F e b r u a r y / M a r c h

Sts. Pet er & Paul Greek Or thodox Chur ch Inside t h is issue: S pi ri tu a l Message 1 P a ri s h C ou nci l 3 S tewards hi p 4 Do me U pda te 6 N e w s / E v e n t s 7 Y ou t h Mi ni s t ry 9 S e rv i c e S c h e d u l e 12 Mo nt hl y C a l e ndar 1 3 O n F a s ti ng 1 5 Petra News F e b r u a r y / M a r c h 2 0 1 7 A journey, pilgrimage! Yet, as we begin it, as we make the first step into the bright sadness of Lent, we see - far, far away - the destination. It is the joy of Easter, it is the entrance into the glory of the kingdom. And it is the vision, the foretaste of Easter, that makes Lent s sadness bright and our Lenten effort a spiritual spring. The night may be dark and long, but all along the way a mysterious and radiant dawn seems to shine on the horizon. Do not deprive us of our expectation, O Lover of mankind. -Father Alexander Schmemann, Great Lent Lent as a Pilgrimage Pentecostarion. These books contain the richest treasures of Orthodox hymnology - literally hundreds upon hundreds of hymns and prayers developed especially from the Gospel readings and arranged according to various themes, such as repentance, forgiveness, renewal, and joy. Are you familiar with the structure of Lent? The ten week period of the Triodion begins with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee (February 5) and ends with the Saturday of Holy Week (April 15). Thus, in addition to the forty day of Lent (six weeks), it includes three pre-lenten weeks and Holy Week up to Saturday. The four pre- Lenten Sundays are known as: The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee (February 5) The Sunday of the Prodigal Son (February 12) The Sunday of the Last Judgement, Meatfare (February 19) The Sunday of Forgiveness, Cheesefare (February 26) Petra News A ministry and monthly publication of Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church. Supported by the stewards of the parish. Great Lent is a symbol of our life on earth. The period from Pascha to Pentecost is a symbol of our life in heaven. The former period is a time of preparation, a pilgrimage, a spiritual ascent, leading to the glory of Easter. The later period is a time of joy and thanksgiving, an image of the unending celebration in God s eternal Kingdom. These two periods each have their own liturgical books, the Triodion and the Fasting, that is eating sparingly and abstaining from certain food, begins gradually during the pre-lenten Season. The week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee is fast free. During the week after the Sunday of the Prodigal Son only regular fasting of Wednesday and Friday is prescribed. Sunday of the Last Judgement (Meatfare) is the last day of which meat is permitted. Then fish, eggs, and milk products may be eaten through the Sunday of For-

P a g e 2 Lent as a Pilgrimage Great Lent is a symbol of our life on earth. A time of preparation, a pilgrimage, a spiritual ascent, leading to the glory of Pascha. giveness (Cheesefare). On the next day, Clean or Pure Monday, Lent begins, a period of strict fasting. However, physical fasting from food is only one aspect of Lent. It should not excessively dominate our thinking. It is worthless without spiritual fasting from evil. Spiritual fasting is the breaking with sin through repentance and the practice of positive disciplines such as prayer, daily reading of the Bible, regular worship, and frequent Holy Communion - leading to spiritual renewal. The entire Triodion period is a journey to Pascha, a spiritual pilgrimage, a time of cleansing and renewal, a reaffirmation of our liberation from the power of sin and materialistic values. As the ancient Jews crossed the Red Sea and journeyed for forty years in the desert before entering the Promised Land, we also seek to cross the passageway of true repentance during Lent so that we may leave behind the old sinful nature and enter into a new life by the grace of the Risen Christ. Does this mean that the gift of new life received at our baptism is less important to us at other times of the year and more important during Lent? By no means. Our new birth in baptism, our passage from death to life in Christ, is always the foundation of our whole existence, the source of power for all our strivings, and the basis of all our hopes. Christian life is always meant to be a permanent Pascha, a continuous festival of joy and thanksgiving, even amidst temptations, struggles, and suffering. But all too often the power of sin touches us and defeats us. We give ourselves over to love of the world and everything that belongs to the world - what sinful self desires, what people see and want, and everything in this world that people are so proud of (1 John 2:16). Lent gives us the opportunity to get back on the right track. It helps us through specific ways to renew and deepen our life in Christ. Our goal for this period are three: Renewal through repentance Reordering of our priorities according to Christ s teachings Developing a stable, growing life in union with Christ Our provisions for this Lenten journey are also three: Prayer / Sacramental Life Fasting Good deeds / Charity We are encouraged to read Matthew 6:1-18. This passage from the Sermon on the Mount tells us of Jesus teachings on the three aspects of Christian life which are central to Lent. -Fr Theodore Stylianopoulos P a g e 2

