Sundays 8:30 a.m. Orthros and 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Special weekday feastday services to be announced in the bulletin.
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 10:1-10.
BRETHREN, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified. Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on the law shall live by it. But the righteousness based on faith says, Do not say in your heart, "Who will ascend into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down) or "Who will descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.
5th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1
At that time, when Jesus came to the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one would pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.
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SUNDAY |
7/9 |
8:30; 9:30 a.m. |
Orthros; Divine Liturgy (Acolytes: Team 4) Memorials: 1 year for Latif Hanna, husband of Martha 10 years for Steve Kriaris, 5 years for Helen Kriaris, 10 months for Stefan Vasel, parents and uncle of Maria, Gus, Louie and Paul Coffee will be hosted by the Kriaris family Next week: Parras |
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MONDAY |
7/10 |
6:30 p.m. |
Daughters of Penelope mtg. [Westlake Panera] |
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TUESDAY |
7/11 |
9:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. |
Bible Study Endowment Fund meeting |
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WEDNESDAY |
7/12 |
8:30; 9:30 a.m. |
Orthros; Divine Liturgy for St. Paisios |
This week we welcome Peter Georges of the St. Nicholas Uganda Children’s Fund who is visiting our parish. Crystal Thomas will present a donation on behalf of National Philoptochos to this Orthodox Christian ministry providing for the education, health, and welfare of Ugandan children, teens, and young adults. More than 240 students are currently being sponsored and many more have graduated and are productively employed. The ministry was founded in 2005 by Peter and Sharon Georges who work as volunteers and receive no remuneration for their work or for their personal expenses. The sponsored students, orphans and vulnerable children from a slum neighborhood of Kampala, are enrolled in nursery & primary school, secondary school, business & vocational training, university, nurses training, and medical school. No level of education in Uganda is free. In addition to tuition, the Children’s Fund provides lunch, uniforms, shoes & socks, book bags, and school supplies, and comprehensive health care.
Tue., July 25, all parish senior citizens are invited to the hall for a summer lunch at Noon. Yassou will provide the entrée, bring a side dish or dessert for potluck.
Sun., July 30, 11:30 a.m. mandatory festival chairperson & primary assistants meeting to discuss all festival issues from your venue to the over-all event. please email all your ideas & suggestions to activitycenternick@yahoo.com by July 26 so they can be printed out and addressed at the meeting.
Families, individuals, and couples are encouraged to check out #soakuptheson, a summer program to assist us in deepening our relationship to Christ and His Church- even when on vacation! Visit bit.ly/soak-up-the-son to download videos and guides, or check out and share weekly content from www.facebook.com/centerforfamilycare
Also check out Ancient Faith Radio's special feature of interviews, reflections, and narratives that encourage and strengthen family life. Upcoming podcasts include topics on growing in Christ with our kids, teenage depression, Forgiveness in Marriage, and gerontology. www.ancientfaith.com
The recent General Assembly approved the kick off of a fundraising campaign for the church restoration project in two phases from 2017-18. The external phase includes installment of a new roof and replacement of the HVAC systems. The internal phase includes duct work, new lighting fixtures, painting, carpet replacement and pew replacement.
Donor forms available in the office and Narthex.
~St Paisios- Wed., July 12, come celebrate the feastday of one of the most recently canonized saints. 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy, in the chapel.
~Feast of the Transfiguration- Sun., Aug. 6. Regular Sunday service times. Traditionally celebrated by the bringing of the first harvest of grapes to church. We invite all the faithful to bring fruit to the coffee hour.
~Dormition Lent Join us for Paraclesis services at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Aug. 2 &9 and Fridays, Aug. 4 & 11.
~Falling Asleep of the Virgin Mary - Mon., Aug. 14, Vespers celebrated at Annunciation Church, 2187 W. 14th Street, Cleveland.
Tue., Aug. 15 , 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy in St. Demetrios Church.
On Sun., August 20th, we invite all our Marias, Panayotis & Panayotas, and Despinas to bring something to coffee hour and celebrate your nameday with the whole community.
~St. Phanourios-Sun., Aug. 27. Regular Sunday service times. At the coffee hour to follow, we will serve any Phanouropitas that are brought in by those who lost/ found something.
~The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, Tue., Aug. 29. 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
Mon., Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room, representatives from every church ministry as well as organizations that meet here reguarly should plan to attend and present your group’s events, meetings, etc. for the 2017-18 parish calendar.
Contact the office (sdgoc@ohiocoxmail.com or 440-331-2246 ext.2) if your family or group/ministry can host a simple coffee hour on: August 13.
