St. Peter News December 22, 2025

Sunday After the Nativity of Christ

Commemoration of Joseph the Betrothed, David the Prophet and King, and James the brother of God

The Flight into Egypt

“Take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word” (Matthew 2:13 – KJV)
“Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1 – RSV)
“The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.” (Isaiah 19:1 – KJV)
“In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.” (Isaiah 19:19 – KJV)
“Blessed be Egypt my people” (Isaiah 19:25 – KJV)

According to the Scripture, Jesus Christ lived in Palestine, and the only other country he travelled to (as a young child) was Egypt. The Holy Family, throughout their stay in Egypt, which lasted for about three-and-half years, moved through many towns in Upper and Lower Egypt.

Many of the details of the journey of the Holy Family in Egypt are chronicled in a Mimar (manuscript) by Pope Theophilus, 23rd Patriarch of Alexandria (384-412 A.D.), who received these details during an apparition of the Holy Virgin Mary. Other sources of information include accounts by 2nd and 3rd century Greek and Jewish writers/philosophers/historians.

Many churches and monasteries were built in the locations which have been blessed by the visit of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph the carpenter. Many miracles took place in these locations during the Holy Family visit 2000 years ago (and continue to occur to this day).

Among the places visited by the Holy Family are Zeitun in Cairo, where the Holy Virgin Mary also appeared in 1968, and Assiut in Upper Egypt, where She again appeared in 2000 [1].

In one small street in el-Matarya district of today’s Cairo (Eid Street/Shek El-Te’eban Street), all kinds of bread and bakery cannot be leavened up to this day, since the Virgin Mary first visited that place with the Holy Family 2000 years ago and they were refused bread and cast away. This is an ongoing miracle that anyone can witness till this very day. Bread leavens normally in all surrounding streets.

Source: Orthodox WikiA.

Services and Events This Week

• SUN Dec 21 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Dec 24 — ROYAL HOURS 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Dec 24 — VESPERAL LITURGY OF ST BASIL THE GREAT 5:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Dec 25 — DIVINE LITURGY OF NATIVITY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Dec 26 — DIVINE LITURGY ST STEPHEN THE PROTO-MARTYR 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Dec 26 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Dec 27 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Christmas Services Schedule

• Wed Dec 24 — ROYAL HOURS 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Dec 24 — VESPERAL LITURGY OF ST BASIL THE GREAT 5:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Dec 25 — DIVINE LITURGY OF NATIVITY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

No Place to Go on Christmas?

Come and join us at St. Peter’s! Just like Thanksgiving, St. Peter’s will hold a Christmas dinner on December 25 for anyone who needs a place to go on Christmas. Fr. Hans will be there (Presbytera will be in Chicago) and will be your host. Thanksgiving was a great success and Christmas dinner will be too. Dinner starts at 1:00pm. Please sign up in the Social Hall.

St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr Divine Liturgy Friday December 26 at 9:00am

Presentation of the Vasilopita on Sunday January 4, 2026

The cutting of the Vasilopita (St. Basil’s bread) will take place on Sunday, January 4, 2026 following the Divine Liturgy.

PLEASE NOTE: General Assembly Meeting January 18, 2026

Our Annual General Assembly meeting will be held on Sunday January 18, 2026 following a shortened Social Hall.

Reports on the state of the parish will be presented. Approval of the 2026 budget is also needed. Copies of the 2026 budget are available in the office for anyone wanting a copy. Please see Georgia to obtain a copy.

2026 Church Calendars

The 2026 Church Calendars are now available. Please only take one per family.

Any questions, please see Georgia in the office.

Updating Our Church Directory

We are updating our church directory for 2026. If you would like to be included in the directory, please see Alexis Johnson. The directory will include your photo, email and phone number only. We will ask for your address to update the church records for mailings only.

Photos can be taken on one of the following Sundays: November 30, December 7 and 21.

You can opt to update the current directory photo or have an updated photo added.

Christmas Fast Instructions

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.

Just starting out? While fasting is not optional for Orthodox Christians, consider easing into to. Start the fast by observing the Wednesday and Friday fast with no meat. Next year try extending that into more days. Start with no meat, and then extend into no meat and dairy and so forth. We fast to the measure of our ability and it may take some training, like a runner working out to run a race.If you have questions, talk to Fr. Hans

Remember to Keep Up With Your Pledge

The bills are the same in the summer as they are in the winter so please do not fall behind on you pledge.

Support always dips in support but our obligations remain the same. Your consistent support is necessary keep our parish on firm and responsible financial footing.

When You Give to the Good Samaritan Mercy Fund, You Fulfill the Law of Christ

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galations 6:2)

St. Paul teaches us that God’s law, to love God and neighbor, is fulfilled when we bear one another’s burdens. The Good Samaritan Mercy fund helps us do that by helping parishioners who because of catastrophic circumstances face problems that we can help them with. This year is proving greater than past years so any donation you can make to our fund enables us to carry those burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

All support is local, within our parish. Donations are approved by Fr. Hans and Ron Franklin our Parish Council President. Donations remain confidential.

St. John Chrysostom says those who can give receive their abundance from God in order to give. When we give from our abundance a double blessing occurs — one to the recipient in need, and another to him who gives.

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.

St. Peter Greeters

DECEMBER 2025 – CHURCH GREETERS

• Dec 7 Ray Locklear – Kathy Karlos Moffet – Joe Repya
• Dec 14 Barb and Costa Dionysopoulos – Chris and Taylor Campbell
• Dec 21 Ray Locklear – Joe Repya
• Dec 28 Kathy Karlos Moffet – Chris and Taylor Campbell

JANUARY 2026 – CHURCH GREETERS

• Jan 4 Kathy Karlos Moffet – Joe Repya
• Jan 11 Joe Repya – Tim Morse
• Jan 18 Tim Morse – Joe Repya – John Tomilson
• Jan 25 Joe and Deb Repya – Tim Morse

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

SUNDAY COFFEE HOURS – FALL MONTHS 2025

Please note: A fruit bowl, veggie or hummus tray may be added to a week’s menu.

