Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

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 21

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 21

Eustathius, Bishop of Antioch

Saint Eustathius, the great defender of piety and illustrious opponent of Arianism, was from Side in Pamphylia. He became Bishop of Beroea (the present-day Aleppo), and in 325 was present at the First Ecumenical Council. From thence he was transferred to the throne of Antioch. But Saint Constantine the Great, led astray by the slanders directed against the Saint by the Arians, banished him to Trajanopolis in Thrace, where he reposed in 337, according to some. Others say he lived until 360.

February 21

Timothy the Righteous

Saint Timothy took up the monastic life from his youth, became a vessel of the Holy Spirit, and reposed in deep old age.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

Τό φαιδρόν τής Αναστάσεως κήρυγμα, εκ τού Αγγέλου μαθούσαι αι τού Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καί τήν προγονικήν απόφασιν απορρίψασαι, τοίς Αποστόλοις καυχώμεναι έλεγον· Εσκύλευται ο θάνατος, ηγέρθη Χριστός ο Θεός, δωρούμενος τώ κόσμω τό μέγα έλεος.

Το fethron tis Anastaseos kirigma, ek tou Agelou mathouse e tou Kyriou Mathitrie, ke tin progonikin apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon. Eskilefte o thanatos, igerthi Christos o Theos, doroumenos to kosmo to mega eleos.

When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world.

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 ~ Diapers and Baby Wipes Drive to benefit ZOE for Life! Most needed sizes are 3|5|6.
Today ~ 11:30 a.m. Sunday School via ZOOM.
Today ~ 11:30 a.m. Adult Catechism via ZOOM with Elaine Poulos.
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School via ZOOM.
Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study Group with Elaine Poulos resumes 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.
Friday – Next Sunday ~ St Paul GYRO FEST Drive-Thru. Pre-paid orders ONLY. Volunteer at: https://tinyurl.com/yyn7uob4. You will be contacted shortly to confirm day/time and volunteer station once need is assessed. 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.
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. 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. Photo Booth will be set-up in the Hellenic Center foyer following Liturgy each Sunday from March 7^th – April 4^th to have your picture taken.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish and Beyond – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading I Corinthians 6:12-20 | Gospel Luke 15:11-32.
Next Sunday ~ 7:30 p.m. Great Compline followed by Cabin Talk with Fr. George Athanasiou for students in 9^th – 12^th grade GOYAns via ZOOM. Register at http://tinyurl.com/cabintalkfeb.
March 7 ~ 2:00 p.m. GOYA Snow Tubing Adventure at Brandywine Ski Resort. RSVP to Lee Santarelli at psantarelli@hchc.edu by February 21^st. Cost is $5/GOYAn.
March 13 ~ 10:00 a.m. Eastern Orthodox Women’s Guild memorial service for deceased EOWG members at St Sava Serbian Cathedral on Broadview Road in Parma. Light Lenten luncheon and program following service Bible Prophecy of the Holy Pasion of Christ with Josephine Vulch.
March 13 ~ 1:00 p.m. virtual National Lenten Retreat for GOYAns ages 14 – 18 hosted by Hellenic College Holy Cross with presentation, small group discussions, and fellowship with young Orthodox Christians across the country. More info at https://enrollment.hchc.edu/ambassadors_lenten_retreat.
ZOE Women's Center® “Are you a physician who is wanting to help confirm the sanctity of life of the unborn? ZOE Women’s Center® is in need of a licensed physician to read ultrasounds to confirm the viability of pregnancy. This is pro bono work, and currently occurs once a quarter. We are hoping this will increase. Please contact Kim Speck at 440-708-8434 to help.