January 1, 2023
Feast of the Circumcision of Christ; Feastday of St. Basil the Great
Colossians 2:8-12: Brethren, see to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in Him the whole fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness of life in Him, Who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, Who raised Him from the dead.
Luke 2:20-21, 40-52: And it came to pass that the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him. Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing Him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. And when they saw Him they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why hast Thou treated us so? Behold, Thy father and I have been looking for Thee anxiously.” And Jesus said to them, “How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which He spoke to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.
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 Circumcision of Christ: Our human form hast Thou taken on Thyself without change, O greatly-compassionate Master, though being God by nature; fulfilling the Law, Thou willingly receivest circumcision in the flesh, that Thou mightest end the shadow and roll away the veil of our sinful passions. Glory be to Thy goodness unto us. Glory be to Thy compassion. Glory, O Word, to Thine inexpressible condescension.
Troparion of St. Basil the Great: Thy sound hath gone forth into all the earth, which hath received thy word. Thereby thou hast divinely taught the Faith; thou hast made manifest the nature of all things that be; thou hast adorned the ways of man. O namesake of the royal priesthood, our righteous Father Basil, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
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 Circumcision of Christ: Now the Lord of all that is doth undergo circumcision, in His goodness cutting off the sins and failings of mortals. He this day doth give salvation unto the whole world; and the hierarch and bright daystar of the Creator now rejoiceth in the highest, Basil the wise and divine initiate of Christ.
CALENDAR
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: All services listed on the calendar will be available through streaming and webcast.
Sunday, January 1 (Circumcision of our Lord; Feastday of St. Basil the Great)
8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)
11:30 a.m. — Special Parish Meeting to select nominee for Metropolitan
Monday, January 2
Father Herman off
Tuesday, January 3
NO Services
Wednesday, January 4
6:30 p.m. — Daily Vespers
7:15 p.m. — Chanters’ Practice
Thursday, January 5
[STRICT FAST DAY]
7:00 a.m. — Royal Hours
11:30 a.m. — Men’s Lunch
6:00 p.m. — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
Friday, January 6 (Theophany)
This Feast Day is one of the greatest days of the Christian year. In English, we are accustomed to hearing this Feast Day called “Epiphany,” a word which means “manifestation” or “appearance.” On this day, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist (he is called “the Baptist” because he baptized Christ). Epiphany is also called “Theophany” which means “God shows Himself to us.” The importance of this Feast Day lies in the fact that for the first time the Holy Trinity was revealed for all mankind to know and believe (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). When Jesus Christ was baptized in the River Jordan, a voice was heard from the heavens above saying, “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased.” The Father whose voice was heard from the heavens was God. The white dove was the symbol of the Holy Spirit which descended upon Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Thus, we have the Holy Trinity being revealed to all that day, almost 2000 years ago. This is why we call this day the day of illumination (light) and manifestation (appearance). The Holy Trinity made its appearance, and we have been illuminated by this wonderful truth and blessing. On this day we have the traditional blessing of the waters. Since the waters of the Jordan were blessed in the presence of Jesus Christ, it is a source of Divine Grace and blessing, and we bless ourselves and our homes with the waters of the “Sanctification Service” which is held during the Epiphany Services.
Theophany Day is a day of illumination and sanctification. Let us pledge ourselves to a greater participation in the sacramental life of the Church of Christ. When the Priest blesses our homes, let us all pray that the blessing of the Theophany Season be with us throughout the year and may our homes be sanctified with our prayers, Christian living and spiritual direction in our lifetime.
NO Services
Saturday, January 7 (Synaxis of the Forerunner)
Sunday, January 8 (Circumcision of our Lord; Feastday of St. Basil the Great)
8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)
4:00 p.m. — Outdoor Blessing of the Water at the Reservoir
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Joneses for the Divine Liturgy this morning. The Artos bread was offered for the Litia yesterday evening by the Dn. Richard Roots.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
January 1 Jones Algood/Schelver
January 5 (Thurs. p.m.) Meadows Lasseter/Miller
(Feast of Theophany)
January 8 Davis D. Root/Baker
January 15 D. Root POT LUCK MEAL
(Chains of St. Peter) Henderson/Jones
January 22 Karam Lockhart/Karam/Snell
January 29 Brock Dansereau/Alaeetawi
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#
January 1 Walt Wood Col. 2:8-1 356
January 5 (Thurs. p.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 361
January 8 Ian Jones Eph. 4:7-13 364
January 15 Brenda Baker Acts12:1-11 50-51
January 22 Walt Wood I Tim. 4:9-15 252
January 29 Sam Habeeb II Cor. 6:16-7:1 173
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; Georgia and Bob Buchanan.
