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 Romans 15:1-7.

Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Gospel Reading

7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35

At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

Saints and Feasts

July 31

Joseph the Righteous of Arimathea

Saint Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent Jewish leader during the time of Jesus Christ. He is mentioned in the Gospels as being a rich man from Armiathea who was a secret disciple of Christ due to his status in the Sanhedrin. After the crucifixion and death of our Lord, Joseph approached Pontius Pilate out of piety and asked for the body of Jesus so that he might bury it honorably. He, together with Saint Nicodemus, removed the body of Christ from the cross in the presence of the Theotokos and the Myrrh-Bearing Women, wrapped it in a linen shroud, anointed it with spices, and laid it in a new tomb that he owned. This disciple later traveled the world proclaiming the Gospel until he reposed in peace in England. The Church commemorates him individually on July 31^st and along with the Myrrh-Bearing Women and Nicodemus on the 3^rd Sunday of Pascha (the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearers).

July 31

Eudocimus the Righteous of Cappadocia

Saint Eudocimus was from Cappadocia, the son of pious and most illustrious parents, patricians in rank. He especially cultivated chastity and mercy, the one by never meeting the gaze of a woman, the other by cheerfully providing the needs of the poor. When he was made military commander of Cappadocia, he continued in his righteous ways, showing mercy and uprightness in all his dealings. Having so lived in piety, quietly and without ostentation, he was called from this life at the age of thirty-three, about the year 840, during the reign of the Iconoclast Theophilus. Not long after his burial, his grave became a fountain of unending miracles, as God revealed the virtue that Eudocimus had striven to hide; when his grave was later opened, his body was found incorrupt. His holy relics were translated to Constantinople.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

Αγγελικαί Δυνάμεις επί τό μνήμα σου, καί οι φυλάσσοντες, απενεκρώθησαν· καί ίστατο Μαρία εν τώ τάφω ζητούσα, τό άχραντόν σου σώμα· εσκύλευσας τόν Άδην, μή πειρασθείς υπ’αυτού· υπήντησας τή Παρθένω, δωρούμενος τήν ζωήν. Ο αναστάς εκ νεκρών, Κύριε δόξα Σοι.

Αgelike Dinamis epi to mnimasou, ke I filasontes apenekrothisan, ke istato Maria en to tafo zitousa, to ahranton sou soma, eskilefsas ton Adin, mi pirasthis ipaftou, ipindisas ti Partheno, doroumenos tin zoin, O anastas ek ton nekron, Kirie doxa Si.

Angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, and those guarding it became like dead, and at Your grave Mary was standing, seeking Your most pure body. You plundered Hades, not being tempted by it; You encountered the Virgin, granting life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to You!

Apolytikion for Eudocimus of Cappadocia in the Fourth Mode

The Master who called you to eternal mansions on high | preserves incorrupt your body even after you died, | O holy Evdokimos; | for you had led a lifestyle of self-restraint and decorum, | never staining your flesh; and therefore truly you are blessed. | With confidence intercede with Christ to save our souls.

Hymn of Church in the First Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.

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 ~ MNYMOSINA: 1 year for Elaine Carvaines; for the deceased members of MEFGOX.
Today ~ Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday. We thank our parishioner Dave Brown who has offered many hours by serving in this ministry. Visit his table during the coffee social for more information.
Today ~ MEFGOX Convention hosted by our Choir. We welcome all the participants. A ticketed brunch will follow for those who made reservation.
4. Today ~ Coffee social is sponsored by the Carvaines family.
Monday, Wednesday ~ 7:00 PM Small Paraklesis service.
Tuesday, Thursday ~ 7:00 PM Great Paraklesis service.
Friday ~ 7:00 PM Great Vespers for the Transfiguration of our Lord.
Saturday ~ Transfiguration of Our Lord | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
“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 in whatever way they can. See mailing that was sent to your home. Please be generous in your response and help us achieve our goal of $150,000.00. We’re almost there, but we still need everyone’s participation.
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 20:11-18 | Epistle Reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 | Gospel Matthew 14:14-22.
August 10, 12 ~ 7:00 PM Small Paraklesis service.
August 11 ~ 7:00 PM Great Paraklesis service.
August 8 – 10~ 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Greek Summer camp. Register on our website. $35 per student. Deadline to register is August 1^s^t.
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.
August 16 ~ 7:00 PM Home Committee meeting.
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.