The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VII, No. 23 – Sunday, May 18, 2008

Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church - Presentation of Christ at the Temple

The Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County, Florida – “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

THE CROSS . . . AND THE EMPTY TOMB

t was May Day, 1990. The place, Moscow’s Red Square.  “Is it straight,   Father?” one Orthodox priest asked another, shifting the heavy, eight-foot crucifix on his shoulder.  “Yes,” said the other. “It is straight.”

   Together the two priests, along with a group of parishioners holding ropes that steadied the beams of the huge cross, walked the parade route. Before them had passed the official might of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics: the usual May Day procession of tanks, missiles, troops and salutes to the Communist party elite.

   Behind the tanks surged a giant crowd of protesters, shouting up at Mikhail Gorbachev. “Bread! . . . Freedom! … Truth!”

    As the throng passed directly in front of the Soviet leader standing in his place of honor, the priests hoisted their heavy burden toward the sky. The cross emerged from the crowd. As it did, the figure of Jesus Christ obscured the giant poster faces of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Vladimir Lenin that provided the backdrop for Gorbachev’s reviewing stand.

    “Mikhail Sergeyevich!” one of the priests shouted, his deep voice cleaving the clamor of the protesters and piercing straight toward the angry Soviet leader. “Mikhail Sergeyevich! Christ is risen!”

    In a matter of months after that final May Day celebration, the Soviet Union was officially dissolved. Christ is risen indeed!. The Cross AND the Empty Tomb!

   Do you see something here? The Cross of Jesus is the guarantee of God’s love and forgiveness for each of us: As St. Peter says, “For Christ also died for our sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18) and as St. John declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

   But without the Resurrection, salvation could not take place. It is through His victory over death, sin and evil that we can hope for eternal life. St. Paul declares, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). The Cross and the Empty Tomb open the door for every one of us to eternal life.

   We honor your Cross O Lord, and we affirm in our hearts the Empty Tomb!    

4th SUNDAY AFTER PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn for Pascha Sung in Greek before the Entrance ("Christos Aneste…").

Priest’s Entrance Hymn: In the congregations bless God, the Lord who springs out of Israel. Priest & People: Save us O Son of God who did rise from the dead, we sing to You, Alleluia.  Dismissal Hymn - 3rd  Tone (Sing in English after the Entrance)"Let all things rejoice"). Hymnal,  83-84.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (Sing) From the sheet in the pew.

Kontakion for Pascha (Sung) by the Leaders (“Ei kai en tafo”) (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.

EPISTLE – Acts 9:32-42 (Paralytic)

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 to him 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.

GOSPEL – John 5:1-15 (Paralytic)

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. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Changes Later In the Divine Liturgy

In the place of “Truly it is proper. . .” (p. 54)  The Leaders (Sing)“O Angelos eboa .” (Read) “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.”

In the place of the Communion Hymn (Praise Him . . .) Sing “Soma Christou” . . .  Body of Christ . . . Hymnal, p. 104

In the place of “We have seen the true light; (Sing) “Christos Anesti,”  Christ is Risen

      NAME DAY BLESSINGS FOR MAY TODAY: Ruby Hazivasilis 5/4; Helen Aftosmes 5/21; Helene Arvanites 5/21; Charles Chronopoulos 5/21; Konstantino Gymnaos 5/21; Costa Hronis 5/21; Helen Keriakis 5/21; Achilleas Koulouvaris 5/15; Helen Lappas 5/21; Dino Moshonisiotis 5/21; Constantina Selemaj 5/21; Achilles Thomas 5/15; Helen Vangel 5/21; Gloria Vardakis 5/21; Gus Vergos 5/21. Many Years!

      TRISAGION: George and Aphrodite Nikas are offering today a Trisagion Service for the rest of the soul of Col. Nick J. Nikas, their brother. May his memory be eternal.

      MAY COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: May 18 – Harriet Pasisis; May 25 Emily Thomas & Harriet Pasisis. See notice below.

    “ICE CREAM SUNDAE” P.E.P. SESSION: The final Parish Education Program (P.E.P.) for the season will be Friday, May 23, 2008. The topic will be the last video programs on the Early Church. Attendees will make their own ice cream sundaes. All are welcome to attend, if only for this one session. See you next September!

   PROSFORON BAKING RESUMES: Argiri & Carol Gymnaos 6/1; George Nikas 6/8; Diane Covington 6/15; Stacy Underwood Humbert 6/22; Presbytera Emily Harakas 6/9; Betty Ferriero 7/6; Venice Cosmadelis 7/13. Thanks!

  The Bake Sale netted $ 1030: St. Katherine's Ladies Society  would like to thank all those who participated to make the  sale a success: The ladies who volunteered to help at Sam's were Nancy Kastelan, Venice Cosmadelis, Denise Zotto, Skevy Larson, Presbytera Emily Harakas and Donna Hados. Transportation, setting up and packing were assisted by Nick Kastelan and Paul Cosmadelis. Donating and baking for the sale were Angela Spirou, Skevy Larson and Venice Cosmadelis. Donating $105 for the purchase of baked goods was Donna Hados. Planning and Coordinating the event were Nancy Kastelan and Venice Cosmadelis. Congratulations for a job well done!

   MEMORIAL DAY, MONDAY, MAY 26: See schedule below for cemetery prayers.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611