Newsletter of St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church
1000 Spruce, Pueblo, CO 81004 PO Box 3011, Pueblo, CO 81005
May God keep everyone well and keep St. John the Baptist Church alive and vibrant for future generations to embrace and enjoy.
April/May 2024
**Sundays 8:20 Orthros, 9:30 Divine Liturgy
Week 4
SPECIAL LENTEN RETREAT AT BOTH HOLY ARCHANGEL MICHAELAND ST. JOHN’S– with Fr. Dan Suciu (Flyer will include details)
Fri 4/5 – At Holy Archangel Michael in Colorado Springs Salutations to the Theotokos – 5:00 p.m. Followed by some Lenten foods and the first presentation from Fr. Dan.
Sat 4/6 - At Holy Archangel Michael in Colorado Springs 10 am – 2nd presentation; then luncheon followed by 3rd presentation.
Sat 4/6 – At St. John the Baptist in Pueblo 5:00 p.m. Great Vespers followed by 4thpresentation
Sun 4/7 – Divine Liturgy (Sunday of the Holy Cross) – Fr. Dan will concelebrate with Fr. Stephen and bring us his 5th presentation. Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Wed 4/10 – Presanctified Liturgy –9th Hour begins at 9:00 a.m. (Liturgy immediately following)
Fri 4/12 – Salutations to the Theotokos – 6:00 p.m.
WEEK 5
Sun 4/14 – Divine Liturgy (Sunday of St. John Climacus) Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Wed 4/17 – Presanctified Liturgy –9th Hour begins at 5:30 p.m. (Liturgy immediately following)
Fri 4/19 –The Akathist Hymn – 6:00 p.m.
Sat 4/20 – Good Samaritan Project – Meet at Church at 10:00 a.m.
WEEK 6
Sun 4/21 – Divine Liturgy (Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt) - Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Wed 4/24 – Presanctified Liturgy –9th Hour begins at 9:00 a.m. (Liturgy immediately following)
Sat 4/27 –Lazarus Saturday – Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Sun 4/28 –Palm Sunday – Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE OF SERVICES 2024
April 27th…Lazarus Saturday – Orthros 8:20 Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
April 28th…Palm Sunday – Orthros 8:20 Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
April 28th…Sunday 6:00 pm - Bridegroom Service
Beginning on the evening of Palm Sunday and continuing through the evening of Holy Tuesday, the Orthodox Church observes a special service known as the Service of the Bridegroom. Each evening service is the Matins or Orthros service of the following day (the service held on Sunday evening is the Orthros service for Holy Monday). The name of the service is from the figure of the Bridegroom in the parable of the Ten Virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13 which is about the Second Coming of our Lord.
April 29th…Monday 6:00 pm - Bridegroom Service
April 30th…Tuesday 6:00 pm - Bridegroom Service
May 1st …Wednesday 6:00 pm - Holy Unction Service
On the evening of Great and Holy Wednesday, the Sacrament or Mystery of Holy Unction is conducted in Orthodox parishes. The Sacrament of Holy Unction is offered for the healing of soul and body and for forgiveness of sins. At the conclusion of the service of the Sacrament, the body is anointed with oil, and the grace of God, which heals infirmities of soul and body, is called down upon each person.
May 2nd … Thursday 9:00 a.m. Holy Thursday Divine Liturgy
On Thursday of Holy Week four events are commemorated: the washing of the disciples’ feet, the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony in the garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ by Judas.
May 2nd … Thursday 5:00 pm - Crucifixion of our Lord, 12 Gospels
On the evening of Great and Holy Thursday, service of the Holy Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ is conducted. The service is Matins of Friday morning sung by anticipation, on Thursday evening. This service celebrates the holy, saving, and awesome Passion of Christ. To take away our sins, Christ willingly endured spitting, scourging, buffeting, scorn, mocking, and purple robe; the reed, sponge, vinegar, nails, spear, and above all, the Cross and Death. The confession from the cross of the penitent thief, crucified with Christ, is celebrated. This service is long, but its content is dramatic and deeply moving for the devout Christian.