Aug. 15-17, each evening 6:30-8:30 p.m. Grow, learn and develop your faith as a family. Full participation including JOY, GOYA and parents! Theme: Understanding Jesus’ “I AM” statements. Look for registration forms soon. Volunteers needed. Contact Presvytera Goldie (presvytera@aol.com) or Fr. Anastasios (asathanasiou@gmail.com)
SUMMER SERVING AT ST. HERMAN’S
~FOCUS Friends! will serve dinner at St. Herman’s on Saturdays, Aug. 5. For more info, contact Linda Glynias (lglynias@gmail.com)
~Philoptochos will serve dinner on Tue., Aug. 1. Contact Maggie Steffas (440-871-6362)
St. Herman, located at Franklin and W. 45th, is the only Orthodox homeless shelter in Cleveland. They serve 3 meals a day/ 365 days.
ST. PAUL FESTIVAL July 20-23, 4548 Wallings Rd., North Royalton. www.stpaulgoc.org
CHOIR CONVENTION The Mid-Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Choirs (MEFGOX) is having their 70th annual convention this year in Monessen, Penn., July 20-23. www.mefgox.org
ST. ELIAS FEASTDAY Thu., July 20, 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy at St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church, 3256 Warren Rd., Cleveland.
JULY FEASTDAYS ON THE EAST SIDE Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights, invites you to join them at the following feastdays:
St. Markella Sat., July 22, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy for the patron saint of Chios. The Chios Society of Cleveland will hold a Memorial for its departed members, followed by coffee hour.
St. Panteleimon – Thu., July 27, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy.
St. Irene Chrysovalantou – Fri., July 28, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy.
IOCC BASEBALL NIGHT Sat., July 22, , 7:05 p.m. at Progressive Field. Cleveland Indians vs. Toronto Blue Jays. $30 Mezzanine seats, fireworks, and Jason Kipnis Bobbleheads. Call Connie Zimmerman (216-347-3123) for tickets. Donations accepted if unable to attend. Proceeds to benefit the humanitarian work of the International Orthodox Christian Charities.
GREEK DAY AT KENNYWOOD Tue., July 25 Greek Folk Dance groups from around the Metropolis are invited to perform between 5:00-6:00 p.m. next to the Greek Food Pavilion. Dancer groups will be allotted 15 minutes, singers & instrumentalists five minutes. Performers will gain free admission for a full day of rides. Family & friends of dancers can purchase discounted tickets ($26/adult and $16/seniors) by calling Ypapanti at 412-824-9188.
EAST SIDE GREEK FEST Aug. 24-27 at Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights.
ST. PANTELEIMON BOWLING Fri., Aug. 18, 6-8:30 p.m. at Yorktown Lanes, 6218 Pearl Rd., Parma Heights. $15/adult & $10/child includes pizza & pop. Shoe rental at bowler’s expense. All proceeds to benefit St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach, ministering to those in NE Ohio nursing homes. To sign up, call 440-941-4850 or email Gerald@stpanteleimon.com
NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS BENEFIT Sat., Sept. 9, is the 4th annual dinner in memory of Gerontissa Taxiarchia at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh. 3 p.m. Vesper service; 4 p.m. banquet. $100/ticket (fish or chicken entrees) RSVP: 2017DinnerBanquet.eventbrite.com
YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE Sept. 1-4, Orthodox young adults (ages 19-32) from across the US will gather in Houston, Texas. Kick off on Friday with a comedy show by SoTiri, Saturday workshops and fun western event. Sunday Divine Liturgy, followed by a pool party and then a grand banquet with Basil the Comedian. For information, registration, and hotel accommodations, visit: http://youth.denver.goarch.org/events/2017-events/2017-national-young-adult-conference; or share: Facebook.com/2017NGOYAC/ ~ Twitter.co/ngoyac2017 ~Instagram.com/ngoyac2017
Head’s up for the 10th annual St.Demetrios Golf Outing on Fri., Sept. 1 at Sweetbriar Golf Club in Avon Lake. Registration now open. $135/golfer or $450/foursome, Contact Manuel Steffas (440-821-6095) or pay online at www.saintdemetriosrr.org
Did you miss the spring photo sessions? We want all our parish families included in the upcoming Parish Directory, so here is your last chance! We have scheduled four more days: Thu., Sept. 7, Fri., Sept. 8, Sat., Sept 9, Sun., Sept. 10.
Each session lasts abut 20 minutes and participants will receive a free 8x10 Photo and complimentary directory. Schedule your session today by Calling Diane Missirlis
Sun., Sept. 10, come meet local Greek-American authors Paula Kalamaras, Thalia Marakas, Vanessa Pasiadis, Kristina Tartara as they talk about their books and inspirations. $25/person. Advance sale only. Contact Jeanne Burpulis: 440 356-1746 or Jan Voiklis (440-503-3946)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Following the recent fire at theNativty of the Theotokos Monastery which was caused by lighting, the insurance adjuster just updated the status of the damage, from the local level to the national level, because the repair costs will exceed $250,000. The entire second floor and attic will have to be gutted down to the studs, and it will take a minimum - with all the smoke and water damage on top of that - of seven months before the sisters can again move into the building.
