Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church

Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church

Web: www.stspeterpaul.net
Office: (301) 663-0663 | [email protected]
Fr. John Bullock: [email protected]

Welcome to Sts. Peter & Paul! It's a blessing to have you join us. To follow along with today's services, please use one of our Divine Liturgy books in the pews. If you are new here, one of our parishioners will be happy to show you where we are in the book. After service, please join us for coffee fellowship in our social hall on the lower level.

Today

Memorial for Aphrodite Tripiotis (40 days). May her memory be eternal!

Sunday School and Greek Folk Dance practice after Liturgy.

Saints and Feasts

October 04

Hierotheos, Bishop of Athens

According to some, Hierotheus, like Saint Dionysius, was a member of the court of Mars Hill. Having first been instructed in the Faith of Christ by Paul, he became Bishop of Athens. He, in turn, initiated the divine Dionysius more perfectly into the mysteries of Christ; the latter, on his part, elaborated more clearly and distinctly Hierotheus' concise and summary teachings concerning the Faith. He too was brought miraculously by the power of the Holy Spirit to be present at the Dormition of the Theotokos, when, together with the sacred Apostles, he became a leader of the divine hymnody. "He was wholly transported, wholly outside himself and was so deeply absorbed in communion with the sacred things he celebrated in hymnology, that to all who heard him and saw him and knew him, and yet knew him not, he seemed to be inspired of God, a divine hymnographer," as Dionysius says (On the Divine Names, 3:2). Having lived in a manner pleasing to God, he reposed in the Lord.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Mode

The stone having been sealed by the Pharisees and chief priests, * and Your all-immaculate body being guarded by soldiers, * You rose on the third day, O Lord and Savior, granting life unto the world. * Then the powers of the heavens cried out to You, O Giver of Life, and shouted, * “Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! * Glory to Your eternal rule! * Glory to Your plan for saving us, only benevolent God!”

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 the Church in the 4th Mode

As the first in rank of the Apostles and teachers of the world, intercede with the Master of all that He grant peace unto all the world and great mercy unto our souls.

Οἱ τῶν Ἀποστόλων πρωτόθρονοι, καὶ τῆς οἰκουμένης διδάσκαλοι, τῷ Δεσπότῃ τῶν ὅλων πρεσβεύσατε, εἰρήνην τῇ οἰκουμένῃ δωρήσασθαι, καὶ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Mode

A protection of Christians unshamable, intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, please reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. Instead, come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you: hasten to intercede and speed now to supplicate, as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you.

Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

18th Sunday after Pentecost
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6-11

Brethren, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

18th Sunday after Pentecost
Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 9:6-11

Ἀδελφοί, ὁ σπείρων φειδομένως, φειδομένως καὶ θερίσει· καὶ ὁ σπείρων ἐπʼ εὐλογίαις, ἐπʼ εὐλογίαις καὶ θερίσει. Ἕκαστος καθὼς προαιρεῖται τῇ καρδίᾳ· μὴ ἐκ λύπης ἢ ἐξ ἀνάγκης· ἱλαρὸν γὰρ δότην ἀγαπᾷ ὁ θεός. Δυνατὸς δὲ ὁ θεὸς πᾶσαν χάριν περισσεῦσαι εἰς ὑμᾶς, ἵνα ἐν παντὶ πάντοτε πᾶσαν αὐτάρκειαν ἔχοντες περισσεύητε εἰς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθόν· καθὼς γέγραπται, Ἐσκόρπισεν, ἔδωκεν τοῖς πένησιν· ἡ δικαιοσύνη αὐτοῦ μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. Ὁ δὲ ἐπιχορηγῶν σπέρμα τῷ σπείροντι, καὶ ἄρτον εἰς βρῶσιν χορηγήσαι, καὶ πληθύναι τὸν σπόρον ὑμῶν, καὶ αὐξήσαι τὰ γενήματα τῆς δικαιοσύνης ὑμῶν· ἐν παντὶ πλουτιζόμενοι εἰς πᾶσαν ἁπλότητα, ἥτις κατεργάζεται διʼ ἡμῶν εὐχαριστίαν τῷ θεῷ.

