Sunday, April 5, 2026

Palm Sunday: Entrance of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem

PALM SUNDAY:

Palm Sunday begins the observance of the eight days that encapsulate all of time and eternity as

relates to man. The days begin with the proclamation on earth of the entry of the Messiah into

Jerusalem and end with the Eternal King rising in incomprehensible victory to establish the

heavenly Jerusalem and His eternal reign. On Palm Sunday, we begin the days of the full

exhibition of the awful corruption sin has spread in mankind and the measureless love that heals

and deifies our humanity. Today we thrill at the picture of Christ and the praises of the people, the

object of adoration yet the perfection of humility. The imagery of the scene is beyond description:

the King amidst His people, the palm and olive branches symbolizing His victory, His anointing,

His peace; the cloaks and garments cast before Him symbolizing our complete submission to His

will; the cries of adoration, of “Hosanna”, the coming of the Lord. Yet, on this day we are also

near enough to feel acutely the dread of His passion, the desolation of the trial and Golgotha. This

day also begins the week of the Eighth Day, the entry to eternity. As we observe Palm Sunday,

we observe all history and the fulfillment of all history.

Palm Sunday is the commemoration of the triumphal entry of our Lord into the city of

Jerusalem as King. We have completed the Lenten period, only to enter an even more intense

preparatory period – Holy Week – wherein we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s blessed Resurrection. We will participate in more services than any other time of the year. We will become more tired than usual; both because of the fasting and the length of the services. But remember – it is only through our preparation that we experience the depths of the eternal events that we participate in this week. Yes, we do participate in the eternal nature of these events. The events of the passion occurred in space and time many miles and years from us, BUT their eternal character touches us here and now. We will see in a mystical way the realities of our Lord's crucifixion, experience the sorrow of his laying in the tomb, and feel the exhilaration of the unbelievable becoming believable – that Christ DID CONQUER death and arise from the dead. Even now, set your hearts and minds to enter into the journey of Holy Week, for the rewards will be great. May God bless and protect you all!

Philippians (4:4-9) Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! Let your forbearance be known to all people. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. The things which you both learned and received, and heard and saw in me, these things do; and the God of peace will be with you.

John (12:1-18) Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus who had died was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with Him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of His Disciples (he who was to betray Jesus), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the moneybox he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of My burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that He was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt!” His Disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of Him and had been done to Him. The crowd that had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet Jesus was that they heard He had done this sign.

Entrance Hymn of Palm Sunday: Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord: God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. Save us, O Son of God, Who didst sit upon the foal of an ass, who sing to Thee: Alleluia.

Troparion of Lazarus Saturday: In confirming the common Resurrection, O Christ God, Thou didst raise up Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion. Wherefore, we also, like the children, bearing the symbols of victory, cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Troparion of Palm Sunday: As by baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were deemed worthy of immortal life; and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Kontakion of Palm Sunday: Being borne upon a throne in Heaven, and upon a colt on the earth, O Christ God, Thou didst accept the praise of the angels and the laudation of the children as they cried to Thee: Blessed art Thou Who comest to recall Adam.

Calendar

Sunday, April 5, 2026 (Palm Sunday: Entrance of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem)

8:50 AM – Orthros

9:00 AM – Christian Education

10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

12:00 PM – Fish Fry

6:30 PM – Bridegroom Matins

Monday, April 6, 2026

6:30 PM – Bridegroom Matins

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

6:30 PM – Bridegroom Matins

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

6:30 PM – Holy Unction

Thursday, April 9, 2026

9:00 AM – Vesperal Liturgy of St Bail the Great

6:30 PM – Twelve Passion Gospel

Friday, April 10, 2026

7:00 AM – Royal Hours of Pascha

3:00 PM – Great Vespers of Holy Friday

6:30 PM – Lamentations: Orthros of Holy Saturday

Saturday, April 11, 2026:

9:00 AM – Vesperal Liturgy of St Basil the Great

10:30 PM – PASCHA service – Midnight Office, Matins, Divine Liturgy

Sunday, April 12, 2026 (PASCHA)

4:00 PM – Agape Vespers of Pascha

5:00 PM – Agape Meal catered by Yiayia’s

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 the R. Roots yesterday for Lazarus Saturday and by the Pacuraris for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

April 5 Pacurari Lockhart/Karam/Snell/Rodriguez

Fish Fry

April 9 (Thurs a.m.) Lasseter Rodriguez

Great and Holy Thursday

April 11 (Sat a.m.) Milnor Allgood/Rodriguez/Kumar

Great and Holy Saturday

April 11 (Sat p.m.) YAF Meadows/Brock/Pigott/I. Jones/

PASCHA K. Jones/Stewart

April 19 Kumar Baker/Jimmy Jones

April 26 Baker 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#

April 5 Grady Fisher Phil 4:4-9 294

April 9 (Thurs a.m.) Reader Bill Baker I Cor 11:23-32 295

April 11 (Sat a.m.) Reader Chad Miller Rom 6:3-11 300

April 11 (Sat p.m.) Brandon Strain Acts 1:1-8 25

April 19 Doru Pacurari Acts 5:12-20 32

April 26 Ian Jones Acts 6:1-7 38

As friendly reminder that we will celebrate Agape Vespers April 12 @ 4:00 p.m. followed by the Agape meal at St. Peter’s. We will not be celebrating this year with the other Orthodox churches in our area…If you wish and are able, please consider a donation to help with the cost of the meal.

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. We hope to see all our parish ladies there!

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. 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 place your name on the sign-up sheet on the table in the foyer. We ask that only baptized/chrismated Orthodox members of the parish become members of this ministry. Please see Andrew Spiehler for questions.

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

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.

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

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. The next luncheon will be at

Miguel’s Restaurante on April 28th.

* 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.

* Stewpot on May 2, and November 7

Fasting Discipline for March/April

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

NO FASTING from April 12th through May 21.

Major Commemorations for March

April 5 – Palm Sunday

April 5-11 – Holy Week

April 12 – PASCHA

April 13-18 – Bright Week

Quote: Blessed is the man who uses his sufferings, knowing that all suffering in this brief life is loosed on men by God in His love for mankind, for the benefit and assistance of men. In His mercy, God looses suffering on men because of their sins – by His mercy and not His justice For, if it were by His justice, every sin would inevitably bring death, as the Apostle says: “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1: 15). In place of death, God gives healing through suffering. Suffering is God’s way of healing the soul of its sinful leprosy and its death.”

+St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Sunday, April 12, 2026 (GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA) (Saturday, April 11 @10:30 p.m.)

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8, John 1:1-17

Epistle Reader: Brandon Strain

Prosphora: YAF

Coffee Hour: Meadows, Brock/Pigott/Ian Jones/Ken Jones/Stewart

PASCHA Meal