St Peter News April 14, 2026

Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, “Peace be unto you.” Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection.

But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ’s Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, “Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, “Peace be unto you”; then He said to Thomas, “Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing.”

And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, “My Lord and my God.” Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures – human and divine – of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29).

Read more on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.

Services and Events This Week

• Sun Apr 12 — PASCHA/Agape Vespers 12:00pm/3:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Apr 17 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Apr 18 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Thank you Everyone who Contributed to Holy Week and Pascha

What a beautiful week culminating in the worship of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Pascha, the the Agape Vespers and Celebration! A highlight of the week was the baptism of 15 people on Holy Saturday. None of this is possible with, first of all the grace of our Lord and Savior, and the hard work of so many people. May God bless our labors!

See the photos on the St. Peter Facebook page.

The New Schedule for Pauline Poulos Funeral

The funderal for Pauline Poulos has been reschedule. Pauline’s funeral will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Visitation at 11:00am, Funeral at 12:00pm, Internment at Fort Myers Cemetary at 2:00pm.

May her memory be eternal!

Please Fill in Your Pledge Forms

The forms are available on the counter in the Narthex.

When You Give to the Good Samaritan Mercy Fund, You Fulfill the Law of Christ

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galations 6:2)

St. Paul teaches us that God’s law, to love God and neighbor, is fulfilled when we bear one another’s burdens. The Good Samaritan Mercy fund helps us do that by helping parishioners who because of catastrophic circumstances face problems that we can help them with. This year is proving greater than past years so any donation you can make to our fund enables us to carry those burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

All support is local, within our parish. Donations are approved by Fr. Hans and Ron Franklin our Parish Council President. Donations remain confidential.

St. John Chrysostom says those who can give receive their abundance from God in order to give. When we give from our abundance a double blessing occurs — one to the recipient in need, and another to him who gives.

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.

Register on the DOMSE website.

St. Peter Greeters

Can you volunteer? Please call Joe Repya 612-270-4443.

SUNDAY COFFEE HOURS – Spring Months 2026

Please note: A fruit bowl, veggie or hummus tray may be added to a week’s menu.

• April 2026 – Sunday Coffee Hours – Team #1 Barb Dionysopoulos Group
• Sunday, April 5 – Coffee and coffee cakes
• Sunday, April 12 Pascha- Coffee an muffins
• Sunday, April 19 – Coffee and bagels
• Sunday, April 26 – Coffee and donuts

• May 2026 – Sunday Coffee Hours – Team #2 – Vicki Ullemeyer Group
• Sunday, May 3 – Coffee and coffee cakes
• Sunday, May 10 – Mother’s Day – Coffee and muffins
• Sunday, May 17 – Pot Luck
• Sunday, May 24 – Coffee and bagels
• Sunday, May 31 – Coffee and donuts

• June 2026 – Sunday Coffee Hours – Team #3
• Sunday, June 7- Coffee and bagels
• Sunday, June 14 – Coffee and donuts
• Sunday, June 21 – Father’s Day – Pot Luck
• Sunday, June 28 – Coffee and muffins

For Special Events/Koliva please contact Barbara Sasen and give her a completed Special Events Form which is found in the lobby of the church.

The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make St. Peter’s Social Hall happen. Thank you All Stars!

APRIL

• Sun Apr 12 — PASCHA/Agape Vespers 12:00pm/3:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Apr 17 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Apr 18 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Apr 19 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Apr 22 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Apr 23 — St. George Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Apr 24 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Apr 25 — Pauline Poulos Funeral Visitation 11am Funeral 12:00pm
• Sat Apr 25 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

APRIL – MAY

• SUN Apr 26 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Apr 29 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri May 01 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat May 02 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

MAY

• SUN May 03 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed May 06 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri May 07 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat May 09 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
• Sat May 09 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN May 10 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed May 13 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri May 15 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat May 16 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN May 17 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed May 20 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu May 20 — Sts. Constantine and Helen Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri May 22 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat May 23 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN May 24 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon May 25 — Finding of the Head of St. John Baptist Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed May 26 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Sat May 30 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

I believe that Thou wilt come to judge the living and the dead, and all will stand in order, old and young, lords and princes, priests and virgins. Where shall I find myself? Therefore, I cry: Lord, I really am worth nothing, only You can save me. Abbot Nikon Vorobiev

The Lord is always waiting for us to unite ourselves with Him in love; but instead, we drift further and further away from Him. We know that there can be no life without love. This means that there is no life without God, for God is Love. But His love is not according to the understanding of the world. The love that the world gives us consists of suffering and enslavement, because the spirits of evil interfere with it. Elder Thaddeus

