March 8, 2026

St. Gregory Palamas

TO OUR VISITORS

Welcome! We hope your time with us is healing and worshipful. Please note that, although we have much respect for other Christian traditions, Holy Communion is reserved for properly prepared members of the Orthodox Church. Everyone is invited to partake of the blessed bread after the conclusion of the Liturgy. May God’s blessing be upon you!

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Hymns in Today’s Liturgy

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Resurrectional Apolytikion (Tone 6)

When Mary stood at Thy grave, looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb; and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O Thou, Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.

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Apolytikion of St. Gregory Palamas (Tone 8)

O Star of Orthodoxy, support of the Church and its teacher, O comeliness of ascetics, and incontestable champion of those who speak in theology, Gregory the wonder-worker, the pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, implore thou constantly for the salvation of our souls.

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​​Apolytikion of Mary of Egypt (Tone 8)
Through thee, the divine likeness was securely preserved, O mother Mary; for thou didst carry the cross and follow Christ. By example and precept thou didst teach us to ignore the body, because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the angels.

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Kontakion of Sundays in Great Lent (Tone 8)

To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.

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THE EPISTLE

Hebrews 1:10–2:3

Thou, “O Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Thy hands; they will perish; but Thou remainest; and they will all grow old like a garment, and like a mantle Thou wilt roll them up, and they shall be changed; but Thou art the same, and Thy years will not fail.” But to which of the angels did He say at any time, “Sit on My right hand, until I make thine enemies a footstool for thy feet?” Are they not all spirits for liturgical ministry, sent forth to minister for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest at any time we drift away from them. For if the word spoken through angels was confirmed, and every transgression and disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation, which having at first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard?

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THE GOSPEL

Mark 2:1–12

At that time, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was preaching the Word to them. And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now, some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — He said to the paralytic — “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all. So that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

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UPCOMING AT ST MARY OF EGYPT

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​​​​Sunday

Setup 08:30 @ Friedens

Orthos & Divine Liturgy 09:00 @ Friedens

Procession with Icons  11:00 @ Friedens

Fellowship 11:15 @  Friedens

Parish Council 11:30 @ Friedens

Sunday School 11:45 @  Friedens

Takedown 12:15 @ Friedens 

Pan-Orthodox Vespers 17:00 @  All Saints

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Monday 

Book Study 18:00 @  Google Meet

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Tuesday

Adult Education / Catechism 19:00 @ Scotts'

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Saturday

Ladies of St. Mary  10:00  @ Green Leaf Montessori

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Sunday

Setup 08:30 @ Friedens

Orthos & Divine Liturgy 09:00 @ Friedens

Fellowship 11:15 @ Friedens

Sunday School  11:45 @ Friedens

Takedown 12:15 @ Friedens 

Choir Practice 13:00 @ Amal's

Men of St. Mary 13:00 @ Stor-a-Lot

Pan-Orthodox Vespers17:00 @ St. John

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On the Road: We are now meeting in Hayden Hall at:

Friedens United Church of Christ

8300 S Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46217
///fluent.cheaply.scrawl

for Orthros & Divine Liturgy at our normally scheduled time of 09:00. Please arrive at 08:30 to help set up. 

 

Our mailing address is:

St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church
480 N Town Center Rd PMB 210
Mooresville, IN 46158-1379

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No Heat in Hayden Hall: As of last report (2026‑02‑01 23:00), the heat in Hayden Hall is still not working as they are waiting on a part that is on backorder, possibly until March, to repair it. The temperature in Hayden Hall is holding at about 64°F(18°C). Please dress warmly for services and our meeting this Sunday!

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Ladies of St. Mary: The Ladies of St. Mary will have their monthly meeting 2026‑03‑14 10:00 at Green Leaf Montessori.

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Men of St. Mary: The Men of St. Mary will be heading to Franklin to retrieve the items we need for our Lenten and Paschal services Sunday, 2026‑03‑15 13:00. If you have a truck, please bring it that day.

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​​​​Visit of Our Archepiscopal Vicar: The Rt. Rev. Fr. Jeremy (Davis), our archepiscopal vicar for the Midwest Region, will be with us 28–29 March to celebrate the Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt. Details will be forthcoming as arrangements are made.​​

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Franklin Vintage Fest: The Ladies of St. Mary will have a 10'×10' booth at the Spring Vintage & Handmade Fest in Franklin 2026‑04‑25 10:00–17:00. Please make plans to volunteer for a shift that day.

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2026 Parish Life Conference: Registration is now open for our 2026 PLC. Hosted by St. Matthew, North Royalton, it will be held 2026‑06‑17–2026‑06‑21 at the Best Western Plus Strongsville Cleveland. Register today!

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Fasting: Starting on Clean Monday (2026‑02‑23), we observe the traditional Lenten fast, abstaining from meat, dairy, fish, and alcohol until Pascha. On Saturdays and Sundays (in commemoration of the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day), wine is permitted, in moderation. On the feasts of Annunciation (2026‑03‑25) and Palm Sunday (2026‑04‑05), fish and wine are permitted, in moderation. The Archdiocese provides many resources for Great Lent at this website.

