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 St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 15:1-11.

Brethren, I would remind you in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold it fast -- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Saints and Feasts

September 04

Babylas the Holy Martyr

Saint Babylas was the twelfth Bishop of Antioch, being the successor of Zebinus (or Zebinas); he was beheaded during the reign of Decius, in the year 250, and at his own request was buried in the chains with which he was bound. The Emperor Gallus (reigned 351-354) built a church in his honour at Daphne, a suburb of Antioch, to put an end to the demonic oracles at the nearby temple of Apollo. When Julian the Apostate came in 362 to consult the oracle about his campaign against the Persians, the oracle (that is, the demon within it) remained dumb until at last, answering Julian's many sacrifices and supplications, it told him, "The dead prevent me from speaking." It told Julian to dig up the bones and move them. Julian, then, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, "leaving all the other dead, moved only that Martyr." He commanded the Christians to take away Saint Babylas' bones, which they did with great solemnity and triumph. When this had been done, a thunderbolt fell from heaven destroying with fire the shrine of Apollo, which Julian did not dare rebuild. Saint John Chrysostom preached a sermon on this within a generation after.

September 04

Moses the Prophet & Godseer

The Prophet Moses-whose name means "one who draws forth," or "is drawn from," that is, from the water-was the pinnacle of the lovers of wisdom, the supremely wise lawgiver, the most ancient historian of all. He was of the tribe of Levi, the son of Amram and Jochabed (Num. 26:59). He was born in Egypt in the seventeenth century before Christ. While yet a babe of three months, he was placed in a basket made of papyrus and covered with pitch, and cast into the streams of the Nile for fear of Pharaoh's decree to the mid-wives of the Hebrews, that all the male children of the Hebrews be put to death. He was taken up from the river by Pharaoh's daughter, became her adopted son, and was reared and dwelt in the King's palace for forty years. Afterward, when he was some sixty years old, he fled to Madian, where, on Mount Horeb, he saw the vision of the burning bush. Thus he was ordained by God to lead Israel and bring it out of the land of Egypt. He led Israel through the Red Sea as it were dry land and governed the people for forty years. He wrought many signs and wonders, and wrote the first five books of the Old Testament, which are called the Pentateuch. When he reached the land of Moab, he ascended Mount Nabau, on the peak called Phasga, and there, by divine command, he reposed in the sixteenth century before Christ, having lived for some 120 years. The first two Odes of the Old Testament, "Let us sing to the Lord" and "Attend, O heaven, and I will speak," were written by him. Of these hymns, the first was chanted by the shore of the Red Sea as soon as the Israelites had crossed it; the second, in the land of Moab, a few days before his repose. The Holy High Priest Aaron was the elder brother of the Holy Prophet Moses. He was appointed by God to serve as the spokesman of Moses before the people, and also before Pharaoh, in Egypt. Afterwards, in the wilderness, he was called to the ministry of the high priesthood, as narrated in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers in the Old Testament. The name Aaron means "enlightened."

Hymns of the Day

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 rejoice; let the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the mighty power of His arm. He trampled down death by death and became the firstborn of the dead. From the depths of Hades, He delivered us and granted to the world great mercy.

Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Babylas in the Fourth Mode

Becoming a partner with the Apostles in way of life and successor to their thrones, O God-inspired Saint, in the active life you found an entrance to contemplation. Hence you rightly expounded the word of truth, and you shed your blood in struggling for the faith, O Hieromartyr Babylas. Intercede with Christ our God, beseeching Him to save our souls.

Hymn of Church in the First Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Both Joachim and Anna from their sterility's stigma, | and Adam and Eve from their mortality's ruin have been set free, | O immaculate Maid, by your holy nativity. | For this do your people hold celebration, | redeemed from the guilt of transgression as they cry to you, | "The barren one bears the Theotokos, | the nourisher of our Life."

