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

July 24

Christina the Great Martyr of Tyre

Saint Christina was from Tyre in Syria, the daughter of a pagan named Urban. Enlightened in her heart to believe in Christ, she broke her father's idols, made of gold and silver, and distributed the pieces to the poor. When her father learned this, he punished her ruthlessly, then cast her into prison. The rulers subjected her to imprisonments, hunger, torments, the cutting off of her breasts and tongue, and finally impalement, in the year 200, during the reign of the Emperor Septimius Severus.

July 24

Boris and Gleb, the Passion-bearers

The holy Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb, named Romanus and David in sacred Baptism, were the pious sons of the holy Great Prince Vladimir. In 1015 they were slain at the command of their brother Svyatopolk-Saint Boris, on July 24 on the Alta River, near Pereyaslavl, and Saint Gleb, on September 5 on the bank of the Smyadinya River, near Smolensk. Although both had understood their brother's designs against them, they refused to take up arms against him and bring civil war upon their land, preferring to fulfill the commandment, "Resist not evil" (Matt. 5:39). The holy relics of Saint Boris were then buried in Vyshgorod, to which the holy relics of his brother were transferred five years later. Miracles were worked through the holy relics of the meek and guileless brothers during the consecration in Vyshgorod of a church in their honor on this day in 1021.

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 the faithful give praise and worship to the Logos, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for of His own goodwill He consented to ascend the cross in the flesh and endured death and raised the dead by His glorious resurrection.

Apolytikion for Great Martyr Christina in the Fourth Mode

Your maiden Martyr, like a lamb, cries out. “O Jesus, for You, | my pure Bridegroom, I long; and seeking You I compete; | and I am crucified and buried with You in Your baptism. | I suffer for Your sake, that I may reign with You. | I die for You that I may also live in You. | Accept me as an unblemished sacrifiece | as I offer myself to You with love.” | At her entreaties and intercessions, | save our souls, O Merciful Lord.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second 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.
We offer Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church only to Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through the disciplines of our faith. Speak to Fr. Costas for further details.

Today ~ MNYMOSINO: 1 year for Sylvia Karas | 1 year for Angeline Kornelakis [for John Kornelakis | Stephen Kornelakis | Tessie Almasi] | 6 years for Leonard Pappas | 9 years for Effie Pappas | 7 years for Cal and Kay Valente | 7 years for Karen Valente Radbourne [for Anthony Valente | Konstantinos and Kereakoula Kostantaras | Eleni, Demetri, Stella, Stephen, and Michael Makiaris | Theodore and Alice Valente | Peter Crummett].
Today ~ 40-day churching for the son of Sam and Gabriela [Beni] Rella.
Today ~ As we celebrate the upcoming feast of St. Panteleimon the Physician this Wednesday, we would like to honor all those who are in the HEALTHCARE FIELD in our parish. We would like to offer a special prayer over them and to acknowledge the incredible work they have been doing over these last few years, especially with COVID 19. A coffee hour will be co-sponsored in their honor. This event is sponsored by our Stewardship Committee and chaired by Thalia Marakas.
Tuesday ~ Saint Paraskevi | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
Wednesday ~ Saint Panteleimon | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
Wednesday ~ 7:00 PM Parish Council monthly meeting.
Thursday ~ 12:00 PM Philoptochos Agape Ovens meal pick-up for individuals with special circumstances. Contact Tessie Lekas or Mary Bozikis Olenik with any questions.
Thursday – Next Sunday ~ MEFGOX Convention hosted by our Choir. We invite you to participate by attending one or more of our events. More details https://tinyurl.com/MEFGOX-CLE. Volunteers are also needed during the convention as greeters, decorations, meal setup/cleanup, etc. To offer your assistance, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FADA729ABF85-mefgox.
“Raise the Heat Campaign” ~ through this effort we are fundraising to replace the boiler system in our church. We invite all our parishioners to participate. See mailing that was sent to your home a few weeks ago. Please be generous in your response and help us achieve our goal of $150,000.00.
St Paul Prayer Chain ~ If you have a prayer request, email it to: prayerchain@stpaulgoc.org.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish and Beyond

Next Sunday ~ Orthros John 20:1-10 | Epistle Reading Romans 15:1-7 | Gospel Matthew 9:27-35.
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINA: 1 year for Elaine Carvaines.
Next Sunday ~ Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday.
August 1, 3, 8, 10, 12 ~ 7:00 PM Small Paraklesis service.
August 2, 4, 11 ~ 7:00 PM Great Paraklesis service.
August 5 ~ 7:00 PM Great Vespers for the Transfiguration of our Lord.
August 6 ~ Transfiguration of Our Lord | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
August 8 – 10~ 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Greek Summer camp. Register on our website. $35 per student.
19. ZOE for Life®️ needs your help! If you have a background in Accounting and have a few hours a month to help with some basic Financial Statements, please contact Karen Contoveros, cell ph. 440-759-6215. Please consider sharing your time and talent with this essential ministry. Thank you.
August 9 ~ 7:00 PM Home Committee meeting.
August 12 ~ 6:00 PM Regional Youth and Young Adult Paraklesis service at Annunciation Akron followed by fellowship and light refreshments.
August 14 ~ Backpack Blessing following Liturgy.
August 14 ~ 7:00 PM Great Vespers for the Dormition of the Theotokos at Annunciation Cleveland.
August 15 ~ Dormition of the Theotokos | 8:30 AM Orthros, 9:30 AM Liturgy followed by Philoptochos sponsored luncheon.
September 16 – 18 ~ Metropolis Family Camp Weekend in Mercer PA. “One Another” featuring keynote speaker, Mr Alex Krokos, Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, LMFT. Visit https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ej8fi0z0d2746535&oseq=&c=&ch= for more information or to register.