THE
DIVINE LITURGY: WHAT IS IT?
hen we go to
Church on Sunday, we experience the Divine Liturgy of St. John
Chrysostom most of the time. But what is it? The Divine Liturgy
is the way the Orthodox Church conducts the Sacrament of the
Holy Eucharist (from the Greek word for “thanksgiving.”)
"What's the Eucharist?" It is a sacrament instituted by Christ
that shows the fullness of the Church and unites believers with
Christ in prayer, worship the Lord, and by receiving the Body
and Blood of Christ.
The Divine Liturgy itself tells how Christ established this
Mystery (another word for Sacrament). The Priest prays, ". . .
when (Jesus Christ) had come and had fulfilled all the
dispensation for us, in the night in which he was betrayed or,
rather, gave himself up for the life of the world, He took bread
in his holy and immaculate and blameless hands, and when He had
given thanks and blessed it and hallowed it and broken it, He
gave it to his holy disciples and apostles, saying: 'Take, eat,
this is my Body which is broken for you for the remission of
sins.'" The people respond "Amen," which means "So be it."
The priest continues: "And likewise after supper, He took the
cup, saying: 'Drink of it all of you; this is my Blood of the
New Covenant which is shed for you and for many for the
remission of sins.'" Again, the people say: "Amen."
From the beginning, Christians gathered on Sundays to worship.
They did this "in remembrance of Christ." While the form varied,
the essentials were the same. An early Christian writer, Justin
Martyr (100-165), described a Eucharistic Liturgy of his day. It
consisted of the following: Bible readings; a sermon; common
prayers for all people; the greeting of peace; the presentation
of the bread and wine to the one conducting the service; who
then offered a prayer over them to the Father, for Christ's
saving work; they sang hymns; and the faithful communed the Body
and Blood of Christ. About the year 350 several such practices
came together in Constantinople as the Liturgy of St. John
Chrysostom.
So, when we go to Church on Sunday, the same things happen. We
pray, we sing hymns, we hear the Bible and the sermon, we bring
the bread and wine to the Altar, we remember Christ's saving
work, we pray to consecrate them, we receive the Body and Blood
of Christ, and we give thanksgiving (Greek "Eucharistia")
for the Holy Gifts. We share in the Mystery of the Holy
Eucharist, thus manifesting the Church fully. That's what the
Divine Liturgy is!
Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.;
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
Evening Services as
Announced
Today’s Saints: Pelagia, Virgin Martyr (+284);
Taisia, Martyr (+340); Righteous Pelagia (+461); Holymartyr
Artemon; Neomartyr Ignatios; Dositheos, Abbot in Pskov;
Thais of Egypt; Neomartyr Ignatios of Bulgaria; Patriarch
Philotheos of Constantinople.
3rd SUNDAY OF LUKE
GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS
Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 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
Saint Pelagia
(Read) In you, O Mother, / is preserved undistorted, /
what was made in the image of God; / for taking up the Cross you
followed Christ / and taught by your example, / that we should
overlook the flesh, since it passes away, / and instead look
after the soul, / since it is immortal. And therefore, / O
devout Pelagia, / your spirit rejoices with the angels.
Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (from sheet
in the pew).
Kontakion (Sing) 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
tous, for you are good; / your loving help bring unto 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.
Return to p. 26
of
the Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .”
EPISTLE – 2
Corinthians 6:16-7:1 (17th Sunday)
rethren, you are
the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them
and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be
my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from
them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will
welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my
sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Since we have these
promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every
defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the
fear of God.
GOSPEL – Luke
7:11-16 (3rd Luke)
t 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!"
TWO TRAYS TODAY: 1)
Stewardship &
Visitors’ DONATIONS
2) BUILDING FUND CONTRIBUTION
FOR THE RECORD: October 1: - Candles
$60; Visitors’ Contributions
$40; Bulletin Sponsor $25; Bulletin
Contribution $50; Stewardship $595.00; Attendance 42
– Thanks to all who contribute
through their prayers, and Stewardship of Time, Talent &
Treasure.
PROSFORON BAKERS: George Nikas 10/8; Argiris & Carol
Gymnaos 10/15;. Fran Triantafilon 10/22; Gloria Vardakis 10/29;
Bette Ferriero 11/5 George Nikas 11/12; Venice Cosmadelis 11/19;
Presbytera Emily Harakas 11/23 (Thanksgiving). George Nikas is
Chair.
