The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. III, No. 12 – Sunday, March 21, 2004

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT – ST. MARY OF EGYPT

t. Mary of Egypt was born around 344 A.D. and died about the year 421. At the age of twelve, she left home and went to Alexandria, Egypt to become a prostitute. After seventeen years, she heard about a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. She joined the pilgrims, not for religious reasons, but to use the time on the ship to practice her sinful way of life. When she arrived in Jerusalem, she joined the pilgrims as they went to the Holy Sepulcher for the Feast.

   But as she followed the pilgrims and reached the door of the church, she was stopped in her tracks, as if a hand was pushing her away. Repeatedly rebuffed, she went to the opposite corner of the church yard. All of sudden, she felt deep repentance for the wicked life she had been living. This, she understood, was the reason she was pushed away from the sacred Church.

   Hot tears of repentance poured from her eyes and she lamented her sins. She prayed that the Lord forgive her sins and with  faith, humbly requested that she be allowed to enter the Church and venerate the Cross of Christ with the other pilgrims. In return, she promised that she would renounce her sinful ways and dedicate her life in repentance to God. With reverence, she then moved to the door. No invisible hand prevented her entrance. After venerating the Holy Cross, went to the Church of St. John the Baptist and received Holy Communion.

   Then, she left Jerusalem, crossed the Jordan River, and went into the inhospitable Palestinian desert to live a life of deep devotion to her Savior Jesus Christ, having as her intercessor, her namesake, the Virgin mother of our Lord, Mary.  She lived all alone in the desert for forty-seven years. She ate only herbs from the scarce vegetation available there.

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

4th SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT- ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER

Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes

Dismissal Hymn - Plagal 4th  Tone
   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Ex ypsous katelthes"). Hymnal,  89.
   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("From on high did you descend"). (Same)
Dismissal Hymn of St. Mary of Egypt
  (Read) The image of God was truly preserved in you, mother, / for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. / By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, / for it passes away, / but to care instead for the soul, / since it is immortal. /Therefore your spirit, /holy mother Mary, / Rejoices with the angels!
Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ - (Sing) From the sheet in the pew.
Kontakion “Prostasia ton Christianon”(Sung in Greek by Leaders)
   (Read)O never-failing protectress of Christians / and their ever-present intercessor / before the Creator: / do not be heedless to the prayerful voices of us sinners, / but in your goodness extend your help to us / who call upon you with confidence. / Hasten, O Mother of God, to intercede for us. / You have always protected those who honor you!
Return to p. 26 – “Holy God.”--- Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

EPISTLE – Hebrews 9:11-14  (5th Sunday of Lent)

rethren, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

GOSPEL – Mark 10:32-45 (5th Sunday of Lent)

t that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

   UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Orthodox Christian Fellowship members with their Director, Fr. George Pyle came to us with tremendous enthusiasm and very hard work. They have redone the Dining Hall, and other buildings of our church campus for their Lenten Spring Break Mission project. They left for home yesterday. The people who enjoyed an Annunciation Day Luncheon at Inn on the Gulf at Hudson Beach were able to express their deep thanks to all of the young people. May God bless Fr. George and the students as they return home!
   BAPTISM: Gregory Angeliadis, son of George and Stacey Angeliadis and sister of Amelia, was baptized yesterday, March 27 at our Church. God parents were Michael Angeliadis and Christos Gombos. Congratulations! May Gregory be blessed with many happy years!
   CHRISMATION: Today, at the Divine Liturgy, Janice Vardakis will be Chrismated an Orthodox Christian, following instruction in the Faith. Bette Ferriero will be Janice’s Sponsor. We pray God’s blessings on our new Orthodox Christian! Many years!
    A FOUR YEAR MEMORIAL SERVICE will be offered today by Chrysokaty Georgacopulos in memory of her husband, the late George. We pray that his memory be eternal!"
   FOR THE RECORD: Friday Salutations, March 19: Attendance - 19; Candles - $19.  Sunday, March 21, 2004: Attendance - 72 (65 adults, 7 children); Candles - $81; Offering - $121; Hospitality - $29. Your Stewardship of Treasure and your contributions help greatly!
   APOLOGIES to Gregory & Maria Angeliadis, and Peter Hatzi whose names were left off of last week’s “2004 Stewards Honor Roll.” We appreciate your support.
   NEW STEWARDS: We welcome Argyri & Carol Gymnaos as new Steward Members of Christ the Savior Church for 2004. May God bless their Stewardship with us!
   NAME CHANGE OFFICIAL: This past week we received official notice from the State of Florida regarding our name change to “Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church.”
   YOUR CHECKS: From now on, please make your checks out to “Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church.” PLEASE! Always write in the memo space on your check what it is for: “Stewardship of Treasure,” “Bulletin Sponsorship,” “Easter Flowers,” etc. Thank you!
   P.E.P CLASS: Friday, April 2, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. We continue our study of the Gospel of John 9:13-41. Come and be inspired by the life and message of Christ! Refreshments.
   FLOWERS for the Akathist Hymn, Friday, March 26 were contributed by Steve & Connie Mourgides for the health and well-being of Helen Nicolelis. 
   PROSFORON BAKERS: Fran Triantafilon 3/28;  Presbytera Emily 4/3 (Saturday of Lazarus); George Nikas 4/4 (Palm Sunday); Patricia Lilore 4/8 (Holy Thursday); Eleni Nicolelis 4/9 (Holy Saturday); Connie Mourgides 4/11 (Pascha); Betty Roussos 4/18 (Thomas Sunday); Venice Cosmadelis (Myrrh Bearers Sunday) 4/25; Emily Thomas 5/2; George and Maria Angeliades 5/9; Argyris Gymnaos (New Prosforon Baker!) 5/16; Fran Mather 5/23; Gloria Vardakis 5/30; Bette Ferriero 6/6. George Nikas - Prosforon Coordinator.
   DONATE EASTER LILIES for Pascha and contribute to the Building Fund! $15. We will be ordering 20 plants. First come, first served.  Call Nanka Kastelan. 686-0634.
   NEXT WEEK BLESSING PRAYERS: Anniversary: Fr. William & Presbytera Mary Mattis 4/23. Birthdays: Vera Pasvantis 4/2; Stephanie Feola 4/4; Christ Katehis 4/5; Mike Triantafilon 4/5; Stephanie Pasvantis 4/7; Maria Angeliadis 4/11; Feenie Ferriero 4/11; Cathy Lemonedes 4/29; Connie Pappas 4/30. Please come so that we can pray for you!
   SERVICES: Saturday of Lazarus, April 3, 9:30 a.m. Orthros; 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy.

                          PALM SUNDAY FISH LUNCHEON! NEXT SUNDAY

                              Adults $9; Ages 6-12 $4; 5 & Under Free! 

Make Lent Meaningful This Year!