Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-03-23
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

During coffee hour today the Greek Folk Dance Ministry will be hosting a Frappe and Spaghetti fundraiser, proceeds benefiting the Greek Dance ministry.

The Ladies Philoptochos will have a special collection in the narthex for Sunday of the Holy Cross to benefit the collection for operational expenses at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology.

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Saints and Feasts

March 23

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.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 2nd Mode

When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You.
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the 1st Mode

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance; grant victory to the faithful against the adversaries of the faith. And protect Your people by the power of Your Cross.
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 4th Mode

O Champion General, I your city now devote to you * a feast of victr'y and an offering of gratitude, * since from terrors, Theotokos, have I been ransomed, * but because you the have might which is invincible, * from all kinds of dangers free me and deliver me * that I may cry 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.
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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.


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Announcements

Upcoming

Young Adults are meeting Sat, March 29th after Vespers for discussion, fellowship, and a Lenten potluck.

The Greek Independence Day Parade is Sunday, March 30th at 2pm, at Ponca St and Eastern Ave in Baltimore. To allow for travel time, services will begin 30 minutes early that day. Orthros - 8:00am; Divine Liturgy - 9:30am.

Join our Church Cleaning Day on Sat, April 5th at 11am to clean and prepare our church for Holy Week and Pascha!

Save the Date

  • Apr. 12 - Palm Folding and Lunch
  • Apr. 13 - Palm Sunday Luncheon
  • Apr. 13 - Visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos

Community

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. 30
  • Apr. 6
  • Apr. 27

Decorating Icons during Lent and Holy Week is one way to 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. 28 - Akathist
  • Apr. 4 - Akathist
  • Apr. 16 - Mystical Supper
  • Apr. 20 - Holy Resurrection

The Lenten Food Drive sponsored by Philoptochos continues through April 21st. See flier for details.

What are the Additional Services During Great Lent?

Great Compline (Mondays at 6:00pm). This is the prayer service done after supper, in which we ask for forgiveness for our wrongdoings during the day and for protection throughout the night. The majority of Compline is read.

Presanctified (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. Vespers is the prayer service done at sunset, 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 Lent. Orthodox Christians planning to receive Holy Communion at this service should plan to fast beforehand.

Akathist (Fridays at 7:00pm) is a Compline service with the addition of a canon and salutations to the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. The salutations section is a poetic and theological masterpiece, comprised of 24 stanzas which are arranged in an acrostic following the Greek alphabet. "Akathist" means "not sitting", and so most Orthodox Christians will stand during the entirety of this service.

Pastoral Reminders

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. Contact Georgette Calomeris at [email protected] for more information.

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:  The March 2nd Special General Assembly voted to proceed with the revised Accessibility Project to install a street-level ramp for access to the church and an ADA lift to allow access from the Narthex to the Social Hall, which will allow all parishioners, inquirers, and visitors safe and convenient access to our church facilities during divine services and other parish events. The Accessibility Project Committee and the Parish Council are now working to solicit formal bids, and a fundraising committee has also been established. While a generous grant from Leadership 100 is providing funds to assist our parish in this effort, we also need the support and generosity of our Sts. Peter and Paul family to make this vision a reality. Please consider making a gift or a pledge today to help 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 23 to March 30, 2025

    Sunday, March 23

    8:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Greek Dance Frappe and Spaghetti Fundraiser

    Monday, March 24

    7:00PM Vespers for the Annunciation (in Baltimore, MD)

    Tuesday, March 25

    9:00AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy for the Annunciation of the Theotokos

    6:00PM Hope/Joy & GOYA Gathering

    Wednesday, March 26

    6:00PM Presanctified

    Friday, March 28

    9:00AM Presanctified

    7:00PM Akathist to the Theotokos

    Saturday, March 29

    11:00AM Acolyte Retreat

    5:00PM Vespers

    6:00PM Young Adult Meeting

    Sunday, March 30

    8:00AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    2:00PM Greek Independence Parade

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Fliers

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