February 2, 2025

Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ

Many years before the coming of Christ there lived a very pious and saintly man called Simeon. He was one of the most intelligent Jewish scholars of his day. Simeon prayed for the day that the Saviour would come and deliver all Israel (and the world) from sin. One evening while kneeling in prayer, Simeon heard the voice of God saying to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Holy Tradition tells us that Simeon waited many long years. Some Holy Fathers inform us that Simeon was over 150 years old when the Promise of God was fulfilled. The Holy Scriptures tell us that 40 days after the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ the Virgin Mary brought the Christ Child to the Temple for Presentation. It was a law that the first born son of a family should be offered to God and His service, as soon as a period of purification was past. It was here that Simeon waited patiently that day, as he had done for so many years. The Spirit of the Lord brought him to the baby Jesus. Simeon took the infant Child in his trembling hands and recited the following beautiful prayer which is recited in the Orthodox Church every evening during Vesper services:

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.

For mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the

face of all peoples. A Light to enlighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of

thy people Israel.”

Thus the promise to the aged Simeon was finally fulfilled. The next day Simeon died in peace, thankful to Almighty God that he was honored to see the coming of Christ.

This custom has continued down to our own day for both male and female children, and every mother who brings her new-born child to Church on the fortieth day is remembering the Great Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple.

Hebrews 7:7-17: Brethren, it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Luke 2:22-40: In those days, the parents of Jesus brought Him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Thy people Israel.” And His father and his mother marveled at what was said about Him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks, and spoke of Him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

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 Presentation: Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace; for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, who granteth us resurrection.

Kontakion of the Presentation: Thou, O Christ God, who by your Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us, preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom thou didst love; for thou alone art the Lover of mankind.

CALENDAR

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: All services listed on the calendar will be available through streaming and webcast. (Instructions can be found on the parish website.)

12:00 p.m. – Ladies of St. Peter meeting during Coffee Hour

Sunday, February 2 (Presentation [Meeting] of the Lord in the Temple)

8:50 a.m. – Orthros

9:00 a.m. – Christian Education

10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy (webcast)

12:00 p.m. – POT LUCK MEAL

Monday, February 3 (Righteous Simeon the God-receiver)

Father Herman off

Tuesday, February 4

NO Services

Wednesday, February 5

5:20 p.m. – Catechism Class

6:30 p.m. – Paraklesis Service for Kh. Janet

Thursday, February 6

NO Services

11:00 a.m. – Men’s Lunch

Friday, February 7

NO Services

Saturday, February 8

10:00 a.m. – Ladies meet for Akathist

4:30 p.m. – Choir Practice

5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class

6:00 p.m. – Great Vespers

Sunday, February 9 (Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican)

8:50 a.m. – Orthros

9:00 a.m. – Christian Education

10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy (webcast)

[NO
Fasting this week]

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Schelvers for the Divine Liturgy this morning. The Artos bread for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord was offered for Great Vespers last night by the Meadows.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

February 2 Schelver POT LUCK MEAL

Lockhart/Karam/Snell

February 9 Jones Algood/Schelver

February 16 Meadows Baker/Jimmy Jones

February 22 (Sat. a.m.) Davis Pigott/Ian Jones

(Saturday of the Souls) Koliva: Anastasia Jones

February 23 D. Root Ken Jones/Stewart

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#

February 2 Mary Martha Ellis Heb. 7:7-17 371

February 9 Grady Fisher II Tim. 3:10-15 258

February 16 Ian Jones I Cor. 6:12-20 265

February 22 (Sat. a.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows Thess. 4:13-17 412

February 23 Walt Wood I Cor. 8:8-9:2 273

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.

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; Marilyn (Kyriake) Snell; Jack and Jill Weatherly; Dn. Terry Algood and their family; Reader Basil and Brenda Baker and their family; Fr. Joseph Bittle; Rick Carlton; Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas and Kh. Jan Speier; Lee Greene; Fr. John and Kh. Janet Henderson and their family; Galina Singletary; Emily and Cole Parker.

Fr. Herman will be out of town February 14th-17th for Winter Camp St. Thekla. If you need a priest during this time, please contact Fr. James.

Congratulations to Will and Lisa Lively on the news of an upcoming addition to their family! May God grant them Many Years!

St. George Orthodox Church in Vicksburg will be hosting their 64th Annual Lebanese Dinner TOMORROW at the church (2709 Washington Street, Vicksburg) from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and again from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Price for the meal is $20.

St. Andrew’s Antiochian parish in Pensacola, Florida has invited our community to a Pre-Lenten Retreat they are hosting on Saturday, February 8. The speaker of this retreat will be Dr. Jeannie Constantinou. Further information on the retreat will be forthcoming. In the meantime, if you are interested in attending the retreat please see Fr. Herman.

Calendar Items:

* The men of the parish meet for lunch at 11:00 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 at 1:00 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month.

* We will celebrate the Feast of the Entrance of the Lord into the Temple on today with a POT LUCK MEAL following the Divine Liturgy.

* This year’s dates for serving at Stewpot Ministries are Saturday, March 1st and Saturday, September 27th.

* Great Lent begins this year on Clean Monday, March 3rd. More details on services, etc. will available in the coming weeks.

* St. Peter will be hosting the Sunday of Orthodoxy vespers this year on Sunday afternoon, March 9th, beginning at 4:00 p.m. More information will be available very soon.

Fasting Discipline for February

The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on Wednesdays and Fridays during the first and third weeks in February. However, there is no fasting during the week following the Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican (February 9th). February 23rd is Meatfare Sunday after which meat will no longer be eaten until Pascha. During the week that follows, dairy products may be eaten on all days, including Wednesday and Friday.

Major Commemorations for February

February 2 Meeting of the Lord in the Temple

February 3 Simeon the God-receiver

February 9 Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican

February 10 Hieromartyr Haralampos

February 16 Sunday of the Prodigal Son

February 22 Saturday of the Souls

February 23 Meatfare Sunday

February 24 The Forerunner (1st and and Discoveries)

Seating spaces in the Nave: As a gentle reminder, please be mindful of seating spaces in the Nave during Sunday Divine Liturgy. Due to our growth over the past few years seating has become a little more limited and there has been an overflow toward the back of the Nave near the Narthex, which makes it “tight” for the clergy to make the Great Entrance. While this is a good problem to have, and until we can begin work on the new Temple, please make sure there are enough spaces available in the “seating” area of the Nave for as many people as possible. This means we may have “squtch in” on the rows. Thank you for your help in this.

Quotable: “‘Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord’ (Heb. 12:14). Why did he say ‘strive’? Because it is not possible for us to become holy and to be saints in an hour! We must therefore progress from modest beginnings toward holiness and purity. Even were we to spend a thousand years in this life we should never perfectly attain it. Rather we must always struggle for it every day, as if mere beginners.”

St. Symeon the New Theologian

Worship: Sunday, February 9, 2025 (Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican)

Scripture: II Timothy 3:10-15; Luke 18:10-14

Epistle Reader: Grady Fisher

Prosphora: Jones

Coffee Hour: Algood/Schelver