Third Sunday of Great Lent
Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
Martyr Agapios of Palestine and those with him; Apostle Aristoboulos of the Seventy, First Bishop of Britain; New-martyrs Manuel of Crete and Parthenios
**Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great**
Great Lent Our season of prayer, fasting, repentance, and almsgiving
March is Women’s month The ladies and girls of the church will serve on Sundays during Divine Liturgy by reading the reading of the Epistle and holding wooden bowls of prosphora bread during Holy Communion.
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 7
Thou didst shatter death by Thy Cross, Thou didst open paradise to the thief; Thou didst turn the sadness of the ointment-bearing women into joy. And didst bid Thine Apostles proclaim a warning, that Thou hast risen O Christ, granting to the world the Great Mercy.
Apolytikion for the Holy Cross – Tone 1
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting to Thy people victory over all their enemies, and by the power of Thy Cross preserving Thy commonwealth.
Kontakion for 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.
Thought for Today
“Do not fear God because of the greatness of His majesty but fear Him because of the greatness of His love.” – St Isaac the Syrian
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry, O my God!
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (4:14-5:6)
Brethren, since we have a High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the confession. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one Who in every respect has been tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, jus as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a High Priest, but was appointed by Him who said to Him, “Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee.” as He says also in another place, “Thou art a Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (8:34-9:1)
The Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”
New Items in the Bookstore in 2026 The Jesus We Missed, Fr. Patrick Reardon; Akathist of Thanksgiving; Ukrainian-made wood crosses; Great Lent, Fr. Alexander Schmemann; Jesus Prayer Desktop Plaques; Moved by Compassion: Exploring the Core of Orthodox Christian Spiritual Life by John D. Jones; Orthodox Faith, Worship, Life – a catechism; The Orthodox Way, Bp. Kallistos Ware; The Ultimate Building Project: The Human Person, Paul Karos; A variety of Orthodox crosses, silver, stainless and wood.
TheatreWorks of Bloomington presents Grammarland! Starring Tatiana Carter, Hannah, Mariam and Anthony Gillquist, and Elias, Miriam, Amos and Zelda Schneider. Saturday, March 14 at 11am & Sunday, March 15 at 4 pm @ MONROE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY (downtown). Parking can be less than delightful around downtown, so please allow yourselves enough time!
Camp registration You should have received an email from the camp your child has attended previously. Please let Nina know at alsntssec@bluemarble.net of the camp and week your child is participating in this summer.
House blessings will continue throughout Great Lent. Father will contact you to schedule a time.
This Week
Today, Sunday Lenten Choir practice 1:00-2:00pm; Sunday Lenten Vespers at 5:00 pm; St. John the Forerunner, homilist Fr. David Wey, Pastor of SS. Constantine and Helena.
Monday, March 16 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am.
Tuesday, March 17 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00am. Columbus Fellowship will meet at 7:00 pm.
Wednesday, March 18 Presanctified Liturgy at 6:00 pm, Inquirers and Catechumen classes to follow, Eggplant and rice dish “Baingan Bharta” provided for the meal, all sides needed. There will be a signup sheet on Wednesday for those that are able to bring a side or help with cleanup. Contact Juliana Schulz for suggestions of sides or of items you are bringing at 812- 360-5975 or Jennifer.schulz3ttj@gmail.com.
Thursday, March 19 6th Hour Prayers at 12:00 pm.
Friday, March 20 Presanctified Liturgy at 9:00 am; Akathist to the Theotokos at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, March 21 Bible Study10:00 am at Webb’s house. Parish Council will meet at 3:30 pm. Great Vespers at 5:00 pm ‘Ask Abouna’ to follow. Bible Bowl teams will meet after Great Vespers.
Sunday, March 22 Matins at 9:00 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am, St. John Climacus. Sunday Vespers at 5:00 pm St. George, Terre Haute; homilist Fr. John Miller, pastor of Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Family News
Birthday Celebrations Jonathon Garrison (15th); Adam Shahadey (16th);
Kh. Kristina Gillguist (18th); Marah Polit; Rachael Schuck (19th); Lilly Blair; George Tabbal; Ghada Labban; Ignatius Schneider (20th).
Prayer List Aaliyah; Dee and Don; Nancy; Tom; Wendy; Dnsa. Robyn; Mary Ann; Rita; Michael, Olga, Jone; Sadie and the child she bears; Kelsey and child born; Heather; Hal; Jim, Lisa; Kh. Paraskeva; David; Taylor; Fr. Athanasius; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Fr. Matthew; Rdr. David; Marvin; Nectaria, Shu-Mei. Charlie, Shirley; Jim; 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; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; 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; Dorthea; Mary; Marina; Patrick; Seraphima, 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, Baran, Sophie, Fr. Andrew, Fr. Christopher, Galyna, Thomas, Albina, Jeanette (Aaliyah Aunt), Fr. Vladimir, Hilda, Sam, Norma, Metropolitan Demitrios of Xanthos, Kip, Tammy.
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.
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. Place your donations ready to be served on the serving buffet prior to Holy Communion. After the meal, remove your containers and clean up any church items you used. Thank you.
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.