The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
The Fifth Sunday of Luke
Martyrs Akepsimas, Joseph & Aeithalas of Persia; Dedication of St. George Church in Lydda of Palestine; Hieromartyr George of Neapolis; Theodore the Confessor, bishop of Ancyra
Who were the Martyrs Akepsimas, Joseph & Aeithalas of Persia?
Martyrs Akepsimas the Bishop, Joseph the Presbyter and Aethalas the Deacon of Persia were leaders of the Christian Church in the Persian city of Naesson. His flock devotedly loved their hierarch for his ascetic life and tireless pastoral work.
The emperor Sapor ordered his men to seek out and kill Christian clergy. Saint Akepsimas also was arrested, even though he was already an eighty-year-old man. They took him to the city of Arbela, where he came before the judge Ardarkh, a pagan priest of the sun god. The holy Elder refused to offer sacrifice to the Persian gods. For this he was fiercely beaten and thrown into prison, where on the following day the seventy-year-old priest Joseph and the deacon Aethalas were severely beaten and thrown into jail with him. For three years the saints were held in confinement, and suffered from hunger and thirst.
Emperor Sapor came to the temple of the god of fire, located not far from Arbela, and wanted to take a look at the three holy martyrs. Exhausted and covered with festering wounds, the saints were brought before the emperor. When he asked them to worship the pagan gods they firmly refused, confessing their faith in Christ instead.
The holy bishop was beheaded, but the presbyter and deacon were taken into the city to be stoned.
The execution of the presbyter Joseph was prolonged for several hours. A guard was placed near the place of execution, so that Christians would not take the body of the holy martyr. On the fourth night a strong windstorm raged near the city, lightning killed the guard, the wind tossed stones about, and the body of Saint Joseph disappeared.
Deacon Aethalas was taken to the village of Patrias, where he was stoned. Christians secretly buried his body. A tree grew on the saint’s grave, and its fruit brought healings.
Source: The Orthodox Church in America website.
Sts. Kosmas and Dimianos (Sts. Cosmas and Damien) Divine Liturgy, Friday, November 1 at 9:30am (Sorry for the late notice)
Sorry for the late notice but St. Kosmas and Damien are healers in our parish. Their icon is included on our pillar of healing saints. God is glorified in his Saints and by venerating them and by holding liturgies on their feast days, we honor them and praise God.
Divine Liturgy for Sts. Kosmas and Damianos will be held Friday, November 1 at 9:30am.
Community Luncheon on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 12:00pm
Please note the Community Luncheon is held on the second Thursday this month.
Our next Community Luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 14.
Menu
Mousaka
Vegetable
Greek Salad with Feta and Kalamata Olives
Dessert
Barbara Dionysopoulos and friends are preparing a delicious meal for all our members. Come and join us to enjoy some good food and the company of your friends. Make some new friends too and get to know other parishioners.
Reservations are required! Please call Barbara at 239-826-1655 or sign up in the Social Hall after Divine Liturgy.
Please: Don’t sign up if you cannot attend. The food is prepared for the numbers who sign up.
Donations are accepted. Proceeds benefit the building fund.
Diocese of Miami Winter Retreat
Men: Join AMEN
AMEN is growing in the Miami Diocese, very fast actually, and there is a lot of good energy behind it. Fr. Hans has been appointed the Spiritual Advisor to the group by Bp. Nicholas. Steve Breitenbach is our local president.
What will AMEN do? It will bring together the men of the parish for friendship, fellowship, and work.
St. Peter’s Men:
- SIGN UP for the AMEN Newsletter. Send an email to: AMEN Newsletter
- JOIN AMEN on the BAND app (IOS and Android): Instructions on the Antiochian Men website.
- Visit the AMEN YouTube page.
Bible Studies
October
- Wed Oct 30 — Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Held separately) 7:00pm
November
- Wed Nov 6 — Community Bible Study 7:00pm
- Wed Nov 13 — Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Held separately) 7:00pm
- Wed Nov 20 — Community Bible Study 7:00pm
- Wed Nov 27 — CANCELLED Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy held instead) 7:00pm
The Community Bible Study is for the entire community.
The Men’s and Women’s Bible Study are separate studies but held concurrently.
Third Annual Toys for Tots Drive Coming
At St. Peter’s we help the poor and disadvantaged. It is part of our mission. Organizations we support include Interfaith Charities, NAAMI, and Toys for Tots. Our third annual Toys for Tots drive begins in a few weeks! Watch for details.
Pledge & Income Report – September 2019
In August we took in $16,445 in total donations. Our monthly goal is $16,777.00 leaving us $323 short for August.
These are very good numbers for September.
Thank you for your generosity. This year is much better than last but we are still behind in our numbers.
It is not too late to pledge. Pledge forms are available on the table in the narthex.
Interfaith Charities Needs More Food Items
They need:
- Ramen noodles
- Canned tuna
- Vegetables
- Beans
- Soups
Please note: Interfaith Charities is no longer accepting clothing or household items so we won’t be accepting them at St. Peter’s either.
