Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

When You come down to the earth, O God, in Your glory, all things will cower tremulous, and a river of fire will draw before Your Judgment Seat; the books shall be opened up, and public knowledge will things hidden be. Rescue me, then, I pray, from unquenchable fire, and count me worthy to stand at Your right hand, O You, the most righteous Judge.

Saints and Feasts

March 03

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.

March 03

The Holy Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus, and Basiliscus

The Martyrs, who were from Amasia, were fellow soldiers and kinsmen of Saint Theodore the Tyro (see Feb. 17). They were betrayed to the Governor Asclepiodotus as Christians, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). After many torments, Eutropius and Cleonicus were crucified; Basiliscus was not slain together with them, but was shut up in prison, in the hope that with time he might change his mind and sacrifice to the idols. He was beheaded on May 22; see also the account on that day.

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: for Mike, Gregory, Evdoxia, and Steve Pagonakis; for Persofoni Saviou; for Bill and Mary Kanas; for Andrew Regan; for Christ and Michael Bouzos; for Mary Ann Bouzos Segal; for Leslie Kartson.
Today ~ Coffee Social hosted by Libby Darakos, Mary Pagonakis, Maria Regan, and Christine Dopoulos.
Today ~ Youth Sunday. We will see our youth in action as they assume most of the responsibilities or helping during the service. GOYA meeting in Church; Dance practice for all groups; Greek Corner meets in back classroom at noon.
Today ~ and next Sunday, we will take nominations for the Annual St. Photios Awards offered by our Metropolis. There are nominations forms on the glass case in the narthex and a box you can place them in. You can suggest two individuals and what specifically they contributed to the life of our parish that you feel makes them worthy candidates.
Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos and Coffee and Conversation with Jonathan and Kristi Tartara following Holy Communion.
Today ~ Vaso Boukis will be collecting names for the Sunday of Orthodoxy patron booklet that is compiled every year. It is a freewill donation. All proceeds go toward supporting the work of the GCCOC (the Greater Cleveland Council of Orthodox Clergy). This year the Sunday of Orthodoxy celebration will be at St. Michael’s Orthodox Church on Mill Rd. Plan to join all our Orthodox brothers and sisters from throughout greater Cleveland for this celebration.
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School.
Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study group with Elaine Poulos.
Tuesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Home Committee meeting.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. Fr. Costas is leading a series of studies on the Lord’s Prayer. All are welcome.
Saturday ~ 2^nd Saturday of Souls; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy. Come and bring the names of your diseased loved one so we can pray for the repose of their souls over the next two Saturdays.
Thank you to the 307 stewards 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. To date, 72 individuals have pledged $152,932 toward the $350,000 loan. 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!

Upcoming Events in Our Parish – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading, Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4; Gospel, Matthew 6:14-21.
Next Sunday ~ TRISAGIA: 7 years for Haralambos Trihas; for all members of the Trakas and Kacludis families.
Next Sunday ~ Coffee Social hosted by the Stewardship Committee offering cheesecake for Cheesefare Sunday.
Next Sunday ~ ONE DAY ONLY Donations of NEW bath towels, children craft supplies, bedding, toiletries, utensils, cleaning supplies, etc. accepted for Zelma George Center during coffee social.
March 12 ~ 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos board meeting followed at 7:00 p.m. with general meeting featuring Zelma George Center with speakers Anna Vedouras and Samantha Justham.
March 24 ~ Greek School Greek Independence program presented after Liturgy with Spaghetti Luncheon to follow. Please purchase tickets in advance to allow us to properly plan.

Lenten Services and Retreats in the parish and Beyond

Saturday ~ 10:00 a.m. Lenten Retreat “Encouraging Faith in One Another” with Father Stavros Akrotirianakis at Sts. Const. & Helen Cleveland Hts. More information, call Anna at 216-287-6890.
Next Sunday ~ 6:00 p.m. Forgiveness Vespers.
March 11 ~ ΚαθαράΔευτέρα, Great Lent begins; 7:00 p.m. Great Compline Service.
March 13 ~ 5:00 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten meal prepared by Philoptochos.
March 15 ~ 7:00 p.m. 1^st Salutations to the Theotokos service.
March 30 ~ 9:30 a.m. Orthodox Christian Women of Akron presents Lenten Retreat “Date with Destiny” presented by Cynthia Kostas. For tickets and information, contact Nikki Bober at 330.409.3552.

Events in the Greater Cleveland Area and Beyond

Today ~ 5:00 p.m. Karnavali Dance at Annunciation Cleveland sponsored by their Greek School Program. For tickets contact Tina Asmis at 216.571.6353.
Friday – April 19 ~ 5:00 p.m. Fish Fry dinners at Annunciation Cleveland.
March 16 ~ 11:00 a.m. Daffodil Luncheon hosted by the Metropolis of Pittsburgh and St. Haralambos’ Philoptochos at St. Haralambos in Canton. Donation $60/person. For information call Fran Armatas 330.327.9841 or Stephanie Withers 330.354.3245.
April 5 – 7 ~ Metropolis GOYA Spring Retreat “Made Perfect Through my Weakness” with newly ordained Deacon George Athanasiou. Registration OPEN: y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org. Parish scholarship available to GOYAns active in the program and whose family is a steward of St. Paul. Contact the church office for more information.
April 11 ~ 6:30 p.m. ~ HPS annual meeting “Greek Cultural Garden Frieze” at Brecksville Rec Center with free light Lenten dinner for HPS members. To RSVP or for information, contact Maria Cashy mcashy@aol.com.