Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5.

Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27

At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

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 Apodosis of the Entry in the Fourth Mode

Today is the prelude of God’s good pleasure, and the proclamation of humanity’s salvation. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and in herself she announces Christ to all. Let us, then, with a great voice cry aloud to her: “Rejoice, you are the fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.”

Apolytikion for Great Martyr Catherine in the Plagal First Mode

Let us praise and extol the all-lauded Bride of Christ, / the Protectress of Sinai, divine Saint Katherine, / as the one who gives aid and her assistance for us; / for she brilliantly suppressed the impious orators, / with the sword of the Spirit. / And being crowned as a martyr, / she asks that all receive the great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

The Savior's most pure and immaculate temple, /the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin,/ who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God,/ on this day is introduced /into the House of the Lord, / and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit./ She is extolled by the Angels of God./ A heavenly tabernacle is she.

Saints and Feasts

November 25

13th Sunday of Luke

November 25

Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria

Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.

November 25

Apodosis of the Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple

November 25

Mercurius the Great Martyr of Caesarea in Cappadocia

Saint Mercurius came from Cappadocia, and was the son of Gordian, a Scythian. A young man, and a soldier of high rank, he refused to offer sacrifice to the idols, and after torments was beheaded during the reign of Valerian (253-260).

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 ~ Stewardship Sunday. Please take a moment to prayerfully review the packet mailed to your home, and respond generously. A special tray will be passed at the end of service to collect cards.
Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos resumes in January; Coffee & Conversation with Jonathan and Kristina Tartara following Holy Communion.
Today – Next Sunday ~ include your household name in the Community Christmas card for $15. See one of the GOYAns during coffee social or submit through our website.
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School.
Tuesday ~ 6:30 p.m. GOYA basketball practice at St. Michael’s on Mill Road.
Thursday ~ 2:00 p.m. Senior Fellowship Holiday Gala at Carrie Cerino’s Ristaurante. Choose from wide menu options. To reserve your seat, RSVP to Helen Dadas, Maria Regan, or Sophie Steffas.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. Bible Study with Frank Chirakos and Father Costas. Everyone welcome!
Friday ~ Andrew the First Called Apostle; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy. Following Liturgy, we will decorate the church in anticipation of the Nativity. All are welcome to help.
Friday ~ 7:00 p.m. St Paul Night at the Cleveland Monsters Hockey game featuring intermission performance by our Junior dancers.
Saturday ~ 10:00 a.m. GOYA Brunch & Rap Session at the Wilson home. RSVP / sign up to bring something to share at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44ADA622A5FB6-stpaul.
You have all received in the mail the package of information for the Final Phase, of the PAVE THE WAY. Please review and respond generously to this project. We thank you for your generosity!

Upcoming Events in Our Parish – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading, Ephesians 6:10-17; Gospel, Luke 18:35-43.
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINO: 40 days for Peter Economou; TRISAGIA: for Gene, Joanne, and Julie Powers; for Frances Hykel; for Vasiliki Nichols.
Next Sunday ~ St. Nicholas Gift Giving ~ children are asked to bring a wrapped gift for a needy child their own age labeled boy/girl/age. Gifts are to be placed by the baptismal font. Breakfast with St. Nicholas sponsored by Philoptochos following Liturgy. Purchase your tickets during the coffee social or through our website in advance. Christmas Bake Sale sponsored by Philoptochos.
December 6 ~ feast of St. Nicholas; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
December 7 ~ 5:00 p.m. GOYAns offer to babysit so parents can have a night out. Test to RSVP: Christina Psellas 440.465.2313 or Anthea Lindeman 440.822.5923. Free Will donations welcome.
December 9 ~ Election of Parish Council members during coffee social. To be eligible to vote, you must have paid your 2017 pledge in full and completed a pledge card for 2018.
December 9 ~ 4:00 p.m. Pan-Orthodox Nativity Concert hosted by our parish.
December 11 ~ 6:00 p.m. Philoptochos Christmas Dinner.
December 12 ~ feast of St. Spyridon; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
December 24 ~ Christmas Eve; 5:00 p.m. Vesperal Liturgy; Office closed.
December 25 ~ Holy Nativity; 8:15 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy; Office closed.
May 4 – 15, 2019 ~ Father Costas leads Pilgrimage to Italy. Contact him for more information. Deadline to sign up extended to the end of November.

Events in the Greater Cleveland Area and Beyond…

December 1 ~ 9:30 a.m. St. Panteleimon Annual Cookie Walk at Holy Trinity Parma.
December 5 ~ feast of St. Savas the Sanctified; 9:00 a.m. Orthros; 10:00 a.m. Liturgy at the Metropolis of Pittsburgh followed by open house with refreshments served.
December 5 ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers for St. Nicholas at St. Nicholas in Lorain.
December 8 ~ 1:30 p.m. Blessing and Open House for ZOE Women’s Center at 5454 State Road in Parma. Kindly respond to 440.893.9990.
December 8 ~ 6:00 p.m. Annual St. Nicholas Day Dance at St. Nicholas Lorain.
December 29 ~ 7:00 p.m. HPS Ball at Lago, East Bank on W10th St in Cleveland. Contact Linda Glynias at 216.469.2663 for more information and tickets.
December 31 ~ 8:30 p.m. Laugh in 2019 with Basile! New Year’s Eve Show at St. Nicholas in Lorain. For reservations or additional information, email hilariousgreek@gmail.com.
January 3 – 6 ~ Pancretan Youth Conference hosted by the Cretan youth of Akron and Cleveland. Contact Michael Zanoudakis for more information at 440.785.6198.