Hellenic Orthodox Mission

The Orthodox Messenger

The Weekly Newsletter of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County
Vol. I, No. 7 – Sunday, March 3, 2002


GUIDELINES FOR GREAT LENT
IN JUST A FEW SHORT WEEKS, we will begin observing the Great Lent on Monday, March 18. Here are some guidelines for your observance of Great Lent. They come from the writings of the great St. John Chrysostom "the Golden-Mouthed preacher" (347-407).
Choosing to do right: "We are free and the masters of our fate. . ., we can grow evil from lack of effort or virtuous by striving." (On Divine Love, 3.)
The Strength of Faith: "Faith triumphs over the nature of events. . . . That is the reason why Jesus says on the one hand that the way is narrow, but on the other hand his yoke is sweet" (Matthew 7:14, 11:30). (On Virginity, 54.)
Peace of Heart: "So you want peace of heart? Then do not seek health, nor wealth, nor fame, nor power, nor luxury. Seek wisdom in God's sight, stick to the virtues, and nothing will be able to make you sad." (To the People of Antioch, I.)
Spiritual Negligence: "Do you see? Our nature predisposes us to virtue. It is the vices that are contrary to nature. If they win a victory, it is the fault of serious negligence on our part." (On Ephesians, 2.)
Forgiveness: "How can you raise your hands to heaven and move your lips to ask forgiveness for yourselves? God would be ready to forgive your sins, but you are preventing him by not forgiving your brothers and sisters their sins." (To the People of Antioch, 20.)
Concern for the Poor and Suffering: "It is folly, it is madness, to fill our wardrobes full of clothes and to regard with indifference a human being, 'a being made in the image and likeness of God,' who is naked, trembling with cold and almost unable to stand." (On 1 Corinthians 21.)

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

17th Sunday of Luke – The Prodigal Son – Plagal 2nd Tone
Saints: Eutropios, Kleonikos and Basiliskos, Martyrs (+308); Holymartyr Theodoretos.

EPISTLE - 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
BRETHREN, "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

GOSPEL – Luke 15:11-32
The Lord said this parable. "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS
Dismissal Hymn – Plagal 2nd Tone in the Divine Liturgy Hymnal, p. 86-87.
(Sing in Greek) (“Angelikai Dynameis”) before the Gospel Entrance and in English after the Entrance (“When the Angelic Powers appeared . . .” )
(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 the Prodigal Son
(Read) When in my wretchedness / I ran away from Your fatherly love, I squandered in wickedness the riches you had given me. / And so now like the Prodigal Son, / I cry out to You: / “I have sinned in Your sight, / O Merciful Father. / Receive me now that I repent and make me as one of your hired servants.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
A NAME CHANGE FOR OUR PARISH: We have been instructed by the Diocese that our name must conform to the provisions of the Archdiocese Uniform Parish Regulations. Thus, the Parish Council is in the process of changing our official name to the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County. We will begin using it now.
STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Fran Mather – Mar 3; Connie Mourgides – Mar. 10; Helen Nicolelis – Mar. 17; George Nikas – Mar. 24; Fran Triantafilon – Mar. 25 (Annunciation); Gloria Vardakis – March 31; Venice Cosmadelis – Apr. 7; Bette Ferriero – Apr. 14. George Nikas, Prosforon Coordinator (597-1375).
HOSPITALIZATIONS: Inform Fr. Stanley when a family member is hospitalized.
BIRTHDAYS FOR MARCH : Mar. 2- Peter Hatz and Bill Hessling; Mar. 6- Edna Kalogiannis; Mar. 7- Nicolette Pasvantis and Gloria Vardakis; Mar. 10- Paul Cosmadelis; Mar. 13- Marcanthe Baron. A Happy and Blessed Birthday to you all!
PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.): “Bible Study – Epistle and Gospel of Holy Matrimony” Next Friday, Mar. 8. Join Us!
PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Sunday, March 10 after Church. Preceded by a “Pot Luck Supper.” Bring something delicious to share. Important Meeting! Please come!
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. We mail “The Orthodox Messenger” to members and friends who are not in Church on Sunday. To sponsor an issue, see Connie Mourgides, Parish Council President.

THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR:
Mr. Chris Nakis of Chris’s Pizza, Pasta & Subs
Coastal Shopping Center, 13103 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, next to Sears.

