Sunday, January 11, 2026
Sunday after the Theophany of Christ
&
Theodosios the Great, head of monasteries (Cenobiarch)
Hebrews (13:7-16) Brethren, remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood. Therefore, let us go forth to Him outside the camp and bear the abuse He endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city, which is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Matthew (4:12-17) At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
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 Theophany of Christ: When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, worship of the Trinity wast made manifest; for the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.
Troparion of St Theodosios: The barren wilderness thou didst make fertile with the streams of thy tears; and by thy deep sighing thou hast given fruit through thy struggles a hundredfold. Accordingly, thou hast become a star for the universe, sparkling with miracles. Therefore, O righteous Father Theodosios, intercede with Christ God to save 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 Theophany of Christ: On this day Thou hast appeared * unto the whole world, * and Thy light, O Sovereign Lord, * is signed on us who sing Thy praise * and chant with knowledge: Thou hast now come, * Thou hast appeared, O Thou Light unapproachable
Calendar
Sunday, January 11, 2026 (Sunday after the Theophany of Christ Theodosios the Great, head of monasteries (Cenobiarch))
8:50 AM – Orthros
9:00 AM – Christian Education
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
4:00 PM – Blessing of the Waters (@ Old Crab’s Restaurant)
Monday, January 12, 2026
No Services
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
No Services
Wednesday, January 14. 2026
5:20 PM – Catechesis
6:30 PM – Daily Vespers
Thursday, January 15, 2026
6:00 PM – Orthros & Divine Liturgy
8:30 PM – Potluck
Friday, January 16, 2026 (Chains of Peter)
No Service
Saturday, January 17, 2026:
STEWPOT
4:45 PM – Catechesis
6:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, January 18, 2026 (Athanasius and Cyril, patriarchs of Alexandria)
8:50 AM – Orthros
9:00 AM – Christian Education
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Special Announcements
The Outdoor Blessing of the Waters will be today at 4:00pm with the other Orthodox churches in our area. The location will be at the Lake House event venue (the old Crab’s Seafood location) in between Cock of the Walk and Pelican Cove on the Reservoir in Ridgeland.
The Eucharist Bread was provided by D. Root on Monday, January 5th for Theophany, and by the Karams for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
January 11 Karam Pigott/Ian Jones
January 15 ((Thurs p.m.) Brock Ken Jones/Dansereau
Chains of Peter POTLUCK
January 18 R. Root Meadows/Brock
January 25 Pacurari Stewart/Alaeetawi
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#
January 11 Katie Miller Heb 13:7-16 365-366
January 15 Mary Martha Ellis Acts 12:1-11 50-51
January 18 Sophie Dansereau Heb 13:7-16 365-366
January 25 Grady Fisher Heb 7:26-8:2 334
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 and many years to Erik Vasquez-Diaz who was chrismtated during the Divine Liturgy for Theophany this past Monday. Please keep him and his sponsor Brandon Strain in your prayers.
The Gouse Blessing Sign- up Sheet has been placed on the bureau in the foyer. If you would like your house blessed this year, please sign the sheet with your name and three dates you’re available for your house blessing. Fr Herman will reach out to you to schedule your house blessing based on those dates. NO HOUSE BLESSING WILL BE DONE THE WEEKEND BEFORE LENTBEGINS. SO, HOUSE BLESSINGS WILL END FEBRUARY 20TH.
Please be reminded to place your name, birthdate, and if married, your anniversary date in the packet on the bureau in the foyer so that we can have an accurate account of this information. This includes old and new members, catechumens and inquirers.
Stewpot: We will be serving Stewpot on Sunday, January 17, 2026 with the other Orthodox Churches
WINTER RETREAT! A Save the Date email has been sent out regarding the upcoming dates for the 2026 DOMSE Winter Retreat. The retreat will, again, be hosted by St. Elias Antiochian parish in Atlanta, GA. The dates for the retreat are January 30-31. Registration has opened and was emailed out by Fr. Herman. If you did not receive this, please see him for registration information. Hope to see you there!
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 Ladies meet for dining on the last Tuesday of the month. Times will vary.
* 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.
* The Blessing of the Waters is today at the old Crab’s restaurant at 4:00p.m.
* We will have Orthros and Divine Liturgy on Thursday, January 15th followed by a potluck meal
for the Chains of Peter.
* Stewpot on January 17, May 2, and November 7
Fasting Discipline for December/ January
On Monday, January 5 and on all Wednesdays and Fridays of January the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed.
Exceptions on Monday, January 7, when we will only abstain from meat, dairy, eggs, and on Thursday, January 16 and 30 when we will only abstain from meat, dairy, eggs, fish. (Please see 2026 Fasting Calendar).
Major Commemorations for December/January
January 11 Theodosios the Head of Monasteries
January 16 Veneration of the Chains of Peter
January 17 Anthony the Great
January 18 Athanasios and Cyril of Alexandria
January 23 Gregory the Theologian
January 27 John Chrysostom (Transfer of Relics)
January 30 The Three Holy Hierarchs
January 31 Cyros and John the Unmercenary Healers
Happy Anniversaries in January
January 2 — Ian and Jenny Jones (5!)
January 17 — Chris and Rebecca Dansereau (17!)
January 19 — Ramzi and Jean Kafoury (3!)
Happy Birthdays for December/January
January 1 — Dn. Richard Root
January 4 — Jimmy Jones
January 5 — Sarah Anne Milnor
— Emad Hussein Alaeetawi
January 11 — Gabriel Peter Salisbury
January 12 — Cheryl Pigott
January 14 — Harrison Bobbitt
January 22 — Tatiana Lavric
January 23 — Aaron White
January 26 — Jay Davis
January 28 — Timothy Miller (13!)
January 29 — Ashley Miestovich
January 30 — Chris Dansereau
Quote: “Fasting gradually disperses and drives away spiritual darkness and the veil of sin that lies on the soul, just as the sun dispels the mist. Fasting enables us spiritually to see that spiritual air in which Christ, the Sun who knows no setting, does not rise, but shines without ceasing. Fasting, aided by vigil, penetrates and softens hardness of heart. Where once were the vapors of drunkenness it causes fountains of compunction to spring forth”
+ St. Symeon the New Theologian (The Discourses: XI no. 2, Paulist Press pg. 168)
Worship: January 18, 2026 (Athanasius and Cyril, patriarchs of Alexandria)
Scripture: Heb 13:7-16; Luke 17:12-19
Epistle Reader: Sophie Dansereau
Prosphora: R. Root
Coffee Hour: Meadows/Brock
Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church 
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