Welcome * We extend greetings and a warm welcome to all visitors worshipping with us today. Please fill our a “visitor information card” located in the narthex and handed to one of the greeters. If you’re a “newcomer” to our church, please introduce yourself to Fr. Costas, he will be happy to schedule a time to meet with you and discuss the ministries and fellowship opportunities available within our parish. Following the Liturgy, please join us in our social hall for the coffee social. We kindly ask everyone to PLEASE SILENCE cell phones and pagers while in Church.

* The beautiful hymn that concludes the Orthros Service is called the Great Doxology. It is chanted at every Liturgy and it can be found in the pamphlet in your pew

* Holy Communion is reserved for those who have been Baptized and/or Confirmed in the Eastern Orthodox Faith. We prepare to receive by fasting prior to the Divine Liturgy in the morning (we, of course, continue to take prescribed medications). We also prepare ourselves by fasting on Wednesday and Friday each week and through regular confession. The Communion Prayers we recite together are our final preparation to receive the Sacrament. An Usher will invite you to join the Communion line. After you return to your seats, you should read the prayer of thanksgiving found on page 40 in the old book and on the last page in the new book.

* Today we commemorate: St. John, author of the book Ladder of Divine Ascend; Benedict the Righteous of Nursia; Euschemon the Confessor, Bishop of Lampaskos.

* Every Sunday during Great Lent, we celebrate the Liturgy of St. Basil. It is very similar to that of St. John Chrysostom which we normally celebrate, except the prayers read by the priest are longer and more penitential, and the words of the consecration are a little different.



Today * TRISAGIA: 40 days for Steve Spanakis; 40-day for Andrew Karagiozis; 4 years for Katherine A. Goulandris; 35 years for Kosta Kostantaras; for Mary Marakis.

* 40 day churching for the son of Sam and Joy Rambo.

* 40 day churching for the daughter of Constantine and Kara Zampetis.

* Welcome to Laura Rung and the Strongsville United Church of Christ confirmation class.

* Coffee social sponsored by the Poulos, Bozikis and Katzakis families.

* 11:45 a.m. GOYA meeting following Sunday School.




Stewardship * 2009 Stewardship ~ As of Friday, we have received 410 pledge cards totaling $222,955 pledged towards our stewardship goal of $230,000. If you have not fulfilled your 2009 pledge, you can still send the balance to our church office.

* 2010 Stewardship ~ As of Friday, we have received 333 pledge cards totaling $205,643 pledged towards our stewardship goal of $230,000. Thank you to all our stewards!!! Anyone who is out of college and is working is encouraged to become a supporting steward of our parish. Cards are available at the candle stand or online for those who still need to complete one. Please continue using the envelopes that are being mailed to your home every other month.



This Week in our Parish * Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School.

* Monday ~ 6:00 p.m. Service of the Great Compline. (Please note the change of time)

* Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study Group with Presvytera Nicole.

* Wednesday ~ 5:00 p.m. Pre-sanctified Liturgy.

* Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Final Orthodox Catechism class with Father Costas.

* Thursday ~ 7:30 p.m. Bible Study with Frank Chirakos. Topic “The Church Calendar Cycle and What Does it Mean.”

* Friday ~ 5:30 p.m. Lenten Dinner sponsored by Parish Council followed by the Akathist service at 7:00 p.m.

* Scholarships ~ Applications are posted to our website as they become available.




Upcoming Events in Our Parish * March 27 ~ Lazarus Saturday. 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy followed by potluck luncheon. Youth palm folding and Philoptochos retreat after luncheon.

* March 28 ~ 40th Anniversary since the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in our parish. Please join us for the Palm Sunday Luncheon following Divine Liturgy. See Kathy Nikolaou or Irene Pontikos for tickets during the coffee social or order through our website.

* March 28 ~ Philoptochos bake sale.

* April 10 ~ 5:30 p.m. Epicurean Feast sponsored by Philoptochos. See one of the Philotochos ladies during the coffee social or purchase through our website.



Next Sunday * Epistle Reading, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6

* Gospel Reading, Mark 8:34-38; 9:1.

* Epistle Reading, Hebrews 9:11-14

* Gospel Reading, Mark 10:32-45.

* MNYMOSINA: 5 years for Athanasia Photinos; 10 years for James Photinos; 3 years for Alma Kontras; TRISAGIA: Panagioti Kontras; for Stamatia Nikolic.

* Greek School presentation for Greek Independence Day following Liturgy.

* 40 day churching for the son of Michael and Connie Haritakis.

* 40 day churching for the son of Dean and Lisa Rahas.

* 12:00 p.m. Dance practice for the Beginner and Senior levels.






Upcoming Events in the Greater Cleveland Area * March 20 ~ District Oratorical Festival at St. John’s in Youngstown.

* March 24 ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers for Feast of the Annunciation at Annunciation Cleveland.

* March 25 ~ Feast of the Annunciation; 10:00 a.m. Liturgy at Annunciation Cleveland