Divine Liturgy: Sunday, July 12, 2026
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: Sts. Peter and Paul (Tone 5)
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: Sts. Peter and Paul (Tone 5)
No fast
Priest Micah J. Chisholm, Rector Phone: (989) 324-8773
[www.stsebastianorthodoxchurch.org]
Entrance Hymn: Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, Who rose from the dead O Son of God, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
Resurrectional Troparion – Tone 5: Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.
Troparion – Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul (ca. 67) – Tone 4: O first-enthroned of the Apostles, and teachers of the universe: Entreat the Master of all to grant peace to the world, and to our souls great mercy!
Resurrectional Kontakion – Tone 5: Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, shattering its gates as Almighty; resurrecting the dead as Creator, and didst destroy the sting of death, Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man, and we all cry to Thee: O Lord, save us!
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit!
Kontakion - Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul (ca. 67) – Tone 2: O Lord, Thou hast taken up to eternal rest and to the enjoyment of Thy blessings the two divinely inspired preachers, the leaders of the Apostles, for Thou hast accepted their labors and deaths as a sweet-smelling sacrifice, for Thou alone knowest what lies in the hearts of men.
Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion of the Theotokos – Tone 6: Steadfast Protectress of Christians, constant advocate before the Creator, despise not the cries of us sinners, but in thy goodness come speedily to help us who call on thee in faith: hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for thou dost ever protect those who honor thee.
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The Prokeimenon (in the 5th Tone): Thou, O Lord, shalt protect us and preserve us from this generation forever. Verse: Save me, O Lord for a righteous man there is no more.
Epistle Reading (Rom. 12:6-14 (§110); II Cor. 11:21-12:9 (§193))
Brethren, having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
From II Corinthians: Brethren, in whatever anyone is bold--I speak foolishly--I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?--I speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness--besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands. It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Gospel (St. Matt. 9:1-8 (§29); St. Matt. 16:13-19 (§67))
At that time, the Lord got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, "This Man blasphemes!" But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--then He said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.
At that time, Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, and asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
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Hymn to the Theotokos
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, and the Mother of Our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without defilement thou gavest birth to God the Word, true Theotokos, we magnify thee.
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord in the heavens, praise Him in the highest! Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Pre-Communion Prayer
I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Moreover, I believe that this is truly Thy most Pure Body, and that this is truly Thine Own Precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray Thee: Have mercy on me and forgive me my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance. And vouchsafe me to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries unto the remission of my sins and life everlasting. Amen.
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Thine enemies, nor will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas, but like the Thief do I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.
Let not the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries be unto me for judgment, or condemnation, O Lord, but for the healing of soul and body. Amen.
Polychronion (The Many Years)
Our Great Lord and Father, His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and All the Rus, our Lord the Very Most Reverend Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, our lord the Right Reverend Spyridon, Bishop of Chicago & Mid-America, and their God-protected flock, this land, its civil authorities and armed forces, the God-preserved Lands of Rus, the Rector of this Holy Parish and all Orthodox Christians: preserve, O Lord, for many years!
We welcome everyone to Saint Sebastian Orthodox Church. Please join us for a time of fellowship following the Divine Liturgy.
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Note: The Parish Council has decided to regularly publish our latest “Operational” financial health status for general awareness. The information will be freshened each month. Here is the 2026 status as of 06/30/26:
March only Yr to Date
Total Operating Income to Date: $ 11,598 $ 52,896
Total Operating Expenses to Date: $ 8,849 * $ 51,538 *
Current Building Fund Balance $ 57,568
* Includes Diocesan Assessment increment
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Please pray for our Newly Illumined parishioners:
Chandler Zent (Nicholai) & Patrick Eakin (Seraphim)
And also for Ma. Stephanie, and Donald Clewley & Family
If you are interested in learning more about the Orthodox faith,
or are interested in learning how you can become a part of Saint Sebastian Orthodox Christian Church,
please speak to Father Micah.
