The Entrance of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into Jerusalem
Palm Sunday
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Palm Sunday
On the Sunday before the Feast of Great and Holy Pascha and at the beginning of Holy Week, the Orthodox Church celebrates one of its most joyous feasts of the year. Palm Sunday is the commemoration of the Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem following His glorious miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. Having anticipated His arrival and having heard of the miracle, the people went out to meet the Lord and welcomed Him with displays of honor and shouts of praise. On this day, we receive and worship Christ in this same manner, acknowledging Him as our King and Lord.at the Virgin would show her. A voice replied to her from on high: “If you cross the Jordan, you will find rest.”
The biblical story of Palm Sunday is recorded in all four of the Gospels (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-38; and John 12:12-18). Five days before the Passover, Jesus came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Having sent two of His disciples to bring Him a colt of a donkey, Jesus sat upon it and entered the city.
People had gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover and were looking for Jesus, both because of His great works and teaching and because they had heard of the miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus. When they heard that Christ was entering the city, they went out to meet Him with palm branches, laying their garments on the ground before Him, and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”
Read more about Palm Sunday on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
Lazarus Saturday Baptismal Liturgy on Saturday, April 16, 2022
The Raising of Lazarus
On the Saturday before Holy Week, the Orthodox Church commemorates a major feast of the year, the miracle of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when he raised Lazarus from the dead after he had lain in the grave four days. Here, at the end of Great Lent and the forty days of fasting and penitence, the Church combines this celebration with that of Palm Sunday. In triumph and joy the Church bears witness to the power of Christ over death and exalts Him as King before entering the most solemn week of the year, one that leads the faithful in remembrance of His suffering and death and concludes with the great and glorious Feast of Pascha.
We will baptize three catechumens during the Liturgy.
Read more on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
Parents – Bring Your Children to the Saturday of Lazarus!
We will begin with the Liturgy (where Fr. Hans will explain the importance of the day to the children), a pancake breakfast, making palm crosses to be distributed the next day at Palm Sunday and confession for the kids.
Please sign up in the Social Hall or on the website.
Palm Sunday Brunch Sunday April 17, 2022
St. Peter’s will hold a Palm Sunday Brunch following the Liturgy on Palm Sunday, April 17, 2022. This is a great time of fellowship for all.
Learn About Lent
Click image to learn about Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha
Check out the rich resources about Lent and Holy Week on the Antiochian website.
Services This Week
- Sun Apr 10 — SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT LIVE STREAM
- Mon Apr 11 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 13 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Apr 15 — Small Compline with Canon of St. Lazarus 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Apr 16 — Lazarus Saturday Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Baptism / Make crosses / Pancake breakfast / Children confessions – Full Schedule TBA
Stewardship 2022
Stewardship letters have been mailed out. God has blessed St. Peter’s. Please fill in your pledge so the work that we have been called to do will continue.
Click the image to download and print the form
You can also print and download the form on the St. Peter website.
Presanctified Lenten Suppers
Every Wednesday after Presanctified Liturgy on the Wednesdays during Lent, we gather for fellowship over a simple Lenten supper.
Thank you to Marjorie Zimmerman will be organizing the suppers.
Journey to Pascha
Click to enlarge and print
Helping Victims of the War in Ukraine
Galyna Seabrooke who has spoken on several occasions on the situation in Ukraine on behalf of our Ukranian parishioners mentioned opportunities to help the victims of the war.
One way to offer humanitarian aid is through a Go Fund Me page. Another is to donate essential items for Ukranian refugees. These items include:
- Medications (no liquid or sprays allowed)
- Pain killers / Fever Reducer (aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprophen)
- Sterile gauzes
- Elastic bandage wraps
- Elastic bandages
- Hydrogel burn bandages
- Camouflage clothes
- Knee pads
- Tactic gloves
- Thermal underwear for men
- Hats, gloves, socks
No food items please.
A box will be set up in the church for donations.
We pray that war in Ukraine will end quickly.
Pascha Community Dinner to Celebrate the Resurrection of Christ
Following the Agape Service at noon on the Sunday of Pascha, we gather together to enjoy the best food on this side of the Mississippi! (Don’t think about it too much though; Lent is not over yet!)
We need to plan however and need a count of who will be attending. Please sign up in the social hall.
MENU:
- Traditional Greek Salad, with feta, olives, cucumbers and tomatoes.
- Roast leg of lamb with potatoes
- Broiled chicken
- Mediterranean green beans.
Ladies, please bring desserts (men too if you know who to cook!).
Please sign up so we know how much to order.
Greek Language School Continues
Classes meet on Thursdays at 3:30pm in the Sunday School room.
Let’s Pray the Paraklesis to the Theotokos Daily
Click the image to get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website
Our goal at St. Peter’s is to have one person or family pray the Parakelsis to the Theotokos for at least one day of every month. For each day of the month, individuals or even an entire family can sign up to pray the Paraklesis in their homes on the day/s which they select.
Get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website.
