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 Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Ευραινέσθω τά ουράνια, αγαλλιάσθω τά επίγεια, ότι εποίησε κράτος εν βραχίονι αυτού ο Κύριος· επάτησε τώ θανάτω τόν θάνατον· πρωτότοκος τών νεκρών εγένετο, εκ κοιλίας Άδου ερρύσατο ημάς, καί παρέσχε τώ κόσμω τό μέγα έλεος.

Εfrenestho ta ourania, agaliasto ta epigia, oti epiise kratos, en vrahioni aftou o Kirios, epatise to thanato ton thanaton, prototokos ton nekron egeneto, ek kilias adou erisato imas, ke paresche to kosmo to mega eleos.

Let all the things above in heaven rejoice and let all things below on earth be glad. With all the might and strength of His arm an eternal deed the Lord did perform. Beneath His feet He has trampled down death by death, and first born of the dead has He become. From the womb of Hades has He delivered us, and to all the world has granted His great redeeming mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

O guide to wisdom, provider of prudence, disciplinarian of fools, and defender of the poor, fortify and discipline my heart, O Master; You, give me a word, O Word of the Father. For behold, I will not hinder my lips from crying to You: O merciful Lord, have mercy on me who have fallen.

Saints and Feasts

February 26

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

February 26

Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza

Saint Porphyrius had Thessalonica as his homeland. He became a monk in Scete of Egypt, where he lived for five years. He went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, after which he spent five years in much affliction in a cave near the Jordan. Stricken with a disease of the liver, he departed to Jerusalem, where he was ordained presbyter and appointed Keeper of the Cross at the age of 45. Three years later he was made Bishop of Gaza. He suffered much from the rulers and pagans of Gaza; but with the friendship of Saint John Chrysostom, and the patronage of the Empress Eudoxia, he razed the temple of the idol Marnas in Gaza and built a great church to the glory of God. He reposed in 450.

February 26

John Claphas the new Martyr

February 26

The Holy Great Martyr Photine, the Samaritan Women

Saint Photine was the Samaritan Woman who encountered Christ our Saviour at Jacob's Well (John 4:1-42). Afterwards she laboured in the spread of the Gospel in various places, and finally received the crown of martyrdom in Rome with her two sons and five sisters, during the persecutions under the Emperor Nero.

February 26

Holy Martyr Theocletus

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 ~ please remember to leave your Stewardship envelopes in the basket before heading to Sunday School.
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: 1 year for Nicholas Moraitis; TRISAGIA: for Mike Pagonakis, for Gregory and Evdoxia Pagonakis, for Steve Pagonakis, for Persofoni Saviou, for Bill and Mary Kanas; 6 years for Andy Regan; 2 years for Tom Chubokas; 29 years for Chris Chubokas; 36 years for Georgia Chubokas.
Today ~ Coffee social hosted by Libby Darakos, Mary Pagonakis, and Maria Regan.
Today ~ Commemorative Albums are available for pick-up in the Hellenic Center foyer for those who placed an ad in the album or pre-ordered one. Extra albums available for purchase ($40 each).
Today ~ Luminary sales begin to remember our loved ones on Holy Friday. See one of our GOYAs during the coffee social or purchase through our website.
Today ~ Dance practice for all dancers in all levels following Sunday School.
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School.
Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study in Teen Room with Elaine Poulos. “Living the Beatitudes”.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. A Journey to Fullness, in lieu of the Bible Study, which will resume again next week. Taught by Fr. Costas and George Athanasiou.
Saturday ~ 12:00 p.m. Dance practice for all dancers in Senior level.
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, Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40; Gospel, John 1:43-51.
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINO: 5 years for Haralambos Trihas.
March 7 – 9 ~ Father and Presvytera attend Clergy Family Retreat.
March 7 ~ 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos board meeting.
March 7 ~ 7:00 p.m. Catering / Leasing meeting followed by Home Committee meeting.
March 14 ~ 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos Meeting with speaker from Pettiti’s Garden Center.
March 15 ~ 7:00 p.m. Parish Council monthly meeting.
March 18 ~ 1:00 p.m. Wedding Preparation seminar for all couples getting married this year.
March 28 ~ 5:30 p.m. Philoptochos cooking class will make tray (approximately 60 pieces) of Chocolate Baklava. RSVP required during coffee social or on website. Cost is $25.
March 31 ~ Eat Like a Greek Two. Philoptochos will be taking orders for a half or full tray of Pastitsio or Moussaka to be picked up on April 8^th. Samples will be provided today!!!

Lenten Services & Activities

Today ~ We encourage you to participate in “Pray for One Another” during Lent. Place your name in the basket in the hallway and next week you can pick the name of an individual you will be praying for.
Today ~ 7:00 p.m. Forgiveness Vespers. Join us for this inspiring service of forgiveness which opens for us the Great Lenten period.
Monday ~ Clean Monday; Great Lent begins; 7:00 p.m. Great Compline Service.
Wednesday ~ 5:00 p.m. Pre-sanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Dinner hosted by Philoptochos.
Friday ~ 7:00 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos.
Saturday ~ Saturday of Souls; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
Next Sunday ~ 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 given to the church office or Bruce Trakas, who will be collecting today. Your name will be included in the handout given at Vespers.
March 11 ~ 10:00 a.m. St. Gregory Palamas Monastery Pilgrimage. Father Costas will meet anyone interested in attending at Best Buy in Strongsville by 8:00 a.m.

Events in the Greater Cleveland Area and Beyond…

March 24 ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers for the feast of Annunciation at Annunciation Cleveland.
March 25 ~ feast of Annunciation; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy followed by luncheon, program, and Parade.
April 22 ~ 11:00 a.m. Fifth Annual Greek Language Festival at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh. For more details, contact Kathy Glaros at 216.524.1766.