Thus humility should be the first concern of those who are fighting the presumption of the devil, for as we advance it will be a sure guide to all the paths of virtue. St. Diadochus, bishop of Photike in Epirus

A man whose heart is clouded by a storm of thoughts and conquered by passions does not know shame before men, nor does he fear God. Venerable Ephraim the Syrian

We must pray with faith for every matter and we must have patience, and God will speak. Because when man prays with faith, God is in a sense obligated by virtue of our faith to fulfil our request. For this reason, when we ask for something from God, let us never be in doubt and we shall be heard. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

Current Prayer List

Donna Eardley (Pateras)
Jack Eardley (Pateras)
Efstrathios Papadopoulos (Pateras)
Vera Pateras Stathes (Pateras)
Maureen (Breitenbach)
Doug (Kucera)
Katrina (Marianthi)
Katherina (Sovjani)
Arsen (Sovjani)
Arion (Sovjani)
David (Sovjani)
Joe (Repya)
Bp. Nicholas
Mary Teresa (Dusckas)
Adam (Krotov)
Ariyon (Sovjani)
Diana (Veraj)
Arjan (Veraj)
Thoma (Sovjani)
Lucia
Ioannes
Stratton (Leopold)
Mary (Copeland)
Robert (Tewis)
Gene (Forderhase)
Ruth (Mudd)
Barbara (Duskas)
Maria (Duskas)
Rachel (Voss)
Ken John (Eaton)
William (Semeretis)
David (Orfanos)
Maria (Orfanos)
William (Long)
George (Chionis 11-1)
Haley
Lydia
Mark (Chionis 11-1)
Katheryn (Chionis 11-1)
Jacob (Chionis 11-1)
Ken (Chionis 11-1)
Maxim (Koco)
George (Tsikistas 8/1)
George (Mourgis 8/1)
Barbara (Sason 8/1)
Arielle (Ghanem 6/1)
Nicholas (Ghanem 6/1)
Christos
Father Demetris
Jamie
Pamela
David
Jessica
Christina (Hildreth)
Dionysios Chapekis)
Nancy (Forderhase)
Kayla (Palantine)
George (3/23 Chapekis)
Penelope (3/23 Chapekis)
Theodora (3/23)
Victor (3/23)
Les (3/23
Lynn (Hurley 1/23)
Linda (Pappas 1/23)
Ekaterina (Chapekis 1/23)
Lee (Hurley 1/23)
Emmanuel (Kalousdis 1/23)
Katherine (Dusckas 1/23)
Vassiliki (Diveris 1/23)
Zena Touma (Contorelli 1/23
Lamia Touma (Contorelli 1/23
Matthew (Contorelli 1/23
Emmanuel (Kaloudis 1/23)
Nicholas
Marlene (Tewis 12/22)
Tina (Johnson 12/22)
Nicholas (De Lorenzo 12/22)
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
John Presbyter (Jacobse)
Elain Presbytera (Jacobse)
Constantine(Jacobse)
Chrysoula(Jacobse)
Angel (Ghanem 10/22)
Edgar (Chapekis 9/22)
Evthriki (Jacobse 9/22)
Christos (Johnson 8/22)
Jon Paul (Andrew 8/22)
William (Brubaker 8/22)
The People of Ukraine and People of Russia and all those who are suffering in the war

Permanent Prayer List

Kh. Denise (Breitenbach)
Fr. Patrick (Breitenbach)
Bonnie Joseph
Michael (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Katerina (Sovjani)
Frederick (Sovjani)
Arsen (Sovjani)
Irene (Diveris)
Katheryn (Tolkkinen)
Markisia (Long)
Angela (Long)
Marina (Long)
Eleni (Long)
Raphaella (Long)
Joanne (Haley)
Corwin (Dusckas)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Lidia (Irina)
Sarina (Ghanem)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Despina (Diversis)
Fredericos (Diveris)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Pauline (Poulos)
Sergio (Kazakos)
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Robert (Smith)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)

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)
Soterios (Ninos)
George (Ninos)
John (Katsigianopoulos)
George (Chionis)
Mary (Spiropoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K
Eugene (Rust)
Robert (Jarvis)
George (Corey)
Patricia (Cotsones)
Seraphim (Zolio)
Apostolos
Raymond (Zeena)
Vassilike (Hord)
Helen (Mitchell)
Catherine (Forderhase)

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

Great is the Lord, and great is His power. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.
The Reading from the Acts of the Saintly and Pure Apostles. (5:12-20)

In those days, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the Apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord,multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the Apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”

GOSPEL

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (20:19-31)

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the Disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the Disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other Disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails,and place my hand in His side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, His Disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the Disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His Name.