April 2, 2017

Fifth Sunday of Great Lent

Commemoration of St. Mary of Egypt

The facts of the life of St. Mary of Egypt are vague and clouded by time and separation, but the spirit of her story is a clear call to repentance and devotion. According to tradition, Mary was from Alexandria, where she was an actress and courtesan, living a life of sin and infamy. When spiritual intervention forbade her entry to Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, she spent the night in penitent prayer. The following morning she was able to enter, whereupon she venerated the cross and immediately removed herself to the life of a penitent and solitary in the Palestinian desert. She remained in isolation for forty-seven years, aided only by monks of the region and God’s grace. Only at her death was she found and given communion by the priest Zosimus. On this last Sunday of Lent, as we prepare for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and the Great Feast of the eighth and eternal day, we call to mind this holy woman, her fear of the all-powerful God, her recognition of her sin, her repentance, her humility, her faith, and her unwavering intent to seek righteousness and the courts of her King.

Hebrews 9:11-14: In our reading from Hebrews, we hear the Apostle tell us that when Christ entered the heavenly Holy of Holies through His own blood, He obtained for us eternal redemption for our sins.

Mark 10:32-45: We again hear our Lord prophesy concerning His coming death and resurrection, but, His disciples do not understand, displaying concern for personal gain as a reward. The Lord then explains to them that greatness in the kingdom of God is attained through service to others.

Troparion of the Resurrection: O compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou might deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.

Troparion of St. Mary of Egypt: Through thee the divine likeness was securely preserved, O Mother Mary; for thou didst carry the cross and followed Christ. By example and precept thou didst teach us to ignore the body because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the angels.

Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear. We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.

Kontakion of the Theotokos: O undisputed intercessor of Christians, O mediatrix, who is unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions though we be sinners; come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who didst ever intercede for those who honor thee.

CALENDAR

Sunday, April 2 (5th Sunday of Lent; St. Mary of Egypt)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

Monday, April 3

Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, April 4

6:00 a.m. — Lenten Orthros

11:30 a.m. — Ladies’ Lunch (rescheduled from last week)

Wednesday, April 5

6:30 p.m. — Pre-sanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper

Thursday, April 6

6:00 a.m. — Lenten Orthros

11:30 a.m. — Men’s Lunch

Friday, April 7

6:30 p.m. — Small Complines with Canon of St. Lazarus

Saturday, April 8 (Lazarus Saturday)

9:00 a.m. — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

5:45 p.m. — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, April 9 (Palm Sunday)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

12:00 p.m. — Fish Fry Meal

6:30 p.m. — Bridegroom Matins

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread …was offered by Katools for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

April 2 Katool D. Root/Davis

April 8 (Sat. a.m.) Schelver Sh. Margaret Root

April 9 Morris Lamia Dabit/Cheryl Pigott

April 13 (Thurs. a.m.) Jones Kh. Sharon Meadows

April 15 (Sat. a.m.) Meadows

April 15 (Sat. p.m.) Davis Lamia/Carolina/Brenda

April 23 D. Root R. Root/Habeeb/Pacurari

April 30 Karam Algood/Strain/Dabit

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page#

April 2 Phillip Lasseter Heb. 9:11-14 290

April 8 (Sat. a.m.) Sh. Charlotte Algood Heb. 12:28-13:8 291

April 9 David Turner Phil. 4:4-9 294

April 13 (Thurs. a.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows I Cor. 11:23-32 295

April 15 (Sat. a.m.) Walt Wood Rom. 6:3-11 300

April 15 (Sat. p.m.) Warren Strain Acts 1:1-8 25

April 23 Mildred Morris Acts 5:12-20 32

April 30 Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver Acts 6:1-7 38

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Please be reminded of the following:

Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion. Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor. Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.

Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway. Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.

Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose. If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.

Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.

