Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
St. Mary of Egypt
The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
Martyr Mark, bishop of Arethusa, Martyr Cyril the deacon of Heliopolis and those with them; Martyrs Jonah and Barachisios of Persia and those with them
St. Mary of Egypt
Who was St. Mary of Egypt?
Our holy mother Mary was born in Egypt. She had left her parents at the age of twelve to go to Alexandria, where she spent the next seventeen years in debauchery and the greatest profligacy. Living on charity and linen-weaving, she nevertheless offered her body to any man, not being forced to it by dire necessity as were so many poor women, but as though she were consumed by the fire of a desire that nothing was able to appease.
One day, seeing a crowd of Lybians and Egyptians moving towards the port, she followed them and set sail with them for Jerusalem, offering her body to pay her fare. When they arrived in the Holy City, she followed the crowd that was thronging towards the Church of the Resurrection, it being the day of the Exaltation of the Cross. But, when she reached the threshold of the church, an invisible force prevented her entering in spite of repeated efforts on her part, although the other pilgrims were able to go in without hindrance.
Left alone in a corner of the narthex, she began to realize that it was the impurity of her life that was preventing her approaching the holy Wood. She burst into tears and smote her breast and, seeing an icon of the Mother of God, made this prayer to her: “O Sovereign Lady, who didst bear God in the flesh, I know that I should not dare to look upon thine icon, thou who are pure in soul and body, because, debauched as I am, I must fill thee with disgust. But, as the God born of thee became man in order to call sinners to repentance, come to my aid! Allow me to go into the church and prostrate before His Cross. And, as soon as I have seen the Cross, I promise that I will renounce the world and all pleasures, and follow the path of salvation that thou willest to show me.”
She felt herself suddenly freed from the power that had held her and was able to enter the church. There she fervently venerated the Holy Cross and then, returning to the icon of the Mother of God, declared herself ready to follow the path that the Virgin would show her. A voice replied to her from on high: “If you cross the Jordan, you will find rest.”
Read more on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
Fr. Thomas Hopko on “St Mary of Egypt”
On the fifth Sunday of Lent, we commemorate St. Mary of Egypt. By her example, we are reminded of the extraordinary power of repentance and God’s mercy, by which even the greatest sinner may be transformed and sanctified.
Fr. Thomas starts with a review of the Gospel reading of Mark for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and transitions to the 5th Sunday explaining how reigning with our Lord is dependent on suffering with Him.
St. Mary of Egypt
Fr. Thomas contrasts the story of the fallen, then raised Mary of Alexandria with that of another Mary– the Theotokos. Listen on Ancient Faith Radio.
The Fifth Week of Great Lent
Fr. Thomas gives an overview of the services for the 5th week of Great Lent and their final emphasis on penitence and repentance. Listen on Ancient Faith Radio.
Services and Events This Week
- 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
- Wed 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
- Fri Mar 27 — CANCELLED
Ladies Book Club 11:00am - Fri Mar 27 — A Conversation with Frederica following the Akathist Hymn in the Fellowship Hall
- Sat Mar 28 — Great Vespers 5:30pm 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
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.
Holy Week and Pascha Flowers
Fellow Parishners, flowers have been ordered for Good Friday when we decorate the Kouvouklion (Jesus’ tomb) and place flowers throughout the church in anticipation of The Resurrection.
If you wish to participate in this beautiful tradition, donations toward the cost of their purchase will be most appreciated. Cash or checks marked “Flowers” may be given to Georgia in the office.
Anyone who would like to help with the decoration of the Kouvouklion is welcome to join us on Friday, April 10th, at 10:00am.
St. Peter’s Ladies Book Club Cancelled This Friday
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.
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!
MARCH – GREAT LENT BEGINS
- 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
- Wed 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 — CANCELLED
Ladies Book Club 11:00am/li> - Fri Mar 27 — Complete Salutations/Akathist Hymn 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Mar 27 — A Conversation with Frederica following the Akathist Hymn in the Fellowship Hall
- 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
A chatterbox may meet with success in this world, but he will not do so in the next. St. John of Karpathos
Abba Moses then said: “True discrimination comes to us only as a result of true humility.” Abba Moses
Take care to bridle the flesh, that it might not plunge its rider — the mind — into danger. Venerable Ephraim the Syrian
But when God dwells in a man, then the demons and passions are driven out, and the man becomes a temple of God, rifled with sanctification, filled with illumination, purity and grace. Blessed is he who sees the Lord in the innermost treasury of his heart as in a mirror. Venerables Barsanuphius the Great and John the Prophet, monks of Palestine
Your children should not hear you arguing even once, not even if you raise the tone of your voices to one another. Elder Porphyrios
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)
Catherine (Forderhase)
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
Make your vows to the Lord our God, and perform them.
God is known in Judah; His Name is great in Israel.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (9:11-14)
Brethren, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, thenthrough the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), Heentered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but His ownblood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the bloodof goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself withoutblemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
GOSPEL
For the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (10:32-45)
At that time, Jesus took His twelve Disciples, and began to tell them what was to happento Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of man will be delivered tothe chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit upon Him, and kill Him; and after three days He will rise.”
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Him, and said to Him, “Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire” And Jesus said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And they said to Him, “Grant us to sit, one at Thy right hand and one at Thy left, in Thy glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to Him, “We are able.”
And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized. But to sit at My right hand or at My left is not Mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to Him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be servant of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
