March 9, 2025

First Sunday of Great Lent

Sunday of Orthodoxy

On the first Sunday of Great Lent, we celebrate the feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. This is an historical feast commemorating the restoration of the icons, which had been banned for several decades, to their rightful liturgical use in the year 843 A.D.

The major emphasis of this feast is the victory of the true faith, the victory which always ultimately triumphs. Having completed the first week of our lenten efforts, we are reminded that Christ, the perfect image of God the Father, calls us to personal victory by restoring within ourselves “the image and likeness of God” in which we were first created (Genesis 1:26).

The icons of Our Lord, the Theotokos, and all the saints are images of true humanity, signs of what our eternal calling and vocation really is. They tell us that we are all called to be living icons and imitators of Christ, bearing the likeness of God as gracious vessels of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40: Brethren, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

John 1:43-51: At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found Him of Whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to Jesus, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God! Thou art the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”

Troparion of the Resurrection: Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women Disciples cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying, Death has been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.

Troparion of the Sunday of Orthodoxy: Thy pure image do we venerate, O good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God; for by thine own will thou didst ascend the Cross in thy body, to save thy creatures from the bondage of the enemy. Thou hast truly filled all with joy, since thou didst come, O our Saviour, to save the world.

Troparion of the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste: By reason of the sufferings of the saints endured out of love for Thee, we implore Thee, O Lord and Lover of Mankind, to deliver us from all our pains.

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 Sundays of Lent: To thee the champion leader, I thy servant offer thanks for victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me form terror. As thou hast power invincible, free me from every danger that I may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O bride without bridegroom.

CALENDAR

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: All services listed on the calendar will be available through streaming and webcast. (Instructions can be found on the parish website.)

Sunday, March 9 (First Sunday of Lent; Sunday of Orthodoxy)

8:50 a.m. – Orthros

9:00 a.m. – Christian Education

10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy (webcast)

4:00 p.m. – Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers with sister churches

5:15 p.m. – Pot Luck Soup Supper

Monday, March 10

Father Herman off

Tuesday, March 11

NO Services

Wednesday, March 12

6:30 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper

Thursday, March 13

NO Services

Friday, March 14

6:30 p.m. – Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Saturday, March 15

4:30 p.m. – Choir Practice

6:00 p.m. – Great Vespers

Sunday, March 16 (Second Sunday of Lent; Gregory Palamas)

8:50 a.m. – Orthros

9:00 a.m. – Christian Education

10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy (webcast)

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Brocks for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

March 9 Brock Meadows/Brock

March 16 R. Root Dansereau/Alaeetawi

March 23 Pacurari Ellis/Zouboukos/Waites

March 24 (Mon. p.m.) Lasseter D. Root/Meadows

(Feast of the Annunciation)

March 30 Milnor Miller/Weatherly

Also, please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which may be placed in the tray that is passed during the 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.

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the Chanters’ stand at the front of the nave. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page#

March 9 Katie Miller Heb. 11:24-26, 32-40 281

March 16 Mary Martha Ellis Heb. 1:10-2:3 283

March 23 Kh. Sharon Meadows Heb. 4:14-5:6 285

March 24 (Mon. p.m.) Brenda Baker Heb. 2:11-18 376

March 30 Katie Miller Heb. 6:13-20 287

Please remember the following in your prayers: Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Lamia Dabit and her family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Jay and Joanna Davis; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and their family; Marilyn (Kyriake) Snell; Jack and Jill Weatherly; Dn. Terry Algood and their family; Reader Basil and Brenda Baker and their family; Fr. Joseph Bittle; Rick Carlton; Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas and Kh. Jan Speier; Lee Greene; Fr. John and Kh. Janet Henderson and their family; Galina Singletary; Emily and Cole Parker.

Thank you to Jenny Rodriguez who is now serving as the new church secretary. Also, a huge thank you to Kh. Sharon Meadows for her service to the church in this position for so many years. Please keep them both in your God-pleasing prayers!

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 at the church at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children on behalf of our children.

