St. Peter News November 22, 2023

Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Thirteenth Sunday of Luke

Venerable Alypios the Stylite of Adrianople; Nikon the preacher of repentance; Venerable Stylianos of Paphlagonia

Our holy Father Alypios was born in the city of Adrianople in the province of Paphlagonia during the reign of Heraclius (610-41). When he was only three his father died, and his mother placed him in the care of Bishop Theodore to study sacred literature and to be brought up for the service of the Church. The child’s remarkable ability as well as his great piety commended him to the Bishop’s successor, who made him steward of the church and ordained him deacon when he reached the canonical age. He fulfilled this double office admirably, but he longed to follow the eremitic life. As a result, he gave away his goods to the poor and told his pious mother of his intention to leave for the Holy Land and to embrace the monastic life.

So fast did word spread of the servant of God that, much as he wished to persist in his holy work without distraction, he was under the necessity of welcoming many of the faithful who came to receive his blessing. Gentle, easy to speak to, attentive to all alike, young and old, rich and poor, he would have no one leave him except filled with spiritual joy. But becoming aware that such involvement was harmful to his soul, and having by then sufficient skill in the ascetic art, he decided to make his abode on top of the pillar, protected from the weather by a small, rough, wooden roof.

He was ferociously attacked by demons jealous of his progress. When they began hurling stones at him, he asked his mother, who lived at the foot of the pillar, for an axe, intending to show them that soldiers of Christ rate their attacks no more than juvenile insults. Throwing the roof that sheltered him to the ground, he faced without protection the hail of stones, prepared to die like Stephen the first Martyr, if that were the will of God. Alarmed by his boldness and unshakeable faith in God, the demons took flight from the place, bewailing their discomfiture.

The Saint received the gift of prophecy; he healed the sick, reconciled enemies, gave instruction in the mysteries of divine wisdom, either directly or in letters; he became all things to all men that he might by all means save some for Christ (1 Cor. 9:22). One day, having thrown down his tunic to a poor man in need, he remained shivering on the pillar until a recluse of the men’s monastery saw his state and came to his assistance.

When he gave us his soul to God at last, aged ninety-nine, the people hastened to venerate his body and a possessed man was healed in its presence. St. Alypios reposed in the year 640, at age 118. The body of the venerable stylite was buried in the church he founded in honor of the holy Martyr Euphemia. His head is preserved in the Monastery of Koutloumousiou on the Mount Athos. The feast day of Saint Alypios is celebrated on November 26.

Read the complete history on the Mystagogy website.

Services and Events This Week

• Sun Nov 19 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Nov 21 — Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple Divine Liturgy 8:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Nov 22 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Nov 23 — Thanksgiving Day
• Fri Nov 24 — St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Nov 25 — St. Katherine the Great Martyr Divine Liturgy 8:00am

Fasting for Christmas Lent

On November 15, we began, with God’s help, the forty-day “Nativity Fast” in preparation for the “Feast of the Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ” on December 25. 

The Nativity Fast is divided into two periods. The first period is November 15 through December 19 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed with katalysis (relaxation) for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and for fish, wine and oil on Saturdays and Sundays.  

The second period is December 20 through 24 when the traditional fasting discipline (“strict fast”: no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed with katalysis (relaxation) for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday.

While fasting periods are not “optional” for Orthodox Christians, one may consider “easing into it” if it is your first time. Consider starting with just Wednesday’s and Friday’s this first year. We fast (strict fast) those two days year-round anyway. Two birds with one stone!  
 
Read more on the Nativity of Christ on the Antiochian Archdiocese website.

St. Peter Sunday School – Welcome Children and Parents!

Saint Peter’s Sunday school welcomes all children ages 3 to 16(pre-K, elementary, and intermediate) to attend catechism class where children learn about our Orthodox faith and traditions.

Classes occur every Sunday, immediately following Holy Communion.

Since Sunday is a day of worship where we prepare for the week ahead we welcome all children and their parents to join us and meet the staff. For registration, see Ms. Georgia.

Looking for Books About the Saints for Children?

Ancient Faith Publishing has an extensive series of books that are perfect for children. You can order them from Ancient Faith here.

St. Peter Adult Education: The Holy Things for the Holy

On Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:pm, Fr. Hans will overview of secularism in our lives and in the parish. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Decades ago, Fr. Alexander Schmemann, formerly the President of St. Vladimir’s Seminary and a widely known theologian in America was able to locate one the most serious challenge facing Orthodoxy Christianity in America. That challenge was secularism, the idea that Orthodox Christianity was just another religion, instead of the road to God that offers transformation, healing, and hope.

Orthodoxy is not a religion. Orthodoxy is a way of life, a walking of the narrow road that reveals God to us and makes us fully human. If we have trouble seeing this, most likely it’s because we have adopted secular ideals and don’t even know it. This spills into our life, and if it spills into our life, it also spills into the Church. If that happens the Church ceases to become the true body of Christ. It just turns into another denomination.

Fr. Alexanders essay is posted on the website.

The meeting will also be available on ZOOM at this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88061553942?pwd=5vjaGXtmhbEKGphW1twrW2A46JfBut.1

Parish Council Members: Please note that the Parish Council meeting will begin at 8:30am and conclude at 10:00am that morning. All members are required to attend.

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.

Get more information here.

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.

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Only 62 spaces left so register early.

More information at DOMSE website.

