The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. III, No. 43– Sunday, October 24, 2004

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

13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

                                             Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

        

LOOKING AT 2004 AND LOOKING FORWARD TO 2005

   We still have two months to fulfill our Stewardship for 2004. But as of today, we are beginning to think about making our “Declarations of Intention” regarding our Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure for the coming year 2005!

   But before we do that, we need to think about this present year. In many ways, it has been a good year. Our numbers have increased. We now have 77 Stewards! We have more than doubled our Steward Families from when we started as a Mission in February of 2002. That is real progress. We praise God for this genuine blessing! We are part of a growing Mission Parish, whose future promises to shine brightly.

   We have been active in our Stewardship of Time and Talent. More people are offering their services. Our outreach ministries continue. This past year our collaboration for philanthropic work with the Pine Grove Elementary School was recognized with a special award and we increased our cooperation with the Dawn Center.

   New people have come onto the Mission Council and contribute these talents. We are committed to developing a women’s organization for our Mission. In spite of losing some younger families earlier this year, new young people are beginning to populate our church, with increased, though still modest, programming for them. Our Parish Education Program has expanded to a Thursday night (with Holy Trinity Orthodox Church) and Friday afternoon schedule with a total of about 30 people involved weekly. Olympic Village lane was paved, and is almost paid for. In anticipation of future growth, we are preparing a “Temporary Church” in our former Fellowship Hall, with the Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure contributions of our members. Fund raising efforts are in full swing. Church attendance is often at near capacity, but it has to become more of a priority for our Steward families in order to justify our preparations for the future growth of Christ the Savior Church.

   We had some setbacks, especially with the triple whammy Hurricanes and the increased expenditures that will require that we quickly replace the roof of the Dining Hall. We’ve had the property for sale for almost a year, with quite a few inquiries, but no sale, as yet.

   Regarding our Stewardship of Treasure, we might ask, “What kind of Stewards have we been during this year?” Mostly, quite good, is the answer. To become a parish, we must continue to increase our giving to eventually support a full time Priest. We are not there yet, but we are on the way!

   We look forward to an even better 2005 for our Mission!

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

6^th Sunday of Luke

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection – 4th  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“To faidron tes Anastaseos”).Hymnal,  84-85

   (Sing in English after the Entrance)“When the tidings . . . ”). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of Great Martyr Arethas

   (Read) The holy martyrs suffered / painful tortures for Your sake, O Lord; / be constrained by what they endured, / and heal our every pain, we entreat You, / as the only One / who loves humankind.

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.”

Kontakion of the Theotokos “Prostasia ton Christianon”(Sung in Greek by Leaders)

   (Read) O never-failing protectress of Christians / and their ever-present intercessor before the Creator: / do not be heedless to the prayerful voices of us sinners, / but in your goodness extend your help to us / who call upon you with confidence. / Hasten, O Mother of God, / to intercede for us. / You have always protected those who honor you!

Return to a page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

   EPISTLE – Galatians 2:16-20 (21^st Sunday) + Brethren, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

   GOSPEL – Luke 8:26-39 (4^th Luke) + At that time, as Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me." For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

  FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, October 10, 2004: Attendance 64; Offering $95; Candles $79; Hospitality $35; Building Fund $108; Pave It! Fund $150. Sunday, October 17, 2004: Attendance 58; Offering $103; Candles $56; Hospitality $25; Pave It! Fund $25.

   FEAST OF ST. DEMETRIOS Divine Liturgy will be conducted on Tuesday, October 26. Orthros is at 9:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Plan to attend this major Feast Day Divine Liturgy.

   NEW STEWARD: We are pleased to announce that Dia Eleftherion has become the 77^th 2004 Steward of Christ the Savior Presented at the Temple Mission Parish. Welcome!! Please add Dia’s contact information in your Parish Directory: Dia Eleftherion, 4622 Bridgewater Club Loop, Spring Hill, FL 34607; Phone: 597-2299.  To become a Steward, contact Bill Pasisis at 688-7465.

    NEW PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA: On October 9 in Alexandria, Egypt, His Eminence Theodoros, Archbishop of Zimbabwe, was elected as the new Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. The Archbishop was unanimously chosen to succeed Patriarch Petros VII who lost his life, along with 16 others, in a tragic helicopter accident last month. The enthronement will take place take place today, October 24 in Alexandria.

 

  
A NOMINATING COMMITTEE is being formed by the Mission Council to prepare for the General Assembly, scheduled for Sunday, November 14. Please consider offering your name as a candidate for the Mission Parish Council for the year 2005. To become a candidate, you must have been a Steward of our Mission for at least one year. More on this will be reported in upcoming issues of The Orthodox Messenger. All candidates are expected to attend a “Parish Council Candidate’s Meeting” at the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs on Saturday, November 20. A Stewardship of Time and Talents!

   DONATION OPPORTUNITY: Thirty new hard-bound Divine Liturgy Hymnals have been purchased for our use during the Services. They cost $8.50 each. Donors may include memorial tributes. Please mark your check “Divine Liturgy Hymnals” on the memo line and make out your check to “Christ the Savior Church” mailing it to P.O. Box 5566, Spring Hill, FL 34611. Toward this purpose, $20 has been donated already. Thanks!

