Sunday, May 24, 2026
Sunday of the After-feast of the Ascension
&
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF NICEA:
Today is the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea. This day commemorates the Holy Fathers
who sat in council at Nicea, the first of the ecumenical councils. Through them we see the
commitment to the immutable truth of God for all the faithful, especially those who lead in the
faith. The men of this council bear special note by the significance of their creed, for it is the
fundamental statement of orthodox Christology and an enduring guide to our faith. The events of
the ascension and the scriptures of this day emphasize to us the nature and action of Christ, and the history of these fathers puts us in mind of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church, work
proclaimed by the glorious events which we now anticipate in the preparation for Pentecost.
Acts (20:16-18, 28-36) In those days, Paul was determined to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if possible, to be at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the priests of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to shepherd the church of the Lord and God, which He purchased with His own blood. For I know that after my departure ravenous wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, remain watchful, remembering that for three years I did not cease to admonish every one, night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by such laboring we ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down on his knees with them all, and prayed.
John (17:1-13) At that time, Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son that the Son may glorify Thee, since Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom Thou hast given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent. I glorified Thee on earth, having accomplished the work which Thou gavest Me to do; and now, Father, glorify Thou Me in Thy own presence with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was made. I have manifested Thy Name to the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy word. Now they know that everything that Thou hast given Me is from Thee; for I have given them the words which Thou gavest Me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from Thee; and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine; all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name, which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one. While I was with them, I kept them in Thy Name, which Thou have given Me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Troparion of the Resurrection: When Mary stood at Thy grave, looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb. And the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O Thou, Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Troparion of the Ascension: Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Thy Disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit, making them confident through the blessing that Thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of the world.
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 Ascension: When Thou didst fulfill Thy dispensation for our sakes, uniting the terrestrials with the celestials, Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, inseparable in space, but constant without separation, and crying unto Thy beloved: I am with you, and no one shall be against you.
Calendar
Sunday, May 24, 2026 (The Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Monday, May 25, 2026
Fr. Herman off
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
No Services –
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
5:30 PM – Teen Meeting
6:30 PM – Daily Vespers
7:30 PM – Parish Council
Thursday, May 28, 2026
NO Services
Friday, May 29, 2026
No Services
Saturday, May 30, 2026
9:00 AM – Saturday of the Souls
6:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, May 31, 2026 (Holy Pentecost)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
12:00 PM – Pot luck
Special Announcements
The Eucharist Bread was provided by the Meadows on Wednesday for Ascension and by the Davises for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
May 24 Davis Algood/Rodriguez/Kumar
May 30 (Sat a.m.) D. Root Baker/Jimmy Jones
Saturday of the Souls
May 31 Karam Miller/D. Root
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#
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
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.
The Parish Council has authorized the church to sign up with Clearstream to provide group SMS text messaging directly to phones that opt in for the service. Due to phone carrier regulations it is required that folks opt in to the service if you would like to receive group text messages from the church to your phone. There is no charge to the recipient. Most phone carriers now include incoming SMS messaging – but check with your carrier if you have any questions. The purpose of this is to give us the capability to get word out quickly to everyone who has opted in as we have needed in the past to re-schedule services due to power outages, inclement weather and for other important and timely notifications. This is in addition to the normal e-mail that will be sent out via our e-mail services. Depending on how your phone is configured – the text message would display a message alert and message on your phone home screen from Saint Peter Orthodox Church.Name, phone number and e-mail address will be kept on our account at Clearstream. If you would like to opt in to this service please reply “Yes" to the email sent out by Dn. Richard, or see him directly. The phone text messages will be sent from our number at Clearstream (601) 873-6749. If not opted in you won’t receive group SMS messages. If you opt in and later decide you do not want SMS messages you can always opt out.
Catechumens and Inquirers: An email was sent by Jenny Rodriguez requesting information for the Clearstream system. Please respond to the email or see her personally to provide your phone number and mailing address if you would like to opt in.
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
Please make sure to check and subscribe to the Google calendar for all updated services and events at the parish
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 every fourth Saturday of the month at 8:30 at Primos in Ridgeland.
* The Ladies meet for dining once a month.
* YAF meets every other Monday @ 5:45 p.m. for Book Study.
* Saturday of the Souls: May 30th at 9:00 a.m.
* Pentecost is on May 31 starting at 8:50 for Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy. There will
be a potluck meal afterwards.
* Stewpot November 7 @ 11:30 a.m.
Fasting Discipline for May/June
Traditional fasting (No meat, dairy, eggs, fish, olive oil, or wine) will resume on Wednesdays and Fridays through June 7th. The Apostles fast being on June 8th and runs through June 27th. During the fast, we will abstain from meat, dairy and eggs, except on Wednesdays and Fridays when the tradition fast is observed. On Wednesday, June 24th, we will only abstain from meat, dairy, eggs and fish for the Nativity of the Forerunner Baptist John.
Major Commemorations for May/June
May 24 Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
May 25 The Forerunner (3rd Discovery)
My 30 Saturday of the Souls
May 31 Holy Pentecost
Jun 1 Holy Spirit
Justin the Philosopher and Martyr
June 4 Metrophanes, Archbishop of Constantinople
June 7 All Saints
June 8 Theodore the General (Transfer of Relics)
June 11 Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas
June 14 All Saints of Antioch
June 24 Nativity of the Forerunner Baptist John
June 29 Chief Apostles Peter and Paul
June 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles
Quote: When are we living in Christ? When we live according to His Gospel and His Church. For He Himself, and not only His Gospel, is in the Church with all of His perfections and virtues. The Church is the eternally living Body of the God-man Christ. In her we find the medium of the holy mysteries. In her we find the means of holy good deeds. Our Lord Jesus Christ abides inseparable from the Church in this world. He abides with each member of the Church throughout all ages. He has His entire self for us in the Church, and continually gives Himself to us entirely, so that we might be enabled to live in this world as He lived.
St. Justin Popovich, Explanation of I John, 4:9, 17
Sunday, May 31, 2026 (Holy Pentecost)
Scripture: Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52; 8:12
Epistle Reader: Reader Chad Miller
Prosphora: Karam
Coffee Hour: Miller/D. Root
Pot luck