Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12.

Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a sister as wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 18:23-35

The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

Ότε κατήλθες πρός τόν θάνατον, η ζωή η αθάνατος, τότε τόν Άδην ενέκρωσας, τή αστραπή τής Θεότητος· ότε δέ καί τούς τεθνεώτας, εκ τών καταχθονίων ανέστησας, πάσαι αι Δυνάμεις τών επουρανίων εκραύγαζον· Ζωοδότα Χριστέ ο Θεός ημών δόξα Σοι.

Όte katilthes pros ton thanaton, I zoe athanatos, tote ton Adin enekrosas, ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke tous tethneotas ek ton katakthonion anestisas, pase e Dinamis ton epuranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Christe o Theos imon doxa Si.

When You descended to the realm of death You as life immortal rendered to Hades a mortal blow by Your all radiant divinity. And when You from infernal depths and the darkness below did raise the dead all the hosts of heaven’s powers did proclaim and cry out O life giving Christ and our God we give glory.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Dormition in the First Mode

In giving birth, thou didst preserve thy virginity; in thy dormition, thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos. Thou wast translated unto life, since thou art the Mother of Life; and by thine intercessions dost thou redeem our souls from death.

Hymn of Church in the First Mode

Ethnon se kirika ke fostira trismegiston, / Athineon didaskalon ekoumenis aglaisma, / efrosinos gereromen / tous agonas timomen ke tas vasanous thia Christon, / to septon sou martirion, / Agie Pavle Apostole, / presveve Christo to Theo, / sothine tas psichas imon.

O preacher to the gentiles and thrice grandest shining star, / the Athenians’ teacher and the universe’s ornament, / we joyously honor you. / We pay homage to the struggles that you had/for the sake of Christ, / and your dignified martyrdom, / Holy and glorious Apostle Paul, / intercede with Christ our God, / entreating Him to save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

The Theotokos, unsleeping in intercession / and the immovable hope of protection, / could not be retained by any tomb or death. / For being Life’s own Mother, she was transferred to life by Him / who dwelt in the ever-virgin womb.

Saints and Feasts

August 20

11th Sunday of Matthew

August 20

Samuel the Prophet

This most holy man, a Prophet of God from childhood, was the last judge of the Israelite people, and anointed the first two Kings of Israel. He was born in the twelfth century before Christ, in the city of Armathaim Sipha, from the tribe of Levi, the son of Elkanah and Hannah (Anna). He was the fruit of prayer, for his mother, being barren, conceived him only after she had supplicated the Lord with many tears; wherefore she called him Samuel, that is, "heard by God." As soon as Hannah had weaned him, she brought him to the city of Silom (Shiloh), where the Ark was kept, and she consecrated him, though yet a babe, to the service of God, giving thanks to Him with the hymn found in the Third Ode of the Psalter: "My heart hath been established in the Lord . . ." Samuel remained in Silom under the protection of Eli the priest. He served in the Tabernacle of God, and through his most venerable way of life became well-pleasing to God and man (I Kings 2: 26). While yet a child, sleeping in the tabernacle near the Ark of God, he heard the voice of God calling his name, and foretelling the downfall of Eli; for although Eli's two sons, Ophni and Phineas, were most lawless, and despisers of God, Eli did not correct them. Even after Samuel had told Eli of the divine warning, Eli did not properly chastise his sons, and afterwards, through various misfortunes, his whole house was blotted out in one day.

After these things came to pass, Samuel was chosen to be the protector of the people, and he judged them with holiness and righteousness. He became for them an example of all goodness, and their compassionate intercessor before God: "Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; yea, I will serve the Lord, and show you the good and the right way" (ibid. 12:23). When he asked them -- having God as witness -- if he ever wronged anyone, or took anyone's possessions, or any gift, even so much as a sandal, they answered with one voice: "Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, nor afflicted us, neither hast thou taken anything from anyone's hand" (ibid. 12:4). When Samuel was old, the people asked him for a king, but he was displeased with this, knowing that God Himself was their King. But when they persisted, the Lord commanded him to anoint them a king, saying, "They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me from reigning over them" (ibid. 8:7); so Samuel anointed Saul. But Saul transgressed the command of God repeatedly, so Samuel anointed David. Yet, since Samuel was a man of God, full of tender mercy, when the Lord told him that He had rejected Saul, Samuel wept for him the whole night long (ibid. 15:11); and later, since he continued to grieve, the Lord said to him, "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul?" (ibid. 16:1). Having lived blamelessly some ninety-eight years, and become an example to all of a God-pleasing life, he reposed in the eleventh century before Christ. Many ascribe to him the authorship of the Books of judges, and of Ruth, and of the first twenty-four chapters of the First Book of Kings (I Samuel).

