Welcome

We welcome you to Sts. Peter & Paul! It's been a trying and difficult few months, but we're able to once again gather in love as Christ's Body. Many changes have been implemented in order to comply with the State of Maryland, local authorities, and the Metropolis of NJ Three Phase Reopening Plan. Please take the time review these changes by visiting our website for more details.

Coffee Hour has been suspended until further notice, so please exit the Church after receiving antidoron.

I pray that you continue to remain safe and in good health. God Bless!

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.

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 Afterfeast 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.

Apolytikion for Martyr Eustathius and His Companions in the Fourth Mode

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Οι Μάρτυρές σου, Κύριε, εν τή αθλήσει αυτών, στεφάνους εκομίσαντο τής αφθαρσίας, εκ σού τού Θεού ημών, σχόντες γάρ τήν ισχύν σου, τούς τυράννους καθείλον, έθραυσαν καί δαιμόνων, τά ανίσχυρα θράση. Αυτών ταίς ικεσίαις, Χριστέ ο Θεός, σώσον τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.

Ο υψωθείς εν τώ Σταυρώ εκουσίως, τή επωνύμω σου καινή πολιτεία, τούς οικτιρμούς σου δώρησαι, Χριστέ ο Θεός, Εύφρανον εν τή δυνάμει σου, τούς πιστούς Βασιλείς ημών, νίκας χορηγών αυτοίς, κατά τών πολεμίων, τήν συμμαχίαν έχοιεν τήν σήν, όπλον ειρήνης, αήττητον τρόπαιον.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Sunday after Holy Cross
Πρὸς Γαλάτας 2:16-20

Ἀδελφοί, εἰδότες ὅτι οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου· διότι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐξ ἔργων νόμου πᾶσα σάρξ. Εἰ δέ, ζητοῦντες δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Χριστῷ, εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἁμαρτωλοί, ἆρα Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος; Μὴ γένοιτο. Εἰ γὰρ ἃ κατέλυσα, ταῦτα πάλιν οἰκοδομῶ, παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν συνίστημι. Ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω. Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι· ζῶ δέ, οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός· ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after 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 after 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 Liturgical Services & Activities

September 20 to October 4, 2020

Sunday, September 20

8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Thursday, September 24

5:00PM Bible Study (zoom meeting)

Friday, September 25

6:00PM Greek School begins virtual

Saturday, September 26

9:00AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian

3:00PM Church School

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, September 27

8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Thursday, October 1

9:00AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy The Holy Protection of the Theotokos

5:00PM Bible Study (zoom meeting)

Saturday, October 3

3:00PM Church School

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, October 4

8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Parish Ministries

Parish Council: George Lountos (President), Chrisoula Evans (Vice President), Bruce Flanders (Treasurer), Denise Beauclair (Secretary), Sue Manos, Elizabeth A. Kostas-Polston.

Greek School: Dr. George Lountos (Principal). Email: gtlountos@gmail.com or cell: 404-375-3180.

HOPE & JOY Ministry: Mrs. Christina Summers (Coordinator). Email: Mrs.Summers@aol.com

GOYA: Call the Church office for details.

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 Mrs. Bess Koutras, email: kikikoutras@yahoo.com or cell: 240-409-1431.

St. Eugenia Ladies Philoptochos: – Mrs. Maria Moungelis Bedard, President. All in the Parish are encouraged to be members of the Philoptochos Society. Contact Maria if interested in joining. Email ladies@sainteugeniaphiloptochos.net

Fellowship Ministry: Ms. Sue Manos coordinates Sunday Coffee Hour hosts. Please contact the Church Office if you're interested in hosting a Coffee Hour.

The Three Hierarchs Book Club: The book club meets monthly to discuss the book of the month. Please contact Fr. George if you're interested in joining. frgeorgemastakas@gmail.com

Hospital Ministry: Should you or a loved one need hospital or long term care, Fr. George would like to visit. Please be advised that Frederick Memorial Hospital (and most facilities) will not automatically notify Fr. George 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.

Announcements

Reminder: Please remember to wear a MASK upon entering the Church. Wearing a mask is not only for your protection, but more importantly for the protection of others around you. Please do not place ushers in an uncomfortable position to address this issue at Church.

As part of the Phase 1 Reopening Plan, Parishioners MUST reserve a seat for Sunday Services by NOON FRIDAY (You Do Not need to reserve a seat for weekday/Saturday services), but you will need to register at the entrance of the Church before entering. A limited amount of seats are reserved for those who do not use a computer. Please call the Church office and reserve a seat (301 663-0663).

CLICK HERE to reserve a seat for Sunday Liturgy.

The Three Hierarchs Book Club is reading "Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica" and will meet on Saturday, November 7th to discuss the book. Buy the book and join us. Please contact Fr. George if you would like to join the book club.

Church School: We have an exciting NEW program for the upcoming year. The new web based program breaks away from the Sunday-only paradigm and now allows students to learn about their faith at home, as well as in a structured classroom setting.

The first component involves asynchronous learning in which children access their weekly material in Google Classroom and explore the weekly scripture reading through various interactive activities. Parents can easily participate and are strongly encouraged to join their children in engaging their faith at this time.

The second component involves synchronous learning, in which children study the weekly scripture reading in greater depth with their fellow students and instructors. Initially, students will meet virtually on zoom, but eventually will be carried over to in-person sessions at church.

Please register your children using the registration links below. Hope/Joy zoom class has begun, and meets via zoom every 2nd Saturday at 4pm. Church School begins this Saturday, Sept. 19th at 3:00pm.

Sunday School Registration: Click here
Hope/Joy Registration: Click here
GOYA Registration: Click here

St. Eugenia Philoptochos has been at the forefront of our Church's efforts to assist those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They have touched the lives of those left vulnerable from this pandemic by providing both spiritual and financial support. We ask that you prayerfully consider making a donation to the St. Eugenia Philoptochos Emergency Social Services Fund. These funds will be used for emergency social services assistance only. Please leave your donation in the Philoptochos offering stand or by visiting their website. God Bless! https://sts-peter-and-paul-ladies-philoptochos-society.square.site/

Fall Gyro Days: has been extended the final day will be Thrusday, Sept. 24th, this is a carry out only event. Please tell your family and friends of our fall fundraiser. Dimitri Olive Oil Farms will be available for purchases on the 19th, and 20th. St. Eugenia Ladies Philoptochos will be offering a special donation tray during the Fall Gyro Days, in support of the local food bank.

As the threat of COVID-19 continues, the church office is following state guidelines and will be open by appointment only. Please call the church office if you need assistance.

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Encyclical on Covid-19 Parish Challenges

General Information

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