Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Saints and Feasts

March 07

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.

March 07

The Holy Martyred Bishops of Cherson: Basileus, Ephraim, Eugene, Capito, Aetherius, Agathodorus, and Elpidius

These holy Bishops were sent to Cherson on the Black Sea by Hermon, Bishop of Jerusalem, in the days of Diocletian, about the year 300, to preach the Gospel. Ephraim and Basileus were sent first. Basileus raised to life the dead son of a local ruler, because of which many were baptized. Those who remained in their unbelief, however, dragged him through the streets until he died. Ephraim, refusing to offer sacrifice to idols, was beheaded. After them, Euguene, Agathodorus, Capito, and Elpitius were sent by the Bishop of Jerusalem as heralds of the Faith, but they also were slain by the ungodly. Last of all, the Bishop of Jerusalem sent Aetherius; he was drowned during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great.

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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, / the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring before Your Judgment Seat every one, / and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. / At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, / and enable me to stand by Your right hand, / O Judge who are most just.

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 ~ 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.
Tuesday ~ 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos meeting via ZOOM.
Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. monthly. Parish Council meeting via ZOOM.
Thursday ~ 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Bible Study on book of Acts via ZOOM with Father Costas. Contact the office to receive the link if you don’t have it.
Saturday ~ 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.
Stewardship ~ Please take time to fill out, bring to church, mail to the office, or complete online on our website the 2021 Stewardship cards. 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.

Lenten Services and Retreats

Saturday ~ 2^nd of 3 Saturdays dedicated to praying for the souls of our deceased loved ones. Plan to make a small bowl of koliva as you’ve done in others years. At the end of Liturgy, only one person will mix the koliva and bag for all to share. Bring the names of your loved ones to be prayed for | 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
Saturday ~ 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.
March 14 ~ 5:00 p.m. Forgiveness Vespers.
March 15 ~ Clean Monday 7:00 p.m. Great Compline service. First Day of Great Lent.
March 17 ~ 5:00 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy.
March 19 ~ 7:00 p.m. 1^st Salutations to the Theotokos.

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 ~ MNYMOSINO: 6 months for Kathy Trihas; 1 year for Penelope Demopouls [Dorothy Young].
Next Sunday ~ Cheesefare Sunday. Stewardship committee will be offering a piece of cheesecake for you to enjoy at home.
Next Sunday ~ 1:00 p.m. GOYA afternoon at Top Golf. Cost per St. Paul GOYAn $20; family and friends $40.
Next Sunday ~ 3:00 p.m. HOPE / JOY family fun with pizza, activities, and fellowship in the Hellenic Center. RSVP to Presvytera Nicole via text at 440.409.1673 by Thursday, March 11^th.
March 16 ~ 6:00 p.m. Stewardship meeting via ZOOM.
March 21 ~ Sunday of Orthodoxy. We invite ALL the children of our parish to be in church, to bring their icons and to participate in the procession a the end of the Divine Liturgy
March 23 ~ 7:00 p.m. The Mystery of the Sabbath – Keeping it Holy with Fr. Stephen Freeman via ZOOM. Free registration at tinyurl.com/KeepingItHoly. First in a Series from the Metropolis Religious Education Commission – Fundamentals of a Christian Life.
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.