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

March 24

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.

March 24

Forefeast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode

We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.

Τὴν ἄχραντον Εἰκόνα σου προσκυνοῦμεν Ἀγαθέ, αἰτούμενοι συγχώρησιν τῶν πταισμάτων ἡμῶν, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός· βουλήσει γὰρ ηὐδόκησας σαρκὶ ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, ἵνα ῥύσῃ οὓς ἔπλασας ἐκ τῆς δουλείας τοῦ ἐχθροῦ· ὅθεν εὐχαρίστως βοῶμέν σοι· Χαρᾶς ἐπλήρωσας τὰ πάντα, ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, παραγενόμενος εἰς τὸ σῶσαι τὸν Κόσμον.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"

Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward.

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, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, 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.

Sunday of Orthodoxy
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:24-26, 32-40

Ἀδελφοί, πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν· μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ· ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γὰρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν· οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον· περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι - ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος - ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες, μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from 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 he 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 him, "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, you are the Son of God! You are 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 he 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."

Sunday of Orthodoxy
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 1:44-52

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀκολούθει μοι. ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ᾿Ανδρέου καὶ Πέτρου. εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ὃν ἔγραψε Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται, εὑρήκαμεν, ᾿Ιησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ Φίλιππος· ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε. εἶδεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ· ἴδε ἀληθῶς ᾿Ισραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι, ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε. ἀπεκρίθη Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψει. καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ᾽ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.

Parish Calendar

Parish Calendar

March 24 to April 1, 2024

Sunday, March 24

Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive (3/18-5/5)

8:00AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy (Sunday of Orthodoxy)

10:45AM Church School Icon procession for Sunday of Orthodoxy

12:30PM Byzantine Choir Practice (canceled)

2:00PM Annual Maryland Greek Independence Day Parade

7:00PM Great Vespers for the Annunciation @ Annunciation Cathedral, Baltimore

Monday, March 25

Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive (3/18-5/5)

9:00AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy Annunciation of the Theotokos

6:00PM Vespers for the Leavetaking of Annunciation

Tuesday, March 26

Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive (3/18-5/5)

5:45PM Hope/Joy & GOYA Gathering

Wednesday, March 27

Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive (3/18-5/5)

6:00PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

7:00PM Adult Greek School - no class

Thursday, March 28

Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive (3/18-5/5)

Friday, March 29

Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive (3/18-5/5)

9:00AM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

6:00PM Greek School - Spring Break

7:00PM Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos

Saturday, March 30

Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive (3/18-5/5)

2:00PM Parish SJC Oratorical Festival

Sunday, March 31

Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive (3/18-5/5)

8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Philoptochos Easter Bread Pre-Sales Begin

12:30PM Byzantine Choir Practice

Monday, April 1

Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive (3/18-5/5)

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 to provide a warm and welcoming environment for both parishioners and visitors alike. Please contact the Church Office if you're interested in hosting a 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.

Visitation Ministry: Should you or a loved one need hospital or long-term care, please call the Church office to schedule a visit from the Church Priest. Please be advised that Frederick Memorial Hospital (and most facilities) will not automatically notify the Church 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 interested in participating in this ministry.

Announcements

Today, we welcome Fr. George Alexison.

Today we will chant the 10-year memorial for Marietta Nektaria Evans, may her memory be eternal.

All Parish Youth will process today with their Icon for Sunday of Orthodoxy. The children will gather after communion to prepare for the procession with their icons. If your child(ren) has forgotten their icons at home, we have icons that they can use.

Coffee hour is hosted today in loving memory of Marietta Nektaria Evans, may her memory be eternal.

Today, we will have two special offering baskets in the Narthex, one is for the Camp Good Shepard Fund, which was created in loving memory of Marietta Nektaria, making it possible for a child(ren) of the Parish to attend Camp Good Shepard this summer. Our other special offering basket will be for the benefit of the Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos Social Services Fund.

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

Upcoming Hosts:

Mar. 31st The Aspiotis Family
Mar. 7th Ourania Newton
Apr. 14th Coffee hour host needed

This year's Greek Independence Day Parade in Baltimore will be held today at 2 pm at the Greektown Section. (Ponca Street/Eastern Avenue).

The parish-level St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be held on March 30th. All three levels (Elementary, Junior, and Senior) are participating. All youth are encouraged to participate! Please reach out to Presv. Evelyn. If you're interested in participating, contact me at epahis@aol.com.

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 parishioners safe access to Church facilities during services and events. A Leadership 100 grant provides 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.

Altar Keepers: Your donation as an Altar Keeper allows us to purchase necessary altar supplies and upgrade altar liturgical vessels. 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 donating to the Altar Keeper fund. Click here.

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

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

Hope/Joy & GOYA Gathering: Tuesday, March 26th beginning at⋅5:45 pm in the social hall, Dinner will be provided. RSVP here.

Greek Folk Dance: 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.

Please contribute to the Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive, which supports the Frederick Food Bank. There is a great need in our community. Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to donate food items. The Ladies Philoptochos will have a drop-off location in the Narthex throughout the Lenten season, beginning on Sunday, March 17th.

St. Eugenia Philoptochos General Meeting will be held virtually on April 3rd 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, complete the form (click here). If you have any questions, email ladies@sainteugeniaphiloptochos.net or contact Georgette Calomeris at 301-471-7303.