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 TIME HAS COME!

t the Special General Assembly two weeks ago, an important decision was taken. We have targeted the beginning of the year 2004 (Next Year!) as our goal to apply for our Mission Church to become a Parish! Just about a half a year from now!

One of things that is necessary for this to happen is that we choose a name for our Church. A plan was presented and adopted that will allow maximum participation in the choice. It will begin with the solicitation of names from all on our mailing list. It will go through several stages, until a young person of our Mission will choose the name by lot, after prayer in the presence of our congregation.

Another necessary thing to happen is that our Steward Members increase by approximately ten or more families. That’s why many of those who come to Church, who receive the bulletin, who participate in the social activities, and in one or more ways, identify with our Mission are being asked to consider taking the step to become Stewards!

Stewards are those who make a good faith expression of their intention to give of their time, talent and treasure for the work of our church community.

There is no set time; there are no set talents; there are no dues, no set annual giving required.

What’s necessary is for you to be grateful for the blessings you experience in your life, and your desire to return something to God, in a spirit of thanksgiving! If you have not yet expressed your Stewardship Intention, you can do it today!

You will find a form for you to use in this bulletin on special colored paper. Fill it out and return it to the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County, P.O. Box 5566, Spring Hill, FL 34611. What you declare is known only by the Treasurer of the Mission, so that he can report back to you. No one else has access to that information.

If you choose to become a Steward-Member of the Mission, you will find great spiritual rewards that will come into your life. You will increase your sense of God’s blessings in your life. You will grow in understanding about the real values of life. You will find the satisfaction that comes from living for others.

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 Martyrs of Athens: Peter of Lampsakos, Dionysios, Andrew, Paul and Christine (+250); Heraklios, Paulinos & Venedimos, Martyrs (+249-251);

Stephan, Patriarch of Constantinople (+893)

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Efrainestho ta Ourania"). Hymnal, 83-84.

(Sing in English after the Entrance) ("Let all things rejoice"). (Same).

(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

Changes Later In the Divine Liturgy

Translation: “With one voice, O Virgin, we the faithful call you blessed. / Rejoice, O you who are the portal of the Lord; / rejoice, you who are a living city; / Rejoice, O you through whom shines on us today, / the light of your Son’s Resurrection from the dead.”

N THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men Whim entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

T THAT TIME, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

FOR THE RECORD: Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women, May 11: Attendance – 36; Candles - $69; Offering Tray - $49; Building Fund - $54; Library -$17; Mothers’ Day Roast Lamb Dinner netted after expenses $148. Thank you to all for your generous support!

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!

A MEMORIAL SERVICE with Kolyva will be offered today on the 1st Anniversary of the death of Dino Adamis, the homeless man from New York, who was killed in an accident on Rt. 19. He was buried from our Chapel. Our Philanthropic Fund is named after him. Also today, we will pray for the late Michael Arambiges, who donated two lots in Highpoint to our community several years ago. May their memories be eternal!

A TRISAGION SERVICE was offered last week for the late Judge Nicholas Lillios who passed away on May 8 in Iowa. Nick and Von were former members of our community. We extend our deepest sympathy to Von and their son Fr. Emmanuel Lillios of Bettendorf, IA. Cards: Von Lillios, 3055 Holiday Ct., Bettendorf, IA 52722. We also prayed for our deceased mothers and grandmothers. May their memories be eternal!

THE MEN’S BREAKFAST CLUB meets every Thursday for a social gathering and church service. All men are invited to participate. For details, call Bill Pasisis at 688-7465.

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!

THE PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.) continues this week on Friday, May 23. You are invited to a session on the World-Wide Orthodox Church. Refreshments served.

SPECIAL THANKS TO HARRIET PASISIS who chaired the delicious Mothers’ Day Lamb Roast Dinner with all the fixings! Harriet expresses her thanks to all those who contributed food, desserts and especially, those who cooked and served. Many thanks!

PROSFORON BAKING: (Adjusted! Please Read!) Fran Mather 5/18; Helen Nicolelis 5/21 (Mid-Pentecost / Sts. Constantine & Helen); George Nikas 5/25; Fran Triantafilon 6/1; Presbytera Emily 6/5 (Ascension); Connie Mourgides 6/8; Venice Cosmadelis 6/15 (Pentecost Sunday). Going North? Inform George Nikas for schedule adjustments.

WHO CAN SAY ENOUGH about the services of our faithful Altar Servers? Holy Week and Pascha could not have taken place without them! Thanks to Head Altar Server Nikolai Kastelan, and Feenie Ferriero, John Hatzi, George Nikas, Connie Pappas & George Roussos. We appreciate their devoted and committed service!

NOTICE THE NEW PLANTS? Thanks to Costa Hronis, Spero Lemonedes, Tyke Nicolelis, Bill Pasisis, and George Nikas who added flowers and plants around the grounds.

A GIFT OF A DIRECTOR’S GAVEL SET was presented to our Mission by Charles and Vera Mattis for use by our Mission Council President at meetings of the Council and at General Assemblies. We thank you, Charles and Vera for this thoughtful gift!

BULLETIN SPONSORS: George & Dee Nikas

In Loving Memory of our “Koumbaro” James Dimitrius. Memory Eternal!

THE TIME HAS COME!

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Changes Later In the Divine Liturgy

COME TO CHURCH DURING THE SUMMER!