Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14.

BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45

At that time, Jesus took his twelve disciples, and he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Saints and Feasts

April 02

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed.

April 02

Titus the Wonderworker

Little is known of this Saint except that he took up the monastic life from his youth, became the abbot of a monastery, and reposed in peace.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

Τού λίθου σφραγισθέντος υπό τών Ιουδαίων, καί στρατιωτών φυλλασόντων, τό άχραντόν Σου σώμα, ανέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τώ κόσμω τήν ζωήν. Διά τούτο αι Δυνάμεις τών ουρανών εβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· δόξα τή Αναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τή βασιλεία σου, δόξα τή οικονομία σου μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Τu lithou sfragisthentos ipo ton Ioudeon, ke stratioton filasonton to ahranton sou soma, anestis triemeros Sotir, doroumenos to kosmo tin zoin. Dia touto e dinamis ton ouranon evon si Zoodota, doxa ti Anastasi sou Hriste, doxa ti vasilia sou, doxa ti ikonomia sou mone Filanthrope.

Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of mankind!

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Plagal Fourth Mode

In you, O Mother, is preserved undistorted what was made in the image of God; for taking up the cross, you followed Christ and by example taught, that we should overlook the flesh, since it passes away, and instead look after the soul, since it is immortal. And therefore, O devout Mary, your spirit rejoices with the angels.

Hymn of Church in the First Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

Welcome

This Weeks Announcements

Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church is only offered to Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through the disciplines of our faith. Speak to Fr. Costas for further details.
1. Today ~ MNYMOSINA: 40 days for Emily Baltas [for Steve Baltas] | 7 years for Anna Koulioufas.
2. Today ~ Greek School program following Liturgy with Loukoumades sale during coffee social.
3. Today ~ GOYAns attending Metropolis Spring Retreat.
4. Today ~ Dance practice for Beginner and Junior levels following Sunday School.
5. Today ~ 12:00 PM Greek Corner meets in Teen Room.
6. Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos https://tinyurl.com/AdultCatechism.
7. Today & Next Sunday ~ Easter Bake Sale sponsored by Philoptochos during coffee social. Online orders can be placed at https://www.stpaulgoc.org/ministries/adult-ministries/philoptochos/.
8. Monday & Tuesday ~ 9:00 AM Festival baking. Join us as we make tiropites and spanakopites. We will not be baking during Holy Week.
9. Monday ~ 4:00 PM Adult Greek School | 5:30 PM Greek School.
10. Wednesday ~ 9:45 AM Pilgrimage to St Gregory Palamas Monastery for Presanctified Liturgy. Anyone wishing to carpool should meet at Best Buy in Strongsville. Contact the church office to RSVP.
11. Wednesday ~ 4:00 PM Women’s Study Group via TEAMS https://tinyurl.com/STPWomenStudy, NOTE | NEW Day and Time!
12. Wednesday ~ 5:30 PM Greek School for beginners.
13. Thursday ~ 7:00 PM Choir rehearsal.
14. Thursday ~ 7:00 PM Bible Study will resume on April 27^th.
15. Saturday ~ Lazarus Saturday | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy followed by palm folding. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/PalmFolding.
16. Holy Confession ~ Fr. Costas is available to hear confessions during this sacred season. Call or text him at 440-669-1316 to set up a time.
17. 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.
18. Bookstore ~ be sure to visit our bookstore, which offers great resources during this time of Lent.
19. Preparing for Pascha ~ visit our website to view our Holy Week Services, make donations to help decorate the church during Lent – Pascha, etc. https://www.stpaulgoc.org/news/lenten-activities.
20. 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.
21. St Paul Prayer Chain ~ If you have a prayer request, email it to: prayerchain@stpaulgoc.org.
22. 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 Matthew 21:1-11; 15-17 | Epistle Reading Philippians 4:4-9 | Gospel John 12:1-18.
2. Next Sunday ~ Palm Sunday Luncheon following Liturgy sponsored by Parish Council. Make your reservation at https://tinyurl.com/STP-Lent or during coffee social.
3. April 14 ~ 11:00 AM Holy Friday Retreat for all students in K – 12^th grade. Register at https://tinyurl.com/STP-HFRetreat.
4. April 14 ~ 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM girls in grades 1 – 6 are invited to participate as Myrofores during both Holy Friday services. Rehearsal will be held on April 8^th. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Myrofores.
5. April 15 ~ Holy Saturday | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy. All young children are invited to ring the bells during the early part of the service.
6. April 15 ~ GOYAns present an Easter Egg Hunt in your yard for your little ones to find on Pascha. Order during coffee social or online at HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/GOYAEGGDROP.
7. April 16 ~ Pascha | 11:00 AM Egg Hunt for children 10 and under, followed by the Agape Vesper at 11:30 AM. A beautiful service to attend, especially for those not able to attend the midnight service.
8. Scholarship Opportunities are posted as they become available at https://tinyurl.com/STP-Scholarship. Please be sure to read all requirements and deadline dates.