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 Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Saints and Feasts

March 12

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

March 12

Gregory Dialogos, Bishop of Rome

Saint Gregory was born in Rome to noble and wealthy parents about the year 540. While the Saint was still young, his father died. However, his mother, Sylvia, saw to it that her child received a good education in both secular and spiritual learning. He became Prefect of Rome and sought to please God even while in the world; later, he took up the monastic life; afterwards he was appointed Archdeacon of Rome, then, in 579, apocrisiarius (representative or Papal legate) to Constantinople, where he lived for nearly seven years. He returned to Rome in 585 and was elected Pope in 590. He is renowned especially for his writings and great almsgiving, and also because, on his initiative, missionary work began among the Anglo-Saxon people. It is also from him that Gregorian Chant takes its name; the chanting he had heard at Constantinople had deeply impressed him, and he imported many elements of it into the ecclesiastical chant of Rome. He served as Bishop of that city from 590 to 604.

March 12

Symeon the New Theologian

Saint Symeon became a monk of the Studite Monastery as a young man, under the guidance of the elder Symeon the Pious. Afterwards he struggled at the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople, of which he became abbot. After enduring many trials and afflictions in his life of piety, he reposed in 1022. Marvelling at the heights of prayer and holiness to which he attained, and the loftiness of the teachings of his life and writings, the church calls him "the New Theologian." Only to two others, John the Evangelist and Gregory, Patriarch of Constantinople, has the church given the name "Theologian." Saint Symeon reposed on March 12, but since this always falls in the Great Fast, his feast is kept today.

March 12

Theophanes the Confessor

Saint Theophanes, who was born in 760, was the son of illustrious parents. Assenting to their demand, he married and became a member of the Emperor's ceremonial bodyguard. Later, with the consent of his wife, he forsook the world. Indeed, both of them embraced the monastic life, struggling in the monastic houses they themselves had established. He died on March 12, 815, on the island of Samothrace, whereto, because of his confession of the Orthodox Faith, he had been exiled by Leo the Armenian, the Iconoclast Emperor.

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 Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Beacon of Orthodox belief, the strong support of the Church and her teacher inspired by God, you are the ornament of monks, the unassailable champion of theologians, O Gregory the Wonder-worker and the boast of Thessalonica, the messenger of grace. Forever earnestly entreat for the salvation of our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Welcome

This Weeks Announcements

Welcome to all our guests! We are glad you are here worshiping with us today!
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.
1. Today ~ MNYMOSINO: 23 years for Spiros Mouzakitis.
2. Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos will resume March 19.
3. Today ~ Sunday School students preschool – 2^nd grade in classrooms | 3^rd – 6^th grade in Teen Room.
4. Today ~ Oratorical Festival for 7^th – 12^th grade students in Teen Room following Holy Communion.
5. Today ~ GOYA meeting following the Oratorical Festival.
6. Today ~ Philoptochos and GOYA are conducting a book drive to collect new and gently used children’s book to benefit the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank as part of the Metropolis Weekend of Service. Please no textbooks, reference books, books in poor condition, or books older than 20 years.
7. Monday ~ 4:00 PM Adult Greek School.
8. Monday ~ 5:30 PM Greek School.
9. Monday ~ 7:00 PM Great Compline Service.
10. Tuesday ~ 10:00 AM Women’s Study Group via TEAMS https://tinyurl.com/STPWomenStudy,
11. Tuesday ~ 6:30 PM Philoptochos General meeting.
12. Tuesday ~ 6:30 PM Membership meeting.
13. Wednesday ~ 5:00 PM Presanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten dinner hosted by all Youth groups.
14. Wednesday ~ 5:30 PM Greek School for beginners.
15. Wednesday ~ 7:00 PM Parish Council monthly meeting.
16. Thursday ~ 7:00 PM Choir rehearsal.
17. Thursday ~ Bible Study with Father Costas via Teams: https://tinyurl.com/BibleStudySTP.
18. Friday ~ 7:00 PM 3^rd Salutations to the Theotokos Service.
19. Saturday ~ 10:00 AM Orthodox Christian Women Annual Lenten Retreat at St Nicholas Orthodox Church in Mogadore with Fr. Nicholas Halkias presenting “The Prayer of St Ephraim.” RSVP by March 10 to 330.354.7792 or 330.655.9638. $20 tickets.
20. Luminaria ~ purchase a luminary bag in memory of your loved ones to light our way on Holy Friday from our GOYAns during coffee social or online: https://tinyurl.com/STP-Lent.
21. Bookstore ~ be sure visit our bookstore, which offers great resources during this time of Lent.
22. Food Pantry items ~ Please make sure any items that you bring for the North Royalton Hunger Center DO NOT HAVE expired dates on them. Buy fresh non-perishable food items to donate.
23. St Paul Prayer Chain ~ If you have a prayer request, email it to: prayerchain@stpaulgoc.org.
24. 2023 Stewardship Card ~ parishioners who have made a 2023 Stewardship pledge are listed in the March issue of The Messenger. For any questions call the office. Please complete stewardship card located at the candle stands or form online at https://tinyurl.com/STPStewardship
Upcoming Events in Our Parish and Beyond
1. Next Sunday ~ Orthros John 20:1-10 | Epistle Reading Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6 | Gospel Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
2. Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINA: 1 year for Evangelos Daniels | 5 years for Pete Alex | 8 years for Teddy Alex | 1 year for Stamatoula Griveas [for Xenophon Griveas | 10 years for Stefanos Kavourias].
3. Next Sunday ~ Coffee Social hosted by the Daniels and Kavourias families.
4. Next Sunday ~ Dance Practice for all levels following Sunday School.
5. March 20 ~ 6:00 PM Stewardship meeting.
6. March 24 ~ 7:00 PM Great Vespers for Annunciation and 4^th Salutations to the Theotokos at Annunciation Cleveland with Metropolitan SAVAS.
7. March 25 ~ Feast of Annunciation | 8:15 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Hierarchical Liturgy at Annunciation Cleveland with Metropolitan SAVAS.
8. March 25 ~ 11:30 AM Doxology; 1:00 PM Greek Independence Day Parade followed by festivities in the Banquet Hall at Annunciation Cleveland. St Paul Hellenic Dancers will perform.
9. March 31 – April 2 ~ GOYAns attend Metropolis Spring Retreat.
10. April 1 ~ 11:00 AM Metropolis Philoptochos Daffodil Luncheon. For more information or to make a reservation, visit: https://www.pittsburgh.goarch.org/philoptochos.
11. April 2 ~ Greek School program following Divine Liturgy with Loukoumades sale during coffee social.
12. Scholarship Opportunities are posted on our website. Please be sure to read all the requirements and deadline dates. Visit https://www.stpaulgoc.org/ministries/youth-ministries/goya/scholarship.