Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church

t is with great joy that we address you once again with the Resurrectional greeting "Christ is Risen!" This greeting incorporates and heralds the sub-stantive content of our Christian faith: "We celebrate Death's death". This message continues to be unique and daring even in our times, for, despite the 2,000 years that have elapsed since the birth of the Resurrected Jesus Christ, humanity did not love life in the same way Jesus Christ honored it.
   Unfortunately, murderous tendencies are widely spread. . . . In general, murderous acts, which are condemned by all humanity and God, tend to become an acceptable reality and a legitimate means for the accomplish-ment of goals that are placed above human life.
   In the midst of this abundance of blood shedding, there appears the leader and giver of life, Who was murdered by humanity, trumpeting to all that murderous acts are not signs of success; He heralds that resurrection and judgment awaits us all, and that life is stronger than death, and that the ones who build their edifices upon the death of their fellow human beings labor in vain. Our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ confirmed through His Resurrection His message that He is the way, the truth and the life. Also, He confirmed that God did not create death, nor He takes pleasure in the loss of life (Wisd. Sol. 1, 13). For while God created everything to last eternally, death entered the world as a result of the impiety of people.
   The love of God, though, not being able to tolerate the predominance of death over human beings comes to the rescue of humanity and remedies the ills of human sin. He was incarnated, assumed mortal flesh and willingly suffered death on the cross, but came back to life, on His own power, stronger than death, becoming, thus, the forerunner of all who want to return to life along side with Him. First born among the dead, first of the resurrected, He abolished the bearer of death. Contemporary man is so familiar with the catastrophic evil of humanity that he does not always understand the joy and depth of the Resurrection, the restitution and eternal life that our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ has given us. The people, though, recognize the joy arising from the Resurrection feel exultation upon saying "Christ is Risen". Today, we, the Orthodox Christians celebrate along with the people who experience this joy of the Resurrection of the Lord and address one another with the victorious greeting "Christ is Risen!"
                                                                                                       - Easter, 2005

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

PASCHA – THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST!

Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes

Priest’s Entrance Hymn: “In the gathering places all of you bless God the Lord, from the springs of Israel. (Priest and People Sing) Save us, O Son of God, who did rise from the dead, we sing to You: Alleluia.

Dismissal Hymns of Pascha (Sing after the Entrance) “Christ is risen . . .”

(Read) They who were with Mary / came before the dawn, / and found the stone / rolled away from the sepulcher./ They heard the angels say to them, / Why do you seek him as a man among the dead? / He dwells in light eternal!

(Read) Though You, / O deathless One, / descended into the grave, / You destroyed the power of hell, / and as Victor, / You rose again, O Christ our God. You greeted the ointment –bearing women, / saying, Rejoice! / You bestowed peace upon Your Disciples, / and resurrection on those that are fallen.

In the place of “Holy God” (Hymnal, 26) Sing “Osoi eis Christon,” “Those who have been baptized,” Hymnal, 109-110.

n the first book, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he pre-sented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit." So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the king-dom of lsrael?" He said to them, "it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth."

n the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who be-lieved in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

In the Place of “Axion Esti” (Hymnal, 54) the Leaders sing “O Angelos eboa”

(Read) The Angel cried out to the one full of Grace: / Hail! Holy Virgin, and again I say, Hail! / Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day. / Shine, shine, / the New Jerusalem! / For the glory of the Lord has dawned upon You. / Rejoice now and be glad, O Zion; / and You, O all-pure Theotokos, / delight in the Resurrection of Him, / to Whom you gave birth.

In the Place of the Communion Hymn “Praise the Lord,” (Hymnal, p. 66), the leaders sing, “Soma Christou, (Sing) Body of Christ” Hymnal, 104.

In the Place of “We have seen the true light,” (Hymnal, 70), (Sing) “Christos Anesti, Christ is risen.” In the Place of “Blessed be the Name of the Lord,” (Hymnal, 74), Sing “Christos Anesti, Christ is risen.” (3).

