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 Acts of the Apostles 5:12-20.

In those days, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life."

Gospel Reading

Thomas Sunday
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and My God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you may have life in His name.

Saints and Feasts

April 27

Thomas Sunday

Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, "Peace be unto you." Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection. But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ's Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe." Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, "Peace be unto you"; then He said to Thomas, "Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing."

And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, "My Lord and my God." Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures - human and divine - of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29).

This day is called Antipascha (meaning "in the stead of Pascha," not "in opposition to Pascha") because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection.

April 27

The Holy Hieromartyr Symeon, Kinsman of the Lord

Symeon was a first cousin of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was the son of Clopas (or Cleopas, also called Alphaeus), the brother of Joseph the Betrothed. He became the second Bishop of Jerusalem, as a successor to James the Brother of God. He ended his life when he was crucified during the reign of Trajan, in 107, at the age of 120.

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Χριστός Ανέστη εκ νεκρών, θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοίς εν τοίς μνήμασι, ζωήν, 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.

Apolytikion for Thomas Sun. in the Grave Mode

O Life, You rose from the sepulcher, even though the tomb was secured with a seal, O Christ God. And though the doors had been bolted, You came to Your disciples, O Resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit in us, according to Your great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

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 detail.

1. Today ~ Parish Council & Ushers ~ Team 3 | Altar Boys ~ Team 3 | Greeters ~ Team 3

2. Tuesday ~ Young Women’s Book Club with Presvytera Angelique.

3. Saturday ~ 4:00 PM St Photios Awards Banquet in Pittsburgh.

4. Prayer Chain ~ If you have a prayer request, send email to: [email protected].

Upcoming Events Next Week and Beyond

5. Next Sunday ~Parish Council & Ushers ~ Team 4| Altar Boys ~ Team 1 | Greeters ~ Team 4

6. Next Sunday ~ Orthros Luke 24:1-12 | Epistle Reading Acts 6:1-7 | Gospel Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

8. Next Sunday ~ Dance practice for Beginner and Junior groups.

9. Next Sunday ~ GOYA meeting with election of officers following Sunday School.

10. Next Sunday ~ 12:00 PM Greek Corner meets in back classroom.

11. May 5 ~ 9:00 AM Festival baking continues as we make dolmathes. As we have begun this year, we will have another late baking day ending at 7:00 PM. We invite you to join us after work or while your children are at Greek School or Dance Practice.

12. May 6 ~ 9:00 AM Festival baking resumes as we roll our way to 8000 dolmathes!

13. May 6 ~ 6:30 PM Home Committee meeting.

14. May 6 ~ 6:30 PM Philoptochos meeting.

15. May 7 ~ 6:30 PM Stewardship meeting.

16. May 14 ~ 7:00 PM Parish Council monthly meeting.

17. May 15 ~ 1:00 PM Senior OPA welcomes the St

18. May 17 ~ 12:00 PM Eastern Orthodox Women’s Guild Pan-Orthodox Luncheon at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Hall in Parma. See Evangeline Bozikis for tickets as they will not be sold at the door; Adults $15, children 6-12 $7.50, children under 6 free.

19. May 20 ~ 7:00 PM Great Vespers at Sts Constantine & Helen Cleveland Hts.

20. May 21 ~ feast of Sts Constantine & Helen | 10:00 AM Liturgy at Sts Constantine & Helen.

21. May 22 ~ 11:30 AM Agape Ovens meal pick up for those with special circumstances. Please see Tessie Lekas or Mary Bozikis Olenik.

22. May 23 – 26 ~ Tremont Festival at Annunciation Cleveland.

23. June 3 ~ 6:00 PM Philoptochos Appreciation Dinner at J Bella Restaurant in Strongsville. $35/person.

24. June 8 ~ 1:00 PM St Paul annual Golf Outing at Pine Hills Golf Course in Hinckley. All proceeds to benefit the St Paul Capital Improvement Fund. For details visit: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZWPX/home.

25. June 11 – 13 ~ 12:00 PM Greek Cultural Camp. $50 per student. Register at https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z01D/campaign/C-15EEE.

26. July 17 - 20 ~ St Paul Grecian Festival! Become one of our many sponsors or make a donation to offset rising costs by visiting: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZWRD/home. We look forward to another successful year!