Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Saints and Feasts

March 21

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.

March 21

James the Confessor

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth in the Monastery of Studium, where he became a disciple of Saint Theodore the Studite. Later he became bishop and suffered many afflictions and torments at the hands of the Iconoclasts. Saint Theodore composed a homily in honour of this Saint James (PG 99, 1353-1356).

March 21

Philemon and Domninos

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Εξ ύψους κατήλθες ο Εύσπλαχνος, ταφήν κατεδέξω τριήμερον, ίνα ημάς ελευθερώσης τών παθών, η ζωή καί η ανάστασις ημών, Κύριε, δόξα Σοι.

Εx ipsous katilthes o Evsplahnos, tafin katedexo triimeron, ina imas, eleftherosis ton pathon, I zoi ke I anastasis imon, Kyrie, doxa si.

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode

Tin ahrandon ikona sou, proskinoumen agathe,/ etoumeni sihorisin ton ptesmaton imon,/ Christe o Theos,/ boulisi gar ivdokisas sarki,/ anelthin en to Stavro,/ ina risis ous eplasas,/ ek tis doulias tou ehthrou/. Othen euharistos voomen si,/ haras eplirosas the panta o Sotir imon,/ paragenomenos ies to sose ton kosmo.

We venerate Your immaculate icon, O good Lord, and entreat You to forgive our offences, O Christ our God. By Your own choice you were pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, to deliver us, whom You created, from our slavery to the foe. Therefore, we cry to You with gratitude: You have filled all things with joy, O our Savior, by coming to save the world.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

O Champion General, / I, your City, now inscribe to you, / triumphant anthems / as the tokens of my gratitude, / being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos. / Inasmuch as you have power unassailable, / from all kinds of perils free me so that unto you, / I may cry aloud, rejoice: “O unwedded Bride!”

Τi Ipermaho / stratigo ta nikitiria / Os litrothisa / ton dinon eucharistiria / Anagrafo si polis sou Theotoke/ al’ os ehousa kratos aprosmahiton / Ek pantion me kindinon eleftheroson / Ina krazosi / Here nimfi animfefte.

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: 40 days for Rev. Fr. Demetrios Simeonidis.
Today ~ 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.
Today - On this SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY, due to the pandemic, we are not able to gather as one Pan-Orthodox family in the Greater Cleveland area, to celebrate and proclaim our unity. Thus we present to you the reading of the Synodicon through the voices of many of our area clergy! Take a moment to listen to the video posted: https://youtu.be/pyC86ZyI84Y.
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 on book of Acts via ZOOM with Father Costas. Contact the office to receive the link if you don’t have it.
Please note KIOSK in the outer narthex ~ not everyone carries cash them all the time. The kiosk is placed in the outer narthex for your convenience. Ask a Parish Council for assistance if needed.
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.
Decorate the Church for Lent, Holy Week and Pascha ~ donations are being accepted to decorate the Church for our Lenten services and Pascha for the health or in memory of your loved ones.
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 greater Cleveland Area

Monday ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Compline service.
Wednesday ~ NO Presanctified Liturgy due to Great Vespers for the feast of the Annunciation.
Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers for the feast of the Annunciation at St. Paul.
Thursday ~ feast of the Annunciation; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy at St. Paul.
Friday ~ 7:00 p.m. 2^nd Salutations to the Theotokos.
Tuesday ~ 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.
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.