Petra News

Holy Week of June 20th 2021 , June 20th 2021 Hymns for Holy Pentecost This Week’s Service Schedule Hymn for the Feast of Pentecost “O blessed are You, O Christ our God, Saturday, June 26 Who by sending down the Holy Spirit upon them Saturday Vespers______5pm made the fishermen wise and through them illumined the world. Sunday, June 27 And to You the universe was ever drawn all glory to You, O Lord.” / Matins______8:15am Divine Liturgy______9:30am “Evlogitos I Hriste O Theos imon, o pansofous, tous aliis anadixas, katepempsas aftis to Pnevma to Agion, ke di afton tin ikoumenin aginefsas, Parish Feast Day Filanthrope doxa si.” Schedule Special Antiphon Hymn Monday, June 28 “Save us, O good Comforter. We sing to You, .” Apostles Fast Great & Artoclasia__ 6pm Special Entrance Hymn Reception will follow with light “Be exalted, O Lord, in Your power; snacks and desert. we will sing and praise Your mighty deeds. Tuesday, June 29 Save us, O good Comforter. We sing to You, Alleluia.” Feast Day for Sts Peter and Paul Hymn for our Patron Saints Peter & Paul Orthros / Matins______8:15am Divine Liturgy______9:30am “O Leaders of the Apostles, and teachers of the world, Reception will follow with lunch, intercede with the Master of all desert and drinks. that He grant peace unto the world, and to our souls His great mercy.” for the Pentecost Feast “When the Most High God came down and confused the tongues, Metropolis of Denver He divided the nations. Summer Camp When He distributed the tongues of fire, He called all to unity. Camp Emmanuel 2021 And with one voice we glorify the all-holy Spirit.” June 22 - 24 Instead of ‘Holy God… we sing Father Jordan will be serving “You who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ, Alleluia.” as Camp Director for Camp Scripture Readings Emmanuel this year. Please keep our youth and staff in your : Acts 2:1-11 – : John 7:37-52; 8:12 prayers for a safe, spiritually Instead of “Truly it is worthy… we sing filled and fun summer camp. “When you conceived, you experienced no deflowerment. There will be 60 teens coming You your flesh to the Logos, through whom all things were made. from throughout our Metropolis Therefore we magnify you, Virgin , Mother who knew no man, to camp this summer. His space and holder of your Maker, who is uncontainable and infinite.” Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah Special Communion Hymn for Pentecost will be spending the last of day “Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. Alleluia.” with our teens. In place of “We have seen … We sing, “O blessed are You….

1 Sts. Peter & Paul, Holy Pentecost 2:1-11 WHEN THE DAY of Pentecost had come, they each one heard them speaking in his own language. were all together in one place. And suddenly a And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty not all these who are speaking Galileans? And wind, and it filled all the house where they were how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and Pontos and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Jews, devout men from every nation Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our under heaven. And at this sound the multitude own tongues the mighty works of God.” came together, and they were bewildered, because The Gospel According to John 7:37-52; 8:12 On the last day of the feast, the great day, The officers then went back to the chief stood up and proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let and , who said to them, “Why did you him come to me and drink. not bring him?” The officers He who believes in me, as answered, “No man ever spoke the scripture has said, ‘Out of like this man!” The Pharisees his heart shall flow rivers of answered them, “Are you led living water.’” Now this he said astray, you also? Have any about the Spirit, which those of the authorities or of the who believed in him were to Pharisees believed in him? receive; for as yet the Spirit had But this crowd, who do not not been given, because Jesus know the law, are accursed.” was not yet glorified. Nikodemos, who had gone to When they heard these words, him before, and who was one some of the people said, “This of them, said to them, “Does is really the prophet.” Others our law judge a man without said, “This is the Christ.” But first giving him a hearing and some said, “Is the Christ to learning what he does?” They come from Galilee? Has not the replied, “Are you from Galilee scripture said that the Christ too? Search and you will see is descended from David, and that no prophet is to rise from comes from Bethlehem, the Galilee.” Again Jesus spoke to village where David was?” So there was a division them, saying, “I am the light among the people over him. Some of them wanted of the world; he who follows me will not walk in to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Petra News, Week of June 20th, 2021 2 Pentecost Sunday

