THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER

Vol. VI, No. 40— Sunday, October 7, 2007

Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church - Presentation of Christ at the Temple

The HelIenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County, Florida — A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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

Website: htttx//orthodoxhemafldOcOUrltVfl. org. Email:Rharakas~.aol.com

Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D., D.D. - Home (352) 796-2377; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 796-9081

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  NATIONAL CHURCH MUSIC SUNDAY- OCTOBER 7, 2007

- -    Each year, on the first Sunday in October (on or after the Feast of St. Romanos the Melodist, the patron saint of church musicians), parishes across the Archdiocese of America celebrate National Church Music Sunday. This commemoration was inaugurated by His Eminence, Archbishop lakovos of North and South America in 1982 and has been re-affirmed by His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of America.

   On this day the Church honors the contributions of local choir members, psaltai (cantors, singers), and music educators who serve their churches by singing the services. It is a day when we recognize the work of the diocesan choir federations as well as the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, who through their music ministry, enhance the work of church choirs, church musicians, and liturgical music.

   Throughout the Archdiocese, efforts are made to honor local Church Musicians, the Choir Federations and to financial support the work of the “National Church Music Ministries Fund,” that supports church music programs at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, our Archdiocesan Seminary at Brookline, MA. But here at Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church this observance takes on a special character.

•     At Christ the Savior Church all who are in church are expected to join in the singing. We have no choir, no choir director, no psaltis / cantor. In the worship of our Church every effort is made to provide everyone in church with the words of the service. We either sing the words or read the words, mostly in English so that we know what we are singing and saying. This makes it easier for us to pray the words of the services, to make them our own, and in this way to participate more conscientiously in worship.

So don’t just stand there! Pick up the Liturgy Hymnal and sing!

•     The Leader is there only for the purpose of helping the people sing! The Leader helps the people start singing together by giving the first note. Be attentive so that you can sing along with everyone else under the leader’s direction. it is not the most important thing for our musical rendition to be perfect. Rather, our singing should be heartfelt and joyful. Sing praises to the Lord, the Bible says!

•     So let us honor National Church Music Sunday today, by all of us singing the Divine Liturgy with faith, understanding and spiritual enthusiasm! Sing!

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

Evening Services as Announced

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Saints:  Martyrs Sergios and Bacchos (+303); Priestmartyr Polychronios (+325); Presbyter

Julianos and Deacon Ceasarios, Martyrs (+lst c.); Righteous John of Crete, the hermit and his

98 companions~ Leontios the Consul~ Priestmartyr Eusebios & Martyr Felix.

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3^rd SUNDAY OF LUKE –GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

   Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 2nd Tone

(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“Ote katelthes”).Hymnal, 81-82. (Sing in English after the Entrance) (“When you descended”). (Same)

   Dismissal Hymn of Martyr Saints Sergios and Bacchos

(Read) 0 Lord our God, / Your Holy Martyrs have deserved the crown of immortality!

on of account of their good fight. / Armed with your strength, they vanquished their persecutors! and crushed Satan’s evil might. / Through their supplications, / 0 Christ God, / save our souls.

   (Sing) Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See paper in the pews)

   Kontakion Sung in Greek by the Leader (Prostasia ton Christianon)

(Read) A protection of Christians unshamable, / intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering / please reject not / the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. / Instead, come to us, for yo are good. / Your loving help bring unto us, / who are crying in faith to you. / Hasten 1 intercede for us / and speed now to supplicate, / as a protection for all time, / Theotokos, / for those who honor you.

Return to p. 26 of the Hymnal, to sing  “Holy God . . . .”

EPISTLE — 2 Corinthians 11:31-123:9 (19 Sunday) + 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. 1 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 refraiii from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And tc keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in th~ 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 i~ sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladi) boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

GOSPEL — Luke 6:31-36 (2nd Luke) + At that time, Jesus went to a city called Nain and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city

behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his

people!”

   FOR THE RECORD: Sept.30th 2007- Candles $65; Visitors’ Donations $22 Stewardship $470; Attendance 51 .Many thanks to all who contribute to our Church!

   SING THE LITURGY!: A small group is meeting this coming Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. in the Church Hall to learn the music of the Divine Liturgy. Strictly one hour session. You an invited to join this effort to help you help make our singing better! Sing the Liturgy!

   SUNDAY SCHOOL / DANCE GROUP LESSONS! Sunday School Classes start afte Holy Communion — Dance Classes start after Sunday School. Register your children in th Sunday School and the Dance Class.

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BUILDING COMMITEE REPORT— 8

NOW IS THE TIME! Please return your reservations for the Sunday, October 21 Ground Breaking Banquet. To obtain tickets, call Venice Cosmadelis at 686-1199.

THE BUILDING COMMITTEE met on Thursday, October 4 to discuss developments at both ou Olympic Village Lane and our Anderson Snow Road locations. Ecological work has marked large trees with ribbons, and both areas hove been surveyed. Work is in process to remove some of the unused, deteriorating and unsightly buildings on the Olympic Village lone property.

   PRELIMINARY PLANMNG FOR THE NEW CHURCH FURNITURE took place Tuesday, October 4. I was determined that sixteen (16) items of church furniture will be needed. This is a long tern project. It is planned to make all of these items available for donation.

THE TAX IMPLICATIONS for both properties ore also being addressed.

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   RECENTLY HOSPITALIZED: Community Hospital NPR: Theona Hatzi, nov recuperating at home. HealthSouth: Marion Kadel. Pray for those who are ill. Always inforn Fr. Stanley when a family member is hospitalized!

   LADIES SOCIETY GENERAL MEETING: The St. Katherine Ladies Society General Meeting will be held Sunday, October 14. All women of the parish are invited!

   THE FOOD PANTRY NEEDS DONATIONS! Bring boxed and canned foods to help the needy families at Pine Grove Elementary School. Thanksgiving is coming!

   YOUR 2008 DECLARATION OF INTENTION FOR YOUR STEWARDSHIP 0F THANKSGIVING, TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE: Sunday, October 28, 2007 is the Kick-Off of our Stewardship Campaign at Christ the Savior Church

   BE A BULLETIN SPONSOR: Donate $25 with a message. See Curtis Thomas or Gloria

Vardakis today! get on the list of future “Bulletin Sponsors

   COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: 10/7 Harriet Pasisis; 10/14 Diane Lydia Covington Chrysokaty Georgacopulos; 10/20 Vespers Harriet Pasisis & Venice Cosmadelis; 10/21 Coffee Hour Venice Cosmadelis, Harriet Pasisis, & Denise Zotto. “Thank you!” to Gerry Cavanaugh for donating pastry and Fran Triantafilon for donating plastic containers.

   CONGRATULATIONS TO STEWARD MARIA ANGELIADIS who successful defended (before a six faculty Examining Committee) her doctoral dissertation at the School of Education at the University of South Florida, Tampa, on Thursday, October 4 in ii presence of about 20 relatives and friends. Congratulations! We are proud!

   PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: P.E.P. topic for Friday, Sept. 6 was Bible Study- 1 “Psalm 103” (read in the Vesper Service). Next Week, Friday, Sept. 13, chapter 1 of the book Living the Liturgy. Books will be available for purchase. We meet at 2:00 every Friday in the Parish Hall and learn something new about our Christian Faith.

   PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS will be held Sunday, November 4. The Election Committee consists of Achilles Thomas, David Covington and Harriet Pasisis. If you would like to be a candidate, let any one of them know of your willingness to serve.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

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