Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Saints and Feasts

April 25

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

April 25

Mark the Apostle and Evangelist

Mark was an idolater from Cyrene of Pentapolis, which is near Libya. Having come to the Faith of Christ through the Apostle Peter, he followed him to Rome. While there, at the prompting of Peter himself and at the request of the Christians living there, he wrote his Gospel in Greek, and it is second in order after Matthew's. Afterwards, travelling to Egypt, he preached the Gospel there and was the first to establish the Church in Alexandria. The idolaters, unable to bear his preaching, seized him, bound him with ropes, and dragged him through the streets until he, cut to pieces on rocks, gave up his soul. It is said that he completed his life in martyrdom about the year 68. He is depicted in holy icons with a lion next to him, one of the living creatures mentioned by Ezekiel (1:10), and a symbol of Christ's royal office, as Saint Irenaeus of Lyons writes.

If April 25 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. Mark is translated to Bright Tuesday.

April 26

Glaphyra the Righteous

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the First Mode

Tin kinin Anastasin protou sou pathous pistoumenos, ek nekron, iyiras ton Lazaron Christe o Theos, othen ke imis os I pedhes, ta tis nikis simvola ferondes, si to Nikiti tou thanatou voomen. Osana en tis ipsistis, evloyimenos o erhomenos, en onomati Kyriou.

You have raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God, giving us before your Passion an assurance of the general resurrection. Therefore, like the children, we also carry tokens of victory, and cry to you, the Conqueror of death. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Mode

Sindafentes si dia tou Baptismatos Christe o Theos imon, tis athanatou zois exiothimen ti Anastasi sou, ke animnountes krazomen, Osana en tis ipsistis, evlogimenos o erhomenos, en onomati Kyriou.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

Τo throno en ourano, to polo epi tis gis, epohoumenos, Christe o Theos, ton Agelon tin enesin, ke ton pedon animnisin, prosedexo, voonton si, Evlogimenos ei o erhomenos, ton Adam anakalesasthe.

In heaven upon a throne, on earth upon a colt, being carried O Christ our God, you accepted the Angels’ praise and the children’s extolling hymns, as they cried out to you: Blessed is He that comes, fallen Adam to recall again.

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 now in 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 and practice social distancing. See the new seating diagram that is posted.
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/5ybuhzxs.
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.
1. Today ~ Palm Sunday Luncheon. Pick up your PRE-PAID meal as you exit church.
2. Today ~ 11:30 a.m. Sunday School via ZOOM – last session.
3. Today ~ Adult Catechism resumes May 9^th.
4. Today ~ Philoptochos still has some packages of koulourakia ($5/dozen). Contact Mary Pagonakis at 440.230.1927.
5. Monday ~ Greek School via ZOOM resumes May 6^th..
6. Tuesday ~ Women’s Study Group with Elaine Poulos via ZOOM resumes May 11^th.
7. Thursday ~ Bible Study on book of Acts via ZOOM with Father Costas resume May 6^th.
8. Palm Sunday ~ 2:00 p.m. North Royalton Community Meal chaired by Maria Lang
9. Sacrament of Confession ~ It is essential that we receive this sacrament during these sacred days as we prepare for the Resurrection. Call or text Fr. Costas at 440.669.1316 to set up an appointment.
10. Luminary Bags ~ LAST CHANCE TO remember your loved ones during the Epitafio procession on Holy Friday evening. Sponsor a luminary bag in their memory to light our way during the procession. See one of the GOYAns as you exit church or order on our website.
11. 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.
12. North Royalton Hunger Center ~ 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. Please check the expiration date.
13. 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.
14. 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!
15. 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.
16. 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.
Holy Week Services

Please NOTE: ^ indicates the first 150 people will be seated in the Sanctuary with overflow seating in the Hellenic Center | * indicates Holy Communion is offered
1. Palm Sunday ~ 8:30 a.m. Orthros^; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy^*; 7:00 p.m. Nymphios Service.
2. Holy Monday & Holy Tuesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Nymphios Service.
3. Holy Wednesday ~ 9:00 a.m. Presanctified Liturgy*; 4:00 p.m. Holy Unction^; 7:00 p.m. Orthros service with anointing^.
4. Holy Thursday ~ 9:00 a.m. Vesperal Liturgy*; 7:00 p.m. Holy Passion service.
5. Holy Friday ~ 9:00 a.m. Royal Hours; 3:00 p.m. Apokathilosis; 7:00 p.m. Lamentations^.
6. Holy Saturday ~ 9:00 a.m. Vesperal Liturgy^*; 11:00 p.m. Resurrection service followed by Liturgy^*.
Upcoming Events in Our Parish and Beyond
1. Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading Acts 1:1-8 | Gospel John 1:1-17.
2. Next Sunday ~ PASCHA ~ 11:00 a.m. Egg Hunt followed by Agape Vespers at 11:30 a.m.
3. May 3 ~ St George | 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
4. May 4 ~ 7:00 p.m. Home Committee meeting.
5. May 7 ~ Life Giving Fountain | 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
6. May 7 after Liturgy, through May 14^th Fr. Costas will be away on vacation.
7. May 11 ~ 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos meeting via ZOOM.
8. June 5 ~ GOYA sponsored Metropolis Volleyball tournament at Sandbox in Broadview Hts. Anyone interested in volunteering, please send email to GOYA@stpaulgoc.org.
9. June 13 ~ 1:30 p.m. Annual Golf Outing with proceeds benefiting Capital Improvement fund.