September 11, 2022
Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
After-feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Galatians 6:11-18: Brethren, see how large a letter I have written to you with my own hand. As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the Cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised do themselves keep the Law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Henceforth, let no one trouble me; for I bear in my body the brand-marks of the Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
John 3:13-17: The Lord said, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
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 Nativity of the Theotokos: Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe; for from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the everlasting blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
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 Nativity of the Theotokos: By thy holy birth-giving, O pure one, Joachim and Anne were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee, The barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life.
CALENDAR
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: All services listed on the calendar will be available through streaming and webcast.
Sunday, September 11 (Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)
9:00 a.m. — Christian Education
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)
12:00 p.m. — Pot Luck Meal
Monday, September 12
Father Herman off
Tuesday, September 13 (Dedication of the Church of the Anastasis)
6:00 p.m. — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
Wednesday, September 14 (Elevation of the Holy Cross)
This feast is celebrated as one of the most important in the Church Year because it commemorates two events of great significance. After St. Helena had found at Jerusalem the cross upon which Christ was crucified, she built a Church on Mount Calvary to hold the precious relic. The Christians held the Holy Cross in such high regard that they soon began to celebrate this feast in honor of the finding of the Cross.
In the year 614, the Persians invaded the Empire and took Jerusalem, and sent the case containing the Cross back to their country. For fifteen years the Greek Emperor Heraclius waged war against the Persians, and finally in 629 defeated them, forcing them to make peace, and to restore the Holy Cross to him. It is said that the case containing the sacred relics was returned to him with the seals still unbroken. The Relics were replaced in the Church with great rejoicing, and to the original Feast in honor of the finding of the Cross was added another, in honor of its safe return to Jerusalem.
A special feature of the Church Services on this day, is the procession in which the Cross is borne aloft on a tray of flowers and placed in the midst of the Church; the Priest then elevates it to the four corners of the compass, blessing thrice with it as he does so, and praying that God will protect and preserve the President and the Civil Authorities of our country and the Armed Forces, and guard and guide the Hierarchs and clergy of the Church, and protect and preserve all His faithful people from every evil.
[STRICT FAST DAY]
6:30 p.m. — Daily Vespers
7:15 p.m. — Chanters’ Practice
Thursday, September 15
NO Services
Friday, September 16
NO Services
Saturday, September 17
8:30 a.m. — Workday at the Church
6:00 p.m. — Great Vespers
Sunday, September 18 (Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
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 Dn. Richard Roots for the Divine Liturgy this morning. The Artos for the Litia and Artoklasia for the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos this past Wednesday evening was offered by the Meadows.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
September 11 R. Root POT LUCK MEAL
Algood/Schelver
September 13 (Tues. .m.) Pacurari Lasseter/Pacurari/Miller
(Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
September 18 Baker D. Root/Baker/Cooper
September 25 Henderson Henderson/Jones
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.
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#
September 11 Walt Wood Gal. 6:11-18 198
September 13 (Tues. p.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows I Cor. 1:18-24 311-312
September 18 Sh. Charlotte Algood Gal. 2:16-20 193
September 25 Ian Jones II Cor. 4:6-15 163
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.
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.
* The Feast of the Precious and Life-giving Cross will be celebrated with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Tuesday evening, September 13th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Instructions for streaming our services can be found on the parish website.
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.
Fasting Discipline for September
In September, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month. The Feast of the Elevation of the Cross on September 14th is also a strict fast day.
Major Commemorations for September
September 13 Dedication of the Church of the Anastasis
September 14 Elevation of the Precious Life-giving Cross
September 23 Conception of the Forerunner
September 24 Proto-martyr Thekla
September 26 Apostle John the Theologian (repose)
Quotable: “The authority of the commandments of God is a living entity, not a theory. Thus, there is no reason to look for theories for why God’s laws are justified. If, for example, someone tells us that something is poison, we will believe them and not touch it. We won’t then proceed to try to figure out for ourselves if it’s really poison, we won’t do any chemical tests to try to decide for ourselves.”
Elder Sergei of Vanves
Worship: Sunday, September 18, 2022 (Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
Scripture: Galatians 2:16-20; Mark 8:34-9:1
Celebrant: Father Herman
Epistle Reader: Sh. Charlotte Wood
Prosphora: Baker
Coffee Hour: D. Root/Baker/Cooper
Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church 