Hellenic Orthodox Mission

The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. II, No. 12 – Sunday, March 23, 2003

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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

Services Held at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL - (352) 796-8482

The Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org/

Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Protopresbyter – (352) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846; Email:Rharakas@aol.com

The Annunciation of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

This coming Tuesday, March 25, we celebrate the great feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website, describes the feast as follows (edited):

On this day we celebrate the Annunciation of our most holy Lady Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary. Our benevolent and charitable God, Who always takes care of the human race as an affectionate father, saw that the creature which His hands had made was being tyrannized by the demonic forces of evil and sin. Man was being carried away by the passions of vice and was subject to idolatry. So, God sent his only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in order to redeem us from death, sin and evil.

God sent the Archangel Gabriel and with the provision of his plan of salvation, the holy Virgin Mary was born and kept pure, who was worthy of such a great mystery and universal good. So, the Angel came to the town of Nazareth and said to her: "Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee." Some other words followed and finally the Virgin said to the Angel: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

Immediately after these words she supernaturally conceived in her immaculate womb the Son and Word of God, His wisdom and power which has substance, with the overshadowing of the Word of God Himself and with the coming of the Holy Spirit upon her. Since then all the mysteries of the Word of God for our salvation and redemption were accomplished according to His plan of salvation.

The Dismissal Hymn of the Feast of the Annunciation has us sing:

“Today marks the crowning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace. Wherefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you."

The Kontakion of the Feast of the Annunciation has us sing: “To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may cry to you “Hail, O Bride Unwedded.”

ANNUNCIATION – MARCH 25: ORTHROS – 9:30 AM; DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 AM

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

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

(Read) Beacon of Orthodox belief, / the strong support of the Church / and her teacher inspired by God, / you are the ornament of monks, / the unassailable champion of theologians / O Gregory the Wonderworker / and the boast of Thessalonica, / the messenger of grace. / Forever earnestly entreat / for the salvation of our souls.

(Read) To You, the Champion Leader, / do I, Your City, / ascribe thank-offerings of victory, / for you, O Mother of God, have delivered me from terrors; / but as you have invincible power, / free me from every kind of danger, / so that to you, I may cry: / Hail, O Bride unwedded.

"In the beginning, you O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"? he said to the paralytic ? "I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

A WARM WELCOME TO FR. JOHN LIADIS, who will be serving the Divine Liturgy, and preaching the Word of God today.

FOR THE RECORD: 3/9/03: Attendance – 40; Candles - $118; Offering - $85; 3/16/03: Attendance – 56; Candles - $96; Offering - $133. Thank you for your generous support.

MANY THANKS to those who assisted in cleaning the grounds near the Dining Hall and the cabin area, on Tuesday, February 24, in preparation for the Mardi Gras / Apokreatiko Glendi: Ed Zahka, Sam Jabbour, Alex George, George Nikas, Bill Pasisis, and Paul Cosmadelis. A very good job, fellows! Thank you!

PROSFORON BAKING: Venice Cosmadelis 3/23; Fran Mather 3/25 (Feast of the Annunciation); George Nikas 3/30; Fran Triantafilon 4/6; Bette Ferriero 4/13; Helen Nicolelis 4/24 (Holy Thursday); Presbytera Emily (Holy Saturday) 4/26; Gloria Vardakis (Pascha) 4/27; Connie Mourgides 3/16. Include family names, both living and deceased.

Bulletin Sponsors donate $20 for each issue of the Orthodox Messenger. See Council President Connie Mourgides today and give her the wording of your message or call 686-0589.

USE YOUR CHURCH LIBRARY AND BOOKSTORE! You can find many interesting books and tapes about our Orthodox Christian Faith and our cultural heritages in our Mission Bookstore. Check us out during Coffee Fellowship!

THE “MAGNA GRAECA” EXHIBITION at the Tampa Museum of Art. Our Mission is sponsoring a day-trip to visit the exhibit on Thursday, March 27. We will car-pool. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall. See Venice Cosmadelis for details or call at 868-1199.

SIGN UP TO SPONSOR A COFFEE HOUR! Coffee Hour Sponsors provide the cake, sweets and fruit. The rest is supplied by the Hospitality Committee, Dee Nikas, Chair and Bette Ferriero Vice-Chair. Help foster the spirit of fellowship in our Mission!

