Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

Κατέλυσας τώ Σταυρώ σου τόν θάνατον· ηνέωξας τώ ληστή τόν Παράδεισον· τών Μυροφόρων τόν θρήνον μετέβαλες· καί τοίς σοίς Αποστόλοις κηρύττειν επέταξας· ότι ανέστης Χριστέ ο Θεός, παρέχων τώ κόσμω τό μέγα έλεος.

Κatelisas to Stavro sou ton thanaton, ineoxas to listi ton Paradison, ton Miroforon ton thrinon metevales, ke tis sis Apostolis kiritin epetaxas, oti anesti Hriste o Theos, parehon to kosmo to mega eleos.

O Lord by Your sacred Cross You abolished death, and granted unto the thief blessed paradise. The Myrrh bearers ceased lamenting and turned to joy. The Apostles did preach the Good News at Your command, that You had risen from the dead O Christ Our God, bestowing Your mercy upon the world evermore.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Soson Kyrie ton laon sou/ ke evlogison tin klironomia sou/ nikas tis vasilefsi/ kata varvaron doroumenos/ ke ton son filaton/ dia tou stavrou sou politevma.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Apolytikion for Great Martyr Euphemia in the Third Mode

To the Orthodox you brought elation / the unorthodox, humiliation, O Euphemia, the beautiful virgin of Christ. / For what the Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical / Synod decreed well as dogma you ratified. / Pray to Christ our god, O glorious Martyr, fervently, / entreating Him to grant us His great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, / O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions / upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. / Cause our faithful rulers to be glad in Your power, / granting them the victories against their adversaries. / And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, / peace as their armor,/ the trophy invincible.

Saints and Feasts

September 16

Sunday after Holy Cross

September 16

Euphemia the Great Martyr

Saint Euphemia was from Chalcedon and lived in virginity. According to some, she suffered martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian, in 303; according to others, in 307. Her sacred relics are preserved in the Patriarchate in Constantinople.

September 16

Ninian the Enlightener of Scotland

Saint Ninian was born in Cumberland in Britain around the year 360, about a half century after the Emperor Constantius Chlorus died in the British city of York, and his son Constantine, who was with him when he died, was proclaimed Emperor. Ninian was born of Christian parents of noble lineage, at a time when paganism was still strong in his native land. As a young man he went to Rome, where he spent many years in study and ascetical struggles. At Rome, Saint Ninian was consecrated some time after the death of Pope Damasus in 384, and was sent back to his native island about the end of the fourth century. On his return journey, it is likely that he passed through Tours and met Saint Martin; what is certain is that many churches and cells associated with Saint Ninian, including his own cathedral in Whithorn, were named in honour of Saint Martin. When Saint Ninian returned to Cumberland, he established monasteries that fostered both the life of prayer and missionary labours. By his preaching, his godly life, and his miracles, he ministered to his own countrymen, the Britons, and also converted many of the pagan Picts, who inhabited the northern regions (in today's Scotland). He reposed in peace at his see of Whithorn in Galloway in 432.

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 ~ MNYMOSINO: 3 months for Asimo Tsesmelis; TRISAGION: 45 years for Chester Ewald.
Today ~ Parish Fair following Liturgy. Come see the many programs offered by the various ministries of our parish. Coffee Social hosted by all the ministries.
Today ~ 4:30 p.m. Parish Youth Picnic at Richfield Woods Pavilion on Broadview Road in Richfield.
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School.
Monday ~ 6:30 p.m. Festival Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to thank our many volunteers who worked so hard to make our Festival a successful event. RSVP required to the church office.
Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study Group resumes with Elaine Poulos.
Wednesday ~ 6:30 p.m. GOYA tournament planning meeting open to the community.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. Bible Study with Frank Chirakos and Fr. Costas. All are welcome.
Saturday ~ 10:00 a.m. Pet Blessing.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading, Galatians 4:22-27; Gospel, Luke 5:1-11.
Next Sunday ~ TRISAGIA: 1 year for Phillip N Pyros; for Anastasios Packis; for Anastasia Lekas.
September 22 ~ 10:30 a.m. Altar Boy Workshop for boys in 3^rd grade and up, followed by bowling at Seven Hills Lanes on Broadview Road. Call office to RSVP. We need a few drivers. $5/person.
September 22 ~ 4:30 p.m. Philoptochos fundraiser Men Who Cook. Purchase your ticket during the coffee social today, or through our website Let us all support our parish Philoptochos in all their philanthropic endeavors.
September 23 ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos and Coffee & Conversation with Jonathan and Kristina Tartara resume following Holy Communion.
September 23 ~ Dance Practice for ALL dancers following Sunday School.
September 27 ~ 2:00 p.m. Senior Fellowship Kafenio. Flu shots will be available – please bring your Medicare / insurance card with you.
October 8 ~ 5:30 p.m. Philoptochos Cooking Class making Dolmathes. Register during coffee social or through our website - $25 participant.
May 4 – 15, 2019 ~ Father Costas leads Pilgrimage to Italy. Contact him for more information.

Events in the Greater Cleveland Area and Beyond…

Thursday - Saturday ~ Annunciation Akron Greek Festival.
September 22 ~ 3:30 p.m. Vespers followed by the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery 5^th Annual Dinner Banquet in Memory of Gerontissa Taxiarchia at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh. Tickets $100. RSVP to 724.352.3999 or 2018MonasteryBanquet.Eventbrite.com.
September 29 ~ 9:00 a.m. Metropolis one day Clergy-Laity hosted by Holy Cross in Pittsburgh PA.
September 30 ~ 2:00 p.m. The Dr. John and Helen Collis Lecture series at the Cleveland Museum of Art presents the Cleveland Saint Luke: The Byzantine Artist as Creator, Bureaucrat, or Copyist by Dr. Antony Eastmond. FREE; reservations required – call 216.421.7350 or engage.clevelandart.org.
October 7 ~ 2:00 p.m. Orthodox Christian Women Welcome and Fellowship Tea at St Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church in Fairlawn. Dr. John Bober will share his experiences from his trip to Mount Athos. RSVP to Nikki Bober 330.409.3552 or Sandy Graham 330.775.2963.