Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tenth Sunday of Matthew
Leave-taking of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ
On the Leavetaking of the Transfiguration, all of the service for the Feast is repeated, except for the Gospel at Matins, and the blessing of grapes at Liturgy. The Gospel and Epistle readings at Liturgy are those prescribed for the day.
The Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos
Introduction
The Feast of the Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15 each year. The Feast commemorates the repose (dormition and in the Greek kimisis) or “falling-asleep” of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. The Feast also commemorates the translation or assumption into heaven of the body of the Theotokos.
For the first 15 days of August leading up to the Dormition Liturgy we hold Paraklesis Services. See dates below.
Biblical Story
The Holy Scriptures tell us that when our Lord was dying on the Cross, He saw His mother and His disciple John and said to the Virgin Mary, “Woman, behold your son!” and to John, “Behold your mother!” (John 19:25-27). From that hour, the Apostle took care of the Theotokos in his own home.
Along with the biblical reference in Acts 1:14 that confirms that the Virgin Mary was with the Holy Apostles on the day of Pentecost, the tradition of the Church holds that she remained in the home of the Apostle John in Jerusalem, continuing a ministry in word and deed.
At the time of her death, the disciples of our Lord who were preaching throughout the world returned to Jerusalem to see the Theotokos. Except for the Apostle Thomas, all of them including the Apostle Paul were gathered together at her bedside. At the moment of her death, Jesus Christ himself descended and carried her soul into heaven.
Following her repose, the body of the Theotokos was taken in procession and laid in a tomb near the Garden of Gethsemane. When the Apostle Thomas arrived three days after her repose and desired to see her body, the tomb was found to be empty. The bodily assumption of the Theotokos was confirmed by the message of an angel and by her appearance to the Apostles.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
Paraklesis Services and Dormition Liturgy
Paraklesis Services will be held every Monday through Friday evening starting at 6:30pm. The Dormition Vespers and Liturgy will be held on August 14, the Eve of the Dormition beginning at 6:30pm.
Metropolitan Joseph Appoints Bishop Nicholas to Lead the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast
August 3, 2017
The Reverend Clergy of the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast:
Blessings and greetings to you and your families in the name of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, as we embark on the blessed Dormition Fast.
I would like to start this letter by thanking my dear brother His Grace Bishop Antoun for all the years of hard work in the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast. He touched all of our hearts with his dedication and support as he earned his gray hair: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” (Proverbs 16:31)
As you all know, His Grace has decided to retire this year. I have spent months thinking about the right person to guide the clergy and laity of the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast. After much contemplation and prayer, I have decided that His Grace Bishop Nicholas will be your bishop
Read the Metropolitan’s entire encyclical on the Antiochian Archdiocese website.
Pilgrimage to St. Michael the Archangel Shrine on August 12, 2017
UPDATE: A few spaces are left. If you would like to attend please contact Zannos Grekos (239-682-1653) or Anthea Tuefel (239-994-6975) to sign up.
PLEASE NOTE: If you plan to attend but find yourself a little late Saturday morning, please text or call Zannos Grekos (239-682-1653) or Fr. Hans (239-248-4775) so we can hold the bus for you.
On Saturday August 12, 2017 St. Peter’s will sponsor a pilgrimage to St. Michael the Archangel Shrine in Tarpon Springs. We will leave at 8:30am and return around 7:00pm. After visiting the shrine we will have lunch in Tarpon Springs and then return home.
A $25.00 donation is suggested. If you would interested in joining please mention it to Anthea Tuefel or Zannos Grekos.
St. Michael’s Shrine This was built to fulfill a boy’s promise made to the Archangel Michael during a vision as the 11-year-old lay near death. Steve Tsalickis was diagnosed with a brain tumor 75 years ago. Doctors told his mother there was no hope, yet he recovered and went on to become a popular middle school guidance counselor. His parents built the shrine in their back yard.
Since then, lured by Steve’s story of faith, the devout recount many more miracles they say followed: Tumors gone, sight and hearing restored, the lame leaving behind crutches and walking out. Tears have flowed from the icons covering the walls, they say. Mothers previously unable to conceive bring their babies to pay homage.
Learn more about St. Michael’s Shrine on the Tampa Bay Times website.
Coming in September: Through the Bible in One Year
Would you like to read the entire bible? Would you like to take on this challenge with friends for encouragement and support?
On September 1, the start of the new Church Year, St. Peter’s will start a program to read the bible in one year. Information will be posted on the website in August.
Start thinking about it now.
Calendar At A Glance
- August 7, 2017 Paraklesis to the Theotokos Service at 6:30pm
- August 8, 2017 Paraklesis to the Theotokos Service at 6:30pm
- August 9, 2017 Paraklesis to the Theotokos Service at 6:30pm
- August 10, 2017 Paraklesis to the Theotokos Service at 6:30pm
- August 11, 2017 Paraklesis to the Theotokos Service at 6:30pm
- August 12, 2017 Pilgrimage to St. Michael Shrine starting at 8:30am
- August 14, 2017 Dormition Vespers and Liturgy starting at 6:30pm
Wisdom From The Elders
If you bear your weakness constantly in mind, you will not overstep the bounds of caution.
St. Isaac the Syrian
If a person could realize at once the rising of his pride and say: ‘My God, I have nothing of my own and I am full of pride; forgive me!’ the compassionate hands of God will take hold of him immediately and set him down gently, without making his fall noticeable.
St. Paisios of Mount Athos
It is an indubitable truth that the highest Divine Providence arranges all of creation. God considers all things beforehand and takes care for all things. This is the Divine fatherly care of which the blessed apostle Peter speaks: “Cast all of your cares upon Him, because He is concerned for you.” (I Pet. 5:7)
St. Elias Minjatios
Fasting is wonderful, because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed, while it cultivates and raises truth like a flower.
St. John Chrysostom
Remember in Your Prayers
Lillian
Presbytera Rosy
Valentina
Katherine
Douglas
Corwin
Jim
Tracy
John
Eva W.
John Dusckas
Barbara
David
James L.
Angela
Anthony
Marcie
Michele
Sonya
Kenneth
Carol Ann
Matthew
Gerhard
Valerie
Chrysostom
Tim
Ron
Ivy-Jean
Pat
Christina
Baby Samuel
Maria Louise
Maximos
Marian
Photini
Nicholas
Brad William
Ryan
Sarah
Petronia (Wife of Phil Pappas)
Constantine Houpis
Anna Marie Smith Baker
Ron Chromulak
Beverly Chromulak
Katerina
Loucine Kassis
Mary Kassis
Baby Maximus
Christine
Maria
Annette Starv
Claire Livaditis
Eva Chandilles
Baby Dani
Scott Nedoff
Anthony Mourgis
John Hansenv
James Hordv
Tom and Jean, parents of Patty and Jerry.
How should we pray for the sick? Remember them daily. Say their names (first names are sufficient) and ask God to bestow mercy and grace on them.
Add or remove names and print this list for easy reference during your prayer time on the St. Peter website.
Sunday Readings
Epistle
For the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (4:9-16)
Brethren, God has exhibited us Apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill clad and buffeted and homeless; and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
Gospel
For the Tenth Sunday of Matthew
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (17:14-23)
At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before Him said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to Thy disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus said to them, “Because you have no faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. This kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.” As they were traveling together through Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will rise on the third day.”