NINTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW
MATINS: 8:15 a.m.
LITURGY: 9:30 a.m.
PROSFORA: Maria Gentis
PANGARI: Team B: Marguarite Stephanopoulos, Jason Berry, Costa Sarris
EPISTLE: I Corinthians 3:9-17
GOSPEL: Matthew 14:22-34
STREAMING SERVICE: youtube.com/stsconstantine
Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."
Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Prokeimenon. Plagal 4th Tone. 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 First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.
Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.
9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34
At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.
Mon, Aug 23rd - 7:30 p.m. - Gamblers Anonymous
Fri, Aug 27th - 9:30 a.m. - Liturgy (St. Fanourios)
Sat, Aug 28th - 5:00 p.m. - Vespers
Sun, Aug 29th - 8:15 a.m. - Matins
- 9:30 a.m. - Liturgy
- 10:45 a.m. - 40 day Memorial: Katia (Repidonis) Kavouris
- 10:45 a.m. - 1 yr Memorial: Stella Paparizos
- 10:45 a.m. - 3 yr Memorial: Helen Carbon
Those wishing to follow the livestreamed services with a written text may do so using the links below.
Electronic Version of Orthros (Matins) on Aug 22:
Electronic Version of Divine Liturgy on Aug 22:
Everyone is welcome in the Orthodox Church & may receive the blessed bread (antidoron) at the end of the service, but only practicing Orthodox Christians may receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Our updated attendance rules state that masks are recommended indoors. We are required to provide safe space in the church for parishioners who are not yet vaccinated or otherwise immunocompromised. For now, those spaces will be the four pews in the back of the church on the right side (near the icon of Christ blessing the children) and the balcony.
We appreciate the response to our call for coffee hour hosts! However, there are still upcoming open dates:
Please call the church office or write to office@stsconstantine.com to volunteer. All local regulations regarding food service must be respected.
On Sat., Sept. 11, the Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos will honor its feast day with a service beginning at 9:00 AM. Anyone wishing to car pool to the celebration may contact Fr. Stephen at frstephen@stsconstantine.com or 216-932-3300 x6.
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, September 12th will be in-person registration for both Greek School and Orthodox Education classes. New registrants for preschool, please register by this date. Registration forms will be sent out soon.
Sunday, September 19th will be the first day of Orthodox Education in-person classes.
Saturday, September 25th will be the first day of Greek School classes for 1st-6th grades at 10 am. The following Saturday, the Preschool/Kindergarten Greek classes will begin at 9am - 10 am. If there are any questions, please email Maria Sikoutris at orthodox_education@stsconstantine.com.
1) Online registration for all 2021-2022 youth ministry programs (HOPE/JOY, GOYA, young adults) is now live. Families interested in participating are encouraged to sign up to receive communications for the next ministry/school year. Contact Ted for the links or with any questions. Register by Sunday, September 5th.
2) St. Innocent Church in Olmsted Falls will be hosting a regional young adult event (ages 21 - 35ish) on Saturday, August 28th, from 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mother Magdalena will be speaking on "Healthy Relationships in a Broken World." Vespers and a meal will follow.
3) New altar boys are being accepted this fall. Boys must
1) be 10 years old or older,
2) willing to commit to regular attendance and
3) attend an orientation on Saturday, Sept 18th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Names should be given to Ted Cherpas (tcherpas@stsconstantine.com) by September 15th.
4) St. Elias Church in Akron will be hosting a regional young adult event (ages 21 - 35ish) on Saturday, September 18th. Vespers will be followed by a potluck supper with a talk by Fr. Nicholas Halkias of Holy Trinity, Canton. See you then!
Save the Date!
To become a Philoptochos member or renew your old membership, you can pick up a form in the office or visit the website: stsconstantine.com/ministries/philoptochos/
For more updates on the work of Philoptochos, you can visit the Saints Constantine & Helen Philoptochos Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/375405554026.
Bible Study
Online Bible Study sessions are currently being scheduled. If you are interested in an invite, or for current dates and topics, please email dtsengas@yahoo.com.
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Prayer Team
We will be holding prayer sessions every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday of each week at 8:30pm (EST) for all those who are able to participate. Dean Tsengas will be leading the evening prayer sessions on Zoom. Contact him at dtsengas@yahoo.com for the Zoom link.
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Thank you and keep the faith!
“Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)
We invite all clergy and laypeople (18+) to participate in the Assembly of Bishops Mental Health Needs Assessment. The survey can be found on their website. It is designed to inform us in prioritizing our next steps in creating mental health resources that resonate with our faithful. This survey will be closed within two weeks, on August 31, 2021. Any questions may be directed to: ministries@assemblyofbishops.org.
Tithe.ly is an online giving tool that makes it simple to safely/securely give to our church anywhere at any time. You can download the Tithe.ly giving app onto your phone, or click the green "Give Now" button on the church website. Your gift goes directly to the church. Plus, you can track all your gifts, setup recurring donations, and more!
The Sts. Constantine and Helen community would like to extend its thanks to the members of Scout Troop #22 and particularly the Skubas family for building and installing two new benches and barrel planters outside the Mayfield entrance to the church.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Cross Press
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Fr. Seraphim Dedes
Your Apostle among the Rulers, St. Constantine, who once beheld in the sky the image of Your Cross, and who like Paul received his calling not from man, once entrusted the Ruling City into Your hand. We entreat You to restore it in peace forever, at the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord who loves humanity. (Copyright Fr. Seraphim Dedes, used by permission. All rights reserved)
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press