Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Saints and Feasts

April 04

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

April 04

Righteous Zosimas

Saint Zosimas was a monk from Palestine who lived in a monastery since his infancy. He became famous for his spiritual qualities, but searching for further illumination he went to a new monastery in the desert. The monks of this particular monastery left every year for the desert from the first week of Great Lent until Palm Sunday so as to live in complete isolation.

One year, Zosimas saw a shadowy figure in the distance and, chasing after it, discovered a female ascetic by the name of Mary (see April 1^st and the 5^th Sunday of Great Lent). Mary instructed Zosimas to meet her at the Jordan River on Holy Thursday of the following year to giver her Holy Communion. He did this and was again instructed by her to meet her yet again the next year during Great Lent. Zosimas entered the desert at the appointed time the following year and found the body of the blessed Mary lying dead near the place he first encountered her. A lion approached to dig a grave for Mary, and Zosimas recited the usual burial prayers. He returned to his monastery and spread the news about this blessed woman. Zosimas remained in that monastery until his death the age of 100.

April 04

George the Righteous of Maleon

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth, and went to Mount Maleon, where a community of monks gathered about him. He foretold his death from three years before, and reposed in an odour of sanctity.

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 Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Soson, Kyrie, ton laon Sou ke evloyison tin klironomian Sou, nikas tis vasilefsi kata varvaron thoroumenos ke to son filaton, thia tou Stavrou Sou, politevma.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

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. Costas 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 ~ Philoptochos will be collecting donations for Holy Cross Seminary. Checks can be made payable to St Paul Philoptochos.
Today ~ 11:30 a.m. Sunday School via ZOOM.
Today ~ 11:45 a.m. Adult Catechism via ZOOM with Elaine Poulos.
Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School via ZOOM.
Monday ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Compline service.
Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study Group with Elaine Poulos via ZOOM.
Wednesday ~ 5:00 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy.
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.
Friday ~ 7:00 p.m. 4^th Salutations to the Theotokos.
April 11 ~ Philoptochos Drive-Thru Bake Sale. Place your order in advance through our website or contact Mary Pagonakis.
April 25 ~ Palm Sunday Luncheon To Go. Prepaid orders only. Place your order on our website. Your choice of Plaki or Baked fish dinner | $15 each.
Luminary Bags ~ place your order now through April 25. Names will be placed on bags that will be lit as we process with the epitaphio. $5/name with a limit of two names per bag. Order from one of our GOYAns or online through our website.
Please note the KIOSK in the outer narthex ~ not everyone carries cash with them all the time. The kiosk is placed in the outer narthex for your convenience. Ask 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.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish and Beyond – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading Hebrews 6:13-20 | Gospel Mark 9:17-31.
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.
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.