April 16, 2023

Great and Holy PASCHA

“Unique and holy day, King and lord of days, feast of feasts, solemnity of solemnities. . . ” Thus we celebrate the Great Feast because of the resurrection of our Lord and begin the season of celebration which lasts through Pentecost. The paschal solemnities (of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday) are joined to the feast of the resurrection to endow the mystery of Christmas and the Incarnation with the fulness of its meaning and are the prerequisite condition for Pentecost. Easter, therefore, is the center, the heart of the Christian Year.

“Come, take light from the Light that has no evening, and glorify Christ, risen from the dead.” The Church again represents the Christian mystery in terms of light; this Light, whose birth was marked by the star of Bethlehem, is shining among us with growing intensity; the darkness of Golgotha could not extinguish it. The physical Resurrection of Jesus would be without value to us if the divine light did not shine at the same time among us, within us. But the good news of the Resurrection is that the light brought by the Saviour now completely overcomes the darkness of our sins!

“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and to those in the tomb He has given life!”

Acts of the Apostles 1:1-8: In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles whom He had chosen. To them He presented Himself alive after His passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them He charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, “You heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”

John 1:1-17: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world knew Him not. He came to His own home, and His own people received Him not. But to all who received Him, who believed in His Name, He gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to Him, and cried, “This was He of Whom I said, ‘He Who comes after me ranks before me, for He was before me.’”) And from His fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Paschal Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead; by Death has he trodden death, and upon those in the tombs, hath he bestowed life.

Hypakoe of Easter: They who were with Mary came before the dawn, found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and heard the angels say unto them, Why seek ye him as man with the dead, who dwelleth in light eternal? Behold the grave wrappings; make haste and declare to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath caused death to die; for he is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind.

Kontakion of Pascha: When Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades. In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming Rejoice! to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to Thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the 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, April 16 (Great and Holy PASCHA)

4:00 p.m. — Agape Vespers followed by meal at Holy Resurrection in Clinton

[NO FASTING THIS WEEK]

Monday, April 17

Father Herman off

Tuesday, April 18

NO Services

Wednesday, April 19

6:30 p.m. — Vespers of Bright Week

Thursday, April 20

NO Services

Friday, April 21

NO Services

Saturday, April 22

6:00 p.m. — Great Vespers with Paschal Format

Sunday, April 23 (Thomas Sunday)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education
10:00 a.m.

April 2, 2023

Feast of Palm Sunday

Entrance of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem

Palm Sunday begins the observance of the eight days that encapsulate all of time and eternity as relates to man. The days begin with the proclamation on earth of the entry of the Messiah into Jerusalem and end with the Eternal King rising in incomprehensible victory to establish the heavenly Jerusalem and His eternal reign. On Palm Sunday, we begin the days of the full exhibition of the awful corruption sin has spread in mankind and the measureless love that heals and deifies our humanity. Today we thrill at the picture of Christ and the praises of the people, the object of adoration yet the perfection of humility. The imagery of the scene is beyond description: the King amidst His people, the palm and olive branches symbolizing His victory, His anointing, His peace; the cloaks and garments cast before Him symbolizing our complete submission to His will; the cries of adoration, of “Hosanna,” the coming of the Lord. Yet, on this day we are also near enough to feel acutely the dread of His passion, the desolation of the trial and Golgotha. This day also begins the week of the Eighth Day, the entry to eternity. As we observe Palm Sunday, we observe all history and the fulfillment of all history.

Philippians 4:4-9: Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! Let your forbearance be known to all people. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. The things which you both learned and received, and heard and saw in me, these things do; and the God of peace will be with you.

John 12:1-18: Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus who had died was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with Him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of His Disciples (he who was to betray Jesus), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the moneybox he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of My burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that He was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt!” His Disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of Him and had been done to Him. The crowd that had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet Jesus was that they heard He had done this sign.

First Troparion of Palm Sunday: O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like babes, carry the insignia of triumph and victory, and cry to thee, O Vanquisher of death, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Second Troparion of Palm Sunday: O Christ God, when we were buried with thee in Baptism, we became deserving of thy Resurrection to immortal life. Wherefore, we praise thee, crying, Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Kontakion of Palm Sunday: Seated upon Thy throne in heaven, and a foal on earth, O Christ our God, Thou didst receive the praise of the angels and the hymns of the children: Blessed is He that cometh to recall Adam.

