Third Sunday of Pascha – The Myrrh Bearing Women
The third Sunday of Holy Pascha is observed by the Orthodox Church as the Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearers. The day commemorates when the women disciples of our Lord came to the tomb to anoint his body with myrrh-oils but found the tomb empty. As the woman wondered what this meant, angels appeared proclaiming that Christ had risen from the dead.
Read more on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
Bible Study Resumes Tuesday, April 21 at 7pm
Bible Studies resume on Tuesday beginning April 21 at 7pm. We will continue with our study of 1 Corinthians.
Choir Practice on Tuesday, April 21 at 6pm
Anyone who would like to join the choir is invited.
Fr. Hans in Washington DC on Friday and Saturday
I have been asked to speak as the representative of the Orthodox participants at the March for Marriage in Washington DC on Saturday, April 25. Each faith community has a representative that will speak at the beginning of the march.
I ask for the prayers of all the parishioners of St. Peter’s and anyone else who reads this newsletter so that I can proclaim the truth with clarity and boldness. My goal is to: 1) preach the truth about marriage and family; 2) honor our Orthodox faith; and 3) glorify God.
There is a chance the speakers will be covered live on CSPAN. If I get any information I will pass it along.
I leave early Friday morning and return late Saturday evening.
Pavlo Bilych Establishes Dance Studio
Pavlo Bilych, a new member of St. Peter’s, recently moved to the area to establish a dance studio. When looking for a Church he found St. Peter’s and has been coming ever since.
We certainly pray that Pavlo has great success. If you are interested in learning dance or have friends who do, you can find Pavlo at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Bonita Springs.
Remember in Your Prayers
Bob Jarvis who is recovering from a fall.
Pat and Milan Evanoff.
John, the brother of Pauline Poulos who is suffering from cancer.
Tom and Jean, parents of Patty and Jerry.
How should we pray for the sick? Remember them daily. Say their names and ask God to bestow mercy and grace on them.
The Sunday Scripture Readings
The Gospel Reading
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (15:43-16:8)
At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the Kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
And Pilate wondered if He were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether Jesus was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that He was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a tomb, which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid. And when the Sabbath was passed, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices so that they might go and anoint Him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?”
And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed.
And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His Disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you.”
And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
The Epistle Reading
The Lord is my strength and my song.
The Lord has chastened me severely.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles. (6:1-7)
In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the Twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.