May 3rd ...Friday 9:00am - Royal Hours & the Decorating of the Kouvouklion
The "Royal Hours," four in number, are read at this time. These services consist of hymns, psalms, and readings from the Old and New Testaments, all related prophetically and ethically to the Person of Christ. We observe Holy Friday with fasting, prayer, cleanliness, self-examination, confession, and good works, in humility and repentance so that the Grace of the Cross might descend upon us.
May 3rd ...Friday 3:00pm - Taking down from the Cross Vespers (Bishop Constantine will be joining us for this wonderful service of Holy Week. It is one of my favorites. Please do you best to be there to support our bishop and witness the Lord being taken down from the Cross.)
The Vespers of Friday afternoon are a continuation of the Royal Hours. During this service, the removal of the Body of Christ from the Cross is commemorated with a sense of mourning for the terrible events which took place.
May 3rd ...Friday 6:00pm - Lamentation Service
The service is the Matins of Saturday morning sung by anticipation, on Friday evening. It consists of psalms, hymns, and readings dealing with the death of Christ, in contrast to His divinity, and in expectation of His Resurrection.
May 4th…Saturday 9:30am - Divine Liturgy
The service is Vespers and Divine Liturgy of Saturday evening sung by anticipation, on Saturday morning. Psalms are read and Resurrection hymns are sung which tell of Christ's descent into Hades.
May 4th-5th… Saturday/Sunday 11:30 pm - HOLY PASCHA
This is the service of all services! The service is Matins and Divine Liturgy of Sunday morning sung Saturday midnight. On Pascha Sunday (Saturday midnight), the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated.
**Bring your Pascha baskets to be blessed! (Pascha Meal will be after the Agape Service)
May 5th…Sunday 11:00 a.m. - Agape Service
This service is so very wonderful and puts the final exclamation point on our celebration of our Lord's Holy Resurrection. On Pascha Sunday, the faithful gather once more for prayer with lighted candles. All sing the hymn, "Christ is Risen from the Dead." The people greet one another joyously, saying: "Christ is Risen," which is answered, "Truly He is Risen." The Gospel according to John (20:19-25) is read in various languages, proclaiming the Good News of Resurrection all over the universe without discrimination. *If you would like to read the Gospel in one of the many languages of our world, please let Fr. Stephen know.
**Our Pascha meal follows the Agape Service - outdoors at the Church!
May 2024 Tentative Sunday Service Schedule
5/6-11- Bright Week – No Fasting Allowed
512- Thomas Sunday (Happy Mother’s Day)
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Acts 5:12-20
• John 20:19-31
5/19- Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Acts 6:1-7
• Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8
5/21-24 – Fr. Stephen will be in Raleigh, NC, for the prison ministry
Your prayers are greatly appreciated.
5/26- Sunday of the Paralytic
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Acts 9:32-42
• John 5:1-15
6/2- Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Acts 11:19-30
• John 4:5-42
Week 4
SPECIAL LENTEN RETREAT AT BOTH HOLY ARCHANGEL MICHAELAND ST. JOHN’S– with Fr. Dan Suciu (Flyer will include details)
Fri 4/5 – At Holy Archangel Michael in Colorado Springs Salutations to the Theotokos – 5:00 p.m. Followed by some Lenten foods and the first presentation from Fr. Dan.
Sat 4/6 - At Holy Archangel Michael in Colorado Springs 10 am – 2nd presentation; then luncheon followed by 3rd presentation.
Sat 4/6 – At St. John the Baptist in Pueblo 5:00 p.m. Great Vespers followed by 4thpresentation
Sun 4/7 – Divine Liturgy (Sunday of the Holy Cross) – Fr. Dan will concelebrate with Fr. Stephen and bring us his 5th presentation. Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Wed 4/10 – Presanctified Liturgy –9th Hour begins at 9:00 a.m. (Liturgy immediately following)
Fri 4/12 – Salutations to the Theotokos – 6:00 p.m.
