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The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. II, No. 18 – Sunday, May 4, 2003

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

The Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org/

FROM THE PATRIARCHAL MESSAGE FOR HOLY PASCHA 2003

CHRIST IS RISEN!

   "You healed the brokenness of humanity, O Lord, having restored it by Your divine blood," sings St. John Damascene, addressing our Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified, suffered, and rose from the dead.  And another hymnographer exclaims, "You were captured, I am not ashamed of it; You were lashed, I do not deny it; You were nailed to the Cross, I do not hide it; I boast of Your resur-rection; for Your death is life to me, O Almighty and philanthropic God; Glory to You" (Sticheron of the Sabbath, Grave Tone).

   In the passage of time humanity has repeatedly prepared its own brokenness.  Indeed, every time it adopts pride and the mindset of Babel, i.e., the usurpation of divine might and substitution of the law of God by human desires and ambitions, it returns to the confusion of Babel, to discords, disagreements, conflicts, and ruins. . . .  In contrast to those who through haughtiness, or pride, or ambition, or any such egocentric impulse caused the brokenness of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ accepted with an excess of humility to undergo all those things that the leader of this world and his emissaries wished to impose on him in order to turn him into naught and to secure for themselves the domination of the world.  He was captured as a conspirator, He who was the peacemaker; He was flogged as an evildoer, He who was a benefactor and healer; and, ultimately, He was crucified as a criminal, He who was innocent and the model of all goodness.

   And what was the result? When all the opponents of humility and peace thought that the grave-stone covered forever Him who preached sermons that overturned their convictions as to what was right and expedient, He rose again, incorruptible out of the tomb, the healer of the brokenness of the world.  Since then He continues to heal any brokenness of humanity, because He has the power to reconstruct it, to renew it, to offer it regeneration.

   There are many ruins of humanity that we encounter in our time -- ruins of buildings and other such works, ruins of human bodies and parts, ruins of the natural environment, and above all, ruins of moral values that pertain to civilization.  All these are destroyed by haughtiness, which is accompanied by acquisition of power.  The only way for the healing and for the therapy of these ruins is He who humbly received upon Himself human brokenness and was made worthy of the resurrection in His humanity.

   Foretelling his death to his disciples, the Lord offered them this admonition, "Have courage; I have overcome the world!"  He won by reversing human values, by accepting humility that was hateful to many as being of superior value, at a time when everybody sought after glory and honor, as many continue to do today.  It is this same admonition that we too offer to you today as a father to his be-loved children in the Lord. Take courage and rejoice because Christ's victory over the world – a
victory that is spiritual and unrelated to worldly domination--is offered to all who desire and accept the value of humility through which this victory is acquired.

                                                                             + Bartholomew, Patriarch of Constantinople
 

Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

2nd SUNDAY OF      PASCHA – ST. THOMAS

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Following the Doxology: Leaders sing the Dismissal Hymn of St. Thomas in Greek “Esfragismenou tou mnematos”

1st Dismissal Hymn  for Pascha

   Sung in Greek before the Entrance ("Christos Aneste…").

   Sung in English after the Entrance – “Christ is risen. . .”

Dismissal Hymn For St. Thomas

   (        Read)While the tomb was sealed, / You, O Life, / did shine forth from the grave, / O Christ God; / and while the doors were shut, / You came to Your disciples, /O Resurrection of all, / renewing through them / an upright Spirit in us / according to Your great mercy.

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.

In the place of “Holy God, Holy Mighty”

Return to page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

In the place of “Truly it is proper. . .” (p. 54)

 The Leaders (Sing) “Se ten faeinen lampada”

   Translation: Mother of God, shining lamp, You are the most manifest glory, who are more exalted than all creation, we magnify you with hymns.

In the place of the Communion Hymn

   The leaders will sing “Epainei Ierousalim”

   (Translation: Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God O Zion. Alleluia.)

EPISTLE: Acts 5:12-20

n those days, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life."

GOSPEL: John 20:19-31

n the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe." Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

   FOR THE RECORD: Pascha Midnight Liturgy -$70. For Holy Week: Candles-$521; Offering- $194; Hospitality-$23; Easter Offering Envelope-$700; Easter Flowers-$459. Thank you to all for your generous support!

   The Parish Education Program (P.E.P.) continues this week on Friday, May 9. You are invited to a session on: “The Church’s Time: The Liturgical Calendar.” 2:00 p.m.

   TODAY! After Church: SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY A light luncheon will be served, at no charge. All Stewards are invited to attend. About our future development.

    MOTHERS’ DAY LAMB ROAST DINNER: After Church, May 11. Adults-$8; Children ages 11-$6 Reduced to $3; 5 and under – Free! Plan on it! Harriet Pasisis, Chair.

   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. We need two Coffee Hour Sponsors for May 18. Sign up!

   HOLY WEEK FLOWER REPORT: Many thanks to Nanka Kastelan who did such a fine job in overseeing the flowers for Holy Week. We must agree that the Epitaphion was exceptionally beautiful this year! Thanks to those who helped decorate it: Presbytera Emily Harakas; Presbytera Mary Liadis; Venice Cosmadelis; Bette Ferriero; Dora Halvatzes; Nanka Kastelan; Connie Mourgides; Helen Nicolelis; Harriet Pasisis; Ann Prestage; Emily & Christine Thomas; Gloria Vardakis. Thanks also to Venice Cosmadelis who made all the bows, decorated the Priests’ candles and provided both the purple and white door lilies.

   YOU CAN SPONSOR AN ISSUE OF THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER in the name of someone you wish to honor. Help support the mailing of the Bulletin. See Connie Mourgides. Only $20!  

   FUNERAL: Funeral Services were conducted from our Chapel on Monday of Bright Week for the late James Arvanites, who passed away on Holy Thursday, April 24. Survived by his wife Charlotte, three daughters and three siblings. May his memory be eternal!

   THE CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION for the Pascha Services worked beautifully and 10 worshippers were accommodated. Thanks to Costa Hronis and Nikolai Kastelan.

   TRISAGION SERVICE:   A one-year Memorial Trisagion Service will be conducted today for the rest of the soul of the late Paul Robert McGraw. Also prayers will be offered for Mary Harakas, Fr. Harakas’ late stepmother (17 years). May their memory be eternal!

   BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED! See Connie Mourgides. Thank you!

   PROSFORON BAKING: Connie Mourgides 5/4; Venice Cosmadelis 5/11; Fran Mather 5/18; Helen Nicolelis 5/24 (Mid-Pentecost/Sts. Constantine & Helen); Bette Ferriero 5/21 George Nikas 5/25; Fran Triantafilon 6/1; Presbytera Emily 6/5 (Ascension); Gloria Vardakis 6/8. Going North? Inform George Nikas for schedule adjustments.

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HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION

OF HERNANDO COUNTY

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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