The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VII, No. 12 – Sunday, March 2, 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

 

THE LAST JUDGMENT

oday is the third of the four Sundays of the Triodion, the preparatory period before the beginning of Great Lent. The first, about the Publican and the Pharisee, taught us to reject pride and to embrace humility. The second, about the Prodigal Son, taught us of the love of the Heavenly Father and our repentance. On the third Sunday, called “Judgment Sunday” we are given three messages of importance for our souls. You are taught in stark terms that we will be judged for eternity. So, in the Creed we declare: “He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead.” Then, you are taught that in addition to faith in the Lord, you need to cultivate compassion for those who suffer, and to act with loving philanthropy toward them. Thirdly, Judgment Sunday takes a step to prepare you for the Lenten Fast, by making this the last Sunday we are supposed to eat meat. Here are some of the hymns of Judgment Sunday for you to think about, pray about and act on for your spiritual growth.

+ “The trumpet shall blow, and the graves shall be empty, and all humanity will rise trembling. They who have done good shall rejoice with joy, expecting their reward; and those who have done evil shall tremble greatly, moaning and shaking, as they are sent to suffering, separated from the elect. Wherefore, O Lord of glory, be compassionate toward us, and make us worthy to be of those who love You, for You are good” (Vespers, Sticheron).

+ “When I ponder my wretchedness on the many terrible things that I have done, I tremble for that fearful day, the Day of Judgment. But trusting in the mercy of Your compassion, like David I cry to You, ‘Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy” (Orthros, Idiomelon).

+ I ponder that day and hour, when we all, naked and as convicts, will appear before the Judge we cannot bribe. Then a great trumpet will sound and the foundations of the earth will be shaken, and the dead will be raised from the graves, and all that which is hidden will be presented overtly before You, and they shall mourn and wail who have never repented, and they shall depart into the outer fire. And with joy and exaltation will be the righteous enter into the heavenly chamber” (Orthros, Lauds).

Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

TRIODION 3RD SUNDAY  - JUDGMENT SUNDAY (MEATFARE)

 GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - Grave Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Katelysas to Stavro"). Hymnal, 88-89.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("O Lord by Your sacred Cross"). (Same)

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

Kontakion of The Judgment  Sung in Greek by the Leader – “Otan eltheis o Theos”

    (Read) When you return to earth, / O God, / in Your glory, / all things will cower tremulous, / and a river of fire / will draw before Your Judgment Seat. / The books shall be opened up, / and hidden things / will become public knowledge. / Rescue me, then, I pray, / from unquenchable fire, / and count me worthy to stand / at your right hand, / O You, the most righteous Judge.

EPISTLE –  1 Corinthians 88-9:2 (Meatfare)

rethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

GOSPEL – Luke 25:31-46 (Meatfare)

he Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

 Return to p. 31 of the Hymnal

  TRISAGION MEMORIAL: A two year Trisagion Service will be conducted at today’s Divine Liturgy in memory of Katherine Gregerson, sister of Presbytera Emily and Paul Maniates, and aunt of George & Marian Maniates. May her memory be eternal!

  PARISH COUNCIL CANDLE STAND: 3/2 George Maniates & Bill Pasisis; 3/9 Jennie Palmenteri & Venice Cosmadelis; 3/16 Curtis Thomas & Emily Thomas.

  COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: George Maniates & Presb. Emily Harakas 3/7; Gloria Zahka & Janice Jabour 3/9; Betty Frangos & Stacy Underwood Humbert 3/16; Skevy Larson & Emily Thomas 3/23; Maria, Stacy & Amelia Angeliadis.

   FOR THE RECORD: Treasurer Curtis Thomas reporting.  Sunday Feb. 24 - Candles $88; Visitors’ Donations  $148; Stewardship $600; Coffee Hour Free Will Donations  $22. Bulletin $50; Diakonia Magazine $6; Attendance 52. Orthodox Study Bibles $40.

  “ENJOYABLE AND SUCCESSFUL!” Thanks to everyone who supported last Sunday’s Shrimp Dinner, making it an outstanding social and financial event earning $555 for our church treasury. Thanks also to David & Diane Covington and Rainey & Geraldine Council, Co-Chairs who were assisted by Bill & Harriet Pasisis, Helen Vangel, Gloria Vardakis and Denise Zotto. Special thanks to those wonderful parishioners who cleaned the shrimp, cooked the orzo before the meal, as well as for all those who stayed afterwards and cleaned up the dining hall! Above all, many thanks to Captains John & Judy Saittis who generously donated the shrimp! A wonderful parish-wide cooperative effort!

    HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Kyriaki Efstathiades, Brooksville Regional: John Kelo. We pray for a rapid recovery! Tell Fr. Stanley if a family member is hospitalized.

    PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: The next session will be on March 7 on Psalm 118 (119), 2:00-3:30 p.m. The session will be conducted by Fr. Jerry. Thanks, Fr.!

   March birthday blessings today! Birthdays:  3/1 aki Manolis; 3/2 Peter Hatzi; 3/2 Fr. William Mattis; 3/2 Nancy Urling; 3/3 Niko Maroulis; 3/6 Edna Kalogiannis; 3/7 Gloria Vardakis; 3/10 Paul Cosmadelis; 3/18 Angeliki Thomas; 3/19 Kara Hazivasilis; Kosta Gymnaos. Many Years!