March 27, 2022
Third Sunday of Great Lent
Veneration of the Precious and Life-giving 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: Brethren, since we have a great High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the confession. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our infirmities, but one Who has been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest, being taken from among the people, is appointed on behalf of the people in things pertaining to God, that he may offer up both gifts and sacrifices for sins; who can have compassion on the ignorant and on those who are erring, since he himself also is encompassed with infirmity. Because of this he is bound, as for the people so also for himself, to offer up for sins. And no one takes the honor upon himself, but as being called by God, as was Aaron. So Christ also did not glorify Himself to become a High Priest, but it was by the One saying to Him, “Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee.” As He says also in another place, “Thou art a Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Mark 8:34-9:1: The Lord said, “If any man would 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 soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? 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 Jesus 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.”
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 Holy Cross: O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting to thy people victory over all their enemies, and by the power of thy Cross preserving thy kingdom.
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
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: All services listed on the calendar will be available through streaming and webcast.
Please continue to follow the CDC Guidelines to limit contagion and the spread of the COVID virus.
Sunday, March 27 (Veneration of the Precious and Life-giving Cross)
8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)
9:00 a.m. — Christian Education
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)
Monday, March 28
Father Herman off
Tuesday, March 29
NO Services
11:30 a.m. — Ladies Lunch
Wednesday, March 30
6:30 p.m. — Pre-sanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper
Thursday, March 31
NO Services
Friday, April 1 (Mary of Egypt)
6:30 p.m. — Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
Saturday, April 2 (Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel)
Sunday, April 3 (Sunday of the Commemoration of John Climacus)
8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)
9:00 a.m. — Christian Education
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Katools for the Feast of the Annunciation this past Thursday evening and by the Schelvers for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
March 27 Schelver Meadows/Pigott
April 3 Morris Algood/Schelver
April 10 Jones Lasseter/Pacurari/Miller
April 16 (Sat. a.m.) Meadows Henderson/Jones
(Lazarus Saturday)
April 17 (Palm Sunday) Davis D. Root/Baker
April 21 (Thurs. a.m.) D. Root Meadows
April 23 (Sat. a.m.) Karam Dansereau/Alaeetawi
April 23 (Sat. p.m.) Brock
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the Chanters’ stand at the front of the nave. Please be sure to use this book when you read.
Reader Reading Page#
March 20 Kh. Sharon Meadows Heb. 1:10-2:3 283
March 24 (Thurs. p.m.) Brenda Baker Heb. 2:11-18 376
March 27 Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver Heb. 4:14-5:6 285
April 3 Sam Habeeb Heb. 6:13-20 287
April 10 Ian Jones Heb. 9:11-14 290
April 16 (Sat. a.m.) Walt Wood Heb. 12:28-13:8 291
April 17 Sam Habeeb Phil. 4:4-9 294
April 21 (Thurs. a.m.) Ian Jones I Cor. 11:23-32 295
April 23 (Sat. a.m.) Reader Basil Baker Rom. 6:3-11 300
April 23 (Sat. p.m.) Walt Wood Acts 1:1-8 25
Also, please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which may be placed in the tithe box at the back of the nave or be mailed to: St. Peter Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 2084, Madison, MS 39130-2084.
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: Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Lamia Dabit and her family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Jay and Joanna Davis; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and their family; Kathy Willingham; Marilyn (Kyriake) Snell; Jack and Jill Weatherly; Lottie Dabbs (Sh. Charlotte Algood’s mother), Sh. Charlotte and their family; Maria Costas (currently at St. Catherine’s Village); Reader Basil and Brenda Baker.
If you are not feeling well, PLEASE do not attempt to come to the services. This also includes anyone who may have been exposed to you during this time. Also, please let Fr. Herman know if you are not feeling well and have COVID like symptoms.
Camp St. Thekla dates: The dates for Camp St. Thekla are: Session 1 is June 26 – July 2 and Session 2 is July 3 – 9. If you have a child registered for Camp, please see Daniel for information on scholarships available from the Order of St. Ignatius. If there is still a financial need, some additional funds may be available.
Instructions for streaming our services can be found on the parish website.
Calendar Items:
* On Saturday, April 9th, instead of praying the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children as we usually do, we will participate in a Virtual Lenten Retreat with the other Ladies in our Diocese. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall around 8:30 a.m. for coffee and bagels and attend the retreat via Zoom, beginning at 9:00 a.m. More details in the announcement about upcoming Lenten Retreats.
* The Ladies will meet for lunch on the last Tuesday of the month.
* As is our parish custom during Great Lent, we will celebrate the Pre-sanctified Liturgy on Wednesday evenings and pray the Akathist to the Theotokos on Friday evenings. Both services begin at 6:30 p.m.
* On Wednesday, April 6th, instead of the Presanctified Liturgy we will pray Small Compline with the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete and the Life of St. Mary of Egypt, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
* The dates for Services of Palm Sunday and Holy Week are as follows:
Saturday, April 16 (Lazarus Saturday) — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, April 17 (Palm Sunday) — morning services at usual Sunday times
(Sunday evening) — Bridegroom Matins, at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, April 18 (Great and Holy Monday)
Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church 