St. Peter News January 11, 2022

The Twenty-ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Twelfth Sunday of Luke

Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Apostle Peter

Peusippos and Neonilla, and the martyrs of Cappadocia; Hieromartyr Damaskinos of Hilandar monastery on Athos

The Veneration of the Chains of St. Peter

On January 16 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we celebrate the veneration of the precious chains of the holy and glorious Apostle Peter.

As Peter sat in prison shackled by the lawless Herod, an angel appeared to him: “Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying: ‘Get up quickly.’ The chains fell from his wrists” (Acts 12:7). The chains were preserved by Christians as much for the memory of this great Apostle as well as for their healing power, for many of the sick were healed by touching them as well as with the towel of the Apostle Paul, “then when the face cloths or aprons that touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them” (Acts 19:12). Juvenal, the Patriarch of Jerusalem gave these chains as a gift to the Empress Eudocia, the exiled wife of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger. She divided them into two and sent one half to the Church of the Holy Apostle in Constantinople and the other half to her daughter Empress Eudoxia in Rome, the wife of Valentian. Eudoxia built the Church of St. Peter and deposited these chains in it, together with those chains with which Peter was shackled before his death under Emperor Nero.

By the intercessions of the Apostle Peter, O God, have mercy upon us. Amen.

Services This Week

• Sun Jan 09 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sun Jan 09 — Cutting of the Vasilopita 11:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Jan 12 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 14 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM

Services Next Week

• Sun Jan 16 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Jan 17 — St. Anthony the Great Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 18 — Sts. Athanasios and Cyril Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 21 — St. Maximos the Confessor Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 21 — Parish Council Meeting 3:30pm LIVE STREAM

St. Anthony the Great Divine Liturgy on Monday January 17, 2022 at 9:30am

Sts. Athanasios and Cyril Divine Liturgy on Tuesday January 18, 2022 at 9:30am

St. Maximos the Confessor Divine Liturgy on Friday January 21, 2022 at 9:30am

It Is Time For House Blessings!

To sign up for house blessings please text Fr. Hans at 239-248-4775 with some available dates and times that work, or send an email to info@stpeterorthodoxchurch.com, or sign up in the Social Hall. Fr. Hans will call you to set up the appointment.

If you call there is a good chance I cannot pick up, and if I am in the car I cannot write down the information anyway. That’s why texting is preferred.

Community Flea Market / Rummage Sale

St. Peter’s parish is holding a Community Flea Market/Rummage Sale on Saturday,January 29, 2022 from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

If you have any household items to donate tothe church for sale, please contact Gregory Seremetis BEFORE January 25 at 917-992-5884.

If you or anyone you know wants to be a vendor to rent a space to sell their owngoods, vendor prices are:

• Single space 8 ft x 17 ft — $25
• Double Space 16 ft x 34 ft — $40

To reserve your space, please contact Gregory Seremetis at 17-992-5884 ASAP.

All proceeds benefit St. Peter’s.

St. Peter Monthly Fellowship Lunches Resume Thursday January 13!

Starting on January 13 and every second Thurday of the month, come join us for food and fellowship starting at 12:00pm noon.

Menu:

• Pastichio
• Salad
• Bread
• Desert
• Coffee

The cost is $10 per person to cover the cost of the meal.

Please sign up by January 9 in the Social Hall so we know how much food to prepare.

St. Peter’s Kafenio Opens Thursday, January 27!

Barbara and Costa Dionysopoulos invite you to attend our first ever “Kafenio” for some Greek coffee, “Parea” (company) and sweets.

The Kafenio opens on Thursday, January 27 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm and on the fourth Thursday of every month following.

Sign up in the Social Hall before Sunday, January 23 so we know how many deserts to prepare. A small donation is requested to cover the cost of the coffee and deserts.

If you would like to help make Greek Coffee or donate a dessert to the Kafeniou as well, pleasecall Barbara Dionysopoulos at 239-826-1655 so that she can coordinate the monthly event.

Life at St. Peter’s

Installing the New Icons of St. Nectarios and St. Basil

Great work guys!

Cutting of the Vassilopita 2022

Calling All Teens!

Fr. Hans needs your name and email address (or your parent’s address) so you can receive SOYO (Society of Orthodox Youth Organization) materials. Maybe we can begin a SOYO group at St. Peter’s too.

Learn more about Teen SOYO on the DOMSE website.

Cafe of Life— Jesus Cares Deeply About the Poor

Jesus cares deeply about the poor and the downtrodden, demonstrating his compassion in tangible ways: giving sight to the blind, touching the leper, healing the sick. But he also preached the good news of God’s love and salvation. So caring for people in this way signals whose side you’re on — the side of our God, who desperately loves all people.

As Orthodox Christians, we know not only that we are made in the likeness and image of God, but that we are to live and act in ways that show we are His icons.

One of the ways we can do this is by supporting the Cafe of Life, a mission Saint Peter’s has undertaken to help the impoverished.

Your tax- deductible check or cash can be given to Father Hans.

Thank you and IC XC NI KA!

