The Orthodox Messenger
. IV, No. 39 – Sunday, September 25, 2005

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

 WHAT IS THE BIBLE?

   The Holy Bible consists of two parts: the Old and New Testa-ments. The Old Testament is a record of God's revelation to the Hebrew people. The New Testament is a record of God's revelation through and in the person of Jesus Christ and His Church.

   The Bible is an essential part of the Church’s Holy Tradition. What makes the Bible special is that it is a written form of God's revelation regarding Himself, ourselves, our relationship with God, and many profound truths.  These truths are not available to us through reason, philosophy or science. That is why the Bible describes itself this way: "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

   What every Orthodox Christian should understand is that it is the Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church that decided what Scripture is and what is not. It was in the experience of God's people that Divine Revelation took place, especially through the person, life, teaching and saving work of Jesus Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

   So it is clear why Orthodox Christians are encouraged to read the Bible, but with the guidance of the Church. As early as the second Christian century, St. Irenaios wrote in his "Against Heresies" (false teachings) this good advice: "Feed on the whole of Scripture, but do not do it with intellectual pride, and do not swallow the opinions of the heretics. They pretend to possess the knowledge of good and evil, but they are impiously elevating their own intelligence above their Creator. Beware!" Faithfulness to the authentic Tradition of the Church is a sure guide to understanding the truths of the Bible.

   Another second century writer of the Church, Clement of Alexandria, speaks of the Bible as "the Word of God which Scripture has described as a pearl. In it is Jesus in his brightness and his purity." That is the core of the Divine Revelation in the Bible.

   Holy Scripture also guides our Christian growth. Another early Church writer made this comparison, "Holy Scripture is presented to the mind's eye like a mirror in which the appearance of our inner being can be seen. In this mirror we can see both the ugliness and the beauty of our soul. We can tell what progress we are making or whether we are making any progress at all."  

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

Evening Services as Announced

Saints: Martyr Euphrosyne (+536) and her father Holy Martyr Paphnoutios (+546).

1st SUNDAY OF LUKE

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - Plagal 1st  Tone

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

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

Dismissal Hymn of St. Euphrosyne

   (Read) In you, O venerable Mother Euphrosyne, the faith image of God shone forth, for you carried your Cross and followed Christ. You taught by your deeds how to spurn the flesh, for it passes away, and how to value the soul, for it is immortal. Wherefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

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 Greek by Leaders)

   (Read) O never-failing protectress of Christians / and their ever-present intercessor before the Creator: / do not be heedless to the prayerful voices of us sinners, / but in your goodness extend your help to us / who call upon you with confidence. / Hasten, O Mother of God, / to intercede for us. / You have always protected those who honor you!

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

   EPISTLE – 2 Corinthians 1:21-2:4 (14 Sunday) + Brethren, 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 – Luke 5:1-11 (1st Luke) + At that time, Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish;   and as their nets  were breaking, they beckoned   to their partners  in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

 

Today After Church,

 Spaghetti And Meat Ball Luncheon, With Salad, Bread, Drink, Dessert. Adults $8, Children 5-12 $4 And Under 5, Free!

 

                                     This Is A Fund-Raiser For Our Church. Please Come!

 

  FOR THE RECORD: September 25, 2005:  Attendance 42; Stewardship $508;  Candles $76; Katrina Hurricane donation - $25; Building Fund donation from Michael Lappas of Clearwater- $100. Many thanks!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: George Nikas 9/25;  Presbytera Emily Harakas 10/2; Argyris and Carol Gymnaos 10/9; Fran Triantafilon 10/16; Connie Mourgides 10/23; Gloria Vardakis 10/30. George Nikas, Chairperson -597-1375.

   ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (P.E.P.): This Friday, from 2-4 p.m. we will watch a video presentation on Icons and Icon painting, followed by discussion and refreshments. Come and learn about our Orthodox Faith! We look forward to seeing you!

    THANKS TO Nikolai & Nanka Kastelan who donated the flowers for the Elevation of the Holy Cross  and to Kosta Hronis who donated the Sweet Basil used in the service!

    EVENING SPIRITUAL LIFE GROUP: An  Organizational Meeting for an Evening Spiritual Life Group will be held at the Church Hall at 7:30 p.m. this Wednesday, September 28. Plan on attending! This is for folks who cannot make the afternoon P.E.P. sessions.

Harriet Pasisis, Chairperson of this year’s

PARISH-WIDE YARD SALE

Invites every Steward and Friend of Christ the Savior Church

To Donate New and Used Items to be sold at our church grounds

THURSDAY – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6-8   

             

Clean out the house for Yard Sale Items. Bring them to the Church Hall!

   HURRICANE VICTIMS HEALTH KITS! The St. Katherine Ladies Society, with the help of our parishioners this past Sunday, put together twenty five Hurricane Victim Health Kits. The cost was over $100. On Monday, September 19, they were packed and sent in two boxes to IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) for immediate distribution to people in need. Many thanks to Harriet Pasisis and Venice Cosmadelis for purchasing the health items and preparing them for assembly.