WEEK 5
Sun 4/14 – Divine Liturgy (Sunday of St. John Climacus) Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Wed 4/17 – Presanctified Liturgy –9th Hour begins at 5:30 p.m. (Liturgy immediately following)
Fri 4/19 –The Akathist Hymn – 6:00 p.m.
Sat 4/20 – Good Samaritan Project – Meet at Church at 10:00 a.m.
WEEK 6
Sun 4/21 – Divine Liturgy (Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt) - Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Wed 4/24 – Presanctified Liturgy –9th Hour begins at 9:00 a.m. (Liturgy immediately following)
Sat 4/27 –Lazarus Saturday – Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Sun 4/28 –Palm Sunday – Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE OF SERVICES 2024
April 27th…Lazarus Saturday – Orthros 8:20 Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
April 28th…Palm Sunday – Orthros 8:20 Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
April 28th…Sunday 6:00 pm - Bridegroom Service
Beginning on the evening of Palm Sunday and continuing through the evening of Holy Tuesday, the Orthodox Church observes a special service known as the Service of the Bridegroom. Each evening service is the Matins or Orthros service of the following day (the service held on Sunday evening is the Orthros service for Holy Monday). The name of the service is from the figure of the Bridegroom in the parable of the Ten Virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13 which is about the Second Coming of our Lord.
April 29th…Monday 6:00 pm - Bridegroom Service
April 30th…Tuesday 6:00 pm - Bridegroom Service
May 1st …Wednesday 6:00 pm - Holy Unction Service
On the evening of Great and Holy Wednesday, the Sacrament or Mystery of Holy Unction is conducted in Orthodox parishes. The Sacrament of Holy Unction is offered for the healing of soul and body and for forgiveness of sins. At the conclusion of the service of the Sacrament, the body is anointed with oil, and the grace of God, which heals infirmities of soul and body, is called down upon each person.
May 2nd … Thursday 9:00 a.m. Holy Thursday Divine Liturgy
On Thursday of Holy Week four events are commemorated: the washing of the disciples’ feet, the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony in the garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ by Judas.
May 2nd … Thursday 5:00 pm - Crucifixion of our Lord, 12 Gospels
On the evening of Great and Holy Thursday, service of the Holy Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ is conducted. The service is Matins of Friday morning sung by anticipation, on Thursday evening. This service celebrates the holy, saving, and awesome Passion of Christ. To take away our sins, Christ willingly endured spitting, scourging, buffeting, scorn, mocking, and purple robe; the reed, sponge, vinegar, nails, spear, and above all, the Cross and Death. The confession from the cross of the penitent thief, crucified with Christ, is celebrated. This service is long, but its content is dramatic and deeply moving for the devout Christian.
May 3rd ...Friday 9:00am - Royal Hours & the Decorating of the Kouvouklion
The "Royal Hours," four in number, are read at this time. These services consist of hymns, psalms, and readings from the Old and New Testaments, all related prophetically and ethically to the Person of Christ. We observe Holy Friday with fasting, prayer, cleanliness, self-examination, confession, and good works, in humility and repentance so that the Grace of the Cross might descend upon us.
May 3rd ...Friday 3:00pm - Taking down from the Cross Vespers (Bishop Constantine will be joining us for this wonderful service of Holy Week. It is one of my favorites. Please do you best to be there to support our bishop and witness the Lord being taken down from the Cross.)
The Vespers of Friday afternoon are a continuation of the Royal Hours. During this service, the removal of the Body of Christ from the Cross is commemorated with a sense of mourning for the terrible events which took place.
May 3rd ...Friday 6:00pm - Lamentation Service
The service is the Matins of Saturday morning sung by anticipation, on Friday evening. It consists of psalms, hymns, and readings dealing with the death of Christ, in contrast to His divinity, and in expectation of His Resurrection.
