Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church

OUR SERIES of reflections on the family continues this month as we explore the topic of healthy communication. The topic of communication is a particularly important one for families in our contemporary age, where there exists an unprecedented abundance of advanced technologies for virtually instantaneous communication with others across the globe. Despite such great potential for communication, despite the ease with which family members dispersed over wide geographic areas may converse with one another on a regular basis through emails and instant messaging, a very basic yet complex question persists: “Do we in fact communicate?”

As Orthodox Christian families, this is a pivotal question to consider, for it often reflects our difficulty in grasping the full meaning of real, authentic communication. It also speaks to the heart of our capacity to cultivate relationships with one another that exhibit the authentic presence and transforming love of God. This is particularly the case with families because of the unique status of the family as a community of spiritual intimacy, whose members are called to support one another, grow in their relationships with one another, and be actively engaged in regular worship and prayer. Understood in this way, authentic communication involves much more than a passive exchange of words between two or more parties; rather, authentic, Christian communication in the family is marked by a sustained, unwavering commitment to a dialogue of love, patience, understanding, and moral instruction among its members. It is marked, ultimately, by the communication of faith.

Can we characterize our own families as healthy environments for the authentic communication of faith? Do our families operate as places that value and encourage open expressions of faith, such as prayer, religious discussions, and reading of the Holy Scriptures? In an appropriate passage from his Epistle to the Ephesians (5:18-20), St. Paul alludes to this very question when he counsels the community to “be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.” This passage describes the communication of faith, which is a welcome and joyous responsibility for every Christian family to consider. I would encourage you to incorporate this beautiful passage from Ephesians in your regular family reading of the Holy Scriptures.

As you consider the role of authentic communication in your own families, and the extent to which your family is a space for the open and honest communication of faith, it is my heartfelt prayer that your faith in Christ may continue to deepen, that your love for one another may continue to grow, and that through a full, sincere, and vibrant communication among the members of your family, “you may come to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19).

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

Evening Services as Announced

Saints: Zenobios, Presbyter and his sister Zenobia, Martyrs (285); Kleopas and Artemas of the 70 Apostles (1st c.); Joseph and Kyriakos, Patriarchs of Constantinople; Therapon; John the Wonderworker; Marcian Bp. of Antioch (1st c.); Martyrs Asterios, Claudius, Neon & Neonilla; Stephen Miliutin, Dragutin, Theoktis & Helen of Serbia;

(Read) Your Martyrs, O Lord, / were worthily rewarded by You / with the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You / our immortal God. / Since they possessed Your power, / they defeated the tyrants, / dasking the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. / O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, / save 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) A protection of Christians unashamable, / Intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, / Please reject not / the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. / Instead, come to us, / for you are good; / your loving help bring to us, / who are crying in faith to you. / Hasten to intercede for us / and speed now to supplicate, / as a protection for all time, / Theotokos, / for those who honor you.

Brethren, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for ever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands. I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

FOR THE RECORD: October 17, 2005- Attendance: 51; Stewardship $343;Visitors $30; Candles: $107; Building Fund: $525 (Tyke & Helen Nicolelis $500, Barbara Chigos $25); Garage Sale $715.70 (new total). October 23, 2005- Attendance38; Stewardship: $302 Candles: $84. Many thanks for your generous contributions.

PROSFORON BAKERS: Presbytera Emily Harakas 10/30; Argyris and Carol Gymnaos 11/6; Fran Triantafilon 11/13; Connie Mourgides 11/20; George Nikas 11/24 (Thanksgiving, St. Katherine, St. Sylianos).Prosforon Bakers are needed! It is easy to make Prosforon. This is a Stewardship of Time and Talent! Join the Prosforon Bakers. For a recipe and assistance contact George Nikas who is Chairperson. Call him at 597-1375.

FR. STANLEY’S BUILDING FUND APPEAL TO HIS FORMER STUDENTS:

The following contribution was received recently for our Building Fund from Fr. Stanley’s appeal to his former students: Fr. Constantine Botsis – Holy Taxiarhai and Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, Niles, IL - $500. Fr. Stanley expresses deep gratitude to Father Botsis and his parish for this generous response. So far, we’ve received $6,650 from 20 contributors responding to this appeal.

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (P.E.P.): Because of Fr. Stanley’s hospitalization this past week, P.E.P. class was not held this past Friday. On Friday, November 4 at 2:00 p.m. we will be studying the 15th Chapter of John. Please come and learn.

RECENT HOSPTIALIZATIONS: Oak Hill: Fr. Stanley Harakas, Anna Lee, David Sym, Kosti Yoanidis. Brooksville Regional: Alexandria Petrovich. Moffit: Maria Skaroulis.

LEARN ABOUT MEDICARE PART D DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM after Church today, Sunday, October 30. Presented by St. Katherine’s Ladies Society and Ameri-Life of Hernando County. Free! No selling! Lunch will be served. .

PINE GROVE ELEMENTARY THANKSGIVING DINNER: Bring the following items – Boxed Instant Potatoes, Stove Top Stuffing Mix, Canned Green Beans, Canned Fried Onions, Bags of Marshmallows, Jars of Gravy or Gravy Mix, Dinner Rolls, Canned Cranberry Sauce, Ice Tea Mixes, Apple, Pumkin or Pecan Pies. Thanks to Ladies Society Chairperson for this Dino Adamis Philanthropic project, Stacy Underwood. Bring all items to the Parish Hall Food Rack. Many thanks for your support!

IN MEMORY OF ALICE L. MARTY, the Goldplating of our Communion Chalice was donated by Gus N. Marty. We thank Gus for his $300 donation. The Chalice will be appropriately engraved.

BULLETIN SPONOR: MAGGIE MARTY

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY YIAYIA ALICE L. MARTY – MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL!

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