  GENERAL ASSEMBLY ANNOUNCED: We have received a conditional offer on our property depending upon the success of a grant application to remodel our property to serve as a camp site for disabled children. Their deadline is October 3. That is why we have called a General Assembly for Friday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. If there is no quorum (37 Stewards), the meeting will be held on Sunday, October 2 following the Divine Liturgy. Those in attendance will constitute the quorum and do business.

   Instead of acting on this application exclusively, the Parish Council decided to ask the parishioners to authorize them to act on their behalf if an acceptable offer is made for our asking price of $625,000 or more. This way, dealing with potential buyers’ deadlines will become more manageable. Also, there will be a preliminary presentation by the Planning and Building Committee regarding the building. In addition we will vote to accept the donation of the land at Anderson Snow, which will take place upon the sale of our church property. A proposal for a short-term fund drive will be made to make sure that we have enough funds to build the church and hall without a mortgage. We will try to let as many people know whether the quorum is met or not on Friday, September 30 and if this means that a meeting will be held after Church on Sunday, October 2. Snowbirds are asked to write their comments. These will be shared at the General Assembly. This is an important step for our church, whether the offer comes through or not. Help with your presence!

PARISH EVENTS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER, 2005 

HARAKAS’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY -  8/27/05

 

 

   

 

   ANNIVERSARY AND BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS NEXT WEEK: Anniversaries: Sam & Janice Jabbour 10/1; John & Patricia Tsausis 10/3; Robert & Paula Borden 10/23; Mike & Patricia Panopoulos 10/26; George & Marian Maniates 10/27. Birthdays: Susanne Heuer 10/2; Patricia Heuer 10/8; Theresa Hronis 10/9; Stacey Angeliadis 10/12; Tyke Nicolelis 10/15; Emily Mourgides 10/24; Fred Underwood 10/24; Elaine Underwood 10/27; Robert Borden 10/28; Gus Marty 10/29; Ann Prestage 10/31. Congratulations and “Many Years!”

   DEE NIKAS is offering today a Trisagion for her late mother, Despina Conis on the 21st Anniversary of her passing. May her memory be eternal!

   THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, AUGUST 17, 2005 began under the chairmanship of President Paul Cosmadelis with a discussion with the broker regarding the $100,000 donated for our building fund by Gus Marty in memory of his late wife Alice in whose memory the Parish Fellowship Hall will be named. It was decided to sell the stocks and invest the proceeds in a series of laddered Certificates of Deposit. A report was received from the Planning and Building Committee. The Committee is waiting to receive a revised building plan from Dimi Andoniadis before finalizing a proposal. The feasibility study of the Anderson Snow Rd. property was discussed. It was decided to change all of the locks on our buildings and to limit the number of keys outstanding. The Parish Council approved the use of the Chapel by the St. Andrew the Apostle Romanian Orthodox Church on alternating Sundays. We invite the members of the congregation to join us during the Coffee Hour following our services. We welcome Fr. Romulus Barr and his congregation!

ST. KATHERINE LADIES SOCIETY, Sunday September 11, 2005: President Emily Thomas presided. Secretary Stacy Underwood, and Treasurer Cathy Lemonedes, reported. Calendar - Connie Mourgides is chairing the Taverna Night at Yanni’s Restaurant Monday, Oct. 24; Dee Nikas is chairing the Carrabbas Restaurant Dinner on Nov. 8; Emily Thomas will chair the Bake Sale Nov. 18-19; Stacy Underwood together with Presbytera Emily will chair the Dino Adamis Thanksgiving Basket distribution Nov. 21-22; Betty Roussos will chair the Christmas Angel Tree Project for gifts for Pine Grove Elementary children, beginning Dec. 1. The St. Katherine’s Feast Day Luncheon will be on Sunday, November 27-a Lenten Pot-Luck Luncheon, with a free will offering. Dec. 19-20 the Christmas Basket Distribution will take place. A filing system for Ladies Society material will be established in the filing cabinet donated by the Thomas family. Invitations for the Oct. 8 Agape Luncheon at St. George’s were distributed. It was agreed to sponsor the IOCC “Gift of the Heart Health Kit” Project of IOCC on Sunday, Sept. 18. $100 was given to provide school supplies for Pine Grove Elementary children. Connie Mourgides and Venice Cosmadelis will donate wine for the Spaghetti Luncheon, Sept. 25. Kara Hazivasilis will chair the Christmas Card project, with the help of Dee Nikas. Next meeting Sunday, October 16.

TODAY THE DINO ADAMIS PHILANTHROPIC FUND TRAY WILL BE  PASSED

   WELCOME  to Fr. Romulus Barr and the St. Andrew the Apostle Romanian Orthodox Church who will be worshiping today in the Chapel! We pray God’s blessings on you!

GENERAL ASSEMBLY – FRIDAY, SEPT. 30, 2005 – 7:00 P.M. – CHAPEL!   

BULLETIN SPONORS: GUS N. MARTY
 IN LOVING MEMORY OF HIS WIFE – ALICE L. MARTY – MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL!


WORSHIP WITH US!

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

 

 

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