Hellenic Orthodox Mission

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

omorrow, March 10, begins Great Lent in our Orthodox Church. It is a period of spiritual endeavor. It is a time for fasting, to strengthen our resolve and devotion; it is a time for increased prayer and church attendance; it is a time for increased loving service for others in need; it is a time when we seek to orient ourselves away from “the world” to the spiritual life. By doing this, we sanctify these holy days and commit them and our lives more fully to Christ. We seek to cleanse our bodies, minds and spirits so that we can be prepared during the Great and Holy Week to relive the final events of Christ on earth. We will liturgically be present at the Last Supper. We will witness with the eyes of our soul, the Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus. We will witness the His Crucifixion and Burial. And we will rejoice at His Life-giving Resurrection at Pascha on April 27. Our Church calls us to pray daily the following Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim:

O LORD and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust of power, and idle talk; But grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to your servant. Yes Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and sins, and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION FOR THE NEW BAPTISMAL FONT!

The cost of this new Baptismal Font is $1800 (Sale Price!). The packing and shipping costs are $310, which John and Theona Hatzi have donated. We have already received about $450 in pledges at the General Assembly. Help pay for the Baptismal Font by making a contribution. A “Baptismal Font Donors” Plaque will be prepared to honor those who gave in their own names or for donations given in memory of a loved one. This drive ends March 31

On your check, write “Baptismal Fund Drive.” Thank You!

Send to HOMHC, P.O. Box 5566 Spring Hill, FL 34611

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

Saints: The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebasteia; Holy Martyr Urpasianos of Nicomedia, Caesarios, brother of Gregory the Theologian.

rethren, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? -- "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time at their pleasure, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

he Lord said, If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn – 4th Tone

(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“To faidron tes Anastaseos”).Hymnal, 84-85

(Sing in English after the Entrance)“When the tidings . . . ”). (Same).

(Read) The holy martyrs suffered painful tortures for Your sake. / O Lord; be moved by what they endured, / and heal our every pain, / we entreat You, / the only One who loves humankind.

Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas: (Sing in English) “An Example . . ” Hymnal 110-111.

(Read) O guide of wisdom, / provider of prudence, / disciplinarian of the unwise, / and defender of the poor, / fortify and discipline my heart, O Master; You, give me a word, O Word of the Father. / For behold, I will not hinder my lips / from crying to You: / O merciful Lord, have mercy on me.

FOR THE RECORD: 2/23/03: Attendance – 43; Candles - $53; Offering - $73; Adamis Philanthropic Fund - $88. 3/02/03: Attendance – 44; Candles - $92; Offering - $93.

COLLECTIONS TODAY: In addition to our regular Offering tray today, the second Sunday of the Month, we will have our monthly Building Fund Tray.

ALEXIS AMAYA HOSTETLER was brought to Church for the 40 Day Blessing of her birth together with the Churching of her mother Kalianna, accompanied by her grandmother Jennie, and her uncle Michael Kotsifakis, following the Divine Liturgy last Sunday, March 2. May she have many years and may she be blessed with the light of Baptism!

THE BIG MARDI GRAS APOKREATIKO GLENDI was a great success! The co-chairs, Dee Nikas and Bette Ferriero report that it was a sell-out event with 126 persons attending. Unfortunately, we were not able to accommodate 30 persons who wanted to attend. Special thanks to the Sponsors who contributed to the expenses of the event: Amen Air; Paul & Venice Cosmadelis, Spiro & Kathy Lemonedes, Paul & Angie Maniates, Steve & Connie Mourgides, Tyke & Helen Nicolelis, and George & Dee Nikas. Thanks, as well, to all those who cooked the food, worked hard in the kitchen, served the platters, decoration of the hall, set up the sound system, etc. Without the help of many members of our Mission and the support of our members and friends this event could not have taken place. Dee and Bette are pleased to announce that the event netted $1,750 for our Mission treasury.

+KATHERINE GREGERSON: We are saddened to announce the death of our Mission member Katherine Gregerson, who passed away this past Tuesday, March 4 in Washington, DC. Her funeral will be conducted this Tuesday, March 11 from the Chapel at the Curlew Cemetery, 1750 Curlew Rd., Palm Harbor. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to our Hellenic Orthodox Mission. A Trisagion Service for Katherine will be sung today at the Divine Liturgy. May her memory be eternal!

CONGRATULATIONS to Mario & Andrea Grande who recently welcomed the birth their third grandchild, Mario. We pray “Many Years.”

THANKS to Ed Zahka, Sam Jabbour, Alex George, George Nikas, Bill Pasisis and Paul Cosmadelis who cleaned the area near the Dining Hall on Tuesday, February 24. Great job!

PROSFORON BAKING: Gloria Vardakis 3/9; Connie Mourgides 3/16; 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; Remember to include family names, both living and deceased.

HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: John Kelo, recovering at home, and Patricia Lilore and Frank Stepno; Seven Rivers: Ann Prestage. We pray for their rapid recovery.

CLEAN-UP DAY! Saturday, March 15 at 10:00 a.m. We will rake leaves, prepare flower beds, clean the bathrooms and both halls. Good exercise and fun. Lunch provided! Come!

THE “MAGNA GRAECA” EXHIBITION at the Tampa Museum of Art. Our Mission is sponsoring a day-trip by bus to visit the exhibit on Thursday, March 27. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $15 for the Bus & Admission $6 per person. Lunch is on your own.

SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY: A Pan-Orthodox Vesper Service will be held this coming Sunday, March 16, at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs at 6:30 p.m. To car-pool, contact Mission Council President, Connie Mourgides for details (686-0589).

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.

THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: Tyke and helen nicolelis

“We want all our friends to know how much your love, prayers and well wishes have touched us. Thank you!”

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn – 4th Tone

Come to Church!