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. 7 – Sunday, March 3, 2002 Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County “A Pan-Orthodox 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) GUIDELINES FOR GREAT LENT IN JUST A FEW SHORT WEEKS, we will begin observing the Great Lent on Monday, March 18. Here are some guidelines for your observance of Great Lent. They come from the writings of the great St. John Chrysostom "the Golden-Mouthed preacher" (347-407). Choosing to do right: "We are free and the masters of our fate. . ., we can grow evil from lack of effort or virtuous by striving." (On Divine Love, 3.) The Strength of Faith: "Faith triumphs over the nature of events. . . . That is the reason why Jesus says on the one hand that the way is narrow, but on the other hand his yoke is sweet" (Matthew 7:14, 11:30). (On Virginity, 54.) Peace of Heart: "So you want peace of heart? Then do not seek health, nor wealth, nor fame, nor power, nor luxury. Seek wisdom in God's sight, stick to the virtues, and nothing will be able to make you sad." (To the People of Antioch, I.) Spiritual Negligence: "Do you see? Our nature predisposes us to virtue. It is the vices that are contrary to nature. If they win a victory, it is the fault of serious negligence on our part." (On Ephesians, 2.) Forgiveness: "How can you raise your hands to heaven and move your lips to ask forgiveness for yourselves? God would be ready to forgive your sins, but you are preventing him by not forgiving your brothers and sisters their sins." (To the People of Antioch, 20.) Concern for the Poor and Suffering: "It is folly, it is madness, to fill our wardrobes full of clothes and to regard with indifference a human being, 'a being made in the image and likeness of God,' who is naked, trembling with cold and almost unable to stand." (On 1 Corinthians 21.) Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Evening Services as announced. 17th Sunday of Luke – The Prodigal Son – Plagal 2nd Tone Saints: Eutropios, Kleonikos and Basiliskos, Martyrs (+308); Holymartyr Theodoretos. EPISTLE - *1 Corinthians 6:12-20* BRETHREN, "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. GOSPEL – *Luke 15:11-32* The Lord said this parable. "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS Dismissal Hymn – Plagal 2nd Tone in the Divine Liturgy Hymnal, p. 86-87. (Sing in Greek) (“Angelikai Dynameis”) before the Gospel Entrance and in English after the Entrance (“When the Angelic Powers appeared . . .” ) (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 the Prodigal Son (Read) When in my wretchedness / I ran away from Your fatherly love, I squandered in wickedness the riches you had given me. / And so now like the Prodigal Son, / I cry out to You: / “I have sinned in Your sight, / O Merciful Father. / Receive me now that I repent and make me as one of your hired servants. ANNOUNCEMENTS A NAME CHANGE FOR OUR PARISH: We have been instructed by the Diocese that our name must conform to the provisions of the Archdiocese Uniform Parish Regulations. Thus, the Parish Council is in the process of changing our official name to the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County. We will begin using it now. STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Fran Mather – Mar 3; Connie Mourgides – Mar. 10; Helen Nicolelis – Mar. 17; George Nikas – Mar. 24; Fran Triantafilon – Mar. 25 (Annunciation); Gloria Vardakis – March 31; Venice Cosmadelis – Apr. 7; Bette Ferriero – Apr. 14. George Nikas, Prosforon Coordinator (597-1375). HOSPITALIZATIONS: Inform Fr. Stanley when a family member is hospitalized. BIRTHDAYS FOR MARCH : Mar. 2- Peter Hatz and Bill Hessling; Mar. 6- Edna Kalogiannis; Mar. 7- Nicolette Pasvantis and Gloria Vardakis; Mar. 10- Paul Cosmadelis; Mar. 13- Marcanthe Baron. A Happy and Blessed Birthday to you all! PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.): “Bible Study – Epistle and Gospel of Holy Matrimony” Next Friday, Mar. 8. Join Us! PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Sunday, March 10 after Church. Preceded by a “Pot Luck Supper.” Bring something delicious to share. Important Meeting! Please come! *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. We mail “The Orthodox Messenger” to members and friends who are not in Church on Sunday. To sponsor an issue, see Connie Mourgides, Parish Council President. THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR: Mr. Chris Nakis of Chris’s Pizza, Pasta & Subs Coastal Shopping Center, 13103 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, next to Sears. HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION OF HERNANDO COUNTY P.O. BOX 5566 SPRING HILL, FL 34611 “A Pan-Orthodox Community”
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	Meeting at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville. Florida Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta HOME