The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. III, No. 18 – Sunday, May 2, 2004

THE NARTHEX

   What do you see, what do you do, and why do you do it, when you first enter Church? When you enter, you are in "The Narthex." The purpose of the Narthex is to help us enter into the spirit of worship, before we go into Sanctuary.
   Entering the Narthex area serves to prepare you for worship. Upon entering the Church you see a number of pieces of furniture. There is usually a stand or table on which are found candles. You approach it and select one or more candles and make a monetary offering. You then proceed to another table or stand where there are places for many candles. As you light your candle, you are doing at least three things.
   You light your candle from a previously lighted candle, indicating your membership in the Church, just as you obtained the Paschal light from someone else at Easter. It is an affirmation of your mutual relationship with the other members of the Church.
   Second, as you light your candle, you should pray. You can pray for yourself, your family members, a sick friend or some concern or intention. By praying as you enter the Church, you set your mind and heart in the proper attitude for Church attendance.
   Finally, as you light your candle, you "check in" with the Lord. You are telling Him that you have come to honor and praise Him, and to open yourself up to be filled with His Spirit and His divine knowledge. You are "present" to the Lord.
   Then, you move to another piece of furniture, an icon stand or stands. There you see various icons. One of them will be an icon of the sacred event or person in whose name that particular Church is dedicated. Nearly always, there will be an icon of the Theotokos and Christ. Other icons present there may be of the current feast day, or a saint revered in that particular parish.
   You then "reverence" the icon. That means that you make the sign of the Cross and kiss the icon. You should understand that when you do that, you are sending a reverent greeting to the person represented in the icon. That's why you should do it fully aware of the person in the icon, and consciously address a prayer to Christ, the Theotokos, or the saint you are reverencing. Thus, you are prepared to enter the main part of the Church, the Sanctuary.

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

4th  SUNDAY OF PASCHA – 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 Greek before the Entrance) ("Efrainestho ta Ourania"). Hymnal,  83-84.
   (Sing in English after the Entrance)"Let all things rejoice"). (Same).
Dismissal Hymn of the Transfer of the Relics of  St. Athanasios
   (Read) O holy hierarch Athanasios, / you became a stronghold of Orthodoxy, / strengthening the Church / through your divine teachings. / Opposing the false divisive teachings of Arius, / you explained and taught that / the Son is equal in nature with the Father. / O holy Father, / intercede with Christ God / that He may grant us abundant mercy.
Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (Sing) From the sheet in the pew.
Kontakion for Pascha
   (Sung) by the Leaders in Greek (“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.   
Return to page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel

EPISTLE – Hebrews 13:7-16 (St. Athanasios)

rethren, remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their lives, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go forth to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

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 . . . “Symphonos Parthene  ”
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.”
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 light”
   (Sing) “Christos Anesti,”  Christ is Risen . . .

   FOR THE RECORD: April 25 – Myrrh-Bearing Women Sunday, Attendance - 45; Candles - $70; Offering - $108; Adamis Philanthropic Fund - $127. Thank you!
   2004-2005 PARISH DIRECTORY: By the time you read this, the new 2004-2005 Christ the Savior Directory will be at the printers. Many long hours of work, with many hours of typesetting and proofreading have been offered as a Stewardship of Time and Talent by Helen and Tyke Nicolelis and Dorothy Triantafilon. This has been strenuous and time consuming work! We express deep appreciation for this very important work!
   PRAYERS for those celebrating their May Wedding Anniversaries and Birthdays will be offered today following the Divine Liturgy. We wish you many blessings!
   GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Stewards are invited to a General Assembly today, Sunday, May 2. A Luncheon will be served. The Agenda includes acceptance of local by-laws, the 2003 audit, and a progress report on sale of our property, preliminary building plans, the future direction of our church.
   PROSFORON BAKERS: Emily Thomas 5/2 (Sunday of Paralytic); George and Maria Angeliades 5/9 (Samaritan Woman); Argyris Gymnaos (New Prosforon Baker!) 5/16 (Blind Man Sunday); Presbytera Emily Harakas 5/20 (Ascension Day); Fran Mather 5/23; Gloria Vardakis 5/29 (Saturday of Souls); Bette Ferriero 5/30 (Pentecost);  Fran Triantafilon 6/6 (All Saints); ; George Nikas 6/13; Patricia Lilore 6/20; Connie Mourgides 6/27. Betty Roussos 7/4. Venice Cosmadelis 7/11. George Nikas is our Prosforon Coordinator (597-1375).
  + STEWARD WILLIAM FONDULAS passed away on April 21, 2004 The funeral was held April 24 at Christ the Savior Church. We extend deep sympathy to his wife, Vera Mae, sons Nick and Theodore and granddaughters Jenni and Nicole. May his memory be eternal!
  EASTER LILY DONATIONS: Donors of Easter Lilies may pick up their plants today. 
  P.E.P. Friday, April 30 we will continue our study of the Gospel of John, Chapter 10:1-28.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

Our Greeting Until Ascension Day! 
Christ is Risen!     Truly He Is Risen!