The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. VI, No. 47 – Sunday, November 25, 2007
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
Website:
http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org
Fr. Stanley S.
Harakas, Th.D.,D.D. (352) 796-2377; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax
(352-796-9081)
The Life of Holy Great-Martyr Katherine
he Holy
Great-Martyr Katherine was the
daughter of Constus, the governor of Alexandrian Egypt, during the reign
of the emperor Maximian (305-313). Living in the capital -- the center
of Hellenistic knowledge, and possessed of an uncommon beauty and
intellect -- Katherine received a splendid education. Young men from the
most worthy families of the empire sought to marry her, but none of them
was chosen.
Katherine's mother, a secret
Christian, sent her for advice to her own spiritual father -- a saintly
elder living in a cave not far from the city. Having listened to
Katherine, the elder said that he knew of a youth of whom she was
worthy, such that "His beauty was more radiant than the shining of the
sun, His wisdom governed all creation, His riches were spread throughout
all the world -- this however did not diminish but rather added to the
inexpressible loftiness of His lineage". The image of the Christ
produced in the soul of the holy maiden an ardent desire to know about
Him. The elder then instructed her in the faith of Christ, teaching her
to maintain her integrity and to pray unceasingly; he then baptized her.
In a vision, she was given a ring by the Lord.
The emperor Maximian was in Alexandria
for a pagan feast day. A large number of Christians were consigned to
death, becoming Confessors of Christ. The Saint went to the ruler of the
empire and boldly asked for the persecution to end. The beauty of the
maiden captivated the emperor. In order to convince her of paganism the
emperor gave orders for 50 learned men to debate her, but the Saint got
the better of the wise men, such that they themselves came to believe in
Christ, for which faith they died martyrs’ deaths.
Maximian, no longer hoping to convince
the saint, tried to entice her with the promise of riches and fame.
Having received a firm refusal, the emperor gave orders to subject the
saint to terrible tortures, including being attached to a spiked wheel.
The saint steadfastly confessed Christ and she herself approached the
wheel. She confessed her fidelity to her Heavenly Bridegroom -- Christ,
and with a prayer to Him she herself put her head on the block under the
sword of the executioner.
In the 6th Century, through a revelation, the relics of Saint
Katherine were found and transferred with honor to a newly constructed
church of the Sinai monastery, built by the holy emperor Justinian
(527-565). The church and monastery remain to this day. She is an
example to all Christians, and the patron saint of our Ladies Society at
Christ the Savior Church.
Service
Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at
10:00 a.m.
Evening Services as Announced
Today’s Saints: St. Katherine the Great, Martyr (+311);
Greatmartyr Mercurios; Porphyrios the General; Peter the Hesychast..
13TH SUNDAY OF LUKE -
GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS
Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 1st Tone
(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Tou lithou
sfragisthenos"). Hymnal, 80-81.
(Sing in English after the Entrance) ("The stone was sealed").
(Same)
Dismissal Hymn – Entrance of the Theotokos in the Temple
(Sung) in Greek by the Leader “Semeron tis eudokias
. . .”
(Read) Today is the prelude of God’s good pleasure /
and the proclamation of humanity’s salvation. / In the temple of God, /
the Virgin is presented openly, / and in herself / she announces Christ
to all. / Let us, then, / with a great voice cry aloud to her: /
“Rejoice, you are the fulfillment / of the Creator’s dispensation.
Dismissal Hymn – St. Katherine the Great Martyr
(Read) Let us praise and extol / the all-lauded Bride
of Christ, / the Protectress of Sinai, / holy Saint Katherine, / as the
one who gives aid / and her assistance to us; for she brilliantly /
suppressed the impious orators, / with the sword of the Spirit. / And
being crowned as a martyr, / she asks that all receive the great mercy.
Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See paper in the
pews)
Kontakion of the Theotokos
(Sung) by the leader in Greek “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.”
Megalynarion: of the Entrance In the place of “Truly
it is Proper . . . ” pp. 54-55 Hymnal, the Leader will sing in Greek
“Aggeloi ten Eisodon . . .”
(Read) The Angels were stunned / as they saw the Virgin coming
in. / How has she entered in glory / into the Holy of Holies? / O Mother
of God, / you are the living Ark of God. / No profane hand may touch
you, / but the lips of the faithful / will never cease to sing your
praise, / repeating with joy the angel’s words:/ O pure Virgin, you are
indeed raise above all creatures.
Communion Hymn: In place of “Praise the Lord” p. 66
Hymnal
(Sing) “From the Cup of salvation” Hymnal, 90.
Return to
p. 26
of the
Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .”
EPISTLE –
Galatians 3:23-4:5 (St. Katherine) BRETHREN, before faith came, we
were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be
revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we
might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no
longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God,
through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put
on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor
free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ
Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's
offspring, heirs according to