Please remember the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl Chamblee; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George and Michael Johns (Georgia’s grandsons) and their family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Lynda Costas; Fr. Nicholas, Kh. Jan and Angelina Speier; Tom and Kathy Willingham and Tom’s stepdaughter, Marica, who has been diagnosed with MS; Peggy (David Turner’s paternal aunt) who is suffering from cancer and related complications; Alexa (Lou Turner’s very close friend) who sustained multiple injuries in a serious car wreck; and George (Dorothea and Daniel Staursky’s uncle) who sustained injuries in a bad fall.

Confessions: Please go ahead and schedule your confessions so we do not have so many people trying to fit it in just before Holy Week. Father John will not be hearing confessions during Holy Week. (Definitely no confessions during the latter half of Holy Week and only those that are the result of extenuating circumstances during the beginning of the week)

Chanters’ Stand: We are looking into the purchase of a Chanters’ Stand for the church. The ones that are currently under consideration are carved and are similar to the beautiful tables in the nave and narthex. The cost would be somewhere between $2000 and $4000. We are soliciting donations to cover the cost. If you would like to participate, please let Fr. John know.

If you are the last to leave, please make sure that the doors in the Fellowship Hall, the kitchen and the hallway are all locked.

Palm Sunday Meal: This year Penn’s will again be providing our annual catfish dinner on Palm Sunday, April 9th following the Divine Liturgy. The meal will include all-you-can-eat catfish, French fries, hushpuppies, cole slaw, greens, tea and peach cobbler. Meals will be $10 for adults and children over 10, and $6 for children 5-10. There is a sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall. Please be sure to sign it if your family will be participating in the meal.

Calendar Items:

* The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.

* The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.

* The Ladies of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

* As is our parish custom, we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in place of Daily Vespers on Wednesday evenings, beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Soup Supper in the Fellowship Hall. On Friday evenings we will celebrate the Akathist to the Theotokos, again beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* The Feast of the Annunciation will be celebrated with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning, March 25th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

* Schedule of special services for Holy Week are as follows:

Saturday, April 8th — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, April 9th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, April 10th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 11th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 12th

March 26, 2017

Fourth Sunday of Great Lent

Leave-taking of the Annunciation to the Theotokos

Hebrews 6:13-end: In his letter to the Hebrews, the Apostle reminds us that the promise of God to Abraham was fulfilled when Jesus Christ entered through the veil as a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, and that He is our hope and the anchor of our souls.

Mark 9:16-30: Our Lord casts a demon out of a young boy and in so doing show that faith is essen­tial for actions to bear good fruit. He then gives a prophecy of His coming death and resurrection.

Troparion of the Resurrection: Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross; thou didst open paradise to the thief; thou didst turn the mourning of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine Apostles proclaim warning that thou hast risen, O Christ, granting the world Great Mercy.

Troparion of the Annunciation: Today is the beginning of our salvation, and the manifestation of the mystery from the ages; for the Son of God becometh the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaimeth grace. Wherefore, do we shout with him to the Theotokos, Hail, O full of grace. The Lord is with you.

Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear. We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.

Kontakion of the Annunciation: To thee the champion leader, I thy servant offer thanks for victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me form terror. As thou hast power invincible, free me from every danger that I may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O bride without bridegroom.

CALENDAR

Sunday, March 26 (4th Sunday of Lent; Leave-taking of the Annunciation)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

Monday, March 27

Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, March 28

6:00 a.m. — Lenten Orthros

Wednesday, March 29

6:30 p.m. — Canon of St. Andrew of Crete with the the reading of the Life of St. Mary of Egypt

Thursday, March 30

6:00 a.m. — Lenten Orthros

Friday, March 31

6:30 p.m. — Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Saturday, April 1

8:30 a.m. — Workday at the Church

5:45 p.m. — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, April 2 (5th Sunday of Lent; St. Mary of Egypt)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Hendersons for the Feast of the Annunciation yesterday morning and by the Algoods for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

