Sunday Readings

Apostolic Reading – Hebrews 1:10-2:4

Gospel – Mark 2:1-12

Hymns: See our Church’s website for Audio Recordings: holycrossmelkite.org/hymns

Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 6)

The angelic powers were around your tomb, and the guards became as dead; and Mary stood at the tomb seeking your spotless body; then you despoiled Hades without being tried by it, and You met the Virgin, O Bestower of Life. O Lord who rose from the dead glory to You!

Troparion of the Holy Relics (Tone 2)

Victorious witnesses of the Lord, blessed is the earth that received your blood, and holy are the heavenly places that opened to your souls. You have vanquished the enemy in battle and proclaimed Christ with courage. We beg you to intercede with Him who is all good, that He may save our souls.

Troparion of the Holy Cross (Tone 1)

O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Strengthen our public authorities is every good deed, and protect your community by the power of your Cross.

Kondakion of the Annunciation (Tone 8)

Triumphant leader to you belongs our prize of victory! And since you saved us from adversity, we offer you our thanks. We are your people O mother of God! So, as you have that invincible power, continue to deliver us from danger that we may cry out to you Hail, O Virgin and bride ever pure.

Prokimenon

You, O Lord, will keep us and preserve us always from this generation.

Stichon

Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer any holy man, for truthfulness has vanished from among the children of men.

Reading from the Epistle to St. Paul to the Hebrews (1:10-14; 2:1-4)

You in the beginning, O Lord, did found the earth, and the heavens are works of your hands. They shall perish, but you shall continue; and they shall all grow old as does a garment, and as clothing shall you change them, and they shall be changed. But you are the same, and your years shall not fail. Now, to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool at your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent for service, for the sake of those who shall inherit salvation? That is why we should all the more earnestly observe the things we have heard, lest perhaps we drift away. For if the word spoken by angels proved to be valid, and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? For it was first announced by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard it.

Alleluia

Your favor, O Lord, I will sing forever; from generation to generation my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.

Stichon

For you have said, “My kindness is established forever.” In heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

The Holy Gospel According to St. Mark (2:1-12)

At that time Jesus entered Capharnaum, and it was reported that he was at home. And immediately many gathered, so that there was no longer room, not even around the door. And he spoke the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four. And since they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was, and, having made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the Paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Now some of the Scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man blaspheme in this way? Who can forgive sins, beside God?” And at once Jesus, knowing in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why are you arguing these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your pallet, and walk’? But that you may know the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” - he said to the paralytic - “I say to you, arise, take up your pallet, and go to your house,” And immediately he arose and, taking up his pallet, went forth in the sight of all, so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “Never did we see anything like this!”