THE BAPTISMAL FONT: So far we have received $470 and another $150 has been pledged for a total of $620 toward the $1,800 cost of the Baptismal Font. Please join in this community effort. Make your check to HOMHC and mark on it, “Baptismal Font Drive.”

LENTEN EVENTS THIS WEEK: Tuesday, March 25 – Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.; Friday, March 28 – Parish Education Program at 2:30 p.m.; 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 29, Holy Confession, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

LAWN MOWER NEEDED: If you have an old lawn mower, preferably in running condition, which you no longer need, the Mission could use it for mowing around the cabins, especially near the office. Contact Paul Cosmadelis at 686-1199.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS administered by our Archdiocese are now available on line. For the Gioles and/or Malta Scholarships:

SALUTATIONS FLOWERS: Flowers for the Icon of the Theotokos for Friday, March 14 were donated by Anastasia’s Flower Shop and for March 21 by Tony and Gloria Vardakis, for the health of their granddaughters, Lexi and Sophia. The Icon wreath for March 28 is being given by George and Dee Nikas, for blessings for their grandson Nicholas Ressel. Many thanks for these contributions!

A Lenten Reflection: “Nothing that God has created is in itself bad. Food is not bad, gluttony is; wealth is not bad, greed is; glory is not bad, only vainglory is. So you see nothing is bad in itself, only the misuse of it; which is the soul’s negligence in cultivating its true nature.” St. Maximos the Confessor, Centuries on Charity, 3, 1.