ST. PETER'S GREETERS

NOVEMBER 2023

NOV 5 Paula Kambaros – Candice Rosen

NOV 12 Joe and Deb Repya
NOV 19 George Karounos – Doug and Tina Kucera
NOV 26 Pavlo Bilych – Will Schwarz – George Tsikitas

DECEMBER 2023

DEC 3 Will Schwarz – Ray Locklear – George Tsikitas
DEC 10 Joe Repya – Ray Locklear
DEC 17 Candice Rosen – Ray Locklear
DEC 24 Will Schwarz – Candice Rosen
DEC 31 Moriah Peterson – Joe Repya

Can you volunteer? Please call Joe Repya 612-270-4443.

SOCIAL HALL ALL STARS

NOVEMBER 2023

TEAM #2 – Margie Zimmerman Group for November
Nov 5 –- Coffee, Cake and Mixed Fruit
Nov 12 –- Coffee, Bagels and Mixed Fruit
Nov 19 –- Coffee, Donuts and Mixed Fruit
Nove 26 –- Coffee, Cookies and Mixed Fruit

For Special Events/Koliva please contact BARBARA SASEN and give her a completed Special Events Form which is found in the lobby of the church.

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

NOVEMBER

• Sun Nov 19 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Nov 21 — Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple Divine Liturgy 8:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Nov 22 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Nov 23 — Thanksgiving Day
• Fri Nov 24 — St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Nov 25 — St. Katherine the Great Martyr Divine Liturgy 8:00am

NOVEMBER—DECEMBER

• Sun Nov 26 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Nov 29 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Nov 30 — St. Andrew the First Called Divine Liturgy 8:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Dec 01 — St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Dec 02 — St. Porphyrios Divine Liturgy 8:00am LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

If a person wants to get an idea about the pyramids of Egypt, he must either trust those who have been in immediate proximity to the pyramids, or he must get next to them himself. There is no third option. In the same way a person can get an impression of God: He must either trust those who have stood and stand in immediate proximity to God, or he must take pains to come into such proximity himself.
St. Nicholas of Serbia

Is some poor person asking you for help? Even if you doubt his situation, vou should still help him discreetly so that you are not tempted by negative thoughts.
Elder Paisios of Mount Athos

Allow the spirit of God to dwell within you; then in His love He will come and make a habitation with you; He will reside in you and live in you.
Evagrius

External circumstances can never serve as excuses for the deficiencies in our interior life.
Elder Sergei of Vanves

Our life is in the heavens, our true life, that is. Our job is to live that life here and now.
Elder Sergei of Vanves

Whether one is contented or hungry, whether he is praised or wronged, he must rejoice and face everything humbly and patiently.
St. Paisios of Mount Athos

• 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.

Current Prayer List

George (Chionis 11-1)
Mark (Chionis 11-1)
Katheryn (Chionis 11-1)
Jacob (Chionis 11-1)
Ken (Chionis 11-1)
Maxim (Koco)
George (Tsikistas 8/1)
George (Mourgis 8/1)
Barbara (Sason 8/1)
Anthony (Breitenbach 6/1)
Arielle (Ghanem 6/1)
Nicholas (Ghanem 6/1)
Christos
Father Demetris
Jamie
Pamela
David
Jessica
Christina (Hildreth)
Georgia and Richard and their unborn child (Chapekis)
Dionysios Chapekis)
Nancy (Forderhase)
Kayla (Palantine)
George (3/23 Chapekis)
Penelope (3/23 Chapekis)
Theodora (3/23)
Victor (3/23)
Barbara (Dusckas 3/23)
James (Dusckas 3/23)
Les (3/23
Lynn (Hurely 1/23)
Irene and newborn baby (Tsikitas 1/23)
Linda (Pappas 1/23)
Ekaterina (Chapekis 1/23)
Lee (Hurley 1/23)
Emmanuel (Kalousdis 1/23)
Katherine (Dusckas 1/23)
Vassiliki (Diveris 1/23)
Zena Touma (Contorelli 1/23
Lamia Touma (Contorelli 1/23
Matthew (Contorelli 1/23
Emmanuel (Kaloudis 1/23)
Nicholas
Marlene (Tewis 12/22)
Tina (Johnson 12/22)
Nicholas (De Lorenzo 12/22)
Priest Anthony (Karbo 11/22)
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
Anthony Presbyter (Kerr 10/22)
John Presbyter (Jacobse)
Elain Presbytera (Jacobse)
Constantine(Jacobse)
Chrysoula(Jacobse)
Angel (Ghanem 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)
The People of Ukraine and People of Russia and all those who are suffering in the war

Permanent Prayer List

Michael (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Katerina (Sovjani)
Frederick (Sovjani)
Arsen (Sovjani)
Irene (Diveris)
Katheryn (Tolkkinen)
Markisia (Long)
Angela (Long)
Marina (Long)
Eleni (Long)
Raphaella (Long)
Joanne (Haley)
Corwin (Dusckas)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Lidia (Irina)
Sarina (Ghanem)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
s
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Despina (Diversis)
Fredericos (Diveris)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
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)
Soterios (Ninos)
George (Ninos)
John (Katsigianopoulos)
George (Chionis)
Mary (Spiropoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K
Eugene (Rust)
Robert (Jarvis)
George (Corey)
Patricia (Cotsones)
Seraphim (Zolio)
Apostolos

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 Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
God is known in Judah; His Name is great in Israel.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. (4:1-7)

Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, Who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift

GOSPEL

For the Thirteenth Sunday of Luke

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:18-27)

At that time, a man came testing Jesus and asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother.’” And the man said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus, seeing him sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”