The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. V, No. 22 – Sunday, May 28, 2006

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

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

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

 Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org     

                   WHEN IS YOUR NAME DAY?

   Nearly every day on the Church Calendar remembers at least one, and usually, more than one, Saint. In the daily Orthros (Morning) service there is a section called the “Synaxarion” in which the names of the saints of the day are commemorated.

   In the tradition of the Orthodox Church, most Christians are baptized with a name of a saint. Also, when a person converts to the Orthodox Faith, they receive an Orthodox Christian name. In many cases, they might have a given name, but also another name of a saint.

  Each saint’s Feastday, then, is also a day when Orthodox Christians who bear the name of that saint should remember as their name day, in honor of the saint after whom they have been named. Friends and relatives may than offer congratulations and good wishes to those celebrating their name day. Sometimes, those who celebrate their name day invite friends and relatives to their home, or sponsor the coffee hour so as to receive the good wishes of others on the occasion of their “name day.”

   Sometimes, however, there are several saints on the Church's calendar with the same name. Take for example the name "John:" St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist, St. John Chrysostom and St. John the Russian. Further, in the calendar of the Church sometimes there are several feast days for the same saint. Since the decision regarding your patron saint was made in most cases when you were an infant, it is possible that your name day may fall on one of several dates.

   In the Orthodox tradition name days are more important than birthdays. Birthdays are important, of course, but the observance of the patron saint of each of us has more spiritual significance. The observance of birthdays continues, but it is much more Christian to observe your name day.

   How can you do that? First, find out when your name day is if you don't know. Then, as the day approaches learn about your patron saint's life and what it was about the life of that saint that evoked the honor of sainthood. You should make an effort to prepare for Holy Communion on or near your saint's day. Your patron saint should also be an example for you, inspiring your Christian life. Then, if you like, you can invite some of your family and friends to your house with a modest celebration of your name day!

   In the next few months, we here at Christ the Savior Church, will make an effort to compile a list of the name day of each and every Steward and friend to determine each person’s name day so that our parish can honor all on their name day.

  Please help us compile the list by filling out and sending back the information sheet we will send to you. Then, we will be able to wish you “Happy Name Day!”

             Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am

Today’s Saints: Holy Martyr Eutyches, Bishop of Melitene (+1^ST c.); Helikonis, Martyr (+244); Righteous Andrew. ===============================================================

6th SUNDAY AFTER PASCHA –MAN BORN BLIND SUNDAY

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 – Plagal 1^st Tone

   (Sing in English before the Entrance) "The Eternal Word" Hymnal, 85-86.

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

Kontakion for Pascha sung in Greek by the leaders “Ei ke 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 Readings

   EPISTLE – Acts 16:16-34 (Man Born Blind) +In those days, as we apostles were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and us, crying, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers; and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, “These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one's fetters were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.

   GOSPEL – John 9:1-38 (Man Born Blind) + At that time, as Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, “Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is he”; others said, “No, but he is like him.” He said, “I am the man.” They said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash'; so I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put clay on my eyes and I washed, and I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was a division among them. So they again said to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be Christ he was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age, ask him.” So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciples?” And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe”: and he worshiped him.

   In the Place of “Truly it is proper ” leaders sing in Greek “O Angelos eboa, Fotizou”

   (Read) 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 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 . . .

Trays Today; 1) Stewardship & Visitors’ Offering; 2) Adamis Philanthropic Fund

   FOR THE RECORD: May 21-Attendance 43; Candles $151; Building Fund  $63; Stewardship $540; Visitors’ Offerings $68. Many thanks for your valued support!

   A TRISAGION FOR THE DECEASED will be offered today following the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of Memorial Day. Forms are available at the candle stand for you to write the names of your deceased family members. Fill them in and deposit in the tray.

   FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF THE LITURGY TODAY, Dee Nikas has asked for a Paraklesis (Intercessory Prayer Service) be offered for the health and healing of her niece, Barbara Alexiades. It will take place after the distribution of the Antidoron Bread. Those who would like to stay for the service, please return to your pew. Others may go directly to the Coffee Hour. We pray for Barbara’s rapid recovery!

   SIGN UP to host the Coffee Hour: Coffee Hour hosts come early and make the coffee and provide some cookies or other sweet, but we are asking all hosts to “keep it simple!” There are written guidelines posted in the kitchen for hosts. Signed up as Coffee Hour hosts for today are Venice Cosmadelis and Presbytera Emily Harakas. Sign up today!

    BULLETIN SPONSORSHIPS NEEDED! The cost is only $25. To reserve your date please contact Gloria Vardakis and give her the information (688-2270).

    PROSFORON BAKERS: Venice Cosmadelis 5/28; Presbytera Emily Harakas 6/4; George Nikas 6/11 (Pentecost / Fathers Day). Connie Mourgides 6/18; Fran Mather 6/25; Argiris & Carol Gynmaos 6/29 (Apostles Peter & Paul); Fran Triantafilon 7/2; Helen Nicolelis 7/9; Gloria Vardakis 7/16, Bette Ferriero 7/23. Call George Nikas, Chair.

