Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Seventh Sunday of Matthew
After-feast of the Transfiguration of Christ
Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration on Friday, August 6, 9:30am
The Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on August 6. The feast commemorates the transfiguration or metamorphosis of Christ on Mount Tabor, when our Lord appeared in His divine glory before the Apostles Peter, James, and John.
Biblical Story
The event of the Transfiguration is recorded in three of the four Gospels: Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. Jesus took the Apostles Peter, James, and John with Him up upon a mountain, and while they were on the mountain Jesus was transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became glistening white.
Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ, talking to Him. Peter declared how good it was for them to be there and expressed the desire to build three booths for Moses, Elijah, and Christ. This reference to the booths could imply that this occurred during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles when the Jews would be camping out in the fields for the grape harvest; for this Feast had acquired other associations in the course of its history, including the memory of the wanderings in the wilderness recorded in the Old Testament book of Exodus.
While Peter was speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice came from the cloud saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this they fell on their faces filled with awe. Jesus came to them and told them to not be afraid. When the three looked up they saw only Jesus.
As Jesus and His disciples came down the mountain, He told them not to speak of what they had seen until He had risen from the dead.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.
Services This Week
- Sun Aug 01 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Aug 02 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Aug 04 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 06 — TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 06 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
Services Next Week
- Sun Aug 08 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Aug 08 — Blessing of the Children
- Mon Aug 09 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Aug 11 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 13 — ST. MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 13 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
Sunday School Registration and the Blessing of the Children on Sunday, August 8, 2021
Mark you calendars for Sunday, August 8, 2021. Following the Divine Liturgy we will bless all Sunday School and regular school students.
Also, we need to update our Sunday School roster. We will also hold registration for Sunday School on that date in the social hall.
Bring your children!
Dormition of the Theotokos Celebration on Sunday August 15, 2021
This year the Dormition of the Theotokos falls on a Sunday. Following the Divine Liturgy we will hold a celebration cook-out during Social Hall breaking the Dormition Fast (no meat through August 1-15) and honoring the Mother of God.
August 1 starts the Dormition period in our Orthodox Church. We fast (abstain from meat and dairy as much as possible) from August 1 to August 15. At St. Peter’s the fast ends after the Dormition Liturgy on August 15.
Paraklesis to the Theotokos Offered during the First Two Weeks of August
During the first fifteen days of August, Paraklesis to the Theotokos services will be offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings starting at 6:30. The services lasts about 45-50 minutes. Plan on attending.
Bring the names of those for whom you want prayers. Supplications offered to the Theotokos are powerful during this period.
The Menu for our Celebration on August 15, 2021 includes:
- Grilled chicken and pork souvlaki
- Rice Pilag
- Greek Salad
- Desert
Ladies (gents too), could you bring a desert?
What is the Dormition of the Theotokos?
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.
Monthly Fellowship Luncheons Are Back!
Monthly Fellowship Luncheons with be held on the SECOND THURSDAY of every month at 12:00pm noon starting on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
MENU
- Pastichio
- salad
- bread and butter
- coffee and dessert
- You must sign up by Sunday, September 5th so that we know how many people to prepare for. The Luncheons are sponsored by Barbara and Costa Dionysopoulos. A small donation of $10 per person is requested to cover the cost of the meal. All additional proceeds will be donated to the building fund. Bon Appetito…Kalee Oraxie!
- The sign-up sheet will be in the Social Hall.
- Bon Appetito…Kalee Oraxie!
But Wait! There’s More! Announcing St. Peter’s “Kafenio” (Coffee Cafe)!
Join us for some Greek coffee and dessert beginning on Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 3:00pm-5:00pm. The Kafenio is open on the fourth Thursday of every month.
Barbara and Costa Dionysopoulos invite you to attend our first ever “Kafenio” for some Greek coffee, “Parea” (company) and sweets.
Once again, we ask that you to SIGN UP on or before Sunday, September 19th so that we knowhow many people to prepare for. A small donation is requested to cover the cost of coffee and desserts. All additional proceeds will be donated to the building fund.
If you would like to help make Greek Coffee or donate a dessert to the Kafenio as well, please call Barbara Dionysopoulos ahead of time at 239-826-1655 so that she can coordinate it with what will hopefully be a monthly event.
New Procedures for Hospitality
Our Church is growing and the old ways have to become new ways so that things run smoothly.
First of all, thumbs up to our July volunteers: Barbara Dionysopoulos, Marianthi Kazakos, Niki and Ray Locklear, Maria Mourgis, and Carol Palantine. Thank you and thank you again!
Thank you to Tom and Marlene Haley who organize everything. They do a great job!
NEW PROCEDURES
- On most Sundays we will serve lighter refreshments like coffee, sweets, hummus, olives, feta, pita and similar items. Please continue bringing these items. Even though we have a range (unlike our former facility), we appreciate items that are “ready to be served.”
