April 3, 2022

Fourth Sunday of Great Lent

Commemoration of St. John Climacus

Self-denial for self-glory is equally as vain as any endeavor not directed toward divine love and the glory of God. In St. John Climacus, seventh-century hermit and ascetic, we have a model of sacrifice directed to the love of fellow men. St. John knew that emptying himself of the things of this world was the act of renouncing his own efforts and accepting God’s grace and mercy as true sustenance. The season of prayer and fasting is a time of true humility and complete submission to the Father’s will. We proceed to the Great Feast, following a path of reconciliation and contemplation, seeking the adoration of the Son and His sacrifice, and emphasizing leaving the things of this world to attain perfect submission.

Hebrews 6:13-20: Brethren, when God made a promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.” And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For people indeed swear by what is greater, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation. So when God, being minded to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of His counsel, He interposed it with an oath, that by two immutable things—in which it is impossible for God to lie—we might have a strong consolation, we, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope that is set before us; a hope, which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and entering into “that which is within the veil,” where Jesus entered as a Forerunner on our behalf, having become a High Priest “forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Mark 9:17-31: At that time, a man came to Jesus, kneeling down and saying unto him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked Thy Disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And Jesus answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to Me.” And they brought the boy to Him; and when the spirit saw Jesus, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has he had this?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if Thou canst do anything, have pity on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when Jesus had entered the house, His Disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And Jesus said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And Jesus would not have anyone know it; for He was teaching His Disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and after He is killed, He will rise on the third day.”

Troparion of the Resurrection: O compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou might deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.

Troparion of St. John of the Ladder: 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 John Climacus, 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 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.

Please continue to follow the CDC Guidelines to limit contagion and the spread of the COVID virus.

Sunday, April 3 (Sunday of the Commemoration of John Climacus)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

Monday, April 4

Father Herman off

Tuesday, April 5

NO Services

Wednesday, April 6

6:30 p.m. — Canon of St. Andrew of Crete & Life of St. Mary of Egypt

Thursday, April 7

NO Services

11:30 a.m. — Men’s Lunch

Friday, April 8

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

Saturday, April 9

8:30 a.m. — Antiochian Women’s Lenten Retreat (via Zoom at church)

3:45 p.m. — Choir Practice

6:00 p.m. — Great Vespers

Sunday, April 10 (Commemoration of St. Mary of Egypt)

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 Morrises for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

April 3 Morris Algood/Schelver

April 10 Jones Lasseter/Pacurari/Miller

April 16 (Sat. a.m.) Meadows Henderson/Jones

(Lazarus Saturday)

April 17 (Palm Sunday) Davis D. Root/Baker

April 21 (Thurs. a.m.) D. Root Meadows

April 23 (Sat. a.m.) Karam Dansereau/Alaeetawi

April 23 (Sat. p.m.) Brock

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 3 Sam Habeeb Heb. 6:13-20 287

April 10 Ian Jones Heb. 9:11-14 290

April 16 (Sat. a.m.) Walt Wood Heb. 12:28-13:8 291

April 17 Sam Habeeb Phil. 4:4-9 294

April 21 (Thurs. a.m.) Ian Jones I Cor. 11:23-32 295

April 23 (Sat. a.m.) Reader Basil Baker Rom. 6:3-11 300

April 23 (Sat. p.m.) Walt Wood Acts 1:1-8 25

Also, please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which may be placed 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.

Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.

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.

If you are not feeling well, PLEASE do not attempt to come to the services. This also includes anyone who may have been exposed to you during this time. Also, please let Fr. Herman know if you are not feeling well and have COVID like symptoms.

We welcome Noah Shockley who was enrolled as a catechumen this past Sunday. Please keep him in your prayers as he pursues the Orthodox faith.

Anthony Johnson, son of former members Cain (Joshua) and Taylor Johnson, will be baptized during the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Great and Holy Saturday on the morning of April 23rd. Simon and Rola Karam will be his godparents. Please keep all of them in your prayers.

On April 10th we will celebrate a Forty Day Memorial for Galina Singletary’s mother, Valentina, who passed away recently in Russia.

Calendar Items:

* On Saturday, April 9th, instead of praying the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children as we usually do, we will participate in a Virtual Lenten Retreat with the other Ladies in our Diocese. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and bagels and attend the retreat via Zoom, beginning at 9:00 a.m. More details in the announcement about upcoming Lenten Retreats.

* The Ladies will meet for lunch on the last Tuesday of the month.

* As is our parish custom during Great Lent, we will celebrate the Pre-sanctified Liturgy on Wednesday evenings and pray the Akathist to the Theotokos on Friday evenings. Both services begin at 6:30 p.m.

