Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42.

In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from John 5:1-15

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Saints and Feasts

May 07

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.

May 07

Commemoration of the Precious Cross that appeared in the sky over Jerusalem in 351 A.D.

On this day in the year 351, not long after Cyril had succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem, during the reign of Constantius, the son of Saint Constantine the Great, on the day of Pentecost, the sign of the Cross appeared over Jerusalem. Saint Cyril, in his letter to the Emperor Constantius, says, "At about the third hour of the day, an enormous Cross, formed of light, appeared in the heaven above holy Golgotha and reaching to the holy Mount of Olives, being seen not by one or two only, but manifest with perfect clarity to the whole multitude of the city; not, as one might suppose, rushing swiftly past in fancy, but seen openly above the earth many hours in plain sight, and overcoming the beams of the sun with its dazzling rays" (PG 33:1 16q).

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 Third Mode

Ευραινέσθω τά ουράνια, αγαλλιάσθω τά επίγεια, ότι εποίησε κράτος εν βραχίονι αυτού ο Κύριος· επάτησε τώ θανάτω τόν θάνατον· πρωτότοκος τών νεκρών εγένετο, εκ κοιλίας Άδου ερρύσατο ημάς, καί παρέσχε τώ κόσμω τό μέγα έλεος.

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.

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.

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 ~ MNYMOSINO: 40 days for Soultana “Sonia” Page | 1 year for Sophia Gemelas.
2. Today ~ Coffee Social hosted by the Page family and friends along with St Mary of Egypt with proceeds to benefit the Mission.
3. Today ~ 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. Today ~ 12:00 PM Greek Corner meets in the Teen Room.
5. Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos following Holy Communion in person or via Teams https://tinyurl.com/AdultCatechism.
6. Today ~ Golf outing sponsorship and registration during coffee social. See Renee Steffas.
7. Today ~ Dance practice following Sunday School for Beginner and Junior groups.
8. Monday - Tuesday ~ 9:00 AM Festival baking team will be making finikia and kourambiethes. We invite you to join us.
9. Monday ~ 5:30 PM Greek School.
10. Tuesday ~ 4:00 PM Adult Greek School.
11. Tuesday ~ 8:00 PM Orthodoxy 101 with Soci Phyrillas for GOYAns via Teams https://tinyurl.com/Orthodox101.
12. Wednesday ~ 4:00 PM Women’s Study via Teams https://tinyurl.com/STPWomenStudy.
13. Wednesday ~ 7:00 PM Choir rehearsal.
14. Thursday ~ 7:00 PM Bible Study with Father Costas via Teams https://tinyurl.com/BibleStudySTP.
15. Friday – May 20 ~ Father on vacation. Call the church office for any pastoral needs.
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 ~ 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 Acts 11:19-30 | Gospel John 4:5-42.
2. Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINO: 10 years for Helen Ballas [for Helen Fantis].
3. Monday ~ 6:00 PM IOCC Annual Banquet at St Michaels Woodside in Broadview Hts. Tickets $60/person. Contact Ken Boukis for more information and tickets.
4. Monday ~ 6:30 PM Finance Committee meeting.
5. Tuesday ~ 6:30 PM Philoptochos General meeting.
6. Wednesday ~ 7:00 PM Parish Council monthly meeting.
7. Thursday ~ 11:30 AM Philoptochos Agape Oven meal pickup for those with special circumstances. Contact Mary Bozikis Olenik or Tessie Lekas to reserve a meal.
8. Thursday ~ 5:00 PM Festival Executive meeting.
9. Friday ~ 6:00 PM HOPE / JOY Movie Night. Bring your favorite snacks and a blanket! RSVP by May 10^th https://tinyurl.com/stphopejoymovie.
10. Saturday ~ 12:00 PM Eastern Orthodox Women’s Guild Pan-Orthodox Luncheon at Holy Trinity on Broadview Road in Parma. Tickets available from Evangeline Bozikis.
11. Saturday ~ 2:00 PM Young Adult Pilgrimageto St Gregory Palamas Monastery. RSVP to Soci Phyrillas at aphyrillas@stpaulgoc.org.
12. May 18 ~ 1:00 PM Senior OPA Fellowship presents Meet the Author with John Sakellakis who will discuss his new book. Refreshments to follow with pies in honor of Mother’s Day. Open to all!
13. May 20 ~ 7:00 PM Great Vespers at Sts Constantine & Helen Cleveland Hts.
14. May 21 ~ Salute to Graduates following Liturgy. All St Paul Seniors in high school and college will be recognized. All who wish to be recognized, please remember to complete information at https://tinyurl.com/GradSalute and submit picture to meesenger@stpaulgoc.org.
15. May 21 ~ Dance Practice for all groups following Sunday School.
16. May 23 ~ 6:00 PM Membership committee meeting | 7:00 PM Family Ministry meeting.
17. May 27 ~ 9:00 AM Graveside Trisagia at St Theodosius Cemetery.
18. May 29 ~ 10:00 AM Memorial prayers at the flag followed by graveside Trisagia at St. Theodosius.
19. May 30 ~ 6:00 PM Stewardship committee meeting.