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Realm: Giving in Realm has now been implemented. There are presently three ways to give via Realm:

1. Log into Realm and select “Giving”

2. Visit https://onrealm.org/StMaryEgyptOrth/Give in your browser

3. Text STMARYINDY to 73256, followed by your gift amount, to give online through text.*.

 

At present, we have 3 people who have received Realm invitations who have yet to respond. If you have not yet received a Realm invitation or have misplaced yours, please contact Fr. Peter. If you need help signing in or have general questions, please contact Kendra.

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Building Program: We are currently working on obtaining easements for sewage, water, and stormwater drainage. More updates will be issued as work progresses.

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Coffee Hour: 

This week, group B (led by Bobbi Cornelius) will oversee coffee hour. Next week, group C (led by Amal Hanania) will oversee coffee hour. If you are not currently in a coffee group and would like to join, please contact Amal. If you’d like to bring something one Sunday, please feel free!

We will continue to collect funds to send our kids to summer camp. Please give generously to allow them to meet other Orthodox Christians their age and to have the experience of a lifetime.

Please also remember that, as guests of Friedens UCC, we do not currently have the use of a kitchen so everything we bring in must be taken out when we leave. We must also be finished in plenty of time to clean up and take down so that we are  out of the building by 12:30 sharp.​

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Following Along: When you enter the church, please be sure to pick up a service book and follow along with the Liturgy. Our goal is that everyone will be familiar with the music and everyone will participate in the Liturgy to the fullest extent possible.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH

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Canned Food: Kathy Evans is collecting “no sugar added” or “packed in their own juice” canned fruits and “no salt added” canned vegetables on Sundays to take to Johnson County Senior Services. Individual cans can be brought inside while cases can be transferred directly to her vehicle. If neither Kathy nor the donation box are present, please bring your donation on the following Sunday. For more information, please contact Kathy.

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Hair Styling: Morgan Beaven is a professional hair stylist who is willing to offer a discount for her services, especially to our senior ladies who have trouble getting out and about. Please contact Morgan for more information.

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Benevolence:  In these increasingly tough economic times, we are constantly being approached by those in and around the community asking for financial help. If you would like to donate towards this cause, please contact Amal.

 

DATES TO REMEMBER

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8 Mar   Pan-Orthodox Vespers   All Saints, Bloomington

13–14 Mar   The Christian Life   Riverside, CA

15 Mar   Pan-Orthodox Vespers   St. John

22 Mar   Pan-Orthodox Vespers   St. George, Terre Haute

28–29 Mar   Visit of Archepiscopal Vicar   Friedens UCC

29 Mar   Pan-Orthodox Vespers   St. Nicholas

25 Apr   Spring Vintage & Handmade Fest   Franklin, IN

25 Apr   Reconsecration   Ss. Constantine & Elena

17–21 Jun     Parish Life Conference   North Royalton, OH

20–23 Aug   Do You Want to Be a Priest?    Antiochian Village

4–6 Sep   DoxaMoot  Raleigh, NC

8–11 Oct   Centennial Celebration    St. George

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PARISH PRAYER REQUESTS

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Living: Archpriest Athanasius, Archpriest James, Archpriest Petar, Archpriest Philip, Archpriest Zachariah, Priest Gabriel  (03‑21), Sdn.  Alexander, Aaron  (03‑21), Abraham, Alexander, Amira, Athena  (03‑11), Bonnie (03‑25), Bonnie (03‑28), Chris (03‑16), Dallas (03‑10), Elen, Elena, Evgueni, Hannah, Ioanna, Kelly, Lee, Meriana, Michael (03‑26), Nikolai, Penny (03‑24), Tanya, Zach (03‑10)

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Departed:  Abiah  (03‑10), Ronald  (03‑13), Hadleigh  (03‑18), Mary Ellen  (03‑28), General (04‑08), Marie (2020), Garrett (2021)

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​​Please,   notify Fr. Peter  of any new prayer requests by Wednesday for inclusion in the bulletin.

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SYNAXARION
 

On 8 March, in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate Theophylact the Confessor, bishop of Nicomedia; and Apostle Hermas of the Seventy.

On this same day, the Second Sunday of the Fast, we make remembrance of our father among the saints, Gregory Palamas, archbishop of Thessaloniki.

 

The Spring of Light now leadeth to light unwaning

The Light’s own truly great and resplendent herald.

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This divine father was born in Asia and was brought up from infancy in the royal palace of Constantinople. When he was of age, Gregory left the palace and gave himself to asceticism on Mount Athos. He eventually moved to Thessaloniki to seek cure for the diseases he contracted because of his asceticism and piety. In 1349, he was elevated to the episcopacy, tending to his people in an Apostolic fashion for 13 years. He is glorified as an ascetic, a hierarch, a theologian who defeated the heretics of his era, and a miracle-worker who forsook a prominent, secular lifestyle to take up his cross and follow Christ. The Most-Holy Theotokos, St.  John the Theologian, St.  Demetrius, St. Anthony the Great, St. John Chrysostom, and angels of God appeared to him at different times.

​Through his intercessions, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us. Amen.