Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Saints and Feasts

March 14

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

March 14

Benedict the Righteous of Nursia

This Saint, whose name means "blessed," was born in 480 in Nursia, a small town about seventy miles northeast of Rome. He struggled in asceticism from his youth in deserted regions, where his example drew many who desired to emulate him. Hence, he ascended Mount Cassino in Campania and built a monastery there. The Rule that he gave his monks, which was inspired by the writings of Saint John Cassian, Saint Basil the Great, and other Fathers, became a pattern for monasticism in the West; because of this, he is often called the first teacher of monks in the West. He reposed in 547.

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.

By means of Your Cross, O Lord, You abolished death. To the robber You opened Paradise. The lamentation of the myrrh-bearing women You transformed, and You gave Your Apostles the order to proclaim to all that You had risen, O Christ our God, and granted the world Your great mercy.

Hymn of Church in the First Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

O guide to wisdom, provider of prudence, disciplinarian of fools, and defender of the poor, fortify And discipline my heart, O Master; You, give me a word, O Word of the Father. For behold, I will not hinder my lips from crying to You: O merciful Lord, have mercy on me who have fallen.

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. Taped area in the pews indicate where you should NOT be seating. Seating is available in every other row.
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.
For those not able to attend church, LIVE services can be viewed on our Parish YouTube Page ~ click here: https://tinyurl.com/yxf7hq3x.
Fr. Costa has now received both vaccinations. If any of our elderly, or anyone else wants a visit from him, please feel free to call him on his cell at 440-669-1316 to make arrangements.

Today ~ MNYMOSINO: 6 months for Kathy Trihas; 9 years for Haralambos Trihas; 1 year for Penelope Demopoulos [for Dorothy Young], 21 years for Jim Paros [for Steve Paros; for Nick Paros].
Today ~ Cheesefare Sunday. Stewardship committee will be offering a piece of cheesecake for you to enjoy at home.
Today ~ 11:30 a.m. Sunday School via ZOOM.
Today ~ 11:30 a.m. Adult Catechism via ZOOM with Elaine Poulos.
Today ~ 1:00 p.m. GOYA afternoon at Top Golf.
Today ~ 3:00 p.m. HOPE / JOY family fun with pizza, activities, and fellowship in the Hellenic Center.
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 ~ 6:00 p.m. Stewardship 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.
North Royalton Hunger Center ~ During these days of Great Lent, please remember to bring any non-perishable items when you come to church to place in the basket at the top of the stairs for those in need. Be sure to check the expiration date.
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.

Parish Lenten Services and Retreats in the great area

Today ~ 5:00 p.m. Forgiveness Vespers.
Monday ~ Clean Monday 7:00 p.m. Great Compline service. First Day of Great Lent.
Wednesday ~ 5:00 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy.
Friday ~ 7:00 p.m. 1^st Salutations to the Theotokos.
Saturday ~ 3^rd 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.
March 20 ~ 11:00 a.m. Retreat sponsored by: Orthodox Christian Woman of Akron. “7: The Seven Statements Jesus Makes at the Cross.” By Fr. Nicholas Louh. For Zoom link contact Nikki Bober at NLBober@gmail.com or Nancy Studebaker at 330-655-9638.
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.
April 17 ~ 10:00 a.m. Family Lenten Retreat “Jesus – the Resurrection and Life of the Family” via ZOOM. Join Fr. Alex Goussetis and staff from the GOA Center for Family Care as they lead in a discussion on how to bring ourselves and families to Christ for restoration and renewal. Register at tinyurl.com/GOMoP-FamilyRetreat.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish and Beyond – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading Hebrews 1:10-14, 2:1-3 | Gospel Mark 2:1-12.
Next Sunday ~ 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 at the end of the Divine Liturgy
March 24 ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers for Annunciation at our church.
March 25 ~ feast of Annunciation | 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy at our church.
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.