Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-03-02
Bulletin Contents

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Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (301) 663-0663
  • Fax:
  • (301) 663-6855
  • Street Address:

  • 920 West 7th Street

  • Frederick, MD 21701


Contact Information






Past Bulletins


Welcome

Welcome to Sts. Peter & Paul! It's a blessing to have you join us in prayer. If you would like to follow along with today's services, please scan the QR code, select today's date, and the service in progress ("Matins" or "Divine Liturgy").

Please join us for coffee hour after Divine Liturgy, located in our social hall on the lower level.

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Today

Today is Godparent/Godchild Sunday. We will have a flower and prayer card for Godparents and Godchildren when you arrive at church.

Memorial Service will be offered for Demitrios (7 years) and Evangelos (24 years) Orfanidis at the end of Liturgy. May their memory be eternal!

Coffee Hour is hosted today in memory of Demitrios and Evangelos Orfanidis.

All parishioners in good standing are encouraged to attend the Special General Assembly today after Divine Liturgy.

Forgiveness Vespers will be held this evening at 5:00pm.

 

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Saints and Feasts

March 02

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.
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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 2nd Mode

O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."
Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ, φρονήσεως χορηγέ, τῶν ἀφρόνων παιδευτά, καὶ πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστά, στήριξον, συνέτισον τὴν καρδίαν μου Δέσποτα. Σὺ δίδου μοι λόγον, ὁ τοῦ Πατρός Λόγος· ἰδοὺ γὰρ τὰ χείλη μου, οὐ μὴ κωλύσω ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι· Ἐλεῆμον, ἐλέησόν με τὸν παραπεσόντα.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Forgiveness Sunday
Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 13:11-14, 14:1-4

Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαμεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν· ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώμεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν, μὴ κώμοις καὶ μέθαις, μὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, μὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν μὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυμίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν. Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω· ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ· δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.


Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Forgiveness Sunday
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 6:14-21

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· ᾿Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν. ῞Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί· ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν. σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι,ὅπως μὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσι καὶ κλέπτουσι· θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν· ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν.


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Announcements

Upcoming

On Sat, March 8th, we will celebrate the Miracle of Koliva (sometimes called "the Third Saturday of Souls") with Orthros, Divine Liturgy, and a memorial service. If you would like your departed to be included in the memorial service, please bring koliva and a list with the names of your departed loved ones with you to church on 3/8 (please do not email or text lists of names). If you would like the church to prepare koliva for you, please contact the church office to make arrangements. May the memory of our loved ones be eternal!

Next Sun, March 9th, we will celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy with a special procession with icons at the end of Liturgy. Children are reminded to bring an icon from home to carry in the procession.

The next Philoptochos General Meeting is Wed, March 5th at 7:00pm.

The Lenten Food Drive sponsored by Philoptochos begins on Mon, March 3rd. See flier for details.

The Festival Committee meets again on Sun, March 9th, at 12:30pm.

Save the Date

  • Mar. 9 - Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession of Icons
  • Mar. 16 - Hellenic Museum of Maryland Presentation at Coffee Hour
  • Mar. 30 - Greek Independence Day Parade

Community

Our Saint Eugenia Philoptochos chapter and the local Nelefs AHEPA chapter would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all parishioners and friends who attended last week's Apokreatiko Glendi in the Dr. Peter Tsaknis Social Hall. It was a wonderful evening filled with music, dancing, food, and fun—all in support of our ministries and local community. Your support and generosity are truly appreciated! A special thank you goes to Mr. George Gerogiannis for his invaluable help in securing food donations, which significantly offset overhead costs, and to Mr. Tommy Havelos of The Greeks' Grill and Catering in Lovettsville, VA, for his generous food donations.

Coffee hour is a way for us to encourage fellowship and welcome visitors to our parish. If you would like to participate in this ministry by sponsoring a coffee hour, please contact the church office.

Host needed on these Sundays:

  • Mar. 23
  • Mar. 30
  • Apr. 6

Decorating Icons during Lent and Holy Week is one way we can beautify our church during the Lenten season of prayer and spiritual renewal. If you would like to decorate an icon and/or contribute to the cost of flowers for these icons, please contact the church office.

Dates Available:

  • Mar. 7 - Akathist
  • Mar. 14 - Akathist
  • Mar. 21 - Akathist
  • Mar. 25 - Annunciation of the Theotokos
  • Mar. 28 - Akathist
  • Apr. 4 - Akathist
  • Apr. 13 - Bridegroom
  • Apr. 16 - Mystical Supper
  • Apr. 20 - Holy Resurrection

What are the Additional Services During Great Lent?