Gospel Reading

2nd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 6:31-36

The Lord said, "As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

2nd Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 6:31-36

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καθὼς θέλετε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ποιεῖτε αὐτοῖς ὁμοίως. καὶ εἰ ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτοὺς ἀγαπῶσι. καὶ ἐὰν ἀγαθοποιῆτε τοὺς ἀγαθοποιοῦντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσι. καὶ ἐὰν δανείζητε παρ᾿ ὧν ἐλπίζετε ἀπολαβεῖν, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς δανείζουσιν ἵνα ἀπολάβωσι τὰ ἴσα. πλὴν ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν καὶ ἀγαθοποιεῖτε καὶ δανείζετε μηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες, καὶ ἔσται ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολύς, καὶ ἔσεσθε υἱοὶ ὑψίστου, ὅτι αὐτὸς χρηστός ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς. Γίνεσθε οὖν οἰκτίρμονες, καθὼς καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν οἰκτίρμων ἐστί.

Announcements

Prayer & Worship

The Bookstore has a fresh set of icons and prayer ropes. Stop by in the social hall after Divine Liturgy to take a look!

Fellowship

We will recognize these parishioners for their dedication to our parish at the Honoree Grand Banquet on Sun, Nov 1 in Baltimore, MD.

Community: Maria Bedard
Parish Council: Andy Zoulias
Church Musician: Nick Carras
Youth Worker: Georgette Calomeris
Senior Steward: Tim Moore
GOYAn: Yulia Nesterova
Philoptochos: Deb Zoulias
Religious Education: Brandi Lahanas

Contact the church office by Wed., Oct. 7th, if you would like to attend and support our faithful honorees.

Interested in having a special note or advertisement in the Commemorative Journal Album at the Honoree Grand Banquet? Messages and ads are due Oct 9. See flyer for details.

Fall Harvest Party on Sat, Nov 7. Donated items will benefit Blessings in a Backpack. See the flyer for details.

Giving

Stewardship is as old as the Church itself. Paul reminded the Corinthians that those who labor in ministry are entitled to be supported by the community they serve, writing that "the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel" (1 Cor 9:14). That same spirit sustains us today. It costs about $1,150 to keep our church running for a single day— utilities, staff, and the countless small things that make this our church a place of worship and welcome. Would you consider sponsoring a day? Speak with the church office if you'd like to give in honor of a loved one or in thanksgiving for God's blessings.

Accessibility Project: An ADA lift to allow access up to the church and down to the Social Hall to ensure that our church is open to all. A grant from Leadership 100 is providing funds to assist this effort, but we still need your support and generosity to make this vision a reality. Donate at stspeterpaul.net/give

Pastoral Reminders

Parking: Due to the increased attendance at services, please do not leave an empty space in front of you when parking. If you park behind someone, you may be asked to move your vehicle at the end of service to let someone out. Note that Scottish Alley is not available for parking.
Please blot or remove lip products before receiving Holy Communion or venerating icons.
Holy Communion, Unction, and other sacraments are reserved for baptized/chrismated Orthodox Christians in good-standing. Please contact Fr. John if you have any questions.
The upstairs balcony area is for calming and quieting infants. Once they are calm, please bring them back into the Nave so that they can worship with the rest of the community.
Contact the church office to schedule:
- Confession with Fr. John
- Visitation for someone in the hospital or long-term care
- Memorial services for departed loved ones

All announcements must be submitted to the office by end of day Tuesday to be included in the upcoming weekly newsletter.

Join a Ministry

Youth Ministries, contact Christina Summers at [email protected].
Acolytes (altar servers), contact Fr. John.
Young Adult Ministry (ages 18-35), contact Nick Tax.
Greek Dance, contact Georgette Calomeris at [email protected].
Philoptochos (ministry to the poor), contact Shannon Nerantzis at [email protected].
Stewardship Ministry: If you can help us plan for and encourage stewardship (time, talent, treasure), contact Greg Nerantzis: [email protected].
Outreach/Evangelism Ministry: Help welcome visitors and usher on Sundays during Divine Liturgy. Contact Elizabeth Kostas-Polston.
Fellowship Ministry: Help set up and clean up for coffee hour on Sundays. Please contact Fr. John if you can help.

Parish Calendar

Next Week

October 4 to October 12, 2026

Sunday, October 4

8:30AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:15AM Sunday School

11:45AM Greek Folk Dance

Tuesday, October 6

8:30AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy for the Apostle Thomas

Saturday, October 10

10:00AM GOYA Games (in Baltimore)

Sunday, October 11

8:30AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:15AM Sunday School

Monday, October 12

Office Closed (Columbus Day)