Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Saints and Feasts

February 09

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.

February 09

Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch

This Martyr, who was from Antioch in Syria, contested during the reign of Gallienus, about the year 260. Through the working of the evil one, his friendship with a certain Christian priest named Sapricius was turned to bitter hatred. Nicephoros, repenting of his enmity, tried both through intermediaries and in person to be reconciled with Sapricius, but to no avail. Later, when the persecution broke out under Valerian and Gallienus, Sapricius was seized as a Christian. When Saint Nicephoros learned that Sapricius had been arrested by the pagans and was enduring torments for Christ, he sent intermediaries to Sapricius, begging his forgiveness; but Sapricius would not forgive him. Later, as Sapricius was being taken to beheading, Nicephoros, hoping that Sapricius, at his end, in such a holy hour, would at last forgive him, met him on the way, fell before him, and fervently asked his forgiveness; but Sapricius forgave him not. Wherefore, though Sapricius had passed through many sufferings, and the crown of martyrdom was now awaiting him, because he disdained the chief commandments of love and forgiveness, the grace of God, which had been strengthening him in his torments, departed from him, and he told his executioners he would sacrifice. Nicephoros immediately confessed Christ before them, and being himself beheaded, took the crown that Sapricius had cast away.

Should the Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple fall on this day the service to Saint Nicephoros is chanted on the 8th.

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 Presentation in the First Mode

Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, for from thee hath risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. Rejoice, thou also, O righteous Elder, as thou receivest in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who also granteth unto us the Resurrection.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.

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 ~ Coffee & Conversation with Jonathan and Kristi Tartara ;Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos following Holy Communion.
Today ~ MNYMOSINA: 40 days for Tom Gigis; 40 days for Demetrios Natsis; 3 years for Maryann Katsiroubas; 7 years for Gust Gianakis; 17 years for Nick Gianakis; TRISAGIA for family members: Eftehia and Athanasios Natsis; Joseph, Helena, and Joseph Liptak; for Tom and Gus Katsiroubas.
Coffee Social ~ hosted by the Gigis and Natsis families.
Today ~ Godparent / Godchild Sunday. Luncheon offered by Choir. Limited tickets available.
Today ~ until February 23^rd, we are accepting nominations for two individuals from our community for the St. Photios Award that is given by our Metropolis. There are forms and a box in the outer narthex where you can deposit your nomination.
Monday ~ St. Haralambos; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School.
Tuesday ~ Women’s Study Group with Elaine Poulos.
Tuesday ~ 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos meeting in Teen room.
Tuesday ~ 6:30 p.m. GOYA basketball practice at St. Michael’s on Mill Rd in Broadview Hts.
Tuesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Orthodox Catechism with Father Costas. Six sessions for those who would like to learn more about our faith or are interested in becoming an Orthodox Christian. RSVP by calling the church office or through our website.
Wednesday ~ 6:00 p.m. Family Ministry meeting.
Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Parish Council monthly meeting.
Thursday ~ 3:00 p.m. Senior Fellowship “Agape” Potluck Dinner. Please bring your favorite covered dish or dessert to share. Main dish provided by Senior Fellowship. RSVP to Helen Dadas, Maria Regan, or Sophie Steffas.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. A NEW Bible Study series on the Nicene Creed with Fr. Costas. All invited!
Stewardship ~Thanks to all who completed and returned their 2020 Stewardship Commitment Card.
Final Phase of PAVE THE WAY ~ you have received in the mail a statement for all your contributions to date for both the 1^st and 2^nd phase of this campaign. If you have not contributed yet, please do so. Help us complete the Final Phase of the Pave the Way as we look forward to welcoming the Archbishop of America, along with all the Metropolitans and many faithful, to our parish this summer, on June 28, 2020, for the Liturgy of the start of the 2020 Clergy Laity Congress.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading I Corinthians 6:12-20; Gospel Luke 15:11-32.
Coffee Social ~ hosted by the Lekas family.
February 21 ~ 6:30 p.m. Koliva-Making Workshop. RSVP by February 18^th to office. Cost $5.00. Organized by Fr. Costas
February 22 ~ Saturday of Souls; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy. First names of deceased loved ones can be submitted to the church office or through our website.
February 23 ~ Loukoumades sales to benefit CJD Foundation sponsored by Philoptochos; Dance Practice for ALL dancers following Sunday School.
February 24 ~ 5:30 p.m. Philoptochos Baking Class with Father Costas teaching us how to make Baklava Saragli. $25/person. Reservation required ~ limited space.
February 28 ~ 6:00 p.m. HOPE / JOY Bowling at Seven Hills Lanes. $10 per bowler includes two hours of bowling and shoe rental. Pizza provided. Let us know what you can bring. RSVP to Elena Giatis via text at 440.829.1340.

Events in the Greater Cleveland Area and Beyond

Saturday ~ 8:20 a.m. “The Beauty of Repentance & The Mystery of Confession ~ A Pre-Lenten Retreat”at St Demetrios Rocky River. Guest Speaker Fr. Joseph, Abbott of St. Gregory Palamas Monastery. $15 includes morning refreshments and lunch. RSVP 440.331.2246.
Friday – Next Sunday ~ GOYAns attend the last Metropolis GOYA Basketball Tournament hosted by Holy Trinity Pittsburgh.
February 15 ~ 6:00 p.m. Apokriatiko Glendi at St. Nicholas in Lorain. PREPAID TICKETS ONLY. Call the church office at 440.960.2992.
March 14 ~ 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. “Seven Lessons from the Cross” Lenten Retreat with Fr. Nicholas Louh. At Sts. Constantine & Helen, Cleveland Heights. Presale $15/ $20 after March 7^th (includes breakfast and lunch).
April 4 ~ 2:30 p.m. Hellenic Preservation Society offers members “Antigone”, a modern interpretation at the Cleveland Playhouse. $15/person. Contact Linda Glynias at 216.469.2663 or lglynias@gmail.com for tickets.