* On Wednesday, April 6th, instead of the Presanctified Liturgy we will pray Small Compline with the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete and the Life of St. Mary of Egypt, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* The dates for Services of Palm Sunday and Holy Week are as follows:

Friday, April 15 — Small Compline with the Canon of St. Lazarus at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 16 (Lazarus Saturday) — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, April 17 (Palm Sunday) — morning services at usual Sunday times

(Sunday evening) — Bridegroom Matins, at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, April 18 (Great and Holy Monday)

March 27, 2022

Third Sunday of Great Lent

Veneration of the Precious and Life-giving Cross

In the middle of Lent, the church sets before us the Cross of Christ. On two other occasions during the year, September 14 and August 1, the cross is presented for our remembrance and veneration. Both these feasts link the Adoration of the Cross to historic events. However, the remembrance of the cross on the third Sunday in Lent prepares us for the commemoration of the crucifixion which is soon to follow in Holy Week, and at the same time, it reminds us that the whole of Lent is a period when we are crucified with Christ. The dominant note on this Sunday, as on the two Sundays preceding, is one of joy and triumph. No separation is made between Christ’s death and His resurrection, but the cross is regarded as an emblem of victory on Calvary as seen in light of the Empty Tomb.

Hebrews 4:14-5:6: Brethren, since we have a great High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the confession. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our infirmities, but one Who has been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest, being taken from among the people, is appointed on behalf of the people in things pertaining to God, that he may offer up both gifts and sacrifices for sins; who can have compassion on the ignorant and on those who are erring, since he himself also is encompassed with infirmity. Because of this he is bound, as for the people so also for himself, to offer up for sins. And no one takes the honor upon himself, but as being called by God, as was Aaron. So Christ also did not glorify Himself to become a High Priest, but it was by the One saying to Him, “Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee.” As He says also in another place, “Thou art a Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Mark 8:34-9:1: The Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

Troparion of the Resurrection: Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross; thou didst open paradise to the thief; thou didst turn the mourning of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine Apostles proclaim warning that thou hast risen, O Christ, granting the world Great Mercy.

Troparion of the Holy Cross: O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting to thy people victory over all their enemies, and by the power of thy Cross preserving thy kingdom.

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.

Please continue to follow the CDC Guidelines to limit contagion and the spread of the COVID virus.

Sunday, March 27 (Veneration of the Precious and Life-giving Cross)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

9:00 a.m. — Christian Education

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

Monday, March 28

Father Herman off

Tuesday, March 29

NO Services

11:30 a.m. — Ladies Lunch

Wednesday, March 30

6:30 p.m. — Pre-sanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper

Thursday, March 31

NO Services

Friday, April 1 (Mary of Egypt)

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

Saturday, April 2 (Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel)

4:45 p.m. — Choir Practice

6:00 p.m. — Great Vespers

Sunday, April 3 (Sunday of the Commemoration of John Climacus)

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 Katools for the Feast of the Annunciation this past Thursday evening and by the Schelvers for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

March 27 Schelver Meadows/Pigott

April 3 Morris Algood/Schelver

April 10 Jones Lasseter/Pacurari/Miller

April 16 (Sat. a.m.) Meadows Henderson/Jones

(Lazarus Saturday)

April 17 (Palm Sunday) Davis D. Root/Baker

April 21 (Thurs. a.m.) D. Root Meadows

April 23 (Sat. a.m.) Karam Dansereau/Alaeetawi

April 23 (Sat. p.m.) Brock

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 20 Kh. Sharon Meadows Heb. 1:10-2:3 283

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

March 27 Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver Heb. 4:14-5:6 285

April 3 Sam Habeeb Heb. 6:13-20 287

April 10 Ian Jones Heb. 9:11-14 290

April 16 (Sat. a.m.) Walt Wood Heb. 12:28-13:8 291

April 17 Sam Habeeb Phil. 4:4-9 294

April 21 (Thurs. a.m.) Ian Jones I Cor. 11:23-32 295

April 23 (Sat. a.m.) Reader Basil Baker Rom. 6:3-11 300

April 23 (Sat. p.m.) Walt Wood Acts 1:1-8 25

Also, please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which may be placed 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.

Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.

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.

If you are not feeling well, PLEASE do not attempt to come to the services. This also includes anyone who may have been exposed to you during this time. Also, please let Fr. Herman know if you are not feeling well and have COVID like symptoms.

Camp St. Thekla dates: The dates for Camp St. Thekla are: Session 1 is June 26 – July 2 and Session 2 is July 3 – 9. If you have a child registered for Camp, please see Daniel for information on scholarships available from the Order of St. Ignatius. If there is still a financial need, some additional funds may be available.

Instructions for streaming our services can be found on the parish website.

Calendar Items:

* On Saturday, April 9th, instead of praying the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children as we usually do, we will participate in a Virtual Lenten Retreat with the other Ladies in our Diocese. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall around 8:30 a.m. for coffee and bagels and attend the retreat via Zoom, beginning at 9:00 a.m. More details in the announcement about upcoming Lenten Retreats.

* The Ladies will meet for lunch on the last Tuesday of the month.

* As is our parish custom during Great Lent, we will celebrate the Pre-sanctified Liturgy on Wednesday evenings and pray the Akathist to the Theotokos on Friday evenings. Both services begin at 6:30 p.m.

* On Wednesday, April 6th, instead of the Presanctified Liturgy we will pray Small Compline with the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete and the Life of St. Mary of Egypt, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* The dates for Services of Palm Sunday and Holy Week are as follows:

Saturday, April 16 (Lazarus Saturday) — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, April 17 (Palm Sunday) — morning services at usual Sunday times

(Sunday evening) — Bridegroom Matins, at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, April 18 (Great and Holy Monday)