Cafe of Life: Are You Willing To Give Up A Month Of Coffee To Feed A Hungry Neighbor?
St. Peter’s is seeking monthly sponsors or ongoing donors to help sustain their commitment in helping the hungry and homeless at the cafe of life. These are challenging times and your donation is especially needed to support our local community. Please send your check ( made out to St. Peter’s Orthodox Church) or cash to Father Hans.
“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” (Proverbs 11:24).
Thank you, God bless and IC XC NI KA!
Save the Date! DOMSE Parish Life Conference June 15-18, 2022
Learn more on the DOMSE website.
Pledge & Income Report – March 2022
Contributions received in March: $25,847.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $24,114.
We are ahead by $1,733.
Thank you to all who paid their 2022 stewardship in advance!
St. Peter Orthodox Church
7470 Hickory Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967
You can also donate online:
Sign up the the Monthly DOMSE Newsletter on the DOMSE (Diocese of Miami and the Southeast) Website!
Visit the DOMSE Website (scroll to the bottom, fill in the form on the left side) to sign up for “The Light” Newsletter and DOMSE emails.
The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make St. Peter’s Social Hall happen. Thank you All Stars!
April
- BARBARA DIONYSOPOULOS 239-826-1655
- Bonnie Joseph 585-760-9923
- Marianthi Kazakos 239-275-5401
- Sandy Krotov 239-940-0731
- Niki Locklear 859-240-1227
- Ray Locklear
- Eleni Moran 860-978-5136
- Koula Ormandiou 239-850-5821
- TOM HALEY 239-887-0735
- Marlene Haley 239-405-8298
- Cheryl Morse 612-210-1444
- Tim Morse
- Diana Najjar 317-213-5785
- Deb Repya 651-485-4817
- Elaine Semeretis 305-978-9714
- Gregory Semeretis 917-992-5884
May
- MARJORIE ZIMMERMAN 239-887-0753
- Leon Dephkalion 239-405-3887
- Will Schwarz 239-776-4776
- Anna Tsikitas 718-309-1250
June
- TOM HALEY 239-887-0735
- Marlene Haley 239-405-8298
- Cheryl Morse 612-210-1444
- Tim Morse
- Diana Najjar 317-213-5785
- Deb Repya 651-485-4817
- Elaine Semeretis 305-978-9714
- Gregory Semeretis 917-992-5884
Procedures for Hospitality
Please note: If you would like to bring in your own prepared food, please contact Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 a week before the upcoming Sunday. That way we know not to prepare any food for Sunday.
- On most Sundays we will serve lighter refreshments like coffee, sweets, hummus, olives, feta, pita and similar items. Please continue bringing these items. Even though we have a range (unlike our former facility), we appreciate items that are “ready to be served.”
- Please do not donate coffee. We have a space age coffee brewer that we acquired at no cost if we buy our coffee from one supplier. If you bring in coffee, we can’t use it.
- We cannot continue preparing meals for Memorials, Name Days, Anniversaries, and other celebrations. We don’t have the appliances or manpower to do it well. We do, however, have the name of two catering companies that can prepare and deliver the food if you would like to sponsor a celebration. Please call Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 for details and to make arrangements.
- If you would like to bring in your own prepared food, please contact Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 a week before the upcoming Sunday. That way we know not to prepare any food for Sunday.
The Safest Way to Come to Church
US 41 is a busy highway and the intersection at Hickory Drive does not have a stop light. We recommend turning on Sanibel Boulevard and following Coconut Road instead.
Helping Our Seniors With Parking
With the church growing the parking lot is close to full every Sunday. Younger parishioners, could you park in the grass lot even if spaces are open in the paved area? That way our seniors can park closer to the entrance and avoid the grassy area where it is easier to stumble and fall.
The handicap areas nearest the front door have wider access. If you park in the handicap area but don’t need wider access, please avoid the space nearest the front door. These spots are exclusively for those parishioners who need wheelchair access, which for now is one parishioner.
Calendar At A Glance
Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.
