Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Thought for Today: “I cannot describe to you how much our Panagia likes chastity and purity. Since she is the only pure Virgin, she wants and loves everyone to be like that. As soon as we cry out to her, she rushes to our help. You don’t even need to finish saying, ‘All-Holy Theotokos, help me’ and at once, like lightning, she shines through the nous and fills the heart with illumination. She draws the nous to prayer and the heart to Love.” – St. Joseph the Hesychast
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 2
When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hades with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 4
Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe; for from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Kontakion of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 4
By thy holy nativity, O pure one, Joachim and Anna were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee: The barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.To Thee, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (6:11-18)
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all, who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (3:13-17)
The Lord said, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
Approaching the Holy Chalice: The young children of Little Lambs and their teachers receive first, unless there are newly-illumined, in which case the children go second. Everyone else in the parish family is asked to file toward the periphery, toward the narthex, and proceed down the center aisle. 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.
Reminder: Father Peter Jon will not be available for meetings immediately following Divine Services. To make an appointment, please email him. If you do not hear from him in 48 hours, your email may be in his junk-mail, so please follow up with a text at that point.
Our beautiful kitchen renovation has begun: Sunday and Wednesday meals will continue without the use of the kitchen. Bring a pre-made dish. Thank you for practicing patience with one another through our stages of growth, and many thanks to those working on the renovations!
Teen Retreat Friday: The parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Louisville, KY is hosting a teen retreat on digital safety from 6-9 p.m. Friday. Khouria Kristina will drive the church van, departing from the church lot at 3pm. The return home will be quite late. See flyer in the hall for details. Please R.S.V.P. to Khouria Kristina.
Attention All Parents: Please list your child’s name on the appropriate church school roster on the Fellowship Hall door. Our loving teachers want to plan appropriately to serve your child.
The New Youth Catechism Program: will begin the weekend of September 21-22.
Columbus Fellowship: The first meeting was well attended and joyful. The group will meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
Please join Jacob and Victoria Stemper For the Baptism of their daughter Georgia. Saturday, September 20th, 2025, at 3:00pm; Holy Trinity Cathedral, Carmel IN
This Week
Today (Sunday): Myrrh Bearers and Tech committee will meet following Divine Liturgy.
Monday, September 8: 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am
Tuesday, September 9: Divine Liturgy for the Holy and Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna at 9:00 am; OCF dinner and discussion 6:30pm at the Webb’s home.
Wednesday, September 10: Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm, Teaching andpitch-in meal of pasta and salad to follow. Email or text Juliana at jennifer.schulz3ttj@gmail.com,
(812) 360-5975 for items needed.
Thursday, September 11: Divine Liturgy for St. Euphrosynos the Cook at 9:00 am.
Friday, September 12: Divine Liturgy – Leavetaking of the Nativity of the Theotokos – at 9:00 am.
Saturday, September 13: Bible Study, 10:00 am at the Webb’s home; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm, ask Abouna to follow; Junior and TeenSOYO at 6:30 pm.
Sunday, September 14: Matins at 9:00 am; Divine Liturgyat 10:00 am.
Family News
Name Day Celebration: Audrey Hall, Cassiana Holland, Kassiani the Hymnographer (7th); Nanette Plaza, Mary Ann Griggs, Mae Sampanis, Kh. Marilyn Gillquist, Most Holy Theotokos (8th); Braylan Smith, Righteous Jochim (9th); Ariana Vician, Lily Blair, Cora Bidulescu, Patricia Finchum, Rachael Schuck, Righteous Anna (9th); Stephanie Konnersman, Anna of Novgorod (9th); Oliver Lewis, St. Ephrosynos (11th); Steve Blair, St. Cornelius the Centurion (13th).
Birthday Celebration: Dan Rigsby (9th); Elena Radchenko (10th); Felicity Arthur (11th); John Alexander (12th).
Prayer List: Rita; Hannah and infant Graham born to her; Cathy; Heather; Kh. Parasheva; Hal; Jacquie; Jim and Lisa; Taylor;Fr. Athanasius; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Fr. Matthew; Marvin; Nectaria;Shu-Mei,Charlie;Shirley; Jim;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East; Peace talks; our nation; those suffering with all the naturaldisasters; all schools children, 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; Sadie and child; Kelsey and child; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Elias; Waded; Leanne Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; John; Stanley; Allen; Linda; Allison and children; Kip; Evan; Anastasia and family; Dorthea; Mary.
Memory Eternal: Metropolitan Dionysios of Corinth; Archpriest Mina Sarchizian; Archpriest Stevan Bauman, Dirk.
All Saints’ Sunday Meal
Today, Sunday: 1st Sunday Host A- Coats, with Martha Barabrick as lead hostess. Meal provided by the church.
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