Sunday, April 26, 2026
Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women,
Pious Joseph of Arimathaea & Righteous Nicodemus
SUNDAY OF THE MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN:
About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when our Lord was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to His sepulcher, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to anoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils that these God-loving women brought to the tomb that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called the mother of James and Joses (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene; Mary, the wife of Cleopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee; Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silent.
On this day we also commemorate Joseph of Arimathea, who was a secret disciple, and also of Nicodemus, who was a disciple by night. Joseph went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus, he gave Him burial out of reverence and love.
Acts (6:1-7) In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministry. And the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said: “It is not right that we should forsake the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. And we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Próchoros, and Nikánor, and Tímon, and Parmenás, and Nikólaos a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly, and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Mark (15:43-16:8) At that time, Joseph of Arimathaea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the Kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if He were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether Jesus was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that He was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a tomb, which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid. And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb at the rising of the sun. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back – it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a long white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He is risen; He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you.” And they went out quickly and fled from the tomb; trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Resurrectional Troparion: When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hades with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.
Troparion of Joseph of Arimathaea: The noble Joseph, taking Thine immaculate Body down from the Tree, and having wrapped It in pure linen and spices, laid It for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day Thou didst arise, O Lord, granting to the world Great Mercy.
Troparion of The Myrrh-bearing Women: Unto the myrrh-bearing women did the Angel cry out as he stood by the grave: Myrrh-oils are meet for the dead, but Christ hath proved to be a stranger to corruption. But cry out: The Lord is risen, granting to the world Great Mercy.
Kontakion of Pascha: Though Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of Hades, and didst arise as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women, Rejoice, and giving peace unto Thine Apostles, O Thou Who dost grant resurrection to the fallen.
Calendar
Sunday, April 26, 2026 (Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Monday, April 27, 2026
Fr. Herman off
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
No Services
6:30 PM – Ladies’ Dinner @ Miguel’s
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
5:30 PM – Teen Meeting
6:30 PM – Daily Vespers
Thursday, April 30, 2026
No Services
Friday, May 1, 2026
10:30 AM – Shower Power
No Services
Saturday, May 2, 2026
11:30 AM – Stewpot
6:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, May 3, 2026 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Special Announcements
The Eucharist Bread was provided by the Algoods for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
April 26 Algood Dansereau/ Alaeetawi
May 3 Henderson Ellis/Zouboukos
May 10 Baker Miller/D. Root
Potluck
May 17 Jones Lasseter/Pacurari/Lavric
May 20 (Wed p.m.) Meadows Lockhart/Karam/Snell
Ascension
May 24 Davis Algood/Rodriguez/Kumar
May 30 (Sat p.m.) D. Root Baker/Jimmy Jones
Saturday of the Souls
May 31 Karam Pigott/Ian Jones
Pentecost Potluck
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 26 Ian Jones Acts 6:1-7 38
May 3 Gabrielle Jones Acts 9:32-42 45
May 10 Grady Fisher Acts 11:19-30 52
May 17 Amanda Kumar Acts 16:16-34 58
May 20 (Wed pm) Kh. Sharon Meadows Acts 1:1-12 63
May 24 Katie Miller Acts 20:16-18,28-36 66
May 30 (Sat am) Reader Basil Baker Acts 28:1-31 72
May 31 Reader Chad Miller Acts 2:1-11 77
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
Congratulations to Gabrielle Jones who will graduate with a Master of Arts in Teaching from Jackson State University on Friday May 1.
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.
Shower Power Mississippi. For those who would like to participate, we will be serving a meal at Shower Power MS on Friday May 1 at 10:30am. The location of Shower Power is 836 South Commerce St. in Jackson. The food we will be preparing is a very simple meal of ham and cheese sandwiches, bagged chips, and bottled water. The Young Adults have volunteered in helping to make the sandwiches on Thursday evening April 30 at 6:15pm at the church. But, anyone else who would like to help that night is more than welcome to do so. We will also need volunteers for Friday to help distribute the food and to take some time speaking and visiting with the homeless that Shower Power serves in that area of Jackson.
Stewpot: We will be volunteering to help serve at Stewpot on Saturday, May 2. If you would like to participate, we will meet at 1100 W. Capitol St in Jackson at 11:30 a.m.
Supper club ministry has been started again after a long while for those who are interested in participating. Please see Grady Fisher for further information.
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.
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 once a month.
* 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.
* YAF meets every other Monday @ 5:45 p.m. for Book Study.
* Paschal Vespers for the Leave-taking of Pascha: May 19 @ 6:30 p.m.
* Orthros and Divine Liturgy for Ascension: May 20 @ 6:00 p.m.
* Stewpot on May 2, and November 7 @ 11:30 a.m.
Fasting Discipline for May
NO FASTING through May 21. Traditional fasting (No meat, dairy, eggs, fish, olive oil, or wine) will resume on Wednesdays and Fridays for the remainder of the month.
Major Commemorations for April/May
April 26 Sunday of Holy Myrrh-Bearers
May 2 Sunday of the Paralytic
May 8 Apostle John the Theologian
May 10 Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Simon the Zealot
May 17 Sunday of the Blind Man
May 21 Feast of the Ascension
Sts Constantine and Helen
May 24 Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
May 25 The Forerunner (3rd Discovery)
May 31 Holy Pentecost
Quote: “Do not say, ‘this happened by chance, while this came to be of itself.’ In all that exists there is nothing disorderly, nothing indefinite, nothing without purpose, nothing by chance … How many hairs are on your head? God will not forget one of them. Do you see how nothing, even the smallest thing, escapes the gaze of God?”
+St. Basil the Great
Sunday, May 3, 2026 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
Scripture: Acts 9:32-42; John 5:1-15
Epistle Reader: Gabrielle Jones
Prosphora: Henderson
Coffee Hour: Ellis / Zouboukos