May 4th…Saturday 9:30am - Divine Liturgy
The service is Vespers and Divine Liturgy of Saturday evening sung by anticipation, on Saturday morning. Psalms are read and Resurrection hymns are sung which tell of Christ's descent into Hades.
May 4th-5th… Saturday/Sunday 11:30 pm - HOLY PASCHA
This is the service of all services! The service is Matins and Divine Liturgy of Sunday morning sung Saturday midnight. On Pascha Sunday (Saturday midnight), the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated.
**Bring your Pascha baskets to be blessed! (Pascha Meal will be after the Agape Service)
May 5th…Sunday 11:00 a.m. - Agape Service
This service is so very wonderful and puts the final exclamation point on our celebration of our Lord's Holy Resurrection. On Pascha Sunday, the faithful gather once more for prayer with lighted candles. All sing the hymn, "Christ is Risen from the Dead." The people greet one another joyously, saying: "Christ is Risen," which is answered, "Truly He is Risen." The Gospel according to John (20:19-25) is read in various languages, proclaiming the Good News of Resurrection all over the universe without discrimination. *If you would like to read the Gospel in one of the many languages of our world, please let Fr. Stephen know.
**Our Pascha meal follows the Agape Service - outdoors at the Church!
May 2024 Tentative Sunday Service Schedule
5/6-11- Bright Week – No Fasting Allowed
512- Thomas Sunday (Happy Mother’s Day)
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Acts 5:12-20
• John 20:19-31
5/19- Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Acts 6:1-7
• Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8
5/21-24 – Fr. Stephen will be in Raleigh, NC, for the prison ministry
Your prayers are greatly appreciated.
5/26- Sunday of the Paralytic
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Acts 9:32-42
• John 5:1-15
6/2- Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Acts 11:19-30
• John 4:5-42
Prosforo
April 7 Sheri – 2
April 14 Chad - 2
April 21 Lynnette – 2
April 27 Pres Ashley – 1
April 28 Pres Ashley -1
May 2 Pam - 2
May 4 Rob - 1
May 5 Pam – 1
May 12 Fran – 1
May 19 Chad -1
May 26 Thalia – 1
April 7 Sheri – 2
April 14 Chad - 2
April 21 Lynnette – 2
April 27 Pres Ashley – 1
April 28 Pres Ashley -1
May 2 Pam - 2
May 4 Rob - 1
May 5 Pam – 1
May 12 Fran – 1
May 19 Chad -1
May 26 Thalia – 1
Church News
Elaine R Scott
Age 101
Pueblo, CO
Elaine Scott, of Colorado Springs, died March 26, at The Retreat at Sunny Vista where she had been a resident since 2021. She was born on Nov. 5, 1922, in Pueblo, Colo., to John and Katherine (Tsaus) Rougas. During her career years, she was a stock broker for Merrill Lynch. Trisagion will be at 6pm on April 8 and her funeral will be at 10am on April 9.
May her memory be eternal..
Age 101
Pueblo, CO
Elaine Scott, of Colorado Springs, died March 26, at The Retreat at Sunny Vista where she had been a resident since 2021. She was born on Nov. 5, 1922, in Pueblo, Colo., to John and Katherine (Tsaus) Rougas. During her career years, she was a stock broker for Merrill Lynch. Trisagion will be at 6pm on April 8 and her funeral will be at 10am on April 9.
May her memory be eternal..
ST. JOHN’S ORTHODOX DAY OF SERVICE – APRIL 20
“The Good Samaritan Project’s mission is to energize the Colorado Rocky Mountain Orthodox community to understand and serve our brothers and sisters in need, consistent with Christ’s call to love in deed and in truth (I John 3:18).
Our primary objective is to encourage Orthodox parishes to expand their outreach efforts. We do this by hosting an annual joint “Orthodox Day of Service,” usually the 5th Saturday of Great Lent. Joining together during Great Lent to serve others provides a wonderful opportunity for the Orthodox faithful to practice almsgiving.”
