join Us! Starts at 2:30 p.m. THE 1st SERVICE OF THE SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS will be conducted this Friday at 4:00 p.m. Plan to attend! We ask those who are attending to prepare a “Covered Dish,” so that following the service we can share in our evening meal. The food that is prepared should be Lenten fare –no meat, please! THE PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY was held last Sunday, preceded by a delicious “Pot Luck Supper.” Reports on the finances, relations with the Olympic Village Foundation, our new status as a mission, and discussion of the future development of our parish were heard. It was decided to establish a committee to search for land. *SPONSOR AN ISSUE OF “THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER”* with a donation of $20. You can honor a person having a birthday, nameday, or a couple having a wedding anniversary or any other event. Businesses can also support the publication and mailing of our weekly bulletin with a donation of $20 per week. To sponsor an issue, contact Connie Mourgides, Parish Council President (686-0589). Fr. Harakas will be attending the PAN-ORTHODOX “Sunday of Orthodoxy” Vespers at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Lecanto next Sunday. You are invited! Father Stanley will be leaving our Church at 5:00 p.m. promptly. The Vespers start at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to travel with Father, please call him at 688-2382. First come, first served. You can also follow Fr. Stanley to the St. Michael the Archangel Church. (A Lenten meal will follow). FLOWERS FOR LENT: All parishioners and friends on the Mission Parish mailing list should have by now received your “Lenten Program” and your “Special Envelope” for your Lenten and Holy Week Flower donations. However, starting this Friday, we need donations for the wreath for the icon of the Theotokos for five weeks of Lent. To donate the wreath for a donation of $25 please contact Dora Halvatzes. YOUR PLEDGE. If you have signed your Pledge Card, please make regular contributions. If you haven’t returned your pledge card, we will be sending you another for your consideration. A pledge is not a legal document -you can adjust it up or down according to your circumstances. But a pledge card helps our Mission Parish budget for the forthcoming year. Please make your pledge contributions on a regular basis. WISDOM FROM ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM “Going through the Fast does not consist of merely going through the time, but in going through it with the amendment of how we live. Let us consider this: whether we have become more diligent; whether we have corrected any of our defects; whether we have washed away our sins.” *THIS WEEK’S “THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER”* SPONSOR: Bette and Feenie Ferriero In Memory of Their Brother and Brother-in-Law Anthony Nicholson on the Anniversary of His Birthday – March 17**. HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION OF HERNANDO COUNTY P.O. BOX 5566 SPRING HILL, FL 34611 “A Pan-Orthodox Community”
Bulletins Contact Directions Education Events Fr. Harakas Links Newspaper Photos
	Meeting at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville. Florida Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta HOME