Third Sunday of Great Lent
Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
Martyr Agapios of Palestine and those with him; Apostle Aristoboulos of the
Seventy, first bishop of Britain; New-martyrs Manuel of Crete and Parthenios
Elevation of the Precious and Life Giving Cross
Each of the Sundays of Great Lent has its own special theme. This Sunday’s theme is that in the cross of Christ crucified lies both “the power of God and the wisdom of God” for those being saved (1 Cor 1:24). On this Sunday in the middle of the Lenten season, the cross stands in the middle of the church, not merely to remind the faithful of Christ’s redemption and for them to keep the goal of their Lenten efforts, but also as a reminder: “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:38).
Historical theme
The historical theme, as seen in the hymnology, is the victory and joy of the cross, not the suffering. The Church fathers equate the life-giving cross with the tree of life and plant it in the middle of the Lenten pilgrimage. It was the tree that was planted in Paradise; it is to remind the faithful of both Adam’s bliss and how he was deprived from it.
Personal theme
For the catechumens of the early church, and the faithful preparing for Pascha today, the spiritual theme starts to change from personal faith, and personal effort, to Christ. The Church teaches that it is Christ’s cross that saves. One cannot take up his own cross and follow Christ unless one has Christ’s cross which he took up to save mankind. Partaking of this tree, one will no longer die, but will be kept alive.
This is done to refresh, reassure and to encourage those participating in Great Lent. The Church equates the appearance of the cross at this time to the banners and symbols that precede the return of a victorious king. The Epistle reading is from Hebrews 4:14-5:6 and explains Christ’s priesthood, and the Gospel lesson from Mark 8:34-9:1 ends with And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
From Orthodoxwiki website.
Fr. Thomas Hopko on “Taking Up Your Cross”
On the third Sunday of Great Lent, we concentrate on the Cross of Christ, and Fr. Tom helps us understand what it means to take up our cross.
Listen to Fr. Hopko on Ancient Fath Radio.
Services and Events This Week
- SUN Mar 08 — SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Mar 09 — Great Compline 6:30pmr 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Mar 11 — Presanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Supper 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Mar 13 — Third Stanza Salutations 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Mar 03 — Men of St Paisios (following Salutations)
- Sat Mar 14 — Great Vespers 5:30pm 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
Nancy Forderhase — Memory Eternal
With sadness in the expectant hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord we mourn the passing of Nancy Forderhase. Nancy was a loved member of our parish, coming to St. Peter’s when we began in the Holiday Inn many years ago. She loved the parish, was instrumental in choosing our iconographer (and donated our first icons), arranged the masterful carving by Jonathan Pageau of Christ pulling St. Peter from the water that hangs in the sanctuary, sang in the choir, served on the Parish Council, and more. She will be greatly missed.
Funeral arrangements are:
- Wednesday, March 11, 2026 — 9:00am Visitation, 10:00am Funeral at St. Peter Orthodox Church
- Thursday, March 12, 2026 — 1:00pm Trisagion Service and Internment at Sarasota National Cemetary (see website).
We extend our condolences to Gene, Ellen and Andrew at this difficult time. May her memory be eternal.
St. Peter’s Fifth Anniversary in Our Present (and Permanent) Location
On March 15th, the third Sunday of Great Lent when we will celebrate Veneration of The Holy Cross, we are also commemorating five years in our church building.
Please join us following Divine Litugry for refreshments in the Social Hall.
Bp Nicholas to Preside at Lazarus Saturday, on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
His Grace Bp. Nicholas will be at St. Peter’s on Lazarus Saturday, April 4. He will preside at the Liturgy and attend our various events that day. This is a blessing for our parish. Everyone should make every effort to attend. We look forward to a good welcome for him.
From our Sunday School Director for Lazarus Saturday, April 4 2026
From our Sunday School Director for Lazarus Saturday, April 4 2026
Dear Parents,
Pascha is quickly coming, and one of the most important days for children in the Lenten Period is Saturday of Lazarus.