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, April 9 (Palm Sunday)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

12:00 p.m. — Fish Fry Meal

6:30 p.m. — Bridegroom Matins

Monday, April 10 (Great and Holy Monday)

6:30 p.m. — Bridegroom Matins

Tuesday, April 11 (Great and Holy Tuesday)

6:30 p.m. — Bridegroom Matins

Wednesday, April 12 (Great and Holy Wednesday)

6:30 p.m. — Service of Holy Unction

Thursday, April 13 (Great and Holy Thursday)

7:00 a.m. — Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil

6:30 p.m. — Reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels

Friday, April 14 (Great and Holy Friday)

7:00 a.m. — Royal Hours of Pascha

3:00 p.m. — Taking down from the Cross

6:30 p.m. — Lamentations Service

Saturday, April 15 (Great and Holy Saturday)

9:00 a.m. — Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil

10:30 p.m. — Paschal Service

Sunday, April 16 (Great and Holy PASCHA)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Karams yesterday for the Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday and by the Brocks for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

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.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

April 9 Brock FISH FRY MEAL

(Palm Sunday) Meadows/Pacurari/Cooper

April 13 (Thurs. a.m.) R. Root Meadows

(Great and Holy Thursday)

April 16 (Sat. a.m.) Pacurari Lasseter/Miller

(Great and Holy Saturday)

April 16 (Sat. p.m.) Lasseter Ellis/Zouboukos/Waites

(PASCHA) (Everyone brings baskets)

April 23 Henderson Pigott/Stewart

April 30 Algood Algood/Schelver

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#

April 9 Sam Habeeb Phil. 4:4-9 294

April 13 (Thurs. a.m.) Reader Basil Baker I Cor. 11:23-32 295

April 14 (Fri. – 3 p.m.) Walt Wood I Cor. 1:18-31, 2:1-2 298

April 16 (Sat. a.m.) Ian Jones Rom. 6:3-11 300

April 16 (Sat. p.m.) Reader Chad Miller Acts 1:1-8 25

April 23 Sam Habeeb Acts 5:12-20 32

April 30 Reader Basil Baker Acts 6:1-7 38

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; Kathy Willingham; Marilyn (Kyriake) Snell; Jack and Jill Weatherly; Lottie Dabbs (Sh. Charlotte Algood’s mother), Sh. Charlotte and their family; Maria Costas (currently at St. Catherine’s Village); Reader Basil and Brenda Baker and their family; Buddy Cooper; Georgia and Bob Buchanan; Fr. Joseph Bittle; Anthony and Athena Zouboukos and Keri Waites.

Registration for the PLC is now open. This year the Parish Life Conference will hosted by St. George Cathedral in Coral Gables, FL on June 14-17. Father Herman sent an email with the link for registration, or you may also go to the Diocesan website DOMSE.org.

New construction has been completed on a gazebo for our playground! (Parents, rejoice!)

April is Men’s Month in our Archdiocese. Please honor the men of our parish by allowing them to take communion first.

Palm Sunday Fish Fry Meal: Once again we will have our Fish Fry Meal catered by Sal and Phil’s following the Divine Liturgy TODAY. The cost for the meal will be $10 each for Adults and children 12 and over, and $5 for children under the age of 12.

Paschal Meal: We will bring baskets of our favorite foods that we have not enjoyed while fasting for this meal. A handout will be available in the next week or so with information about Paschal Baskets. We ask that everyone help with clean-up following this meal (just as we do for our monthly Pot Luck Meals).

Fasting Discipline for April

Beginning with Clean Monday on February 27th, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week until Pascha (except for the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25th and Palm Sunday on April 9th, when fish, wine and oil are permitted). There will be no fasting of any kind during Bright Week following Pascha (April 17-22). Following Bright Week, the traditional fasting discipline will once again be observed on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Major Commemorations for April

April 9 Palm Sunday

April 10-15 Holy Week

April 16 PASCHA

April 17-22 Bright Week

April 23 Thomas Sunday

Great-martyr George

April 25 Holy Apostle Mark

April 27 Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers

PARENTS, your help is needed in the following areas:

1) A problem has arisen due to the nursery room being left messy after Coffee Hour. No food of any kind should be taken into that room. Also, it is necessary for a parent to be in the room whenever their children are in there playing. Thank you for your assistance with this.

2) Please see that your children do not use the Sunday school rooms with the doors closed during Coffee Hour.

3) Please ask your children to not climb the trees in the front of the church. (The playground will be available again soon.)

Agape Vespers this year will be at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton on April 16th, beginning at 4:00 p.m. There will be a Pot Luck Meal afterwards and we are asked to bring desserts.

Calendar Items:

* The men of the parish meet for lunch at 11:30 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 on the last Tuesday of the month.

· * We will began our journey through Holy Week with the Canon of Lazarus on Friday evening, April 8th and Orthros and Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning, April 8th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

· * The Schedule of Services for Holy Week are as follows:

Sunday April 9th