St. Peter News August 23, 2022

The Eleventh Sunday of Matthew

Righteous Father Moses of Ethiopia, Martyrs Diomedes, Damon and Laurence; Martyr Susanna of Georgia

Who Was St. Moses the Ethiopian (The Black)

Saint Moses lived in Egypt during the fourth century. He was an Ethiopian, and since he was black of skin he was called “Murin” (meaning “like an Ethiopian”). In his youth he was the slave of an important man, but after he committed a murder, his master banished him, and he joined a band of robbers.

Because of his bad character and great physical strength, they chose him as their leader. Moses and his band of brigands were feared because of their many evil exploits, including murders and robberies. People trembled at the mere mention of his name.

Moses the brigand spent several years leading a sinful life, but through the great mercy of God he repented, left his band of robbers and went to one of the desert monasteries. Here he wept for a long time, begging to be admitted as one of the brethren. The monks were not convinced of the sincerity of his repentance, but the former robber would neither be driven away nor silenced. He continued to implore that they accept him.

Saint Moses was completely obedient to the hegoumen and the brethren, and he poured forth many tears of sorrow for his sinful life. After a certain while Saint Moses withdrew to a solitary cell, where he spent his time in prayer and the strictest fasting.

Once, four of the robbers of his former band descended upon the cell of Saint Moses. He had lost none of his great physical strength, so he tied them all up. Throwing them over his shoulder, he brought them to the monastery, where he asked the Elders what to do with them. The Elders ordered that they be set free. The robbers, learning that they had chanced upon their former ringleader, and that he had dealt kindly with them, followed his example: they repented and became monks. Later, when the rest of the band of robbers heard about Saint Moses’ repentance, then they also gave up their thievery and became fervent monks.

[…]

Read the entire biography of St. Moses on the Orthodox Church in America website.

Services This Week

• SUN AUG 21 — TENTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Aug 23 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Aug 27 — St. Phanourios Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Aug 27 — Joseph (Chase) Mudd Baptism following the Divine Liturgy (about 11:45am)

St Phanourios Divine Liturgy Saturday August 27, 2022

Little is known of the holy Martyr Phanurius, except that which is depicted concerning his martyrdom on his holy icon, which was discovered in the year 1500 among the ruins of an ancient church on Rhodes, when the Moslems ruled there. Thus he is called “the Newly Revealed.” The faithful pray to Saint Phanurius especially to help them recover things that have been lost, and because he has answered their prayers so often, the custom has arisen of baking a Phaneropita (“Phanurius-Cake”) as a thanks-offering.

Why are we celebrating the Liturgy for St. Phanourios at St. Peter’s? Because St. Phanouris has helped out parishioners, especially find lost things.

Joseph (Chase) Mudd Baptism on Saturday August 27, 2022 Following the Divine Liturgy (about 11:45pm)

Joseph Mudd, known as Chase but soon to be Joseph, will be baptized this Saturday after the Divine Liturgy for St. Phanourios. The baptism will begin at about 11:45am. All parishioners and friends are invited.

If you plan to attend, please shoot a text to Joseph (859-866-8436), Will Schwarz (239-776-4776) or Fr. Hans (239-248-4775) so we can get an approximate count for the light reception that will follow.

We Are In Our Summer Lean Time So We Sent Out a Letter…

One of the most encouraging things to witness is the love and support the members of St. Peter’s offer to the parish and each other. Every year we have a lean period during the summer and we send out a letter to remind everyone to remain current with their giving and give a little extra if they can so that our budget stays on track and so we can pay are bills as they come due. It always works out. Our parishioners respond and St. Peter’s gets back to full health and stability.

Take a look at the letter you will receive this week and please catch-up on your pledge and give what you can.

Fr. Hans and the Parish Council of St. Peter’s.

Fr. Hans Out of Town Sept 5-14, 2022

Fr. Hans will be taking a vacation week from Sept 5 to 14, 2022 to lead a group of twelve men to Mt. Athos and the holy and historical sites of Thessaloniki, Greece. He leaves on the afternoon of Sunday, September 4. Men from St. Peter’s going along include Jeremiah Tewis, Hunder Kerr, Everett Ker, Qaeden Kerr, Morgan Waterman, Cliff Tewis, Chase Mudd, Will Schwarz, Jonathan Price and several more men from California, Texas, and Georgia. They will be staying at Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos.

Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis will be substituting for Fr. Hans on Sunday, September 11, 2022.

In case of pastoral emergencies when Fr. Hans is out of town please call Fr. Paul Girgis of St. Paul Antiochian Church at 509-845-4540.

Some Services Moved to Evenings

Fr. Hans has been asked to move some of the services to the evening to accommodate people who would like to attend worship but cannot because of work. Please note the times of services carefully. Some have been moved to the evening so that more people can attend.

St. Peter Church Directory Picture Taking Continues Through August

We are planning to resume our efforts to complete the church directory, starting Sunday, August 7th.As in the past,we will have the camera setup in the socialhall during coffee hour for the month of August.   
 
If you plan to have your photo added to the church directory, please see the schedule below.

Photo Schedule

1. Member whose last name begins with A – L, fist two Sundays of this month.
2. Members whose last name is begins with M-Z, last two Sundays of this month.

We Need Pictures for a New Website

We are building out a “seekers’ website for St. Peter. It will be a place where people learn ‘just the facts’ about Orthodox Christianity and St. Peter’s.

Do you have any pictures? If so, please send them too Anna Tsikitas at anna.tsikitas@gmail.com

Starting Soon – Orthodoxy 101

Starting soon St. Peter’s offers a study of the Orthodox Basics (less philosophical, more factual and practical) of such things as worship, history, theology and more. This is for anyone and everyone who wants to understand our Orthodox faith and practice more thoroughly.

Dates will be determined but Saturday morning from 9:00am to 10:00 class time followed by a half hour optional discussion seems to work best for many people. Please let Fr. Hans know what works for you. We will begin when the summer starts and everyone’s schedule is more flexible.

In the meantime check out the videos on the website Welcome to the Orthodox Church by Frederica Mathews-Green to prepare.

Let’s Pray the Paraklesis to the Theotokos Daily

Our goal at St. Peter’s is to have one person or family pray the Parakelsis to the Theotokos for at least one day of every month. For each day of the month, individuals or even an entire family can sign up to pray the Paraklesis in their homes on the day/s which they select.

Get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website.

Cafe of Life: A Way to Learn How to Give

One of the greatest enemies of our spiritual freedom is the cancer of greed. The quickest way to become slaves to our selfishness is to fail to actively develop the spiritual discipline of generosity. We all know that generosity is the eternal truth that what we have been given must be given away if we are ever going to enjoy what we’ve been given.

Let us look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others. So please be generous with your tax- deductible check for the hungry and you will be enriched in every way.

Thank you and IC XC NI KA!

Pledge & Income Report – July 2022

Contributions received in July: $18,706.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $24,114.
We are behind by $5,408.

Every year we need an extra push in the summer to keep our income current. Please keep up with you pledge so we can keep current with our bills.

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!

August

• MARGIE ZIMMERMAN
• Leon Dephkalion
• Glow Franklin
• Will Schwarz
• Anna Tsikitas
• Barbara Sasen

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.

Helping Our Seniors With Parking

With the church growing the parking lot is close to full every Sunday. Younger parishioners, could you park in the grass lot even if spaces are open in the paved area? That way our seniors can park closer to the entrance and avoid the grassy area where it is easier to stumble and fall.

Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.

AUGUST

• SUN AUG 21 — TENTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Aug 23 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Aug 27 — St. Phanourios Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Aug 27 — Joseph (Chase) Mudd Baptism following the Divine Liturgy (about 11:45am)

• SUN AUG 28 — ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Aug 29 — Beheading of St. John the Baptist Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Aug 31 — St. Symeon the Stylite / New Ecclesiastical Year Divine Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM

How can the blind lead the blind? But you insist on teaching everybody. Stop this! The publican did not teach, but cried out with a contrite heart: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” He not only said this in church, but he always had that attitude (otherwise he would not have been able to pray this way in church). Could he, or anyone else in such a state, have presumed to teach others? Abbot Nikon Vorobiev