Instructions for streaming our services can be found on the parish website.
Congratulations to Andy and Rachel Anderton on the baptism if their son Drew on Friday, December 23rd at St. George Orthodox Church in Vicksburg. May God grant them all Many Years!
The Special Convention for the election of the New Metropolitan is scheduled to take place in Dallas, TX, on January 13, 2023. We will hold a special meeting at St. Peter’s TODAY to make our selection. Father Herman has sent out information on the candidates by email. There will be time set aside at our special parish meeting to answer any questions that you may have.
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.
* We will celebrate the Feast of Theophany with Royal Hours on Thursday morning January 5th, beginning at 7:00 a.m. and then Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy, beginning at 6:00 p.m. that evening.
* As is our custom, we will have the Service for Blessing the Waters at the Ross Barnett Reservoir (weather permitting) on Sunday, January 8th, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
* Special Convention in Dallas, Texas January 12-13, 2023 for Nomination of new Metropolitan for our Archdiocese. Please continue to keep those convening in your prayers.
* Our Patronal Feast falls on a Monday this year. So, we will be celebrating it on Sunday, January 15th instead. We will also have a Pot Luck Meal that day in celebration of the feast.
* Baby Shower for Sara Miller at Coffee Hour on Sunday, January 29th.
Baby Shower for Sara Miller: We will have a Diaper/Frozen Casserole Shower for Sara Miller at Coffee Hour on Sunday, January 29, 2023. Reader Chad and Sara are expecting a new daughter in February. Please continue to keep all in your prayers!
The Clergy and Winter Retreat that was scheduled for the end of January has been cancelled due to the increased travel and “busyness” for our clergy with the Special Convention in Dallas.
Winter Camp will be held at Camp St. Thekla on February 17-20, 2023 for ages 12-17.
Fasting Discipline for January
There is no fasting of any kind from December 25th through January 4th. January 5th is a strict fast day when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed. Following that, the traditional fasting discipline is observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
Major Commemorations for January
January 1 Circumcision of the Lord; Feastday of St. Basil the Great
January 6 Feast of Theophany
January 7 Synaxis of the Forerunner
January 11 Theodosios the Head of Monasteries
January 16 Veneration of the Chains of St. Peter
January 17 Anthony the Great
January 18 Athansios and Cyril of Alexandria
January 20 Euthymios the great
January 25 Gregory the Theologian
January 27 John Chrysostom
January 30 The Three Hierarchs
January 31 Cyros and John the Unmercenary Healers
Sunnybrook Children’s Home is beginning a Transitional Home for children aging out of foster care. Their goal is to make sure these children complete high school, and help them pursue further education and develop life skills to allow them to function well in their lives as adults. If you wish to make a donation to this worthwhile endeavor, please make your check out to St. Peter and be sure to mark “Sunnybrook” on the memo line. (This is separate from our annual St. Nicholas Offering.)
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.
Quotable: “The question put to all who celebrate Christ’s Winter Pascha concerns their own relationship to the Lord. Are we ready to receive Him, and therefore to love as He has loved us, even to the point of death? Or are we among those who receive Him not, numbered with those who murder Him through our hatred and neglect of our neighbors? As Christ’s beloved disciple has said, ‘He who says he is in the light and hates his bother is in darkness still. . . Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren’ (I Jn. 2:9; 3:15-16).”
Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Winter Pascha
Worship: Sunday, January 8, 2023 (Sunday after Theophany)
Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-13; Matthew 4:12-17
Celebrant: Father Herman
Epistle Reader: Ian Jones
Prosphora: Davis
Coffee Hour: D. Root/Baker
Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church 