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

April 07

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.

Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.

Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.

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 the Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Sunday of the Holy Cross
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 4:14-16, 5:1-6

Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν· μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν· καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to 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 life? For what can a man give in return for his life? 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 he 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."

Sunday of the Holy Cross
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.

Parish Calendar

Parish Calendar

April 7 to April 15, 2024

Sunday, April 7

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

8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy (Sunday of the Holy Cross)

Monday, April 8

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

6:00PM Great Compline

Tuesday, April 9

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

Metropolis Clergy Laity Congress

Wednesday, April 10

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

6:00PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

7:00PM Adult Greek School

Thursday, April 11

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

Friday, April 12

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

9:00AM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

6:00PM Greek School

7:00PM Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos

Saturday, April 13

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

Sunday, April 14

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

8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Monday, April 15

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

A special tray will be offered today for Sunday of the Holy Cross in the Narthex, sponsored by St. Eugenia Ladies Philoptochos benefitting the Hellenic College Operational Expenses Philoptochos special tray

Please join us for coffee hour, today's coffee hour is hosted by Ourania Newton.

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

Upcoming Hosts:

Apr. 21st Will be hosted by the Trivizas family in loving memory of Gerogios Passas
Apr. 28th St. Eugenia sponsored Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon
May 5th Great and Holy Pascha, no coffee hour.

Camp Good Shepherd: The Marietta Nektaria Camp Good Shepard Fund is in loving memory of Marietta and provides a child of the Parish a way to attend the CGS Summer Camp learning and growing in Christ. If you would like your child to attend or have already signed up, and would like the chance to have his or her tuition covered for the week, please call or email the Church office as soon as possible. In loving Memory of Mariette Nektaria, may her memory be eternal!

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.

Save the Date: Philoptochos is hosting and all are welcome to the annual Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon (April 28th) following the Divine Liturgy. Information on how to purchase advanced tickets will be forthcoming.

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.

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: 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. NEXT PRACTICE IS SUNDAY, MAY 12. Registration is available by clicking this link.

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.