St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-09-01
Bulletin Contents

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St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (440) 237-8998
  • Street Address:

  • 4548 Wallings Road

  • North Royalton, OH 44133-3121


Contact Information





Services Schedule

WEEKDAY SERVICES

   8:30 AM   Orthros
   9:30 AM   Liturgy

 

SUNDAY SERVICES

   8:15 AM   Orthros
   9:30 AM   Liturgy

Sunday School begins immediately following Holy Communion September through May


Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 2:1-7.

Timothy, my son, first of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.


Gospel Reading

Ecclesiastical New Year
The Reading is from Luke 4:16-22

At that time, Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read; and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.


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Saints and Feasts

September 01

Ecclesiastical New Year

For the maintenance of their armed forces, the Roman emperors decreed that their subjects in every district should be taxed every year. This same decree was reissued every fifteen years, since the Roman soldiers were obliged to serve for fifteen years. At the end of each fifteen-year period, an assessment was made of what economic changes had taken place, and a new tax was decreed, which was to be paid over the span of the fifteen years. This imperial decree, which was issued before the season of winter, was named Indictio, that is, Definiton, or Order. This name was adopted by the emperors in Constantinople also. At other times, the latter also used the term Epinemisis, that is, Distribution (Dianome). It is commonly held that Saint Constantine the Great introduced the Indiction decrees in A.D. 312, after he beheld the sign of the Cross in heaven and vanquished Maxentius and was proclaimed Emperor in the West. Some, however (and this seems more likely), ascribe the institution of the Indiction to Augustus Caesar, three years before the birth of Christ. Those who hold this view offer as proof the papal bull issued in A.D. 781 which is dated thus: Anno IV, Indictionis LIII -that is, the fourth year of the fifty-third Indiction. From this, we can deduce the aforementioned year (3 B.C.) by multiplying the fifty-two complete Indictions by the number of years in each (15), and adding the three years of the fifty-third Indiction. There are three types of Indictions: 1) That which was introduced in the West, and which is called Imperial, or Caesarean, or Constantinian, and which begins on the 24th of September; 2) The so-called Papal Indiction, which begins on the 1st of January; and 3) The Constantinopolitan, which was adopted by the Patriarchs of that city after the fall of the Eastern Empire in 1453. This Indiction is indicated in their own hand on the decrees they issue, without the numeration of the fifteen years. This Indiction begins on the 1st of September and is observed with special ceremony in the Church. Since the completion of each year takes place, as it were, with the harvest and gathering of the crops into storehouses, and we begin anew from henceforth the sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops, September is considered the beginning of the New Year. The Church also keeps festival this day, beseeching God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth. The Holy Scriptures (Lev. 23:24-5 and Num. 29:1-2) also testify that the people of Israel celebrated the feast of the Blowing of the Trumpets on this day, offering hymns of thanksgiving. In addition to all the aforesaid, on this feast we also commemorate our Saviour's entry into the synagogue in Nazareth, where He was given the book of the Prophet Esaias to read, and He opened it and found the place where it is written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for which cause He hath anointed Me..." (Luke 4:16-30).

It should be noted that to the present day, the Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. This was the custom in Constantinople until its fall in 1453 and in Russia until the reign of Peter I. September 1 is still festively celebrated as the New Year at the Patriarchate of Constantinople; among the Jews also the New Year, although reckoned according to a moveable calendar, usually falls in September. The service of the Menaion for January 1 is for our Lord's Circumcision and for the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year.