Parish Council Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church 5640 Jay Road, Boulder, CO 80301 ~ Phone: (303) 581-1434 http://www.stspeterandpaulboulder.org Open Letter to the Sts. Peter and Paul Community Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Could you imagine your car only going at about 50% of the desired speed? Or at your work, what if your team was only able to get about 50% of the needed work done in a given day? I think we all would fix the car or try to resource the project with more people. We recently had our Parish Council, where only one person ran for four vacant seats. Consequently, our Council is only at about 50% capacity. As you can imagine, having only 50% of the Parish Council seats filled will impact our ability to effectively serve our community. Therefore, I m asking for your help. I m asking you to please prayerfully consider joining the 2017 Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Council. We really do need your help to more completely administer to the needs of our beloved parish community. If you are even considering joining the Parish Council and/or you would like to discuss the function of the Parish Council in more depth, please contact me at <nicholas_kallan@hotmail.com> or 303-475-8341. With Love in Christ, Nick Kallan (2016 Parish Council Vice President and 2017 member) P a g e 3

2017 Stewardship Program We are stewards of God s Kingdom, of His Church upon our planet earth. Saint Paul reminds us of this in his letter to the Corinthians: Now concerning the contribution for the saints... on the first day of the week each one of you is to put something aside and store it up as he may prosper, so that contributions need not to be made when I come (1 Cor 16:1-2). The faith of the early Christians as they followed this directive of Saint Paul is a model for stewardship today. Saint Paul spoke to them about proportionate giving, setting aside part of their weekly earnings for the establishment and edification of Christian Churches. As Christians, we are asked to make the same commitment to our Community of Faith. The early Christians had the Church as the center of their lives. We appeal to you to make Christ and His Church the very center of your life. We kindly ask you to dedicate to our Church a generous portion of your time, talents, and treasure to promote God s Kingdom upon our planet earth. God offered His Son for our salvation. Now He asks us to offer to Him ourselves and return to Him a portion of His blessings to us. The Bible asks us to respond to God s appeal to us cheerfully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7). Your generous giving will be blessed, and it will be returned generously to you. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work... Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread of food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness... (2 Cor 9:8-10). The true Christian life contains in it the element of sacrifice in all its aspects, including giving. Jesus praised the widow who gave for the poor of the Temple the little she had. He wants us to give to His Church not leftover income, but the fruits of our income. In earlier times, Christians gave the first fruits from their wheat, wine, and oil for the needs of the Church, as the Bible teaches us. Today, we call this offering proportionate giving. Let us pledge to our Church a generous portion of our income as Stewards of Christ and His Church. Today, the Lord Jesus holds the only light that can dispel the world s darkness. The call of Stewardship is for us to help Him keep holding up that light. Please take the time to prayerfully consider your 2017 Stewardship. *Stewardship material is available in the Narthex and Parish Hall* It costs around $700 per day to keep Sts Peter & Paul Church doors open. $3000 pledge / $60 per week $2000 pledge / $40 per week $1000 pledge / $20 per week $700 pledge / $14 week Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. The primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. P a g e 4

