Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

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!"

Saints and Feasts

February 07

Parthenius, Bishop of Lampsacus

Saint Parthenius was born in Melitopolis on the Hellespont, the son of a deacon named Christopher. Because of the miracles that he wrought even as a young man, he was ordained a priest and then Bishop of Lampsacus in the days of Saint Constantine the Great, from whom he received great gifts and authority both to overturn the altars of the idols and to raise up a church to the glory of Christ. Working many miracles throughout his life, he reposed in peace an old man and full of days.

February 07

Luke of Mount Stirion

Saint Luke was the descendant of a family from Aegina which, because of the frequent invasions of the Saracens, left Aegina and dwelt in Phocis, where the Saint was born in 896. From his earliest childhood Luke ate neither flesh, nor cheese, nor eggs, but gave himself over with his whole soul to hardship and fasting for the love of heavenly blessings, often giving away his clothing to the poor, for which his father punished him. After his father's death he secretly left home to become a monk, but the Lord, inclining to the fervent prayers of his mother, made him known, and he returned to her for a time to care for her. For many years he lived as a hermit, moving from place to place; he spent the last part of his life on Mount Stirion at Phocis, where there is a city named Stiris. The grace of God that was in him made him a wonder-worker, and his tomb in the monastery of Hosios Loukas, famous for its mosaics, became a source of healings and place of pilgrimage for the faithful. According to some he reposed in the year 946; according to others, in 953.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

Ότε κατήλθες πρός τόν θάνατον, η ζωή η αθάνατος, τότε τόν Άδην ενέκρωσας, τή αστραπή τής Θεότητος· ότε δέ καί τούς τεθνεώτας, εκ τών καταχθονίων ανέστησας, πάσαι αι Δυνάμεις τών επουρανίων εκραύγαζον· Ζωοδότα Χριστέ ο Θεός ημών δόξα Σοι.

Όte katilthes pros ton thanaton, I zoe athanatos, tote ton Adin enekrosas, ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke tous tethneotas ek ton katakthonion anestisas, pase e Dinamis ton epuranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Christe o Theos imon doxa Si.

When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to You.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Presentation in the First Mode

Lady full of grace, rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, 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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

You sanctified the virginal womb by Your birth, O Lord, | and blessed the hands of Symeon fittingly, | O Christ God; and even now You came and saved us. | Now, give peace to our Nation in time of war, | and empower our Leaders, so loved by You, | the only one who loves humanity.

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 for George Nikolaou; 10 years for Bill Pontikos [George Valantasis | Despina Pontikos].
Today ~ 11:30 a.m. Sunday School via ZOOM.
Today ~ 11:30 a.m. Adult Catechism via ZOOM with Elaine Poulos.
Today ~ Last day for the Youth Ministry Food Drive. Besides the collection done by our Youth, we invite anyone in the parish to also participate. You can drop nonperishable items off today in the lobby by the mirrors. Distribution will be made by St. Mary of Egypt Ministry at their monthly event.
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School via ZOOM.
Monday ~ 6:30 p.m. Family Ministry meeting via ZOOM.
Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study Group with Elaine Poulos resumes via ZOOM.
Tuesday ~ 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos meeting via ZOOM.
Wednesday ~ 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy feast of St Haralambos.
Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. monthly Parish Council meeting via ZOOM.
Thursday ~ 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Bible Study via ZOOM with Father Costas. Contact the office to receive the link if you don’t have. Class will NOT be held on next week but will resume the following week.
Friday ~ 6:00 p.m. GOYA Paint & Pizza night. Cost is $5/GOYAn. RSVP to Lee Santerelli at psantarelli@hchc.edu by Monday, February 8^th.
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.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish and Beyond – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading II Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1 | Gospel Matthew 15:21-28.
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINO: 40 days for Eleanor Hovanec | 3 months for Bill Glaros [Constantine and Despina Glaros | Michael and Kocona Vruvas | Anthony and Dionisia Vruvas | Anthony Vruvas | Bill Kokkalakis].
Next Sunday ~ 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Philoptochos Loukoumades. Pre-paid drive-thru sale. Orders can be placed at https://tinyurl.com/y6hks5yn or call 330.441.1044.
February 21 ~ Diapers and Baby Wipes Drive to benefit ZOE for Life! Most needed sizes are 3|5|6.
February 26 -28 ~ St Paul GYRO FEST Drive-Thru. Pre-paid orders ONLY. Volunteer at: https://tinyurl.com/yyn7uob4. For those who are unable to volunteer but would still like to help, items can be purchased from the St Paul Amazon Wish List at https://tinyurl.com/y3s3ozz6 and shipped directly to the church, or you can make a donation to the Festival at https://tinyurl.com/y5zumqyu. Place your order TODAY through our website.
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.