Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

Τού λίθου σφραγισθέντος υπό τών Ιουδαίων, καί στρατιωτών φυλλασόντων, τό άχραντόν Σου σώμα, ανέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τώ κόσμω τήν ζωήν. Διά τούτο αι Δυνάμεις τών ουρανών εβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· δόξα τή Αναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τή βασιλεία σου, δόξα τή οικονομία σου μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Τu lithou sfragisthentos ipo ton Ioudeon, ke stratioton filasonton to ahranton sou soma, anesti triemeros Sotir, doroumenos ton kosmo tin zoin. Dia touto e dinamis ton ouranon evon si Zoodota, doxa ti Anastasi sou Hriste, doxa ti vasilia sou, doxa ti ikonomia sou mone Filanthrope.

The stone that had been sealed before Your tomb by the Jews and the soldiers guarding did watch o’er Your pure and sacred body O Savior the third day You arose, and unto all the world did You give life where by all the heavenly powers did proclaim that You are the giver of life. Glory unto our resurrected Christ. Glory unto Your Kingdom. Glory to Your dispensation O You alone who loves all.

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode

Before Your most pure icon, O Good One, we bow down, beseeching Your forgiveness of our faltering steps, O Christ our God, for by Your own will you did consent to ascend to the Cross to deliver Your creations from the bondage of the foe. Therefore in thanksgiving we cry aloud to You, our Savior, who has filled all things with joy! For you have come to us to save all creation.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

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.

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!”

Saints and Feasts

March 20

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.

March 20

Photini the Samaritan Woman

March 20

Righteous Fathers slain at the Monastery of St. Savas

The Righteous Martyrs were put to death by the barbarians during the reign of Emperor Heraclius, when Saint Modestus was Patriarch of Jerusalem (632-634).

March 20

Myron the New Martyr of Crete

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 ~ Adult Catechism following Holy Communion with Elaine Poulos.
Today ~ 5:00 p.m. our parish is hosting Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers. Children are invited to bring Icons and participate in the procession. Fellowship and refreshments to follow.
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School.
Monday* ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Compline.
Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study group with Elaine Poulos.
Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. 6^th GriefShare session.
Wednesday* ~ 5:00 p.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten dinner hosted by Senior Fellowship. NO SERVICES NEXT WEEK.
Thursday ~ 6:30 p.m. GOYA volleyball practice at St. Michael’s.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. Bible study with Elaine Poulos and Father Costas. Everyone welcome!
Friday* ~ 7:00 p.m. Vespers and 2^nd Salutations to the Theotokos.
During these days of Lent, consider making a contribution to the Benevolent Fund, in any amount, so that we may continue providing assistance to those in need.
Stewardship ~ Please take time to complete your 2016 Stewardship card. Challenge yourself by asking, “Can I increase my weekly contribution by $5.00 or $10.00?” You can bring it to church, mail it to the office, or complete it online.

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: 40 days for Gus Sevastis; TRISAGIA: 5 years for Harry Katakos; 12 years for Helen Katakos for Jerry and Stella Ertle; for James Paros; for Mary Lovecky; for Stacy and Joseph Vrba.
April 3 ~ 12:00 p.m. Greek Corner meets in the back classroom.
April 4 - 5 ~ 9:00 a.m. Festival baking begins. Open to all men and women! Join us for an hour or two as we begin preparing for the Festival.
April 17 ~ 12:00 p.m. General Assembly meeting.

50^th Anniversary Celebrations

April 9 ~ 11:00 a.m. Fifty Years of Fashion Luncheon featuring parishioners modeling five decades of fashion. Purchase tickets TODAY during coffee social or our website. Also consider becoming a sponsor for the event. You will be acknowledged in the program booklet. Presale ONLY.
April 10 ~ Pictures will be taking of all the ministries of our parish for the 50^th Anniversary Album.
April 24 ~ Palm Sunday Luncheon, honoring our Parish Council Presidents, following Liturgy. Adults plaki or baked fish $15, Adult pasta $10, and children pasta (10 and under) $5.
Acts of Kindness

Cleanse your home for Lent ~ fill a garbage bag provided by Philoptochos with items needed for St. Herman’s House of Hospitality, Zoe House, or St. Mary of Egypt. Filled bags will be collected on April 17^th.
Bottles for Babies ~ drop your spare change in the baby bottles located in the hallway to benefit ZOE for Life! ~ Sponsored by Little Angels.
Eyeglass Recycling ~ we encourage all parishioners to bring gently used eyeglasses to be donated to the Lions Club Recycle for Sight program. Place in box in hall in hallway.
Parade Pledges ~ Greek school students are collecting pledges for ZOE for Life! as they walk in the Greek Independence Day parade.
Kindness Board ~ post an act of kindness committed by a parishioner on board in hallway.

Events in the Greater Cleveland Area and Beyond…

Monday ~ 6:30 p.m. Eastern Orthodox Women’s Guild meeting at Buna Vestire Romanian Orthodox Church in Rocky River.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers for feast of Annunciation at Annunciation Cleveland
Friday ~ feast of Annunciation at Annunciation Cleveland; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy followed by luncheon.
Saturday ~ 10:00 a.m. Pilgrimage at St. Gregory Palamas Monastery. Meet at 8:30 a.m. Best Buy in Strongsville to carpool to Monastery. RSVP to the church office if you would like to attend.
April 2 ~ 9:30 a.m. Be the Bee Treat at St. Demetrios Rocky River for those in 6^th – 12^th grade. Register at www.bethebee.goarch.org/retreats.
April 2 ~ 9:30 a.m. Lenten Spring Retreat ~ Defeating Sin “Overcoming our Passions and Changing Forever” with Fr. Joseph Huneycutt at Annunciation Akron. $15/person includes lunch. RSVP to Pat Gorsuch(330.658.6225); Vi Leathers (330.920.1242) or Jerrie Elias (330.655.2203).
April 3 ~ 12:00 p.m. Metropolis GOYA Volleyball tournament at St. Demetrios Rocky River.