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The Orthodox Messenger 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 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL - (352) 796-8482 Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D. D.D., (352) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846; Email: Rharakas@aol.com
Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 amEvening Services as Announced2nd SUNDAY OF PASCHA – THOMAS SUNDAYGospel Entrance and Other Hymn ChangesDismissal Hymn for PaschaSung in Greek before the Entrance ("Christos Aneste…"). Priest’s Entrance Hymn: In the congregations bless God, the Lord who springs out of Israel. Priest and People: Save us O Son of God who did rise from the dead, we sing to You, Alleluia. 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 (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 ReadingsEPISTLE: 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. In the Place of “We have seen the true light,” (Hymnal, 70), Sing “Christos Anesti, Christ is Risen.” OUT OF TOWN: Fr. Stanley & Presbytera Emily are out of town this Sunday, attending the wedding of their son Spero and his bride Sharon. We welcome and thank Fr. Gerasimos Murphy who will serve the Divine Liturgy today. HOLY WEEK: Holy Week was conducted this year for the first time in our new “Temporary Church.” Thanks are due to all, especially the consistently faithful attendees at nearly all - if not all - of the services. Many contributed time and talents to decorate, to clean, to prepare Lenten foods, to serve and assist in a myriad of ways that made it possible to conduct the services in an orderly and beautiful manner. We welcomed many guests during Holy Week and pray that they will join us on other Sundays during the regular Church year. SPECIAL THANKS to Parish Council President, Paul Cosmadelis for overseeing the processions of Thursday and Saturday nights; Nikolai and Nanka Kastelan, who oversaw a multitude of details regarding services and flowers. Thanks to Presbytera Emily and Betty Roussos and Presbytera Mary who led the singing and reading; all the Altar Servers for their service; Harriet Pasisis for overseeing the various meals; Mike Triantafilon for manning the Candle and Offering Stand; Demetri Hazivasilis and Spero Lemonedes for supplying the Palms for making the Palm Crosses and for Decorating the Church; John Tsausis for carpentry work; Bill and Ruby Hazivasilis for the delicious Mageritsa meal after the Pascha Liturgy; Dorothy Triantafilon for taking photos of the week. Thanks to all who contributed to making the Week of our Lord so special. Above all, Fr. Stanley wants to thank Fr. Gerasimos Murphy and Fr. Michael Miklos, for their invaluable participation in conducting the services. THE “LAMB ON THE SPIT” Paschal Celebration offered to the Mission by Argyris & Carol Gymnaos and family, Curt & Emily Thomas and family, and Betty Roussos and family, was a tremendous success in the numbers of people present! At least twenty children participated in the egg hunt, and received candy gifts. It was a genuine celebration! We are grateful. Many people suggested that the event should be repeated every Pascha under the sponsorship of the Mission. HOSPITALIZED: We were saddened to hear that Steve Mourgides was briefly hospitalized during Holy Week while visiting family in Rochester, NY. He is now under treatment and should be home in Spring Hill soon. We prayed in Church for his health, and look forward to seeing him home, healthy, and chipper as ever!
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF OUR PARISH: The General Assembly of the Parish will be held NEXT SUNDAY, May 15, after Church. All Stewards are urged to attend. Stewards should be up to date with their contributions to vote. A light lunch will be served. EPITAPHION / BIER AND ALTAR COVERS: Thanks to Venice Cosmadelis who made the new Altar Covers in purple, black and white and for designing the Epitaphion/Bier this year which was striking. Those who helped prepare the Epitaphion / Bier were Venice Cosmadelis, Katy Georgacopulos, Bette Ferriero, Presbytera Emily Harakas, Nanka Kastelan, Kathy Lemonedes, Harriet Pasisis, Christine Thomas, Emily Thomas. It was very beautiful! ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAY PRAYERS OFFERED TODAY: Anniversaries: Thomas & Betty Frangos 5/3; Michael and Mareda Zoumberos 5/10; Louis & Mary Mavrogian 5/11; Bill & Ruby Hazivasilis 5/19; Spero & Cathy Lemonedes 5/19; Ann & Henry Prestage 5/25. Birthdays: James Roussos 5/2; Achilles Thomas 5/4; Vera Fondulas 5/7; Betty Roussos 5/7; Nicholas Hazivasilis 5/8; Patricia Lilore 5/8; Mary Mavrogian 5/11; Mike Zoumberos 5/11; Eva Thomas 5/11; Delcie Kelo 5/16; Eleni Natsis 5/18; Connie Mourgides 5/25; Mike Panopoulos 5/25; Fran Mather 5/31. Thanks to Nancy Kastelan our Sunshine Committee Chair for sending cards and providing this list. Congratulations to all and “Many Years!” BULLETIN SPONSOR: ELIAS & MARY MAVROGIANIN LOVING MEMORY OF TAKIS SASSALOSOUR GREETING UNTIL ASCENSION DAY – CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!
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