The father and mother as it were disappear into the child and put their whole soul into his welfare. And if their spirit is penetrated with piety, it cannot be that in some way this will not influence the soul of the child. The best outward conductor in this respect is the eyes. Whereas in the other senses the soul remains hidden, the eyes open their gaze to others. This is the meeting place of one soul with another. Let the openings be used for the passage of holy feelings from the souls of the mother and father to the soul of the child. St. Theophan the Recluse, bishop of Tambov

The main thing that is required of every person— do not judge anyone. It seems simple, but begin to fulfill it and it seems difficult. The enemy violently attacks a person and suggests thoughts of judging. The Lord says, “Forgive,” while the enemy suggests, “Take vengeance on the offender. He’s reviling you, you revile him.” You should not listen to the enemy, but must struggle against him St. Barsanuphius of Optina

To fall into stony insensibility is the same as to die; so also to be blind in mind is the same as to lose sight of one’s bodily eyes. St. Gregory of Sinai

For God to help, one must have a desire to struggle. And when we say a desire to struggle, we mean that one must be willing to make some effort to overcome his particular weakness. If God sees even a little true will, He provides abundant help for man, He sends His Grace in great abundance. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

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 June 4 / Resets August 1.

Current Prayer List

Priest Anthony (Karbo 11/22)
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
Anthony Presbyter (Kerr 10/22)
Angel (Ghanem 10/22)
Abott Tryphon (Jacobse 10/22)
Edgar (Chapekis 9/22)
Evthriki (Jacobse 9/22)
Christos (Johnson 8/22)
Jon Paul (Andrew 8/22)
William (Brubaker 8/22)
Peter (Tewis 8/22)
Alberta (Dusckas 8/22)
Connie (Dusckas 8/22)
Johanna (Dimartino 7/22)
Sarah (Tomlinson 7/22)
Natasha (Tomlinson 7/22)
Christine (Brubaker 7/22)
Elena (Brubaker 7/22)
Stella (Brubaker 7/22)
Steven (Breitenbach)
Gabrielle (Lowell 5/22)
George (Haynes 4/21)
Kayla (Palentine 4/21)
Basil (Jacobse 3/22)
Linda M. (Dusckas 3/22)
Barbara (Dusckas 3/22)
Fr John (Jacobse 3/22)
John (Duskas 3/22)
Nancy (Coin 3/22)
Nicholas (Ghanem 1/22)
Arielle (Ghanem 1/22)
Georgia (Sarros 1/22)
Kerri (Dusckas 1/21)
The People of Ukraine

Permanent Prayer List

Katheryn (Tolkkinen)
Markisia (Long)
Angela (Long)
Marina (Long)
Eleni (Long)
Raphaella (Long)
Joanne (Haley)
Francine (Anton)
Corwin (Dusckas)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Seraphim (Irina)
Lidia (Irina)
Sarina (Ghanem)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Despina (Diversis)b
Fredericos (Diveris)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Soterios (Ninos)
Pauline (Poulos)
Sergio (Kazakos)
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Robert (Smith)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)
Vassilike (Hord)

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)
Robert (Jarvis)
George (Corey)
Matushka Marion (Valentine)
Mary (Ghanem 10/22)
Sophia (D. Constantine)

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.

EPISTLE

For the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

The Lord is my strength and my song.
With chastisement hath the Lord chastened me.

The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (9:2-12)

Brethren, the seal of my apostleship are you in the Lord. My defense to those who would examine me is this: Do we have no authority regarding what to eat and what to drink? Do we have no authority to lead about a wife, who is a sister, as the rest of the apostles, even as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no authority to refrain from working? Which soldier ever served at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit thereof? Or who shepherds a flock and does not eat from the milk of the flock? Do I speak of these things according to human nature? Or does not the Law say the same also? For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Thou shalt not muzzle an ox which treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God cares, or does He say it altogether for our sakes? Indeed, for our sakes it was written: because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope, so that the same might partake in hope. If we have sown in you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we should reap your carnal things? If others are partakers of this authority over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this authority, but we endure all things, in order that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

GOSPEL

For the Eleventh Sunday of Matthew

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (18:23-35)

The Lord spoke this parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.

So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.

When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also My heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”