The Fourth Sunday of Great Lent — St. John of the Ladder By St. John of the Ladder The lessening of evil breeds abstinence from evil; abstinence from evil is the beginning of repentance; the beginning of repentance is the beginning of salvation; and the beginning of salvation is a good resolve; a good resolve is the mother of labors. The beginning of labors is the virtues; … [Read more...]

Starting Saturday, March 29 at 9:00am this stream will be showing the Divine Liturgy and Funeral Services for His Eminence Metropolitan Philip. Visit the Tele Lumiere/Noursat English language website, where you can watch their programming live on your computer. Technical Note: This stream is not compatible with iOS (Apple) devices. Noursat does provide an iOS app via their website. … [Read more...]

Annunciation of the Theotokos Vesperal Liturgy, March 25 A Vesperal Divine Liturgy for the Annunciation of the Thetotokos will be held tomorrow evening at St. Paul's (get map) starting at 5:30pm. … [Read more...]

The Third Sunday of Great Lent — Veneration of the Cross By Fr. Alexander Schmemann. The third Sunday of Lent is called "The Veneration of the Cross." At the Vigil of that day, after the Great Doxology, the Cross is brought in a solemn procession to the center of the church and remains there for the entire week— with a special rite of veneration following each service. It … [Read more...]

The Second Sunday of Great Lent — St. Gregory Palamas On the second Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the triumph of the teachings of St. Gregory Palamas, who upheld the Orthodox doctrine that humans can know God not through the intellect alone, but through experience of God's uncreated energies. The Council of Blachernae in 1351 which upheld St. Gregory's teachings was considered a second … [Read more...]

The Sunday of Forgiveness O Lord, we were estranged before from paradise, because of eating from the tree. Therefore, lead us into it again by Thy Cross and by Thy Passion, my Savior and my God. Fortify us therein that we may fulfill our fast with becoming purity, and worship Thy divine Resurrection and Passover of salvation, by the intercessions of Thy Mother. From Orthros, Tone 2 For those … [Read more...]

The Sunday of the Last Judgment First we heard about Zaccheus and learned that sometimes we have to climb to tree to see Jesus. Then we heard about the Publican and the Pharisee and learned that without humility all our efforts won't put us into the right relationship with Christ. Next we heard about the Prodigal Son and learned three things 1) the Father's love towards us … [Read more...]

Memorial Prayers for Rena Brooks On Sunday, February 16, 2014 (tomorrow), we will read the memorial prayers for Rena Brooks. Mary Copeland will host the Coffee Hour in her honor. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 17th, 2014 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., with prayers at 6:00 p.m., at Fuller Funeral Home, 1625 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34109. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, … [Read more...]

Four Items to Ponder About the Prodigal Son The reading this Sunday is about the Prodigal Son. To prepare for the sermon please think over these four points: The word prodigal means to be wasteful especially with money. In Jewish custom the oldest son got double the inheritance, all other sons got a single portion. In the original Greek, the phrase "He came to his senses" actually reads … [Read more...]

317AD — Christianity Goes Mainstream Our St. Peter lecture series continues at the Collier Public Library on Thursday, February 13 starting at 6pm. Invite your friends. We will also hold the lecture following Divine Liturgy this Sunday (February 9) starting at 11:30 for anyone who would like to attend. Do Receive the WORD Magazine? The WORD Magazine is the official … [Read more...]

The Sunday of Zaccheus Means Lent is Coming Whenever we hear the reading of Zaccheus, we also hear a warning far off in the distance to begin preparing for Lent. Lent is still a ways off, but it is approaching faster than we realize and when it comes we want to be ready. Lent is a season of interior purification, the kind of purification that is necessary to grow closer to God so that He … [Read more...]

Holy Theophany - The Baptism of Christ In the Christian world the period from Christmas to Theophany is called the Twelve days of Christmas. (Read the essay, The Twelve Days of Christmas on the website Fr. Hans wrote several years back). Theophany means the manifestation (revelation) of God. When Jesus was baptized there was a voice that "thundered" saying, "This is my beloved Son in … [Read more...]

Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Did You Notice the Beautiful Icon of the Theotokos at Christmas Liturgy? That was painted by our parishioner Michael Moukios. Unfortunately with the press of events I neglected to mention it that evening. I apologize for that but I am sure you will agree it is a beautiful work. Thank you to Michael for creating it and building the stand that it holds. … [Read more...]

Christmas Newsletter Christmas Eve Liturgy, December 24 at 6:30pm Mark your calendar. On Christmas we will hold a Nativity Liturgy starting at 6:30pm at the Holiday Inn. Following the Liturgy we will have refreshments, sing some Christmas carols and enjoy some healthy fellowship (like we always do!). Christmas Reflection The coming of Christ into the world was a profoundly … [Read more...]

Christmas Eve Liturgy, December 24 at 6:30pm Mark your calendar. On Christmas we will hold a Nativity Liturgy starting at 6:30pm at the Holiday Inn. Following the Liturgy we will have refreshments, sing some Christmas carols and enjoy some healthy fellowship (like we always do!). Bring your friends. Bishop Antoun's Visit First off, thank you to everyone who worked so diligently … [Read more...]

Mark your calendar. On Christmas we will hold a Nativity Liturgy starting at 6:30pm at the Holiday Inn. Following the Liturgy we will have refreshments, sing some Christmas carols and enjoy some healthy fellowship (like we always do!). Bring your friends. … [Read more...]

Bishop Antoun to Visit St. Peter's This Sunday (December 15) We are looking forward to the first visit of our hierarch, His Grace Bishop Antoun, this Sunday. His Grace will arrive Saturday afternoon, settle in to his hotel and then meet with the Parish Council Saturday evening. On Sunday he will lead the Hierarchical Liturgy starting promptly at 9:30. Assisting him with be an Archdeacon … [Read more...]

Adult Bible Studies Discontinued until January Christmas gets busy and with the Bishop's visit, Christmas coming, and all the other assorted events, we will discontinue the bible study until January. Running Late on the Parish Christmas Card? Sign-Up and Donate Online! The Christmas Card deadline is December 15. Running late? Just sign up and make your donation on the … [Read more...]