List of Stewardship 2015 P a g e 5 Anastas, Christie & Emil Artemis, Steve & Marybeth Ashmun, Joanne Azar, Tony & Rimona Barbu, Ileana & McDonald, Thomas Brewer, Nicole & Joshua Brown, Fr. Jordan & Pres. Marika Cheronis, Dion & Alekie Conis, Pete & Lynda Dageenakis, John & Elayne DeGeorge, Tony & Rola Dotson, Presbytera Kedrann Dzilvelis, Steven & Ashley Elias, Eric & Keity Ferguson, David & Alexandra Garrity, Jane Gehmeyr, Michael & Olympia Bakalis Georgis, Maria Georgis, Steve and Yoana Gregory, Brian Hamilton, Joanne & Darryle Huskey, Oliver & Melanie Jacky, Tom & Tamsin Kallan, Nick & Danielle Kapatayes, Gaby & Odeta Kapatayes, Nuha Kelly, John & Mary Kolovos, Michael & Youli Krol, Effie & Rick Kurtz, Kevin & Susan Lymberopoulos, Mary Marose, John Melonakis, Mathew Melonakis, Terry Mooney, Thomas & Elene Nader, Jacques & Amanda Pagratis, Maria Palmer, Tom & Vaso Palmos, Leo Panas, Jim & Fannie Pappas, Bill Pappas, George & Charleen Pappas, Nick Pappas, Nick & Joanna Johnson Piper, Ted & Sophia Politis, Takis & Kathy Powers, Jim & Julie Saliba, George Sammoury, Tony & Christiane Sampson, Earl Sarris, Juli Serougi, Eissa & Samira Serougi, Sam & Adma Shearin, Patrick Skodras, Nick Skodras, Voula Soulakis, Manuel & Candice Stamus, Peter & Cynthia Swiszcz, Paul & Marose-Swiszcz, Jan Theodosis, Anthoula Vlachos, Virginia Voris, Angelos Wall, Aaron Welker, Julie & David Zarifa, Sonia Zaronias, Dimitrios & Diangy Zissimos, Jim & Sheila Zwierzynski, Zoe P a g e 5

Building for the Future Dome Project Update The Parish Council is pleased to update the community on the progress of our dome project. The Building for the Future Committee completed the competitive process of evaluating contractors last fall. The winning contractor was approved by the Parish Council and we entered into a contract with B&M Roofing to provide a new metal dome cover. B&M Roofing is developing the plans and submittals needed to initiate the construction effort. We anticipate fabrication of the dome pieces will begin in the next 12 weeks with construction scheduled to be completed by this summer. This construction project will also include some much needed maintenance to replace the soffit around the church which is in poor condition. Finally, we are excited as part of this work to attach a permanent golden cross to the dome as a shining beacon of our faith. To date we have raised over $60,000 for this work. To comfortably complete the dome with the cross and the needed maintenance to the soffit, we need an additional $30,000. This brings the total amount to $90,000 which covers our original $85,000 fundraising target for the dome and $5,000 for the soffit work. Please see Fr. Jordan or a Parish Council member if you would like to contribute to this effort. With Love in Christ, George Tsiouvaras P a g e 6

News & Events Sacrament of Confession Father Jordan will be hearing confessions prior to the morning and evening Lenten services. Please call the church office @ 303-581-1434 or email @ frjordanbrown@gmail.com to schedule confession. House Blessings Father Jordan will be blessing homes the month of February. The House Blessing forms are available in the narthex. Please do not hesitate to contact Father Jordan with any questions. You can reach Father Jordan @ frjordanbrown@gmail.com or the church office @ (303) 581-1434. Sts. Peter & Paul Cocktail Social Friday, February 10th at 7 pm We have a special adult evening cocktail and appetizer social at the home of Tom and Tamsin Jacky (1435 Sunset Blvd. Boulder, 80304). This will be a wonderful time to make new friends with our Sts. Peter & Paul Church family. Please RSVP to <tamsinj@yahoo.com>. Church Clean Up Saturday, February 18 th at 9:30 am Although the church is cleaned on a weekly basis, there are several things that need to be handled periodically and we are scheduling a clean up day for this purpose. Please try to offer your time on Saturday, February 18, after the first Saturday of the Souls, at 9:30 to do a little deeper cleaning (such as windows and kitchen appliances). An e- mail will be sent out with specific tasks you can view and sign up for. A light breakfast and snack will be provided and if we go longer, lunch will also be provided. Wake up to God: Wednesday Morning Bible Study February 1 st, 15 th, and 22 nd at 10 am Bible Study is a wonderful time to study and apply scripture to our spiritual life, grow closer to God, and make new friends. Class will meet in the parish hall. Refreshments are offered. Please feel free to contact Father Jordan with any questions. Lenten Evening Spiritual Class Please join us on Wednesday Evenings during Great Lent for a lenten supper and lecture. The Presanctified will begin at 6 pm. Immediately following services, we will have a dinner in the parish hall (7:30 pm). Please bring a lenten dish. During our meal, Father Jordan and additional guest speakers will be offering a lenten spiritual reflection. Men s Fellowship Dinner Thursday, February 16, 7 pm The Men s fellowship will be getting together for fellowship and dinner. Please join us. We welcome the men of our parish. We will meet at Lulu s BBQ (701 Main Street, Louisville). IOCC Awareness Dinner International Orthodox Christian Charities March 18th, 5 pm, Dinner 6 pm and Dinner will take place at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral The Guest Speaker will be Dean Triantafilou, Executive Director, IOCC Pan-Orthodox Sunday Lenten Please join us in worship with our sister Orthodox Parishes during Great Lent. A different parish will host and Dinner on Sundays at 5 pm. This is a great opportunity to join in prayer and fellowship with our Orthodox brothers and sister in the Front Range and Denver Metro area. Pan Orthodox schedule: March 5, 12, 19, 26 & April 2 Host parishes: TBA please see website or parish hall P a g e 7

