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...]

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Thanksgiving is one of the few Christian holidays that America celebrates. It goes back to the founding of our country when the early settlers thanked God for their bounty and protection. The history is rich and worth remembering. Fr. George Morelli, a priest in the Antiochian Church wrote an essay explaining these points called, "Thanksgiving, Our National Holy … [Read more...]

St. Paul's (get map) will be offering a Vesperal Liturgy commemorating the Entrance of the Theotokos, at 6:30pm on Wednesday, November 20. From Orthodoxwiki: The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, also called The Presentation, is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, celebrated on November 21. According to Tradition, the Virgin Mary was taken —presented—by her parents … [Read more...]

New St. Peter's Website is Done! Go and see our new look. If you have any suggestions let us know! Bible Study this Tuesday, November 19 at the Hansen’s Bible studies continue this Tuesday, November 19 at Tom and Frieda Hansen’s home starting at 7pm (get map). We will begin a study in the book of Luke. If you have a friend who would like to attend bring them … [Read more...]

Bishop Antoun to Visit St. Peter's on December 15 His Grace Bishop Antoun will be making his first pastoral visit to St. Peter's on Sunday, December 17. Plan to come! He has been looking forward to this visit for quite a while. We will have plenty of time to talk to him, ask him questions, and so forth. He will arrive on Saturday and meet with the Parish Council on Saturday evening. On … [Read more...]

Garage Sale — Saturday November 9, 2013 Peggy Mazeras is hosting a garage sale on Saturday, November 9 at her home - 3656 McComb Lane, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 (get map). If you have items you need to get rid of please deliver them on Friday, November 1 between 9am-3pm. A portion of the proceeds will go to St. Peter's. Alternative drop-off times can be arranged. If you have questions … [Read more...]

Our sister parish St. Paul's will hold the Vesperal Liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration on Monday, August 5, 2013 starting at 6:30pm (get map). Learn more about the Feast of Transfiguration from Fr. Thomas Hopko on Ancient Faith Radio: Transfiguration - The Center of the Evangelical Narrative … [Read more...]

Anatole Kurdsjuk — May His Memory Be Eternal Visitation for Anatole Kurdsjuk will be held at at the Harvey Englehardt Funeral Home on Thursday, August 1, from 7pm-9pm. The funeral home is located at 1600 Colonial Avenue in Fort Myers (get map). Trisagion prayers will be held at 8:45pm officiated by Fr. Hans Jacobse. Obituary for Anatol Kurdsjuk (From the Harvery Englehardt … [Read more...]

Fr. Hans in Houston I am in Houston this week from Tuesday to Saturday (July 23-27) attending the Antiochian Convention. Visit our Facebook Page St. Peter's has started a Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/StPeterOrthodoxChurch Sayings from From Elder Paisios Whether we pray for ourselves or for others, the prayer must be from the heart. The problems of others should become our … [Read more...]

What Happened to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence? Religious liberty like any kind of liberty, carries a cost. We need to be grateful for the people who signed the Declaration of Independence that gave us our liberty. We have to be prepared to defend it too if necessary. 1. Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. 2. Twelve had their … [Read more...]