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 Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13.

BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after Epiphany
The Reading is from Matthew 4:12-17

At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Saints and Feasts

January 10

Gregory of Nyssa

Saint Gregory, the younger brother of Basil the Great, illustrious in speech and a zealot for the Orthodox Faith, was born in 331. His brother Basil was encouraged by their elder sister Macrina to prefer the service of God to a secular career (see July 19); Saint Gregory was moved in a similar way by his godly mother Emily, who, when Gregory was still a young man, implored him to attend a service in honor of the holy Forty Martyrs at her retreat at Annesi on the River Iris. Saint Gregory came at his mother's bidding, but being wearied with the journey, and feeling little zeal, he fell asleep during the service. The Forty Martyrs then appeared to him in a dream, threatening him and reproaching him for his slothfulness. After this he repented and became very diligent in the service of God.

Gregory became bishop in 372, and because of his Orthodoxy he was exiled in 374 by Valens, who was of one mind with the Arians. After the death of Valens in 378, Gregory was recalled to his throne by the Emperor Gratian. He attended the Local Council of Antioch, which sent him to visit the churches of Arabia and Palestine, which had been defiled and ravaged by Arianism. He attended the Second Ecumenical Council, which was assembled in Constantinople in 381. Having lived some sixty years and left behind many remarkable writings, he reposed about the year 395. The acts of the Seventh Ecumenical Council call him 'Father of Fathers."

January 10

Dometian, Bishop of Melitene

Saint Dometian lived in the years of the Emperor Justin II, who reigned from 565 to 578, and the Emperor Maurice, who reigned from 582 to 602. Born of pious parents named Theodore and Eudocia, he received a thorough education in both secular and sacred knowledge. After he had lived in lawful wedlock a short time, his wife died, and he, for his virtue was made Bishop of Melitene in Armenia at the age of thirty. As a kinsman and trusted friend of the Emperor Maurice, he received from him great largesse, which he spent on the building of churches and the help of the poor; he was entrusted with the dealings of Byzantium with Persia. While in Constantinople, he reposed in peace in the year 602.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

Αγγελικαί Δυνάμεις επί τό μνήμα σου, καί οι φυλάσσοντες, απενεκρώθησαν· καί ίστατο Μαρία εν τώ τάφω ζητούσα, τό άχραντόν σου σώμα· εσκύλευσας τόν Άδην, μή πειρασθείς υπ’αυτού· υπήντησας τή Παρθένω, δωρούμενος τήν ζωήν. Ο αναστάς εκ νεκρών, Κύριε δόξα Σοι.

Αgelike Dinamis epi to mnimasou, ke I filasontes apenekrothisan, ke istato Maria en to tafo zitousa, to ahranton sou soma, eskilefsas ton Adin, mi pirasthis ipaftou, ipindisas ti Partheno, doroumenos tin zoin, O anastas ek ton nekron, Kirie doxa Si.

When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You.

Apolytikion for Theophany Afterfeast in the First Mode

As You were baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, then the worship of the Trinity became manifest, for the voice of the Father bore witness to You, naming You the Beloved Son; and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ God, who appeared and illumined the world, glory to You.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

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 pleased to announce that we have been given permission by Metropolitan Savas to enter into the “GREEN Phase”. Please note, ALL services and Divine Liturgies will continue to take place as scheduled but with the following guidelines:

Those over 65 years of age CAN now attend church services. Everyone must still wear a mask. We must continue to practice social distancing.
The church cannot be filled to more than 50% capacity. The only entrance that will be open is the glass doors by the elevator ~ all other entrances will be locked. Following services, we kindly ask that you return to your vehicle and enjoy the rest of your day. Those with immunocompromised conditions, no matter their age, should not be in church but rather follow the service online at home
LIVE services can be viewed on our Parish YouTube Page ~ click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKfvvY35FtK8GWWctrUqENg
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 ~ MNYMOSINO: 40 days memorial for Frank Chirakos.
Today ~ Sunday School via ZOOM resumes.
Today ~ Adult Catechism via ZOOM with Elaine Poulos resumes January 17.
Monday ~ Greek School via ZOOM.
Tuesday ~ 6:00 p.m. Stewardship committee meeting via ZOOM.
Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. monthly Parish Council meeting via ZOOM.
Thursday ~ Bible Study via ZOOM with Father Costas resumes.
Stewardship ~ 2021 Stewardship cards were mailed to you. Please take time to fill out, bring to church, mail to the office, or complete online on our website. Also, if you’re in arrears for 2020, please bring it up to date. As always, we thank you for your love to our community and for helping us have a banner 2020 stewardship year! If there is anything the committee can do for you, call the office, leave a message, and someone will get back to you!
Light a Candle and Say a Prayer ~ place your request by 3:00 PM on Friday through our website for candles to be lit on Sunday. Questions? Call the church office.
New Digital Parish Directory is LIVE! Download the app on your mobile phone or laptop. See instructions in Messenger. Only parishioners will have access to information. Questions? Email directory@stpaulgoc.org. When you access your account, you will be able to edit your information, include as much or as little as you wish, and add a picture. Someone from the Directory Committee will be available in the Hellenic Center lobby to take a picture of you for this directory TODAY following liturgy.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish and Beyond – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading Ephesians 4:7-13 | Gospel Matthew 4:12-17.
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINA: 40 days for John James | 6 months for Ethel Williams [for Steve and Alice Williams, Steve Williams Sr., George Williams, Alice Burns]
January 17 ~ 6:00 p.m. Pray for the Unborn” virtual service hosted by Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/stsconstantine. Zoom presentation with His Beatitude Metropolitan TIKHON, Primate of OCA following the service. Registration FREE, but required to receive Zoom link. Register before January 14^th at https://forms.gle/iECpLgkuGpy1qDvx9.
January 19 ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study Group with Elaine Poulos resumes via ZOOM.
January 19 ~ 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Young Adult Monthly Gathering with Metropolitan Savas and Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa leading the discussion. Advance sign up necessary at tinyurl.com/YoungAdult-NewYear.
January 20 ~ St. Efthimios | 5:00 p.m. Orthros | 6:00 p.m. Liturgy.
January 30 ~ Three Hierarchs | 8:30 a.m. Orthros | 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
February 26 -28 ~ St Paul GYRO FEST Drive-Thru. Pre-paid orders ONLY. Volunteer at: https://tinyurl.com/yyn7uob4.
ZOE Women's Center® is looking for Orthodox women seeking the opportunity to become a life coach to work with women in distress due to an unplanned pregnancy. Nursing or related healthcare experience a plus but not required. Contact Paula Kappos for details: paulamk@roadrunner.com.