March 26 Algood Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker

April 2 Katool D. Root/Davis

April 8 (Sat. a.m.) Schelver Sh. Margaret Root

April 9 Morris Lamia Dabit/Cheryl Pigott

April 13 (Thurs. a.m.) Jones Kh. Sharon Meadows

April 15 (Sat. a.m.) Meadows

April 15 (Sat. p.m.) Davis Lamia/Carolina/Brenda

April 23 D. Root R. Root/Habeeb/Pacurari

April 30 Karam Algood/Strain/Dabit

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page#

March 26 Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver Heb. 6:13-20 287

April 2 Phillip Lasseter Heb. 9:11-14 290

April 8 (Sat. a.m.) Sh. Charlotte Algood Heb. 12:28-13:8 291

April 9 David Turner Phil. 4:4-9 294

April 13 (Thurs. a.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows I Cor. 11:23-32 295

April 15 (Sat. a.m.) Walt Wood Rom. 6:3-11 300

April 15 (Sat. p.m.) Warren Strain Acts 1:1-8 25

April 23 Mildred Morris Acts 5:12-20 32

April 30 Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver Acts 6:1-7 38

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Please be reminded of the following:

Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion. Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor. Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.

Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway. Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.

Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose. If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.

Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.

Please remember the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl Chamblee; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George and Michael Johns (Georgia’s grandsons) and their family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Lynda Costas; Fr. Nicholas, Kh. Jan and Angelina Speier; Tom and Kathy Willingham and Tom’s stepdaughter, Marica, who has been diagnosed with MS; Peggy (David Turner’s paternal aunt) who is suffering from cancer and related complications; Alexa (Lou Turner’s very close friend) who sustained multiple injuries in a serious car wreck; and George (Dorothea and Daniel Staursky’s uncle) who sustained injuries in a bad fall.

Confessions: Please go ahead and schedule your confessions so we do not have so many people trying to fit it in just before Holy Week. Father John will not be hearing confessions during Holy Week. (Definitely no confessions during the latter half of Holy Week and only those that are the result of extenuating circumstances during the beginning of the week)

Chanters’ Stand: We are looking into the purchase of a Chanters’ Stand for the church. The ones that are currently under consideration are carved and are similar to the beautiful tables in the nave and narthex. The cost would be somewhere between $2000 and $4000. We are soliciting donations to cover the cost. If you would like to participate, please let Fr. John know.

March is Ladies month in our Archdiocese when we give special attention to the role of women in our parish. Ladies will be reading the Epistle this month. Also, please allow the women to go first for communion during this time.

Lenten Alms-giving Project: We will again be collecting food and household items during Great Lent for Sunnybrook Children’s Home. You may bring them to the Church and put them on one table in the corner of the Fellowship Hall on the east end nearest the street. Copies of the list of items is available in the foyer near Fr. John’s office. These will be collected until Tuesday, April 4th, when someone from Sunnybrook will collect them. As an alternative, you may drop them by Sunnybrook, not far from pour church at 222 Sunnybrook Road, Ridgeland. When you enter the gate, go straight until you have to turn. Then turn right and you will see the Commissary Building on the left. Large quantity or bulk items are preferred. Great Lent is a special time of alms-giving and remembering those in need. Please consider participating in this worthwhile project! If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Dn. Terry or Alfred Katool.

If you are the last to leave, please make sure that the doors in the Fellowship Hall, the kitchen and the hallway are all locked.

Palm Sunday Meal: This year Penn’s will again be providing our annual catfish dinner on Palm Sunday, April 9th following the Divine Liturgy. The meal will include all-you-can-eat catfish, French fries, hushpuppies, cole slaw, greens, tea and peach cobbler. Meals will be $10 for adults and children over 10, and $6 for children 5-10. There is a sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall. Please be sure to sign it if your family will be participating in the meal.

Calendar Items:

* The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.

* The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.

