Sunday, June 1, 2025
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
After-feast of the Ascension
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 June 01, 2025 Liturgy Variables 3 Holy Fathers of Nicaea 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
8:50 AM -Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Monday, June 2
Father Herman off
Tuesday, June 3
No Services
Wednesday, June 4
6:30 PM -Daily Vespers
Thursday, June 5
No Services
11:00 AM -Men’s Lunch
Friday, June 6
No Services
Saturday, June 7
9:00 AM -Saturday of Souls Orthros and Divine Liturgy
6:00 pm -Great Vespers
Sunday, June 8
8:50 AM -Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Special Announcements
The Eucharist Bread…was provided by the Lasseters for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
June 1 Lasseter D. Root/Jimmy Jones
June 7 (Sat AM) Milnor Ken Jones/Stewart
(Saturday of the Souls) Koliva: R. Root
June 8 Baker PICNIC POT LUCK
Pigott/Ian Jones/Meadows/Brock
June 15 Henderson Dansereau/Alaeetawi
June 22 Algood Ellis/Zouboukos/Waites
June 29 Schelver Baker/Lively
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; 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.
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#
June 1 Katie Miller Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 66
June 7 (Sat AM) Mary Martha Ellis 1 Thess 4:13-17 412
June 8 Grady Fisher Acts 2:1-11 77
June 15 Ian Jones Heb 11:33;12:2 84
June 22 Walt Wood Rom. 2:10-16 90
June 29 Kh Sharon Meadows II Cor 11:21;12:9 389
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.
Prayers for Fr. Paul Yerger from Holy Resurrection: Please continue to keep in your God-pleasing prayers Fr. Paul. He is slowly recovering from the injuries he suffered several weeks ago due to a fall. He is currently attending physical therapy at Methodist Rehabilitation and continues to improve each day. Glory to God for all things!
Prayers for His Grace Bp. Nicholas: Please keep in your God-pleasing prayers Bp. Nicholas who underwent a “preventive measure” procedure on his heart last week. He will be recovering over the next several weeks and hopes, by your prayers, to make a speedy recovery. May God grant him many years!
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 Saturday of the souls on Saturday morning, June 7 beginning at 9:00 am.
* The Feast of Pentecost will be celebrated on Sunday, June 8 with a PICNIC POT LUCK
following the Liturgy.
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.
Fasting Discipline for June
The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) will be observed on the first Wednesday and Friday of the month. There will be no fasting the week following Pentecost (June 9-13). The Fast of the Apostles begins Monday, June 16th and runs through Saturday, June 28th. During this time the traditional fasting discipline will be observed on all days of the week. (However we are permitted fish and olive oil except on Wednesdays and Fridays during the Fast)
Major Commemorations for June
June 1 Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council /
Justin Martyr
June 4 Metrophanes of Constantinople
June 7 Saturday of the Souls
June 8 Pentecost/
Theodore the General (transfer of relics)
June 11 Apostles Bartholomew & Barnabas
June 15 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: "When we call upon the Saints in prayer, if we pronounce their names from the heart, it already means that we bring them near our heart itself. Therefore ask their prayers and intercession undoubtingly for yourself. They will hear you, and will speedily lay your prayers before the Lord, in the twinkling of an eye, for He is omnipresent and omniscient."
St. John of Kronstadt
Worship: Sunday, June 8, 2025 (Holy Pentecost)
Scripture: Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52, 8:12
Epistle Reader: Ian Jones
Prosphora: Baker
Coffee Hour: PICNIC POT LUCK
Pigott/Ian Jones/Meadows/Brock
Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church 