September 01

Symeon the Stylite

Our righteous Father Symeon was born about the year 390 in a certain village named Sis, in the mountain region of Cilicia and Syria. Having first been a shepherd, he entered the monastic discipline at a young age. After trying various kinds of ascetical practices, both in the monastery and then in the wilderness, he began standing on pillars of progressively greater height, and heroically persevered in this for more than forty years; the greater part of this time he spent standing upright, even when one of his feet became gangrenous, and other parts of his body gave way under the strain. He did not adopt this strange way of life out of vainglory, a charge that some of his contemporaries made against him at the first: because he was already famous for his asceticism and holiness before ascending his first pillar (in Greek, style, whence he is called "Stylite"), many pious people came to him wishing to touch his garments, either for healing or for a blessing; to escape the continual vexation they caused, he made a pillar about ten feet high, and then higher and higher, until the fourth and last was about fifty feet high. The Church historian Theodoret of Cyrrhus, an eyewitness of his exploits who wrote of him while Symeon was yet alive, called him "the great wonder of the world." God gave him the grace to persevere in such an astonishing form of asceticism that multitudes came to see him from Persia, Armenia, South Arabia, Georgia, Thrace, Spain, Italy, Gaul, and the British Isles. Theodoret says that he became so famous in Rome that the Nomadic Arabs by the thousands believed in Christ and were baptized because of him; the King of Persia sent envoys to inquire into his way of life, and the Queen asked to be sent oil that he had blessed. He also was a great defender of sound doctrine, and confirmed the Orthodoxy of the Holy Council of Chalcedon for many who had been beguiled by the teachings of the Monophysites, including the Empress Eudocia, widow of Theodosius the Younger. After a life of unheard-of achievements and struggles, he reposed in peace at the age of sixty-nine, in the year 459.


September 01

Synaxis of the Recovery of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Miasenae

The Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos of Miasenae is celebrated today because of the wonder that was wrought when her holy icon, which was cast into the lake call Zaguru in order to prevent it from being desecrated by the Iconoclast, miraculously arose intact from the depths of the lake after many years.

September 01

Jesus (Joshua) of Navi

Jesus (Joshua) of Navi was born of the tribe of Ephraim in Egypt, in the seventeenth century before Christ. When he was eighty-five years of age, he became Moses' successor. He restrained the River Jordan's flow and allowed the Israelites to cross on foot. He caused the sun to stop in its course when he was waging war against the Amorites. He divided the Promised Land among the Twelve Tribes of Israel and governed them for twenty-five years. He wrote the Old Testament book that bears his name, and having lived 110 years in all, he reposed in the sixteenth century before Christ. His name means "God saves."


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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 Beginning of the Indiction in the Second Mode

O Fashioner of all creation, who made seasons and years by Your own authority, bless the crown of the year with Your goodness, O Lord, and preserve our rulers and Your city in peace, at the intercession of the Theotokos, and save us.

Apolytikion for Synaxis of the Recovery of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Grave Mode

Rejoice, Maiden full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos; a haven and protection are you for all of mankind. From you did the Redeemer of the world become incarnate, only you are both a Mother and a Virgin. O Lady ever blessed and ever filled with glory, intercede with Christ God, beseeching Him to grant peace to the universe.

Apolytikion for Righteous Symeon the Stylite in the First Mode

You became a pillar of patience, O devout one, emulating the forefathers, Job in his sufferings and Joseph in his temptations, and the manner of the bodiless, though you were still in body. O devout father Symeon, intercede with Christ God, to save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

You, the Creator and the Lord of the ages, O God of all, truly transcending all essence, we earnestly entreat, that You will bless the year, and, O tender-loving Lord, in Your infinite mercy, only Master, save us all who worship and serve You, O our Redeemer, and who cry with fear, “For all Your servants, make fruitful the coming year.”
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Welcome

This week’s Announcements

Welcome to all our guests.  We are glad you are here worshiping with us today!

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Mission Statement | St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church is a community that worships the Holy Trinity and lives out the gospel of Christ as Orthodox Christians.  We seek to do God’s will, while sharing the Faith and serving others as we pursue salvation in Christ. 
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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 ~ Parish Council & Ushers ~ Team 2 | Altar Boys ~ Team 1 | Greeters ~ Team 1
  2. Tuesday ~ 6:30 PM Home Committee meeting | 7:00 PM Choir rehearsal.
  3. Wednesday ~ 6:30 PM Philoptochos Board meeting
  4. Saturday ~ 10:00 AM Pet Blessing at the soccer field behind church.
  5. Saturday ~ 10:00 AM Eastern Orthodox Women’s Guild meets at St Matthew in N. Royalton.
  6. Prayer Chain ~ If you have a prayer request, send email to: [email protected]

