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

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

THE GIFT OF PATIENCE

erhaps the most difficult virtue for modern people to accept is patience. We like things “right away.” Having to bear with incompetence, delays, long lines, and slow service, is not tolerable. Sometimes, impatience is touted as a virtue, like when it provokes us into actions that can improve an unacceptable situation.

   Yet, sometimes we face conditions that require us to bear difficulties in our life. That is what patience is about. The Greek noun for patience literally means, “being under something,” or more accurately, “bearing a burden.”

   The burdens we often face are sometimes impossible to change. That’s when we need patience. The Bible gives God as the primary example of patience. In Romans, St. Paul speaks about God’s patience with humanity, which is so full of sinful behavior. Yet, for the sake of the salvation of humanity, God “has endured with much patience” our unworthiness (Romans  9:22).

   In the spiritual writings of our Church, patience is the virtue that helps us bear temptations. When sickness comes, which radically changes the circumstances of our lives, patience is called for, precisely as we seek healing. Even when we undertake a project that will take much time to accomplish, patience is essential.

    An example is an athlete who trains diligently to prepare for competition. In the loneliness of that effort, patient endurance is essential for success.

   It is examples like that, which make patience a genuine virtue for all persons, including  Christians who are seeking to grow in the image and likeness of God. In the Parable of the Sower, which is read in Church today, Jesus speaks of the seed that falls in good soil. He says, “they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15). So, no wonder St. Paul declares that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness . . . .” (Galatians 5:22).

   How do we exercise patience in difficult, painful, or annoying circumstances? One way is to take Christ’s example of suffering for us as a model of patience for ourselves. The next time you find yourself in a stressful circumstance, strive for patience, remembering the example of Christ.                                                                             – Condensed from The National Herald.

 

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

4th SUNDAY OF lUKE

                                       Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes

Dismissal Hymn - Plagal 4th  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Ex ypsous katelthes").Hymnal,  89.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("From on high did you descend"). (Same)

Dismissal Hymn of the Fathers

   (Read) Supremely blessed are You, / O Christ our God. / You established the holy Fathers upon the earth as beacons, / and through them You have guided us all / to the true Faith, / O greatly merciful One, / glory be to You.

Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas

(Sing ) In English: “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111.

Kontakion of the Theotokos

   (Sung by the leaders) “Prostasia ton Christianon”

   (Read) O undisputed intercessor of Christians, / who prays for the Christians unrejected by the Creator, / turn not away from the voice of our petitions, / though we be sinners. / Come to us in time, / who cry to you in faith, / with assistance, / for you are good. / Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, / who always intercedes / for those who honor you.

EPISTLE - Titus 3:18-15

itus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

GOSPEL - Luke 8:5-15

he Lord said, "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let       
him hear." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.

   FOR THE RECORD:  Sunday, October 5, 2003 - Attendance was 43; Candles - $60; Offering Tray - $113; Hospitality - $41. “God loves a cheerful giver!”

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Connie Mourgides 10/12; Venice Cosmadelis 10/19; Emily Thomas (New Prosforon baker! Welcome) George Nikas 10/26; Fran Triantafilon 11/2; Betty Roussos 11/9; Fran Mather 11/16; Bette Ferriero 11/23; Presbytera Emily Harakas 11/27 (Thanksgiving). Call George Nikas to become a Prosforon baker (597-1357).

   A GENEROUS DONATION was made to our church by Edward & Gloria Zahka from “up north,” for the continued health of their children and grandchildren. Many thanks!

   DONATION: Fran Triantafilon donated two cases of candles, which will burn continuously on the Holy Altar for the next six months. May the Lord bless her and her family!

   CONGRATULATIONS to Aspasia, daughter of Stewards Gregory and Maria Angeliades, and Eric Lindstrom, who exchanged engagement rings on Saturday, 4 October in Tarpon Springs. Fr. Harakas conducted a brief prayer service for the occasion.

   TODAY we will continue learning the Dismissal Hymns of the three potential feasts of our church. We will continue our preparation for Oct. 26 in the coming weeks.

   A TRISAGION SERVICE was sung following the Divine Liturgy on Oct. 5, offered by Fr. William and Presbytera Mary Mattis, and Charles and Vera Mattis, in memory of their sister and sister-in-law Julia Pappas who passed away recently. May her memory be eternal!

   P.E.P CLASS: Our Parish Educational Program for Friday, Oct. 17 at 2:00 p.m.,