Second Sunday of Great Lent
Commemoration of Gregory Palamas, archbishop of Thessalonica
Venerable Theophanes the Confessor of Sigriane; Gregory the Dialogist, pope of Rome
**Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great**
March is Women’s Month
The women of the parish will be reading the Epistle during Divine Liturgy, assisting with ushering and holding the Prosphora bowl during Holy Eucharist.
Thought for Today: “Fasting must be accompanied by self-control. Why? Because eating our fill, even of humble foods, is a hindrance to the purifying mourning, godly sorrow and contrition in our souls, which bring about unswerving repentance leading to salvation. For without a contrite heart we cannot really lay hold of repentance. It is the restriction of self-indulgence, sleep and the senses according to God’s will that crushes our hearts and makes us mourn for our sins.”+ St. Gregory Palamas +
Receiving the Eucharist:We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession. If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.
Metropolitan Saba: AXIOS! He is worthy! His Beatitude Patriarch John X and the Holy Synod of Antioch have elected Metropolitan Saba as the new Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America. We will begin commemorating His Eminence when he is officially enthroned as Metropolitan in the near future.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
Thou, O Lord, shalt keep us and shalt preserve us.
Save me, O Lord, for the godly man is no more!
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (1:10-2:3)
Thou, “O Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Thy hands; they will perish; but Thou remainest; and they will all grow old like a garment, and like a mantle Thou wilt roll them up, and they shall be changed; but Thou art the same, and Thy years will not fail.” But to which of the angels did He say at any time, “Sit on My right hand, until I make thine enemies a footstool for thy feet?” Are they not all spirits for liturgical ministry, sent forth to minister for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest at any time we drift away from them. For if the word spoken through angels was confirmed, and every transgression and disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation, which having at first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard?
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (2:1-12)
At that time, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was preaching the Word to them. And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now, some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – He said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all. So that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
VARIABLE for CHOIR and PARISH
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 6
When Mary stood at Thy grave, looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb; and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O Thou, Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion for St. Gregory Palamas – Tone 8
O Star of Orthodoxy, support of the Church and its teacher, O comeliness of ascetics, and incontestable champion of those who speak in theology, Gregory the wonder-worker, the pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, implore thou constantly for the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion for Sundays in Great Lent (and Akathist Saturday) – Tone 8
To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.
THIS WEEK
Today, Sunday: Myrrh Bearers’ meet after Divine Liturgy. Lenten Vespers, Holy Trinity at 5:00pm; speaker Father Joel Weir.
Wednesday, March 15: Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00 pm followed by Orthodoxy 101.
Friday, March 17: Akathist Hymn, at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, March 18: Digging into Romans: Our Saturday morning Bible Study is 9:00-10:30 at the Webbs home at 3960 E Fenbrook Lane, 47401.
Saturday, March 18: Great Vespers at 5:00 pm; Jr SOYO at 3:30 pm; Teen SOYO at 6:00 pm.
Sunday, March 19: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am; Adoration of the Cross.
LOOKING AHEAD
Pascha Choir Practice will be Sunday after Divine Liturgy on 3/19, 3/26, and 4/2.
Lenten Vespers: March, 19 speaker Deacon Michael Walker at Joy of All Who Sorrow.
FAMILY NEWS
Names Day Celebrations: Nolan Arnold, St. Gregory Palamas (12th); Daniel Mullis, St. Simeon (12th); David Patterson St Patrick (17th).
Birthday Celebrations: Ryan Shanahan (12th); Amber Smith (13th); Adam Shahadey (16th); Kh. Kristina Gillquist (18th).
Memory Eternal: Ruperto, Caren, Priest Slobodon, Susan, Rhea, Nicko, Delores (Dee).
Prayer List: Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Toni;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the war of Ukraine; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; Earthquake victims and relief efforts in Syria and Turkey; schools: school children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mat. Raisa; Mary Ann; Emma (Mary Ann’s granddaughter); Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Wes (infant with brittle bone disorder); Megan (lymphoma); Mark (CHF) and (caregiver) Barbara; Wes’s grandfather;Josiah; Vicki;Vicki’s granddaughter; Arianna; Linda; Steve Crandall; Fr. Athanasius; Fr.Gabriel;Jack;Christopher; Nancy; Fr. Jerome Mother Nektaria; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia, Marvin, Alice; Kitsa; Apthrodite and Angelos; Kim; Kristy, Dusty, Cari; Betsy, Josh; Allison; Andrew (Texas/military); Isaac (Germany/military); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Lexi, Ross and Vivian; Theo; Doug; Jeremy; Marcia & Deacon; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; Megan; John; Stanley; Anna with child (Coran’s friend); Rebecca with child; Megan with child; Paulina with child; Macrina with child, Anne; Allen; Linda; Marilyn; Mary Barger; Norma; Allison and children.
1. Giving Opportunities:
Earthquake Relief: His Eminence Antonios, our Patriarch Vicar has requested the Antiochian Women to focus 2023 NAB fund raising project on relief effort in Turkey and Syria. Thank you for all the prayers and donations.
The Benevolence Fund: Donations may be made to this fund throughout the year, and are mainly used to support families in need of help with rent and utilities payments. Thank you for your ongoing generosity.
Our In-House Food Pantry needs canned vegetables, soups, meats, tuna, salmon, smoked oysters, sardines, chicken, spaghetti sauce and peanut butter. We have an abundance of pasta.
Coffee Hour Host: Wendy Carter with Parishioners C-G.
Next week Host: Nina Rogers with Parishioners H-R.
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S mail. Many thanks to all who continue supporting All Saints.