Sunday, October 12, 2025

Sunday of Holy Fathers of Seventh Ecumenical Council

Titus 3:8-15: Titus, my son, faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire you to affirm confidently, that those who have believed in God may be thoughtful of how to preside in honorable occupations. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish disputes, and genealogies, and contentions, and controversies about the Law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man who is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject, knowing that such a one is subverted, and sins, being self-condemned. When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicós, give diligence to come to me to Nicopolis; for I have determined to winter there. Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that they may be lacking in nothing. And let our people also learn how to preside in honorable occupations, so as to help in cases of urgent need, that they should not be unfruitful. All who are with me salute you. Salute those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Luke 8:5-15: The Lord spoke this parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.” And when His Disciples asked Him what this parable meant, Jesus said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.” As Jesus said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Troparion of the Resurrection: While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O giver of life. Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ, glory to Thy kingdom, glory to Thy providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind.

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 Theotokos: O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Calendar

Sunday, October 12, 2025 (Sunday of Holy Fathers of Seventh Ecumenical Council)
8:50 AM – Orthros
9:00 AM – Christian Education
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
12:00 PM – Ladies Meeting

Monday, October 13, 2025
Father Herman off

Tuesday, October 14, 2025
No Services

Wednesday, October 15, 2025
5:30 PM – Teen Meeting
6:30 PM – Daily Vespers CANCELLED

Thursday, October 16, 2025
NO Services

Friday, October 17, 2025
No Services

Saturday, October 18, 2025
6:00 PM – Great Vespers

Sunday, October 19, 2025 (Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
8:50 AM – Orthros
9:00 AM – Christian Education
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
12:00 pm – POTLUCK

Special Announcements
The Eucharist Bread was provided by the Davises for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
October 12 Davis Ken Jones/Stewart
October 19 D. Root Meadows/Brock
POT LUCK
October 26 Karam Dansereau/Alaeetawi

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#
October 12 Michael Root Titus 3:8-15 322
October 19 Aaron Franklin II Cor 11:31-12:9 183
October 26 Simeon Root II Tim 2:1-10 328

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.

October is Teen Month and as such our teens will be reading the Epistle during the Divine Liturgy. Also, on October 19 the teens will be taking up a special donation for Special Olympics Awareness Day which is observed throughout the Archdiocese. On this Sunday the teens will read a pastoral letter from His Eminence Metropolitan SABA and have a basket in the Fellowship Hall should you wish to make a donation toward this blessed cause.

On Friday October 24 and Saturday October 25 Holy Resurrection in Clinton will be having Drs. David and Mary Ford speak on varying topics as it pertains to the Church’s teaching on marriage. The Fords have authored numerous works, such as “The Souls Longing” and “Glory and Honor, Orthodox Christian Resources on Marriage”. Friday’s talk will begin at 6:00pm and there will be two talks on Saturday at 10:00am and 1:30pm. This is an adult only event-no childcare will be provided. If you are interested in attending please see Fr. Herman and he will provide Fr. Michael Rehmet’s contact information should you need more information on the event.

The Ladies of St Peter are collecting new and gently used towels for Shower Power through the month of October. Please place your donations in the drop-off box located in the Fellowship Hall.
The Fall Festival is scheduled for Saturday November 1 at 4:00pm. As is our custom, there will be no Great Vespers that evening. Please see Anna Kathryn Stewart if you have any questions.

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.

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.

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. Alternating on behalf of our children and our sick.
* The Ladies of St Peter will meet every third Sunday during Coffee Hour.
* The Young Adult Fellowship (YAF) meets on alternating Mondays for Book Study.
Please see Brandon Strain for questions.
* The next Parish Council meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, Oct 22
* The Fall Festival will be on Saturday, November 1 starting at 4:00 p.m. There will be no Great
Vespers for that day.

Fasting Discipline for October
The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.

Major Commemorations for October
October 18 Holy Apostle Luke
October 23 Holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord
October 26 Great-martyr Demetrios

Quotable: “If you want to help the Church, it is better to try to correct yourself rather than looking to correct others. You see, judging others is easy, whereas working on yourself takes effort.”
– St. Paisios

Worship: October 19, 2025 (Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Scripture: II Corinthians 11:31-12:9; Luke 7:11-16
Epistle Reader: Aaron Franklin
Prosphora: D. Root
Coffee Hour: Meadows/Brock (POT LUC