Sunday, February 1, 2026

Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican

&

Forefeast of the Presentation (Meeting) of Christ

II Timothy (3:10-15) My son Timothy, you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, persecutions, sufferings, what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. What persecutions I endured! And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Indeed, all who would live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But people who are wicked and deceivers will proceed from worse to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and how from infancy you have known the sacred temple writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Luke (18:10-14) The Lord spoke this parable: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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 Forefeast of the Presentation: (**The soldiers standing guard**) The Heavens’ choir looked down from the vaults of the Heavens, * and gazing on the earth, they beheld with amazement * the First-born of all creation brought forth as a suckling babe * to the Temple by a pure and virginal mother; * and with us, they now do sing a hymn for the Forefeast, * astonished and full of awe.

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 Forefeast of the Presentation: (**On this day Thou hast appeared**) On this day doth Simeon * receive with gladness * God, the giver of the Law; * and he doth cry to Him in fear: * Let me depart now, O Master Christ, * for I have seen Thee, the glory of Israel.

Calendar

Sunday, February 1, 2026 (Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican & Forefeast of the Presentation (Meeting) of Christ)

8:50 AM – Orthros

9:00 AM – Christian Education

10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

6:30 PM -Vespers w/ Litia and Artoklasia

Monday, February 2, 2026 (Meeting of the Lord in the Temple)

Fr. Herman off

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

No Services

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

5:30 PM – Teen Meeting

6:30 PM – Daily Vespers

Thursday, February 5, 2026

11:00 AM – Men’s Lunch

No Services

Friday, February 6, 2026

No Service

Saturday, February 7, 2026:

6:00 PM – Great Vespers

Sunday, February 8, 2026 (Sunday of the Prodigal Son & After-feast of the Presentation (Meeting) of Christ)

8:50 AM – Orthros

9:00 AM – Christian Education

10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

Special Announcements

Please remember the following in your prayers: Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Jay and Joanna Davis; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and their family; Jack and Jill Weatherly; Dn.Terry Algood and their family; Fr. John and Kh. Janet Henderson and their family

The Eucharist Bread was provided by Lasseters for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

February 1 Lasseter Ellis/Zouboukos

February 8 YAF Algood/Pacruari/Lavric

February 14 (Sat a.m.) Baker Lockhart/Karam/Snell

Saturday of the Souls

February 15 Henderson Algood/Rodriguez

Meatfare Potluck

February 22 Algood Baker/Jimmy Jones

Sunday of Forgiveness &

Cheesefare

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#

February 1 Walt Wood II Tim 3:10-15 258

February 8 Reader Basil Baker I Cor 6:12-20 265

February 14 Reader Chad Miller I Cor 10:23-26 271-272

February 15 Brandon Strain I Cor 8:8-9:2 273

February 22 Athena Zouboukos Rom 13:11-14:4 279

We will celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple this evening at 6:30pm with Great Vespers with Litia and Artoklasia

Reminder that there is no Wednesday nor Friday fasting this week

Please make sure to check and subscribe to the Google calendar for all updated services and events at the parish

The House Blessing Sign- up Sheet has been placed on the bureau in the foyer. If you would like your house blessed this year, please sign the sheet with your name and three dates you’re available for your house blessing. Fr Herman will reach out to you to schedule your house blessing based on those dates. NO HOUSE BLESSING WILL BE DONE THE WEEKEND BEFORE LENTBEGINS. SO, HOUSE BLESSINGS WILL END FEBRUARY 20TH.

Please be reminded to place your name, birthdate, and if married, your anniversary date in the packet on the bureau in the foyer so that we can have an accurate account of this information. This includes old and new members, catechumens and inquirers.

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. Parents, please accompany your children through the line. 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.

*Great Lent begins on February 23.

* Stewpot on May 2, and November 7

Fasting Discipline for February

NO fasting on the week following the Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican is observed. (Monday, February 2 through Friday, February 6)

The traditional fasting is observed the second week of February. (Wed and Fri: Abstain from meat, dairy, eggs, fish, olive oil and wine.)

Great Lent begins on February 23 and runs through April 11. Please see the Fasting Calendar for daily abstinences.

Major Commemorations for February

February 1 – Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican

February 2 – Meeting of the Lord in the Temple

February 3 – Simeon the God Receiver

February 8 – Sunday of the Prodigal Son

February 10 – Heiromartyr Haralampos

February 14 – Saturday of the Souls

February 15 – Meatfare

February 22 – Forgiveness Sunday

Cheesefare

February 24 – The Forerunner (1st and 2nd Discoveries)

Quote: “Courage does not consist in defeating and oppressing one’s neighbor, for this is overbearingness, which oversteps the bounds of courage. Nor again does it consist in fleeing terrified from the trials that come as a result of practicing the virtues; for this is cowardice and falls short of courage. Courage itself consists in persisting in every good work and in overcoming the passions of souls and body.”

+ St. Peter Damaskos

Worship: Sunday, February 8, 2026 (Sunday of the Prodigal Son & After-feast of the Presentation (Meeting) of Christ)

Scripture: I Cor 6:12-20; Luke 15:11-32

Epistle Reader: Reader Basil Baker

Prosphora: YAF

Coffee Hour: Algood/ Pacurari/Lavric