The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. IV, No. 36 – Sunday, September 4, 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

FROM ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS’ CHURCH NEW YEAR ENCYCLICAL

  “For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other.’"
 (Isaiah 45:18)                                                                                             September 1, 2005
 

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 Today, at the beginning of a new Ecclesiastical Year, our Holy Orthodox Church continues to remind us of the uniqueness, supremacy, and omnipotence of God through its rich and vibrant liturgical life. Through the sacraments, hymns, prayers, and petitions of the divine services, we praise and honor the Triune God who has created the universe, given order to the entire cosmos, and fashioned each one of us in His image, giving us a life of communion with Him. On Sundays, special feast days, and throughout the entire year, we acknowledge the Divine work of God, and His plan for our salvation.  We remember the eternal significance of His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, and His continued presence and work through His Body, the Church.
  Our life within the Church is guided by the celebration and commemoration of what God has and will continue to do in our world and within our souls as He leads us toward our redemption. Thus, our participation in the services and ministry of the Church is very critical in a world that may seem chaotic. Through our worship and prayer God affirms that our lives and this world were not created in vain, but that all of His creation has a divine purpose. This purpose is to know and experience the love of God. It is a love that transforms lives that are lost, confused, and suffering. It is a love that renews our awareness of God's redemptive plan. It is a love that gives our lives meaning, direction, and purpose; for without the love of God, everything we do is done in vain.

   As we call to mind the beauty and purpose of God's creation on this day of September 1, it is also appropriate that we honor the declarations of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew referring to the designation of September 1 as the Day for the Protection of our Natural Environment. It is through love that God has called us to be the stewards of creation. All too often, the problems of our world are the result of environmental abuse of the natural resources that have been created by God. Unbridled consumption and exploitation for the sake of wealth do not affirm the purpose that God has given to creation, but instead are symptoms of the futility of sin. Thus, we must offer our voice and our efforts for the sake of God's creation, knowing that our spiritual lives and our future salvation are intertwined with all that God has made and loves.
     My Beloved Brothers and Sisters: at the inception of the Ecclesiastical Year, I ask each one of you to deepen your commitment to the liturgical life of our Orthodox Church. I ask this, knowing that the purpose and order you seek in your life will be found in strong communion with God and in tender care for His creation. Through our faith and our life within the Church, our lives and the lives of others will be constantly transformed.                             
 

With paternal love in Christ,
+DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America 
                                                                           

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

Evening Services as Announced

11^th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMN

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 2nd  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Ote katelthes").Hymnal,  81-82.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("When you descended"). (Same)

Dismissal Hymn of St. Babylos

    (Read) Becoming a partner with the Apostles in way of life / and successor to their thrones, / O god-inspired Saint, / in the active life / you found an entrance to contemplation. / Hence, you rightly expounded the word of truth, / and you shed your blood / in struggling for the faith, / O Hieromartyr Babylas. / Intercede with Christ our God, / beseeching that our souls be saved.

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ - (Sing) From sheet in the pew.

Kontakion of the Nativity of the Theotokos

 Sung   in Greek by the Leaders “Ioakeim kai Anna . . .”

   (Read) By your holy birth-giving, / O pure one, / Joachim and Anna were delivered / from the reproach of barrenness; / and Adam and Eve / were delivered from the corruption of death; / your people celebrate it, / having been saved from the stain of iniquity, / crying out to you, / ‘The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, / who nourishes our life.

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

   EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians  9:2-12 (11^th Matthew) + Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

   GOSPEL – Matthew 18:23-35 (11^th Matthew) + The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailors, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to everyone of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

  FOR THE RECORD: August 28, 2005:  Attendance 63; Stewardship $433;  Candles $74; Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund $ Building Fund $150.  Many thanks!

  SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS TODAY! Anniversaries: Fred and Elaine Underwood 9/3;  John and Dora Halvatzes 9/7;  William and Harriet Pasisis 9/20;  Birthdays: Louis Mavrogian 9/7;  Argyris Gymnaos (Jr.) 9/7; Fifika Stilian 9/10; George Maniates  9/12; Nick Gymnaos 9/15; Emily Thomas 9/15;  Ms. Eleni Gymnaos 9/20;  Richard Urling Jr. 20;    Karyn Underwood 9/22;  John Kotsifakis  9/22.

  SPECIAL BUILDING FUND DONATIONS: At the 50^th Wedding Anniversary gathering for Fr. Stanley and Presbytera Emily held Saturday, August 27 at Yanni’s Restaurant in Homosassa, over eighty people attended. They offered to Fr.& Presbytera a generous gift, which Fr. and Presbytera decided to donate to the Building Fund of our Church. In addition, for the occasion, the Harakas’ donated an additional gift to the Building Fund. The total of these and other gifts will be reported in next week’s Orthodox Messenger.

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Argyris and Carol Gymnaos 9/4; Gloria Vardakis 9/11; Fran Triantafilon 9/14 (Elevation of Holy Cross); Connie Mourgides 9/18; George Nikas 9/25;  Presbytera Emily Harakas 10/2. George Nikas, Prosforon Bakers Chairperson at 597-1375.

   ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (P.E.P.): On Friday, September 16 we will begin our Parish Education Program (P.E.P.) meeting every Friday from 2-4 p.m. with Bible Study alternating with other topics weekly. We look forward to seeing you!

   CONGRATULATIONS! Feenie and Bette Ferriero are new Grandparents! Tony Christian Ferriero was born to Bill and Maria Ferriero on August 24 in Manchester, NH. He was 7 lb., 4 oz. at birth. We pray “Many Years” to all!

     ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (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. on Wednesday, September 28. Plan on attending!

    CONSIDER BECOMING A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER OR ASSISTANT! Your help is needed! Contact Venice Cosmadelis (686-1199). Classes start September 16.

   THE DISTRICT PHILOPTOHOS “Agape Luncheon” of the Metropolis Philoptohos, supporting the work of love, will be held in our area this year on October 8, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church of New Port Richey. This affair includes professional entertainment. The tickets are $30 per person. Save the date. More information to follow!

           THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER – COME TO CHURCH!

CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

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