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.
Schedule of lent & holy week 2026
All Sundays: 8:20 Orthros, 9:30 Divine Liturgy
SUN 3/8– SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS - Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
WED 3/11 – PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY –9th Hour begins at 5:00 p.m. (Liturgy following)
FRI 3/13– SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 6:00 p.m.
SUN 3/15 –SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS - Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
WED 3/18 – PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY – 9th Hour begins at 9:00 a.m. (Liturgy following)
FRI 3/28– SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 6:00 p.m.
SUN 3/22 –SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN CLIMACUS- Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
WED 3/25 –ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS - Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
(GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY)
SAT 3/28 –THE AKATHIST HYMN – 9:00 a.m. (The ORTHODOX DAY OF SERVICE will begin immediately following the Akathist Hymn. We will fill the bags and deliver them.)
SUN 3/29 –SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT - Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
SAT 4/4 –LAZARUS SATURDAY – Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
SUN 4/5 –PALM SUNDAY – Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
April 5th…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 6th…Monday 6:00 pm - Bridegroom Service
April 7th…Tuesday 6:00 pm - Bridegroom Service
April 8th…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.
April 9th… 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.
5:00 pm - Crucifixion of our Lord, 12 Gospels
On the evening of Great and Holy the 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.
April 10th...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.
3:00pm - Taking down from the Cross Vespers
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.
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.
April 11h…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.
April 11th-12th… 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)
April 12th…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!
4-19 Thomas Sunday Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Acts 5: 12-20
John 20: 19-31
4-26 Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Acts 6: 1-7
Mark 15: 43-47: 16:1-8
SUN 3/8– SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS - Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
WED 3/11 – PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY –9th Hour begins at 5:00 p.m. (Liturgy following)
FRI 3/13– SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 6:00 p.m.
SUN 3/15 –SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS - Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
WED 3/18 – PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY – 9th Hour begins at 9:00 a.m. (Liturgy following)
FRI 3/28– SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 6:00 p.m.
SUN 3/22 –SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN CLIMACUS- Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
WED 3/25 –ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS - Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
(GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY)
SAT 3/28 –THE AKATHIST HYMN – 9:00 a.m. (The ORTHODOX DAY OF SERVICE will begin immediately following the Akathist Hymn. We will fill the bags and deliver them.)
SUN 3/29 –SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT - Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
SAT 4/4 –LAZARUS SATURDAY – Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
SUN 4/5 –PALM SUNDAY – Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
April 5th…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 6th…Monday 6:00 pm - Bridegroom Service
April 7th…Tuesday 6:00 pm - Bridegroom Service
April 8th…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.
April 9th… 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.
5:00 pm - Crucifixion of our Lord, 12 Gospels
On the evening of Great and Holy the 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.
April 10th...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.
3:00pm - Taking down from the Cross Vespers
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.
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.
April 11h…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.
April 11th-12th… 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)
April 12th…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!
4-19 Thomas Sunday Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Acts 5: 12-20
John 20: 19-31
4-26 Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women Orthros 8:20 Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Acts 6: 1-7
Mark 15: 43-47: 16:1-8
Prosforo
(Extra loaves needed for Presanctified prep)
Sunday 3/8 – 3 Loaves - Ryan, Thalia, Elizabeth
Sunday 3/15 – 3 Loaves - Thalia, Naomi, Chad
Sunday 3/22 – 2 Loaves - Pres. A, Lynnette,
Wednesday 3/25 – 1 Loaf – Pres A
Sunday 3/29 – 3 Loaves - Fran, Naomi, Rhonda
Saturday 4/4 – 1 Loaf - Elizabeth
Sunday 4/5 – 2 loaves - Brian, Brian
Thursday 4/9 – 2 loaves - Fran, Brian
Saturday 4/11 AM – 1 loaf - Pam
Pascha 4/11-12 PM – 2 loaves - Pam, Ryan
Sunday 4/12 – NONE
Sunday 4/16 – 2 loaves - Lynnette, Ryan
Sunday 4/26 – 2 loaves - Chad, Thalia
Sunday 5/3 – 2 loaves – Fran, Ryan
(Extra loaves needed for Presanctified prep)
Sunday 3/8 – 3 Loaves - Ryan, Thalia, Elizabeth
Sunday 3/15 – 3 Loaves - Thalia, Naomi, Chad
Sunday 3/22 – 2 Loaves - Pres. A, Lynnette,
Wednesday 3/25 – 1 Loaf – Pres A
Sunday 3/29 – 3 Loaves - Fran, Naomi, Rhonda
Saturday 4/4 – 1 Loaf - Elizabeth
Sunday 4/5 – 2 loaves - Brian, Brian
Thursday 4/9 – 2 loaves - Fran, Brian
Saturday 4/11 AM – 1 loaf - Pam
Pascha 4/11-12 PM – 2 loaves - Pam, Ryan
Sunday 4/12 – NONE
Sunday 4/16 – 2 loaves - Lynnette, Ryan
Sunday 4/26 – 2 loaves - Chad, Thalia
Sunday 5/3 – 2 loaves – Fran, Ryan
The amount of good things in your life depends on your ability to notice them.
