Hellenic Orthodox Mission

Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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 Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://worship.nu/hellenicorthodoxmission/index.htm

FR. STANLEY S. HARAKAS, PROTOPRESBYTER - (352) 688-2382 – Email: Rharakas@aol.com

“What a strange question,” you say. Yet it is not strange at all, if you think about what is meant by the word "god." One of the most important instructions that the early Christians received was to avoid "idolatry." Literally, they were told not to worship the false gods represented by idols of paganism. The Bible says, “abstain from the pollutions of idols" (Acts 15:20). The reason? St. Paul put it very succinctly: "we know that 'an idol has no real existence,' and that 'there is no God but one'" (1 Corinthians 8:4). There is only one God.

But St. Paul also knew that people gave ultimate meaning to many things in life. In his day they were often idols, false gods. That's why he continued: "For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth -- as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords" -- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist" (1 Corinthians 8:5-6).

Our times have seen a renewal of paganism, new-age cultism, and many self-centered idolatries. But even things of small value that are turned into the center of people's existence, can act as false gods and idols. Some people live for their car, the stock market, rock and roll music, food, ego, and so on. When you live for such things, they become false gods, and your commitment to them becomes idolatry.

So, you see, the question is not so foolish. "How many gods do you have?" If you have things in your life that consume you to the point that the real God, the source of all existence doesn't have first place in your life, then those things function as false gods. That is idolatry. All this is based on the First Commandment: "I am the Lord your God. . . . You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20: 2-3).

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

Saints: Righteous Kyriakos, the Pilgrim (+557); Petronia, Martyr; Righteous Martyrs Malachia and his companions on the Strophades Islands, Dadas, Martyr (4^th c.)

EPISTLE –2 Corinthians 1:21-2:4 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 6:31-36 The Lord said, “And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn – Plagal 1^st Tone

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

(Sing in English after the Entrance) “The Eternal Word” Hymnal, 85-86.

(Read) As a citizen of the desert, / an angel incarnate / and a wonderworker you shone forth, / O God-bearing Father Kyriakos. / Since you received the spiritual gifts / by fasting and by vigil and by prayer, / you can cure those who are ailing, / and heal the souls / of those who run to you with faith. / Glory to Him who placed a crown on you, / glory to Him who operates through you, / providing cures to all.

(Read) O undisputed intercessor of Christians, / who prays for the Christians unrejected by the Creator, / turn not away from the voice of our petitions, / though we be sinners. / Com to us in time, / who cry to you in faith, with assistance, / for you are good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, / who always intercedes for those who honor you.

TRISAGION: Today we will conduct a Trisagion for the rest of the souls of George and Despina Conis, parents of Dee Nikas. “Memory Eternal!”

STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: George Nikas; 9/29; Fran Triantafilon 10/6; Connie Mourgides 10/13; Venice Cosmadelis 10/20; Fran Mather 10/27. Include a list of names of your living and deceased relatives for commemoration.

SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION TODAY! At the Coffee Hour today, we will have registration for our Sunday School. Classes begin on October 20. Our teachers Markella Natsis and Irene Skandaliaris will be doing the registering. Parents are encouraged to register their children for the Sunday School.

HOSPITALIZED: Baypoint Regional: William Hazivasilis and Spring Hill Regional: William Fondulas, both recovering at home. Always remember to inform Fr. Harakas about hospitalized family members so he can visit and pray for them.

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS: Celebrating birthdays this month are Dimson Andoniadis 10/1; Margaret Andoniadis 10/4; Andrea Grande 10;15; Theresa Hronis 10/9; Tyke Nicolelis 10/15; Basil Allison 10/21; Kristin Noyes 10/28; Gus Marty 10/29; Ann Prestage 10/31. Following Divine Liturgy next week, October 6, we will offer blessing prayers for all those celebrating birthdays in October. Please come!

GENERAL ASSEMBLY: The date has been set for our forthcoming Mission-Parish General Assembly! Please mark your calendar – Sunday, October 27, 2002 following the Sunday Feast Day Luncheon for Saint Demetrios. Mark it down!

THE OFFICIAL LIBRARY BLESSING AND DEDICATION will take place on Sunday, November 24 after Church services. Plan on attending.

ALTAR WINE DONATION: Many thanks to Bill and Harriet Pasisis for the donation of a case of Cypriot Commandarie communion wine. We are very grateful for this generous contribution to the sacramental life of our Mission. Thank you!

IN PREPARATION: Part of the installation of the new Orthodox Church “Deacon” computer program is a parish-wide questionnaire. We will be preparing the questionnaire for you to respond in the near future. We also need a few people to volunteer to help in this short-term effort. Contact Council President Connie Mourgides at 686-0589.

PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P): This Friday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m. – We continue learning about the Church in the New Testament. Join the class!

