Petra News

Baptism of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ Week of January 3rd 2020 Sunday, January 3rd 2020 Sunday Before the Sts Peter & Paul Weekly Services Resurrectional Hymn (Plagal 1st Tone) “Eternal with the Father and the Spirit is the Word, Tuesday, January 5, 2021 (Strict Fast Day) Who of a Virgin was begotten for our salvation. Eve of the Theophany of Christ As the faithful we both praise and worship Him, Royal Hours______9am for in the flesh did He consent to ascend unto the Cross, Vesperal of St Basil and death did He endure and He raised unto life the dead & Blessing of the Waters______5pm through His all glorious resurrection.” Wednesday, January 6, 2021 Hymn for the Forefeast of Theophany The Holy Theophany of Our Lord “O Zabulon, prepare, and be ready, Nephthalim. and God and Savior Jesus Christ Jordan River, hold your course, and exultantly receive the Orthros______8am Master who is coming to be baptized. Divine Liturgy & Greater Blessing of the Waters___ 9am Adam leap for joy with Eve the Foremother. No longer hide yourselves, as once in Paradise; Saturday, January 9, 2021 for having seen you naked He has appeared Great Vespers______5pm to clothe you in your former vesture. The Christ has appeared, Fast free December 25 - January 4 wishing to renew the entire creation.” Hymn for Sts Peter Paul “”O Leaders of the Apostles, and teachers of the world, The Prayer for intercede with the Master of all the Catechumens that He may grant peace unto the world, “Lord our God, Who dwells on high and to our souls His great mercy.” and watches over the humble, You sent forth Your only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation “To the flowing streams today of River Jordan of the human race. Look down upon comes the Lord and cries aloud to John the Baptist, Your servants, the catechumens, who and He says, “Be not afraid to baptize me now; have inclined their necks to You, and for I have come to save Adam, the first-formed man.” grant them at a proper time the baptism Scripture Readings of rebirth, the remission of sins, and the garment of incorruption. Unite them Orthros : John 20:11-18 to Your holy, catholic, and apostolic Reading: Tim 4:5-8 Church, and number them among Your Gospel Reading: St. Mark 1:1-8 chosen flock.” Baily, Chad, Justin, Natasha, Yehor

1 Sts. Peter & Paul, Greek Orthodox Church Sunday Before the Epiphany Eighth Orthros Gospel According to John 20:11-18 At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the you have carried Him away, tell me where you tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where and say to them, I am ascending to my Father they have laid Him.” Saying this, she turned round and your Father, to my God and your God.” Mary and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that Magdalene went and said to the disciples, “I have it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are seen the Lord”; and she told them that He had said you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing these things to her. Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if Epistle: St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8 TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure the good fight, I have finished the race, I have suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me ministry. the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. The Gospel According to Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Petra News, Week of January 3rd, 2021 2 The Feast of Lights: Epiphany / Theophany

Our life on earth is God the Holy Spirit. Thus, especially dependent along with the themes upon water and light. of the sanctification of Water covers most of the the waters, purification earth and interacts with from sin and renewal, the entire cycle of nature Theophany also to help things grow. In a celebrates the revelation comparable way light is of God to the world. essential to photosynthesis, “Theophany” means the miracle behind divine manifestation - the everything that is green. It manifestation of God causes creative changes in to the world as Trinity, the atmosphere and on the the three great Lights of surface of the earth. Light Father, Son and Spirit, allows us to appreciate one in essence and glory. nature’s rich colors. And Every manifestation of these two elements - water and light - are the chief Jesus Christ, both in history and in the inner life symbols for the Holy Theophany of our Lord, or of each person, is simultaneously a manifestation the Feast of Lights, which we celebrate on January 6. of humility and of glory. Whoever tries to separate Theophany is one of the most important feast days in these two aspects of Christ commits an error the Orthodox Church along with Easter, which falsifies the whole spiritual life. I cannot and . Theophany commemorates the approach the glorified Christ without, at the same event of Jesus’ baptism. According to the , time, approaching the humiliated Christ, nor the when Jesus came to be baptized heaven opened, humiliated Christ without approaching the glorified the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form Christ. If I desire Christ to be manifested in me, of a dove and God the Father by His heavenly voice this cannot come about except through embracing gave witness that Jesus was His beloved Son. Jesus’ Him whom Augustine delighted to call ‘the lowly baptism signified not only His own divine identity and humble Christ,’ and, in the same upsurge, as Son of God but also disclosed the glory of the worshiping Him Who is also God and King. Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and