Upcoming Events in Our Parish and Beyond

  1. Next Sunday ~ Parish Council & Ushers ~ Team 3 | Altar Boys ~ Team 2 | Greeters ~ Team 2
  2. Next Sunday ~ Orthros Luke1:39-46; 56 | Epistle Reading Galatians 6:11-18 | Gospel John 3:13-17
  3. Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINA: 40 days for Stella Harriston | 1 year for George Harriston.
  4. Next Sunday ~ Sunday School begins. All students should register at https://tinyurl.com/STP-SundaySchool | Parish Fair following Liturgy. See all that our ministries have to offer | Philoptochos collects school supplies for students of John Muir Elementary School in Parma to Stuff the Bus in church parking lot | GOYA Kickoff at the home of Anna Poulos at 4:00 PM ~ RSVP https://www.tinyurl.com/2024-GOYA-Kickoff.
  5. September 10 ~ 6:30 PM Philoptochos monthly meeting.
  6. September 11 ~ 1:00 PM Senior OPA Fit | exercises for all levels. 
  7. September 11 ~ 7:00 PM Parish Council monthly meeting.
  8. September 12 ~ 11:30 AM Philoptochos Agape Ovens meal pick up for those with special circumstances.  Please contact Tessie Lekas or Mary Bozikis Olenik for more information.
  9. September 12 ~ 7:00 PM Bible Study with Fr. Costas via Teams https://tinyurl.com/BibleStudySTP.
  10. September 14 ~ Elevation of the Cross | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy. Blessing of Holy Water and the beginning of house blessings. To have your home blessed, sign up at: https://tinyurl.com/STPaulHouseBlessing.
  11. September 14  ~ 11:00 AM Altar Boy Seminar for boys in grades 3 – 12.  RSVP to [email protected].
  12. September 15 ~ Dance Practice following Sunday School for all groups.
  13. September 15 ~ 3:00 PM Pan-Orthodox Choir Concert at Holy Trinity Parma to benefit the St. Theodosius Cathedral Fire Restoration Fund.
  14. September 17 ~ 6:30 PM Festival Volunteer Appreciation Dinner join us in expressing our gratitude to all who volunteered at the St. Paul Greek Fest. RSVP required https://tinyurl.com/appreicationFEST.
  15. September 18 ~ 1st Orthodox Catechism Class for those interested in learning about the Orthodox Faith, those interested in converting or those who simply want to brush up on their faith. Register at https://tinyurl.com/CatechismSTP or email [email protected] or call at 440.237.8998.
  16. September 19 ~ 7:00 PM complimentary Wine and Cheese evening hosted by the parish Endowment Committee open to all parishioners wishing to learn more about the St Paul Greek Orthodox Church Endowment Fund. RSVP appreciated to [email protected].
  17. September 21 ~ 8:00 PM St. Kyranna Young Adult Cooking Class at Sts. Constantine and Helen in Cleveland Heights for Young Adults ages 21 – 35.
  18. September 20 – 22 ~ Metropolis Family Camp at Camp Nazareth “Growing in Gratitude.” Open to families of all sizes and ages.  Learn more at https://y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/family-camp.
  19. September 26 ~ 1:00 PM Senior OPA Ice Cream Social and Flu shots. Please bring your Medicare and/or insurance card.
  20. September 28 ~ 8:30 AM Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly at Holy Cross Pittsburgh.
  21. September 29 ~ Dance Practice following Sunday School for all groups.
  22. September 29 ~ following Dance Practice, HOPE | JOY families are invited to go apple picking at Heavenly Hill Farm in North Royalton.  RSVP [email protected].
  23. September 29 ~ 2:00 PM Dr. John and Helen Collis LectureThe Art of Antiquity: Objects and Their Biographies from the Athenian Agora” at the Case Western Reserve University Tinkham Veale Center in Cleveland. FREE; ticket required.
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Flyers

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