* The Ladies of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

* As is our parish custom, we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in place of Daily Vespers on Wednesday evenings, beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Soup Supper in the Fellowship Hall. On Friday evenings we will celebrate the Akathist to the Theotokos, again beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* The Feast of the Annunciation will be celebrated with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning, March 25th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

* Schedule of special services for Holy Week are as follows:

Saturday, April 8th — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, April 9th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, April 10th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 11th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 12th

March 19, 2017

Third Sunday of Great Lent

Adoration of the Holy Cross

In the middle of Lent, the church sets before us the Cross of Christ. On two other occasions during the year, September 14 and August 1, the cross is presented for our remembrance and veneration. Both these feasts link the Adoration of the Cross to historic events. However, the remembrance of the cross on the third Sunday in Lent prepares us for the commemoration of the crucifixion which is soon to follow in Holy Week, and at the same time, it reminds us that the whole of Lent is a period when we are crucified with Christ. The dominant note on this Sunday, as on the two Sundays preceding, is one of joy and triumph. No separation is made between Christ’s death and His resurrection, but the cross is regarded as an emblem of victory on Calvary as seen in light of the Empty Tomb.

Hebrews 4:14-5:6: After describing the all-seeing power of Jesus Christ, the writer of Hebrews re­veals Him as the great high priest who perfectly identifies with us in our weakness.

Mark 8:34-9:1: In our reading from the gospel of Mark we hear our Lord tell His disciples that self-denial is required for true spirituality.

Troparion of the Resurrection: 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.

Troparion of the Holy Cross: O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting our believing kings victory over the Barbarians, and by the power of thy Cross preserving thy commonwealth.

Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear. We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.

Kontakion of the Sundays of Lent: To thee the champion leader, I thy servant offer thanks for victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me form terror. As thou hast power invincible, free me from every danger that I may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O bride without bridegroom.

CALENDAR

Sunday, March 19 (3rd Sunday of Lent; Adoration of the Holy Cross)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

Monday, March 20

Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, March 21

6:00 a.m. — Lenten Orthros

Wednesday, March 22

6:30 p.m. — Pre-sanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper

Thursday, March 23

6:00 a.m. — Lenten Orthros

Friday, March 24

6:30 p.m. — Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Saturday, March 25 (Feast of the Annunciation)

THE SCRIPTURE (Luke 1:26-38): The Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee (the northernmost district of Palestine) named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house (family) of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Rejoice, you who are full of grace, the Lord is with you! Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold you shall conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father (ancestor) David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob (the father of all the tribes of Israel) for ever; and of His kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the Angel, “How can this be, since I have no husband?” And the Angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid (servant) of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the Angel departed from her.

THE SIGNIFICANCE: This feast commemorates the day when the Archangel Gabriel announced to a young virgin named Mary that she, among all women, had found favor with the Father. She was invited to cooperate with Him for the Incarnation of His pre-eternal Son through the operation of the Holy Spirit. This, “the beginning of our salvation,” was conditioned not only by God’s will and His election of Mary, but also by Mary’s own “YES” to do God’s will – “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

9:00 a.m. — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

5:45 p.m. — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, March 26 (4th Sunday of Lent; Commemoration of St. John Climamcus)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Dn. Richard Roots for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

March 19 R. Root Pigott/Meadows/Alaeetawi

March 25 (Sat. a.m.) Henderson Kh. Janet

(Feast of the Annunciation)

March 26 Algood Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page#

March 19 Mildred Morris Heb. 4:14-5:6 285

March 25 (sat. a.m.) Brenda Baker Heb. 2:11-18 376

March 26 Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver Heb. 6:13-20 287

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Please be reminded of the following:

Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion. Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor. Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.

Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway. Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.

Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose. If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.

Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.

Please remember the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl Chamblee; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George and Michael Johns (Georgia’s grandsons) and their family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Lynda Costas; Fr. Nicholas, Kh. Jan and Angelina Speier; Tom and Kathy Willingham and Tom’s stepdaughter, Marica, who has been diagnosed with MS; Peggy (David Turner’s paternal aunt) who is suffering from cancer and related complications; Alexa (Lou Turner’s very close friend) who sustained multiple injuries in a serious car wreck; and George (Dorothea and Daniel Staursky’s uncle) who sustained injuries in a bad fall.

