Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Saints and Feasts

April 09

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

April 09

The Holy Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea

This holy Martyr was from the parts of Cappadocia, and lived a blameless life with his wife. During the reign of Julian the Apostate, this blessed one was filled with divine zeal and, with other Christians, destroyed the pagan temple dedicated to Fortune. Because of this he received the crown of martyrdom by beheading in the year 362.

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the First Mode

In confirming the common Resurrection, O Christ God, Thou didst raise up Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion. Wherefore, we also, like the children, bearing the symbols of victory, cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Mode

As by baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were deemed worthy of immortal life; and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

In Heaven, He is seated upon a Throne and on earth He rides upon a foal. O Christ our God, accept the praise of the Angels and the hymn of the Children who cry out to You, "Blessed are You who comes to recall Adam."

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 ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos https://tinyurl.com/AdultCatechism resumes April 23.
2. Today ~ Easter Bake Sale sponsored by Philoptochos during coffee social.
3. Today ~ Palm Sunday Luncheon following Liturgy.
4. Today – Tuesday ~ 7:00 PM Nymphios (Bridegoom) Service.
5. Monday ~ Greek School resumes April 17.
6. Holy Wednesday ~ 9:00 AM Presanctified Liturgy* | 4:00 PM Holy Unction | 7:00 PM Orthros Service with anointing.
7. Holy Thursday ~ 9:00 AM Vesperal Liturgy* | 7:00 PM Holy Passion service.
8. Holy Friday ~ 9:00 AM Royal Hours | 3:00 PM Apokathilosis | 7:00 PM Lamentations.
9. Holy Friday ~ 11:00 AM YOUTH Retreat for students in K – 12^th grade. Register your children at https://tinyurl.com/STP-HFRetreat.
10. Holy Friday ~ Girls in grades K – 6^thgrade, are invited to participate in the services as Myrofores (myrrh-bearers). Register your daughter at https://tinyurl.com/Myrofores. A brief rehearsal following Liturgy will be held TODAY.
11. Holy Saturday & PASCHA ~ 9:00 AM Vesperal Liturgy* | 11:00 PM Resurrection Service followed by Divine Liturgy*. There is a beautiful tradition of the priest blessing the Paschal Basket, which contains some food items that we have fasted from during Lent. Place your basket on the table in front of church for Father to bless at the end of Liturgy. We will serve the Agape meal offered by our Parish Council following the midnight service. Plan to stay to worship with us and to enjoy this complementary meal.
12. Saturday ~ GOYAns present an Easter Egg Hunt in your yard for your little ones to find on Pascha. Order during coffee social today or online at HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/GOYAEGGDROP.
13. 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.
14. Bookstore ~ be sure to visit our bookstore, which offers great resources during this time of Lent.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. St Paul Prayer Chain ~ If you have a prayer request, email it to: prayerchain@stpaulgoc.org.
18. 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 Mark 16:1-8 | Epistle Reading Acts 1:1-8 | Gospel John 1:1-17.
2. Next Sunday ~ Pascha 11:00 AM Egg Hunt for children 10 and under | 11:30 AM Agape Vespers with the reading of the Gospel in various languages. Please contact Nicholas Bodle choir@stpaulgoc.org if you are able to read another language.
3. April 17 ~ 12:00 PM Philoptochos Agape Ovens meal pick up for those with special circumstances. Contact Mary Bozikis or Mark Bozikis Olenik for more details.
4. April 19 & 20 ~ 9:00 AM Festival baking resumes as we make tsoureki.
5. April 21 ~ Feast of Life-Giving Spring | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
6. April 22 ~ 6:00 PM St Herman House presents An Evening to Celebrate Paul Finley at St Micahel’s Woodside in Broadview Hts. $125 per person. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/StHermanPF.
7. April 29 ~ 4:00 PM St Photios Awards Banquet in Pittsburgh.
8. April 30 ~ Dance practice following Sunday School and costume measuring.
9. May 8 ~ 6:00 PM IOCC Annual Banquet at St Michaels Woodside in Broadview Hts. Tickets $60/person. Contact Ken Boukis for more information and tickets.
10. Scholarship Opportunities are posted as they become available at https://tinyurl.com/STP-Scholarship. Please be sure to read all requirements and deadline dates.