Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

"IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Tόν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρί καί Πνεύματι, τόν εκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εις σωτηρίαν ημών, ανημνήσωμεν πιστοί καί προσκυνήσωμεν· ότι ηυδόκησε σαρκί, ανελθείν εν τώ Σταυρώ καί θάνατον υπομείναι, καί εγείραι τούς τεθνεώτας, εν τή ενδόξω Αναστάσει αυτού.

Ton sinanarhon logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou tehthenta is sotiria imon, animnisomen pisti ke proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki, anelthin en to Stavro ke thanaton ipomine, ke egire tous tethneotas, en ti endoxo Anastasi aftou.

Eternal with the Father and the Spirit is the Word, Who of a Virgin was begotten for our salvation. As the faithful we both praise and worship Him, for in the flesh did He consent to ascend unto the Cross, and death did He endure and He raised unto life the dead/ through His all glorious resurrection.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal Fourth Mode

APOLYTIKION FOR ST. GREGORY PALAMAS Beacon of Orthodox belief, the strong support of the Church and her teacher inspired by God, you are the ornament of monks, the unassailable champion of theologians, O Gregory the Wonderworker and boast of Thessalonica, the messenger of grace. Forever earnestly entreat for the salvation of our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

O Champion General, / I, your City, now inscribe to you, / triumphant anthems / as the tokens of my gratitude, / being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos. / Inasmuch as you have power unassailable, / from all kinds of perils free me so that unto you, / I may cry aloud, rejoice: “O unwedded Bride!”

Τi Ipermaho / stratigo ta nikitiria / Os litrothisa / ton dinon eucharistiria / Anagrafo si polis sou Theotoke/ al’ os ehousa kratos aprosmahiton / Ek pantion me kindinon eleftheroson / Ina krazosi / Here nimfi animfefte.

Saints and Feasts

March 12

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

March 12

Theophanes the Confessor

Saint Theophanes, who was born in 760, was the son of illustrious parents. Assenting to their demand, he married and became a member of the Emperor's ceremonial bodyguard. Later, with the consent of his wife, he forsook the world. Indeed, both of them embraced the monastic life, struggling in the monastic houses they themselves had established. He died on March 12, 815, on the island of Samothrace, whereto, because of his confession of the Orthodox Faith, he had been exiled by Leo the Armenian, the Iconoclast Emperor.

March 12

Symeon the New Theologian

Saint Symeon became a monk of the Studite Monastery as a young man, under the guidance of the elder Symeon the Pious. Afterwards he struggled at the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople, of which he became abbot. After enduring many trials and afflictions in his life of piety, he reposed in 1022. Marvelling at the heights of prayer and holiness to which he attained, and the loftiness of the teachings of his life and writings, the church calls him "the New Theologian." Only to two others, John the Evangelist and Gregory, Patriarch of Constantinople, has the church given the name "Theologian." Saint Symeon reposed on March 12, but since this always falls in the Great Fast, his feast is kept today.

March 12

Gregory Dialogos, Bishop of Rome

Saint Gregory was born in Rome to noble and wealthy parents about the year 540. While the Saint was still young, his father died. However, his mother, Sylvia, saw to it that her child received a good education in both secular and spiritual learning. He became Prefect of Rome and sought to please God even while in the world; later, he took up the monastic life; afterwards he was appointed Archdeacon of Rome, then, in 579, apocrisiarius (representative or Papal legate) to Constantinople, where he lived for nearly seven years. He returned to Rome in 585 and was elected Pope in 590. He is renowned especially for his writings and great almsgiving, and also because, on his initiative, missionary work began among the Anglo-Saxon people. It is also from him that Gregorian Chant takes its name; the chanting he had heard at Constantinople had deeply impressed him, and he imported many elements of it into the ecclesiastical chant of Rome. He served as Bishop of that city from 590 to 604.

March 12

Phineas, grandson of Prophet Aaron

March 12

Paul Aurelian, Bishop of Brittany

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 down 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.
Today ~ MNYMOSINO: 40 days for Mary Ann Saridakis; TRISAGIA: for George and Viola Saris; for Sherrie Hostetter; 13 years for Helen Katakos; 6 years for Harry Katakos; 14 years for Nick Giannakis; 30 years for Bernard Gallagher; 21 years for George Johns; 3 years for Vivian Johns; for Aristos and Anna John; for John and Aryear Gregory; Markos and Ellie Skafidas; for Gus and Kathleen John; for Ralph and Mary Dommin; 28 years for Konstandina Dimitris and 2 years for Jim Dimitris; for 40-day for Eileen Kandianis.
Today ~ As we enjoy the coffee hour every Sunday, let us be mindful to clean up after ourselves. Please throw away cups and plates before you leave the hall each Sunday.
Today ~ Parish Oratorical Festival in the Teen Room after Sunday School. All welcome to attend.
Today ~ Last Sunday to pick up Commemorative Album during coffee social for those who placed an ad in the album or pre-ordered one. Extra albums available ($40 each), through the church office.
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.
Monday ~ 9:00 a.m. Philoptochos making koulourakia for their bake sale. Everyone welcome!
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School.
Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study in Teen Room with Elaine Poulos. “Living the Beatitudes”.
Tuesday ~ 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos Meeting with speaker from Pettiti’s Garden Center.
Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Parish Council monthly meeting.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. Bible Study with Frank Chirakos and Father Costas.
Saturday ~ 1:00 p.m. Wedding Preparation seminar for all couples getting married this year.
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 4:14-16; 5:1-6; Gospel, Mark 8:34-38; 9:1.
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINA: 40 days for Mary Ann Katsiroubas; 40 days for Nicholas Paterakis.
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 30 ~ 2:30 p.m. Community Meal at St. Albert’s hosted by our parish. Sign up to assist: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0949AAAC2DAA8-satg.
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.

Lenten Services & Activities

Monday ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Compline Service.
Wednesday ~ 5:00 p.m. Pre-sanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Dinner hosted by Senior Fellowship. All the Youth Groups host next week.
Friday ~ 7:00 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos.
During this Lenten Season, plan to receive the sacrament of Holy Confession. Call Fr. Costa for appointment.

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, at Annunciation in Cleveland.
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.