The Feast of Holy together and heard Pentecost is celebrated their own languages each year on the being spoken by the fiftieth day after the Apostles (Acts 2:5- Great and Holy Feast 6). The people were of Pascha () and amazed, knowing that ten days after the Feast some of those speaking of the Ascension of were Galileans, and Christ. The Feast is always celebrated on a Sunday. not men who would normally speak many different The Feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit languages. They wondered what this meant, and some upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, a feast of the even thought the Apostles were drunk (Acts 2:7-13). Jewish tradition. It also celebrates the establishment of The story of Pentecost is found in the book of The the Church through the preaching of the Apostles and Acts of the Apostles. In Chapter two we are told that the of the thousands who on that day believed the Apostles of our Lord were gathered together in in the Gospel message of through Jesus one place. Suddenly, a sound came from heaven like a Christ. The Feast is also seen as the culmination of the rushing wind, filling the entire house where they were revelation of the Holy Trinity. sitting. Then, tongues of fire appeared, and one sat upon The story of Pentecost is found in the book of The each one of Apostles. They were all filled with the Holy Acts of the Apostles. In Chapter two we are told that Spirit and began to speak in other languages as directed the Apostles of our Lord were gathered together in by the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). one place. Suddenly, a sound came from heaven like a This miraculous event occurred on the Jewish Feast rushing wind, filling the entire house where they were of Pentecost, celebrated by the Jews on the fiftieth day sitting. Then, tongues of fire appeared, and one sat upon after the Passover as the culmination of the Feast of each one of Apostles. They were all filled with the Holy Weeks (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10). The Feast Spirit and began to speak in other languages as directed of Weeks began on the third day after the Passover with by the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). the presentation of the first harvest sheaves to God, and This miraculous event occurred on the Jewish Feast it concluded on Pentecost with the offering of two loaves of Pentecost, celebrated by the Jews on the fiftieth day of unleavened bread, representing the first products of after the Passover as the culmination of the Feast of the harvest (Leviticus 23:17-20; Deuteronomy 16:9-10). Weeks (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10). The Feast Since the Jewish Feast of Pentecost was a great pilgrimage of Weeks began on the third day after the Passover with feast, many people from throughout the Roman Empire the presentation of the first harvest sheaves to God, and were gathered in Jerusalem on this day. When the people it concluded on Pentecost with the offering of two loaves in Jerusalem heard the sound, they came together and of unleavened bread, representing the first products of heard their own languages being spoken by the Apostles the harvest (Leviticus 23:17-20; Deuteronomy 16:9-10). (Acts 2:5-6). The people were amazed, knowing that Since the Jewish Feast of Pentecost was a great pilgrimage some of those speaking were Galileans, and not men feast, many people from throughout the Roman who would normally speak many different languages. Empire were gathered in Jerusalem on this day. When They wondered what this meant, and some even thought the people in Jerusalem heard the sound, they came the Apostles were drunk (Acts 2:7-13). Continued on page 5.

3 Sts. Peter & Paul, Greek Orthodox Church Orthodox Worship: Part 3 Father Alciviadis Calivas parts: the three week pre-Lenten season (Apokreo); the six week period of (Tessarakoste “Each liturgical feast renews and in some sense or the forty-day period); and the . The actualizes the event of which it is a symbol; contains the text of the services from it takes the event out of the past and makes the Paschal Orthros to the Feast of All Saints, the it immediate... The is, for us, Sunday after Pentecost. The cycles of the movable and a special means of union with Christ” immovable feasts with their manifold celebrations of – Fr. Lev Gillet sacred memories creates a rich and varied landscape As a remembrance and a means of union with Christ, and sanctifies life. the liturgical year becomes a source of grace. With its Each feast, whether it be of universal or local succession of feasts and fasts it commemorates on the importance, is always celebrated with a , one hand events in the life of our Lord, His Mother, St. because the celebration of the Eucharist constitutes the John the Baptist and also all those men, women and perpetual festival of the Church. The Eucharist makes children who have achieved sanctity. Each feast brings the day a true feast, a participation in the joy of the into focus a special aspect and meaning of the divine resurrection and the Kingdom which is to come. order. The feasts of the saints, beginning with those of the Theotokos and ending with those of the most The calendar of immovable feasts is replete with festivals recently glorified members of the Church “celebrate a of varying importance that commemorate the lives of special grace that flows from Christ, for their sanctity is saints or memorable events in the life of the Orthodox but an aspect, a shining ray of the holiness of Christ” (Fr. Church. Every day of the year the Church remembers Lev Gillet). The festal calendar is a result of continuous and honors one or more of the holy men and women development. Begun in Christian antiquity, it is always who dedicated themselves to the Lord with exemplary “in progress.” Each age adds to it its own significant faith and perseverance. Besides the Theotokos and St. ecclesiastical events and its own martyrs and witnesses John the Baptist, whose several feasts dot the festal of the faith, who in the purity of their hearts have seen calendar, the Orthodox Church honors and venerates the invisible God as in a mirror, and through whom angels, martyrs, apostles, prophets, confessors, virgins, divine grace has richly flowed to us. ascetics, bishops and other clergy. The festivals of the apostles and those called equal to the apostles, the The Orthodox liturgical year begins in September, in great martyrs and the great teachers and bishops of the accordance with an ancient custom initiated by St. Church are more universally observed. Constantine in the early fourth century. The succession of the feasts and fasts of the liturgical year vary in The first recorded instance of a feast in honor of a saint importance and are usually divided into two large comes to us from the middle of the second century. categories: “immovable” and “movable.” The movable The primitive observance of feasts of saints consisted are related to the celebration of Pascha (Easter), whose primarily of the remembrance of local martyrs and date changes from year to year. The immovable feasts, bishops; the feast was usually attached to their burial however, occur on the same date each year and the text place. The placing of the relics of saints into consecrated of their services is contained in a collection of twelve Holy Tables stems from this ancient custom. volumes called the Menaia or Book of the Months, one The saints are the concrete evidence of the transfiguring for each of the twelve months of the year. The text of power of the Gospel. They are the first fruits of the the services of the movable feasts are contained in two heavenly life, the forerunners of the Kingdom to volumes, the and the Pentecostarion, which come. These festivals bring into clear focus for every cover a period of nineteen weeks. The Triodion derives believer the true meaning of discipleship; “grant me its name from the fact that the majority of the Canons no more than to be a sacrifice for God ... It is not that in this book have only three odes. It is divided into three I want merely to be called a Christian, but actually Continued on following page.

