The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. I, No. 35 – Sunday, September 15, 2002

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

Services Held at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

 

 THE ELEVATION OF THE CROSS

   The Holy Cross on which Christ died for our sins is central to our Orthodox Christian faith. We follow the example of St. Paul who said, "Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14). Today we celebrate the Feast of the Elevation (or, Exaltation) of the Holy Cross. How did it come about?

   In the year 628 the Emperor Heraklios conquered the Persian Empire and re-captured the original Holy Cross which they had taken from Jerusalem several years before. On September 14, barefoot and dressed in simple pilgrim's attire, the Emperor bore the Holy Cross of Christ to the Church of St. Anastasia in Constantinople. When he arrived at the Church, Patriarch Zacharias lifted the Cross high so that the crowds of faithful Christians would be able to see it. They burst out singing the hymn “Soson Kyrie ton laon sou. . . .” - “O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, Grant victories to our Kings over the barbarian nations; and preserve your community by the power of your Cross.”

   In Church, as the people sing “Aghios o Theos . . .” (“Holy God”) slowly, the Priest censes a tray of Sweet Basil sprigs in the middle of which is the Holy Cross. Led by Altar Servers, the tray is borne around the Church in a procession and the people kneel. At the front of the Church the Priest circles the table three times, lifts the tray high, and says “Wisdom, Arise.” He then places the tray upon the table. Removing the Cross from the tray with some of the Sweet Basil, he says a petition for mercy as he "elevates" the Cross so that all can see, as the people sing many times, “Kyrie eleison” and “Lord have mercy”. This is repeated on all four sides of the table. For a final time the Cross is raised high. Then the Priest replaces the Cross on the tray and bows deeply before it singing “Ton Stavron Sou proskynoumen . . .” and “We bow in worship before Your Cross, O Master, and we glorify your Resurrection.”

   One of the hymns of the Feast invites: “Come, O people, and look on this marvelous wonder; let us venerate the might of the Cross.”

 

Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Evening Services as announced.

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Sunday After the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross

EPISTLE – Galatians 2:16-20    Brethren, we 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 – Mark 8:34-9:1 The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS              

Dismissal Hymn – 3rd  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) “Efrainestho ta ourania”  Hymnal 83-84.

Dismissal Hymn of the Feast

  (Sing in Greek after the Entrance) (“Soson Kyrie”) Hymnal, 109.

  (Read) O Lord, / save Your people, / and bless Your inheritance, / granting to our rulers / victories over enemies, / and by Your Cross / preserving Your commonwealth.

Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas

   (Sing in English) “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111

Troparion of St. Nicetas

(Read) You lovingly took up the Cross for armor, and you sallied forth to fight the enemy. You were burned to death for Christ, and thus you offered up your priestly soul to the Lord. You have been rewarded with the gift of healing, O Niketas, so beg Christ our God to save our souls.

Kontakion of the Feast

  (Read) O Christ our God, / who chose by your own free volition / to be elevated upon the Holy Cross, / grant Your mercies to Your new people / who are called by Your name. / In Your power, / gladden the hearts of our public authorities, / strengthen them in every good deed / so that Your true alliance may be for them a weapon of peace / and a standard of victory.

Hymn to the Theotokos (Sung by leaders -“Mystikos e Theotokos”)

English Translation:  You are the mystical paradise, O Theotokos, because you, being virgin earth, budded forth Christ, by whom was planted on earth the life-giving tree of the Cross. Wherefore, as we adore it being elevated, we magnify you.

Communion Hymn “Esemeiothe ef’ emas,” -“Upon us shine the Light” Hymnal, 91

In the place of “We have seen the true light” we sing “Soson Kyrie”  Hymnal, 107.

ANOUNCEMENTS

   THE FEAST OF THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS: Join in commemorating the Feast! Pray together with us and then. . . .

 

 

   STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Connie Mourgides 9/15; Fran Mather 9/22; George Nikas; 9/29 Fran Triantafilon 10/6; Venice Cosmadelis 10/13. Remember to include names of your living and deceased relatives for commemoration.

    SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS! The Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County is pleased to announce the establishment of our Sunday School. Two teachers have offered their services: Markella Natsis and Irene Skandaliaris. We are now actively registering children for the Sunday School. Call Fr. Harakas at 352-688-2382. Sunday School classes begin on October 20. Will you help?

    DONATION OPPORTUNITY: The new computer has been installed in our Church office and is up and running! We need just $211 more to complete payment for the computer. Will you donate it? Call Connie Mourgides or Fr. Harakas.

   HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Eleni Natsis; Lee Vlahakis and Dee Nikas, all recuperating at home. Baypoint Regional: Gus Marty, recuperating at home. Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville: Kathy Lemonedes recuperating at home. Spring Hill Regional: Steve Mourgides. We pray for their rapid recovery!

   FOOD PANTRY: Help feed hungry families. Bring boxed and canned food whenever you come to Church. Leave it on the Food Pantry Table in the Fellowship Hall.

   PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P): This Friday,  September 20 – 1^st Session in the “Introduction to the Orthodox Church – The New Testament Church.” Join the class, you will enjoy it! If you can’t, visit our website for the outline of each P.E.P. session: http://worship.nu/hellenicorthodoxmission/index.htm .

   STILL COLLECTING NEWSPAPERS: Place them in the collection bin next to the Fellowship Hall. We earn money  and we help the environment.