Palm Sunday:
Entrance of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem
The Eisodikon (Entrance Hymn) of Palm Sunday
Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord: God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. Save us, O Son of God, Who didst sit upon the foal of an ass, who sing to Thee: Alleluia.
Apolytikion of Lazarus Saturday-Tone 1
In confirming the common Resurrection, O Christ God, Thou didst raise up Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion. Wherefore, we also, like the children, bearing the symbols of victory, cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Apolytikion of Palm Sunday-Tone 5
As by baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were deemed worthy of immortal life; and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Kontakion of Palm Sunday-Tone 6
Being borne upon a throne in Heaven, and upon a colt on the earth, O Christ God, Thou didst accept the praise of the angels and the laudation of the children as they cried to Thee: Blessed art Thou Who comest to recall Adam.
Thought for Today
“There is no spiritual death from which one cannot be resurrected by the Divine power of the risen and ascended Lord Christ; there is no torment, there is no misfortune, there is no misery, there is no suffering which the Lord will not change either gradually or at once into quite compunctionate joy because of faith in Him.” -St. Justin Popovich
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord.
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians. (4:4-9)
Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is grcious, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received, and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (12:1-18)
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus who had died was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with Him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of His Disciples (he who was to betray Jesus), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the moneybox he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of My burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that He was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt!” His Disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of Him and had been done to Him. The crowd that had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet Jesus was that they heard He had done this sign.
Approaching the Holy Chalice
As we approach the chalice, we fold our arms, right over left. This is both a posture of submission and confession of Christ’s victory over death. Those who commune are asked to open their mouths wide with their heads slightly tipped up and receive the Gifts directly from the spoon. This eliminates confusion and reduces the risk of spillage.
When our ushers are available, they serve to remind us of the best flow toward the Holy Chalice: Any newly illumined when applicable: People who have been received through Holy Baptism and Chrismation bear their lit candles and receive first for three Divine Liturgies. Little Lambs and babes-in-arms.
Laity unhurriedly flow toward the periphery of the nave and down the center aisle of the church. Choir joins the greater group as those who have received continue to sing for them. Please be advised! Each parishioner, young and old, is asked to take one piece of blessed bread unless one is saving some for those not in attendance.
Welcome Home newly illumined. May God grant you many years!
RELIEF FOR LEBANON we raised $1,852, Glory to God! Thank you SOYO for organizing the pancake breakfast fundraise, and to all who generously gave in support Lebanon.
Lilies for Pascha, and other white flowers for decorating the Nave. Please bring your donated flowers and place them on a table in the Fellowship Hall.
This Week
Today, Sunday Bridegroom service at 5:00 pm.
Monday, April 6 Presanctified Liturgy at 9:00 am; Bridegroom service at 6:00 pm.
Tuesday, April 7 Presanctified Liturgy at 9:00am, Bridegroom service at 6:00 pm.
Wednesday, April 8 Presanctified Liturgy at 9:00 am; Service of Holy Unction at 6:00 pm.
Thursday, April 9 Vesperal Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am, with foot washing. Orthros with 12 Passion Gospels 6:00 pm
Friday, April 10 Royal Hours at 9:00 am; 1:00pm the children will decorate the Bier; Great Vespers at 3:00 pm; Orthros with Lamentations at 6:00 pm. All Night Vigil will begin after Lamentations, a sign up sheet will be available.
Saturday, April 11 Vesperal Liturgy, Harrowing of Hades at 9:00 am. Rush, Matins, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 pm. Great and Holy Pascha
Sunday, April 12 Agape Vespers at 12:00 noon, Procession to the Empty tomb, Festive Celebration of Christ Holy Resurrection.
Family News
Birthday Celebrations Jennifer Rigsby (5th), Cora Bidulescu (6th).
Anniversary Celebration Aurelian Bidulescu & Lucia Toadere (9th).
Prayer List Julia Suzanna, Dee and Don; Nancy; Tom; Wendy; Dnsa. Robyn; Mary Ann; Rita; Michael, Olga, Jone; Sadie and the child she bears; Heather; Hal; Kh. Paraskeva; David; Taylor; Fr. Athanasius; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Fr. Matthew; Rdr. David; Marvin; Nectaria, Charlie, Shirley; Jim; Patricia; ; Jan; those suffering from the war in Ukraine and the Middle East; our Nation; all school children, and personnel across the nation; Emma; Josiah; Jack; Christopher; Wadia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Vicki; Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Josh; Allison; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Missy; Andrew; Isaac; Audra and the child she bears; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Elias; Leanne Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Sarah; Jennifer; Christy; John; Bruce; Stanley; Allen; Linda; Allison and children; Evan; Anastasia and family; Mary and family; Anna and the child she bears, Mary and the child she bears; Williams family; Victoria and the child she bears; Susie; Rhonda.
Memory Eternal David, Patriarch Ilia of Georgia, Metropolitan Demitrios of Xanthos, Kip, Tammy, Virgil.
Giving Opportunities We appreciate and welcome your ongoing support.
Benevolence Fund Donations are used to support families in need of help with rent and utilities payments.
Food Pantry Our In-house food 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.
Change in Teen and Tween SOYO Meeting Time
For the foreseeable future, Teen and Tween Catechism will continue to meet following the Sunday Divine Liturgy.
Though this has led to the loss of evening social time (which has pained some), it has optimized attendance (which has been convenient for many).
We have also partly transitioned from the Archdiocesan Exodus curriculum as Exodus is being covered in depth through Bible Bowl study, in favor of discussions more in sync with the Ecclesiastical year. Stay tuned for a calendar of teen and tween social opportunities to augment Catechism.
Creative Arts Festival Entries for the Parish Life Conference, JUNE 17-21, 2026!
It’s that time once again to ready Creative Festival entries (to be submitted by email this year) for the Parish Life Conference, this year to be hosted by the Fr. Fred Shaheen and the faithful of St. Matthew in N. Royalton, Ohio! The theme of this year’s Conference is Exodus 19:6: “YOU SHALL BE TO ME A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION.”
Elizabeth Arthur serves as our parish Creative Arts Festival Coordinator.
All entries must be emailed to her directly at tulipsenterprises@outlook.com by Bright Monday, April 13.
Children grades 1 to 12 are invited to participate and awards will be distributed at the Parish Life Conference.
As a reminder, our region’s categories include:
Arts, Creative Writing, Photography and Poetry and children are invited to submit work in as many or as few categories as they wish.
Parents wishing to learn more, including information about specific guidelines, are directed to antiochian.org/dashboard?name=creative festivals 2026
All Saints’ Sunday Meal
To best serve our growing congregation, we ask everyone who is able bring a food donation to share at the meal. If you are unable to bring a dish, please enjoy the meal and fellowship, help with cleanup is always needed.
The Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian (to be prayed by all with your morning and evening prayers at home)
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of laziness faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Your servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen
Donations to the church are being made online to www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S. mail. Many thanks to all who continue supporting All Saints.