Sunday, September 07, 2025

Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross

Transfer of the Nativity of the Theotokos

The first feast of the liturgical year celebrates the birth of the Holy Virgin Mary, most blessed of women, chosen to bear God the Son, partaker in the Incarnation as the dwelling place of God. To celebrate her birth and give honor to her life is unavoidably to anticipate the coming of the Messiah and to adore His person. To remember her worthiness is to remember God’s grace. To wonder at her faith is to arouse ourselves to emulate her strength of will and her depth of trust. As we enter the cycle of the year, we turn first to honor the Holy Virgin, she who by her role in history and by her place among the saints most reminds us of the coming of the Saviour and the life He gives us, who by the Incarnation became the ladder between Heaven and Earth, who as the Mother of Christ is also the Mother of all His brethren.

Galatians 6:11-18: Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all, who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of 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.

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

Sunday, September 7, 2025 (Sunday before Elevation of the Cross)

8:50 AM – Orthros

9:00 AM – Christian Education

10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

11:30 AM – POT LUCK MEAL

Monday, September 8, 2025

Nativity of the Theotokos

Father Herman off

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

No Services

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

5:20 PM – Catechesis

6:30 PM – Daily Vespers

Thursday, September 11, 2025

NO Services

Friday, September 12, 2025

No Services

Saturday, September 13, 2025

10:00 AM – Ladies meet for Akathist

5:00 PM – Catechesis

6:00 PM – Great Vespers

Sunday, September 14, 2025 (Elevation of the Holy Cross)

8:50 AM – Orthros

9:00 AM – Christian Education

10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

Special Announcements

The Eucharist Bread…was provided by D. Root for Great Vespers with Litia and Artoklasia yesterday evening and by the Bakers for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

September 6 (Sat PM) D. Root (Artos)

September 7 Baker Lasseter/Pacurari/Lavric

(Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos) POT LUCK MEAL

September 14 Algood

(Elevation of the Holy Cross) Karam/Snell/Meadows

September 21 Schelver Algood/Schelver

September 28 Jones Baker/Jimmy Jones/Rodriguez

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#

September 7 Walt Wood Gal 6:11-18 198

September 14 Reader Basil Baker I Cor 1:18-24 311-312

September 21 Reader Chad Miller Gal 2:16-20 193

September 28 Brandon Strain II Cor 6:1-10 168

Potluck Meals: Everyone who attends the potluck meals during the month is encouraged to bring a dish to share with everyone. This is to ensure that there is enough food for all to partake. Over the past several months we have been running out of food before everyone has an opportunity to go through the line. This also applies to the Festal Liturgies that may be served during the week and the Soup Suppers after Presanctified Liturgies during Lent. Thank you all for your help with this.

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.

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.

The dates for the upcoming Fall Retreat at St. Ignatius in Franklin, TN are September 19-20. An email containing this information has been emailed out. Registration is now open. Please check your email for the link.

As a friendly reminder, in regards to coffee hour, the church will provide beef sticks, cheese cubes, crackers, cookies, and orange juice. For sponsors of baptisms/chrismations a reception may be held after the service and may have whatever food the sponsors would like to provide in celebration of this occasion. If you wish to bring a snack for your children, please be responsible for the clean up of those items. Coffee hour is not meant to be a meal, but a means to break the fast with a snack and visit with each other. Also, as a friendly reminder, please make sure kids are not getting ice in the kitchen without adult supervision.

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 for dining on the last Tuesday of the month. Times will vary.

* 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 of St Peter will meet every third Sunday during Coffee Hour. The next scheduled

date is September 21st .

* The DOMSE Fall Retreat will be September 19-20

* Church Work Day – Saturday, September 20th at 8:30

* The remaining date for serving at Stewpot Ministries is Saturday, September 27th

Fasting Discipline for September

The traditional fasting discipline is observed on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, September 14 is a strict fast day.

Major Commemorations for September

September 8 Nativity of the Theotokos

September 9 Righteous Joachim and Anna

September 13 Dedication of the Church of the Anastasis

September 14 Elevation of the Precious Cross

September 23 Conception of the Forerunner

September 24 Proto-martyr Thekla

September 26 Apostle John the Theologian (repose)

September 28 Venerable Chariton

Quotable: “God gave us life so that we would have time to prepare for the next one. This one is short, but the next one has no end. Although this life is short, during its course one may lay in provisions for all eternity. Each good work goes toward this end like a small contribution; from all such contributions comes the overall capital, the interest of which will determine the upkeep of the saver for all of eternity. He who makes larger contributions will have a richer upkeep, while he who makes smaller contributions will have a lesser upkeep. The Lord will render to each one according to his works.”

St. Theophan the Recluse, The Spiritual Life and How to be Attuned to it

Worship: September 14, 2025 (Elevation of the Holy Cross)

Scripture: 1 Cor 1:18-24; John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35

Epistle Reader: Reader Basil Baker

Prosphora: Algood

Coffee Hour: Karam/Snell/Meadows – (Fasting)