Contents		The Orthodox Messenger Vol. II, No. 12 – Sunday, March 23, 2003 “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community” Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Metropolis of Atlanta Services Held at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL - (352) 796-8482 The Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org/ Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Protopresbyter – (352) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846; Email:Rharakas@aol.com The Annunciation of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary This coming Tuesday, March 25, we celebrate the great feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website, describes the feast as follows (edited): On this day we celebrate the Annunciation of our most holy Lady Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary. Our benevolent and charitable God, Who always takes care of the human race as an affectionate father, saw that the creature which His hands had made was being tyrannized by the demonic forces of evil and sin. Man was being carried away by the passions of vice and was subject to idolatry. So, God sent his only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in order to redeem us from death, sin and evil. God sent the Archangel Gabriel and with the provision of his plan of salvation, the holy Virgin Mary was born and kept pure, who was worthy of such a great mystery and universal good. So, the Angel came to the town of Nazareth and said to her: "Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee." Some other words followed and finally the Virgin said to the Angel: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Immediately after these words she supernaturally conceived in her immaculate womb the Son and Word of God, His wisdom and power which has substance, with the overshadowing of the Word of God Himself and with the coming of the Holy Spirit upon her. Since then all the mysteries of the Word of God for our salvation and redemption were accomplished according to His plan of salvation. The Dismissal Hymn of the Feast of the Annunciation has us sing: “Today marks the crowning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace. Wherefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you." The Kontakion of the Feast of the Annunciation has us sing: “To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may cry to you “Hail, O Bride Unwedded.” ANNUNCIATION – MARCH 25: ORTHROS – 9:30 AM; DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 AM Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Evening Services as announced 2nd SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT – ST. GREGORY PALAMAS Saints: St. Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonika (+1360); Righteous Nikon of Sicily and his 199 student Monks martyred with him; Righteous Luke of Mytilene, Neomartyr (1384); the Righteous Basil of Mangazea, Siberia; Monk-Martyr Luke of Mt. Athos; and Sergius the New Confessor of Tver (1948) GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS Dismissal Hymn - 2nd Plagal Tone (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Angelike dynameis").Hymnal, 86-87. (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("The Angelic Powers "). (Same). Dismissal Hymn of St. Gregory Palamas (Read) Beacon of Orthodox belief, / the strong support of the Church / and her teacher inspired by God, / you are the ornament of monks, / the unassailable champion of theologians / O Gregory the Wonderworker / and the boast of Thessalonica, / the messenger of grace. / Forever earnestly entreat / for the salvation of our souls. Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas (Sing in English) “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111. Kontakion to the Theotokos Sing in Greek “Tee Yepermacho Stratego ta Niketeria” (Read) To You, the Champion Leader, / do I, Your City, / ascribe thank-offerings of victory, / for you, O Mother of God, have delivered me from terrors; / but as you have invincible power, / free me from every kind of danger, / so that to you, I may cry: / Hail, O Bride unwedded. *Turn to page 26 in the Hymnal: Sing “HOLY GOD. . .”* EPISTLE: Hebrews 1:10-2:3 "In the beginning, you O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him. GOSPEL: Mark 2:1-12 At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"? he said to the paralytic ? "I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" A WARM WELCOME TO FR. JOHN LIADIS, who will be serving the Divine Liturgy, and preaching the Word of God today. FOR THE RECORD: 3/9/03: Attendance – 40; Candles - $118; Offering - $85; 3/16/03: Attendance – 56; Candles - $96; Offering - $133. Thank you for your generous support. MANY THANKS to those who assisted in cleaning the grounds near the Dining Hall and the cabin area, on Tuesday, February 24, in preparation for the Mardi Gras / Apokreatiko Glendi: Ed Zahka, Sam Jabbour, Alex George, George Nikas, Bill Pasisis, and Paul Cosmadelis. A very good job, fellows! Thank you! PROSFORON BAKING: Venice Cosmadelis 3/23; Fran Mather 3/25 (Feast of the Annunciation); George Nikas 3/30; Fran Triantafilon 4/6; Bette Ferriero 4/13; Helen Nicolelis 4/24 (Holy Thursday); Presbytera Emily (Holy Saturday) 4/26; Gloria Vardakis (Pascha) 4/27; Connie Mourgides 3/16. Include family names, both living and deceased. We are in need of bulletin sponsors! *Bulletin Sponsors donate $20 for each issue of the Orthodox Messenger.* See Council President Connie Mourgides today and give her the wording of your message or call 686-0589. USE YOUR CHURCH LIBRARY AND BOOKSTORE! You can find many interesting books and tapes about our Orthodox Christian Faith and our cultural heritages in our Mission Bookstore. Check us out during Coffee Fellowship! THE “MAGNA GRAECA” EXHIBITION at the Tampa Museum of Art. Our Mission is sponsoring a day-trip to visit the exhibit on Thursday, March 27. We will car-pool. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall. See Venice Cosmadelis for details or call at 868-1199. SIGN UP TO SPONSOR A COFFEE HOUR! Coffee Hour Sponsors provide the cake, sweets and fruit. The rest is supplied by the Hospitality Committee, Dee Nikas, Chair and Bette Ferriero Vice-Chair. Help foster the spirit of fellowship in our Mission! THE BAPTISMAL FONT: So far we have received $470 and another $150 has been pledged for a total of $620 toward the $1,800 cost of the Baptismal Font. Please join in this community effort. Make your check to HOMHC and mark on it, “Baptismal Font Drive.” LENTEN EVENTS THIS WEEK:** Tuesday, March 25 – Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.; Friday, March 28 – Parish Education Program at 2:30 p.m.; 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 29, Holy Confession, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. LAWN MOWER NEEDED: If you have an old lawn mower, preferably in running condition, which you no longer need, the Mission could use it for mowing around the cabins, especially near the office. Contact Paul Cosmadelis at 686-1199. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS administered by our Archdiocese are now available on line. For the Gioles and/or Malta Scholarships: http:///www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/administration/chancellor/giolesscholarship.pdf http:///www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/administration/chancellor/maltascholarship.pdf SALUTATIONS FLOWERS: Flowers for the Icon of the Theotokos for Friday, March 14 were donated by Anastasia’s Flower Shop and for March 21 by Tony and Gloria Vardakis, for the health of their granddaughters, Lexi and Sophia. The Icon wreath for March 28 is being given by George and Dee Nikas, for blessings for their grandson Nicholas Ressel. Many thanks for these contributions! A Lenten Reflection: “Nothing that God has created is in itself bad. Food is not bad, gluttony is; wealth is not bad, greed is; glory is not bad, only vainglory is. So you see nothing is bad in itself, only the misuse of it; which is the soul’s negligence in cultivating its true nature.” St. Maximos the Confessor, Centuries on Charity, 3, 1. IN MEMORY OF KATHERINE GREGERSON - BY HER FAMILY Come to Church! HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION OF HERNANDO COUNTY P.O. BOX 5566 SPRING HILL, FL 34611 “A Pan-Orthodox Christian 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

ANNUNCIATION – MARCH 25: ORTHROS – 9:30 AM; DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 AM

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Come to Church!