HOSPITALIZED: Spring Hill Regional -
Elizabeth Narverud; All Children’s, Tampa - Nicholas
Narverud; Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia - Mary
Markovitch. Rapid recovery!
OCTOBER CALENDAR - “DEVELOPING CHRISTIAN CHARACTER”:
For the week of October 8-14: Sunday 10/8 “Cautiousness”;
Monday 10/9 “Have Compassion”; Tuesday 10/10 “Contentment”;
Wednesday 10/11“Contriteness”; Thursday 10/12 “Control
Your Body”; Friday 10/13 “Creativity”; Saturday 10/14
“Decisiveness”. Meditate on them!
OCTOBER COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: Oct. 1 – Emily Thomas;
Oct. 8 – Bette Ferriero; Oct. 15 - Bill & Harriet Pasisis;
Oct. 22 – Paul & Venice Cosmadelis;
GREEK FESTIVAL IN LECANTO: There will be no Coffee
Hour on Sunday, October 29 so as to give our parishioners
the opportunity to attend the “Greek Festival” sponsored by
St. Michael the Archangel Greek Orthodox Church, 4705 W.
Gulf to Lake Blvd. in Lecanto, FL. There is a $1 entry
donation and Greek food, music, dance, pastries, door
prizes! Also, specialty merchandise will be on sale. Let us
support our neighboring church to the north!
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Following Holy Communion, children in
church will be escorted to the Parish Hall for their lessons.
Our Sunday School Director, Venice Cosmadelis welcomes Stacey
Underwood to the Sunday School Staff! Parents should bring their
children to Church, to worship, receive Holy Communion, and to
learn about their Faith!
PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: This past Friday, October
6, we welcomed Fr. Nick Nichols as our guest speaker. He spoke
to us on the topic “The ‘End Times’ in Orthodox Church Teaching”
with an interesting question and answer session following. This
coming Friday, October 13, we will watch a short video on the
life of St. Demetrios, and then reflect together on the hymns of
the Feast of St. Demetrios. Come to P.E.P. each Friday from 2:00
to 4:00 p.m. Enclosed, please find the full schedule for the
season. Refreshments served.
WELCOME VISITORS! We are happy that you are
worshiping with us today. Please know that HOLY COMMUNION is
offered in the Orthodox Church only to Orthodox Christians
in good spiritual standing, for example, if married, married
in the Church. If you are not an Orthodox Christian, please
receive the blessed bread at the end of the Divine Liturgy
and join us at Coffee Hour. To learn more about the Orthodox
Church, contact Fr. Stanley at 796-2377.
HALLOWEEN PARTY: Everyone, adults, parents and
especially children are invited to a special family Halloween
Party at our Church Hall on Saturday, October 28 beginning at
4:00 p.m. Mark the date and plan to come! Games! Food! Fun!
Enjoy!
A SERVICE OF REPOSE was conducted on Saturday, September 30
for Don Stevens, husband of Helene Stevens of Hudson. We extend
sympathy to the family. Eternal Memory!
ST. KATHERINE LADIES SOCIETY TEA & LUNCHEON will be
held on Monday, October 23 at 12:30 p.m. at the home of Venice
Cosmadelis. For information and directions, call Venice at
686-1199. Come and enjoy friendship and fellowship!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! THE REGULAR
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF CHRIST THE SAVIOR CHURCH WILL BE HELD AFTER
CHURCH OCTOBER 15, 2006. A LIGHT LUNCH WILL BE SERVED PRIOR TO
THE ASSEMBLY. THE OFFICIAL AGENDA WAS PUBLISHED IN LAST SUNDAY’S
BULLETIN. PLEASE COME! IN THE CASE THAT A QUORUM IS NOT REACHED,
IT WILL TAKE PLACE OCT. 22.
LOOKING AHEAD! On Sunday, November 5, our parish will
be holding a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser after Church services.
More information will be announced soon. The Ladies Society is
sponsoring a Bake Sale at Sam’s Club on Route 50 in Spring Hill
on Saturday, November 18. Plan to attend! Also, following the
Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 19, the St. Katherine Ladies
Society is sponsoring at the coffee hour a free “Nutrition Juice
Party.” Come and learn about the healthy benefits of making your
own fresh juice, and enjoy some, too!