3 Sts. Peter & Paul, Greek Orthodox Church Jesus Baptism: A sign of death and resurrection

Although He was “Let all the house of Israel acclaimed as king as His therefore know assuredly entrance in Jerusalem that God has made Him (Palm Sunday), Jesus’ both Lord and Christ, kingship was fulfilled this Jesus whom you only on the cross: “Was crucified.” (Acts 2:36) it not necessary that the These are the words Christ should suffer these of Peter on the day of things and enter into His Pentecost. From this day, glory?”, said Jesus after His the apostles associate the resurrection (Lk 24:26). term ‘Christ’ (Messiah, The Kingdom of God Anointed) with the is inaugurated through name of Jesus (Savior). the cross: the doors of Henceforth, the disciples paradise open to welcome baptize and heal in the the King of Glory and His name of Jesus Christ. traveling companion, the repentant thief. When Whoever calls on this name will be saved. Jesus foretells His passion to the apostles, James The newly-baptized are called Christians (Acts and John, the sons of Zebedee, ask to enter the 11:26), because they are anointed by the Holy Kingdom and to sit with Him in glory, one on His Spirit, just like their Lord and Master. On the day right hand, the other on His left. Jesus tells them of our baptism, each of us is anointed with the Holy that they must undergo baptism into death and Spirit like Christ in the Jordan. As we emerge from drink of the cup of martyrdom before sharing in the water, we receive chrismation, the anointing His glory (Mk 10:35-40). with Holy Chrism, which has been consecrated by Before being reborn in the resurrection, every the bishop. It is a seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. person must die with Christ. At our baptism, we We become ‘christs’ in our turn and we sing: “As experience the symbol of the death and resurrection many as have been baptized into Christ have put of Christ. The triple immersion in water represents on Christ, Alleluia!” (Gal 3) the three days in the tomb, through which the Savior has vanquished death (Rom 6:3-11).

Petra News, Week of January 3rd, 2021 4 The Great Blessing of the Waters As a great feast, Theophany includes a same value. It is done twice probably whole cycle of liturgical services. On because of the great throngs of people the Forefeast of Theophany (January who traditionally came to receive holy 5), we read according to tradition the water. A sign of sanctification by God’s Royal Great Hours, a prayer service grace, the blessed water is sprinkled consisting of many hymns, psalms and throughout the Church, on the other readings from the Old and New congregation and on each Orthodox Testaments. After the Great Hours, the Christian individually. It may also be Great Vespers of Theophany combined drunk. On the Feast of Theophany and with the Liturgy of St Basil is celebrated. on subsequent days all the faithful, All these services are then crowned their homes and often their fields, with the special rite of the Blessing of the Waters, gardens and other possessions are traditionally a rite which is repeated on the Feast of Theophany sprinkled with holy water by the or head following Matins and the Liturgy of St. Basil. of the household while the Theophany Hymn The Blessing of the Water of the Forefeast of is sung. Holy water in small bottles may also be Theophany is sometimes called the Small Blessing kept in homes near the for drinking before of the Waters and on the Feast of Theophany it breakfast or for blessing of persons or the home on is called the Great Blessing of the Waters. Both the first days of each month or special occasions. are exactly the same, however, and have the

COVID-19 GUIDELINES UPDATE 12/27/2020 The revised Colorado Safer-at-Home guidelines set The weekly schedule of services are as follows: forth by the Governor of Colorado allow Sts Peter Paul • Tuesday, January 5, Evening Vesperal Divine to 45 people in Church during the services. Liturgy 5pm PLEASE NOTE THAT MASKS ARE • Wednesday, January 6, Divine Liturgy 9am REQUIRED AND TO BE PROPERLY WORN AT ALL SERVICES INCLUDING ALL • Sunday, January 10, Divine Liturgy, 9:30am Sign-up required WEEKDAY SERVICES. The fellowship Hall will remain closed on Sundays. The Please be considerate and sign up for only one of the Welcome committee and members of the Parish Council weekend services (Divine Liturgy). Please allow others will offer coffee & pastry ‘To Go’ at the end of service. Due to sign up if you have already attended, especially if it to recent restrictions, in person Sunday School, Classes was the prior Sunday. If at the end of the week (Saturday and Bible Studies are discontinued until further notice. evening), the list is not filled, then please sign up. If The Wednesday Bible Study is available via ‘zoom.’ Father you did not sign up or prefer not to attend on Sunday, Jordan will offer a youth discussion via ‘zoom’ beginning please contact Father Jordan (frjordanbrown@gmail. December 5th (details TBA). com or 720-329-5212. Arrangements can be made to receive Holy Communion during the week.