 

   MISSION PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The Mission Parish Council met on Wed. October 20. Among the items discussed were the following: A contract was awarded to Steward Richard Urling to re-roof the Dining Hall. The Agenda for the November 14 General Assembly was discussed. Regarding the Mission Council Election, four Council members, Dora Halvatzes, John Hatzi, George Nikas and Dorothy Triantafilon are rotating off. They are entitled to become candidates for the election. New candidates are being contacted, as well, by the Nominating Committee, Spiro Lemonedes, Chair. Stewards should contact Spiro if they desire to serve as Council members. The Council is going to propose to the General Assembly that beginning in 2005 our Stewardship of Treasure should include what we give normally thru Stewardship + Offering + + Coffee Hour weekly. If approved, our weekly Stewardship will be given in an envelope each Sunday, beginning January, 2005. The Signs will be erected at a cost of $300 each. Plans were made to install the walkway from the Dining Hall to the Gazebo. Planning and Development chair, George Nikas, is meeting with contractors in regard to the future building of our church / hall structure, when the property is sold. A meeting of the Mission Council will be held on Wed., Nov. 12 at 7:00 p.m. regarding the General Assembly.

  YOUR HELP NEEDED! Venice Cosmadelis reminds us that representatives are desperately needed to solicit personal and commercial ads for the "Commemorative Journal" to be distributed to those attending Christ The Savior's Feast Day Celebration to be held at the Wellington of Seven Hills in February. The journal will be the main source of income from the event. See Venice or call her at 686-1199.

  HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill Hospital: Tina George.  We pray for a rapid recovery.

  NEW BABY: At Spring Hill Regional Hospital, on October 19, 2004, Joanne and Zachary Frangos became proud parents of a beautiful 8lb, 14 oz. girl. Congratulations to the parents and big sister Maria on their new family member! She has been named Thalia Aphrodite. Many years!

  GARAGE SALE: Helen Nicolelis and Connie Mourgides bring to our attention that we will hold our annual garage sale on Friday, Nov. 5th and Saturday, Nov. 6th on the church grounds. The sales hours are 8:30AM to 5:00 PM each day. We need items for sale such as toys, tools, lawnmowers, bikes, office furniture, home accessories, clothing, small appliances, lamps, water coolers, collectibles and much, much more.  For additional information call Helen at 352-684-1219 or Connie at 352-686-0589.

   SIGN NEWS! A dozen members of Christ the Savior Mission attended the October 19 meeting of the Hernando County Board of Commissioners on the sign issue. Included were Fr. Stanley & Presbytera Emily Harakas, Fr. Gerasimos Murphy, Paul & Venice Cosmadelis, Sam & Janice Jabbour, Connie Pappas, Bill & Harriet Pasisis, and Fred & Elaine Underwood who participated in the deliberations. We are happy to report that the County Staff revised their recommendation to favor our petition to erect directional signs on Sunshine Grove Rd at Olympic Village Lane. The Commissioners voted unanimously to approve our request. The motion was made by Commissioner Diane Rowden and approved by Commissioners Mary Aiken, Thomas A. Mylander and Chair, Nancy Robinson. Commissioner Robert C. Schenck was not in attendance. Mission Council President Paul Cosmadelis will now proceed to have the signs erected.

  FOOD COLLECTION: Spiro Lemonedes reminds everyone that we are starting to collect food for the needy for the Thanksgiving distribution to the twelve families we help throughout the year. We will need items such as canned goods (carrots,  peas,  corn,  yams,  etc), as well as laundry detergent,  tooth paste,  coffee,  pasta,   tooth brushes for adults and children.   All items should be brought to the Dining Hall. Any questions call Spiro 684-4082.

    PROSFORON BAKERS: Fran Triantafilon 10/24; Presbytera Emily Harakas 10/26 (St. Demetrios); George Nikas 10/31 Connie Mourgides 11/7. Gloria Vardakis 11/14; Argyris & Carol Gymnaos 11/21; Patricia Lilore 11/25 (Thanksgiving); Fran Mather 11/28; Helen Nicolelis 12/5. George Nikas is Prosforon Bakers’ Chair– 597-1375.

   THE PAVE IT! FUND: New contributions to the Pave It! Fund were received as of Sunday, October 17 in the amount of $25. The cost was $7,618. Total given so far: $6,892.  The balance left to collect is now $726. You can help by making a contribution to the Fund. Many thanks to all who have contributed.

   MANY THANKS to Fr. Joseph Samaan and St. Stefanos Church of St. Petersburg, FL for the donation to our Temporary Church of two processional candle holders, two processional lanterns and a five candle Bread-blessing candelabrum. Also, many thanks to Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou and St. George Church of New Port Richey for the donation of an enameled Zeon Cup and Tray for our Temporary Church. We are deeply grateful for these generous contributions. Letters of thanks have been sent.

   NOW AVAILABLE through Christ the Savior Church – Marriage Sacrament Crowns (Stephana). Beautiful and less costly. See Nikolai Kastelan.

   COME AND LEARN! P.E.P.-1: Friday, October 29, 2-4 p.m. – John 11:28-57. P.E.P. -2: Thursday, October 28, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Elgin Blvd. – 2nd Unction Service Epistle “Maintaining Unity Among Christians” – Romans 15:1-6.

  ALEXANDER THE GREAT PROGRAM: On November 7th 2004, at 8:00 pm, the History Channel will air a documentary on Alexander the Great. Tune in!

  A SEMINAR AND BOOK FAIR will take place on Saturday, November 13, 2004 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Orlando on the theme “Toward the Transfigured Life” from 1:00 to 6:30 p.m. Among the speakers will be Fr. Harakas, whose topic is “Living the Image and Likeness of God.” Flyers with registration forms are available in the narthex area. If you want to attend, see Fr. Stanley, or call him at 352-688-2382.    

Come to Church On Sunday!

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

 

 

          Feast of

  ST. DEMETRIOS

   Tuesday, Oct. 26

   Orthros 9:30 a.m.

D. Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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