News & Events Clean Monday Monday, February 27th at Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church On the first day of the Great and Holy Lent, Monday, February 27, Sts Peter & Paul will offer a Clean Monday. Father Jordan and additional guest speakers will be presenting lenten reflections. Schedule 10 am - Lenten Orthros Service 10:30 am - 11:30 am - Lenten Reflection 11:30 am - Lenten Meal 12 noon - Lenten Reflection 12:30 pm - Closing Prayer Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 5th The Icon Procession will take place at the end of the Divine. Bring your prayer icons from home. Sunday of Orthodoxy Pan Orthodox, March 5 th, 5 pm will be celebrated with His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Denver. P a g e 8

Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Oratorical Festival Sunday, February 19 at Noon Attention all Sunday School middle and high school students. The Oratorical Festival will take place on Sunday, February 19, 12 noon, at Sts Peter & Paul. Sunday school will be scheduled for the 19th. There will be a fellowship lunch at the end of service. The young people will present their sermons in the church. The Oratorical Festival will begin at 12 noon. If you have not received your topics, please see Dana Gall or Father Jordan. This is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to share the faith in their in own words. The winners in the junior and senior division will represent Sts Peter & Paul at the Metropolis Oratorical Festival, which will take place at the St Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church located in Fort Worth, Texas. Sts Peter & Paul Family Ski Day Monday, February 20th President s Day is on February 20th. The majority of schools are closed on President s Day. Sts Peter & Paul is organizing a family ski day at Eldora Ski Area. Eldora is a family friendly ski area. We will car pool from the church at 7 am. If you have any questions please contact Father Jordan. Orthodox Christian Fellowship - University of Colorado The OCF of CU welcomes all college students to join the OCF Ministry. The annual Winter is coming up in a few weeks. Father Jordan will be on campus for our Tuesday Evening Fellowship. The St Thomas Catholic Center is located on the corner of 15th and Euclid. If you have any questions or need a ride, please contact our OCF President, Elias EJ Katsoulas at ejkatsoulas@gmail.com or Father Jordan, OCF CU chaplain at frjordanbrown@gmail.com. Important Future Youth Ministry Dates Sunday School Oratorical Festival Sunday, February 19, 2017 GOYA Spring Lenten (Estes Park) Middle and High school age children will be participating March 10-12, 2017 Metropolis Oratorical Festival (St Dimitrios, Ft Worth Texas) March 17-18, 2017 GOYA Summer Camp Dates (Camp Emmanuel / New Mexico) June 11-17 (Senior Goya 9-12th grade) June 18-24 (Junior Goya 6-8th grade) P a g e 9

The OCF of CU welcomes all college students to join the OCF Ministry. The annual Winter is coming up in a few weeks. Father Jordan will be on campus for our Tuesday Evening Fellowship. The St Thomas Catholic Center is located on the corner of 15th and Euclid. If you have any questions or need a ride, please contact our OCF President, Elias EJ Katsoulas at ejkatsoulas@gmail.com or Father Jordan, OCF CU chaplain at frjordanbrown@gmail.com. February 3-5 Winter (Hot Sulphur Springs) Tuesday, February 14th 6 pm at St. Thomas Center (prayer, dinner, & fellowship) Tuesday, March 7th 6 pm at St. Thomas Center (prayer, dinner, & fellowship) Tuesday, March 21st 6 pm at St. Thomas Center (prayer, dinner, & fellowship) P a g e 1 0

