Welcome

We welcome you to Sts. Peter & Paul! It's truly a blessing to have you join us in prayer. If you care to prayerfully follow along with today's services please scan the QR code then select today's date and the service in progress.

We look forward to gathering in fellowship after the Divine Liturgy during Coffee Hour! Please visit us at the social hall in the lower level following the Divine Liturgy.

Saints and Feasts

February 25

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.

February 25

Reginos, Bishop of Skopelos

St. Réginos was born in Livadeia in central Greece, in the late third century to Christian parents, who instilled in him the love of virtue and zeal for truth. When the bishop of Skopelos passed away, Saint Réginos was acclaimed as the new bishop by all of the people. As the Arian heresy continued to rage after the Council of Nicaea (325), a new council was called at Sardica (Sofia, Bulgaria) in 343, during which St. Réginos distinguished himself by his ability to refute the heretics.

His is commemorated on February 25, which is a local holiday on the island. At the Monastery of Saint Réginos, which houses the relics of the saint, thousands of faithful gather each year on February 25 from the surrounding islands of Skiathos and Alonissos as well as from the coastal port city of Volos, to pay hommage to the martyr. The saint has shown his love for his flock by performing several miracles of healing according to the locals, several of which name their children after him (Réginos or Regina)

February 25

Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople

This Saint was the son of one of the foremost princes in Constantinople, and was originally a consul and first among the Emperor's private counselors. Then, in 784, he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople by the Sovereigns Irene and her son Constantine Porphyrogenitus. He convoked the Seventh Ecumenical Council that upheld the holy icons, and became the boast of the Church and a light to the clergy. He reposed in 806.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled."

Φαρισαίου φύγωμεν ὑψηγορίαν, καὶ Τελώνου μάθωμεν, τὸ ταπεινὸν ἐν στεναγμοῖς, πρὸς τὸν Σωτῆρα κραυγάζοντες· Ἵλαθι μόνε ἡμῖν εὐδιάλλακτε.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 3:10-15

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν, οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις, οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα· καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος. Καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῇν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται. Πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι. Σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος ἔμαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:10-14

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα προσηύχετο· ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ εἰμὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι, μοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης· νηστεύω δὶς τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα κτῶμαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων· ὁ Θεός, ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος· ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.

Parish Ministries

Parish Council: George Lountos (President), Elizabeth A. Kostas-Polston (Vice President), Bruce Flanders (Treasurer), Christos Cambetes (Secretary), Dimitri Rotov, Gregory Nerantzis, Nicholas Carras, Thomas Tsianakas.

Greek School: Dr. George Lountos (Principal). Email: gtlountos@gmail.com or cell: 404-375-3180.

HOPE & JOY Ministry: Brandi Lahanas. Email: brandilahanas@gmail.com

GOYA: Christina Summers. Email: mrs.summers@aol.com

Religious Education: Mrs. Despina Horst (Interim Principal). Email: horst7213@aol.com. Lessons begin after Holy Communion. We encourage our youth to participate in Sunday School, to learn and live the life of our Holy Orthodox Faith.

Kali Parea: This ministry is for adults 50 years and older. Come and join us! Contact the Church office.

St. Eugenia Ladies Philoptochos: – Georgette Calomeris, President. All in the Parish are encouraged to be members of the Philoptochos Society. Contact Georgetter if interested in joining. Email ladies@sainteugeniaphiloptochos.net

Hospitality Ministry: Tyler Shuck (coordinator) This ministry welcomes visitors and also coordinates fellowship activities after Sunday Liturgy in order to provide a warm and welcoming environment for both parishioners and visitors alike. Please contact the Church Office if you're interested in hosting Coffee Hour.

The Three Hierarchs Book Club: The book club meets in the fall and in the spring to discuss the book of the season. Please contact Fr. George if you're interested in joining. frgeorgemastakas@gmail.com

Visitation Ministry: Should you or a loved one need hospital or long term care, Fr. George would like to visit. Please be advised that Frederick Memorial Hospital (and most facilities) will not automatically notify Fr. George upon admission, but only when requested by the patient or caregiver.

Three Hierarchs Bookstore: Eleni Trivizas, Manager. The bookstore is located in the Social Hall and offers books, icons, censers, votives, and other spiritually edifying material. Anyone interested in volunteering to staff the bookstore on Sundays should reach out to Eleni or the Church office.

