Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for the Raising of Lazarus in the First Mode

Tin kinin Anastasin protou sou pathous pistoumenos, ek nekron, iyiras ton Lazaron Christe o Theos, othen ke imis os I pedhes, ta tis nikis simvola ferondes, si to Nikiti tou thanatou voomen. Osana en tis ipsistis, evloyimenos o erhomenos, en onomati Kyriou.

You have raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God, giving us before your Passion an assurance of the general resurrection. Therefore, like the children, we also carry tokens of victory, and cry to you, the Conqueror of death. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Mode

Sindafentes si dia tou Baptismatos Christe o Theos imon, tis athanatou zois exiothimen ti Anastasi sou, ke animnountes krazomen, Osana en tis ipsistis, evlogimenos o erhomenos, en onomati Kyriou.

Having been buried with you through baptism O Christ our God, we were found worthy of immortal life through your Resurrection, and singing your praises we cry out: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that comes, in the name of the Lord.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

Τo throno en ourano, to polo epi tis gis, epohoumenos, Christe o Theos,, ton Agelon tin enesin, ke ton pedon anamnisin, prosedexo, voonton si, Evlogimenos ei o erhomenos, ton Adam anakalesthe.

In heaven upon a throne, on earth upon a colt, being carried O Christ our God, you accepted the Angels’ praise and the children’s extolling hymns, as they cried out to you: Blessed is He that comes, fallen Adam to recall again.

Saints and Feasts

April 09

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

April 09

The Holy Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea

This holy Martyr was from the parts of Cappadocia, and lived a blameless life with his wife. During the reign of Julian the Apostate, this blessed one was filled with divine zeal and, with other Christians, destroyed the pagan temple dedicated to Fortune. Because of this he received the crown of martyrdom by beheading in the year 362.

April 09

Vadim the Righteous of Persia

April 09

Raphael, Nicholas, Irene, & Olympias of Mytilene

For more on these saints, see the reading for Renewal (Bright) Tuesday.

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 ~ remember to leave your Stewardship envelopes in the basket before going to Sunday School.
Today ~ Coffee & Conversationfor parents of children from birth – 6^th grade will resume April 30^th.
Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos will resume April 23^rd.
Today ~ Palm Sunday Plaki (fish) Luncheon sponsored by Parish Council.
Today ~ Luminary sales to remember our loved ones on Holy Friday. See one of our GOYAs during the coffee social or purchase through our website. Last chance to order.
Holy and Great Friday ~ 11:00 a.m. Holy Friday Retreat for students in K – 12^th grade. Register on the church website or use the form in The Messenger.
This Week ~ None of the scheduled classes, study groups, or any meetings will take place. All our attention should be on the Holy Week Services. See schedule below and plan to attend with your family as many of these services as you can.
Stewardship ~ Thank you to all those who completed and returned their 2017 Stewardship card.
Pave the Way ~ Have you responded to this appeal? Please join those who did and help us reach our goal of a new parking lot.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~Epistle Reading, Acts 1:1-8; Gospel, John 1:1-17.
April 19 ~ 7:00 p.m. Stewardship meeting.
April 21 ~ Life Giving Spring; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
April 23 ~ Greek School sponsored loukoumades sale during coffee social.
April 27 ~ Senior Fellowship Kafenio.
April 30 ~ 11:00 a.m. Philoptochos gryo sale.
April 30 ~ 11:30 a.m. GOYA car wash at Discount Drug Mart, on State and Wallings.

Holy Week Services (*indicates when communion is offered)

Today ~ 7:00 p.m. Nymphios service.
Holy Monday ~ 7:00 p.m. Nymphios service.
Holy Tuesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Nymphios service with hymn of Kasiani.
Holy Wednesday ~ 9:00 a.m. Pre-sanctified Liturgy*; 4:00 p.m. Holy Unction; 7:00 p.m. Orthros service with anointing with Holy Unction.
Thursday ~ 9:00 a.m. Vesperal Liturgy*; 7:00 p.m. Holy Passion Service.
Friday ~ 9:00 a.m. Royal Hours; 3:00 p.m. Apokathilosis; 7:00 p.m. Lamentations.
Holy Saturday ~ 9:00 a.m. Vesperal Liturgy* with children ringing the bells; 11:00 p.m. Resurrection service followed by Agape meal.
Holy Pascha ~ 11:00 a.m. Easter Egg hunt for all the children; 11:30 a.m. Agape Service and reading of the Gospel in various languages.

Events in the Greater Cleveland Area and Beyond…

April 20 ~ 7:00 p.m. Orthodoxy on Tap for Young Adult Orthodox Christians (ages 18 – 35) at Buffalo Wild Wings (724 Prospect Avenue in Cleveland). Guest speaker Fr. Nicholas Mihaly.
April 21 ~ 7:30 p.m. “Laugh Out Loud with Basile, Again!” at St. Nicholas Lorain. Call 440.281.9407, 440.667.0062 or email hilariousgreek@gmail.com for tickets
April 22 ~ 4:00 p.m. St. Photios Awards Banquet in Pittsburgh PA. Congratulations to John Trihas and Mary Pagonakis, who will represent our parish and be honored at this year’s banquet.
April 29 ~ 7:00 p.m. Greek Pontian Dance at Annunciation Cleveland. Contact Julie Tsirambidis (216.276.0530) or Emmanuel Ermidis (216.323.4092) for tickets and information.