GOYA Lenten 2017 March 10-12, 2017 The 2017 GOYA Front Range Lenten will be held at Covenant Heights Camp & Center in Estes Park, Colorado. Youth, ages 11-18 years old, are invited to retreat away from everyday challenges for a weekend of fun, spiritual growth and fellowship. Online registration will open in January 2017 To register, visit: http://www.youth.denver.goarch.org/events/2017-events/2017-goya-front-range-lenten-retreat Registration will close February 26. The registration fee for this retreat is $125 for each participant. Questions: Contact Father Jordan Brown @ (303) 581-1434 or frjordanbrown@gmail.com or Alex Demos, Youth Director St Catherine s @ (303) 770-0016 or alex.demos@gmail.com P a g e 1 1

Feast of the Presentation Wednesday, February 1st Orthros 5 pm / Divine 6 pm Schedule of Services Lenten Service Schedule Triodion Begins Sunday, February 5th Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee Feast of St Haralambos Friday, February 10th Orthros 8 am / Divine 9 am Saturday of the Souls February 18th, February 25th, March 4th Divine 8 am (Memorial Service) Paraclesis Service Wed. February 15th & February 22nd, 6 pm Forgiveness Sunday February 26th The Forgiveness Service preparing us for the Holy Great Fast, will take place immediately following the Sunday Divine at 9:30 am. Clean Monday The First Day of Great Lent February 27th Lenten Orthros 10 am Clean Monday (Hosted by Sts. Peter & Paul) 10:30 am - 12 pm Lenten Potluck Lunch 12 pm Monday Evenings, 6 pm, Great Compline Wednesday Mornings, 9 am, Great Compline Wednesday Evenings, 6 pm Pre-sanctified 9th Hour Prayers 5:45 pm Friday Mornings, 9 am Pre-sanctified Friday Evenings, 7 pm Salutations / Hairitismi Service Saturdays, 5 pm Great Sundays of Great Lent Orthros 8:15 am Divine of St Basil 9:30 am Great Canon of St Andrew (celebrated the 1st week of Great Lent) February 27th, Great Compline/Canon, Monday, 6 pm February 28th, Great Compline /Canon, Tuesday, 9 am March 1st, Great Compline /Canon, Wednesday, 9 am March 2nd, Great Compline/Canon, Thursday, 7 am Feast of the Annunciation Saturday, March 25th Orthros 8 am / Divine 9 am St. Andrew, Archbishop of Crete (Author of the Great Canon) P a g e 1 2

February 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Shaded Days = Fasting Days Visit www.calendar. goarch.org for specific fasting criteria 1 Feast of the Presentation 10a Bible Study 5p Orthros 6p Divine 2 3 OCF Winter 4 OCF Winter 5p Great 5 Triodion Begins OCF Winter 8:15a Orthros 9:30a Divine 6 7 Clergy 8 Clergy 9 Clergy 10 St. Haralambos 8a Divine 7p Cocktail Social @ Jacky Home 11 5p Great 12 8:15a Orthros 9:30a Divine 13 14 6p Youth OCF 15 10a Bible Study 6p Paraclesis 16 7p Men s Fellowship Dinner 17 18 Saturday of Souls 8a Divine 9:30a Church Cleaning Day 5p Great Ves- 19 Meatfare Sunday 8:15a Orthros 9:30a Divine 12p School Oratorical Festival 20 President s Day Youth Family Ski Day 21 22 10a Bible Study 6p Paraclesis 23 24 25 Saturday of Souls 8a Divine 5p Great 26 Forgiveness Sunday 8:15a Orthros 9:30a Divine 11a Forgiveness Service 27 Clean Monday Great Lent Begins 10a Clean Monday 6p Great Compline 28 9a Great Compline/ Canon Shaded Days = Fasting Days Visit www.calendar. goarch.org for specific fasting criteria