EASTER SUNDAY! Today, Agape Vespers will begin at 1:00 p.m. Children in attendance will receive candy gifts. Following the service, the Thomas, Gymnaos, and Roussos Families are preparing a traditional “Lamb on the Spit” Easter Meal.” Bring all your family members! Egg hunt for the children and young people! No charge; Free Will offerings accepted for the Building Fund. Please come for this special community event! Enjoy!

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF OUR PARISH: The General Assembly of the Parish will be on Sunday, May 15 after Church. All Stewards are urged to attend. Stewards should be up to date with their contributions to vote.

PLEASE BE GENEROUS WITH YOUR PASCHAL GIFT TO OUR CHURCH!

OUT OF TOWN: Next Sunday, Fr. Stanley & Presbytera Emily will be out of town, attending the wedding of their son Spero. Fr. Gerasimos Murphy with serve the Divine Liturgy.

Next Sunday is Mothers’ Day. All mothers in attendance will be honored. Plan to attend.

PALM CROSS MAKERS: Nanka Kastelan, our flower chairperson, expresses thanks to the following persons who helped in making the Palm Crosses for last Sunday: Bette Ferriero, Betty Roussos, Harriet Pasisis, Venice Cosmadelis, Presb. Emily Harakas, David & Cathy Outhouse, George Nikas, Nancy Kastelan, Emily Thomas, Christine Thomas, Bill Pasisis. Many thanks to all who helped!

FISH DINNER REPORT: Chairpersons Harriet Pasisis & Venice Cosmadelis express our parish’s thanks to Yanni and Jennie Kotsifakis for providing the fish dinner gratis. We are grateful! Those who worked were Bette Ferriero, Dora Halvatsis, Nancy Kastelan, Helen Vangel, Curtis Thomas, Stephen Heuer, George Nikas, Paul Cosmadelis, Spiro Lemonedes, John Tsausis and Bill Pasisis. Attending were 51 with 6 take out orders. We collected $500 for the Church. A productive day! Praise the Lord!

INVITATIONS: St. George Church in New Port Richey celebrates its feast day on Easter Monday, tomorrow, May 2. Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. A reception follows. Sts. Raphael, Irene and Nicholas Feast day Vespers in Palm Harbor, on May 2 at 7:00 p.m. The Liturgy on Tuesday, May 3 at 10 a.m. Take 19S passing Tarpon Springs. Pass Nebraska, turn right at Tampa Ave. and right again onto Reviere. The Church is on your right at 1010 Reviere Rd. Receptions follow. All are invited.

CONGRATULATIONS to Eleni Roussos whose team in the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Championships won the State Championship! We are proud! May you have many more successes in your life, Eleni!

FLOWER CHAIR Nanka Kastelan, reports that Easter Lilly plants were donated by Bette Ferriero, Nancy Kastelan, Harriet Pasisis, Paul & Venice Cosmadelis, Presb. Emily Harakas, Dee Nikas, Theona Hatzi, Presb. Mary Liadis, Chrysokaty Georgacopulos, Helen Vangel, Dora Halvatzes, Presb. Mary Mattis, Janice Jabbour, Cathy Lemonedes, Fran Triantafilon, Gloria Zahka, Mary Mavrogian, Elaine Underwood, Emily Thomas, John Tsausis. Many thanks! Pick up your flowers Mothers’ day!

BULLETIN SPONSOR: ANDREA L. CARDO

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY MOTHER ALICE L. MARTY

FOLLOWING THE EASTER LITURGY

The Traditional “Mageritsa” soup will be prepared by Bill Hazivasilis for our enjoyment. We are very appreciative of this expression of Christian love. Many thanks!

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

PASCHA – EASTER MESSAGE OF PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW

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

Evening Services as Announced

PASCHA – THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST!

Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes

BULLETIN SPONSOR: ANDREA L. CARDO

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY MOTHER ALICE L. MARTY