Christ is Risen! Truly He has Risen!
The First Sunday after Pascha
Sunday of Thomas the Apostle, Called “The Twin”
Prophet Isaiah; Martyr Christopher of Lycia; Translation to Bari of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia
The Sunday of Thomas the Apostle
Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, “Peace be unto you.” Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection.
But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ’s Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, “Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, “Peace be unto you”; then He said to Thomas, “Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing.”
And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, “My Lord and my God.” Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures – human and divine – of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29).
Read more on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
Services this Week
- Sun May 02 — GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA LIVE STREAM
- Thu May 06 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sat May 08 — St. John the Apostle Divine Liturgy 10:00am (NOTE LATER TIME) LIVE STREAM
More Paraklesis Services at St. Peter’s
Fr. Hans will be serving more Paraklesis services offered to the Theotokos in behalf of our country. We live in very uncertain times and in times of trouble we implore the help of the Theotokos to break the strong holds of the enemy who desires to hold men in bondage.
Two Things to Remember About Our Church at Hickory Drive
- The Presbyterian Church will be using the Social Hall for their worship until they find a place to relocate. Do not enter the Social Hall before 10am on Sundays.
- US 41 is a busy highway and the intersection at Hickory Drive does not have a stop light. We recommend turning on Sanibel Boulevard and following Coconut Road instead.
Coming Soon: Antiochian Men!
The new parish means new responsibilities and the men can step up. A lot of men already have with the move contributing hours of work and sweat to bring the building into shape. We could also do other things too, say breakfast one Saturday a month. It would be a great time for fellowship.
Stay tuned! The Church needs you men.
We Need Help in the Social Hall!
As the church grows so do the jobs. Everyone in the parish needs to take on a job. Please see Tom Haley to volunteer in these areas:
- Coffee Lead
- Table Lead
- Clean Up
Does Anyone Have A Label Maker?
Could we borrow it? We have to label cabinets and other items. Please see Tom Haley.
Cafe of Life Ministry
May 13th is around the corner, so please help St. Peter’s keep their commitment to the homeless and hungry at the Cafe of Life by donating any amount you can spare.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, whom it is in your power to do it,” (Proverb 3:27).
Christos Anesti and IC XC NI KA!
Women’s Book Club
The next meeting for the Women’s book club will be held on Wednesday May 5, 2021 after Holy Pascha.
Pledge & Income Report – March 2021
Donations received in March: $23,199.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $22,760.21.
We are ahead by $1,800.
These numbers reflect the operating costs of the the Hickory Drive property.
Please note:Please continue your generous support. If you cannot make it to church please mail in your donation to:
St. Peter Orthodox Church
7470 Hickory Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967
You can also donate online:
Bishop NICHOLAS Offers a Weekly Live Stream
These are short thirty minute presentations where His Grace Bp. Nicholas speaks on one theme in Sunday readings for fifteen minutes followed by questions from the listeners. It’s worth tuning in. Get instructions on the St. Peter website on how to use the Band App on your phone or computer to participate.
Calendar At A Glance
Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.
MAY
- Sun May 02 — GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA LIVE STREAM
- Thu May 06 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sat May 08 — St. John the Apostle Divine Liturgy 10:00am (NOTE LATER TIME) LIVE STREAM
- Sun May 09 — THOMAS SUNDAY Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue May 11 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu May 13 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun May 16 — SUNDAY OF THE MYRRH BEARING WOMEN Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue May 18 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri May 21 — Sts. Constantine and Helen Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun May 23 — SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue May 25 — Finding of the Head of St. John the Baptist Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed May 26 — Midfeast of Pentecost Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Wisdom From The Elders
The Divine Scripture says: ‘God said to Adam: Adam, where art thou?’ (Gen. 3:9). Why did the Creator of all things say this? Of course, it was in order to dispose Adam to come to his senses, to acknowledge his sin and repent. This is why He said, “Adam, where art thou?” As it were he said, “Adam, enter into yourself, acknowledge your nakedness and understand what a garment and what a glory you have lost. Adam where are you?”
St. Symeon the New Theologian
We carry within us the sins of remembrance of wrongs, and bitterness, and hate, and greed, and so many other things which kill the life of the spirit in us and do not allow us to live now, in the present time – the eternal life, which is simply life in the full meaning of the word, life in its fullness.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh
Cultivate your devoutness and your modesty as much as you can.This will help you receive the Grace of God. For, if someone is devout and spiritually modest and humble too, he can expect to receive divine Grace. If he has no devoutness and no humility, the Grace of God does not come to him.
St. Paisios of Mount Athos
The only valuables on earth are good works done for Christ: these win us the grace of the Holy Spirit.
St. Seraphim of Sarov
People tend to think, “Let someone else take care of the problem, I’ll just do my own work.” But why don’t you take care of it, since you were the first to notice? That is what worldly people who do not believe in God do. I have no use for such a life; I would rather die a thousand deaths. The goal is for each one of us to think of the other person, of the other person’s pain.
St. Paisios of Mount Athos
Remember in Your Prayers
- Names will remain on the list for two months.
- If you would like to keep them on longer please mention it to Fr. Hans. We will keep the names on the list for as long as the person needs prayers.
- Names will include the person who requested the prayers and the month the name will be removed.
- The permanent list includes friends and members of St. Peter’s and others including shut-ins.
Were names dropped that should have remained? Please mention it to Fr. Hans. He will add them back.
Updated April 10 / Resets May 1
Current Prayer List
Baree (Dusckas 7/21)
Anna (Dusckas 7/21)
Barbara (Dusckas 7/21)
Hannah (Dusckas 7/21)
Chris (Dusckas 7/21)
Stephanie and unborn child (Dusckas 7/21)
Georgia (Jacobse 6/21)
Margaret (Breitenbach 6/21)
Maryann (Breitenbach 6/21)
Jean (Wolffe 6/21)
Robin (Wolffe 6/21)
Debbie (Breitenbach 6/21)
Michael (Jacobse 4/21)
Kathy (Jacobse 4/21)
Raphaela (4/21)
Michael (Wolffe 4/21)
Fredericos (Diveris 4/21)
Vasiliki (Diveris 4/21)
Panagiota (Jacobse 4/21)
Michelene (Repya 4/21)
Colleen ((Repya 4/21)
Fr. Demetrios (Copeland 4/21)
Kondylia (Chapekis 4/21)
Brian (Colis 4/21)
Maria(Colis 4/21)
Permanent Prayer List
Sophia (D. Constantine)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Soterios (Ninos)
Pauline (Poulos)
Sergio (Kazakos)
Rae (Semeretis)
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
George the Priest (Chapekis)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
Stamatia (Jacobse)
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Helen (Rogers)
Robert (Smith)
Robert (Jarvis)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Ann (Rellis)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)
Founders, Members, and Benefactors Departed this Life
John (Hansen)
Anatoly (Kurdsjuk)
Thareni (Brooks)
Milan Evanoff
Jean (Sam)
Eleni (Pearson)
Richard (Pearson)
Fr. Stephanos (Shagoury)
Panagiota (Bea Chionis)
Anthony (Mourgis)
Anthony (Mankus)
Constantine (Houpis)
Constantine (Joseph)
Mary (Jarvis)
Panagiota Margarita (Palis)
Maria (Ninos)
John (Katsigianopoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
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
Great is the Lord, and great is His power. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.
The Reading from the Acts of the Saintly and Pure Apostles. (5:12-20)
In those days, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the Apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord,multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the Apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”
GOSPEL
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (20:19-31)
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the Disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the Disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other Disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails,and place my hand in His side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, His Disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the Disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His Name.