March 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Shaded Days = Fasting Days Visit www.calendar. goarch.org for specific fasting criteria 1 9a Great Compline/ Canon 2 7a Great Compline/ Canon 3 9a Presanctified 7p Salutations 4 Saturday of Souls 8a Divine 5p Great 5 Sunday of Orthodoxy 8:15a Orthros 9:30a 11a Icon Procession 5p PanOrthodox 6 6p Great Compline 7 6p OCF 8 9a Great Compline 6p Pre-sanctified 7:30p Dinner/ Class 9 10 GOYA Lenten 9a Presanctified 7p Salutations 11 GOYA Lenten 5p Great 12 St. Gregory Palamas Daylight Savings Time 8:15a Orthros 9:30a 5p PanOrthodox @ Cathedral 13 6p Great Compline 14 15 9a Great Compline 6p Presanctified 7:30p Dinner/ Class 16 17 Metropolis Oratorical Festival 9a Presanctified 7p Salutations 18 5p Pan- Orthodox 19 Sunday of the Holy Cross 8:15a Orthros 9:30a 5p Pan- Orthodox 20 6p Great Compline 21 6p OCF 22 9a Great Compline 6p Presanctified 7:30p Dinner/ Class 23 24 9a Presanctified 7p Salutations 25 Annunciation 9a Divine 5p Great 26 St. John the Ladder 8:15a Orthros 9:30a 5p Pan- Orthodox 27 6p Great Compline 28 29 9a Great Compline 6p Presanctified 7:30p Dinner/ Class 30 31 9a Presanctified 7p Akathist Service

Fasting in the Orthodox Church Fasting, like dieting or exercising, might seem difficult in the beginning, but it produces sweet fruits at the end. From our childhood we might carry in our memory different views and experiences about fasting. At times we might wonder and ask ourselves, Why do we fast? What is the meaning and purpose of fasting? What do the Bible and Church say about fasting? People fasted both in the Old and New Testament times. Moses fasted for forty days before he received from God the Ten Commandments. Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert. There He defeated the devil and exposed his cunning temptations. After that, Jesus came to Galilee and began His Preaching: Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. The fast of Great Lent is in remembrance of Jesus fast and is our spiritual preparation for Pascha / Easter. The fast of Holy Week helps us identify with the suffering of our Lord and appreciate His sacrifice for our salvation. Jesus shed His Precious Blood on the Cross, defeated our archenemy, the devil, and liberated us from his tyranny. Our Church invites us to enter the fasting periods of the year with joy and gladness. Fasting is a discipline, a means to an end: that is why it also has exceptions, like when we are ill, traveling, or when a woman is expecting a baby or nursing. Through fasting, we come closer to God, and we realize He is our true sustenance. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that benefits both our body and spirit. With fasting, we tame our passions and cleanse them so we may serve the Lord and not merely our selfish desires. For our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and not a den of unruly passions and desires. Our Lord gave us the desires and passions in order to empower us to reach our true goal in life. The devil seeks to corrupt us, distort our desires and passions and turn them against our Creator. With fasting, we gain control over our bodies and our passions and make them instruments of the Holy Spirit. But in order for fasting to be effective and accomplish its goal, it needs to be combined with the other spiritual disciplines of our Church, such as fervent daily prayer, almsgiving, abstinence, introspection, repentance for and confession of our sins, receiving Holy Communion, and reading daily the Holy Bible. With our desires and passions under control, we pray fervently to God as He taught us in the Holy Bible. What we save from eating expensive foods, we give to the needy as almsgiving. We examine our lives in the presence of God s holiness and, in contrition and repentance, we seek God s forgiveness in the sacrament of Holy Confession. We feed our spirit with God s Bread of Life. We approach the Holy Chalice regularly and receive Holy Communion. God s gifts sustain us in our spiritual struggle to do His holy will. We also feed our spirit daily with the reading of the Holy Bible. Our Saints, along with fasting, used all of the above disciplines and, with God s grace, became golden vessels of the Holy Spirit. Thus they reached their true goal in life, theosis, the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. As the Saints imitated Christ in their lives, we are also invited to follow Christ, by imitating their example. P a g e 1 5

Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church The mission of Sts. Peter and Paul is to be a beacon of Orthodox Christian spirituality in the greater Boulder area. Our diverse church family encompasses many converts to the Faith, as well as Greek, Arab, Romanian, Serbian, and Russian Orthodox members. We strive together to live our Orthodox Christian Faith by having a devoted prayer life, through fasting and almsgiving, and by participating regularly in the services and Sacraments of the Holy Orthodox Church. We welcome everyone to visit our parish to experience the ancient forms of worship that existed in the early centuries of the Christian Church - which we continue to practice unchanged today. Please take a moment to look through our website to learn more about our parish and our Faith, and if you have any questions, feel free to call Fr. Jordan at 303-581-1434. Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church 5640 Jay Rd. Boulder, CO 80301