Petra News, Week of June 20th, 2021 4 Continued from page 3.

Peter, hearing these remarks, stood up and addressed after the Ascension. The Apostles are shown seated the crowd. He preached to the people regarding the in a semicircle which shows the unity of the Church. prophecies about the coming of the Included in the group of the Apostles is Saint Paul, Holy Spirit. He spoke about Jesus Christ and His death who, though not present with the others on the day and glorious Resurrection. Great conviction fell upon of Pentecost, became an Apostle of the Church and the people, and they asked the Apostles, “What shall the greatest missionary. Also included are the four we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, holding of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the books of the Gospel, while the other Apostles are remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the holding scrolls that represent the teaching authority Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38-39). given to them by Christ. The Bible records that on that day about three thousand In the center of the below the Apostles, a royal were baptized. Following, the book of Acts states that figure is seen against a dark background. This is a the newly baptized continued daily to hear the teaching symbolic figure, Cosmos, representing the people of of the Apostles, as the early Christians met together for the world living in darkness and sin, and involved in fellowship, the breaking of bread, and for prayer. Many pagan worship. However, the figure carries in his hands wonderful signs and miracles were done through the a cloth containing scrolls which represent the teaching Apostles, and the Lord added to the Church daily those of the Apostles. The tradition of the Church holds that who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47). the Apostles carried the message of the Gospel to all The icon of the Feast of Pentecost is known as “The parts of the world. Descent of the Holy Spirit”. It is an icon of bold colors In the icon of Pentecost we see the fulfillment of of red and gold signifying that this is a great event. The the promise of the Holy Spirit, sent down upon the movement of the icon is from the top to the bottom. At Apostles who will teach the nations and baptize them the top of the icon is a semicircle with rays coming from in the name of the Holy Trinity. Here we see that the it. The rays are pointing toward the Apostles, and the Church is brought together and sustained in unity tongues of fire are seen descending upon each one of through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, that them signifying the descent of the Holy Spirit. the Spirit guides the Church in the missionary endeavor The building in the background of the icon represents throughout the world, and that the Spirit nurtures the the upper room where the Disciples of Christ gathered Body of Christ, the Church, in truth and love.

Continued from previous page. to be one” (St. Ignatius of Antioch). According to an participation in the spiritual exercise (ascesis) is sought ancient liturgical custom, Orthodox parents name their not through suffering and affliction, but in endurance newborn infants on the eighth day after birth. The name through abstention and resistance to distractions. is traditionally chosen from the list of saints, as a sign of In the Orthodox Church, the coming to God in prayer the child’s entry into the unity of the Church and into and solemn festival is in reality the ceaseless coming of the arena of the spiritual warfare which will commence God to us in power and glory. “God,” wrote St. John of in earnest with the sacrament of baptism. Damascus, “descends to the soul in prayer and the spirit is integrally related to prayer and acts of rises to God.” This intimate and wondrous participation charity. When Orthodox Christians integrate these of God in our personal lives is crucial and decisive. He three things into their daily activity, they are like does not come to give orders, but to issue an invitation: vigilant sentinels, anticipating the man of eternity, who “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears goes beyond himself to God. The whole man, body My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and and soul, participates in the act of fasting. The body’s eat with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3: 20).

