Sunday, July 19, 2026
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Fourth Ecumenical Council
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Fourth Ecumenical Council:
On this Sunday, in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate the 630 holy and God-bearing Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council, which convened in Chalcedon in 451 against the Monophysite.
The Holy Fathers were, once again, concerned with the nature of Jesus Christ. The false teaching arose that Christ’s human nature (considered by heretics as less perfect) dissolved itself in His divine nature (considered by heretics as more perfect): like a cube of sugar in a parcel of water. Thus, in that scenario, Christ had only one nature, the Divine. These false preachers were called Monophysites (“mono”, meaning “one” and “physis”, meaning “nature”), and they were led by Eutyches and Dioscorus. Monophysitism overemphasized the divine nature of Christ, at the expense of the human. The Fourth Ecumenical Council condemned Monophysitism and proclaimed that Christ has two complete natures: the divine and the human, as defined by previous Councils. These two natures function as equally perfect, without confusion, and are neither divided nor separate. The Fathers declared that at no time did they undergo any change.
THE EPISTLE:
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O ye righteous.
Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven!
Titus (3:8-15) Titus, my son, faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire you to affirm confidently, that those who have believed in God may be thoughtful of how to preside in honorable occupations. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish disputes, and genealogies, and contentions, and controversies about the Law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man who is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject, knowing that such a one is subverted, and sins, being self-condemned. When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicós, give diligence to come to me to Nicopolis; for I have determined to winter there. Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that they may be lacking in nothing. And let our people also learn how to preside in honorable occupations, so as to help in cases of urgent need, that they should not be unfruitful. All who are with me salute you. Salute those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
THE GOSPEL:
Matthew (5:14-19) The Lord said to His Disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
APOLYTIKIA AND THEOTOKIA:
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 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 Theotokos: (Page 101 in the Camp Service Book)
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.
The same hymns are chanted in the Divine Liturgy from the Camp service book.
This Week’s Calendar
Sunday, July 19, 2026 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Fourth Ecumenical Council)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Monday, July 20, 2026
Fr. Herman Off
5:45 PM – YAF Book Study
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
No Services
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
5:20 PM – Catechesis
5:30 PM – Teen Meeting
6:30 PM – Daily Vespers
Thursday, July 23, 2026
NO Services
Friday, July 24, 2026
No Services
Saturday, July 25, 2026
4:45 PM – Catechesis
6:30 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, July 26, 2026 (The Holy Righteous Martyr Paraskeva of Rome)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
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
Please make sure to check and subscribe to the Google calendar for all updated services and events at the parish.
Eucharist Schedule:
The Eucharist Bread was provided by the Bakers for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
July 19 Baker Lockhart/Karam/Snell
July 26 Kumar Algood/Rodriguez
August 2 Henderson Kumar/Jimmy Jones
August 5 (Wed p.m.) Algood Pigott/Ian Jones
Feast of The Transfiguration
August 9 Jones Ken Jones/Stewart
Potluck
August 15 (Sat a.m.) Meadows Meadows/Brock
Dormition of The Theotokos
August 16 Davis Dansereau/Alaeetawi
August 23 D. Root Ellis/Zouboukos
August 30 Karam Miller/D. Root
Epistle Readers Schedule:
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#
July 19 Michel Root Titus 3:8-15 322
July 26 Amanda Kumar Gal 3:23-4:5 160-161
August 2 Grady Fisher I Cor3:9-17 130
August 5 (Wed p.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows II Peter 1:10-19 401
August 9 Reader Bill Baker I Cor 4:9-16 135
August 15 (Sat a.m.) Katie Miller Phil 2:5-11 403
August 16 Reader Chad Miller I Cor 9:2-12 141
August 23 Mary Martha Ellis I Cor 15:1-11 146
August 30 Brandon Strain I Cor 16:13-24 152
Special Announcements and News
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: If you are interested in participating, please see Grady Fisher.
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 Trinity during 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 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
COFFEE HOUR AND POTLUCKS:
The next potluck is scheduled today, Sunday, August 9, 2026.
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. * Please be sure kids are not getting ice in the kitchen without adult supervision. *
Potluck Meals: Everyone who attends the potluck meals is encouraged to bring a dish to share. 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.
Upcoming Events
* Parish Council meeting has been moved to July 29 at 7:30
* 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 third Saturday of the month at 8:30 at Primos in Ridgeland.
* The Ladies meet for dining once a month. Date and time to be determined.
* YAF meets every other Monday at 5:45 p.m. for Book Study.
* Dormition Fast begins on August 1
* Feast of the Transfiguration on Wednesday, August 5 at 6:00 p.m.
* Dormition of The Theotokos on Saturday, August 15 at 9:00 a.m.
* Parish Council Meeting on August 26 at 7:30
* Stewpot November 7 @ 11:30 a.m.
Fasting Discipline for July-August
In the month of July, Traditional fasting (No meat, dairy, eggs, fish, olive oil, or wine) On Wednesdays and Fridays is observed. Except for the July 22 for the Commemoration of Mary Magdalene, Equal to the Apostles, when wine and oil are allowed. The Dormition Fast begins on August 1 and runs through August 14. We will abstain from meat, dairy eggs, fish olive oil and wine. An exception on August 6th for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, when fish olive oil and wine are allowed.
Major Commemorations for July
July 20 Prophet Elias
July 22 Mary Magdalene, Equal to the Apostles
July 25 Dormition of Righteous Anna
July 26 The Holy Righteous Martyr Paraskeva of Rome
July 27 Great-martyr and Healer Panteleimon
August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ
August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
August 21 The Holy Apostle Thaddaeus
August 25 Apostles Bartholomew and Titus
August 29 Beheading of the Forerunner and Baptist John
August 31 The Placing of the Honorable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos
Quote:
“Do not claim to have acquired virtue unless you have suffered affliction, for without affliction virtue has not been tested."
+ St. Mark the Ascetic, On the Spiritual Law Two Hundred Texts
Next Week Schedule:
Sunday, July 26, 2026 (The Holy Righteous Martyr Paraskeva of Rome)
Scripture: Gal 3:23-4:5; Matthew 14:14-22
Epistle Reader: Amanda Kumar
Prosphora: Meadows
Coffee Hour: Algood/Rodriguez