Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:1-10.

Brethren, working together with him, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Gospel Reading

16th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 25:14-30

The Lord said this parable: "A man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." As he said these things he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Ευραινέσθω τά ουράνια, αγαλλιάσθω τά επίγεια, ότι εποίησε κράτος εν βραχίονι αυτού ο Κύριος· επάτησε τώ θανάτω τόν θάνατον· πρωτότοκος τών νεκρών εγένετο, εκ κοιλίας Άδου ερρύσατο ημάς, καί παρέσχε τώ κόσμω τό μέγα έλεος.

Εfrenestho ta ourania, agaliasto ta epigia, oti epiise kratos, en vrahioni aftou o Kirios, epatise to thanato ton thanaton, prototokos ton nekron egeneto, ek kilias adou erisato imas, ke paresche to kosmo to mega eleos.

Let all the things above in heaven rejoice and let all things below on earth be glad. With all the might and strength of His arm an eternal deed the Lord did perform. Beneath His feet He has trampled down death by death, and first born of the dead has He become. From the womb of Hades has He delivered us, and to all the world has granted His great redeeming mercy.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Presentation in the First Mode

Lady full of grace, rejoice, O Virgin heotokos, for Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness has risen from you and He illumined those in darkness. And you, righteous Elder, be glad in heart, receiving in your embraces the one who liberates our souls and bestows on us the Resurrection.

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 First Mode

For our salvation you took flesh and sanctified the Virgin womb; / you blessed the aged Simeon as you lay resting in his arms, / and having come to save us all. O Christ God, / to these troubled times, bring your lasting peace. / Give strong and undaunted faith to all your people, / O only lover of mankind.

Saints and Feasts

February 03

16th Sunday of Matthew

February 03

The Synaxis of the Holy and Righteous Symeon the God-Receiver and the Holy Prophetess Anna

Yesterday we celebrated the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple; today we honor the righteous Elder Symeon and Prophetess Anna, who prophesied concerning Him by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and were the first in Jerusalem to receive Him as the Messiah.

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 ~ TRISAGIA: 15 years for Pantelis Koutsoulias; 6 years for Gust Gianakis.
Today ~ Go Red Sunday sponsored by Philoptochos to raise awareness about women’s heart health. Show your support by wearing red.
Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos and Coffee and Conversation with Jonathan and Kristi Tartara following Holy Communion.
Today ~ GOYA meeting following Sunday School upstairs in Church.
Today ~ Dance practice for Junior group following Sunday School; 12:00 p.m.
Today ~ Greek Corner meets in Teen Room.
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School.
Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study group with Elaine Poulos will resume next week.
Tuesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Home Committee meeting.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. instead of the regular Bible Study Fr. Costas will lead a series of study on the Lord’s Prayer. All are welcome. We will meet in the Teen Room.
Fr. Costas would like to offer an Orthodox Catechism class for anyone who is interesting in learning the basic beliefs of our Orthodox Faith and for anyone interested in converting into the Orthodox Faith. Those interested, please call the church office and give your name. Based on the response, Fr. Costas will schedule a day and time to hold these sessions.
Hospital visitations ~ if a loved one is hospitalized and you want Fr. Costas to visit and offer prayers, you must inform the office. With the HIPAA laws in affect, the hospitals do not call the church office anymore and we have no other way of knowing.
Thank you to all who completed and returned their 2019 Stewardship commitment card thus far. If you have not done so yet, please complete and return it to the church office at your earliest convenience. With much gratitude, the Stewardship Committee.
As we are enjoying our new parking lot, we would like to thank all who have returned their commitment card for the Final Phase of the PAVE THE WAY. Your names are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway. If you have not made a commitment, please do so and help us retire the outstanding loan. We thank you for your generosity!

Upcoming Events in Our Parish – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading, II Timothy 2:1-10; Gospel, Matthew 15:21-28.
Next Sunday ~ TRISAGIA: 8 years for Bill Pontikos; 25 years for Despina Pontikos; 33 years for George Valantasis.
Next Sunday ~ Godparent Sunday. Luncheon following Liturgy sponsored by Choir with proceeds to benefit the Final Phase of Pave the Way. Tickets available through our website or during coffee social. Limited number of tickets available.
February 11 ~ 5:30 p.m. Philoptochos baking class. Learn how to make Greek Pasteli with Joanna Kokkas as our instructor. Participation fee is $15. Register early ~ space is limited.
February 12 ~ 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos general meeting.
February 14 ~ 10:00 a.m. Afghan Workshop at Jennings Assisted Living located at 8736 Brecksville Road in Brecksville in the Pub Room. Contact Maria Lovejoy or Maribeth Lekas for patterns, supplies, or if interested in attending workshop.
February 19 ~ 7:00 p.m. monthly Parish Council meeting.
February 21 ~ 4:00 p.m. Senior Fellowship Agape Dinner in the Hellenic Center. Main dish provided, please bring side dish or dessert to share. RSVP: Helen Dadas / Maria Regan/Sophie Steffas.

Events in the Greater Cleveland Area and Beyond

February 15 – 17 ~ GOYAns attend Metropolis GOYA Basketball Tournament hosted by Annunciation Columbus.
February 16 ~ 9:30 a.m. GCCOC and ZOE for Life! present a retreat with the Very Rev. Dr. John Behr “Coming to Know and Sharing Christ” at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church on W 14^th in Cleveland. Tickets available at no cost. Free will offerings to ZOE for Life! always appreciated. Call 440.893.9990 for reservations.
March 2 ~ 6:00 p.m. Apokriatiko Glendi at St. Nicholas Lorain. Call Dena at 440.960.2992 for reservations. $25 adults / $10 students / children under 5 FREE.