Hellenic Orthodox Mission

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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

Services Held at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL - (352) 796-8482

The Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://worship.nu/hellenicorthodoxmission/index.htm

FR. STANLEY S. HARAKAS, PROTOPRESBYTER - (352) 688-2382 – Email: Rharakas@aol.com

N RUSSIA TODAY, there is a famous monastic center called the Valaam Monastery. Recently, a magazine published an interesting story about one monk there. It speaks to all of us about the “Stewardship of Talents.” Here is part of the story.

Monk Savvaty doesn't lash himself or wrap ropes around his body. Nor does he kneel for hours on a hard floor to tame his passions. His penance at the Valaam Monastery is different: He takes photographs.

Savvaty, [alias Sergei Sevastyanov], was already an experienced photographer when he decided to leave the senseless fuss of secular life and become a monk six years ago. While most monks are encouraged to leave their secular occupation behind, Savvaty was blessed by the monastery elders to continue his work with photography.

"Usually, as we become monks, we reject everything we did before, but I dragged my entire life along with me into the monastery," Savvaty said at the Union of Journalists' Photo Center, where his first personal exhibit opened last week.

A middle-aged bearded man in a long black robe who does not like to talk about his life before Valaam, an island monastery on northwest Russia's Lake Ladoga, Savvaty looked on with amusement as the artsy crowd in the hall mixed with priests and church-going women. Visitors sipped holy water from plastic glasses - the evening's substitute for the more traditional champagne.

"Art is passion, but I have to fight passion. Art has become my penance," Savvaty said.

"God grants everyone a talent, and it's a sin to bury this talent," said the head of the monastery, Archimandrite Pankraty, who gave Savvaty his blessing to continue with photography."

The monastery head described clearly the “Stewardship of Talents.” In the Stewardship form that you will be asked to complete in a few weeks, there will be a part for your commitment of “Time and Talents.” We ask every member or friend of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County to select at least one, and up to three “Talents” to be used in the service of our Mission Church. We ask you to pray about it, to assess what you are already doing as a Stewardship of Time and Talents, and to decide what service you can offer to the Lord. Next Week: “The Stewardship of Treasure.”

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

Evening Services as announced.

Saints: Olympas, Rodion, Sosipatros, Erastos and Kouartos of the 70 Apostles (1st c.); Greatmartyr Orestes, Martyr of Tuane (+304); Righteous Theosteriktos; Righteous Arsenios of Cappadocia; Milos of Babylon (+357)

RETHREN, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I do up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.

T THAT TIME, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live." But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

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)

Kontakion of the Theotokos (Sung by the leaders) “O katharotatos naos”

(Read) The most pure Temple of our Holy Savior, / and the most precious and bright Bridal Chamber, the Virgin, / sacred treasury of the glory of God, / openly appears today in the Temple of the Lord, / bringing with her the grace of the Most Holy Spirit. / Wherefore the angels of God are singing: / This is the heavenly Tabernacle.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME TO FR. JOHN LIADIS who is conducting the Divine Liturgy today. Fr. Harakas is in Atlanta, attending the Archangel Michael Honors Banquet and participating in the Services at the Annunciation Cathedral there.

CONGRATULATIONS to Connie Mourgides who was awarded a medal and citation from His Grace, Bishop Alexios at the Archangels Michael Honors Banquet last night. Connie was accompanied by her husband Steve and others from our Mission parish.

INTRODUCING THE ORTHODOX CHURCH: Seven sessions on the 2000 years of Eastern Orthodox Christian History, Beliefs and Practices. For all Orthodox Christians and other interested persons. “No cost, no obligation, limited-time course.” Instructor: Rev. Dr. Stanley S. Harakas. To be held at the Clubhouse at Wellington at Seven Hills, on Mariner Blvd. near County Line Rd., Spring Hill. Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Nov. 12, 19, Dec. 3, 10, 17, Jan. 7, 14. An Educational Program. Please let friends, spouses, or neighbors know about this learning opportunity. Time is short, so please Register – call 688-2382. If you don’t register you will not be able to enter Wellington. Call now!

THE BAKE SALE, NOVEMBER 16 . . . The Ladies of the parish are meeting every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at the Dining Hall to prepare for the Bake Sale. Donations and volunteers are needed. See or call Venice Cosmadelis at 686-1199.

TUNA SALAD LUNCHEON, NOVEMBER 17: Because of fasting requirements, the next Feast Day Sunday Luncheon will be a Tuna Salad Platter, observing the beginning of the Nativity Fasting Period. Only Albacore white meat tuna will be served. For those who don’t like tuna, a substitute will be available. Everything will be included in the $6 price (children 6 to 11, $3) Come to Church, enjoy a delightful lunch and a friendly atmosphere. Parish General Assembly follows the Luncheon!

FLEA MARKET, NOVEMBER 23 . . . Continue to bring in your garage sale items with you when you come to P.E.P. on Friday or Church on Sunday.

THE Dawn Center of Hernando County has been selected by our Mission Parish as our outreach partner. The Dawn Center helps abused women and mothers in crisis times. Stephanie Walley, from the Center, will be visiting with us during the Tuna Salad Luncheon on November 17. She will explain how the Dawn Center works, what its needs are and how we can help. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.

SUNDAY SCHOOL was well attended this past Sunday with six children. Reportedly, the children did very well in their lessons. We invite young people to register.

STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Fran Triantafilon 11/10; Bette Ferriero 11/17; Helen Nicolelis 11/24; George Nikas 11/21 (Entry of the Theotokos in the Temple); Presbytera Emily 11/28 (Thanksgiving); Connie Mourgides 12/1. Venice Cosmadelis 12/06 (St. Nicholas); Fran Mather 12/08. Include names for commemoration.

SPONSORS ARE NEEDED! Bulletin Sponsors contribute $20, placing a message in an issue of The Orthodox Messenger. Your donation helps mail copies to persons not in attendance that Sunday. Contact Spero Lemonedes today! Or call 684-4082. Thank you!

HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Andoni Vardakis; Spring Hill Regional: William Fondulas. Recovering at home: Costa Natsis, John Hatzi. Pray for the rapid recovery of all!

THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR: GEORGE SKANDALIARIS

IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER IOANNIS SKANDALIARIS – AIONIA E MNEME!