The Upcoming Election Every time election season rolls around I think about the American Founding Fathers. It is almost a miracle that men of their caliber and foresight emerged in what was really a backwater outpost to craft the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. Did you know that all the refugee movements of the last century were directed to American shores? Or that America … [Read more...]

Bible Study Starts for 2013 We will begin our 2013 bible studies on Thursday, November 1, 15, and 29. We chose Thursday because we could not find a home that could host on Tuesdays. We will meet at the home of Jack and Angela Long at 204 Cheshire Way, Naples, FL 34110 (in the Audubon neighborhood, entrance on Vanderbilt Drive) -- get map. Spread the word and invite your friends! Rummage Sale … [Read more...]

Keeping our Minds Clear When pressures mount, as they do for most of us these days, it is very important to keep our minds clear. Difficulties, especially when they portend an uncertain future, can be difficult to bear. We pray, try to trust in God, but often are afflicted by worry, anxiety, and fear. Often we try to do the right thing, but it just does not seem like anything is changing. If we … [Read more...]

St. Peter Rummage Sale Hang on to those treasures sitting out in the garage! St. Peter's is holding its annual rummage sale. When? Saturday 10am - 4pm on October 13, 20, and 27. Sunday 12pm - 3pm on October 14 and 21. Where? The Sunshine Shopping Center, about 1/2 mile east of 41 on Bonita Beach Road on the north side of the street (get map). The space will be near Zorba's Restaurant. Look … [Read more...]

We Live in a Great Country Watching the Republican Convention this week (I've always watched both conventions since I was very young), I always leave thankful that I am an American. Reasonable people can reasonably disagree about many things — including who they will vote for, but that we can disagree and still elect a new leader is something to be grateful for. Russell Kirk, a brilliant … [Read more...]

Summer is Winding Down... ...and there is not much news to report. This summer however has been good for St. Peter's. Attendance was better than it has every been, and the core — our self-identity — has strengthened. As we rely on the Lord for His leading we are developing into a Church where we care and pray for each other. As long as this remains our priority, our chief reason for … [Read more...]

The Dormition of the Theotokos The Dormition of the the Theotokos According to Orthodox Tradition, Mary died like all humanity, "falling asleep," so to speak, as the name of the feast indicates. She died as all people die, not "voluntarily" as her Son, but by the necessity of her mortal human nature which is indivisibly bound up with the corruption of this world. The feast was added to the Roman … [Read more...]

A Tip about Prayer in Times of Trouble Prayer is a deep mystery. We don't really understand how it works, yet we know that it does. Sometimes it works in very powerful ways. Sometimes it is hard to pray, especially when we are overcome with trouble and filled with fear and anxiety. We try to pray but can't. I call that kind of prayer "wrestling with an elephant." How do we break the grip of … [Read more...]

The Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, was “blessed amongst women,” and she was chosen “to bear the Savior of our souls.” Orthodox Christians consider her to be the Queen of all the saints and angels. Knowing that she is eternally present at the throne of God interceding for mankind, we pray for her love, guidance, and protection. Every year the Orthodox Church sets aside the first fourteen days of … [Read more...]

Anthea Tuefel, a parishioner of St. Peter's, loves children. She volunteers at the Children's Hospital in Fort Myers. When Anthea was passing out stuffed bears last week she heard, as she put it, "a little voice telling her bring some of the toys to church on Sunday to give to the kids." They sure liked them. Thank you Anthea! … [Read more...]

When man forgets God, he will believe in anything If you are like me, it is hard to put the Colorado shootings out of mind. This act, while certainly the act of a very distressed and disturbed person, also touches on a deeper cultural sickness. Something is wrong but it is hard to put our finger on exactly what it is. There are a lot of ways to analyze this. One is that young men are not … [Read more...]

Feast Day of St. Peter and Paul Today is the Feast Day of St. Peter and Paul. St. Peter as we know was the first bishop of Antioch and then moved to Rome. St. Paul was the "apostle born out of due season" which means he was not an original disciple but was called to be an apostle after the resurrection of Christ. St. Peter was the brother of Andrew, also an apostle of Jesus. Peter stayed in … [Read more...]

We Do What We Can, But When We Do It for Each Other a Lot Gets Done The response to help Yianni and Lucia help pack up their restaurant was good. A lot got done Thursday and they are very appreciative for the help. Those who came could, and it helped lighten Yianni and Lucia's load. We do what we can, but when enough of us do it, tangible good is the result. Not everyone could help of course, … [Read more...]

Sunday of Pentecost This Sunday we celebrate the Pentecost -- the "50 Days" after the Resurrection of Christ. Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit first came down on the disciples and then on the people. It is the final step of Christ's salvation for us. To understand this we have to back into the scriptures a bit. It starts with Adam and Eve. Adam was created to know God, to live in Him, to … [Read more...]

Don't forget that on Wednesday evening, May 23, 2012 we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus starting at 6:30pm at St. Paul's (get map). This Liturgy official mark the end of the Paschal season (no more "Christos Anesti!" -- it sure went fast, didn't it?). Next stop is Pentecost where we await the descent of the Holy Spirit. A couple of … [Read more...]

Christ is Risen! Here's how we frame the question, at least at first: How do I keep the special feeling I had during Holy Week and Pascha? Here's the question we really should ask: Is the sense I had of being closer to God just something I experience during Holy Week and Pascha? Here's the answer: No. The scriptures are very clear: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to … [Read more...]

We will join with St. Paul's Orthodox Church (get map) on the Eve of Epiphany on January 5, 2012, for Divine Liturgy and the blessing of the waters. Liturgy begins at 6pm.We will also do the shorter blessing of the waters this Sunday following Divine Liturgy at our usual place of worship at the Holiday Inn (get map).Have a blessed and grace-filled New Year.Fr. Hans … [Read more...]

Our bible study resumes Tuesday, October 25 at 7pm at the home of John and Frieda Hansen (get map). We will continue with the book of John where we left off in the spring. The studies are open to everyone and held every other week. They were well attended last year and you are invited. We will hold them every other week. We pick up at John 14. … [Read more...]