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

March 06

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.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second 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.

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.

Parish Calendar

Parish Liturgical Services & Activities

March 6 to March 13, 2022

Sunday, March 6

Cheesefare Sunday

Godparent/Godchild Sunday

8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy

9:30AM Philoptochos Lenten Food Drive

12:00PM Forgiveness Vespers

Monday, March 7

Great Lent Begins

6:00PM Great Compline

Wednesday, March 9

9:00AM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

7:00PM Philoptochos General Meeting

Thursday, March 10

7:15PM Parish Council Meeting

Friday, March 11

9:00AM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

6:00PM Greek School

7:00PM Salutation to the Most Holy Theotokos

Saturday, March 12

9:00AM 3rd Saturday of Souls-Orthros/Divine Liturgy (Cancelled)

5:00PM Great Vespers (Cancelled)

Sunday, March 13

Sunday of Orthodoxy

8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy

12:00PM Solemn Vespers

1:00PM Greek Dance organizational meeting

Parish Ministries

Parish Council: George Lountos (President), Elizabeth A. Kostas-Polston (Vice President), Denise Beauclair (Treasurer), Gregory Nerantzis (Secretary), Eleni Trivizas, Kiriaki Kontos, Paul West, Georgette Calomeris.

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

HOPE & JOY Ministry: Mrs. Jennifer Ferentinos. Email: jaf7275@gmail.com

GOYA: Mrs. 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 Sophia Glezos Voit, email: sgvoit@comcast.net.

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: This ministry coordinates Sunday Coffee Hour hosts. Please contact the Church Office if you're interested in leading this ministry or 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. 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

**UPDATE**

The Frederick County Board of Health has lifted the mask mandate. Masks are no longer required while attending Church services.

We will have an Artoklasia this Sunday in honor of Godparents and Godchildren.

A 5-year memorial service will be chanted today for James Mellis. May his memory be eternal.

Join us for fellowship at the social hall following Divine Liturgy on Sundays. Prayerfully consider sponsoring coffee hour in memory of a loved one or celebrating an occasion. Click here to sign up.

Coffee Hour this Sunday is hosted by the Parish Council in honor of Godparents and Godchildren.

Upcoming Sponsors

March 13: Hosted by the Youth Ministries of Sts. Peter & Paul to commemorate Sunday of Orthodoxy.

March 20: Hosted by Sts. Peter & Paul Greek School

March 27: SPONSOR NEEDED

Great Lent is fast approaching! If you would like to decorate the Icon of the Theotokos for Salutations, the Bridegroom or Mystical Supper Icons and/or contribute to the cost of the flowers for the icons please contact the church office.

Icon Decoration & Flowers
3/11 Salutations
3/18 Salutations
3/25 Salutations
4/08 Akathist Hymn
4/20 Mystical Supper

Great Compline every Monday at 6:00 pm. This is a prayer service in which many psalms are chanted together with evening prayers. It includes the well-known hymns “God is with Us” and “O Lord of Hosts”.

Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts Wednesdays at 6:00 pm and every Friday at 9:00 am:
This special liturgy is allowed only during the Great Fast. The Divine Liturgy may not be celebrated on weekdays during Great Lent. However, the need still exists, especially during this time of year when we are struggling with our spiritual lives against evil and our own weaknesses, to receive the Body and Blood of Christ more often. Therefore, the priest consecrates an extra host on the previous Sunday which is then used during this liturgy, thus the name Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. This is one of the most beautiful services of the Church. Fasting is required from at least the noon meal in order to receive Holy Communion.

The Akathist Service to the Theotokos every Friday at 7:00 pm: This service is a Small Compline service and the Canon and salutations to the Theotokos. It is celebrated on the first five Fridays of the Great Fast.

The Parish Level Oratorical Festival will be held on March 26th, please contact Sophia Voit - Oratorial Chair, if your child(ren) would like to participate. Email: sgvoit@comcast.net, Cell: 301-704-5462. The registration date for the Parish has been extended to Saturday, March 12th.

The next St. Eugenia Philoptochos General Meeting is on Wednesday, March 9th at 7 pm via Google Meets.

Your Altar Keepers donation recently purchased these Gospel Ribbons that adorn the Holy Gospel on the Altar Table. We now have the corresponding color for each altar covering. We are very thankful for all our donors who contribute to the Altar Keepers fund. We look forward to future additions to the altar! God bless!

2022 Stewardship: If you would like to support the Church Ministries through your stewardship, please visit www.stspeterpaul.net and select Stewardship 2022 to complete your online stewardship commitment.

2022 Membership Drive: Join the Philoptochos: Philanthropy - Fellowship - Faith in Action. Email: ladies@sainteugeniaphiloptochos.net. Visit the Philoptochos Marketplace Click here.

Please support the Philoptochos in their Lenten Food Drive supporting the Frederick Food Bank. There is a great need in our community. Encourage your children, family, neighbors, and friends to donate to the important service for our fellow citizens. We will have drop-off locations in the Narthex and on the porch at the church office throughout the Lenten season. Or to make a monetary donation please visit: https://st-eugenia-ladies-philoptochos-society.square.site/product/donate-st-eugenia-chapter-lps/20

The 3rd Saturday of Souls will be held on March 12th. If you would like your loved ones commemorated, please click here to forward the names.

Lenten Talk is a brief lecture and discussion series held on Wednesdays of Great Lent following the Liturgy of the Presnactified Gifts in the Social Hall from March 16th through April 13th. The topic is: "The Active Christian Life According to the Ladder of Divine Ascent".

Volunteer Great Lent - Our parish has teamed up with the Frederick Rescue Mission to offer our parishioners an opportunity to volunteer during Great Lent. Together with prayer and fasting, we look to fortify our spiritual life by also offering alms, and benefit those who are in need- please sign up here for a day or call the Church office to learn more and sign up.

TThe Three Hierarchs Book Club meets on May 19th to discuss "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis. Read the book and join us on May 19th to discuss it.

With the blessings of His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, I am forwarding to you this letter from the Rev. Protopresbyter George Liacopulos, the Proistamenos of Holy Trinity in Egg Harbor, NJ, in regards to a young woman in his parish that is in desperate need of a life-saving Kidney Transplant. Click to read.