Sunday, May 4, 2025
Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers
About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when our Lord was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to His sepulcher, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to anoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils that these God-loving women brought to the tomb that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called Athe mother of James and Joses@ (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene; Mary, the wife of Cleopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee; Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence.
On this day we also make commemoration of Joseph of Arimathea, who was a secret disciple, and also of Nicodemus, who was a disciple by night. Joseph went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus, he gave Him burial out of reverence and love.
Acts 6:1-7: In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministry. And the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said: “It is not right that we should forsake the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. And we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Próchoros, and Nikánor, and Tímon, and Parmenás, and Nikólaos a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly, and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Mark: 15:43-16:8 At that time, Joseph of Arimathaea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the Kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if He were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether Jesus was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that He was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a tomb, which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid. And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb at the rising of the sun. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back – it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a long white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He is risen; He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you.” And they went out quickly and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Resurrectional Troparion: When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hell with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.
Troparia of the Holy Myrrh-Bearers: The pious Joseph, having brought down thy pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen, embalmed it with ointment, provided for it, and laid it in a new tomb. But thou didst truly rise, after three days, O Lord, granting the world the Great Mercy.
Verily, the angel came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women, The ointment is meet for the dead, but Christ is shown to be remote from corruption. But cry ye, The Lord is risen, granting the world the Great Mercy.
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 Pascha: When Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades. In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming Rejoice! to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to Thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.
Calendar
Sunday, May 4
8:50 am – Orthros
9:00 am – Christian Education
10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
Monday, May 5
Father Herman off
Tuesday, May 6
No services
Wednesday, May 7
5:20 pm -Catechesis
6:30 PM – Daily Vespers
Thursday, May 8
No Services
11:00 am – Men’s Lunch
Friday, May 9
No Services
Saturday, May 10
10 am – Ladies meet for Akathist
5 pm – Catechesis
6:00 pm – Daily Vespers
Sunday, May 11
8:50 AM -Orthros
9:00 AM – Christian Education
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Special Announcements
The Eucharist Bread…was provided by the Daniel Roots for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
May 4 D. Root Dansereau/Alaeetawi
May 11 Karam Meadows/Brock
May 18 Brock POT LUCK MEAL
Lasseter/Pacurari/Lavric
May 25 R. Root Lockhart/Karam/Snell
May 28 (Wed PM) Pacurari Algood/Schever
(Feast of the Ascension)
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of Epistles) located on the chanters’ stand at the front of the nave. Please be sure to use book when you read.
Reader Reading Page#
May 4 Brenda Baker Acts 6:1-7 38
May 11 Kh. Sharon Meadows Acts 9:32-42 45
May 18 Reader Basil Baker Acts 11:19-30- 52
May 25 Brandon Strain Acts 16:16-34 58
May 28 (Wed PM) Reader Chad Miller Acts 1:1-12 63
Also Please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which may be placed in the tray that is passed during 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.
Prayers for Fr. Paul Yerger from Holy Resurrection: Please keep in you God-pleasing prayers Fr. Paul. This past Thursday he suffered a terrible fall in the driveway of his home in Clinton and had to be rushed to the ER at UMMC. As a result of the fall he sustained a substantial gash to the back of his head, bruising to the front of his brain, and a cracked vertebrae. He is still currently at UMMC being treated. The family appreciates your prayers during this time.
Food for Hungry People: Thank you to all who donated toward this ministry. The total collected in April was $770.00.
Agape Vespers: A huge thank you to all who helped the Agape meal go as smoothly as it did. So many of you chipped in to help with varying aspects and it was truly a blessing.
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.
* The remaining date for serving at Stewpot Ministries is Saturday, September 27th.
* We will celebrate the leave-taking of Pascha with Paschal Vespers on Tuesday, May 27th, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
* The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord will be celebrated with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, May 28th beginning at 6:00 p.m. We will have a Pot Luck meal
following the liturgy.
Fasting Discipline for May
The Holy Synod of Antioch has given instructions that there will be no fasting during the entirety of the Paschal Season.
Major Commemorations for May
May 4 Sunday of Holy Myrrh-Bearers
May 8 Apostle John the Theologian
May 10 Simon the Zealot
May 11 Sunday of the Paralytic
May 18 Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
May 21 Sts Constantine and Helen
May 25 Sunday of the Blind Man
The Forerunner (3rd Discovery)
May 29 Feast of the Ascension
We are continuing the process of updating our church directory. On the bureau in the foyer there are information sheets to be filled out by each family and individual. We are asking EVERYONE to please fill out these information sheets and get it back to Fr. Hercman or Kh. Sharon. (please be sure to PRINT as neatly as you can). Thank you for your timely cooperation with this.
Registration for the 2025 DOMSE Parish Life Conference has opened and was emailed out to the parish. If you did not receive this email and would like to attend, please see Father Herman for registration information. This year’s conference will be hosted by St. George Parish in Jacksonville, FL. June 11-14th.
Registration for the Archdiocese National Convention has also opened. It is being hosted by St George Parish in Cicero, IL (just outside of Chicago) July 20-27th. If you are interested in attending, please see Father Herman and he will get you the registration information and link.
Quotable: “The only reason why vigilance over yourself would fail is that passion does not always approach in its obvious form, but often appears to be so comely that you think it is something good, not guessing it is a passion. When anger erupts, for example, it is evident to everyone that this is a passion. However, anger is not always in its obvious form; it often appears as righteous indignation. Every passion has a similar habit of dressing itself up and posing as something comely. You are virtuous and may fall for this bait quite easily. Watch out! One must renounce all that is passionate in its most insignificant forms and subtlest features. Observe, accordingly, and do not allow anything inside.
St. Theophan the Recluse, The Spiritual Life and How to be Attuned to It
Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church 