Confessions: Please go ahead and schedule your confessions so we do not have so many people trying to fit it in just before Holy Week. Father John will not be hearing confessions during Holy Week. (Definitely no confessions during the latter half of Holy Week and only those that are the result of extenuating circumstances during the beginning of the week)

Chanters’ Stand: We are looking into the purchase of a Chanters’ Stand for the church. The ones that are currently under consideration are carved and are similar to the beautiful tables in the nave and narthex. The cost would be somewhere between $2000 and $4000. We are soliciting donations to cover the cost. If you would like to participate, please let Fr. John know.

March is Ladies month in our Archdiocese when we give special attention to the role of women in our parish. Ladies will be reading the Epistle this month. Also, please allow the women to go first for communion during this time.

Lenten Alms-giving Project: We will again be collecting food and household items during Great Lent for Sunnybrook Children’s Home. You may bring them to the Church and put them on one table in the corner of the Fellowship Hall on the east end nearest the street. Copies of the list of items is available in the foyer near Fr. John’s office. These will be collected until Tuesday, April 4th, when someone from Sunnybrook will collect them. As an alternative, you may drop them by Sunnybrook, not far from pour church at 222 Sunnybrook Road, Ridgeland. When you enter the gate, go straight until you have to turn. Then turn right and you will see the Commissary Building on the left. Large quantity or bulk items are preferred. Great Lent is a special time of alms-giving and remembering those in need. Please consider participating in this worthwhile project! If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Dn. Terry or Alfred Katool.

Calendar Items:

* The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.

* The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.

* The Ladies of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

* As is our parish custom, we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in place of Daily Vespers on Wednesday evenings, beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Soup Supper in the Fellowship Hall. On Friday evenings we will celebrate the Akathist to the Theotokos, again beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* The Feast of the Annunciation will be celebrated with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning, March 25th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

* Schedule of special services for Holy Week are as follows:

Saturday, April 8th — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, April 9th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, April 10th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 11th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 12th

March 12, 2017

Second Sunday of Great Lent

Commemoration of St. Gregory Palamas

St. Gregory Palamas (c. 1296-1359) – St. Gregory was a Greek monk and theologian and the chief exponent of Hesychasm. He was ordained a priest in the year 1326 and became Bishop of Thessalonica in 1347. The political conditions made it impossible for him to take possession of the see until 1350. He died on November 14, 1359, which is his feast day. He was canonized in 1368. St. Gregory stressed the biblical notion of man as a single and united whole, body and soul together. In virtue of this, he argued that the physical exercises used by the Hesychasts in prayer, as well as their claim to see the Divine Light with their bodily eyes, could be defended as legitimate. He distinguished between the essence and the energies of God: God’s essence remains unknowable, but his uncreated energies, which are God Himself, permeate all things and can be directly experienced by man in the form of deifying grace.

In the earlier period, there was on this day a commemoration of the Great Martyr Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 155). St. Gregory replaced St. Polycarp on the Second Sunday of Lent in the fourteenth century.

Hebrews 1:10-2:3: Writing to the Hebrews, the Apostle quotes from Scripture to proclaim the great­ness of Jesus Christ as compared with the angels; for this reason we must be careful not to neglect our sal­vation.

Mark 2:1-12: Reading in the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus demonstrate His authority to forgive sins by healing a paralytic.

Troparion of the Resurrection: Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for he took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh, to suffer death, and to raise the dead by his glorious Resurrection.

Troparion of St. Gregory Palamas: O Gregory the Wonderworker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, glory of monks and invincible protector of theologians, pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, pray without ceasing for the salvation of our souls.

Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear. We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.

Kontakion of the Sundays of Lent: To thee the champion leader, I thy servant offer thanks for victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me form terror. As thou hast power invincible, free me from every danger that I may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O bride without bridegroom.

CALENDAR

Sunday, March 12 (2nd Sunday of Lent; Gregory Palamas)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

12:00 p.m. — POT LUCK MEAL

Monday, March 13

Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, March 14

6:00 a.m. — Lenten Orthros

Wednesday, March 15

6:30 p.m. — Pre-sanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper

Thursday, March 16 (Christodoulos the Wonder-worker of Patmos)

6:00 a.m. — Lenten Orthros

Friday, March 17

6:30 p.m. — Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Saturday, March 18

5:45 p.m. — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, March 19 (Adoration of the Holy Cross)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Bakers for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Please be reminded of the following:

Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion. Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor. Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.

Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway. Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

March 12 Baker POT LUCK MEAL

(set-up: Ellios/Zouboukos)

March 19 R. Root Pigott/Meadows/Alaeetawi

March 25 (Sat. a.m.) Henderson Kh. Janet

(Feast of the Annunciation)

March 26 Algood Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page#

March 12 Kh. Sharon Meadows Heb. 1:10-2:3 283

March 19 Mildred Morris Heb. 4:14-5:6 285

March 25 (sat. a.m.) Brenda Baker Heb. 2:11-18 376

March 26 Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver Heb. 6:13-20 287

Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose. If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.

Please remember the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl Chamblee; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George and Michael Johns (Georgia’s grandsons) and their family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Lynda Costas; Fr. Nicholas, Kh. Jan and Angelina Speier; Tom and Kathy Willingham and Tom’s stepdaughter, Marica, who has been diagnosed with MS; Peggy (David Turner’s paternal aunt) who is suffering from cancer and related complications; Alexa (Lou Turner’s very close friend) who sustained multiple injuries in a serious car wreck; and George (Dorothea and Daniel Staursky’s uncle) who sustained injuries in a bad fall.

Costas Pavlou had back surgery this past Tuesday and is recuperating at home. Please keep him in your prayers.

Confessions: Please go ahead and schedule your confessions so we do not have so many people trying to fit it in just before Holy Week. Father John will not be hearing confessions during Holy Week. (Definitely no confessions during the latter half of Holy Week and only those that are the result of extenuating circumstances during the beginning of the week)

Chanters’ Stand: We are looking into the purchase of a Chanters’ Stand for the church. The ones that are currently under consideration are carved and are similar to the beautiful tables in the nave and narthex. The cost would be somewhere between $2000 and $4000. We are soliciting donations to cover the cost. If you would like to participate, please let Fr. John know.

Lenten Alms-giving Project: We will again be collecting food and household items during Great Lent for Sunnybrook Children’s Home. You may bring them to the Church and put them on one table in the corner of the Fellowship Hall on the east end nearest the street. Copies of the list of items is available in the foyer near Fr. John’s office. These will be collected until Tuesday, April 4th, when someone from Sunnybrook will collect them. As an alternative, you may drop them by Sunnybrook, not far from pour church at 222 Sunnybrook Road, Ridgeland. When you enter the gate, go straight until you have to turn. Then turn right and you will see the Commissary Building on the left. Large quantity or bulk items are preferred. Great Lent is a special time of alms-giving and remembering those in need. Please consider participating in this worthwhile project! If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Dn. Terry or Alfred Katool.

March is Ladies month in our Archdiocese when we give special attention to the role of women in our parish. Ladies will be reading the Epistle this month. Also, please allow the women to go first for communion during this time.

Palm Sunday Meal: This year Penn’s will again be providing our annual catfish dinner on Palm Sunday, April 9th following the Divine Liturgy. The meal will include all-you-can-eat catfish, French fries, hushpuppies, cole slaw, greens, tea and peach cobbler. Meals will be $10 for adults and children over 10, and $6 for children 5-10. There is a sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall. Please be sure to sign it if your family will be participating in the meal.

Calendar Items:

* The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.

* The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.

* The Ladies of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

* As is our parish custom, we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in place of Daily Vespers on Wednesday evenings, beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Soup Supper in the Fellowship Hall. On Friday evenings we will celebrate the Akathist to the Theotokos, again beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* The Feast of the Annunciation will be celebrated with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning, March 25th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

* Schedule of special services for Holy Week are as follows:

Saturday, April 8th — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, April 9th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, April 10th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 11th — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 12th

March 5, 2017

First Sunday of Great Lent

Sunday of Orthodoxy

On the first Sunday of Great Lent, we celebrate the feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. This is an historical feast commemorating the restoration of the icons, which had been banned for several decades, to their rightful liturgical use in the year 843 A.D.

