Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7.

In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Saints and Feasts

April 30

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).

Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).

April 30

James the Apostle and brother of St. John the Theologian

James was one of the Twelve, like his brother John (celebrated on Sept. 26), whom the Lord called "Sons of Thunder," because they became great preachers and because of their profound theology. It was the Saint's boldness in preaching the Gospel that Herod Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus and grandson of Herod the Great, could not endure, and so he took him into custody during the days of the Passover, and slew him with the sword (Acts 12: 1-2); and thus he drank the cup of which the Saviour had spoken to him prophetically (Matt. 20:23). As for Herod, the following year he went down to Caesarea, and, as the Acts of the Apostles records: "Upon a set day, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration" to the elders of Tyre and Sidon; and the flatterers that surrounded him "gave a shout, saying, 'it is the voice of a god, and not of a man.' And immediately an Angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and like his grandfather (see Dec. 29) "he was eaten of worms and gave up the spirit" (Acts 12:21-23)

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Χριστός Ανέστη εκ νεκρών, θάνατο θάνατον πατησιάς, και τοις εν τοις μνήμασί, ζώνη, χαρισάμενος.

Christos anesti ek nekron, thanato thanaton patisas, ke tis en ti mnimasi zoi, harisamenos.

Christ is Risen from the dead | by death trampling down upon death | and to those in the tombs He has | granted life.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

Ότε κατήλθες πρός τόν θάνατον, η ζωή η αθάνατος, τότε τόν Άδην ενέκρωσας, τή αστραπή τής Θεότητος· ότε δέ καί τούς τεθνεώτας, εκ τών καταχθονίων ανέστησας, πάσαι αι Δυνάμεις τών επουρανίων εκραύγαζον· Ζωοδότα Χριστέ ο Θεός ημών δόξα Σοι.

Όte katilthes pros ton thanaton, I zoe athanatos, tote ton Adin enekrosas, ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke tous tethneotas ek ton katakthonion anestisas, pase e Dinamis ton epuranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Christe o Theos imon doxa Si.

When You descended unto death, O Life Immortal, You rendered to Hades a mortal blow by the lightning of Your divinity, and when from the depths of darkness You also raised the dead, all the heavenly powers cried out: O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode

When You descended unto death, O Life Immortal, | You rendered to Hades a mortal blow | by the lightning of Your divinity, | and when from the depths of darkness You also raised the dead, | all the heavenly powers cried out: | O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You! When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph | wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices | and laid it for burial in a new tomb. | But on the third day You arose, O Lord, | and granted the world Your great mercy.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode

The Angel standing at the sepulcher cried out and said to the ointment bearing women: | The ointments are appropriate for mortal men, but Christ has been shown to be a stranger to decay. | So go and cry aloud, The Lord has risen | and granted the world His great mercy.

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!

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: 1 year for Theodoros Diamond | 10 years for Evangelia Keares [for Petros Keares] | 10 years for Leah Dadas.
2. Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos following Holy Communion in person or via Teams https://tinyurl.com/AdultCatechism.
3. Today ~ Golf outing sponsorship and registration during coffee social. See Renee Steffas.
4. Today ~ Dance practice following Sunday School and costume measuring.
5. Today ~ North Royalton Community Meal, sponsored by our parish and Philoptochos. See email send out to community on Wednesday to make your donation. You can also place your donation in the basket in the Narthex. Checks can be made payable to: St. Paul Philoptochos c/o North Royalton community meal.
6. Monday - Tuesday ~ 9:00 AM Festival baking team will be making galactobouriko, pineapple cheese, apple and cherry delights. We invite you to join us.
7. Monday ~ 5:30 PM Greek School.
8. Tuesday ~ 4:00 PM Adult Greek School.
9. Tuesday ~ 7:00 PM Home Committee meeting.
10. Tuesday ~ 8:00 PM Orthodoxy 101 with Soci Phyrillas for GOYAns via Teams https://tinyurl.com/Orthodox101.
11. Wednesday ~ 4:00 PM Women’s Study via Teams https://tinyurl.com/STPWomenStudy.
12. Wedensday ~ 7:00 PM Choir rehearsal.
13. Thursday ~ 7:00 PM Bible Study with Father Costas via Teams https://tinyurl.com/BibleStudySTP.
14. 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.
15. St Paul Prayer Chain ~ If you have a prayer request, email it to: prayerchain@stpaulgoc.org.
16. 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 Luke 24:13-35 | Epistle Reading Acts 9:32-42 | Gospel John 5:1-15.
2. Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINO: 40 days for Soutlana “Sonia” Page | 1 year for Sophia Gemelas.
3. Next Sunday ~ Maids of Athena Elpitha 274 plant sale offering assorted herb and fruit plants. Proceeds to benefit Maids of Athena charities, including the Children’s Miracle Network.
4. Next Sunday ~ Dance practice for beginner and junior levels following Sunday School.
5. Next Sunday ~ 12:00 PM Greek Corner meets in the Teen Room.
6. May 8 ~ 8:30 AM Golden Greeks bus trip to the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Saxonburg PA leaving from Annunciation Akron. $55 includes lunch & dinner. RSVP by May 1^st 330.256.8006.
7. 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.
8. May 9 ~ 6:30 PM Philoptochos General meeting.
9. May 10 ~ 7:00 PM Parish Council monthly meeting.
10. May 11 ~ 11:30 AM Philoptochos Agape Oven meal pickup for those with special circumstances. Contact Mary Bozikis Olenik or Tessie Lekas to reserve a meal.
11. May 12 ~ 6:00 PM HOPE / JOY Movie Night. Bring your favorite snacks and a blanket! RSVP by May 10^th https://tinyurl.com/stphopejoymovie.
12. May 13 ~ 12:00 PM Eastern Orthodox Women’s Guild Pan-Orthodox Luncheon at Holy Trinity on Broadview Road in Parma. Tickets available from Evangeline Bozikis.
13. May 13 ~ 2:00 PM Young Adult Pilgrimageto St Gregory Palamas Monastery. RSVP to Soci Phyrillas at aphyrillas@stpaulgoc.org.