5 Sts. Peter & Paul, Greek Orthodox Church News & Announcements Summer Parish Book Read Celebrating our Patron Feast Day If you are new to our parish, or have Our church family is preparing for our Parish Feast not picked up your book, please take Day, Sts Peter and Paul, celebrated on June 29th. This one copy of ‘Come, Let us Worship,’ is a very special day for our parish. His Eminence by Father Patrick O’Grady. The book Metropolitan Isaiah will be with us for the Divine is a gift for you. Make it a spiritual goal to Liturgy. Our sister parishes will be joining us. We read a chapter a week during these summer months. need help with preparations. We are planning a very This is wonderful reading which explains the Divine special lunch & reception. Please reach out to Father Liturgy, and how the faithful can best participate in Jordan @ [email protected] the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. Copies of the book 17th Annual Taste of Orthodoxy are located on the table behind the Bishops throne (south side). September 10-12, 2021 Morning Bible Study & Fellowship The ToO Planning Committee, along with the Parish Council, has decided to hold a smaller scale Bible Study will resume in early August in-person event focusing on food, dancing, and community! Please mark your calendars for Sept There will be a special Bible Study 10-12 to help host the best event in Boulder County. focusing on the special readings and Volunteer schedule coming soon via Flocknote. celebrating the Feast of Contact Nicole Tsiouvaras, Nick Karis or Nick the Transfiguration of our Lord and the Kallan to help. Dormition of the Mother of God. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Father Jordan. YOUTH MINISTRY: SUMMER EVENTS July schedule: Saturday, July 17, Joy & Hope Pool Party & Lunch 10:30am at the home of Fr Jordan & Presbytera Marika (pre k - 5th grade & parents are invited) Philoptochos Saturday, July 31, Teen Pool Party & lunch (after Bookstore church) at the home of Fr Jordan & Presbytera Marika We are here for you! Philoptochos Teens from our sister parishes will be joining us! would be happy to help you with your (middle & high school children) bookstore purchase on Sunday’s after Liturgy. Please see Lis Troicky or Julie Sunday Fellowship & Welcome Com- Powers. mittee Ministry Grocery Gift Cards If you are interested in helping out with the Sunday Remember to purchase your grocery gift Fellowship & Welcome Committee Ministry, please cards and old Chicago pizza Palz from contact Father Jordan. The Sunday Fellowship is Julie Powers on Sunday or contact her a vital ministry of the parish. Please prayerfully directly at [email protected]. consider serving on this ministry.

Petra News, Week of June 20th, 2021 6 Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church 5640 Jay Road, Boulder, CO 80301 303.581.1434 • stspeterandpaulboulder.org

Resurrection Service, 2021 About Our Parish We welcome visitors worshiping with us today. Reverend Father Jordan Brown Our diverse church family encompasses [email protected] many converts to the Orthodox Christian Parish Council Faith, as well as Greek, Arab, Romanian, Serbian and Russian Orthodox Christians. Nick Kallan - President The foundation of the Orthodox Church Steven Dzilvelis - Vice President are the teachings and Holy Tradition of Brian Gregory - Treasurer Jesus Christ. We follow the first Christians Philip Haratsaris - Secretary who began to worship Jesus Christ after the Michael Bateh Crucifixion and Resurrection. Oliver Huskey Kostas Pagratis Please introduce yourself to our priest and members of our George Saliba community. We also encourage you to join us for our fellowship after services in the parish hall and visit our bookstore. If you are Philoptochos interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, Presidents - Dana Gall and please visit with our priest, Fr. Jordan Brown. Sharon Dzilvelis Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church Treasurer - Julie Powers Holy Communion is reserved only Youth / Goya for baptized and/or chrismated Fr. Jordan Brown Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared by prayer, fasting, Choir Director and confession. Presbytera Marika Brown The Orthodox Church understands Recurring Services the reception of Holy Communion Orthros - Sundays, 8:15am to be the highest expression of our Divine Liturgy - Sundays, 9:30am faith. Both Orthodox and non- Great Vespers - Saturdays, 5pm Orthodox alike are invited to receive Confession by appointment. the ‘antidoro’ (blessed bread ) at the end of the Divine Liturgy.