* The Ladies meet for lunch at 1:00 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month.

* TODAY — Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers with sister churches followed by Pot luck soup supper, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

* This year’s remaining date for serving at Stewpot Ministries is Saturday, September 27th.

Please keep in your humble prayers Justin and Meredith White who will be baptized and chrismated on April 6th within the context of the Divine Liturgy, as well as Clayton Fairchild and KC Barrett who will be chrismated on Great and Holy Saturday. May God grant them Many years!

We are currently in the beginning process of updating our Church directory. On the bureau in the foyer there are information sheets to be filled out by each family and individual. We are asking EVERYONE to please fill out one of these information sheets and get it back to Fr. Herman or Kh. Sharon by March 10. (Please be sure to PRINT as neatly as you can.) Thank you for your timely cooperation with this.

Registration for the 2025 DOMSE Parish Life Conference has opened and was emailed out to the parish. If you did not receive this email and would like to attend, please see Father Herman for registration information. This year’s conference will be hosted by St. George Parish in Jacksonville, June 11-14th.

Registration for the Archdiocese National Convention has also opened. It is being hosted by St. George Parish in Cicero, IL (just outside of Chicago) July 20-27th. If you are interested in attending, please see Father Herman and he will get you the registration information and link.

Fasting Discipline for March

The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week. However, there is a katlysis on Saturdays and Sundays when wine and oil are allowed and on March 25th (Feast of the Annunciation), when fish, wine and oil are allowed.

Major Commemorations for March

March 9 1st Sunday of Lent; Sunday of Orthodoxy

40 Martyrs of Sebaste

March 16 2nd Sunday of Lent; Commemoration of Gregory Palamas

March 23 3rd Sunday of Lent; Adoration of the Holy Cross

March 25 Feast of the Annunciation

March 26 Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel

March 30 4th Sunday of Lent; Commemoration of John Climacus

Quotable: “Thanksgiving for the benefits received from God is made acceptable by humility and not looking down on those who lack them. It is rendered unacceptable, however, by being conceited, as if those benefits resulted from our own efforts and knowledge, and by condemning those who have not received them.”

+St. Gregory Palamas, The Homilies, Volume 1

Worship: Sunday, March 16, 2025 (Second Sunday of Lent; Commemoration of St. Gregory Palamas)

Scripture: Hebrews 1:10-2:3; Mark 2:1-12

Epistle Reader: Mary Martha Ellis

Prosphora: R.Root

Coffee Hour: Dansereau/Alaeetawi

Due to weather in the area the service for the Canon of St. Andrew has been cancelled this evening.

March 2, 2025

Forgiveness Sunday

Sunday of Cheese Fare

The theme of the Sunday before Lent is FORGIVENESS (cheese fare) and the Gospel lesson is Matthew 6:14-21 which teaches us both of forgiveness and of fasting. “To forgive is to put between me and my enemy the radiant forgiveness of God Himself. To forgive is to reject the hopeless dead-ends of human relations and to refer them to Christ. Forgiveness is truly a breakthrough of the Kingdom into this sinful and fallen world” (Great Lent, Page 28). And to fast is to first fast before God and not men so as to curb the desires and cravings of our fallen nature. This effort can help free us from the dictatorship of the flesh over our spirit, so we can more fully love and forgive.

Romans 13:11-14:4: Brethren, now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk becomingly, as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chambering and licentiousness, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. But as for the one who is weak in faith, receive him, but not for disputes over opinions. For one believes he may eat anything; but the weak person eats herbs. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to be the judge over the servant of a stranger? To his own master he either stands or falls; but he will be made to stand; for God is able to make him stand.

Matthew 6:14-21: The Lord said to His Disciples: If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father Who is in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

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 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 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 Cheese Fare Sunday: O thou who guidest to wisdom, and givest understanding and intelligence, the Instructor of the ignorant and Helper of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it understanding, O Master. Give me word, O Word of the Father; for behold, I shall not refrain my lips from crying to thee, O merciful One, have mercy upon me who am fallen.