APRIL
- Sun Apr 10 — SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT LIVE STREAM
- Mon Apr 11 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 13 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Thu Mar 14 — Greek Language School 3:30pm
- Fri Apr 15 — Small Compline with Canon of St. Lazarus 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Apr 16 — Lazarus Saturday Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Baptism / Make crosses / Pancake breakfast / Children confessions – Full Schedule TBA
HOLY WEEK
- Sun Apr 17 — PALM SUNDAY LIVE STREAM
Brunch in Social Hall following Divine Liturgy
Bridegroom Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM - Mon Apr 18 — HOLY MONDAY – Bridegroom Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Tue Apr 19 — HOLY TUESDAY – Bridegroom Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 20 — HOLY WEDNESDAY – Holy Unction 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Thu Apr 21 — HOLY THURSDAY – Liturgy of the Last Supper 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Reading of the Twelve Gospels 6:00pm (note earlier time) LIVE STREAM - Fri Apr 22 — HOLY FRIDAY – Royal Hours 9:00am LIVE STREAM
Decoration of Tomb of Christ 10:30am
Taking Christ Down from the Cross 3:00pm LIVE STREAM
Lamentations 6:30pm LIVE STREAM - Sat Apr 23 — HOLY SATURDAY – First Resurrection Service 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Great and Holy Pascha 10:00pm LIVE STREAM - Sun Apr 24 — Agape Vespers 12:00pm LIVE STREAM
Paschal Dinner in Social Hall 1:30pm / Easter egg hunt for children
Wisdom From The Elders
The soul invisibly hovers round the body, and the places where it liked to dwell. If it died in sins, then it cannot help to free itself from their bonds, and is in great need of the prayers of the living, especially of those of the Church, the most holy Bride of Christ. Therefore let us pray earnestly for the dead. It is of great benefit to them; of more benefit than to the living. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
The world … does not acknowledge the Kingdom of God; it rejects even more potently the reality of demonic foes; and it has lost all sense of a proper distinction between natural impulse and dominating, passionate impulse— much less a concerted awareness of the true contours of the soul’s fallen impulses and desires. Bishop Irenei Steenberg
If you are remorseful because later on you fell anyway, and if you are full of self-reproach and resolutions “never to do so again,” it is a sure sign that you are on the wrong road: it is your self-reliance that has been wounded. Tito Colliander
One must guard against complaining, as though it were a poisonous snake. Abbot Nikon Vorobiev
For example, many of us from Russia, in the past and at present, have gone to church only for some aesthetic feeling, to listen to beautiful singing. There is no arguing that aesthetic feeling is of course an exalted sensation, a sense for the beautiful in the soul, a reflection of a higher Divine Beauty. However, to the degree that it remains unconscious, detached from any awareness of attraction towards God, it still remains in the realm of worldliness and is foreign to genuine spirituality. Archbishop Averky (Taushev)
Remember in Your Prayers
List has been updated. If you want some names restored, please mention it to Fr. Hans.
- Names will remain on the list for three months.
- If you would like to keep them on longer please mention it to Fr. Hans. We will keep the names on the list for as long as the person needs prayers.
- Names will include the person who requested the prayers and the month the name will be removed.
- The permanent list includes friends and members of St. Peter’s and others including shut-ins.
Were names dropped that should have remained? Please mention it to Fr. Hans. He will add them back.
Updated March 27 / Resets May 1.
Current Prayer List
Steven (Breitenbach)
Gabrielle (Lowell 5/22)
Andrea, Yelena, newborn baby (Protpapadakis 4/22)
George (Haynes 4/21)
Kayla (Palentine 4/21)
Katherine (Jacobse 3/22)
Daniel, Fr. Deacon (Jacobse 3/22)
Basil (Jacobse 3/22)
Linda M. (Dusckas 3/22)
Barbara (Dusckas 3/22)
Fr John (Jacobse 3/22)
Angel (Ghanem 3/22)
John (Duskas 3/22)
Nancy (Coin 3/22)
Nicholas (Ghanem 1/22)
Arielle (Ghanem 1/22)
Georgia (Sarros 1/22)
Kerri (Dusckas 1/21)
Permanent Prayer List
Joanne (Haley)
Francine (Anton)
Corwin (Dusckas)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Seraphim (Irina)
Lidia (Irina)
Sarina (Ghanem)
Kasiani, Jordan and their unborn child (Chapekis)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Maria and her newborn baby (Diveris)
Despina (Diversis)b
Fredericos (Diveris)
Sophia (D. Constantine)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Soterios (Ninos)
Pauline (Poulos)
Sergio (Kazakos)
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Robert (Smith)
Robert (Jarvis)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)
Founders, Members, Benefactors and Friends Departed this Life
John (Hansen)
Anatoly (Kurdsjuk)
Thareni (Brooks)
Milan Evanoff
Jean (Sam)
Eleni (Pearson)
Richard (Pearson)
Fr. Stephanos (Shagoury)
Panagiota (Bea Chionis)
Anthony (Mourgis)
Anthony (Mankus)
Constantine (Houpis)
Constantine (Joseph)
Mary (Jarvis)
Panagiota Margarita (Palis)
Maria (Ninos)
John (Katsigianopoulos)
George (Chionis)
Mary (Spiropoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K
Eugene (Rust)
Lev
Lindsay (Semeretis)
Mary Lou
How should we pray for the sick? Remember them daily. Say their names (first names are sufficient) and ask God to bestow mercy and grace on them.
Add or remove names and print this list for easy reference during your prayer time on the St. Peter website.
Sunday Readings
EPISTLE
Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord.
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians. (4:4-9)
Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! Let your forbearance be known to all people. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. The things which you both learned and received, and heard and saw in me, these things do; and the God of peace will be with you.
GOSPEL
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (12:1-18)
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus who had died was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with Him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.
But Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of His Disciples (he who was to betray Jesus), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the moneybox he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of My burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me.”
When the great crowd of the Jews learned that He was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”
And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt!” His Disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of Him and had been done to Him. The crowd that had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet Jesus was that they heard He had done this sign.