Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Εξ ύψους κατήλθες ο Εύσπλαχνος, ταφήν κατεδέξω τριήμερον, ίνα ημάς ελευθερώσης τών παθών, η ζωή καί η ανάστασις ημών, Κύριε, δόξα Σοι.

Εx ipsous katilthes o Evsplahnos, tafin katedexo triimeron, ina imas, eleftherosis ton pathon, I zoi ke I anastasis imon, Kyrie, doxa si.

From on high did You descend, O merciful Lord, for us did You endure, three days in the tomb that we may be, released from passions in this world, You who are our resurrection and our life Glory unto You O Lord.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Presentation in the First Mode

Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, for from thee hath risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. Rejoice, thou also, O righteous Elder, as thou receivest in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who also granteth unto us the Resurrection.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Let us flee the Pharisee’s / exalted parlance; / let us learn the Publican’s / humble demeanor, and with sighs / unto the Savior cry out and say, / To us be gracious, O only forgiving Lord.

Saints and Feasts

February 05

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.

February 05

Agatha the Martyr

This Martyr, who was from Panormus (that is, Palermo) or perhaps Catania of Sicily, was a most comely and chaste virgin. After many exceedingly harsh torments, she gave up her spirit in prison at Catania in 251, because she did not consent to the seductions of Quintian, the Governor of Sicily. At her burial, an Angel placed a stone tablet on her grave inscribed with the words, "A righteous mind, self-determining, honor from God, the deliverance of her father-land." The following year this was fulfilled when Mount Etna erupted, spewing forth violent fire from which Catania was manifestly saved by Saint Agatha's prayers. The holy Martyr Agatha, the protectress and chief patroness of Sicily, is, with perhaps the exception of Saint Agnes of Rome, the most highly venerated Virgin Martyr of the West. Saint Damasus, Pope of Rome, and Saint Ambrose of Milan both wrote in praise of her.

February 05

Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple

February 05

Theodosios, Archbishop of Chernigov

February 05

Theodosios of Antioch

February 05

Polyeuktos, Partriarch Of Constantinople

February 05

Antonios the New Martyr of Athens

Welcome

This Weeks Announcements

We extend greetings and a warm welcome to all visitors worshipping with us today. Please fill out a“visitor information card” located in the narthex and hand to one of the greeters. Following the Liturgy, please join us in our social hall for the coffee social.
Holy Communion in our Church is offered only to Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through the disciplines of our faith. Speak to Fr. Costas for further details.

We kindly ask everyone to Please silence cell phones and pagers while in Church

Today ~ Go Red for Women – National Wear Red Day in support of American Heart Month. Show your support and wear red today!
Today ~ Coffee and Conversationfor parents of children from birth – 6^th grade following Holy Communion in the Hellenic Center. Taught by Jonathan and Kristi Tartara.
Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos in the Teen room following Holy Communion. The current book being studied is “God and You/Person to Person: Developing a Daily Personal Relationship with Jesus.” Purchase of book is optional.
Today ~ MNYMOSINO: 4 years for Gust Gianakis.
Today ~ our GOYAns are attending the Metropolis Basketball Tournament in Steubenville OH.
Today ~ 12:00 p.m. Greek Corner meets in Teen Room.
Today ~ Dance practice for Junior level.
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School.
Monday ~ 7:00 p.m. Catering/Leasing and Home Committee meeting.
Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study in Teen Room with Elaine Poulos. “Living the Beatitudes”.
Tuesday ~ 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos meeting. Presentation by Lee Daniels of Astoria Market & Café.
Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Parish Council monthly meeting.
Thursday ~ 6:30 p.m. GOYA basketball practice at St. Michael’s on Mill Road in Broadview Hts.
Thursdays ~ 7:00 p.m. A Journey to Fullness, in lieu of the Bible Study, which will resume again March 9^th. Taught by Fr. Costas and George Athanasiou.
Friday ~ feast of St. Haralambos; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
Saturday ~ 6:30 p.m. HOPE/JOY Movie night. GOYAns chaperone while parents enjoy Valentine’s Day date night. $5/child. Pizza/desserts provided. RSVP to George Athanasiou.
Stewardship ~ Thank you to all those who completed and returned their 2017 Stewardship card.
Pave the Way ~ Please take time to review the mailing that was sent to your home regarding our parking lot. Please be generous and help us reach our goal of a new parking lot.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~Epistle Reading, I Corinthians 6:12-20; Gospel, Luke 15:11-32.
Next Sunday ~ TRISAGIA: 6 months for Mary Collaros; 6 years for Bill Pontikos; 31 years for George Valantasis; 23 years for Despina Pontikos; for Stamatis Pontikos.
Next Sunday ~ Philoptochos collects new or gently used bedding, pillows, towels, outerwear, socks, scarves, etc. Items to be given to St. Mary of Egypt to help the needy fight the cold-weather elements!
Next Sunday ~ GOYA meeting following Sunday School.
Next Sunday ~ Dance practice for Beginners and Seniors groups following Sunday School.
February 18, 25, and March 4 ~ Saturday of Souls; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy. Submit FIRST names of your departed loved ones by using the form in The Messenger or on our website.
February 20 ~ Philoptochos cooking class will make a tray filled with Spanakopitas and Tiropitas. RSVP required during coffee social or our website by February 12^th. Cost for ingredients is $15.
February 21 ~ 5:00 p.m. Senior Fellowship Agape Potluck Dinner. Main dish provided; bring your favorite covered dish or dessert to share. RSVP to Helen Dadas, Maria Regan, or Sophie Steffas.
February 25 ~ 5:00 p.m. Apokriatiko Nite Fundraiser hosted by Greek Corner. $10 adults / $5 children under 10. All proceeds to benefit the Pave the Way parking lot campaign.
February 26 ~ Dance practice for all dancers in all levels following Sunday School.
February 26 ~ 6:00 p.m. Forgiveness Vespers.
February 27 ~ Clean Monday; Great Lent begins; 7:00 p.m. Great Compline Service.

Events in the Greater Cleveland Area and Beyond…

Friday ~ 7:00 p.m. prayer service with the Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Virgin Mary, Kardiotissa, at Christ the Savior Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church on State Road in North Royalton.
Saturday ~ 6:00 p.m. Annunciation Akron “The Karnavali” Apokreatiko Glendi. For information and tickets, contact linda or Tony Tsarouhas at 330.523.7187.
February 17 – 19 ~ GOYAns attend Metropolis GOYA tournament in Canton.
February 18 ~ 9:30 a.m. Annunciation Akron Retreat with Dr. John Fotopoulos. FREE, but reservations required. Contact the church office at 330.434.0000.
March 5 ~ 5:00 p.m. Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers at St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral on Starkweather Ave. in Cleveland with Chief Celebrant and Homilist Metropolitan SAVAS. Contributions which support the Orthodox ministries that serve our area can be made out to GCCOC and can be given to the church office. Your name will be included in the handout given at Vespers.