The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VI, No. 35– Sunday, September 2, 2007

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

 Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org.   Email:Rharakas@aol.com 

WHY DO WE NEED COMMANDMENTS?

 By Fr. Anthony Stratis, Dean, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, New Orleans, LA

  One of the major problems that we deal with is that of crime. In any society, people expect their government to provide a safe environment, safe against criminals and against enemy attack. Without the law, we would be living in utter chaos. So, the government (municipal, state, and federal) sets laws for all to follow. It is the same for the people of God.

   Why do we need commandments? In simple terms, God has given us His law that we might know when we have done wrong. St. John Chrysostom says, “in His love to man, a law is given by God.” St. John says that through this law, the righteous can instruct their fellow people of God on how to live. St. Justin Martyr, from the second century, writes that sinners, “do not escape from the knowledge that they act unrighteously.”

   In the Old Testament, in Exodus 20 (also in Deuteronomy 5), we learn that God, through Moses the Lawgiver, handed down the Ten Commandments. Unfortunately, in our own times, these laws are too often overlooked; however, each one of them is still applicable today. Then, in the New Testament, Jesus gives us an abridged version of the law of God, putting it in very simple terms [Luke 10:27; also in Matthew 22:37-39 & Mark 12:30-31] when He says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” This version is often called the ‘Great Commandment.’  We need His commandments, His laws because they serve us as His measure of our lives. Through His law, we know when we have done wrong, and we know when we have acted properly. This knowledge is of great importance to us all since, sinners that we are, we need the ‘spiritual medication’ of His great mercy.

   There are times when a person sins to such a degree that they themselves wonder how God could ever forgive them. In such moments, even children of God overlook the power of His forgiveness. As St. John Chrysostom writes [Homily 71 On Matthew], “For indeed [God’s] showing of mercy is a mystery.”    

  Another key to the purpose of God’s commandments may be found in Jesus’ answer to the lawyer, immediately following His ‘Great Commandment’. Christ states: “Do this and you will live.” [Luke 10:28] These words clearly demonstrate to us His promise of salvation. In this way, Jesus offers us His own assurance that life may truly be enjoyed in this life, through the maintaining of His law, and in the next. His assurance is nothing less than the priceless treasure of peace.

    As we each seek that peace, I eagerly look forward to seeing you this Sunday, when we join together – as members of the Body of Christ – to sing His praises and offer our heartfelt thanksgiving. May God bless you today and always!  (From the website of the Metropolis of Atlanta                                                                             http://www.bulletin.goarch.org/ChurchBulletins/353/index.html)

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

Evening Services as Announced

14^TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection -  1st  Plagal Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) "Ton synanarchon logon "  Hymnal, 85-86.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) "The Eternal Word" (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of Martyr Saint Mamas

(Read) O Lord our God, / Your Holy Martyr has deserved the crown of immortality/ on of account of his good fight. / Armed with your strength, he has vanquished his persecutors / and crushed Satan’s evil might. / Through his supplications, / O Christ God, / save our souls.

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

 Kontakion of the Feast

   The fruit of righteous Joachim and Anna / is brought as an offering to God / in the Holy Place. She who sustains our life, a young child in the flesh!/ She receives the blessing of Zacharaiah the priest. Let us in faith all call her blessed, / for she is the mother of the Lord!

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

   EPISTLE –2nd Corinthians 1:21-2:4 (14^th Matthew) BRETHERN it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me  -it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

   GOSPEL –Matthew 22:2-14 (14^th Matthew) + The Lord said this parable, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.' But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.' And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."

    FOR THE RECORD: August 26 – Candles $48; Visitors’ Contributions $127;  Stewardship $445; Free Will Coffee Hour Basket $17; Attendance 52. Your support of Christ the Savior Mission is much appreciated and needed!.

    CHRISMATION: Jane Kent/Williams will be received into the Orthodox Church with the Sacrament of Holy Chrismation today, receiving the name Nina. Her sponsor will be Frances Porter. We welcome Jane Nina into our congregation. She will receive Holy  Communion first today, and following the Liturgy, will stand with her Sponsor Frances at the back of the Church to receive your congratulations. Many Years! 

    SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS TODAY!

BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT -4

   YOUR STEWARDSHIP of Time, Talent and Treasure makes things happen at Christ the Savior Church! Without your Stewardship of Treasure, we cannot pay our bills. This year, we have had to face unexpected expenses. If you have made a Stewardship of Treasure for 2007 Declaration, please make sure that you fulfill your pledge in a timely way. Also, it is not too late to make a Stewardship Declaration for the rest of the year (a full third of the year!) Call Parish Council Membership Chair, Bill Pasisis at 688-7465 to help!

    NEW STEWARDS! We welcome David and Diane Lydia Covington as the newest Stewards of Christ the Savior Church! They have already begun their Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure! May Christ bless your membership in Christ the Savior Church!

    COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS 9/2 Diane Covington & Presbytera Emily Harakas; 9/9 Frances Porter & Jane Kent; 9/16 Sofia Cavanaugh (Benefit Agape Dance Group); 9/23 Harriet Pasisis & Denise Zotto; 9/30 Venice Cosmadelis & Nancy Kastelan.. A free will offering can be made to defray costs. Many thanks to Harriet Pasisis & Nancy Kastelan for co-ordinating the Coffee Hour. Please sign up for October. Thank you!

    TRAGIC FIRES IN GREECE: Our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has asked every parish to circulate trays this and next Sunday in order to assist the victims. Please be generous for this fund-raising Christian philanthropic outreach!

   FEAST OF THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS: Friday, September 14, 2007 with Orthros at 9:30 a.m. & D. Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. followed by Service of the Elevation of the Holy Cross with Sweet Basil distribution and blessing. Plan to attend.

               HONOR GOD ALWAYS! – COME TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS & FEAST DAYS

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611