Hellenic Orthodox Mission

Vol. II, No. 47 – Sunday, November 30, 2003

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.

ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE

Today, November 30, we commemorate St. Andrew the Apostle. The Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called was the first of the Apostles to follow Christ, and he later brought his own brother, the holy Apostle Peter, to Christ (John 1:35-42). The future apostle was from Bethsaida, and from the time of his youth he turned with all his soul to God. Together with his brother he worked as a fisherman. St. Andrew became a follower of St. John the Baptist. But then became a devoted follower of Christ.

After the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, St. Andrew went to the Eastern lands preaching the Word of God. He went through Asia Minor, Thrace, Macedonia, he reached the River Danube, and what is now Russia. He established the Church in Byzantium and is now the Patron Saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as well as its daughter, the Church of Russia.

On his journeys the First-Called Apostle endured many sufferings and torments from pagans: they cast him out of their cities and they beat him. In Sinope they pelted him with stones, but remaining unharmed, the persevering disciple of Christ continued to preaching about the Savior to people. Through the prayers of the Apostle, the Lord worked miracles. From the labors of the holy Apostle Andrew there emerged Christian Churches, for which he established bishops and clergy. The final city to which the First-Called Apostle came, and where it was allotted him to accept a martyr's end, was the city of Patras, in Greece.

The Lord worked many miracles through His disciple in Patras. Through the prayers of the Apostle, Chirst healed Maximilla, wife of the governor of Patras. However, the pagan Governor, Aegeatos was infuriated and gave orders to crucify the Apostle. In order to prolong the suffering of the saint, Aegeatos gave orders not to nail the saint's hands and feet, but to tie them to the cross. Even from there, St. Andrew continued to preach to the people. The crucified Apostle, having given glory to God, uttered: "Lord Jesus Christ, receive my spirit" and died a martyr for Christ. A few centuries later, under the emperor Constantine the Great, the relics of the holy Apostle Andrew were solemnly transferred to Constantinople and placed in the church of the Holy Apostles beside the relics of the holy Evangelist Luke and St. Paul's disciple St. Timothy. We honor the memory of the Holy Apostle Andrew.

Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

the FEAST OF ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE

Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes

(Sing in English after the Entrance) ("O Lord by Your sacred Cross"). (Same)

(Read) Andrew, first-called of the Apostles / and brother of Peter their leader, / intercede with the Master of All / that He may grant peace to the world / and great mercy on our souls.

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

(Text): “Hail, O Mother of God, Virgin full of Grace. Through you did arise the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. And you made glad righteous Elder Simeon, receiving and embracing the liberation of our souls; also giving to us the resurrection.”

(Read) Today the Virgin is on her way / to the cave / where she will give birth / to the Eternal Word of God / in an indescribable manner. / Rejoice therefore, O Universe / when you hear this news, / and glorify with the angels and the shepherds, / Him who shall appear as a new Child / being God from all eternity.

Translation: “The sound of his voice has gone out to all the earth, and his words to the ends of the inhabited world.”

rethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

t that time, John was standing with two of his disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "Where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter). The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! " Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, November 23, 2003: Attendance - 33; Candles - $83; Offering - $85; Hospitality - $35. Thank you!
PROSFORON BAKERS: Connie Mourgides (St. Andrew) 11/30; (George Nikas 12/6 St. Nicholas) & 12/7; Eleni Nicolelis 12/14; Betty Roussos (Sunday Before Christmas) 12/21; Venice Cosmadelis (Christmas Eve Liturgy) 12/24; Emily Thomas 12/28; Gregory and Maria Angeliades (New Prosforon Bakers! Welcome!) (St. Basil)1/1/04. Fran Mather 1/4/2004; Gloria Vardakis (Day Before Epiphany) 1/5; Patricia Lilore 1/12.
    NOTICE!! Our treasurer says please continue to make checks payable to Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County until further notice. Bank regulations require this. Also, always write what your check is for on the “memo line.”
    P.E.P CLASS: Please note! His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios has called all the clergy of the Tampa Bay Conference to a meeting in Tarpon Springs on Friday, December 5, to be followed by the Vespers of St. Nicholas. The P.E.P. Class will be cancelled for this day. The next class will be held on Friday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m.
   ORTHODOX OBSERVER: All Christ the Savior Stewards should have received two issues of the “Orthodox Observer”, the newspaper of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, by now. If you have not, please let Fr. Harakas know right away!
   HOSPITALIZED: Brooksville Hospice: Thersa Ofalo; Oak Hill: David Sym. Our prayers are with them.
   CLEANING UP: Our facilities are being cleaned by some of our overcommitted Stewards who offer extra effort for this purpose. Cleaning the office, the dining hall, the fellowship hall and especially the lavatories is an important service. In order to help relieve some of our overworked people, please consider donating a few hours of your time once a month to help clean our facilities. To volunteer please see or call George Nikas at 352-597-1375. The time or day can be arranged for your convenience.
SAINT NICHOLAS DAY: Sat., Dec. 6, Orthros at 9:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.
   DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: Birthdays: Nanka Kastelan 12/1; Ed Zahka 12/2; Bobby Thomas 12/9; Harriet Pasisis; 12/10; Kay Athan 12/14; Daniel Hazivasilis 12/21; Henry Prestage 12/26; Steve Mourgides 12/31. Anniversaries: Paul & Venice Cosmadelis 12/11; Kurt & Emily Thomas 12/15; Connie & Pat Pappas 12/21; Fr. John & Presbytera Mary Liadis 12/26; John & Theona Hatzi 12/31. Congratulations! Please come to Church next Sunday for the special blessing following the Divine Liturgy.
   PLEASE HELP! Would you please help solicit “Business Gifts” for the St. Nicholas Day Spaghetti Luncheon? Call Bette Ferriero at 597-4571 for your letter of introduction. Thanks!

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

Adults - $9.00; Children 6 to 17 - $3.00; Children Under 6 - Free!
DON’T MISS THIS VERY SPECIAL EVENT! GOOD FOOD, PRIZES & FUN!