Even though the insurance will cover the majority of the damage, it will not cover their temporary housing. The immediate goal is to acquire a mobile home to house the sisters for now, and then it can later be used as work rooms or guest rooms. Therefore, they have a critical need for funds to purchase that facility.
Gerontissa Theophano and the Sisters are most grateful for all of your prayers and support. There will be an ongoing update on the progress of the restoration at the Monastery’s website: .nativityofthetheotokos.org
Donations for the fire project can be best sent directly to the monastery at:
Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery, 121 St. Elias Lane, Saxonburg, PA 16056
If you prefer to make an on line donation, there are two, the first one having been set up specifically for the mobile home purchase and other immediate needs of the Sisterhood:
crowdrise.com/fire-at-nativity-of-the-theotokos-greek-orthodox-monastery
https://www.gofundme.com/NativityMonastery
May our Most Beloved Panaghia keep all of you and your family under her constant protection!
This Saint, who was a contemporary of the Apostles, had Antioch as his homeland, where he was guided to the Faith of Christ by Peter, the Chief of the Apostles. Later, he came to Sicily, where he brought many to the Faith, and was finally put to death by the pagans.
The Forty-five Martyrs of Nikopolis contested during the reign of Licinius, in the year 315. After many torments, they were burnt alive.
Saint Olga, renowned for her wisdom and sobriety, in her youth became the wife of Igor, Great Prince of Kiev, who ruled during the tenth century. After her husband's death, she herself ruled capably, and was finally moved to accept the Faith of Christ. She traveled to Constantinople to receive Holy Baptism. The Emperor, seeing her outward beauty and inward greatness, asked her to marry him. She said she could not do this before she was baptized; she furthermore asked him to be her Godfather at the font, which he agreed to do. After she was baptized (receiving the name of Helen), the Emperor repeated his proposal of marriage. She answered that now he was her father, through holy Baptism, and that not even among the heathen was it heard of a man marrying his daughter. Gracefully accepting to be outwitted by her, he sent her back to her land with priests and sacred texts and holy icons. Although her son Svyatoslav remained a pagan, she planted the seed of faith in her grandson Vladimir (see July 15). She reposed in peace in 969.
The Venerable Paisios (Enzepidis) was born in Farasa of Cappadocia on July 25, 1924 from Christian parents, taking the name Arsenios after thevenrable ARsenios of Cappadocia. Later, he and his parents went to Greece and settled in Konitsa of Epirus. When he grew up, he went to Mt. Athos and becamea Monk, receiving the name Averkios at the 'cassok'wearing', and later during the prayer for the small schema, the name Paisios.
To focus on asceticsm, he went to Sinai. He eventually settled in the Cell of Panagouda in Karyes of Athos. Through his teachings he brought many to the correct path. He also became the spiritual guide of the Monastery of St. John the Theologian. Toward the end of his life, he became seriously ill, and having been perfected, he was buried in Souroti onJuly 12, 1994, and many signs were attributed to him even after his repose.
It is believed that the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel was transferred to this day from March 26 so that it could be celebrated more festively than in the period of the Great Fast; and, in fact, all the miracles of the Archangel are celebrated on this feast day, which has been listed here in the church books since the ninth century.
Saint Aquila, who was from Pontus of Asia Minor, was a Jew by race and a tent-maker by trade. In the year 52 he and his wife Priscilla were in Corinth when Saint Paul first came there. They gave him hospitality, and the Apostle remained with them for many days, himself working at the same trade as they (Acts 18:2-3). And having believed in Christ through Paul, they followed him from that time on, working together with him and suffering perils with him for the sake of the preaching of the Gospel, as he himself testifies concerning them in his Epistle to the Romans, saying: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the nations" (Rom. 16:3-4). When and where they reposed is unknown.
Grandson of Saint Olga, Saint Vladimir ascended the throne of Kiev in 980. Though a zealous idolater, he was illumined by the grace of God, accepted the Christian Faith, and completely changed his ways. He was baptized in Cherson in 988, receiving the name Basil; he came forth from the font not only healed of a blindness lately afflicting him, but also from being passionate and warlike, he became meek, peaceable, and exceedingly godly. Whereas his grandmother had refused marriage with the Emperor in Constantinople (see July 11), he married Anna, sister of the Emperors Basil and Constantine, and was accompanied home by priests from Constantinople. Diligently seeking to spread Christianity throughout his realm like a new Constantine, he destroyed the idols (having the chief diety Perun scourged and then cast into the Dnieper River), and summoned all his subjects to Holy Baptism. He reposed in peace in 1015.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Our annual commemoration of the 4th of July, Independence Day in the United States of America, provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the blessings of liberty and to express our gratitude to our forbearers for the freedom that has been advanced and sustained throughout the history of this country. We have and experience a multitude of social, political and economic freedoms because many sacrificed courageously to protect the highest ideals, others engaged in challenging debate and decisions over the shape of governance and society, and countless more have cherished freedom by respecting the rights and liberties of others.