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The Orthodox Messenger Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church - Presentation of Christ at the Temple The Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County, Florida - “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community” Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Metropolis of Atlanta 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL - (352) 796-8482 Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D. D.D., (352) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846; Email: Rharakas@aol.com
Just what do we do when we go to Church for the Divine Liturgy on Sunday? Above all, we manifest the Church in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The purpose of the Divine Liturgy is to gather the Church to offer the Bread and Wine for consecration by the Holy Spirit, and for each and all of us to be united with Jesus Christ through communion of His Body and Blood. A famous Orthodox theologian once asked us to imagine a church on Sunday morning. The Priest came and went to the altar. The theologian asked, "Is the Priest the Church?" The answer is that alone, the Priest is not the Church. Then the Singers came. Again, the question, "Are the Singers and the Priest the Church?" "No" is the answer. Then the people come and fill the church. Together are the Priest, the Singers, and the People. Do we now have the Church? Again, "No" is the response. So, we look around us and see the icons of the Angels and Saints, reminding us of the Church of past ages. The "Church Triumphant" in heaven and the "Church Militant" on earth are seen as one. But this is still not the Church.. Then, the Priest, the Singers, the People, in the midst of the Angels and Saints, begin the prayer and worship of the Divine Liturgy. Christ is now present in the midst of His Body. We commune with Christ in prayer, in worship, and above all, in the sharing of His Body and Blood in Holy Communion. Now, we ask once again, "Is this the Church?" And the answer is a resounding "Yes"! But there is another question that has to be added to this story. What if all these persons have gathered together and all have gone through the motions, words and hymns of the Divine Liturgy, but have not consciously prayed and worshipped and communed? Our theology tells us that as long as there is an intention to do so, even in the most undefined and unconscious way, the Church is still manifested in the Divine Liturgy. But, needless to say, it is not as rich, meaningful and as fully experienced as it would be if we pray in the Divine Liturgy with our bodies, minds and hearts fully. The very text of the Divine Liturgy illustrates this. About thirty times during the course of the Divine Liturgy the words "Let us pray" are repeated.
From the moment you enter the church and light your candle to
when you leave the Liturgy with the blessed "antidoron bread" in
your hand, prayer to God ought to be what dominates you. The
next time you come to Church, give attention to the invitation
"Let us pray." It will change your whole Sunday morning
experience. Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am Evening Services as AnnouncedSaints: The Apostle James, Son of Alphaeus (+62); Poplia, Martyr (+4th c.); the Spouses Andronikos & Athanasia (+4th c.); Dorotheos, Bp. of Tyre; Martyrs Juventinos & Maximos of Antioch, Publia, Deaconess of Antioch; Abraham the Just & his nephew Lot (2000 B.C.);3rd SUNDAY OF LUKE GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNSDismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - Grave Tone (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Katelysas to Stavro").Hymnal, 88-89. (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("O Lord by Your sacred Cross"). (Same) Dismissal Hymn of the Apostle James (Iakovos) (Read) O holy Apostle James, / make intercession / to our merciful God, / that He grant to our souls / remission of offences. 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 “Prostasia ton Christianon”(Sung in Engish by Leaders) (Text) 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. Return to p. 26 of the Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .” EPISTLE – 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 (16th Sunday) +Brethren, working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. GOSPEL – Luke 7:11-16 (3rd 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: October 2, 2005: Attendance 51; Stewardship $697; Candles $105.85. Many thanks! THE SPAGHETTI LUNCHEON correction: Chairs were Bill Pasisis and John Tsausis, ably assisted by Harriet Pasisis. Thanks, once again to “Yanni’s Restaurant” in Homosassa. A TRAY WILL BE PASSED TODAY FOR THE BUILDING FUND A 40 DAY MEMORIAL with Kolyva, was offered last Sunday, by Barbara Chigos and Family for the rest of the soul of Alice Bolio. May her memory be eternal! BAPTISM: Alexandros James was the name given to the son of Mayra Moshonisiotis at his Baptism conducted in our chapel on Saturday, October 1, 2005. God Parent was Alexandra Moshonisiotis with Co-Sponsors, Christopher and Zafiro Mantione. Many Years! MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Emily Thomas and Venice Cosmadelis are chairing the Carrabbas Restaurant Dinner on Nov. 8. This popular event will be sold out soon. Contact Emily or Venice for tickets. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: The General Assembly scheduled for Friday, September 30 attracted 32 Stewards, just 5 short of a quorum. Therefore the General Assembly took place on Sunday, October 2, with business being done by the 34 Stewards in attendance. A report was made on progress in designing our new church and hall buildings. This was followed by a description of a conditional offer to buy our property for $625,000 with the proviso that we be allowed to stay for an additional eight months without additional charge, with hoped-for settlement by the end of the year. Then, the proposals were voted on by the Assembly following discussion. It was voted: 1) to authorize the Parish Council to negotiate offers on our property for $625,000 or more without recourse to another General Assembly (32 for; 2 against); 2) to authorize the acceptance of the offer by the Parish Council of the 4.75 acre property on Anderson Snow Road for the building of our new church and hall without recourse to another General Assembly, when our present property is sold (32 for, 2 abstentions); and, 3) to authorize, upon the sale of our Olympic Village lane property, a limited time and low key Building Fund drive, in the light of rising building costs (unanimous). NEXT WEEK the results of the Yard Sale will be announced. We thank all for their help in making this event happen. Thanks to Harriet Pasisis for chairing the event. PROSFORON BAKERS: Argyris and Carol Gymnaos 10/9; Fran Triantafilon 10/16; Connie Mourgides 10/23; George Nikas 10/26 (St. Demetrios). Presbytera Emily Harakas 10/30; George Nikas is Chairperson. Call him to join the Prosforon Bakers -597-1375. ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (P.E.P.): No P.E.P. was held last week because of the Garage Sale. This Friday, October 14 from 2-4 p.m., we will discuss cloning and stem cell research. Come and learn about these important issues! We look forward to seeing you! YOU WILL SOON be receiving a form for you to include your name in the Christ the Savior Community 2005Christmas Card! We are sending to you early, for two reasons. First, it takes time to order, prepare and mail the card. Secondly, Christmas Card Chairperson, Kara Hazivasilis is about to have her baby! She needs to get your response as soon as possible! So please don’t wait! Respond right away. Kara is counting on you! COMING IN THE MAIL soon is a packet on the Visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Tarpon Springs for Epiphany, January, 2006. When you get the packet, please read the material and decide how you will share in this historic event. Let Christ the Savior Church Stewards and friends share in the success of this blessed event! TAVERNA NIGHT! Greek food, dancing and hospitality, Monday October 24, 5-9 p.m. Yanni’s Restauant, Homosassa, FL $20 per person. Benefits Christ the Savior Church. For information or tickets call Connie (352-686-0589) or Helen (352-684-1219). ST. KATHERINE LADIES SOCIETY MEETING: President Emily Thomas invites all women of the Mission to attend the St. Katherine Ladies Society meeting on Sunday, October 16, 2005 following the Divine Liturgy. Please come! BULLETIN SPONORS: BILL ELISAVITISIN LOVING MEMORY OF MARY ELISAVITIS – “MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL!”Come to Church Regularly!
CHRIST THE SAVIOR
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PRAYER
IN THE DIVINE LITURGY