It is a time for the children to together attend Divine Liturgy and receive Holy Communion, to make palm crosses and to share a pancake breakfast. We are also offering Confession.
This year, Bishop Nicholas will be joining us — a special event for the children to experience.
Please see Georgia with any questions. We are excited for this memory making event.
St. Peter’s Ladies Book Club and Prayer Group Continues on Fridays at 11:00am
We are making a pivot and will start the book “Where is the Wound” by Mother Silouana of Romania.
This book also comes highly recommended by Met. Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese. Met. Saba wrote a review of the book that can be found on the Antiochian website. He writes:
(Mother Silouana) distinguishes between life as mere survival and life as a gift from God. The life for which God created us becomes possible only when we open ourselves to His grace through prayer and the keeping of His commandments. She gives great importance to discovering God as a living Person, active in every moment of the soul and life of Orthodox Christians. She writes, “God is enamored of us.”
She speaks of the effect of deep-seated trauma stored in the subconscious, noting that some philosophies suggest avoiding or ignoring it. She explains that the thoughts emerging from repressed wounds poison the soul. Therefore, “we must pay attention to them, to what lies beneath them, to what we feel through them—and we must offer them to the Lord for healing.” She calls this offering to God “the body of prayer.”
Please spread the word and invite a friend to attend!
Lent is Here. What Do We Do?
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website has good information on Lent. Click the image above.
Preparation begins with a resolution in the heart to do better this year than we did last year. Lent requires more of us but the requirement is never a demand but an invitation because God is not coercive. He freely gives so that we may freely receive.
But God is what the scripture calls a “jealous God.” This does not mean that God is jealous, but that the requirements for salvation, the things that are necessary to experience His salvation do not change. For us Americans it might be easier to understand it this way: God’s directives are not subject to negotiation or compromise.
More is expected from us. The Sunday services will be longer because we perform the Liturgy of St. Basil instead of St. John Chrysostom. The prayers are longer and we will pray them all because we don’t negotiate or compromise with what the Fathers have handed down to us.
We are expected to fast from certain foods during Lent. Why? Because bodily discipline is necessary for the healing of the soul.
We are expected to attend more services? Why? Because prayer and worship are necessary to draw us closer to God. When we draw closer to God, He draws closer to us St. Paul teaches.
We are expected to aid the poor more. Why? Because he who cares for the poor finds honor from his maker.
Save the Date!
Renowned author Frederica Matthews-Greene will be our guest speaker for the St. Peter – St. Paul Lenten Women’s Retreat in 2026.
Dates for the retreat are March 27-29, 2026.
This promises to be a very engaging and informative event.
Frederica Mathewes-Green is a wide-ranging author who has published ten books and 800 essays, in such diverse publications as the Washington Post, Christianity Today, Smithsonian, and The Wall Street Journal. She has been a regular commentator for National Public Radio (NPR), a columnist for the Religion News Service, Beliefnet.com, AND a podcaster for Ancient Faith Radio.
She has appeared as a speaker over 600 times at Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Wellesley, Cornell, Calvin, Baylor, and Westmont, among others. She received an honorary Doctor of Letters from King University. She now lives with her husband, the Rev. Gregory Mathewes-Green, in Johnson City, TN. Their three children are grown and married, and they have fifteen grandchildren.
Please Fill in Your Pledge Forms
The forms are available on the counter in the Narthex.
When You Give to the Good Samaritan Mercy Fund, You Fulfill the Law of Christ
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galations 6:2)
St. Paul teaches us that God’s law, to love God and neighbor, is fulfilled when we bear one another’s burdens. The Good Samaritan Mercy fund helps us do that by helping parishioners who because of catastrophic circumstances face problems that we can help them with. This year is proving greater than past years so any donation you can make to our fund enables us to carry those burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
All support is local, within our parish. Donations are approved by Fr. Hans and Ron Franklin our Parish Council President. Donations remain confidential.
St. John Chrysostom says those who can give receive their abundance from God in order to give. When we give from our abundance a double blessing occurs — one to the recipient in need, and another to him who gives.
