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 First Letter to the Corinthians 1:10-17.

Brethren, I appeal to you by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispos and Gaius; lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Gospel Reading

8th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:14-22

At that time, Jesus saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

Saints and Feasts

August 02

Translation of the Relics of Stephen the Protomartyr

After the First Martyr had been stoned to death (see Dec. 27), Gamaliel, his teacher, encouraged certain of the Christians to go by night and take up the Saint's body and bury it in his field, which was at a distance of some twenty miles from Jerusalem and was called by his name, "Kaphar-gamala," that is, "the field of Gamala," where Gamaliel himself was later buried. About the year 427, a certain pious man called Lucian, who was the parish priest of a church near to that field, received from God a revelation in a dream concerning the place where the First Martyr was buried. He immediately made this known to John, the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Thus, coming to the place indicated, and digging there, they found a box with the word "Stephen" in Aramaic letters. On opening it, they took these most sacred relics and transferred them to Jerusalem with great honor and in the company of a very great multitude of the faithful.

August 02

Phocas the Martyr

Saint Phocas was a gardener in a small village on the south coast of the Black Sea. He lived a simple life, carrying out acts of piety and love for all around him, even serving the pagans of the village, some of who left their ways and followed Christ. The local governor heard of this and sent soldiers to kill him. The saint stumbled upon these very soldiers and, without disclosing his name, ministered to them by receiving them into his home, feeding them, and giving them rest. That night he dug a grave for himself in his garden and prepared for all his possessions to be given away after his death.

The next morning, Phocas disclosed to the soldiers that it was he whom they were seeking to kill. The soldiers were distraught, not wanting to kill the saint who had shown them so much kindness. Phocas insisted that they must carry out their mission as he willingly laid his head beneath the sword. They proceeded to execute him and then bury him in the grave he dug in his garden. The site later became a source of miracles, and eventually a Church was erected upon it. Saint Phocas is frequently invoked for those who travel by sea. His life was recorded by Saint Asterius of Amasia (see October 10^th).

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 Translation of the relics of Stephen in the Fourth Mode

O Stephen, a crown of royalty was laid on your head / for contests you courageously endured for Christ our God, / as first among the Martyr saints. / You stood in accusation of the raging Judeans; / and you saw your Savior at the right hand of the Father. / We pray that you will ever entreat Him to save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

Upon the mountain were You transfigured,/ and Your disciples beheld Your glory/ as far as they were able, O Christ our God;/ so that when they would see You crucified/ they might understand that Your Passion was deliberate,/ and declare to the world that in truth You are the Father’s radiance.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: In light of the COVID-19 Virus, and until further notice, the following precautions will be taken:

We are again the “Yellow Phase”. Please note, ALL services and Divine Liturgies will continue to take place as scheduled but with limitations:

No more than 25 people can be in church, including the priest, canter, ushers, and altar server
In order to attend ANY church services, you must register ahead of time* at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a44ada622a5fb6-church
Those over the age of 65 and/or with immunocompromised conditions should not be in church, but rather follow the service online at home
The only entrance that will be open is the glass doors by the elevator – all other entrances will be locked
Liturgy begins at 9:30 a.m. so we ask that you arrive promptly so that our ushers may also take part in the Liturgy
LIVE services can be viewed on our parish YouTube PAGE. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKfvvY35FtK8GWWctrUqENg.

All other activities in the parish have been SUSPENDED until further notice

All meetings will be done virtually through Zoom

During these difficult days, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call Fr. Costas on his cell at 440-669-1316.
Today ~ MNYMOSINA: 3 years for Evanthia Gigis.
Monday ~ 7:00 p.m. Small Paraklesis.*
Tuesday ~ 6:00 p.m. Small Paraklesis *
Tuesday ~ 7:00 p.m. virtual Home Committee / Catering & Leasing meeting.
Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers *
Thursday ~ Holy Transfiguration; 8:30 a.m, Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.*
Friday ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Paraklesis.*
Stewardship ~Thanks to all who completed and returned their 2020 Stewardship Commitment Card. Please continue to mail your stewardship donation to the church office or submit on our website. If there is anything the committee can do for you, call the office, leave a message, and someone will get back to you! God bless you and be safe.
Light a Candle and Say a Prayer ~ those attending church will have the opportunity to light a candle with the assistance of the ushers. Those at home can still light a candle online, but must place their request by 3:00 PM on Friday for the candles to be lit on Sunday. Go to https://www.stpaulgoc.org/about-us/candles and follow the instructions listed. Questions? Call the church office.
Final Phase of PAVE THE WAY ~ the parking lot is completed and the entire parking lot is striped with fresh line. You can still donate towards this project if you have not done so yet. Donations can be made on the Stewardship page of our website by clicking on PTW Phase II: https://www.stpaulgoc.org/ministries/stewardship/.
Philoptochos Membership ~ “Come join us!” Please remember to join your local St. Paul Philoptochos in 2020 and become a “friend of the poor.” Forms and contributions can either be mailed to the church office or paid online at this time.
Philoptochos Thankful Hearts ~ donations being accepted to say “Thank You” to all our essential workers who are on the front lines during this time. Donations can be made on our website at: https://www.stpaulgoc.org/ministries/adult-ministries/philoptochos/.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading Corinthians 3:9-17, Gospel Matthew 14:22-34.
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINO: 22 years for Amelia (Millie) Gallas; TRISAGIA: for George Gallas, for Steve and Theophane Gallas; for George and Panagiota Russ.
August 10 ~7:00 p.m. Small Paraklesis. *
August 11 ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Paraklesis. *
August 12 ~ 7:00 p.m. virtual Parish Council meeting.
August 13 ~ 7:00 p.m. Small Paraklesis. *
August 14 ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers. *
August 15 ~ Dormition of the Theotokos; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
Other Events ~ All other events in our parish have been suspended until further notice.

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