- Please do not donate coffee. We have a space age coffee brewer that we aquired at no cost if we buy our coffee from one supplier. If you bring in coffee, we can’t use it.
- We cannot continue preparing meals for Memorials, Name Days, Anniversaries, and other celebrations. We don’t have the appliances or manpower to do it well. We do, however, have the name of two catering companies that can prepare and deliver the food if you would like to sponsor a celebration. Please call Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 for details and to make arrangements.
- If you would like to bring in your own prepared food, please contact Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 by the Friday before the upcoming Sunday. That way we know not to prepare any food for Sunday.
Thank you and let’s BREAK BREAD!
Cafe of Life Ministry Update
God has given us the greatest sacrifice — his only Son. In doing so, he left us with a true example of what it means to give. He asks us to sacrifice as an act of worship before Him. And, when we obey He will bless us. So please be especially generous and mail or give your tax deductible donations to Father Hans.
Thank you, God bless and IC XC NI KA!
The Safest Way to Come to Church
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.
Pledge & Income Report – July 2021
Donations received in July: $17,468.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $22,760.21.
We are behind by $5,292.
These numbers reflect the operating costs of the the Hickory Drive property.
Please note:Summer months are always lean and in July we fell behind by $5,292. Please remember to send in your pledge so we can make up the deficit and keep St. Peter’s on a secure financial footing.
St. Peter Orthodox Church
7470 Hickory Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967
You can also donate online:
The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make social hall happen. Thank you All Stars!
August 1 to August 29
- Olga Bilych
- Pavlo Bilych
- Sandy Krotov
- Nader Sahawneh
Calendar At A Glance
Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.
AUGUST
DORMITION Fasting Period from August 1 to August 15, 2021.
- Sun Aug 01 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Aug 02 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Aug 04 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 06 — TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 06 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sun Aug 08 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Aug 08 — Blessing of the Children
- Mon Aug 09 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Aug 11 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 13 — ST. MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 13 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sun Aug 15 — DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Aug 16 – Sep 1 — Fr. Hans on Vacation
- Sun Aug 22 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Aug 16 – Sep 1 — Fr. Hans on Vacation
- Sun Aug 29 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Aug 16 – Sep 1 — Fr. Hans on Vacation
Wisdom From The Elders
Irritability of temper proceeds from want of self-knowledge, from pride, and also from the fact that we do not consider the great corruption of our nature, and know but little the meek and humble Jesus. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
The surest means of salvation for you is one and the same: endure patiently whatever God sends, both good and bad.
Elder Anatoly of Optina
You have not as yet fought unto blood, and have you in fact fought against the enemy, against your own passions? Have you not lived as you pleased? Abbot Nikon Vorobiev
We must struggle, because without struggles we do not obtain virtues. Elder Ieronymos of Aegina
When we see that many people avidly seek their happiness in sensual pursuits, in sensual pleasures, in comfort, and in luxury and pass this off as wisdom; when we see that the children of the world use every falsehood and every deception to construct their earthly happiness; when we hear that they defend hatred, vindictiveness, and other passions, but consider refusal to satisfy sensual desires to be foolishness; then we must resolutely say in our hearts, as the holy apostles taught: “We are Christians; we must fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2)”, and the law of Christ requires that we have crucfied the flesh with the affections and lusts (Gal. 5:24). Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg
Therefore, a humble person is not weak, but actually strong, because God’s power manifests itself and acts through him; the proud man is weak, for he rejects God’s all-powerful grace and is left with only his human powers, which are, of course, immeasurably weaker and less significant than God’s all-powerful grace. Archbishop Averky (Taushev)
Remember in Your Prayers
List has been updated. If you want some names restored, please mention it to Fr. Hans.
- 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 June 13 / Resets August
Current Prayer List
Maggie (Jacobse 10/21)
Walt (Dusckas 10/21)
A. L (Duskas 10/21)
M. R. (Duskas 10/21)
Jeff (Duskas 10/21)
Georgia D. (Repya 10/21)
Colleen R. (Repya 10/21)
Debbie (Breitenbach 9/21)
Anne (Breitenbach 9/21)
Patricia (Tsikita 9/21)
Robert (Tewis 9/21)
Lydia (Irena 9/21)
Lee (Irena 9/21)
Demetrios (Karras 8/21)
Permanent Prayer List
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Maria and her unborn child Iakovos (Diveris)
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)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
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)
George (Chionis)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K)
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 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.
Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry, O my God!
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. (15:1-7)
Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good for his edification. For Christ also did not please Himself; but, as it is written: “The reproaches of those who reproached Thee fell on Me.” For whatever was written beforehand was written for our learning, that we might have hope, through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, that with one accord and one mouth you may glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL
For the Seventh Sunday of Matthew
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (9:27-35)
At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud:“Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When He entered the house, the blind men came to Him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.” But they went away and spread His fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to Him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity.