Contents

The Orthodox Messenger

The Weekly Newsletter of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County

Vol. I, No. 19 - Sunday, May 26, 2002

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CHRIST IS RISEN!            TRULY HE IS RISEN!

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MEMORIAL SERVICES AND MEMORIAL DAY

   TOMORROW IS MEMORIAL DAY, but for our Orthodox Church, remembering and praying for our deceased members occurs frequently. For this reason we will combine today, our national observance of Memorial Day, with our own Orthodox practice of praying for the deceased.

   Memorial Day began after World War I as a commemoration of those who died in wars defending our freedom. Memorial Services in the Orthodox Church consist of prayers for the souls of those who have died.

   The memorial prayer service for the dead is called “Mnemosynon” in Greek

and its shorter form “Trisaghion.” In Slavonic the words are “Parastas”  and “Moleben”).  The longer service is offered at the Divine Liturgy on the fortieth day and the six month and year anniversary after the death of a person by his family and relatives. In subsequent years, the shorter memorial services are held. They serve many purposes.

   The Orthodox Church believes that our prayers assist the deceased, but we do not define this assistance. It is also clear that praying for the dead helps the living in the mourning process. It helps us deal emotionally and spiritually with the passing of a beloved relative. It also has a social function, helping the community to share in the loss of a beloved person and to note their passing. Prayer for the dead is based on the Church teaching that the Church in its fullness is to be found both on earth and in heaven.

   Just as each Christian is called to pray for others in this life, they can and do pray for those who have gone on. In any case, we have no guarantees of how God will respond to our prayers. Nevertheless we pray for others as a sign of our communion with each other. Christians see themselves and others as members of the body of Christ.  So prayer for the deceased is a normal and ordinary practice for Orthodox Christians. The various Memorial Services are very important in the life of our community of faith. 

 4th Sunday of PASCHA – THE PARALYTIC

Saints: Karpos and Alphaios, Father of the Apostles James and Matthew, of the 70 Apostls (+1^st c.); Mishop Synesios; Neomartyr Alexander of Thessalonike (+1794); Abercius and Helen, Martyrs.

 

EPISTLE – Acts 9:32-42

Now 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

  At 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. 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.

 

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn – For Pascha                                        

  (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“Christos Anesti”). D. Liturgy Hymnal,  103.

Dismissal Hymn – 3^rd  Tone

  (Sing in English after the Entrance) “Let all things rejoice” D. L. Hymnal, 83-84.

Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas (Sing in English) D. L. Hymnal, 110-111.

Kontakion for Pascha

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

+Additional Changes+

In Place of “Axion Esti”

   The hymn “O aggelos evoa -  Fotizou” will be sung in Greek By the Leaders.  (Translation: 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 Place of the Communion Hymn (“Aineite”):

   (Sing in Greek and English) “Soma Christou,” “Body of Christ.” D. L. Hymnal, 104.

In Place of “We have seen the true light”:

   (Sing in English) “Christ is risen” – Special Sheet.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

   MEMORIAL DAY will be observed today, with a Trisagion Memorial Service. Please fill in the “Memorial Sheets” with names of your deceased family members for commemoration. Tomorrow, at 10:00 a.m. Fr. Harakas will offer a Trisagion Prayer at the Orthodox Section at the Grace Memorial Gardens, at 17007 Rt. 19.

   TODAY, A PLAQUE HONORING Fr. John and Presbytera Mary Liadis for their devoted service to the Olympic Village Foundation and St. Nicholas Chapel will be installed and dedicated following the Divine Liturgy. Congratulations!

   STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Bette Ferriero – May 26; Fran Mather – June 2; Connie Mourgides – June 9; George Nikas – June 16; Fran Triantafilon – June 23; Gloria Vardakis – June 30; Venice Cosmadelis – July 14. Our Prosforon Coordinator is George Nikas (597-1375). Summer volunteers are needed. See George.

   SPONSORS NEEDED FOR “THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER”! You can sponsor an issue by donating $20. See Parish Council President Connie Mourgides.

     AWAY FOR THE SUMMER? Remember to financially support the Church! Please write the purpose of your donation on all your checks to the Church. Thank you!

   A TRAGIC EVENT occurred at 4:00 a.m. on May 8 in our county. A Greek Orthodox man from New York City was killed by a truck. His name was Dino (Constantine) Adamis. His body is being held by the Medical Examiner’s office, until efforts to find relatives are concluded. Our Parish Council has voted to cooperate with the New York newspaper, The National Herald, and the Diocesan and Archdiocesan Philoptohos to conduct the funeral at our Mission Church when the body is released by the authorities. We believe that the cost of the funeral and burial will be covered by donations from New York. However, we will conduct a fund-raising drive to raise money for a modest headstone. A letter will be sent shortly to our members for a contribution. “Eternal Memory!”

   JUNE BIRTHDAYS: Charlotte Rodriguez-6/2; Presbytera Maria Liadis-6/6; Spiros Lemonides-6/7; Alex Noyes-6/8; Dee Nikas-6/13; Costa Hronis-6/15; William Fundulas -6/17; Barbara Chigos-6/17; Dorothy Triantafilon-6/25. Happy Birthday!

   WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: Louis & Cornelia Sheedy-6/11; John & Jennie Kotsifakis-6/20. Congratulations! Special Prayers will be offered after Divine Liturgy next Sunday, June 2 for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. Plan on attending!

 

 

HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION

OF HERNANDO COUNTY

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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