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 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Saints and Feasts

March 19

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

March 19

The Holy Martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria

Saint Chrysanthus, who was from Alexandria, had been instructed in the Faith of Christ by a certain bishop. His father, who was a senator by rank and a pagan, had him shut up in prison for many days; then, seeing the unchanging disposition of his mind, he commanded that a certain young woman named Daria be brought from Athens. She was a very beautiful and learned maiden, and also an idolater, and Chrysanthus' father wedded him to her so that he might be drawn away from the Faith of Christ because of his love for her. Instead of this however, Chrysanthus drew Daria unto piety, and both of them boldly proclaimed Christ and received the crown of martyrdom in 283, during the reign of Numerian, when they were buried alive in a pit of mire.

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 Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Soson, Kyrie, ton laon Sou ke evloyison tin klironomian Sou, nikas tis vasilefsi kata varvaron thoroumenos ke to son filaton, thia tou Stavrou Sou, politevma.

Save, O Lord, Your people, and bless Your inheritance. Grant victory to our leaders against the enemy, and protect our nation through the might of Your Cross.

Hymn of Church in the First Mode

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 ~ 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].
2. Today ~ Oratorical Festival finalists will present following Holy Communion.
3. Today ~ as we observe the Veneration of the Cross of our Lord, Philoptochos will have a collection to support Holy Cross Seminary in Boston. The basket will be in the Narthex today through Friday.
4. Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos resumes https://tinyurl.com/AdultCatechism.
5. Today ~ Coffee Social hosted by the Daniels and Kavourias families.
6. Today ~ Dance Practice for all levels following Sunday School.
7. Monday ~ 4:00 PM Adult Greek School.
8. Monday ~ 5:30 PM Greek School.
9. Monday ~ 6:00 PM Stewardship meeting.
10. Monday ~ 7:00 PM Great Compline Service.
11. Wednesday ~ 4:00 PM Women’s Study Group via TEAMS https://tinyurl.com/STPWomenStudy, NOTE | NEW Day and Time!
12. Wednesday ~ 5:00 PM Presanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten dinner hosted by Senior OPA.
13. Wednesday ~ 5:30 PM Greek School for beginners.
14. Thursday ~ 7:00 PM Choir rehearsal.
15. Thursday ~ 7:00 PM Bible Study with Father Costas via Teams: https://tinyurl.com/BibleStudySTP.
16. Friday ~ 7:00 PM Great Vespers for Annunciation and 4^th Salutations to the Theotokos at Annunciation Cleveland with Metropolitan SAVAS. NOTE | Services will NOT be held at St Paul.
17. Saturday ~ Feast of Annunciation | 8:15 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Hierarchical Liturgy at Annunciation Cleveland with Metropolitan SAVAS.
18. Saturday ~ 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.
19. 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.
20. Bookstore ~ be sure visit our bookstore, which offers great resources during this time of Lent.
21. 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.
22. St Paul Prayer Chain ~ If you have a prayer request, email it to: prayerchain@stpaulgoc.org.
23. 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 20:11-18 | Epistle Reading Hebrews 6:13-20 | Gospel Mark 9:17-31.
2. Next Sunday ~ Festival baking prep will begin chopping vegetables for horiatiki spanakopita following coffee social. Please join us.
3. March 31 – April 2 ~ GOYAns attend Metropolis Spring Retreat.
4. April 1 ~ 11:00 AM Metropolis Philoptochos Daffodil Luncheon. For more information or to make a reservation, visit: https://www.pittsburgh.goarch.org/philoptochos.
5. April 2 ~ Greek School program following Divine Liturgy with Loukoumades sale during coffee social.
6. April 5 ~ 9:45 AM Pilgrimage to St Gregory Palamas Monastery for Presanctified Liturgy. Anyone wishing to carpool should meet at Best Buy in Strongsville. Please contact the church office to RSVP.
7. April 8 ~ Lazarus Saturday | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy followed by palm folding.
8. April 9 ~ Palm Sunday Luncheon following Liturgy sponsored by Parish Council. Make your reservation or during coffee social.
9. Scholarship Opportunities are posted as they become available at https://tinyurl.com/STP-Scholarship. Please be sure to read all requirements and deadline dates.