Greek Folk Dance Ministry: Open to all ages and levels of experience. Contact Georgette Calomeris if interested in participating. email: georgette@calomeris.com

Byzantine Choir: In keeping with the rich Orthodox Tradition of using Byzantine chant to convey the beauty of the liturgical hymns in our worship services, our Byzantine Choir seeks to strengthen this ministry by welcoming new members and offering a place to grow and flourish. Please contact the Church office if you're interersted in participating in this ministry.

Announcements

Please join us after Divine Liturgy as we honor Fr. George, Presvytera Evelyn, and their family during Fr. George's Farewell Luncheon.

Please consider sponsoring coffee hour in memory of a loved one or celebrating an occasion. Click here to sign up.

Upcoming Hosts:

Mar. 3rd Host needed
Mar. 10th In memory of Dimitrios and Evangelos Orfanidis
Mar. 17th Hosted by the Parish Council for Godparent/Godchild Sunday

We're very excited to announce that our parish has approved plans to proceed with the Accessibility Project. This project intends to provide handicapped accessibility to the Church and its facilities. A ramp will provide street-level access to the Church, and an ADA lift will provide access to the Narthex and Social Hall. This will afford all our parishioner's safe access to Church facilities during services and events. A Leadership 100 grant is providing funds for this project, but we still need to raise $47,230 to complete this project. We're calling on our parish family and friends to contribute towards this project and allow the Church to realize its mission to make the Church accessible to all. Help us reach our goal. Pledge and donate today! Pledge/Donate today.

Many Parishioners have asked how they can contribute to a farewell gift for Fr. George, Presvytera Evelyn, and his family, to show our appreciation for their devotion to the Church and Parish over the last six years. The Ladies Philoptochos along with the Parish Council would like to provide the opportunity and will be offering a gift to Fr. George and his family at the luncheon in their honor on the 25th of February after Liturgy. If you would like to make a donation please visit St. Eugenia Ladies Philoptochos

Altar Keepers: Your donation as an Altar Keeper allows us to purchase necessary altar supplies and upgrade altar liturgical vessels as needed. To date, we have purchased Gospel ribbons (multiple colors) and a hanging votive candle for the altar. We are currently reviewing options to purchase hanging votive candles for the icon screen, candle holders for the Holy Altar, a second ceremonial table, and a table for the Narthex that is befitting for the space. This can only come to fruition with donations from the faithful. Please consider making a donation to the Altar Keeper fund. Click here.

Apokreatiko Glendi: Sponsored by St. Eugenia Ladies Philoptochos and the AHEPA, this event will benefit and support the charities of both the Philoptochos and AHEPA. The event will be held on Saturday, March 9th from 6 to 10 pm. Please purchase your tickets at coffee hour or online.

The 1st Saturday of Souls is on March 9th. If you would like your loved ones commemorated, please click here to forward the names.

If you would like to decorate the icon of the Theotokos for the Salutations, the Bridegroom icon, Mystical Supper icon, Resurrection icon and/or contribute to the cost of the flowers for the icons please contact the church office.

Dates Available
March 22nd (Salutations)
March 29th (Salutations)
April 5th (Salutations)
April 12th (Salutations)
April 19th (Akathist Hymn)
April 28th (Bridegroom)
May 1st (Mystical Supper)
May 5th (Holy Resurrection)

2024 Stewardship: Your Stewardship Pledge supports the Church's many Ministries, if you would like to pick up a 2024 Stewardship card, they are available in the Narthex or go online to www.stspeterpaul.net and link to Stewardship, or Click here to fill out online.

Greek Folk Dance: Practice will be held on March 3rd, 10th, and 17th. The children's group will meet when dismissed from church school and the adults will meet after that. If you are interested in participating as we prepare for the May festival, don't hesitate to get in touch with Georgette Calomeris at 301-471-7303 or Nick Caviris at 301-537-8273 or via email at georgette@calomeris.com or tapeman1@verizon.net. Registration is available by clicking this link.

St. Eugenia Philoptochos General Meeting will be held virtually on March 6th at 7 pm via Google Meets.

St. Eugenia Philoptochos: Please consider becoming a Philoptochos Steward or an Associate Steward and be part of this most important Philanthropic Mission. To become a steward of Philoptochos, complete the form (click here). If you have any questions, email ladies@sainteugeniaphiloptochos.net or contact Georgette Calomeris at 301-471-7303.

The Aero Energy House of Worship Program is a donation program established by Aero Energy to provide Aero Energy customers an opportunity to give to their churches. If you're an Aero Energy customer, it will not cost you anything to have a percentage of your bill donated to the Church. Click here for details.