The major emphasis of this feast is the victory of the true faith, the victory which always ultimately triumphs. Having completed the first week of our lenten efforts, we are reminded that Christ, the perfect image of God the Father, calls us to personal victory by restoring within ourselves “the image and likeness of God” in which we were first created (Genesis 1:26).

The icons of Our Lord, the Theotokos, and all the saints are images of true humanity, signs of what our eternal calling and vocation really is. They tell us that we are all called to be living icons and imitators of Christ, bearing the likeness of God as gracious vessels of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 11:24-26;32-40: The writer of Hebrews calls us to consider the faith of those Old Testa­ment saints who endured hardships and death and yet still did great things because of their faith. The Apos­tle encourages us to lay aside the encumbrances of sin and run with endurance the race that is set be­fore us.

John 1:43-51: From our reading in the Gospel of John we see Jesus call Philip and Nathaniel to be His disciples.

Troparion of the Resurrection: Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women Disciples cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying, Death has been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.

Troparion of the Sunday of Orthodoxy: Thy pure image do we venerate, O good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God; for by thine own will thou didst ascend the Cross in thy body, to save thy creatures from the bondage of the enemy. Thou hast truly filled all with joy, since thou didst come, O our Saviour, to save the world.

Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear. We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.

Kontakion of the Sundays of Lent: To thee the champion leader, I thy servant offer thanks for victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me form terror. As thou hast power invincible, free me from every danger that I may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O bride without bridegroom.

CALENDAR

Sunday, March 5 (Sunday of Orthodoxy)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

5:00 p.m. — Sunday of Orthodoxy vespers at St. George in Vicksburg

Monday, March 6

Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, March 7

6:00 a.m. — Lenten Orthros

Wednesday, March 8

6:30 p.m. — Pre-sanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper

Thursday, March 9

6:00 a.m. — Lenten Orthros

Friday, March 10

6:30 p.m. — Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Saturday, March 11

10:00 a.m. — Ladies meet for Akathist

12:30 p.m. — Shower for Stephanie Baker at the Meadows’

5:45 p.m. — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, March 12 (2nd Sunday of Lent; Gregory Palamas)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

12:00 p.m. — POT LUCK MEAL

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Brocks for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Please be reminded of the following:

Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion. Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor. Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.

Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway. Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

March 5 Brock Stewart/Turner/Waites

March 12 Baker POT LUCK MEAL

(set-up: Ellios/Zouboukos)

March 19 R. Root Pigott/Meadows/Alaeetawi

March 25 (Sat. a.m.) Henderson Kh. Janet

(Feast of the Annunciation)

March 26 Algood Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page#

March 5 Sh. Charlotte Algood Heb. 11:24-26, 32-40 281

March 12 Kh. Sharon Meadows Heb. 1:10-2:3 283

March 19 Mildred Morris Heb. 4:14-5:6 285

March 25 (sat. a.m.) Brenda Baker Heb. 2:11-18 376

March 26 Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver Heb. 6:13-20 287

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose. If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.

Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.

Please remember the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl Chamblee; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George and Michael Johns (Georgia’s grandsons) and their family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Lynda Costas; Fr. Nicholas, Kh. Jan and Angelina Speier; Tom and Kathy Willingham and Tom’s stepdaughter, Marica, who has been diagnosed with MS; Peggy (David Turner’s paternal aunt) who is suffering from cancer and related complications; Alexa (Lou Turner’s very close friend) who sustained multiple injuries in a serious car wreck; and George (Dorothea and Daniel Staursky’s uncle) who sustained injuries in a bad fall.

Chanters’ Stand: We are looking into the purchase of a Chanters’ Stand for the church. The ones that are currently under consideration are carved and are similar to the beautiful tables in the nave and narthex. The cost would be somewhere between $2000 and $4000. We are soliciting donations to cover the cost. If you would like to participate, please let Fr. John know.

