Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
Commemoration of our Righteous Mother Mary of Egypt
Eutychios, patriarch of Constantinople; Venerable Platonida of Nisibis in Syria
**Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great**
Thought for Today: “His path has been trodden from the ages and from all generations by the cross and by death. But how is it with you, that the afflictions on the path seem to you to be off the path? Do you not wish to follow the steps of the saints? Or have you plans for devising some way of your own, and of journeying therein without suffering.” – St. Isaac the Syrian
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 8
From the heights Thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion of St. 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.
Ordinary Kontakion – Tone 2
O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the Mediatrix, who is unrejected by the Creator. Turn not away to the voice of our petions, though we be sinners. Come to us with aid in time, who cry unto thee in faith, for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercession, O Theotokos who doet ever intercede for those who honor thee.
Receiving the Eucharist:We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession. If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
Make your vows unto 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, then through the greater and more perfect tent, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation; He entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves, but His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and calves 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 without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
The Gospel
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 happen to Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of man will be delivered to the 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.”
Welcome Home Newly Illumined Christina, Harper, Bennett, and Margot Garletts; George Habib; Alexander Schuck (All joined to the Church 10am on Saturday, April 5). May God grant you, your family and Godparents many, many years!
Confession: Every Orthodox Christian, age 7 and up, should come for confession during the season of repentance — Great Lent. There are six weeks of Lent, followed by Holy Week. The sixth week of Lent is when those preparing for Baptism and Chrismation will make their lifetime confessions – this is the time I have reserved for them. During Holy Week there are 18 services, much Paschal preparation, and very little time for anything else. Therefore, I am asking everyone to come for confession during the first five weeks of Great Lent. I will be available to hear confessions for ONE HOUR prior to services on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and by appointment throughout the week. Please email or text me to reserve your spot. Thank you. – Fr Peter Jon
This Week
Today, Sunday: Choir practice follows Divine Liturgy;Lenten Vespers at 5:00 pm, Joy of All Who Sorrow; homilist Stravonikitas Damianakis.
Monday, April 7: 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am.
Tuesday, April 8: 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am.
Wednesday, April 9: Confessions at 5 pm; Presanctified Liturgy at 6:00 pm; teaching and Soup Supper.
Thursday, April 10: 6th Hour Prayers at 12:00 pm.
Friday, April 11: Presanctified Liturgy at 9:00am; Little Compline, with the Canon to the Raising of Lazarus at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, April 12: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am for Lazarus the Righteous, with Baptisms and Chrismations.
Sunday, April 13: Palm Sunday;Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am; Bridegroom Service at 5:00 pm.
Family News
Name Day Celebration: Molly Alexander, St. Mary of Egypt (6th).
Birthday Celebration: Cora Bidulescu (6th).
Prayer List: Kh. Parasheva; Hal (rehab); Scott (terminal heart condition) and his wife Jackie; Jim and Lisa; Taylor;Durlin family; Fr. Athanasius; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Fr. Matthew; Marvin; Nectaria;Shu-Mei,Charlie;Shirley; Jim;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the effect of Hurricanes; those suffering the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; those suffering the effect of wild fires in California; schools: children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mary Ann; Emma; Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Josiah; Jack; Christopher; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki;Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Missy; Andrew; Isaac; Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; John; Stanley; Macrina with child; Anna and child born to her; Allen; Linda; Allison and children; Kip; Hermione with child, Erica with child; Taylor with child; Penny with child; Dixxe and child born; Megan with child; Evan; Catherine with child; Victoria with child; Whitney and children’
Memory Eternal: Mike; Donald; Houston; Debbie; Erika, Archpriest George; Archpriest Wayne, Archpriest Daniel, Judy.
Changes in the Nave: You will notice that we are trying different things to more comfortably accommodate the growing number of faithful in our parish. We removed some chairs and stored them. We rearranged seating to afford everyone a better view of the iconostasis and improve the path for the Great Entrance. Standing is welcome up front or in the back on the new rugs which are specifically provided for comfortable sitting during the homily or for those who need a break. I know we will look out for one another as always and make sure that those who truly need a chair will have one. This will be a small transition period for all of us and I thank you in advance for your cheerful patience and feedback. – Fr. Peter Jon
A Pilgrimage to Holy Dormition Monastery – Friday, May 23 – Monday May 25, 2025. All Saints will be offering a pilgrimage to this women’s monastery located in south central Michigan. Rhonda & Howard Webb will be leading the group. Catechumens and Inquirers are welcome. Services are primarily in English with some Romanian. Please email Rhonda Webb at webbrk1@gmail.com to sign up – space is limited. Priority will be given to those who have not visited a monastery before. See flyer on the bulletin board for more details.
All Saints’ Sunday Meal:
Today, Sunday: 1st Sunday Host A- Coats, with Martha Barbarick as lead hostess.
Next week: 2nd Sunday Host Coffman – Holland, with Elizabeth Carter as lead hostess.
Giving Opportunities:
Food Pantry: Thank you for the generous support.Our in-houseFood Pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the community of Bloomington. Donations of nonperishable items of pasta, marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned chicken and Tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and soups are always a great blessing.
Mission Donations: We send monthly support to two missionary units in Albania, the Hoppe family and Hannah Valentine. We welcome and encourage you to contribute to their ongoing support.
Benevolence Fund: Donations may be made to this fund throughout the year and are mainly used to support families in need of help with rent and utilities payments.
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S mail. Many thanks to all who continue supporting All Saints.