The Sunday of Zacchaeus The Sunday of Zacchaeus rings like a bell in the distance to alert us that Great Lent is approaching. Starting this Sunday we are to start preparing, to ready ourselves, to start pondering the coming of Great Lent. Great Lent is a time of purification, of earnest work, the kind that allows Christ to perform His work in us. Great Lent is to be taken seriously; each … [Read more...]

Sts. Athanasius and Cyril, Patriarchs of Alexandria This Sunday we commemorate Sts. Cyril and Athanasios. Who were they? Both me fought valiantly against the heresies (false teachings) in the first centuries of the Church. St. Athanasius fought against Arianism (he was one of the authors of the Nicene Creed) and St. Cyril fought against Nestorianism. St. Athanasius In the half-century … [Read more...]

January, 2015 Brother Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, Esteemed Members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees and Parish Councils, Department Chairs and Beloved Faithful: Greetings to you and your families in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray you all enjoyed a blessed feast of Theophany. 2015 is an historic year in the life of our God-protected archdiocese. This year marks … [Read more...]

They word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 Bible study begins next Tuesday, January 13 at 7pm at Church. All are welcome. Classes meet weekly. Bring your bible. We will use the Orthodox Study Bible as … [Read more...]

Who are Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John? During the Divine Liturgy right after the petitions for Metropolitan Joseph and Bishop Antoun we say these words: For Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John, and for their quick release from captivity and safe return, let us pray to the Lord. Who are Metropolitan Paul and Archbishop John? Why are we praying for them? From the Assembly of … [Read more...]

The Sunday (January 4, 2015), St. Peter's will cut the Vasilopita (St. Basil's Bread) after Divine Liturgy. The history behind this celebration reaches back centuries: The tradition of baking and cutting a special "pita" (which can mean a loaf of bread, a cake, or even a pie) each year on January 1st is observed in honor of our holy father Basil the Great, archbishop of … [Read more...]

January 5, 2015 9:30am Royal Hours (First, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hour) 7:00pm Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil and the Blessing of the Waters How do we prepare to Divine Liturgy? Very light breakfast, no lunch or a very light lunch if your health requires it, no supper until after Divine Liturgy. … [Read more...]

The Sunday Before Theophany Theophany of our Lord is recounted in these scriptures: Matthew 3: 13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22, John 1:32-34, Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 42:1; 2 Peter 1:17. The Theophany or Epiphany is a major Feast Day in the liturgical calendar of the Orthodox Church. It is celebrated on January 6 (Julian calendar). In the Theophany icon we see Christ standing in the Jordan … [Read more...]

Christmas Service Schedule December 24 9:30am Royal Hours (First, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hour) 7:00pm Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil How do we prepare to Divine Liturgy? Very light breakfast, no lunch or a very light lunch if your health requires it, no supper until after Divine Liturgy. Pray throughout the day. Try as much as possible to put aside the rush and demands of the day, or … [Read more...]

This Sunday we honor the members of the Order of St. Ignatius. The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch is an organization of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America with the objective of financially supporting the departments, programs and charitable works of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Patriarchate of Antioch and the Orthodox Christian faith. The Order assists the Antiochian … [Read more...]

The Sunday Before the Nativity of Christ On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the … [Read more...]

Reminder: Evangelism Presentation this Sunday St. Peter's has been selected to take part in a pilot program on evangelism. We will hear from Adam Roberts who is spear-heading the program. The emphasis will be on how to share your Orthodox faith with others. The format will be talk and discussion. The talk/discussion will occur right after Divine Liturgy. We will receive the … [Read more...]

Reminder: Evangelism Presentation this Sunday St. Peter's has been selected to take part in a pilot program on evangelism. We will hear from Adam Roberts who is spear-heading the program. The emphasis will be on how to share your Orthodox faith with others. The format will be talk and discussion. The talk/discussion will occur right after Divine Liturgy. We will receive the antidoron … [Read more...]

St. Nicholas Liturgy this Saturday, December 6 at 9:30am, Vespers at 5:30 On St.Nicholas Day (Saturday, December 6) will we celebrate Divine Liturgy at 9:30am and Vespers at 5:30pm. Following Vespers we will decorate the tree and Church for Christmas. Please bring an ornament for the Church Christmas tree and a canned good or nonperishable to donate to one of the local food … [Read more...]

Except the Lord Build the House. . . Psalm 127:1 reads: "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." What does this mean? This means that the first (and final) architect of St. Peter's is God Himself. Yes, we choose the icons, clean up the building, make everyone feel welcome, do the worship, and all the other things necessary to maintain our … [Read more...]

Pray with Perseverance When you pray, think about the words you are praying (assuming you are reading the prayers of the Church - the written ones). It may be a struggle (prayer often is), but it is within the struggle that the good happens. Just stay with it. The fruit of that struggle will manifest itself throughout the day. The day will be filled with more light no matter what the … [Read more...]