August 20

Afterfeast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

August 20

Holy Martyr Luke of Bouleutos

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 ~ MNYMOSINA: 3 months for Anna Elliott Karadimas; 1 year for Ioanna Payamgis; TRISAGIA: for Vlasios, Eleni, Georgios, and Nikos Moutsopoulos; 10 years for Carl Eakman; for Louis Lovecky; Lillian and Walter Sodaitis.
Today ~ immediately following Divine Liturgy there will be a Special Parish Assembly meeting to update us on the progress of the Pave the Way Parking Lot Project that is currently underway.
Stewardship ~ Thank you to all those who completed and returned their 2017 Stewardship card.
Parking lot construction ~ We are happy to report that construction began this week. The main entrance will be closed off. What was the exit lane will now serve as both the entrance and exit lane. A limited number of HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES will be provided on the grass, on your left as you enter the church property. Drop off area will be by the door near the bishop’s throne, then people can walk on the sidewalk along the front of the church and enter through the main doors. Everyone else can park behind the church by the deck. You will then go up the deck steps and follow the sidewalk to the main entrance. Please be very patient and very careful through these upcoming weeks of construction.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~Epistle Reading, I Corinthians 15:1-11; Gospel, Matthew 19:16-26.
Next Sunday~ MNYMOSINA: 40 days for Eva Gigis; 40 days for Alexandros Filippou; TRISAGION: for Angelina Filippou.
Next Sunday ~ Coffee social hosted by the Filippou and Gigis families.
August 23 ~ 6:00 p.m. Family Ministry meeting and Sunday School staff meeting.
September 2 ~ 10:00 a.m. 2^nd annual blessing of pets by the soccer field.
September 3 ~ 12:00 p.m. Greek Corner meets in Teen Room.
September 7 ~ 7:00 p.m. continuing the video series JOURNEY TO FULLNESS and discussion instead of the regular bible study. Please call the office or visit our website to sign up to RSVP.
September 10 ~ first day of Sunday School following Holy Communion; GOYA officers will receive the oath of office; Sunday School Catechism for adults resumes in the Teen Room with Elaine Poulos; Coffee and Conversation for parents of children ages 0 – 6^th grade resumes with Jonathan and Kristi Tartara; Parish Fair will be held in our Hellenic Center.
September 11 ~ 5:30 p.m. first day of Greek School begins with Agiasmo. Look for registration forms on our website. Tuition payment is due September 11.
September 12 ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study Group resumes with Elaine Poulos.
September 14 ~ Exaltation of the Holy Cross; 8:30 a.m. Orthors; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy. Strict fast.
September 16 ~ 11:00 a.m. Altar Boy Seminar (for boys 3-12 grade) followed by lunch at the Church and a trip to Skyzone Trampoline Park in Boston Heights. An anonymous parishioner has graciously donated the $10.00 fee per altar boy. Call the church office to register or on our website.
September 17 ~ 3:00 p.m. Youth family picnic at Richfield Woods Park in Richfield OH. RSVP through our website.
September 20 ~ 7:00 p.m. beginning the video series GRIEF SHARE and discussion. Please call the office or visit our website to sign up if you plan attend.
September 30 ~ 8:00 a.m. Philoptochos invites you to Race for Ronald with proceeds to benefit St Paul Ladies Philoptochos and Ronald McDonald House. For more information and to register, go to http://www.hermescleveland.com/roadracing/events/raceforronald.asp.

Events in the Greater Cleveland Area and Beyond…

Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy at the St. Mary of Egypt Chapel located at Annunciation Cle.
Thursday – Next Sunday ~ Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Festival in Cleveland Heights.
September 1 – 4 ~ George Varouh Cretan Club Kamm’s Corners Greek Festival.
September 8 ~ Nativity of the Theotokos; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy at Monastery in Saxonburg, PA. Bus leaving BJ’s in Middleburg Hts. at 6:30 a.m. Cost is $27/person. Contact Vivi 440.915.2070 to RSVP.
September 8 – 10 ~ St. Nicholas Lorain Greek Festival.
September 10 ~ 11:30 a.m. An Authors’ Luncheon featuring local published authors, including our own parishioners – Thalia Marakas and Kristina Tartara – hosted by Daughters of Penelope Icarus Chapter at St. Demetrios Rocky River. Advance tickets only ($25). Call Jan Voiklis (440.503.3946) or Jeanne Burpulis (440.356.1746) for reservations.
September 24 ~ 2:00 p.m. Collis Lecture Series presents Dr. J. Michael Padget The Berlin Painter and His World: Athenian Vase-Painting in the Early 5^th Century BC. FREE; reservations required. Reserve by calling 216.421.7350.
September 28 – 30 ~ Metropolis Clergy-Laity at Annunciation Columbus.