Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15.

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Luke 8:5-15

The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Saints and Feasts

October 11

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we chant the Service to the 350 holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, which gathered in Nicaea in 787 under the holy Patriarch Tarasius and during the reign of the Empress Irene and her son, Constantine Porphyrogenitus, to refute the Iconoclast heresy, which had received imperial support beginning with the Edict issued in 726 by Emperor Leo the Isaurian. Many of the holy Fathers who condemned Iconoclasm at this holy Council later died as Confessors and Martyrs for the holy Icons during the second assult of Iconoclasm in the ninth century, especially during the reigns of Leo the Armenian and Theophilus.

October 11

Philip the Apostle of the 70, one of the 7 Deacons

Saint Philip, who had four daughters that prophesied, was from Caesarea of Palestine. He preached throughout Samaria; it was he also who met the eunuch of Candace, the Queen of the Ethiopians, as the eunuch was reading the Prophet Esaias, and he instructed and baptized him (Acts 8:26-39). He reposed in Tralles of Asia Minor while preaching the Gospel.

October 11

Theophanes the Confessor, Bishop of Nicaea

Saint Theophanes, the brother of Saint Theodore the Branded, was a Palestinian by race. Both were monks at the Monastery of Saint Sabbas. They were called "the Branded" because Theophilus, the last of the Iconoclast emperors, had twelve iambic verses branded by hot irons on their foreheads and then sent them into exile, where Theodore died in the year 838. After the death of Theophilus in 842, Theophanes was elected Bishop of Nicaea. Both brothers composed many canons and hymns, thereby adorning the services of the Church.

Hymns of the Day

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 Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!

Apolytikion for Sun. of the 7th Ecumenical Council in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Supremely glorified are You, O Christ our God, who established the holy Fathers on earth as beacons, and through them guided us all to the true Faith. Most compassionate Lord, glory be to You!

Hymn of Church in the First Mode

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.

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.

Today ~ Parish Council & Ushers ~ Team 2 | Altar Boys ~ 1 | Greeters ~ Team 3
Now - November ~ Youth Coffee Socials. Families involved in the youth ministries: Dance, HOPE|JOY, Greek School, Sunday School, and GOYA are invited to host the coffee socials in October leading to Youth Sunday on November 1^st. Sign up to bring something here: tinyurl.com/STPyouth-sundays.
Today ~ Coffee Social hosted by St Paul Youth Groups.
Today ~ GOYA Popcorn Sale $4 per bag. Choose from cheddar cheese, caramel dittos, or buttered popcorn. Purchase from a GOYAn or at coffee social.
Today ~ Adult Catechism with Elaine Poulos. Class begins following Holy Communion in person or via Teams at tinyurl.com/STPAdult.
Today ~ Dance Practice following Sunday School.
Monday ~ 5:30 PM Greek School.
Monday ~ 6:00 PM Catechism.
Tuesday ~ 6:00 PM Stewardship Committee meeting in the Teen Room.
Tuesday ~ 6:30 PM Home Committee meeting in the church office.
Wednesday ~ 3:00 PM Women’s Study. Join us via Teams at tinyurl.com/WomenStudySTP.
Wednesday ~ 5:30 PM Adult Greek School Beginner | 6:30 PM Intermediate.
Wednesday ~ 6:30 PM Finance Committee meeting.
Thursday ~ 1:00 PM Fun and Games Kafenio. Senior OPA will offer friendly games of cards, tavli/backgammon, Scrabble^®, and checkers. Learn more at tinyurl.com/SeniorOPAGames.
Thursday ~ 7:00 PM Bible Study with Fr. Costas. Join us via Teams at tinyurl.com/BibleStudySTP.
Friday ~ 12:00 PM St. Mary of Egypt Help is needed to unload the food truck for food distribution at 4345 State Rd., Cleveland, OH 44019.
Saturday ~ 12:00 PM Little Angels playdate. Will be meeting in Sunday School classroom.
TAP to PAY ~ For those who do not carry cash when you attend church, a NEW EASY TO USE APP is available by the candle stand. Just tap and get your candles.
Prayer Chain ~ If you have a prayer request, send an email to: [email protected].
Deck Project ~ Work is ongoing and updates will be provided as they occur!

Upcoming Events Next Week and Beyond

Next Sunday ~ Parish Council & Ushers ~ Team 3 | Altar Boys ~ 2 | Greeters ~ Team 4
Next Sunday ~ Orthros: John 20:19-31 | Epistle: Colossians 4:5-11, 14-18 | Gospel: Luke 10:16-21
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINA ~ 25 years for Constantine Costaras [for Kalliope Costaras | for Irini Hatzinikolaou] 40 years for Maria Costaras-Volarich [for Panagiotis Kourzis]
Next Sunday ~ 40 Day Churching for the son of Ryan and Melina (Kucharski) Ferchland
Next Sunday ~ Coffee Social hosted by St Paul Youth Groups.
Next Sunday ~ 4:00 PM HOPE | JOY Trunk or Treat. Dress up in your favorite costume, decorate your car trunk, and join us in the church parking lot! Signup at tinyurl.com/STP2026TrunkorTreat.
Next Sunday ~ 6:00 PM GOYA Bonfire. Meeting at St Paul. Bring a lawn chair and a warm jacket. Dinner and snacks will be provided! RSVP by October 11. Visit tinyurl.com/GOYAOctBonfire.
October 20 ~ 12:00 PM St. Demetrios Seniors Yassou Club will be hosting our seniors for lunch. Please RSVP to Diana Steffas for lunch and a ride. Car-pool with departure from St Paul at 11:15 AM.
October 22 ~ 6:00 PM Greek Cultural Gardens Inaugural Hellenic Heritage & Faith Award at Emerald Event Center in Avon. Tickets $75/person at https://greekgarden.org/hhfa-dinner-2026/.
October 25 ~ 6:00 PM Great Vespers will be held at St. Demetrios in Rocky River.
October 26 ~ Saint Demetrios | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy. Services will be held at St. Demetrios in Rocky River.
October 28 ~ Holy Protection of the Theotokos | 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Liturgy.
November 1 ~ Youth Sunday. Our youth are invited to take on roles like greeter, usher, and reading the Epistle on this day. Learn more at tinyurl.com/STPYouth-Sundays.
November 1 ~ 4:00 PM GOYA Whirlyball. Meeting at WhirlyBall Cleveland in Bedford Hts. RSVP at tinyurl.com/GOYA-WhirlyBall.
November 8 ~ Loukoumades Sale. Help support our Greek School while enjoying some loukoumades and frappes! Learn more at tinyurl.com/26Loukoumades.
November 8 ~ 4:00 PM Youth Friendsgiving. Bring a dish for a potluck holiday meal. We’ll have games, crafts, and a service project! RSVP at tinyurl.com/2026-StPaulFriendsgiving.
November 14 ~ 6:00 PM St. Paul "Celebrating 60 years and still groovin". Music through the decades with food stations. Adults $75, Children $40. Sponsorship opportunities are available. All proceeds to benefit the Endowment Fund. Visit tinyurl.com/StPaul60Years or see Pres. Nicole or Dena Wilson during Coffee Social.
November 15 ~ 11:30 AM Parish Assembly following Liturgy in Teen Room.
November 19 ~ 1:00 PM Senior OPA Holiday Luncheon. $29 per person, all inclusive! At J Bella’s Italian Restaurant in Strongsville. Reservations are required to Diana Steffas at 440-746-1195 or tinyurl.com/SeniorOPA.