Sunday, July 26, 2026
The Holy Righteous Martyr Paraskeva of Rome
The Holy Righteous Martyr Paraskeva of Rome:
St. Paraskevi was born in Rome of Christian parents, and from her youth was instructed in the Faith of Christ. With great fervor, Saint Paraskevi endeavored to fulfill all the commandments of God in her life. Believing firmly and living according to her faith, Paraskevi directed others on the path of salvation and in the pious life. When her parents died, Paraskevi distributed all of her property to the poor, and was tonsured a nun. As a nun, she preached the Christian Faith with an even greater zeal, not hiding from anyone, even though at that time the Roman authorities were conducting a bloody persecution against the Christian Faith. Then, the pernicious Jews denounced Saint Paraskevi for preaching the forbidden faith, and she was brought to trial before Emperor Antoninus. All the flatteries of the emperor did not shake the faith of this handmaiden of God. They then subjected her to torture by fire, and placed a red-hot helmet on her head. The Lord miraculously saved her, and Paraskevi was freed, and left Rome. She continued traveling from city to city to convert pagans to the True Faith. She was brought before princes and judges in two more cities, and was tortured for her Lord, at which time she worked great miracles and, by the power of God, quickly recovered from her pains and wounds. The pagans, as always, ascribed her miracles to magic and her swift recoveries to the mercy of their gods. Saint Paraskevi once said to the prince who was torturing her: "O prince, it is not your gods who have healed me, but my Christ, the True God." Finally, a certain Prince Tarasius beheaded her with the sword. Thus, this saint gloriously ended her fruitful life. Her relics were later translated to Constantinople. She suffered honorably for Christ in the second century.
THE EPISTLE:
(For St. Paraskeva)
God is wondrous in His saints. Bless God in the congregations.
Galatians (3:23-4:5) Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the Law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the Law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
THE GOSPEL:
(For the Eighth Sunday of Matthew)
Matthew. (14:14-22) At that time, when Jesus went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to Him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish He looked up to Heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.
APOLYTIKIA AND THEOTOKIA:
Troparion of the Resurrection: Thou didst shatter death by Thy Cross, Thou didst open paradise to the thief; Thou didst turn the sadness of the ointment-bearing women into joy. And didst bid Thine Apostles proclaim a warning, that Thou hast risen O Christ, granting to the world the Great Mercy.
Troparion for St. Paraskeva: Showing a diligence befitting thy calling, O namesake of preparedness, thou hast gained, as thy dwelling, a faith worthy of thy name, O prize-winning Paraskeva. Hence, thou pourest forth healings and intercedest for our souls.
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 26, 2026 (The Holy Righteous Martyr Paraskeva of Rome)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Monday, July 27, 2026
Fr. Herman Off
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
No Services
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Ladies Lunch – TBA
5:20 PM – Catechesis
6:30 PM – Daily Vespers
7:30 PM – Parish Council Meeting
Thursday, July 30, 2026
NO Services
Friday, July 31, 2026
No Services
Saturday, August 1, 2026 (Dormition Fast Begins)
4:45 PM – Catechesis
6:30 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, August 2, 2026 (Ninth Sunday of Matthew)
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 Kumars for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
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 26 Amanda Kumar Gal 3:23-4:5 160-161
August 2 Grady Fisher I Cor 3:9-17 130
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 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 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:
“Temptations come so that hidden passions may be revealed and so that it will be possible to fight them, and so that the soul may be rid of them. They are also a sign of God’s mercy. So give yourself with trust into God’s hands and ask His help, so that He will strengthen you in your struggle. God knows how much each one can bear and allows temptations according to the measure of our strength. Remember that after temptation comes spiritual joy, and that the Lord protects them that endure temptations and suffering for the sake of His love.”
– St. Nektarios of Aegina, The Path to Happiness, 4
Next Week’s Schedule:
Sunday, August 2, 2026 (Ninth Sunday of Matthew)
Scripture: I Cor 3:9-17; Matthew 14:22-34
Epistle Reader: Grady Fisher
Prosphora: Henderson
Coffee Hour: Kumar/Jimmy Jones