A Bridal Shower is planned for Stephanie Baker on Saturday, March 11th at the Meadows’ home from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. All the ladies in the church are invited. Please see the invitation posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall for more information.

Parents of Young Children: Please make sure that your children are supervised if they are in the Nursery during Coffee Hour, just as they are supervised if out on the Playground. The Nursery is being left in a mess on Sunday mornings following Coffee Hour and the clean-up is falling on the same people (i.e. those who teach Sunday School classes in that room). If you leave and there are still children using the room, please make sure that your children pick up the things with which they have been playing.

If you are the last to leave, please make sure that the doors in the Fellowship Hall, the kitchen and the hallway are all locked.

March is Ladies month in our Archdiocese when we give special attention to the role of women in our parish. Ladies will be reading the Epistle this month. Also, please allow the women to go first for communion during this time.

Lenten Alms-giving Project: We will again be collecting food and household items during Great Lent for Sunnybrook Children’s Home. You may bring them to the Church and put them on one table in the corner of the Fellowship Hall on the east end nearest the street. Copies of the list of items is available in the foyer near Fr. John’s office. These will be collected until Tuesday, April 4th, when someone from Sunnybrook will collect them. As an alternative, you may drop them by Sunnybrook, not far from pour church at 222 Sunnybrook Road, Ridgeland. When you enter the gate, go straight until you have to turn. Then turn right and you will see the Commissary Building on the left. Large quantity or bulk items are preferred. Great Lent is a special time of alms-giving and remembering those in need. Please consider participating in this worthwhile project! If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Dn. Terry or Alfred Katool.

Calendar Items:

* The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.

* The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.

* The Ladies of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

* This year Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers will be held at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Vicksburg, beginning at 5:00 p.m. (Please note the time).

* As is our parish custom, we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in place of Daily Vespers on Wednesday evenings, beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Soup Supper in the Fellowship Hall. On Friday evenings we will celebrate the Akathist to the Theotokos, again beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* The Feast of the Annunciation will be celebrated with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning, March 25th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Burial and Funeral Care Instructions forms: These forms are located on the bureau in the hallway outside the nave. There are two forms: one for the church and one for the family (with a copy given to the church). Please fill out your forms and return to the office as soon as possible.
Please be sure to have your forms notarized. The forms will be kept in a file in the office so that we have your instructions should the need arise.

Fasting Discipline for March

During Great Lent the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week until Pascha (except the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25th and Palm Sunday on April 9th, when fish, wine and oil are permitted).

Major Commemorations for March

March 5 1st Sunday of Lent; Sunday of Orthodoxy

March 9 Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

March 12 2nd Sunday of Lent; Gregory of Palamas

March 16 Christodoulos, wonder-worker of Patmos

March 19 3rd Sunday of Lent; Adoration of the Holy Cross

March 25 Feast of the Annunciation

March 26 4th Sunday of Lent; John Climacus

Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel

Quotable: “‘We waited, and at last our expectations were fulfilled’, writes the Serbian Bishop Nikolai of Ochrid, describing the Easter service at Jerusalem. ‘When the Patriarch sang “Christ is risen”, a heavy burden fell from our souls. We felt as if we also had been raised from the dead. All at once, from all around, the same cry resounded like the noise of many waters. “Christ is risen” sang the Greeks, the Russians. the Arabs, the Serbs, the Copts, the Armenians, the Ethiopians—one after another, each in his own tongue, in his own melody . . . Coming from the service at dawn, we began to regard everything in the light of the glory of Christ’s Resurrection, and all appeared different from what it had yesterday; everything seemed better, more expressive, more glorious. Only in the light of the Resurrection does life receive meaning.”

Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich, Missionary Letters

Worship: Sunday, March 12, 2017 (Second Sunday of Great Lent; Gregory Palamas)

Scripture: Hebrews 1:10-2:3; Mark 2:1-12

Celebrant: Father John

Epistle Reader: Kh. Sharon Meadows

Prosphora: Baker

Coffee Hour: POT LUCK MEAL

(set-up: Ellis/Zouboukos)