DOMSE Winter Retreat – January 28-29, 2022

Get more information on the DOMSE website.

Save the Date! DOMSE Parish Life Conference June 15-18, 2022

Learn more on the DOMSE website.

Could You Support a Special Project?

Some parishioners have requested a needs list they could contribute to. Below are the special projects we still need to get done. If you can help please mention it to Fr. Hans, Jack Long, or John Simon.

• Replace Church computer
  $1,500 Donated.
• Replace Flat roof on Church
  $30,000. Donated.
• Replace windows in the Sunday School rooms
  $8000.
• Upgrade Church sound system
  $1700.00 Donated.
• Seal coat and restripe parking Lot
  $6,300.
• Upgrade Church Electrical System
  $3600 Donated.

Pledge & Income Report – November 2021

Donations received in November: $24,004.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $22,760.
We are ahead by $1,244.

These numbers reflect the operating costs of the the Hickory Drive property.

St. Peter Orthodox Church
7470 Hickory Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967

You can also donate online:

Sign up the the Monthly DOMSE Newsletter on the DOMSE (Diocese of Miami and the Southeast) Website!

Visit the DOMSE Website (scroll to the bottom, fill in the form on the left side) to sign up for “The Light” Newsletter and DOMSE emails.

The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make St. Peter’s Social Hall happen. Thank you All Stars!

January 2 – January 30

• Barbara Dionysopoulos 239-826-1655
• Costa Dionysopoulos
• Marianthi Kazakos
• Niki Locklear
• Ray Locklear
• Koula Ormandiou
• Carol Palatine

February 6 – February 27

• Pavlo Bilych
• Bonnie Joseph
• Al Joseph
• Sandy Krotov
• Nader Sahawneh 214-695-5710
• Anna Tsikitas
• Margie Zimmerman

March 6 – March 27

• Leon Dephkalion
• Marlene Haley
• Tom Haley 239-887-0753
• Cheryl Morse
• Tim Morse
• Diana Najjar
• Debbie Repya
• Elaine Semeretis
• Gregory Semeretis

Procedures for Hospitality

Please note: If you would like to bring in your own prepared food, please contact Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 a week before the upcoming Sunday. That way we know not to prepare any food for Sunday.

1. 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.”
2. Please do not donate coffee. We have a space age coffee brewer that we acquired at no cost if we buy our coffee from one supplier. If you bring in coffee, we can’t use it.
3. 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.
4. If you would like to bring in your own prepared food, please contact Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 a week before the upcoming Sunday. That way we know not to prepare any food for Sunday.

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.

Calendar At A Glance

Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.

JANUARY

• Sun Jan 09 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Jan 12 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 14 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM

• Sun Jan 16 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Jan 17 — St. Anthony the Great Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 18 — Sts. Athanasios and Cyril Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 21 — St. Maximos the Confessor Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 21 — Parish Council Meeting 3:30pm LIVE STREAM

• Sun Jan 23 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 25 – Sat Jan 29 — DOMSE RETREAT Fr. Hans Out of Town

Wisdom From The Elders

Without the Lord we are unable to do anything truly good for ourselves, and even that which initially seems good will turn out to be harm­ful if we haven’t asked the Lord for help or prayed about it. Abbot Nikon Vorobiev

The fear of man means that he does not yet entirely cleave to God. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Therefore, the spirit of faith and piety of the parents should be regarded as the most powerful means for the preservation, upbringing, and strengthening of the life of grace in children. St. Theophan the Recluse, bishop of Tambov

Look at yourself: you have nothing of your own, but everything belongs to God, and you yourself are not your own, but also belong to God. How can you be so blind, impru­dent, and foolish not to love the Lord God with your whole soul and with your whole heart? Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg

A person who doesn’t go through tribulations, who doesn’t want to feel any pain, or to suffer hardships, who doesn’t want others to trouble him, or to correct him, but wants an easy life, is out of touch with reality. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

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 three 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 January 11 / Resets February 1.

Current Prayer List

Angel (Ghanem 3/22)
John (Duskas 3/22)
Nancy (Coin 3/22)
Carmella (Jacobse 2/22)
Roma (Jacobse 2/22)
Nicholas (Ghanem 1/22)
Arielle (Ghanem 1/22)
Georgia (Sarros 1/22)
Kerri (Dusckas 1/21)

Permanent Prayer List

Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Lee Joseph (Irina)
Lidia (Irina)
Sarina (Ghanem)
Kasiani, Jordan and their unborn child (Chapekis)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Maria and her newborn baby (Diveris)
Despina (Diversis)b
Fredericos (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)
Robert (Smith)
Robert (Jarvis)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)

Founders, Members, Benefactors and Friends 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)
Mary (Spiropoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K
Eugene (Rust)

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 Twenty-Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

How magnified are Thy works, O Lord; in wisdom hast Thou made them all.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians. (3:4-11)

Brethren, when Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

GOSPEL

For the Twelfth Sunday of Luke—“Ten Lepers”

The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (17:12-19)

At that time, as Jesus entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance
and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”