Weekly Sunday Bulletin – March 31st, 2019
Sunday of the Holy Cross – March 31, 2019
With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.
For Sunday please remember to bring some basil to adorn the Holy Cross. Thank you!
Parish Council on Duty:
George Georgakakis, Katherine Ziegler, Basil Economou, Mark Zaden
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode
Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια …
Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.
Apolytikion of Sun. of the Elevation of the Cross in the First Mode
Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου…
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Apolytikion for Apolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις …
Greatness has been found in danger. You are champion of the world. A victor who could turn the nations back. You boldly encouraged Nestor to defeat Lyaeus in the arena. Therefore, holy great martyr Demetrios, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια …
To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: “Hail, unwedded bride!”
Epistle Reading ~
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.
BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee”; as he says also in another place, “Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Gospel Reading ~
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”
Announcements
Air Conditioner Replacement We invite everyone to stay for a luncheon next Sunday, March 31. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Proceeds will benefit the air conditioner replacement fund.
Philoptochos News Philoptochos will be collecting donations for the Clergy Education Fund (Papouli Fund) on March 31 and April 7 in the Kandaras Hall after church services. This fund assists students who are legal residents of the Metropolis of Atlanta and studying at Holy Cross School of theology for the priesthood with a scholarship based on a sliding scale according to the financial need of the student. The second purpose is to provide priests in the Metropolis of Atlanta spiritual and professional growth by continuing education through participation in conferences and other educational programs. Denise Filosofos, Helen Gatsonis, and Athena Loucas will be accepting donations for this worthy cause. The suggested minimum is $10 per person.
Philoptochos will be accepting Pascha Orders for Tsourekia, Koulourakia and Easter Eggs on April 7, 14, and 21. Tsourekia: round w/red egg, braided w/red egg, and braided no egg @ $10/loaf. Koulourakia: one dozen @ $10/bag. Dyed red eggs: one dozen @ $8/doz. (Dyed eggs must be picked up on Thursday, April 25th between 1:00-3:00pm.) Please be prepared to place your orders with payment on those days. Checks payable to: Philoptochos Ladies Society. See Athena Loucas or Marion Koliniatis.
Coming soon…April 7th “Loukoumathes for the Cure” Enjoy delicious loukoumathes while supporting cancer research. Sponsored by the Cancer Chapter.
2019 Three Hierarchs Scholarship (THS) Award Application forms for the THS awards of Drs. Anthony and Joyce Kales are available in the Church office. These scholarships are awarded strictly on the basis of meritorious academic achievement for college bound seniors. The academic guidelines for consideration include: Grade Point Average of 3.5 or above; membership in the National Honor Society; a combined SAT Verbal and Math score of 1320 or greater (the combined scores must be from the same SAT exam i.e., scores cannot be combined from two separate SAT exams). ACT substitution for the SAT examination is not allowed. Additionally, the SAT exam can be taken only a maximum of two times. Deadline for submission of application is June 15.
Air Conditioner Replacement Project
Calendar of Events for the Week
Sunday 3/31
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
11:15am Sunday School
12:00noon Luncheon-proceeds to benefit AC replacement fund
Monday 4/1
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek Classes A’, B’, G’, D’ & Adult Beginner
6:00pm-8:00pm Advanced Greek class
Wednesday 4/3
7:00pm Presanctified Liturgy
Thursday 4/4
1:00pm Philoptochos meeting
Friday 4/5
7:00pm Salutations to the Theotokos
Sunday 4/7
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
11:15am Sunday School
12:00noon Loukoumathes for the Cure