5 Sts. Peter & Paul, Greek Orthodox Church News & Announcements Blessing of Homes 2021 Youth Ministry Father Jordan will begin blessing homes on the Fireside Chat (middle & high school only) Feast of Epiphany, January 6th. Father will be Saturday, January 9 blessing all the homes of our parish. The house blessing schedule will be going out next week. Sts Peter Paul will begin a Fireside Chat for our House blessings will be a little different for 2021. teens (middle and high school age only) beginning Father Jordan will be blessing only the entrance of Saturday, January 9th. We will meet for evening the home. If you are new to our parish or have any prayer, Vespers at 5 pm, and gather for dinner and questions for Father, please contact him. discussion in the parish hall (5:45 pm / 6 pm). We will gather in a safe distance manner. If you have Adult Education any questions, please contact Father Jordan. Wednesday Morning Home Visitations Bible Study Father Jordan is available to make Classes will resume on January 13th home visitations for our elderly, Orthodox Faith Series shut ins, and all those with ‘high If you are interested in learning about the risk’ health challenges. Please do not Orthodox Faith, please contact Father Jordan at hesitate to contact Father Jordan to [email protected] or 303-581-1434. The schedule a visit. Parishioners with Orthodox Christian Faith Classes will begin in ‘high risk’ health challenges are welcome to visit January 2021. the church during the week to schedule a time to Bookstore pray and receive the Holy Sacraments. Grocery Gift Cards We are here for you! Philoptochos would be happy to help you with Remember to purchase your grocery gift cards your bookstore purchase on and old Chicago pizza Palz from Julie Powers on Sunday’s after Liturgy. Please see Sunday or contact her directly at powerjulie@ Lis Troicky or Julie Powers. gmail.com

Stewardship Sunday January, 10th Please return your completed stewardship cards by next Sunday, January 10. Cards received by that date will be entered into a prize drawing. 2021 STEWARDSHIP PACKETS Please pick up your 2021 Stewardship Packets and Church Calendars located in the Narthex of the Church. Thank you. (Any packets remaining after Sunday will be mailed)

Petra News, Week of January 3rd, 2021 6 Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church 5640 Jay Road, Boulder, CO 80301 303.581.1434 • stspeterandpaulboulder.org

About Our Parish Priest We welcome visitors worshiping with us today. Reverend Father Jordan Brown Our diverse church family encompasses Parish Council many converts to the Orthodox Christian Faith, as well as Greek, Arab, Romanian, President - Erica Gerakos Serbian and Russian Orthodox Christians. Vice President - Nicholas Kallan The foundation of the Orthodox Church Treasurer - Brian Gregory are the teachings and Holy Tradition of Secretary - Phillip Haratsaris Jesus Christ. We follow the first Christians Philoptochos who began to worship Jesus Christ after the Presidents - Dana Gall and Crucifixion and Resurrection. Sharon Dzilvelis Please introduce yourself to our priest and members of our Treasurer - Julie Powers community. We also encourage you to join us for our fellowship Youth / Goya after services in the parish hall and visit our bookstore. If you are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, Fr. Jordan Brown please visit with our priest, Fr. Jordan Brown. Choir Director Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church Presbytera Marika Brown Holy Communion is reserved only Recurring Services for baptized and/or chrismated Orthodox Christians who have Orthros - Sundays, 8:15am properly prepared by prayer, fasting, Divine Liturgy - Sundays, 9:30am and confession. Great Vespers - Saturdays, 5pm Confession by appointment. The Orthodox Church understands the reception of Holy Communion to be the highest expression of our faith. Both Orthodox and non- Orthodox alike are invited to receive the ‘antidoro’ (blessed bread ) at the end of the Divine Liturgy.