WISDOM FROM THE FATHERS: “When you pray to God in time of temptation do not say, ‘Take this or that away from me,’ but pray like this: ‘O Jesus Christ, sovereign Master, help me and do not let me sin against You.’” St. Isaiah the Solitary

THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR: DEE NIKAS IN MEMORY OF HER PARENTS

George and Despina Conis



Contents		The Orthodox Messenger Vol. I, No. 37 – Sunday, September 29, 2002 Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community” 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 Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://worship.nu/hellenicorthodoxmission/index.htm FR. STANLEY S. HARAKAS, PROTOPRESBYTER - (352) 688-2382 – Email: Rharakas@aol.com HOW MANY GODS DO YOU HAVE? “What a strange question,” you say. Yet it is not strange at all, if you think about what is meant by the word "god." One of the most important instructions that the early Christians received was to avoid "idolatry." Literally, they were told not to worship the false gods represented by idols of paganism. The Bible says, “abstain from the pollutions of idols" (Acts 15:20). The reason? St. Paul put it very succinctly: "we know that 'an idol has no real existence,' and that 'there is no God but one'" (1 Corinthians 8:4). There is only one God. But St. Paul also knew that people gave ultimate meaning to many things in life. In his day they were often idols, false gods. That's why he continued: "For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth -- as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords" -- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist" (1 Corinthians 8:5-6). Our times have seen a renewal of paganism, new-age cultism, and many self-centered idolatries. But even things of small value that are turned into the center of people's existence, can act as false gods and idols. Some people live for their car, the stock market, rock and roll music, food, ego, and so on. When you live for such things, they become false gods, and your commitment to them becomes idolatry. So, you see, the question is not so foolish. "How many gods do you have?" If you have things in your life that consume you to the point that the real God, the source of all existence doesn't have first place in your life, then those things function as false gods. That is idolatry. All this is based on the First Commandment: "I am the Lord your God. . . . You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20: 2-3). Ask yourself, "What are my false gods?" Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Evening Services as announced. =========================================================== 2^nd Sunday of Luke Saints: Righteous Kyriakos, the Pilgrim (+557); Petronia, Martyr; Righteous Martyrs Malachia and his companions on the Strophades Islands, Dadas, Martyr (4^th c.) EPISTLE –2 Corinthians 1:21-2:4 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 6:31-36 The Lord said, “And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS Dismissal Hymn – Plagal 1^st Tone (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) “Ton synanarchon logon ” Hymnal, 85-86. (Sing in English after the Entrance) “The Eternal Word” Hymnal, 85-86. Hymn of St. Kyriakos (Read) As a citizen of the desert, / an angel incarnate / and a wonderworker you shone forth, / O God-bearing Father Kyriakos. / Since you received the spiritual gifts / by fasting and by vigil and by prayer, / you can cure those who are ailing, / and heal the souls / of those who run to you with faith. / Glory to Him who placed a crown on you, / glory to Him who operates through you, / providing cures to all. Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas (Sing in English) “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111 Kontakion of the Theotokos (Sung by the leaders) “Prostasia ton Christianon” (Read) O undisputed intercessor of Christians, / who prays for the Christians unrejected by the Creator, / turn not away from the voice of our petitions, / though we be sinners. / Com to us in time, / who cry to you in faith, with assistance, / for you are good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, / who always intercedes for those who honor you. ANOUNCEMENTS TRISAGION: Today we will conduct a Trisagion for the rest of the souls of George and Despina Conis, parents of Dee Nikas. “Memory Eternal!” STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: George Nikas; 9/29; Fran Triantafilon 10/6; Connie Mourgides 10/13; Venice Cosmadelis 10/20; Fran Mather 10/27. Include a list of names of your living and deceased relatives for commemoration. SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION TODAY! At the Coffee Hour today, we will have registration for our Sunday School. Classes begin on October 20. Our teachers Markella Natsis and Irene Skandaliaris will be doing the registering. Parents are encouraged to register their children for the Sunday School. HOSPITALIZED: Baypoint Regional: William Hazivasilis and Spring Hill Regional: William Fondulas, both recovering at home. Always remember to inform Fr. Harakas about hospitalized family members so he can visit and pray for them. OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS: Celebrating birthdays this month are Dimson Andoniadis 10/1; Margaret Andoniadis 10/4; Andrea Grande 10;15; Theresa Hronis 10/9; Tyke Nicolelis 10/15; Basil Allison 10/21; Kristin Noyes 10/28; Gus Marty 10/29; Ann Prestage 10/31. Following Divine Liturgy next week, October 6, we will offer blessing prayers for all those celebrating birthdays in October. Please come! GENERAL ASSEMBLY: The date has been set for our forthcoming Mission-Parish General Assembly! Please mark your calendar – Sunday, October 27, 2002 following the Sunday Feast Day Luncheon for Saint Demetrios. Mark it down! THE OFFICIAL LIBRARY BLESSING AND DEDICATION will take place on Sunday, November 24 after Church services. Plan on attending. ALTAR WINE DONATION: Many thanks to Bill and Harriet Pasisis for the donation of a case of Cypriot Commandarie communion wine. We are very grateful for this generous contribution to the sacramental life of our Mission. Thank you! IN PREPARATION: Part of the installation of the new Orthodox Church “Deacon” computer program is a parish-wide questionnaire. We will be preparing the questionnaire for you to respond in the near future. We also need a few people to volunteer to help in this short-term effort. Contact Council President Connie Mourgides at 686-0589. PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P): This Friday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m. – We continue learning about the Church in the New Testament. Join the class! FR. HARAKAS’ EMAIL ADDRESS: Rharakas@aol.com. WISDOM FROM THE FATHERS: “When you pray to God in time of temptation do not say, ‘Take this or that away from me,’ but pray like this: ‘O Jesus Christ, sovereign Master, help me and do not let me sin against You.’” St. Isaiah the Solitary THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR: DEE NIKAS IN MEMORY OF HER PARENTS George and Despina Conis COME TO CHURCH! HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION OF HERNANDO COUNTY P.O. BOX 5566 SPRING HILL, FL 34611 “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community” Pig pickin’ Saturday, October 12!
Bulletins Contact Directions Education Events Fr. Harakas Links Newspaper Photos
	Meeting at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville. Florida Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta HOME

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn – Plagal 1st Tone

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

Dismissal Hymn – Plagal 1^st Tone