Visit the DOMSE Website (scroll to the bottom, fill in the form on the left side) to sign up for “The Light” Newsletter and DOMSE emails.
St. Peter Greeters
JANUARY 2026 – CHURCH GREETERS
Can you volunteer? Please call Joe Repya 612-270-4443.
SUNDAY COFFEE HOURS – Spring Months 2026
Please note: A fruit bowl, veggie or hummus tray may be added to a week’s menu.
- March 2026 – Sunday Coffee Hours – Team #3
- Sunday, March 1 – Coffee and bagels
- Sunday, March 8 – Coffee and donuts
- Sunday, March 15 – Coffee and coffee cake
- Sunday, March 22 – Coffee and muffins
- Sunday, March 29 – Coffee and bagels
For Special Events/Koliva please contact Barbara Sasen and give her a completed Special Events Form which is found in the lobby of the church.
The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make St. Peter’s Social Hall happen. Thank you All Stars!
FEBRUARY – GREAT LENT BEGINS
- SUN Mar 08 — SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Mar 09 — Great Compline 6:30pmr 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Mar 11 — Presanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Supper 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Mar 13 — Third Stanza Salutations 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Mar 03 — Men of St Paisios (following Salutations)
- Sat Mar 14 — Great Vespers 5:30pm 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- SUN Mar 15 — SUNDAY OF THE VENERATION OF THE CROSS DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Mar 16 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Mar 18 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Mar 20 — Fourth Stanza Salutations 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Mar 21 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
- SUN Mar 22 — SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Mar 23 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Tue Mar 25 — Annunciation Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Mar 25 — Full Canon of St. Andrew w/ Life of St. Mary of Egypt 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Thu Mar 26 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Mar 27 — Complete Salutations/Akathist Hymn 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Mar 28 — Great Vespers 5:30pm 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- SUN Mar 29 — SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Mar 30 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 01 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Apr 03 — Small Compline with Canon of St. Lazarus 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Apr 04 — Lazarus Saturday Orthos 8:30 / Divine Liturgy 9:30am / Make crosses / Pancake breakfast / Children confessions – Full Schedule TBA
- Sat Apr 04 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
Wisdom From The Elders
If we do complain or blame someone for our misfortune, then we must humble our selves even further and say: Lord, I really am worth nothing, only You can save me. Abbot Nikon Vorobiev
The Lord is always waiting for us to unite ourselves with Him in love; but instead, we drift further and further away from Him. We know that there can be no life without love. This means that there is no life without God, for God is Love. But His love is not according to the understanding of the world. The love that the world gives us consists of suffering and enslavement, because the spirits of evil interfere with it. Elder Thaddeus
Thus humility should be the first concern of those who are fighting the presumption of the devil, for as we advance it will be a sure guide to all the paths of virtue. St. Diadochus, bishop of Photike in Epirus
A man whose heart is clouded by a storm of thoughts and conquered by passions does not know shame before men, nor does he fear God. Venerable Ephraim the Syrian
We must pray with faith for every matter and we must have patience, and God will speak. Because when man prays with faith, God is in a sense obligated by virtue of our faith to fulfil our request. For this reason, when we ask for something from God, let us never be in doubt and we shall be heard. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos
Current Prayer List
Donna Eardley (Pateras)
Jack Eardley (Pateras)
Efstrathios Papadopoulos (Pateras)
