The Holy, Glorious Apostles Peter and Paul
Holy, Glorious Apostles Peter and Paul:
The Orthodox Church has a beautiful presentation of the importance and prominence of the Apostles Peter and Paul with the icon that shows both Apostles standing together holding an image of the Church. Both Apostles, being chosen by our Lord, were instrumental in the establishment and growth of the early Church through their boldness, spiritual strength, and wisdom. Thus, they are recognized as "pillars" of the Church, having offered all even unto death for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. In the icon, the Apostle Paul, the great missionary of the early Church, is holding a Gospel book, while the Apostle Peter offers a blessing with his right hand. At the top of the icon is the is a semicircle, representing the divine realm. Rays extend in the semicircle representing the blessings and presence of God upon His two chosen heralds of the True Faith.
II Corinthians. (11:21-12:9): Brethren, whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman— with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I have received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brethren; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He Who is blessed forever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands. I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man, I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Matthew. (16:13-19) At that time, when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His Disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in Heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.”
Troparion of the Resurrection: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm. He hath trampled down death by death, and become the first-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.
Troparion of Sts Peter and Paul: O foremost in the ranks of Apostles, and teachers of the world, Peter and Paul, intercede with the Master of all to grant peace unto the world, and to our souls the Great Mercy.
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 Theotokos: O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
Calendar
Sunday, June 28, 2026 (The Holy, Glorious Apostles Peter and Paul)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
12:00 Pm – Potluck
Monday, June 29, 2026
Fr. Herman Off
5:45 PM – YAF Book Study
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
No Services –
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
6:30 PM – Daily Vespers
Thursday, July 2, 2026
11:00 AM – Men’s Lunch
NO Services
Friday, July 3, 2026
No Services
Saturday, July 4, 2026
No Services
Sunday, June 5, 2026 (Venerable Athanasius of Athos)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Special Announcements
The Eucharist Bread was provided by the Lasseters for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
June 28 Lasseter Ellis/Zouboukos
Sts. Peter and Paul Potluck
July 5 Milnor Miller/ K. Jones
July 12 YAF Lasseter/Pacurari/Lavric
Potluck
July 19 Brenda Lockhart/Karam/Snell
July 26 Kumar Algood/Rodriguez
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#
June 28 Doru Pacurari II Cor 11:21-33, 12:6-9 389
July 5 Mary Martha Ellis Gal 5:22-6:2 222
July 12 Gabrielle Jones Rom 12:6-14 113
July 19 Michael Root Titus 3:8-15 322
July 26 Amanda Kumar Gal 3:23-4:5 160-161
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 Parish Council has authorized the church to sign up with Clearstream SMS text messaging. 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.
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.
AS A FRIENDLY REMINDER:NO Food or drinkshould be brought into the Nave. Especially during the Divine Services. We must always bear in mind that we are standing in the presence of the Holy Trinityduring our worship. Being respectful of that and of those who have fasted for the partaking of the Holy Eucharist during Divine Liturgy, and to make sure our Nave stays clean and pleasing to God. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this.
Please make sure to check and subscribe to the Google calendar for all updated services and events at the parish.
As a friendly reminder, in regards to coffee hour, the church will provide snacks and beverages. 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. 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. ***
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. 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.
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 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.
* Dormition Fast begins on August 1
* Stewpot November 7 @ 11:30 a.m.
Fasting Discipline for July
In the month of July, Traditional fasting (No meat, dairy, eggs, fish, olive oil, or wine) will be observed. There are exceptions for July 1, 10, 17, and 22 when we will only abstain from meat, dairy, eggs and fish. (Please see fasting calendar on the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America website. *antiochian.org*)
Major Commemorations for June-July
June 29 Chief Apostles Peter and Paul
June 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles
July 1 Cosmas and Damian of Rome
July 2 Deposition of the Precious Robe of the Theotokos in Blachernae
July 5 Athanasios of Athos
July 11 Euphemia the All-praised
July 17 Great-martyr Marina
July 20 Prophet Elias
July 25 Dormition of Righteous Anna
July 27 Great-martyr and Healer Panteleimon
Quote: "When we call upon the Saints in prayer, if we pronounce their names from the heart, it already means that we bring them near our heart itself. Therefore, ask their prayers and intercession undoubtingly for yourself. They will hear you, and will speedily lay your prayers before the Lord, in the twinkling of an eye, for He is omnipresent and omniscient."
+St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ: Part 1
Sunday, June 5, 2026 (Venerable Athanasius of Athos)
Scripture: Gal 5:22-6:2; Matthew 8:28-9:1
Epistle Reader: Mary Martha Ellis
Prosphora: Milnor
Coffee Hour: Miller/ K. Jones