• December 2025 – Sunday Coffee Hours – Team #3
• Sunday, December 7 – Coffee and bagels
• Sunday, December 14 – Coffee and donuts
• Sunday, December 21 – Coffee and coffee cakes
• Sunday, December 28 – Coffee and bagels

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!

DECEMBER

• SUN Dec 21 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Dec 24 — ROYAL HOURS 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Dec 24 — VESPERAL LITURGY OF ST BASIL THE GREAT 5:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Dec 25 — DIVINE LITURGY OF NATIVITY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Dec 26 — DIVINE LITURGY ST STEPHEN THE PROTO-MARTYR 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Dec 26 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Dec 27 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

DECEMBER – JANUARY

• SUN Dec 28 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Dec 29 — DIVINE LITURGY THE HOLY INNOCENTS 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Dec 31 — EARLY MORNING LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 01 — DIVINE LITURGY ST BASIL THE GREAT / CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST
• Fri Jan 01 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Jan 02 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Jan 04 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sun Jan 04 — Cutting of the Vassilopita 11:30AM LIVE STREAM
• Mon Jan 05 — THEOPHANY ROYAL HOURS 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Jan 05 — THEOPHANY VESPERAL LITURGY OF ST BASIL / BLESSING OF THE WATERS 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 06 — THEOPHANY DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Jan 07 — EARLY MORNING LITURGY – SYNAXIS ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 09 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Jan 10 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
• Sat Jan 10 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Jan 11 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Jan 14 — EARLY MORNING LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 16 — DIVINE LITURGY ST ANTHONY THE GREAT 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 16 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Jan 17 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Jan 18 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Jan 21 — EARLY MORNING LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 23 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Jan 24 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Jan 25 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Jan 21 – Sat Jan 31 — Fr. Hans at DOMSE Clergy Retreat
• Wed Jan 28 — CANCELLED EARLY MORNING LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 30 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Jan 31 — CANCELLED Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

The three foundations of monasticism are: abstinence, humility, and obedience.
—Archbishop Seraphim (Sobolev) of Bogucharsk

[T]he Lord is longsuffering. he only cuts short a man’s life when He sees either that he is prepared to pass into eternity or that there is no hope for his correction.
—St. Ambrose of Optina

If one understands the mysteries of spiritual life and the mystical way in which God works, he ceases worrying over what happens to him, because he accepts joyfully the bitter medicines that God gives him for the health of his soul. Such a person considers everything to be the result of his prayer, since he constantly asks from God to purify his soul.
—St. Paisios of Mount Athos

By talents we mean not only wealth, education, or fame. Talents are good conditions for salvation of the soul. Each of us has his own given talents. Poverty, sickness, various sorrows—these are all talents. From the worldly point of view, talents mean scholarly, musical, or artistic abilities. They are not sinful; it is good when such abilities are combined with a Christian life, and when they are dedicated to God.

If an ability prevents us from living in a godly manner and saving our souls, then it should be abandoned. It is better to be a little stupider and simpler, but to be saved. What benefit is it to you if you gain the whole world but destroy your soul?
—St. Nikon of Optina

The sons of the world consider distraction to be innocent, but the Holy Fathers consider it to be the beginning of all evil.
—St Pimen the Great

Current Prayer List

Donna Eardley (Pateras)
Jack Eardley (Pateras)
Efstrathios Papadopoulos (Pateras)
Vera Pateras Stathes (Pateras)
Maureen (Breitenbach)
Doug (Kucera)
Katrina (Marianthi)
Katherina (Sovjani)
Arsen (Sovjani)
Arion (Sovjani)
David (Sovjani)
Joe (Repya)
Bp. Nicholas
Mary Teresa (Dusckas)
Adam (Krotov)
Ariyon (Sovjani)
Diana (Veraj)
Arjan (Veraj)
Thoma (Sovjani)
Lucia
Ioannes
Stratton (Leopold)
Mary (Copeland)
Robert (Tewis)
Gene (Forderhase)
Ruth (Mudd)
Barbara (Duskas)
Maria (Duskas)
Rachel (Voss)
Ken John (Eaton)
William (Semeretis)
David (Orfanos)
Maria (Orfanos)
William (Long)
George (Chionis 11-1)
Haley
Lydia
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)
Arielle (Ghanem 6/1)
Nicholas (Ghanem 6/1)
Christos
Father Demetris
Jamie
Pamela
David
Jessica
Christina (Hildreth)
Dionysios Chapekis)
Nancy (Forderhase)
Kayla (Palantine)
George (3/23 Chapekis)
Penelope (3/23 Chapekis)
Theodora (3/23)
Victor (3/23)
Les (3/23
Lynn (Hurley 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)
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
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)
The People of Ukraine and People of Russia and all those who are suffering in the war

Permanent Prayer List

Kh. Denise (Breitenbach)
Fr. Patrick (Breitenbach)
Bonnie Joseph
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)
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)

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
Raymond (Zeena)
Vassilike (Hord)
Helen (Mitchell)

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

God is wondrous in His saints.
Bless God in the congregations.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (1:11-19)

Brethren, I would have you know that the Gospel, which was preached by me, is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people; so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

GOSPEL

For the Sunday after Nativity of Christ

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (2:13-23)

When the wise men had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the Child, to destroy Him.” And he rose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called My Son.”

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region, who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.”

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”