Vera Pateras Stathes (Pateras)
Maureen (Breitenbach)
Doug (Kucera)
Katrina (Marianthi)
Katherina (Sovjani)
Arsen (Sovjani)
Arion (Sovjani)
David (Sovjani)
Joe (Repya)
Bp. Nicholas
Mary Teresa (Dusckas)
Adam (Krotov)
Ariyon (Sovjani)
Diana (Veraj)
Arjan (Veraj)
Thoma (Sovjani)
Lucia
Ioannes
Stratton (Leopold)
Mary (Copeland)
Robert (Tewis)
Gene (Forderhase)
Ruth (Mudd)
Barbara (Duskas)
Maria (Duskas)
Rachel (Voss)
Ken John (Eaton)
William (Semeretis)
David (Orfanos)
Maria (Orfanos)
William (Long)
George (Chionis 11-1)
Haley
Lydia
Mark (Chionis 11-1)
Katheryn (Chionis 11-1)
Jacob (Chionis 11-1)
Ken (Chionis 11-1)
Maxim (Koco)
George (Tsikistas 8/1)
George (Mourgis 8/1)
Barbara (Sason 8/1)
Arielle (Ghanem 6/1)
Nicholas (Ghanem 6/1)
Christos
Father Demetris
Jamie
Pamela
David
Jessica
Christina (Hildreth)
Dionysios Chapekis)
Nancy (Forderhase)
Kayla (Palantine)
George (3/23 Chapekis)
Penelope (3/23 Chapekis)
Theodora (3/23)
Victor (3/23)
Les (3/23
Lynn (Hurley 1/23)
Linda (Pappas 1/23)
Ekaterina (Chapekis 1/23)
Lee (Hurley 1/23)
Emmanuel (Kalousdis 1/23)
Katherine (Dusckas 1/23)
Vassiliki (Diveris 1/23)
Zena Touma (Contorelli 1/23
Lamia Touma (Contorelli 1/23
Matthew (Contorelli 1/23
Emmanuel (Kaloudis 1/23)
Nicholas
Marlene (Tewis 12/22)
Tina (Johnson 12/22)
Nicholas (De Lorenzo 12/22)
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
John Presbyter (Jacobse)
Elain Presbytera (Jacobse)
Constantine(Jacobse)
Chrysoula(Jacobse)
Angel (Ghanem 10/22)
Edgar (Chapekis 9/22)
Evthriki (Jacobse 9/22)
Christos (Johnson 8/22)
Jon Paul (Andrew 8/22)
William (Brubaker 8/22)
The People of Ukraine and People of Russia and all those who are suffering in the war
Permanent Prayer List
Kh. Denise (Breitenbach)
Fr. Patrick (Breitenbach)
Bonnie Joseph
Michael (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Katerina (Sovjani)
Frederick (Sovjani)
Arsen (Sovjani)
Irene (Diveris)
Katheryn (Tolkkinen)
Markisia (Long)
Angela (Long)
Marina (Long)
Eleni (Long)
Raphaella (Long)
Joanne (Haley)
Corwin (Dusckas)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Lidia (Irina)
Sarina (Ghanem)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Despina (Diversis)
Fredericos (Diveris)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Pauline (Poulos)
Sergio (Kazakos)
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Robert (Smith)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Founders, Members, Benefactors and Friends Departed this Life
John (Hansen)
Anatoly (Kurdsjuk)
Thareni (Brooks)
Milan Evanoff
Jean (Sam)
Eleni (Pearson)
Richard (Pearson)
Fr. Stephanos (Shagoury)
Panagiota (Bea Chionis)
Anthony (Mourgis)
Anthony (Mankus)
Constantine (Houpis)
Constantine (Joseph)
Mary (Jarvis)
Panagiota Margarita (Palis)
Maria (Ninos)
Soterios (Ninos)
George (Ninos)
John (Katsigianopoulos)
George (Chionis)
Mary (Spiropoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K
Eugene (Rust)
Robert (Jarvis)
George (Corey)
Patricia (Cotsones)
Seraphim (Zolio)
Apostolos
Raymond (Zeena)
Vassilike (Hord)
Helen (Mitchell)
How should we pray for the sick? Remember them daily. Say their names (first names are sufficient) and ask God to bestow mercy and grace on them.
Add or remove names and print this list for easy reference during your prayer time on the St. Peter website.
Sunday Readings
EPISTLE
For the Third Sunday of Great Lent
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.
To Thee, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (4:14-5:6)
Brethren, since we have a High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Sonof God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathizewith 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 tobe 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 forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
GOSPEL
For the Third Sunday of Great Lent
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (8:34-9:1)
The Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up hiscross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life forMy sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world andforfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Meand 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 Jesus said to them, “Truly,I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom ofGod come with power.”
