Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:14-22.

Brethren, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27

At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For 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." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

Saints and Feasts

November 27

James the Great Martyr of Persia

This Saint was from the city of Bythlaba and was of noble birth; he was the closest and most honoured friend of Isdiger (or Yazdegerd) I, King of Persia (reigned 399-420). Though a Christian from his youth, James renounced Christ because he was allured by the King's friendship and flatteries. When his mother and his wife learned of this, they declared to him by letter that they would have nothing more to do with him, since he had preferred a glory that is temporal to the love of Christ. Wounded in soul by these words and coming to himself, the Saint wept over his error, and repudiated the worship of the idols. Therefore, becoming exceedingly wroth, the King - this was Bahram (or Varahran) V (reigned 421-438), Isdiger's son and successor - condemned him to a most bitter death, the likes of which not even a brute beast was ever condemned to: that is, his body was dismembered at every joint of his arms and legs. And so, when he had been cut asunder limb by limb to his very hips and shoulders, the courageous Martyr was finally beheaded, in the year 421.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

Κατέλυσας τώ Σταυρώ σου τόν θάνατον· ηνέωξας τώ ληστή τόν Παράδεισον· τών Μυροφόρων τόν θρήνον μετέβαλες· καί τοίς σοίς Αποστόλοις κηρύττειν επέταξας· ότι ανέστης Χριστέ ο Θεός, παρέχων τώ κόσμω τό μέγα έλεος.

Κatelisas to Stavro sou ton thanaton, ineoxas to listi ton Paradison, ton Miroforon ton thrinon metevales, ke tis sis Apostolis kiritin epetaxas, oti anesti Hriste o Theos, parehon to kosmo to mega eleos.

By Your Cross, O Lord, You shattered death; to the thief You opened Paradise. You transformed the Myrrhbearers’ lamentation, and commanded Your Apostles to proclaim that You arose, Christ our God, granting to the world Your great mercy.

Apolytikion for Martyr James the Persian in the First Mode

Your Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by You | the crown of incorruption, in that he contested for You our immortal God. | Since he possessed Your power, he defeated the tyrants, | dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance, | O Christ God, at his fervent entreaties, save our souls.

Hymn of Church in the First Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

Welcome

This Weeks Announcements

We extend greetings and a warm welcome to all visitors worshipping with us today. Following the Liturgy, please join us in our Hellenic Center for the coffee hour.
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.
Please be careful as you exit the parking lot onto Wallings Road and watch for oncoming traffic.

Today ~ MNYMOSINA: 1 year for Kathy Markos [for Bill Markos] | 2 years for Vasilios (Bill) Glaros [for Constantine and Despina Glaros | Michael, Kocona, Anthony, Dionysia, and Anthony Vruvas | Adam Micholas].
Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos following Holy Communion in person or via Microsoft Teams https://tinyurl.com/AdultCatechism. Link is the same each week. Open to all.
Today & Next Sunday, December 4^th ~ GOYAns will be accepting donation of $15 to have your name included in the Community Christmas card. You may also submit name on our website.
Monday ~ 4:00 PM Adult Greek School.
Monday ~ 5:30 PM Greek School.
Tuesday ~ 7:00 PM Choir rehearsal.
Tuesday & Thursday ~ 8:00 PM GOYA basketball practice at North Royalton High School.
Wednesday ~ feast of St Andrew | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
Wednesday ~ 5:30 PM Greek School for beginners (students in 3^rd – 6^th grade).
Thursday ~ 7:00 PM Bible Study with Father Costas.
Friday ~ 10:00 AM decorating of Church for Christmas. Contact the Church office if available.
Saturday ~ 10:00 AM GOYA Rap Session at the Popadiuk home. RSVP by November 27 via email to goya@stpaulgoc.org.
Saturday ~ 6:30 PM St Nicholas Dance in Lorain. Call 440.960.2992 to make reservations.
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 16:9-20 | Epistle Reading Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5 | Gospel Luke 13:10-17
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINA: 9 months for Kathy Trakas [for Peter W Trakas, Demetrios and Ourania Kacludis, Vasilios and Eleni Trakas, Kacludis and Trakas family members] | 3 years for Tom Gigis | 5 years for Nikos Kokkas | for Ioannis, Lukia and Emmanuel Darakos | for Haralambos Darakos | for Bill and Mary [Darakos] Kanas.
Next Sunday ~ Philoptochos sponsored Breakfast with St. Nicholas and Bake Sale following Liturgy. Place orders early on our website or at the Philoptochos table during coffee social.
Next Sunday ~ Sunday School students are asked to bring gift cards valued at $25 from Marc’s, Giant Eagle, Walmart, Target, or Meijer for those less fortunate and place in basket by baptistry.
December 5 ~ 6:00 PM Great Vespers for St Nicholas at St Nicholas in Lorain.
December 6 ~ feast of St Nicholas | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy at our church.
December 6~ 6:00 PM Parish Council Christmas dinner meeting.
December 8 ~ 12:00 PM Agape Oven meal pick up for parishioners with special circumstances.
December 11 ~ 5:00 PM Pan-Orthodox Nativity Concert sponsored by GCCOC at St Paul. Donations may be made on our website or checks made payable to GCCOC by December 4 to be included in the annual program booklet.
December 12 ~ St Spyridon | 8:30 AM Orthros, 9:30 AM Liturgy.
December 13 ~ 6:00 PM Philoptochos Christmas Banquet at Tavolo 72 Ristorante at Crown Plaza Middleburg Heights. $38 per person dinner buffet. Reservation can be made during the coffee social or on our website. The deadline is November 30^th.
December 18 ~ Sunday School and Greek School programs following Liturgy.
December 18 ~ Dance practice for Cavs performers.
December 23 ~ 9:00 AM Royal Hours.
December 24 ~ 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Vesperal Liturgy.
December 27 ~ St Stephen | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.