Where are we headed? After considerable discussion after Liturgy last Sunday here is what we want to see happen: Our goal is to develop a parish – by the grace of God and with His blessing – that develops in Christian community; a place where Christ can be found in our support and care for each other. The scripture is clear: In order to love God we must love each other, and in order to love each … [Read more...]

Dear Members and Friends of St. Peters, This Saturday we celebrate the feast day of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple. We will join our sister parish, St. Paul Orthodox Church (get directions) at 6:30pm for a Vesperal Liturgy on Friday evening starting at 6:30. Fr. Hans will not be serving the Vesperal Liturgy that evening. Fr. Gleb of St. Demetrios Orthodox Church in South Naples … [Read more...]

Dear Members and Friends of St. Peter Orthodox Mission, Summer is always a difficult time for parish finances and St. Peter's is no exception. While we are capable of holding our own and meeting our obligations for the most part, occasionally we have to dig a little deeper to support the parish. Now is one of those times. Would you be able to send a contribution to St. Peter's to help us pay … [Read more...]

Many of our parishioners know Michael Moukios from St. Katherine's and St. Paul's. For those of you who don't know Michael (or his lovely wife Catherine), read the biography below to learn more about Michael and his talents. Michael paints beautiful paintings and has a small studio set up at the Promenade (near E. Terry and 41 -- see map) Michael's first career in the arts was advertising and … [Read more...]

Chris Spina, treasurer of St. Peter Orthodox Mission, was featured on the front page of Naples Daily News yesterday. Chris is trying out for the basketball team at Ave Maria University where is also completing a degree. Congratulations Chris. Story follows: BONITA SPRINGS — A little over eight months ago, Bonita Springs resident Chris Spina had a revelation. At 53 years old and tipping the … [Read more...]

St. Paul's Church will be serving a Vesperal Liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration at St. Paul's (Immokalee Road -- get directions) on Wednesday evening, August 5 at 6:30pm. All parishioners are invited (and encouraged) to attend this service marking a very important Feast Day. Also, mark you calendar for August 14, 6:30pm when St. Paul's will serve a Vesperal Liturgy for the Feast of the … [Read more...]

After Liturgy last Sunday, we discussed that Jesus was not the founder of Christianity. Instead, Christ enables the Gentiles (us) to enter the commonwealth of Israel. This means that the promise of God given to Abraham that through him a Savior through whom all the nations of the world would be blessed applied not only to the children of Abraham, but to the whole world. St. Paul discusses this … [Read more...]

We were created to be free On July 4 we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a day we now understand as the founding of the United States of America. At the time, there was no guarantee that the brave men who declared independence from Britain would succeed. There were, for all purposes, signing their death warrants because if they failed, they would surely be hanged. But … [Read more...]

The following article appeared on the web a few days ago. It will be published in the Estero/Bonita section of the Ft. Meyers News-Press newspaper on Friday, June 26, 2009. Orthodox Christian church starts in San Carlos Park BY CHRISTINA CEPERO • ccepero@news-press.com • June 11, 2009 Father Hans Jacobse welcomes all to his startup church, St. Peter Orthodox Mission, in San Carlos Park. “Our … [Read more...]

When? Sunday, July 5 starting at noon. Where? St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church (Google map) (St. Paul website). Cost: Free! What do you need to do? Let St. Paul's know that you plan to attend before June 26. They need a count to know how many goodies to prepare. RSVP to St. Paul's at: (239) 348-0828 or send them an email at: stpaulaoc@embarqmail.com See you there! … [Read more...]

Saturday, June 6, 2009 Tomorrow we celebrate Pentecost. Pentecost (or "fifty days") was when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. This was the fulfillment of Christ's promise that he would send them a "Comforter" who "knows all things" and would "lead them into all truth." The icon of Pentecost shows fire above the heads of the Apostles. This … [Read more...]

The season of Pentecost draws to a close this Thursday as we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Often this crucial holy day gets overlooked because it falls during the week when we are working. But it is important for several reasons, the most important one being that it completes Christ's work of salvation. Christ came into the world as a new born baby, then leaves the … [Read more...]

Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti! El Messieh Kahm! Christos Voskress! Krishhti Unjall! Hristus A Inviat! Christus is Opgestaan! It was very rewarding to see the good turnout at our first Divine Liturgy last Sunday. I received many appreciative comments and I am grateful for them. The turnout is a strong sign I think that the work of establishing St. Peter Orthodox Church will be blessed by our … [Read more...]

I came across this well-written, thoughtful, and thoroughly engaging article on what American Orthodoxy increasingly looks like. He looks like a regular young guy — maybe late 20s or early 30s. Head shaved to mask a receding hairline, a black goatee to offset the baldness, the gold rim of his glasses glinting beneath his dark brows. A regular guy, except maybe for his robe. Though it has the … [Read more...]

My brothers and sister in Christ of St. Peter Mission: Make sure to read this article and listen to the podcast. Part of our vision must be to serve the poor, in obedience to Christ's teaching in Matthew 25. There is much we can do. Announcing a brand new humanitarian social service agency in the United States by the Orthodox Church. Listen to a podcast by Fr. Justin … [Read more...]

Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti! El Messieh Kahm! Christos Voskress! Krishhti Unjall! Hristus A Inviat! Christus is opgestaan! Our first Divine Liturgy will be held next Sunday at the Holiday Inn on I-75 and Alico Road beginning at 9:30am. We hope you will be there. We've been busy preparing. Our first Liturgy will be simple and develop from there. Christ, however, will be with us. What … [Read more...]

St Peter's was given this directive from Metropolitan Philip of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese: "Establish a parish that will draw people who have never stepped into a church before." It's a worthwhile challenge, and one that can be fulfilled because many people are searching for enduring and certain truth. Truth is found in Christ. "I am the way, the truth, and the life," Jesus … [Read more...]