Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42.

In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from John 5:1-15

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Saints and Feasts

May 23

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.

May 23

Michael the Confessor, Bishop of Synnada

This Saint was from Synnada in Phrygia of Asia Minor. In Constantinople he met Saint Theophylact (see Mar. 8); the holy Patriarch Tarasius, learning that Michael and Theophylact desired to become monks, sent them to a monastery on the Black Sea. Because of their great virtue, Saint Tarasius afterwards compelled them to accept consecration, Theophylact as Bishop of Nicomedia, and Michael as Bishop of his native Synnada. Because Saint Michael fearlessly confessed the veneration of the holy icons, he was banished by the Iconoclast Emperor Leo V the Armenian, who reigned from 813 to 820. After being driven from one place to another, in many hardships and bitter pains, Saint Michael died in exile.

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Χριστός Ανέστη εκ νεκρών, θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοίς εν τοίς μνήμασι, ζωήν, χαρισάμενος.

Christos anesti ek nekron, thanato thanaton patisas, ke tis en ti mnimasi zoin, harisamenos.

Christ is Risen from the dead/ by death trampling down upon death/ and to those in the tombs He has/ granted life.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Ευραινέσθω τά ουράνια, αγαλλιάσθω τά επίγεια, ότι εποίησε κράτος εν βραχίονι αυτού ο Κύριος· επάτησε τώ θανάτω τόν θάνατον· πρωτότοκος τών νεκρών εγένετο, εκ κοιλίας Άδου ερρύσατο ημάς, καί παρέσχε τώ κόσμω τό μέγα έλεος.

Εfrenestho ta ourania, agaliasto ta epigia, oti epiise kratos, en vrahioni aftou o Kirios, epatise to thanato ton thanaton, prototokos ton nekron egeneto, ek kilias adou erisato imas, ke paresche to kosmo to mega eleos.

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. He trampled death under foot by means of death; and He became the firstborn from the dead. From the maw of Hades He delivered us; and He granted the world His great mercy.

Hymn of Church in the First Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

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~ MNYMOSINA: 1 year for Catherine Thoephylactos; 1 year for Mary Paxitis [for George Elliott, Anna Karadimas, Panagioti Theophylactos, Anna and Mike Mavrikes; Bill Hughes]; 3 years for Bill Markos.
2. Today ~ 11:45 a.m. Adult Catechism via Zoom with Elaine Poulos | last session until September.
3. Today ~ 2:30 p.m. End of the year GOYA Picnic at the Tsilimos home.
4. Tuesday ~ 6:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee meeting via ZOOM.
5. Friday ~ 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Father will be at St Theodosius Cemetery offering Trisagia services at the graveside.
6. 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.
7. 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!
8. 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.
9. 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
1. Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading Acts 11:19-30 | Gospel John 4:5-42.
2. Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINA: 1 year for Katerini Paragiou [for Emmanuel Paragiou, Nikolaous Paragiou]; 6 months for Ernie Fourmas.
3. May 31 ~ Memorial Day | Office closed | 9:00 a.m. Trisagia services at St. Theodosius.
4. June 1 ~ 7:00 p.m. Home Committee meeting.
5. June 5 ~ St. Paul GOYA sponsored Metropolis Volleyball Tournament at Sandbox in Broadview Hts. Anyone interested in volunteering, please send email to GOYA@stpaulgoc.org.
6. June 8 ~ 6:00 p.m. Philoptochos Appreciation Dinner in the Hellenic Center. Reservations accepted by Kim Kontos, Mary Pagonakis, and Mary Forde. $24 per person.
7. June 13 ~ 1:30 p.m. St. Paul Annual Golf Outing with proceeds benefiting Capital Improvement fund. Visit https://tinyurl.com/STPGolfOuting to register to golf, become a sponsor, or order a dinner.
8. June 21 – 25 ~ 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Exploring God with all Five Senses is the theme of this year’s Vacation Church School. Register at https://tinyurl.com/StPaulVCS. Contact Keli Pontikos Paragios or Lisa Makroglou with any questions, concerns, or to volunteer.
9. June 28 ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers for Sts. Peter & Paul. Coffee reception to follow.
10. June 29 ~ feast of Sts. Peter & Paul | 8:30 a.m. Orthros | 9:30 a.m. Liturgy followed by luncheon sponsored by Philoptochos.
11. June 30 ~ feast of Holy Apostles | 8:30 a.m. Orthros | 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
Events in the Greater Cleveland Area and Beyond
1. Today~ 12:00 p.m. Celebrate John A. Karras’ 101^st Birthday by participating in a parade past his house. Meet at McGovern Park in Brookpark OH (6056 Middlebrook Blvd.).
2. Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. Orthodoxy on Tap via ZOOM. Fr. Jacob Saylor a young adult priest currently serving at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Scottsdale, AZ. RSVP by May 26, at gorealcleveland@gmail.com.
3. Friday – Next Sunday ~ Annunciation Cleveland Drive-Thru Food Festival. Orders can be placed at https://www.toasttab.com/annunciation-greek-orthodox-church-2187-w-14th/v3.
4. June 24 – 27 ~ St. Demetrios Rocky River, Drive-Thru Festival.