June 5, 2022
Sunday of the After-feast of the Ascension
Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
Today is the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea. This day commemorates the Holy Fathers who sat in council at Nicea, the first of the ecumenical councils. Through them we see the commitment to the immutable truth of God for all the faithful, especially those who lead in the faith. The men of this council bear special note by the significance of their creed, for it is the fundamental statement of orthodox Christology and an enduring guide to our faith. The events of the ascension and the scriptures of this day emphasize to us the nature and action of Christ, and the history of these fathers puts us in mind of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church, work proclaimed by the glorious events which we now anticipate in the preparation for Pentecost.
Acts 20:16-18, 28-36: In those days, Paul was determined to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if possible, to be at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the priests of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to shepherd the church of the Lord and God, which He purchased with His own blood. For I know that after my departure ravenous wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, remain watchful, remembering that for three years I did not cease to admonish every one, night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by such laboring we ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down on his knees with them all, and prayed.
John 17:1-13: At that time, Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son that the Son may glorify Thee, since Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom Thou hast given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent. I glorified Thee on earth, having accomplished the work which Thou gavest Me to do; and now, Father, glorify Thou Me in Thy own presence with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was made. I have manifested Thy Name to the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy word. Now they know that everything that Thou hast given Me is from Thee; for I have given them the words which Thou gavest Me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from Thee; and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine; all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name, which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one. While I was with them, I kept them in Thy Name, which Thou have given Me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”
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 Ascension: Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened thy disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit, having become confident of the blessing. Verily, thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of the world.
Troparion of the Holy Fathers: Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to thee.
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 Ascension: When thou didst fulfill thy dispensation for our sakes, uniting the terrestrials with the celestials, thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, inseparable in space, but constant without separation, and crying unto thy beloved, I am with you, and no one shall be against you.
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, June 5 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea)
9:00 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)
12:00 p.m. — Coffee Hour honoring Brandon Strain
Monday, June 6
Father Herman off
Tuesday, June 7
No Services
Wednesday, June 8 (Theodore the General – transfer of relics)
6:30 p.m. — Daily Vespers
Thursday, June 9
NO Services
Friday, June 10
7:00 a.m. — Royal Hours
Saturday, June 11 (Saturday of the Souls)
9:00 a.m. — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
6:00 p.m. — Great Vespers
Sunday, June 12 (Pentecost)
9:00 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)
12:00 p.m. — PICNIC POT LUCK MEAL
6:30 p.m. — Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Morrises for the Feast of the Ascension this past Wednesday evening and by the Joneses for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
June 5 Jones Ellis/Waites/Zouboukos
June 11 (Sat. a.m.) Meadows Ellis/Waites/Zouboukos
(Saturday of the Souls) Koliva: Karen Cooper
June 12 Davis PICNIC POT LUCK MEAL
(Feast of Pentecost) Meadows/Pigott
June 19 D. Root Algood/Schelver
June 26 Karam Lasseter/Pacurari/Miller
June 28 (Tues. p.m.) Brock D. Root/Baker/Cooper
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#
June 5 Sh. Charlotte Algood Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 66
June 11 (Sat. a.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows I Thess. 4:13-17 412
June 12 Ian Jones Acts 2:1-11 77
June 19 Brenda Baker Heb. 11:33-12:2 84
June 26 Sam Habeeb Rom. 2:10-16 90
June 28 (Tues. p.m.) Walt Wood II Cor. 11:21-33; 12:6-9 389
Also, please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which may be placed in the tray that is passed during the Divine Liturgy, 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 and their family; Buddy Cooper.
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.
PARENTS, a problem has arisen due to the nursery room being left messy after Coffee Hour. No food of any kind should be taken into that room. Also, it is necessary for a parent to be in the room whenever their children are in there playing. Thank you for your assistance with this.
Pentecost is June 12th this year. As is the custom in our parish, we will pray the Royal Hours on Friday morning, June 10th, beginning at 7:00 a.m. and we will have Orthos followed by Divine Liturgy for Saturday of the Souls on June 11th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. On Sunday we will have a PICNIC POT LUCK following the Divine Liturgy to celebrate the Feast. We will also pray the Kneeling Vespers service Sunday evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Calendar Items:
* The men of the parish meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month.
* The Ladies meet at the church at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children on behalf of our children.
* The Ladies meet for lunch on the last Tuesday of the month.
* Father Herman will be helping to lead a retreat at the Antiochian Village, July 3-9.
* The Clergy Symposium will be held at the Antiochian Village, July 18-23.
* Vacation Church School is scheduled for July 28-30. Parents, mark your calendar now.
* The remaining date for Stewpot for 2022 is Saturday, September 3rd.
We will honor Brandon Strain at Coffee Hour this morning since we were unable to do so when he graduated because of the CoVid shut down.
Instructions for streaming our services can be found on the parish website.
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.
Fasting Discipline for June
There will be no fasting of any kind during the week following Pentecost (June 12th this year). Otherwise, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on the Wednesdays and Fridays of the month. This year, the Apostles’ Fast begins on Monday, June 20th and runs through June 28th. During this time, the traditional fasting discipline will be observed on each day of the week, except for Saturday and Sunday when fish, wine and oil are permitted.
Major Commemorations for June
June 5 Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea
June 11 Saturday of the souls
June 12 Pentecost
June 19 Sunday of All Saints
June 24 Nativity of the Forerunner
June 29 Chief Apostles Peter and Paul
June 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles
Quotable “The goal is to rise spiritually, not simply to avoid sin.”
St. Paisios the Athonite
Worship: Sunday, June 12, 2022 (Feast of Pentecost)
Scripture: Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52; 8:12
Celebrant: Father Herman
Epistle Reader: Ian Jones
Prosphora: Davis
Coffee Hour: PICNIC POT LUCK MEAL
Meadows/Pigott
Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church 