Hellenic Orthodox Mission

“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

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

THE ADORATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

E ARE NOW AT THE MID-POINT OF GREAT LENT, the Third Sunday of the Fast. In order to encourage us to maintain the spiritual focus of this period, the Church offers to her faithful this feast: The Adoration of the Holy Cross.

The hymns of the day emphasize the saving work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the Holy Cross. Through the Cross of Christ, we were redeemed of our sins, and by His death on the Cross, Death was overcome.

The 1st Canticle of today’s Canon of the Orthros service, written by St. Theodore the Studite in the 8th century, proclaims in part, the following:

THIS IS THE DAY OF RESURRECTION: LET US BE ILLUMINED, O PEOPLE! PASCHA, THE PASCHA OF THE LORD! FOR FROM DEATH TO LIFE, AND FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN HAS CHRIST OUR GOD LED US, AS WE SING THE SONG OF VICTORY! GLORY TO YOU, OUR GOD, GLORY TO YOU!

THIS IS A FESTIVAL DAY: AT THE AWAKENING OF CHRIST, DEATH HAS FLED AWAY; THE LIGHT OF LIFE HAS DAWNED; ADAM HAS RISEN AND DANCES FOR JOY! THEREFORE LET US CRY ALOUD AND SING A SONG OF VICTORY!

THIS IS THE DAY OF THE VENERATION OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS: NOW IT IS BROUGHT BEFORE US, SHINING WITH THE BRIGHTNESS OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION! LET US ALL DRAW NEAR AND KISS IT WITH GREAT REJOICING IN OUR SOULS!

MIGHTY CROSS OF THE LORD, MANIFEST YOURSELF, SHOWING ME THE DIVINE VISION OF YOUR BEAUTY! GRANT THAT I MAY WORTHILY VENERATE YOU, FOR I SPEAK TO YOU AND EMBRACE YOU AS ALIVE!

LET EARTH AND HEAVEN GIVE PRAISE WITH ONE ACCORD, FOR THE ALL-BLESSED CROSS IS NOW SET OUT BEFORE US ALL. CHRIST'S BODY WAS NAILED THERE WHEN HE WAS OFFERED IN SACRIFICE: LET US VENERATE IT WITH GREAT REJOICING IN OUR SOULS!

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

Evening Services as announced

Saints: Righteous John of the “Step” (+615); Holymartyr Zacharias theYounger; St. Evoule, mother of St.Panteleimon; John Patriarch of Jerusalem; Of the Seventy Apostles, Sosthenes, Apollos, Cephas, Caesar, Epaphroditos; Sophronios of Irkusk, Tola of of Ireland.

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn - 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)

(Sing in Greek and English) (“Soson Kyrie - Save O Lord”). Hymnal, 107.

(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 108/109 in the Hymnal: Sing “Ton Stavron Sou . . .”Then, return to p. 28.

rethren, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

he Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

MANY THANKS to those who assisted in the cleaning project on Saturday, March 22. Work was done on the grounds (doesn’t the area around the buildings look beautiful!). In addition, shelves were put up in the tool room; the Fellowship Hall floor was cleaned; and the men and women’s bathrooms were cleaned. Thanks to George Nikas, Bill Pasisis, Spiro Lemonedes, Fran Mather, Feenie and Bette Ferriero, Paul Cosmadelis and a very good job on grass cutting by Richard and Stephany Naldrett, new members, assisted by their son Damian, age 6 (while baby Theodore slept in the Hall!). Thanks to all of you for your help!

PROSFORON BAKING: 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 5/4; Venice Cosmadelis 5/11; Fran Mather 5/18. Include family names, both living and deceased. You can make the Prosforon Bread, used for Holy Communion each Sunday. See George Nikas, Prosforon Coordinator after Church or call him at 597-1375.

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 her at 686-0589.

TWO CARS OF PARISHIONERS drove this past Thursday to the “Magna Graeca” exhibition at the Tampa Museum of Art. A good time was had by all and we were able to enjoy an exhibit that will be shown in only one other city in the USA. A rare privilege!

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 collected $691 toward the $1,800 cost of the Baptismal Font. This is your last opportunity to contribute. The drive closes tomorrow! Make your check to HOMHC and mark on it, “Baptismal Font Drive.”

BAPTISMS: The first Baptism using our new Baptismal Font took place yesterday, Saturday, March 29. Theodore, the son of Richard and Stephanie Naldrett, was baptized and chrismated, with Katina Reado as Baptismal Sponsor and with Billy Naldrett as “Parakoumbaro” and Witness. We pray that the Lord blesses Theodore throughout his life!

LENTEN EVENTS THIS WEEK: Friday, April 4 – Parish Education Program at 2:30 p.m.; 4th Salutations to the Theotokos at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 5, Holy Confession, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

LAWN MOWER NEEDED: If you have an old lawn mower, preferably in running condition, (but even if it isn’t), which you no longer need, the Mission could use it for mowing around the cabins, especially near the office. Please consider donating it. Contact Paul Cosmadelis at 686-1199 to donate your lawn mower.

HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Kosti Yoanides; Electra Butcher. We pray for their rapid recovery! Please inform Fr. Harakas when a family member is hospitalized.

WELCOME TO FR. AND PRESBYTERA WILLIAM MATTIS, who have just purchased a home in Brooksville! Here on vacation, they will be moving down to our area in January of next year! Fr. Bill served the Liturgy last Sunday.

WELCOME TO FR. JERRY MURPHY, who has already moved into his new home in Spring Hill. Fr. Jerry will be a permanent resident!

APRIL BIRTHDAYS: Congratulations to the following parishioners and friends of the Mission who celebrate their birthdays in April: Vera Pasvantis 4/2; Mike Triantafilon 4/5; Stephanie Pasvantis 4/7; Feenie Ferriero 4/11; Cathy Lemonedes 4/29; Connie Pappas 4/30. Blessing prayers for those celebrating their birthdays will be offered following the Divine Liturgy next Sunday, April 6.

A Lenten Reflection: “Be mindful of God, so that in every moment he may be mindful of you. If he is mindful of you, he will give you salvation.” St. Isaac of Nineveh.

ARIEL AND MAGGIE MARTY

IN LOVING MEMORY OF THEIR YIAYIA ALICE MARTY – MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL!

THE ADORATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn - Grave Tone

Come to Church!