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 ~ 12:00 PM Greek Corner in the Teen Room.
Today ~ Starting today reservations are being accepted for the Men Who Cook event on Oct. 8^th See the ladies at the Philoptochos table during the Coffee Hour for more details. We have 21 chefs who are ready to show off their talents.
Today ~ 6:00 PM Hellenic Preservation Society Greek Garden Sculptures invites you to meet the sculptor, Nicholas Fairplay. Donations being raised to complete the project hpsneo.org.
Today - Monday ~ Kamm’s Corner Greek Festival at the George Varough Cretan Club.
Monday ~ Labor Day | Office closed.
Tuesday ~ 6:00 PM Stewardship Committee meeting.
Wednesday ~ 8:00 PM GOYA parents Microsoft Teams meeting.
Thursday ~ Nativity of the Theotokos | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
Friday ~ 6:00 PM Home Committee meeting. NOTE: Change of day / time.
Saturday ~ 10:00 AM Pet Blessing by the soccer field.
Saturday ~ 11:00 AM Altar Boy Retreat followed by bowling. All boys 3-12 grades are welcome to participate in this event and to take part in serving in the altar throughout the year.
St Herman’s Meal Project ~ The Stewardship Committee would like to establish an ongoing meal project for St. Herman’s (bi-monthly or monthly) and is looking for someone to help with scheduling and coordination. If you are interested in donating your time to this initiative or would like to hear more about it, please contact Georgiann Bodle at cgbod@sbcglobal.net or call 216.401.1745.
“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.
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 Mark 16:1-8 | Epistle Reading Galatians 6:11-18 | Gospel John 3:13-17.
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINO: 7 years for Michael Alex.
Next Sunday ~ Sunday School begins following Holy Communion. All students and teachers to meet in the Teen Room before going to class.
Next Sunday ~ Oath of office will be administered to GOYAn officers.
Next Sunday ~ 40-day churching for the son of Despina and Brian Yurik.
Next Sunday ~ Parish Fair during coffee hour. Visit the many ministries our parish offers to one and all and see what they have planned for the new ecclesiastical year!
Next Sunday ~ Philoptochos seeks your assistance to STUFF the BUS with school supplies to benefit the children of John Muir Elementary School in Parma.
Next Sunday ~ Greek School Ayiasmo for all students and teachers following the Parish Fair in the Teen Room. Greek School will begin on Monday, September 19^th.
Next Sunday ~ 3:30 PM GOYA kickoff at the Popadiuk home. RSVP to goya@stpaulgoc.org.
September 12 – October 1 ~ Father is on vacation. Please call the church office for pastoral needs.
September 12 ~ GOYA fundraiser at Handel’s Ice Cream in Broadview Heights. Portion of sales will benefit GOYA by showing flyer to be provided shortly.
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.
September 17 ~ 2:00 PM HOPE / JOY Kickoff with Mini Golf and Ice Cream at Fore Corners Mini Golf on Sprague Rd. in Parma. Sign up by September 12^th at https://tinyurl.com/yp6vf4h6. Golfing $6; bring money for ice cream. All junior golfers 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
September 17 ~ 8:30 PM St Nicholas Philoptochos in Lorain presents A Night with Gus Constantellis and Greek Dancing. For details and to purchase tickets, visit: https://square.link/u/BMAgRGba?src=sheet.
September 18 ~ 3:15 PM Hellenic Dancers perform in the Arts in Strongsville’s “A Day at Chalet” at the Chalet in the Cleveland Metro Park System in Strongsville.
September 19 ~ 5:30 PM Greek School begins.
September 20 ~ 10:00 AM Women’s Book Study with Elaine Poulos continues via ZOOM. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/WomenStudySTP to receive link.
September 23 ~ 5:30 PM Adult and 8-week Beginner Greek School begins.
September 25 ~ 2:00 PM Collis Lecture “Reimaging Early Greek Art at the Museum of Fine Arts” at the Cleveland Museum of Art. FREE tickets available: https://engage.clevelandart.org/8312/8313.
October 23 ~ Senior Fellowship honors couples celebrating their 50^th anniversary or more who have not previously been honored. If you’re one of those couples, contact Maria Regan.