CALENDAR

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: All services listed on the calendar will be available through streaming and webcast. (Instructions can be found on the parish website.)

Sunday, March 2 (Sunday of Cheese Fare)

8:50 a.m. – Orthros

9:00 a.m. – Christian Education

10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy (webcast)

12:00 p.m. – TEENS Fundraising Meal

6:30 p.m. – Forgiveness Vespers

Monday, March 3

Father Herman off

6:30 p.m. – Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

Tuesday, March 4

6:30 p.m. – Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

Wednesday, March 5

5:20 p.m. – Catechism Class

6:30 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper

Thursday, March 6

6:30 p.m. – Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

Friday, March 7

6:30 p.m. – Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Saturday, March 8

11:00 a.m. – Ladies of St. Peter Lenten Retreat with Lenten Lunch

4:30 p.m. – Choir Practice

6:00 p.m. – Great Vespers

Sunday, March 9 (First Sunday of Lent; Sunday of Orthodoxy)

8:50 a.m. – Orthros

9:00 a.m. – Christian Education

10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy (webcast)

4:00 p.m. – Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers with sister churches

5:15 p.m. – Pot Luck Soup Supper

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Karams for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

March 2 Karam TEENS FUNDRAISER MEAL

March 9 Brock Meadows/Brock

March 16 R. Root Dansereau/Alaeetawi

March 23 Pacurari Ellis/Zouboukos/Waites

March 24 (Mon. p.m.) Lasseter D. Root/Meadows

(Feast of the Annunciation)

March 30 Milnor Miller/Weatherly

Also, please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which may be placed in the tray that is passed during the 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.

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the Chanters’ stand at the front of the nave. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page#

March 2 Brenda Baker Rom. 13:11-14:4 279

March 9 Katie Miller Heb. 11:24-26, 32-40 281

March 16 Mary Martha Ellis Heb. 1:10-2:3 283

March 23 Kh. Sharon Meadows Heb. 4:14-5:6 285

March 24 (Mon. p.m.) Brenda Baker Heb. 2:11-18 376

March 30 Katie Miller Heb. 6:13-20 287

Please remember the following in your prayers: Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Lamia Dabit and her family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Jay and Joanna Davis; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and their family; Marilyn (Kyriake) Snell; Jack and Jill Weatherly; Dn. Terry Algood and their family; Reader Basil and Brenda Baker and their family; Fr. Joseph Bittle; Rick Carlton; Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas and Kh. Jan Speier; Lee Greene; Fr. John and Kh. Janet Henderson and their family; Galina Singletary; Emily and Cole Parker.

Thank you to Jenny Rodriquez who is now serving as the new church secretary. Also, a huge thank you to Kh. Sharon Meadows for her service to the church in this position for so many years. Please keep them both in your God-pleasing prayers!

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 at the church at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children on behalf of our children.

* The Ladies meet for lunch at 1:00 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month.

* Great Lent begins this year on Clean Monday, March 3rd.

* The Schedule for Services for the first week of Lent are as follows:

Sunday, March 2nd – Forgiveness Vespers, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, March 3rd – 1st part of the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 4th – 2nd part of the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 5th – Presanctified Liturgy with Soup Supper, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 6th – 4th part of the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, March 7th – Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 9th – Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers with sister churches followed by

Pot luck soup supper, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

* This year’s dates for serving at Stewpot Ministries are Saturday, March 1st and Saturday, September 27th.

The Ladies of St. Peter will have a Lenten Retreat and Lenten Lunch with Father Herman as our speaker NEXT Saturday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. We will not have Akathist that morning.

We are currently in the beginning process of updating our Church directory. On the bureau in the foyer there are information sheets to be filled out by each family and individual. We are asking EVERYONE to please fill out one of these information sheets and get it back to Fr. Herman or Kh. Sharon by March 10. (Please be sure to PRINT as neatly as you can.) Thank you for your timely cooperation with this.