   DAWN CENTER LETTER: Debbie Andrews, Executive Director of the Dawn Center sent our Ladies Society a letter which in part said, “Dear Friends, We would like to express our gratitude for your kindness and generosity with your donation for Mother’s Day. The women and children of the Dawn Center greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness.” The Dawn Center is one of the outreach services our community supports through the St. Katherine Ladies Society. Our contact person is Bette Ferierro.

  CHRIST THE SAVIOR CHURCH was invited to send representatives to the annual Partners in Education Appreciation Breakfast by Nancy Hurst of the Pine Grove Elementary School on Thursday, May 25. Our Ladies Society and parish provide holiday meals and gifts throughout the year for about 12 families and over forty children. Representing our community were Ladies Society President Emily Thomas and Carol Gymnaos. We are glad to contribute as Partners in Education at Pine Grove Elementary School.

THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING for May was held on Wednesday, the 17^th, called to order by Vice-President Gloria Vardakis. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by the Recording Secretary Feenie Ferriero and approved. The financial report was given by Treasurer George Nikas, who proposed and it was decided to establish a separate bank account for the Building Fund, to keep operating funds and building fund monies distinct. Correspondence was read and a discussion took place regarding the resignation of  Connie Mourgides from membership on the Parish Council and from the office of President. It was voted to accept the resignation. Gloria Vardakis was declared President of the Parish Council. It was also voted to inform Tyke Nicolelis because of excessive absence that he will have to be replaced according to the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Archdiocese. It was decided to ask two Stewards in good standing to accept to serve out the terms of office vacated. Bill Pasisis reported that we now have 103 individual Stewards in 67 households, this includes 7 new Stewards. Connie Pappas reported on three citations by the County regarding our property. He and Gloria Vardakis will follow up. The temporary church building and the bathrooms had their roofs repaired. The cottage will be listed with a rental agent; air condioning filters will be replaced and the floor of the church will be cleaned. It was agreed to place the name of our church on the mail box so as to insure that all our mail is properly delivered. Spiro Lemonedes reported that the property was bushwacked for Pascha and there is ongoing negotiations about increasing the number of sprinkler zones. George Nikas and Spero Lemonedes reported on the Planning & Development Committee: 137 letters were sent to realtors and developers to market the church property. It was agreed to vigorously keep marketing the property until March 9, 2007. If the property is not sold by that date, the Parish Council will recommend to the General Assembly that all efforts to sell the property cease, and that we commit to staying at the present location. It was agreed that the Planning Committee continue planning for the new building, however. Feenie Ferriero reported that he and Cathy Lemonedes are almost ready for the publication of the 2006-2007 Parish Telephone Directory, which should be ready for mailing in a few weeks. It was agreed to simplify the Coffee Hour and ask for couples or two persons to sponsor each Sunday.

  RECENT HOSPITALIZATIONS: Oak Hill: Nicholas Diakakis, Angelo Machiros, Mike Panopoulos. Brooksville Regional: Alethea Zimmerman. Spring Hill Health and Rehab: John Demetriades. We pray for rapid recovery!

  THE PARISH COUNCIL invited Nick Maroulis to fill a vacated position on the Parish Council. Nick accepted and will be sworn in at the first available opportunity.

  DAWN CENTER COLLECTIONS: Please, NO clothing! ONLY personal items such as soap, face cloths, tooth paste & brushes, combs, etc. Thank you!

  ARCHANGEL MICHAEL AWARD AND HONORS BANQUET will be held in Atlanta at the Annunciation Cathedral on November 11-12 this year. It was announced that this year’s Christ the Savior Church Honoree will be Dorothy Triantafilon, in appreciation for her work as our Webmaster for our Web Site, orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org, which has projected our Church around the world. This is a weekly task requiring skill and time.

  MEMORIAL DAY: Tomorrow, Memorial Day, May 29, Fr. Stanley will visit cemeteries in the area where persons of our Parish are buried. See the schedule below. Please make an effort to visit these cemeteries at the time the Trisagion Service will be sung.

  ASCENSION DAY: The Feast of Christ’s Ascension, forty days after Pascha, will be commemorated on Thursday, June 1 with Orthros at 9:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Plan on attending this important observance.

  ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAYS: Blessing Prayers will be offered next Sunday, June 4 for those celebrating their Wedding Anniversaries and Birthdays. Plan on attending!

Anniversaries:  Edward & Gloria  Zahka 6/14; John & Jennie Kotsifakis 6/20; Argiris & Carol Gymnaos 6/22. Birthdays:  Presbytera Mary Mattis 6/1;  Sam Jabbour 6/2; Charlotte Rodriguez 6/2; Presbytera Mary Liadis 6/6; Curtis Thomas 6/5; Spero Lemonedes 6/7; Aphrodite Nikas 6/13; Thalia Spata 6/13; Barbara Chigos 6/17; Costa Hronis 6/18; Mark Flood 6/21; Thomas Frangos 6/24; Dorothy Triantafilon 6/25.  Many Years!