Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 12:6-14.

Brethren, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Gospel Reading

6th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:1-8

At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Saints and Feasts

August 01

Procession of the Precious Cross

Because of the many diseases that occur in the month of August, the custom prevailed of old in Constantinople to carry the precious Wood of the Cross in procession throughout the city for its sanctification and its deliverance from illnesses. It was brought forth from the imperial treasury on the last day of July and placed upon the Holy Table of the Great Church of the Holy Wisdom; and beginning today, until the Dormition of the Theotokos, it was carried in procession throughout the city and was set forth for veneration before the people.

August 01

The Holy Seven Maccabee Children, Solomone Their Mother, and Eleazar Their Teacher

The names of the Holy Maccabees are Abim, Anthony, Guria, Eleazar, Eusebona, Achim, and Marcellus. They were Jews by race and exact keepers of the Laws of the Fathers. They lived during the reign of Antiochus, who was surnamed Epiphanes ("Illustrious"), the King of Syria and an implacable enemy of the Jews. Having subjugated their whole nation and done many evil things to them, not sparing to assail the most sacred matters of their Faith, he constrained them, among other things, to partake of swine's flesh, which was forbidden by the Law. Then these pious youths, on being apprehended together with their mother and their teacher, were constrained to set at nought the Law, and were subjected to unspeakable tortures: wrackings, the breaking of their bones, the flaying of their flesh, fire, dismemberment, and such things as only a tyrant's mind and a bestial soul is able to contrive. But when they had endured all things courageously and showed in deed that the mind is sovereign over the passions and is able to conquer them if it so desires, they gloriously ended their lives in torments, surrendering their life for the sake of the observance of the divine Law. The first to die was their teacher Eleazar, then all the brethren in the order of their age. As for their wondrous mother Solomone, "filled with a courageous spirit, and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly wrath" (II Macc. 7:21), she was present at her children's triumph over the tyrant, strengthening them in their struggle for the sake of their Faith, and enduring stout-heartedly their sufferings for the sake of their hope in the Lord. After her last and youngest son had been perfected in martyrdom, when she was about to be seized to be put to death, she cast herself into the fire that they might not touch her, and was thus deemed worthy of a blessed end together with her sons, in the year 168 before Christ.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Tόν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρί καί Πνεύματι, τόν εκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εις σωτηρίαν ημών, ανημνήσωμεν πιστοί καί προσκυνήσωμεν· ότι ηυδόκησε σαρκί, ανελθείν εν τώ Σταυρώ καί θάνατον υπομείναι, καί εγείραι τούς τεθνεώτας, εν τή ενδόξω Αναστάσει αυτού.

Ton sinanarhon logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou tehthenta is sotiria imon, animnisomen pisti ke proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki, anelthin en to Stavro ke thanaton ipomine, ke egire tous tethneotas, en ti endoxo Anastasi aftou.

Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate | with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born | for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. | For in His goodness He was pleased | to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, | and to raise up those who had died, | by His glorious Resurrection.

Apolytikion for Proodos of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

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

Hymn of Church in the First Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Today we observe the memory of Christ’s forebears, and also we pray that we might receive their aid, so that all of us may be freed from tribulations, as we cry aloud, Be with us, O Lord our God, who glorified them as You were pleased to do.

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.

Welcome! We’re glad you’re here! Please know that MASKS are NOT required in our sanctuary. We do, however, have a RESERVED section for those who wish to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

Starting today and for the next 14 days of August, we will prepare to celebrate the Falling Asleep of the Virgin Mary August 15^th. We fast, we go to confession, we attend the service of the Paraklesis, (Supplication to the Virgin Mary). Come pray with us on Monday and Wednesday this week at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday ~ 6:30 p.m. 1^st Philoptochos Board Meeting in preparation for the beginning of the New Ecclesiastical Year.
Tuesday ~ 7:00 p.m. monthly Home Committee meeting.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers of the Transfiguration of our Lord.
Friday ~ feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord; 8:30 am Orthros, 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
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.
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.
Childcare Needed ~ Young family looking for in-home childcare for infant in Brecksville. Please contact Natalie Tripodis at 412.997.7254 for more information.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish and Beyond

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading Romans 15:1-7 | Gospel Matthew 9:27-35.
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINA: 40 days for Manuel Saridakis | 40 days for Mathew Sarris | 2 years for Mike Sfekas | 5 years for Mary Collaros.
August 9 – 11 ~ 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Greek Summer Camp for students in kindergarten – 6^th grade, regardless of their Greek knowledge. $30/child. Contact Keli Pontikos Paragios with any questions or to volunteer. Keli.pontikos@gmail.com
August 15 ~ Dormition of the Theotokos luncheon immediate following Divine Liturgy in the lower section of the Hellenic Center. $12 Adults | $5 children 10 and under. Advance reservations during coffee social or our website. Contact Elaine Cooke or Mary Pagonakis.
August 22 ~ Blessing of backpacks for all children as they begin another year in school. The day will continue with a parish picnic right after church. Come and Reconnect with your St. Paul Family. All parishioners, young and old, are invited to attend as we anticipate the beginning of a new Ecclesiastical year. Fun activities for children, bounce playhouse, bring games along.
September 16 ~ Philoptochos prepares meal for those 65 and older or with special circumstances. Meals are $10 each and must be ordered by September 8^th. Delivery provided upon request to certain cities. For reservations, questions or delivery, contact Angela Christian or Diana Steffas.