St. John’s in Pueblo is joining in this effort this year on Saturday, April 20th. Our project is to serve our senior community by providing “bags” of goodies to 2 low income senior living apartment buildings. The two buildings have approximately 180 seniors living in individual apartments.
Our stewards are being asked to purchase a variety of items which will be placed in the bags (toilet paper, paper towels, cans of soup, crackers, small bags of peanuts, hand lotion, crackers & cheese, fruit cups, Kleenex, etc) A sign up sheet is on the candle counter in the church. People may purchase 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100 of the items they sign up for. Items will be collected during Great Lent and stored in the Parish House. If a steward does not have time to shop, we welcome donations and will purchase needed items.
Holy Theophany in Colorado Springs will be partnering with us in this effort. They will collect items and bring them down on April 20th. Between the two churches, we will provide over 180 bags to distribute.
On our “Day of Service,” we will gather in the Church for a short service of prayers at 10:00 a.m. After the service, we’ll gather at the Parish House to fill all the bags with the items purchased. A card will be placed in each bag with a short message of “blessings” from St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church and Holy Theophany Orthodox Church. Once all bags are filled, they will be packed in pick up trucks (if you have a truck, please bring it!) and delivered to the two apartment buildings. The managers of the buildings will be notified in advance about our project. We will also bring a tray of cookies and jugs of ice tea for the residents to enjoy. The bags will be delivered to the community rooms in the buildings, for distribution.
Please sign up to purchase items on the list. If you’re not able to purchase items, we will happily accept donations. Please join us in this wonderful opportunity to serve those in need within our community, and to answer Christ’s call to give during this Great Lent. If you have any questions, please call Pam or Fran.
“The Good Samaritan Project’s mission is to energize the Colorado Rocky Mountain Orthodox community to understand and serve our brothers and sisters in need, consistent with Christ’s call to love in deed and in truth (I John 3:18).
Our primary objective is to encourage Orthodox parishes to expand their outreach efforts. We do this by hosting an annual joint “Orthodox Day of Service,” usually the 5th Saturday of Great Lent. Joining together during Great Lent to serve others provides a wonderful opportunity for the Orthodox faithful to practice almsgiving.”
St. John’s in Pueblo is joining in this effort this year on Saturday, April 20th. Our project is to serve our senior community by providing “bags” of goodies to 2 low income senior living apartment buildings. The two buildings have approximately 180 seniors living in individual apartments.
Our stewards are being asked to purchase a variety of items which will be placed in the bags (toilet paper, paper towels, cans of soup, crackers, small bags of peanuts, hand lotion, crackers & cheese, fruit cups, Kleenex, etc) A sign up sheet is on the candle counter in the church. People may purchase 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100 of the items they sign up for. Items will be collected during Great Lent and stored in the Parish House. If a steward does not have time to shop, we welcome donations and will purchase needed items.
Holy Theophany in Colorado Springs will be partnering with us in this effort. They will collect items and bring them down on April 20th. Between the two churches, we will provide over 180 bags to distribute.
On our “Day of Service,” we will gather in the Church for a short service of prayers at 10:00 a.m. After the service, we’ll gather at the Parish House to fill all the bags with the items purchased. A card will be placed in each bag with a short message of “blessings” from St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church and Holy Theophany Orthodox Church. Once all bags are filled, they will be packed in pick up trucks (if you have a truck, please bring it!) and delivered to the two apartment buildings. The managers of the buildings will be notified in advance about our project. We will also bring a tray of cookies and jugs of ice tea for the residents to enjoy. The bags will be delivered to the community rooms in the buildings, for distribution.
Please sign up to purchase items on the list. If you’re not able to purchase items, we will happily accept donations. Please join us in this wonderful opportunity to serve those in need within our community, and to answer Christ’s call to give during this Great Lent. If you have any questions, please call Pam or Fran.