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

REPORT ON THE SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Special General Assembly of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County was held this past Sunday, May 4, 2003. It was primarily an informational meeting about the future development of the Mission and an expression of the desires of the membership. About 32 Stewards were present, as well as some friends of the Mission.

Tyke Nicolelis, President of the Olympic Village Foundation, reported that the process of transferring the Olympic Village Youth Camp property to the Hellenic Orthodox Mission was almost complete. It is estimated that within four weeks the property will be transferred.

Connie Mourgides, Parish Council President then introduced the presenters. Nick Kastelan and Connie made a presentation about an available Church property in Spring Hill. George Nikas made a presentation about the possibilities of making over the Fellowship Hall to serve as a church for the future. Dimson Andoniadis, presented drawings for extending the front of the Chapel. A report was made concerning the purchase of 96 upholstered chairs for our Mission use by Nick Kastelan; Spiro Lemonedes, Treasurer, gave a report on the financial status of the Mission; Nick Kastelan and John Levandis discussed strategies for paving Olympic Village Lane; Fr. Harakas made a presentation outlining the steps needed for our Mission to achieve Parish Status, including the process for choosing the name of our new Parish and the need to increase to the Stewards to 50 or more.

The members present voted or made a show of hands indicating their preferences. Among these was not to visit the Spring Hill Church; a sense that making over the Fellowship Hall was not feasible; a preference for investigating the extension of the front of the Chapel to accommodate more people; a 15-14 vote not to purchase additional chairs; and to target the beginning of 2004 as the date for submitting our application to become a Parish, and accepting a wide-based process for selecting the future name of our Parish.

Dimson Andoniadis offered to prepare working plans for the extension of the Chapel. The Building Maintenance Committee, George Nikas, Chair, will undertake a study regarding the ability of the existing Chapel structure to support an addition, and efforts will be made to develop specifications and estimate costs.

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

Evening Services as announced

Saints: The Noble Joseph, who removed and buried the body of Christ (1st c.) Commemoration of the founding of Constantinople (+330); Holymartyr Mokios (+295); Cyril (+869) and Methodios (+885) of Thessalonica, Equal of the Apostles and Enlighteners of the Slavs; Argyros, Neomartyr (+1806); Righteous Martyr Olympia; Dioscoros, Martyr

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

(Read) The noble Joseph, / taking Your most pure body down from the Tree, / and having wrapped it in pure linen and spices, / laid It for burial / in a new tomb. But on the third day / You arose, O Lord, / granting great mercy to the world.

(Read) The women brought myrrh / and came to the sepulcher. / On seeing the bright Angel’s light / their souls filled with joy. / With great zeal and boldness, O Lord, / they preached that You are the God of all, / and to the Disciples they cried: / The Life of all has risen from the dead.

(Read) Even though You descended into the grave, / O immortal One, / You destroyed the power of Hades; / and You arose as victor, / O Christ our God, / saying to the myrrh-bearing women, / “Hail!” / and to Your Apostles granting peace; / You also grant resurrection to the fallen.

Return to page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

Translation: The Angel cried to her that is full of grace: O pure Virgin, rejoice, and again I say, rejoice; for your Son has risen from the grave on the third day. Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you; dance now and be glad, O Zion, and exalt, O pure Theotokos, in the arising of Him, whom you bore.

n those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

t that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

FOR THE RECORD: Sunday of Thomas, May 4: Attendance – 44; Candles - $62; Offering Tray - $95; Hospitality -$54. Thank you to all for your generous support!

THE PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.) continues this week on Friday, May 16. You are invited to a session on John 5:30-47. Refreshments served.

COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: Two persons each week select the date they want to sponsor and they write in their names on the COFFEE HOUR SIGN UP SHEET in the Fellowship Hall. Sponsor opportunities are open for June. Please sign up!

TODAY - MOTHERS’ DAY ROAST LAMB DINNER

Adults - $8; Children ages 6 to 11 - $3; 5 & under – Free!

In the Dining Hall. Chair is Harriet Pasisis.

SYMPATHY to Gerry Levandis whose brother-in-law Frank Schiffler, passed away recently at Horseshoe Bend, ak. M ay his memory be eternal!

ALL MOTHERS WILL RECEIVE a flower today, for Mothers’ Day, honoring them on their special day. This project was handled for our Mission by Gloria Vardakis. Thanks!

WE ARE GRATEFUL to Bill Hazivasilis for contributing all of the ingredients for the wonderful Easter Mageritsa meal served after Pascha Liturgy. Thanks Bill! It was delicious!

YOU CAN SPONSOR AN ISSUE OF THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER in the name of someone you wish to honor or in memory of a loved one. Support the mailing of the bulletin. See Spiro or Cathy Lemonedes today.! Only $20. No sponsor for next week!

PROSFORON BAKING: Venice Cosmadelis 5/11; Fran Mather 5/18; Helen Nicolelis 5/24 (Mid-Pentecost / Sts. Constantine & Helen); Bette Ferriero 5/21 George Nikas 5/25; Fran Triantafilon 6/1; Presbytera Emily 6/5 (Ascension); Gloria Vardakis 6/8; Connie Mourgides 6/11. Going North? Inform George Nikas for schedule adjustments.

MANY THANKS to Gloria Vardakis and Bette Ferriero, Nanka and Nikolai Kastelan for the taking down and putting away of the Epitaphion. We are grateful!

BULLETIN SPONSORS: Bill Elisavites

In Loving Memory of My Wife Mary Elisavites: May Her Memory Be Eternal!