Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross

Third Sunday of Great Lent

ADORATION OF THE HOLY CROSS:

In the middle of Lent, the church sets before us the Cross of Christ. On two other occasions during the year, September 14 and August 1, the cross is presented for our remembrance and veneration. Both these feasts link the Adoration of the Cross to historic events. However, the remembrance of the cross on the third Sunday in Lent prepares us for the commemoration of the crucifixion which is soon to follow in Holy Week, and at the same time, it reminds us that the whole of Lent is a period when we are crucified with Christ. The dominant note on this Sunday, as on the two Sundays preceding, is one of joy and triumph. No separation is made between Christ’s death and His resurrection, but the cross is regarded as an emblem of victory on Calvary as seen in light of the Empty Tomb.

Hebrews (4:14-5:6) Brethren, since we have a great High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the confession. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our infirmities, but one Who has been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest, being taken from among the people, is appointed on behalf of the people in things pertaining to God, that he may offer up both gifts and sacrifices for sins; who can have compassion on the ignorant and on those who are erring, since he himself also is encompassed with infirmity. Because of this he is bound, as for the people so also for himself, to offer up for sins. And no one takes the honor upon himself, but as being called by God, as was Aaron. So Christ also did not glorify Himself to become a High Priest, but it was by the One saying to Him, “Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee.” As He says also in another place, “Thou art a Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Mark (8:34-9:1) The Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

Troparion of the Resurrection: Thou didst shatter death by Thy Cross, Thou didst open paradise to the thief; Thou didst turn the sadness of the ointment-bearing women into joy. And didst bid Thine Apostles proclaim a warning, that Thou hast risen O Christ, granting to the world the Great Mercy.

Troparion for the Holy Cross: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting to Thy people victory over all their enemies, and by the power of Thy Cross preserving Thy commonwealth.

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 for Sundays in the Great Lent: To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.

Calendar

Sunday, March 15, 2026 (Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross)

8:50 AM – Orthros

9:00 AM – Christian Education

10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

Monday, March 16, 2026

Fr Herman Off

No Services

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

No Services

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

5:30 PM – Teen Meeting

6:30 PM – Presanctified Liturgy

8:30 PM – Soup Supper

Thursday, March 19, 2026

No Services

Friday, March 20, 2026

6:30 PM – Akathist

Saturday, March 21, 2026:

8:30 PM – Church Workday

6:00 PM – Great Vespers

Sunday, March 22, 2026 (Commemoration of John Climacus, Author of “The Ladder”)

8:50 AM – Orthros

9:00 AM – Christian Education

10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

Special Announcements

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

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

March 15 Davis Meadows/Brock

March 22 D. Root Dansereau/Alaeetawi

March 24 (Tues PM) Karam Ellis/Zouboukos

Annunciation

March 29 Brock Miller/D. Root

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#

March 15 Katie Miller Heb 4:14-5:6 285

March 22 Mary Martha Ellis Heb 6:13-20 287

March 24 Kh. Sharon Meadows Heb 2:11-18 376

March 29 Athena Zouboukos Heb 9:11-14 290

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

DOMSE 2026 Parish Life Conference, June 10-13, 2026: Registration is now open. Please refer to the email sent by Fr. Herman. You may also go online to www.DOMSE.org to register.

The Diocesan Women’s Retreat is March 28. We are asking for volunteers to help provide lunch. Please see Mary Marth Ellis for questions.

Registration for Camp St. Thekla has opened. Many of you have already registered your child(ren). If you have not done so, please see Fr. Herman or go to www.DOMSE.org for this purpose. Important: If you would like to participate in the scholarships provided by the Order of St. Ignatius, please let Fr. Herman know directly by March 15. There is a per-parish allotted amount provided by the Order, so please let Fr. Herman know as soon as possible.

Greeter Ministry: If you are still interested in joining the Greeter ministry please see Andrew Spiehler. We ask that only baptized/chrismated Orthodox members of the parish become members of this ministry.

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

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 men will also meet for breakfast once a month. Time and dates TBA.

* 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 next Church Workday is on Saturday, March 21 at 8:30 a.m.

* Stewpot on May 2, and November 7

Fasting Discipline for March

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

Major Commemorations for March

March 15 – 3rd Sunday of Great Lent; Adoration of the Holy Cross

March 22 – 4th Sunday of Great Lent; Commemoration of St. John Climacus

March 25 – Feast of Annunciation

March 26 – Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel

March 29 – 5th Sunday of Great Lent; Commemoration of St. Mary of Egypt

Quote: “Never confuse the person, formed in the image of God, with the evil that is in him: because evil is but a chance misfortune, an illness, a devilish reverie. But the very essence of the person is the image of God and this remains in him despite every disfigurement.”

+St. John of Kronstadt

Worship: Sunday, March 22, 2026 (Commemoration of John Climacus)

Scripture: Heb 6:13-20 / Mark 9:17-31

Epistle Reader: Kh. Sharon Meadows

Prosphora: D. Root

Coffee Hour: Dansereau/ Alaeetawi