Great Compline (typically offered Mondays at 6:00pm during Lent). In the Orthodox Church there is a daily cycle of services, with different services corresponding to certain times of the day. Compline is the service done after supper, in which we ask for forgiveness for our wrongdoings during the day and for protection throughout the night. Great Compline is an old form of Compline that is now only done during Great Lent.

Presanctified (typically offered Wednesdays at 6:00pm and Fridays at 9:00am). This service is Vespers with the distribution of Holy Communion that has been saved from the previous Sunday. In the daily cycle of services, Vespers is the service for sunset and the start of the new liturgical day, with the theme of renewed creation and light shining in the darkness. Due to the subdued nature of Lent, weekday Liturgies and other celebrations will not take place, but the Church offers Presanctified Holy Communion at this Vespers service so that the faithful can be strengthened during the Fast. Orthdodox Christians planning to receive Holy Communion at this service should fast from at least noon.

Akathist (offered the first five Fridays at 7:00pm) is a Compline service with the addition of a canon and salutations to the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. The 5th Saturday of Lent is connected to the Annunciation, and so on the 5th Friday evening of Great Lent, we offer the Akathist srvice in its entirety. The previous 4 Fridays are done in anticipation, with only a portion of the salutations being done. The salutations or "Kontakion" is attributed to St. Romanos the Melodist and is a poetic and theological masterpiece, comprised of 24 stanzas which are arranged in an acrostic following the Greek alphabet. "Akathist" means "not standing", and so most Orthodox Christians will stand during the entirety of this service.

Reminders

In the event of inclement weather, please call the church office and listen to the voice message for updates on service times and/or cancellations. An email blast and push notification through our church mobile app will also be sent out.

Please note that Holy Communion and other sacraments are reserved for baptized/chrismated Orthodox Christians in good-standing. Please contact Fr. John if you have any questions.

Please blot or remove any lip products before venerating icons and before approaching for Holy Communion to protect our liturgical items.

Visitations: If you or a loved one need hospital or long-term care, please call the church office to schedule a visit from Fr. John.

Memorial Services can be offered for our departed loved ones. Please call the church office to schedule. You can also honor the memory of your loved ones by hosting a coffee hour in their memory.

Ongoing Ministries

Hope/Joy & GOYA meet the last Tuesday of each month for worship, food, and fellowship, leading to deeper spiritual friendships with one another and with Jesus Christ. Open to all children in grades elementary thru high school. Contact Christina Summers at [email protected].

Young Adults (ages 18-35) meet once a month on a Saturday after Vespers for potluck, fellowship, and discussion. Contact Fr. John for info.

Greek Folk Dance is open to all ages and levels of experience. Please contact Georgette Calomeris at [email protected] for more information or to register.

Orthodoxy 101 meets virtually every other Thurs evening to discuss the Divine Liturgy and how it relates to our Faith. Contact Fr. John for info.

St. Eugenia Philoptochos ministers to the poor and needy in our community. To become a steward, complete the form which is located on the Philoptochos table. If you have any questions, contact Georgette Calomeris at [email protected] or 301-471-7303.

Ways to Give

When Jesus fed five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, He showed us how God’s love can multiply the effects of our generosity.

2025 Stewardship:  Our parish ministries depend on your Stewardship Pledge. Frederick and the surrounding areas need to hear the Gospel message and experience God's love! Pick up a 2025 Stewardship Card in the Narthex or visit our website, www.stspeterpaul.net, and click GIVE. Stewardship Cards are also available in the Narthex. Thank you for your generous support!

Accessibility Project: If you've already made a stewardship pledge and are looking for additional ways to give, please consider donating to our accessibility project, which will provide a street-level ramp for access to the church and an ADA lift for access to the Narthex and Social Hall. Help us make Orthodoxy accessible to all! Donate
 
Altar Keepers: Donations received are used to help us with the purchase of liturgical items. Please donate through our parish App, our website, or by check.
 
Aero Energy House of Worship Program: If you are an Aero Energy customer, you can have a percentage of your bill donated to our church, without costing you anything extra. Visit Aero Engergy's website for details: aeroenergy.com
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Parish Calendar

  • Next Week

    March 2 to March 9, 2025

    Sunday, March 2

    Godparent/Godchild Sunday

    8:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Special Parish Assembly

    5:00PM Vespers of Forgiveness

    Monday, March 3

    Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive (3/3-4/21)

    Great Lent Begins

    6:00PM Compline

    Wednesday, March 5

    9:00AM Presanctified

    7:00PM Philoptochos General Membership Meeting

    Thursday, March 6

    7:00PM Orthodoxy 101

    Friday, March 7

    9:00AM Presanctified

    7:00PM Akathist to the Theotokos

    Saturday, March 8

    9:00AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy for the Miracle of Kollyva

    5:00PM Vespers

    Sunday, March 9

    Sunday of Orthodoxy

    8:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    12:15PM Festival Committee Meeting

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Fliers

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