Seating spaces in the Nave: As a gentle reminder, please be mindful of seating spaces in the Nave during Sunday Divine Liturgy. Due to our growth over the past few years seating has become a little more limited and there has been an overflow toward the back of the Nave near the Narthex, which makes it “tight” for the clergy to make the Great Entrance. While this is a good problem to have, and until we can begin work on the new Temple, please make sure there are enough spaces available in the “seating” area of the Nave for as many people as possible. This means we may have “squtch in” on the rows. Thank you for your help in this.

Fasting Discipline for March

The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week. However, there is a katlysis on Saturdays and Sundays when wine and oil are allowed and on March 25th (Feast of the Annunciation), when fish, wine and oil are allowed.

Major Commemorations for March

March 2 Forgiveness Sunday; Sunday of Cheese Fare

March 9 1st Sunday of Lent; Sunday of Orthodoxy

40 Martyrs of Sebaste

March 16 2nd Sunday of Lent; Commemoration of Gregory Palamas

March 23 3rd Sunday of Lent; Adoration of the Holy Cross

March 25 Feast of the Annunciation

March 26 Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel

March 30 4th Sunday of Lent; Commemoration of John Climacus

Quotable: “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

Worship: Sunday, March 9, 2025 (First Sunday of Lent; Sunday of Orthodoxy)

Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40; John 1:43-51

Epistle Reader: Katie Miller

Prosphora: Brock

Coffee Hour: Meadows/Brock

March 2, 2025

Forgiveness Sunday

Sunday of Cheese Fare

The theme of the Sunday before Lent is FORGIVENESS (cheese fare) and the Gospel lesson is Matthew 6:14-21 which teaches us both of forgiveness and of fasting. “To forgive is to put between me and my enemy the radiant forgiveness of God Himself. To forgive is to reject the hopeless dead-ends of human relations and to refer them to Christ. Forgiveness is truly a breakthrough of the Kingdom into this sinful and fallen world” (Great Lent, Page 28). And to fast is to first fast before God and not men so as to curb the desires and cravings of our fallen nature. This effort can help free us from the dictatorship of the flesh over our spirit, so we can more fully love and forgive.

Romans 13:11-14:4: Brethren, now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk becomingly, as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chambering and licentiousness, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. But as for the one who is weak in faith, receive him, but not for disputes over opinions. For one believes he may eat anything; but the weak person eats herbs. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to be the judge over the servant of a stranger? To his own master he either stands or falls; but he will be made to stand; for God is able to make him stand.

Matthew 6:14-21: The Lord said to His Disciples: If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father Who is in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

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 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 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 Cheese Fare Sunday: O thou who guidest to wisdom, and givest understanding and intelligence, the Instructor of the ignorant and Helper of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it understanding, O Master. Give me word, O Word of the Father; for behold, I shall not refrain my lips from crying to thee, O merciful One, have mercy upon me who am fallen.

CALENDAR

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: All services listed on the calendar will be available through streaming and webcast. (Instructions can be found on the parish website.)

Sunday, March 2 (Sunday of Cheese Fare)

8:50 a.m. – Orthros

9:00 a.m. – Christian Education

10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy (webcast)

12:00 p.m. – TEENS Fundraising Meal

6:30 p.m. – Forgiveness Vespers

Monday, March 3

Father Herman off

6:30 p.m. – Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

Tuesday, March 4

6:30 p.m. – Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

Wednesday, March 5

5:20 p.m. – Catechism Class

6:30 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper

Thursday, March 6

6:30 p.m. – Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

Friday, March 7

6:30 p.m. – Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Saturday, March 8

11:00 a.m. – Ladies of St. Peter Lenten Retreat with Lenten Lunch

4:30 p.m. – Choir Practice

6:00 p.m. – Great Vespers

Sunday, March 9 (First Sunday of Lent; Sunday of Orthodoxy)

8:50 a.m. – Orthros

9:00 a.m. – Christian Education

10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy (webcast)

4:00 p.m. – Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers with sister churches

5:15 p.m. – Pot Luck Soup Supper

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Karams for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

March 2 Karam TEENS FUNDRAISER MEAL

March 9 Brock Meadows/Brock

March 16 R. Root Dansereau/Alaeetawi

March 23 Pacurari Ellis/Zouboukos/Waites

March 24 (Mon. p.m.) Lasseter D. Root/Meadows

(Feast of the Annunciation)

March 30 Milnor Miller/Weatherly

Also, please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which may be placed in the tray that is passed during the 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.

