St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-07-20
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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. First Mode. Psalm 109.4,1.
You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Verse: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies my footstool.

The reading is from St. James' Universal Letter 5:10-20.

BRETHREN, take as an example of suffering and patience the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation. Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit. My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.


Gospel Reading

6th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:1-8

At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.


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Saints and Feasts

July 20

The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)

Elias of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God's command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel, that they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for human nature. He foretold the destruction of the house of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias; and as for the two captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he burned them for their punishment, bringing fire down from Heaven. He divided the flow of the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus passed through as it were on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though into heaven, whither God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence also, after seven years, by means of an epistle he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: "And there came a message in writing to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). According to the opinion of the majority of the interpreters, this came to pass either through his disciple Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6).


July 20

Mother Maria Skobtsova, New-Martyr of France

Saint Maria Skobtsova of Paris lived a life devoted to serving the poor and the marginalized. She was born Elizaveta Pilenko in 1891 in Riga, Latvia to devout Russian Orthodox parents. Her father died when she was fourteen, and her grief led her to atheism. As a young teenager she became involved in the socialist and intellectual circles in St. Petersburg. By eighteen she was a published poet and married to a Bolshevik. Her desire to actively serve the needy - more than simply discuss social change - led her back to a faith in Christ. She then became the first woman accepted to study at the Theological Academy of the Alexander Nevsky Monastery in St. Petersburg.

After the Bolshevik Revolution, she was elected Mayor of Anapa but had to flee Russia for Paris in 1923. Elizaveta was inspired to devote her life completely to serving the poor after her daughter, Nastia, died of meningitis in 1926. After her second marriage ended in 1932, Metropolitan Evlogii of Paris tonsured her a nun with the name Maria and blessed her to live a "monasticism in the world" devoted to social service.

Initially devoted to the Russian emigres in Paris, she founded a sanatorium along with homes to serve single mothers, families, and single men. By 1937, 120 dinners were served each day. Much of the work she did herself: begging for food, cooking the soup, and even embroidering the icons for their chapel.

By 1942, Maria's work turned to assisting the Jewish population. She helped Father Dimitri Klepinin issue fake baptismal certificates for Jews that came to their aide. In a mass arrest in July of that year, 12,884 Jews were taken to a sports stadium before being transferred to Auschwitz. Maria spent three days visiting the prisoners, bringing them food, and even rescuing some of the children by smuggling them out in trash cans. She also aided Jews in escaping to Southern France which was unoccupied by the Nazis.

Maria was arrested in February, 1943, and was sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp in Germany. For two years, she raised the spirits of her fellow prisoners, helping them remember their human dignity. She led discussion groups on literature, history, and theology, despite her weakening health. On March 31, 1945, a short time before the camp was rescued, Saint Maria was taken to the gas chambers; some prisoners say she took the place of a fellow Jewish prisoner.

On January 18th, 2004, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate recognized Mother Maria Skobtsova as a saint along with her three fellow workers who also died in German concentration camps: her son Yuri, Fr. Dimitri Klepinin, and Ilya Fondaminsky. They are all commemorated in the Orthodox Church on July 20th.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Tόν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρί καί Πνεύματι, τόν εκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εις σωτηρίαν ημών, ανημνήσωμεν πιστοί καί προσκυνήσωμεν· ότι ηυδόκησε σαρκί, ανελθείν εν τώ Σταυρώ καί θάνατον υπομείναι, καί εγείραι τούς τεθνεώτας, εν τή ενδόξω Αναστάσει αυτού.
Ton sinanarhon logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou tehthenta is sotiria imon, animnisomen pisti ke proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki, anelthin en to Stavro ke thanaton ipomine, ke egire tous tethneotas, en ti endoxo Anastasi aftou.
Let us the faithful give praise and worship to the Logos, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for of His own goodwill He consented to ascend the cross in the flesh and endured death and raised the dead by His glorious resurrection.

Apolytikion for Prophet Elias in the Fourth Mode

The incarnate Angel, and the Prophets' summit and boast, the second forerunner of the coming of Christ our God, Elias, the glorious, from above sent down his grace upon Elisseus; he doth cast out sickness and doth also cleanse lepers; and unto all that honour him, he poureth forth streams of cures.
The angel incarnate and the Prophets’ pedestal, | the second Forerunner of the coming of Christ, Elias the glorious, | sent down to Elisha the divine grace from heaven. | He drives away diseases and he cleanses lepers. | Therefore he pours out healings to those who honor him.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
A protection of Christians unshameable, | intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, | reject not | the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. | Instead, | come to us for you are good; | Your loving help bring unto us | who are crying in faith to you: | Hasten to intercede | and speed now to supplicate, | as a protection for all time, | Theotokos, for those who honor you
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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 detail.      

  1. Today ~ Parish Council & Ushers ~ Team 3 | Altar Boys ~ All Teams | Greeters ~ Team 
  2. Today ~ Last day of our food festival 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
  3. Tuesday ~ feast of St Magdaline the Myrrhbearer and St. Markella of Chios | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
  4. Saturday ~ feast of St Paraskevi | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
  5. Prayer Chain ~ If you have a prayer request, send email to: [email protected]. 
  6. St Paul Part-Time Office Assistant ~ View job description.  If interested, please submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Upcoming Events Next Week and Beyond

  1. Next Sunday ~ Parish Council & Ushers ~ Team 4|Altar Boys ~ All Teams| Greeters ~ Team 4
  2. Next Sunday ~ Orthros John 20:1-10  | Epistle Reading St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10 | Gospel Matthew 9:27-35
  3. Next Sunday ~ on the feast of St. Panteleimon, we invite all health workers in our parish to come up at the end and receive a blessing from Father. 
  4. Next Sunday ~ Prison Ministry Sunday. 
  5. July 28 ~ 6:30 PM Young Women’s Book Club with Presvytera Angelique.
  6. August 1 ~ 7:00 PM Small Paraklesis.
  7. August 2 ~ 7:00 PM Great Vespers.
  8. August 4 ~ 7:00 PM Small Paraklesis.
  9. August 4 – 8 ~ 9:00 AM - Noon Vacation Church School “The Cross” for students in K-6th grade.  Register at https://tinyurl.com/stpgocVCS Only $30/student!
  10. August 5 ~ 7:00 PM Great Vespers for Holy Transfiguration.
  11. August 6 ~ Holy Transfiguration | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
  12. August 7 ~ 7:00 PM Metropolis Regional Youth Paraklesis hosted by St Paul GOYA.
  13. August 8 ~ 7:00 PM Great Paraklesis.
  14. August 9 ~ 7:00 PM Great Vespers.
  15. August 10 ~ Backpack Blessing Bring your backpack to church to receive a blessing for the start of the school year.
  16. August 11 ~ 7:00 PM Small Paraklesis.
  17. August 12 ~ 7:00 PM Great Paraklesis
  18. August 13 ~ 7:00 PM Small Paraklesis
  19. August 14 ~ 7:00 PM Vespers for the Dormition of the Theotokos
  20. August 15 ~ Dormition of the Theotokos | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
  21. August 15 ~ Dormition of the Theotokos Luncheon Sponsored by the Philoptochos make your reservations in coffee social

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Flyers

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