The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. III, No. 39 – Sunday, September 26, 2004

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

13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

                                             Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

WHO IS AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN?

   Answering this question is not easy! One answer is that anyone who has been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and has been Chrismated in the Orthodox Church is an Orthodox Christian. Someone will say that an Orthodox Christian is one who believes as the Creed proclaims and the Church teaches about God’s Revelation, whether they try to practice it or not.

   Another would say that if such a person has not denied the Faith by joining another Christian church or by renouncing Christianity, he is Orthodox. A stricter approach is that a person is Orthodox who attends the Divine Liturgy at least a couple times during the year and commits to providing some support for the work of the Church, usually in the form of dues, a pledge or some gift.

   Others put out a list of requirements. For example, an Orthodox Christian is defined by going to Confession at least once a year, receiving Holy Communion a certain number of times, attending services at specific and set occasions, giving a minimum financial contribution, etc.

   These are dangerous criteria! They set us up to be judges of others, something that the Lord Jesus taught us that we should not do. He taught “Judge not, that you be not judged.
 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get” (Matthew 7:1-2).

    Nevertheless, all of these definitions have some truth to them. Being an Orthodox Christian is a way of life and salvation. It is what we believe, what we practice, and how we live our lives on a daily basis. If our lives reflect the beliefs and values of our Lord Jesus Christ as He is worshipped and served in the Orthodox Church, we are Orthodox Christians.

    We are Orthodox Christians if we are in the process of seeking, with the help of the grace of God, to grow in His image and likeness according to the beliefs and sacraments of Orthodox Christianity. Orthodox Christians live Sacramentally. Being an Orthodox Christian is to take to heart what our Church instructs us to do at every worship service of our Church: “Let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.”

    An Orthodox Christian will give of his or her time, abilities, and material resources in a generous way not only as a personal faith, but for others, as well, as an expression of growing in God-likeness.

 

        Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

FEAST OF ST. JOHN, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST AND THEOLOGIAN

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 St. John

   (Read) O Apostle, the beloved of Christ God, / hasten to deliver us, / a people without excuse. / He accepts you supplicating Him, / for He condescended at the Supper / to let you lean on Him. / Entreat Him, O Theologian, for us, / that He scatter the persistent cloud of hostile nations, / and pray for us, / for peace and great mercy.

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 of the Theotokos “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 a page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

   EPISTLE – 1 John 4:12-19 (St. John)  + No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his own Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because he first loved us.

   GOSPEL – John 19:25-27; 21:24-25 (St. John) + At that time, standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain.

In the place of “We praise You” (Hymnal p. 54) the leaders sing “Eis pasan ten yeen,”

   (Read) His voice went out to all the world, and his words have reached the ends of the created world. Alleluia. 

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, September 19, 2004: Attendance – 38; Offering - $90; Candles - $25; Hospitality - $38; Pave It! Fund - $85.

   PAVE IT! FUND: Contributions continue to come in for the Pave It! Fund. The original cost for paving our portion of Olympic Village Lane was $7,618. As of Sunday, September 19, 2004,  $6,147 has been donated. The balance is $1,471. Can you help?

   STEWARDSHIP WORKSHOP: The Metropolis of Atlanta held a Stewardship Workshop at St. Nicholas Cathedral on Saturday, September 18. Our mission was represented by Fr. Harakas, Paul Cosmadelis, President, Connie Mourgides, Treasurer and Mission Council Members Bill Pasisis and Betty Roussos. Much was learned.

   CONGRATULATIONS on the birth of Eleni Gymnaos, daughter of Nick and Amy this past Monday, September 20 at Spring Hill Regional Hospital. Congratulations also, to brother Agryri and Grandparents Argyri and Carol Gymnaos. We pray “Many Years!”

   HOSPITALIZED: Our prayers are with Dee Nikas who was hospitalized at Oak Hill Hospital this past week. We pray for a rapid recovery.

   THE MEN’S BREAKFAST CLUB meets every Thursday morning and then members come to work around and in the church property. You are welcome! For details regarding next Thursday’s gathering, September 30, call Bill Pasisis at 688-7465.

   COME AND LEARN! P.E.P.-1: Friday, October 1, 2-4 p.m. – Review of the Reading the Gospel of John. P.E.P. -2: Thursday, September 30, 7-8:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Elgin Blvd. - Reflection 2 “Living in the World,” John 16.

   GARAGE SALE COMING! Please clean out your garage and closets as soon as you can! Bring items that are good and clean to our Garage Sale, scheduled at our property on Friday and Saturday, October 15 and 16. Thanks for your help! A Mission Fund-raiser.

   WORK PARTY: On Tuesday, Sept 21, for about 2 hours Venice Cosmadelis, Nancy Kastelan, Helen Vangel and Gloria Vardakis cleaned the freezer and refrigerators. They are now ready for use in future events. Many thanks for this Stewardship of service.

   PARENTS! GIVE YOUR CHILDREN A FOUNDATION IN THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIFE! BRING THEM TO CHURCH EACH SUNDAY. OUR SCHOOL IS PREPARED TO HELP THEM GROW SPIRITUALLY!

   BOOKMOBILE PLANS for our library and bookstore have been obtained from the Archdiocese Department of Religious Education. Now we need someone with cabinet making skills to build the bookmobile! Costs of materials will be provided by the church. Can you build the Bookmobile? Contact President Paul Cosmadelis at 686-1199. A really important Stewardship of Time and Talent!

   BELATED SWEARING IN of Council Member Betty Roussos will be held today.

   STEWARDSHIP RENEWAL: We are pleased to announce the 73^rd Steward couple for 2004, Louis and Mary Mavrogian. Many thanks for your support. You too, can become a Steward of Christ the Savior Church for 2004! Contact Bill Pasisis, Stewardship Chairman at 688-7465. Becoming a Steward means you make a declaration of intention to give some Time, Talent and Treasure for the support of our church. There are no dues, minimums or other requirements. YOU decide!

   SIGN DEVELOPMENTS: We’ve asked for a County Commission meeting Oct 19. Your attendance will help. More details coming soon. This is important for our Mission.

   GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Mark your calendar! Important General Assembly, Sunday after Divine Liturgy, NOVEMBER 14. Important topics will be discussed.

Come to Church On Sunday!

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

 

 

 

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