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the Chanters’ stand at the front of the nave. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page#

March 2 Brenda Baker Rom. 13:11-14:4 279

March 9 Katie Miller Heb. 11:24-26, 32-40 281

March 16 Mary Martha Ellis Heb. 1:10-2:3 283

March 23 Kh. Sharon Meadows Heb. 4:14-5:6 285

March 24 (Mon. p.m.) Brenda Baker Heb. 2:11-18 376

March 30 Katie Miller Heb. 6:13-20 287

Please remember the following in your prayers: Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Lamia Dabit and her family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Jay and Joanna Davis; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and their family; Marilyn (Kyriake) Snell; Jack and Jill Weatherly; Dn. Terry Algood and their family; Reader Basil and Brenda Baker and their family; Fr. Joseph Bittle; Rick Carlton; Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas and Kh. Jan Speier; Lee Greene; Fr. John and Kh. Janet Henderson and their family; Galina Singletary; Emily and Cole Parker.

Thank you to Jenny Rodriquez who is now serving as the new church secretary. Also, a huge thank you to Kh. Sharon Meadows for her service to the church in this position for so many years. Please keep them both in your God-pleasing prayers!

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 at the church at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children on behalf of our children.

* The Ladies meet for lunch at 1:00 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month.

* Great Lent begins this year on Clean Monday, March 3rd.

* The Schedule for Services for the first week of Lent are as follows:

Sunday, March 2nd – Forgiveness Vespers, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, March 3rd – 1st part of the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 4th – 2nd part of the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 5th – Presanctified Liturgy with Soup Supper, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 6th – 4th part of the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, March 7th – Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 9th – Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers with sister churches followed by

Pot luck soup supper, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

* This year’s dates for serving at Stewpot Ministries are Saturday, March 1st and Saturday, September 27th.

The Ladies of St. Peter will have a Lenten Retreat and Lenten Lunch with Father Herman as our speaker NEXT Saturday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. We will not have Akathist that morning.

We are currently in the beginning process of updating our Church directory. On the bureau in the foyer there are information sheets to be filled out by each family and individual. We are asking EVERYONE to please fill out one of these information sheets and get it back to Fr. Herman or Kh. Sharon by March 10. (Please be sure to PRINT as neatly as you can.) Thank you for your timely cooperation with this.

Seating spaces in the Nave: As a gentle reminder, please be mindful of seating spaces in the Nave during Sunday Divine Liturgy. Due to our growth over the past few years seating has become a little more limited and there has been an overflow toward the back of the Nave near the Narthex, which makes it “tight” for the clergy to make the Great Entrance. While this is a good problem to have, and until we can begin work on the new Temple, please make sure there are enough spaces available in the “seating” area of the Nave for as many people as possible. This means we may have “squtch in” on the rows. Thank you for your help in this.

Fasting Discipline for March

The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week. However, there is a katlysis on Saturdays and Sundays when wine and oil are allowed and on March 25th (Feast of the Annunciation), when fish, wine and oil are allowed.

Major Commemorations for March

March 2 Forgiveness Sunday; Sunday of Cheese Fare

March 9 1st Sunday of Lent; Sunday of Orthodoxy

40 Martyrs of Sebaste

March 16 2nd Sunday of Lent; Commemoration of Gregory Palamas

March 23 3rd Sunday of Lent; Adoration of the Holy Cross

March 25 Feast of the Annunciation

March 26 Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel

March 30 4th Sunday of Lent; Commemoration of John Climacus

Quotable: “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

Worship: Sunday, March 9, 2025 (First Sunday of Lent; Sunday of Orthodoxy)

Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40; John 1:43-51

Epistle Reader: Katie Miller

Prosphora: Brock

Coffee Hour: Meadows/Brock