Bring the food items to church and we will get them to Interfaith Charities. Interfaith Charities is a coalition of local churches helping the poor in our immediate community. See more on their website.
Calendar At A Glance
OCTOBER
- Wed Oct 30 — Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Held separately) 7:00pm
November
- Wed Nov 6 — Community Bible Study 7:00pm
- Fri Nov 8 — Archangel Michael and Gabriel Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Sat Nov 9 — St. Nektarios Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Wed Nov 13 — St. John Chrysostom Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Wed Nov 13 — Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Held separately) 7:00pm
- Wed Nov 20 — Community Bible Study 7:00pm
- Thu Nov 21 — Entrance of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Mon Nov 25 — St. Katherine Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Wed Nov 27 — CANCELLED Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Held separately) 7:00pm
- Wed Nov 27 — Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy 6:30pm
Please note the extra liturgies scheduled for November:
- Fri Nov 1 — Sts. Kosmas and Damianos 9:30am
- Fri Nov 8 — Archangel Michael and Gabriel Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Sat Nov 9 — St. Nektarios Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Wed Nov 13 — St. John Chrysostom Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Thu Nov 21 — Entrance of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Mon Nov 25 — St. Katherine Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Wed Nov 27 — Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy 6:30pm
Wisdom From The Elders
In the European West, Christianity gradually became transformed into humanism. For several centuries the God-man became more and more limited and confined to His humanity, eventually becoming the infallible man of Rome and of Berlin. Thus, on the one hand there appeared a western Christian humanistic maximalism (the papacy) which took everything away from Christ, and on the other hand a western Christian humanistic minimalism (Protestantism) which sought very little if anything from Christ. In both man takes the place of the God-man as that which is of most value and is the measure of all things. Venerable Justin (Popovic) of Chelije in Serbia
All my passions rage against me at every hour, and the host of demons tempts me at every moment. Behold, the true state of my miserable soul! But the Lord looks into the heart of man and sees the trouble there, and He speaks the word that quiets the demons and calms the raging passions. Bishop Irenei Steenberg
When the demons inflict us vith a thought of pride, then you should remember the shameful thoughts which they flung at to you, and thus you should humble yourself. Then again, when you are subjected to corrupt thoughts, remember those thoughts of pride and be victorious over them by the use of this method so that you neither lose hope because of the impure thoughts, nor become proud because of the good ones. Holy Martyr Peter of Damascus
Thus, my brother, if you love peace of heart, strive to enter it by the door of humility, for no other door but humility leads therein. Unseen Warfare
You should not seek to combat your evil thoughts, in the sense of waging a direct, focused warfare against them: they will often get the best of you— for we stand together as weak men, little able to wage battle directly against the powers that would destroy us. Instead, strive not to combat but to dismiss those thoughts which come into the mind seeking to trouble the heart. Bishop Irenei Steenberg
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV
Remember in Your Prayers
Diomidis (Kanellos)
Anastacia (Ann Constan)
Ben (Ben)
Thomas (Ben)
Vjacheslav (Slava) (Julia)
Irene (C. Diveris)
Vasiliki (C.Diveris)
Efrosini (C. diveris)
Charles (Oberg)
Christine (Kouzes)
Nina (Kovalev)
Hugh (Jacquie)
Violet (Jacquie Mom)
Tammie (Jacquie friend)
Phillip
Baby Luke
George
Priest Kyprianos
Savannah (Jonson)
Bud
Silvana
Nicole
Evan
Megan
Bill R.
Pat R.
Aglaia
George
Hieromonk Serapion
Priest Kyprianos
Athanasia
Alexandra
Constantina
Maryanne (E)
Ron (E)
Tim
Robert (J)
Mary (J)
Patricia
Gregory
Andreas
Sofia Tešanovic
Paul
Dennis H. and Family
Victor Evan
Ann
James
Vasiliki
Efstratia
Alexandra
Nikos
Georgia
Ioannis
Costandino
Jeffrey
Vaso
Dave
Dimitri – Presbyter
Vassiliki
Octavio
Tom
Carl
Rena
Nikolay (5 year old boy in Bulgaria whose parents asked us to pray)
David
Rosie
Kathryn
Jeremy
Constantine
Robert
Jane
Theodora
David
Gina
Micheal
Haralambos
Lillian
Presbytera Rosy
Valentina
Eva W.
Barbara
Angela
Carol Ann
Matthew
Chrysostom
Tim
Pat
Christina
Maria Louise
Maximos
Marian
Photini
Nicholas
Sarah
Constantine Houpis
Anna Marie Smith Baker
Katerina
Mary Kassis
Baby Maximus
Christine
Maria
Annette Star
Claire Livaditis
Eva Chandilles
Baby Dani
Scott Nedoff
James Hord
Tom
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 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Clap your hands, all ye peoples.
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 Fifth Sunday of Luke
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (16:19-31)
The Lord said, “There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.’
But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’
But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
