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 24
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 our five 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 25, 2021
St. Peter’s will hold a Palm Sunday Brunch following the Liturgy on Palm Sunday, April 25. This is a great time of fellowship for all.
Palm Sunday Encyclical From Met. Joseph
Click image to read on the St. Peter website.
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
- Sunday April 18 — Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt LIVE STREAM
Greeters: Joe Repya, Thoma Sovjani - Mon Apr 19 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 21 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Apr 23 — Small Compline with Canon of St. Lazarus 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Apr 24 — Lazarus Saturday Liturgy 9:30am / Baptisms / Make crosses / Pancake
breakfast / Children confessions – Full Schedule TBA LIVE STREAM
Donations for Holy Week Flowers Needed
Flowers beautify the Church and are essential part of Orthodox worship during Holy Week and Pascha. Please give your donation for flowers to Marianthi who is overseeing this project this year.
Pascha Dinner following Agape Vespers on Sunday, May 2, 2021
Agape Vespers begins at 11am and runs for an hour or so. Around 12:30pm-1:00pm we will begin the Pascha celebration. Great food (lamb and pork), great sides, and great fellowship.
We’ll have a tent to dampen the heat of the sun. This is helpful too for people following COVID protocols.
What can you do? Bring a dessert!
Order Your Holy Week Service Books
At St. Peter’s we don’t have the resources to provide Holy Week service books to our parishioners. Those who would like a book can order their private copy from Ancient Faith Press or the Antiochian Book Store.
Books cost $37 each. Five copies ordered through the Antiochian Bookstore offers a $25 discount. Perhaps some parishioners could order five and donate four to St. Peter’s so that we can start a library for future years.
If anyone would care to donate toward service books please see Fr. Hans.
A of the Greek Orthodox Holy Week book (Papadeas) works too because the order of services are the same. The English will vary from the Antiochian book in a few places however.
Did You Notice the Quality of the Paint Job in our New Church?
The painting of the Church was done by Eddie Kocani, a member of St. Peter’s and the owner and operator of AP Painting in Southwest Florida.
AP Painters does commercial and residential properties. Call Eddie when you need painting done. AP Painting also does plastering, wall paper removal, pressure washing, and cabinet finishing.
Two Things to Remember About Our Church at Hickory Drive
- The Presbyterian Church will be using the Social Hall for their worship until they find a place to relocate. Do not enter the Social Hall before 10am on Sundays.
- 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.
Say Hi to Our New Greeters
We’ve started Greeters Ministry? Your job? To welcome everyone coming to St. Peter’s.
Would you like to be a greeter? Contact Joe Repya on Sunday.
Schedule for April:
- Sunday April 4 – Joe Repya, Thoma Sovjani
- Sunday April 11 – Barbara D, Doug Kucera
- Sunday April 18 – Joe Repya, Thoma Sovjani
- Sunday April 25 – Pavlo, Zannos Grekos
Coming Soon: Antiochian Men!
The new parish means new responsibilities and the men can step up. A lot of men already have with the move contributing hours of work and sweat to bring the building into shape. We could also do other things too, say breakfast one Saturday a month. It would be a great time for fellowship.
Stay tuned! The Church needs you men.
We Need Help in the Social Hall!
As the church grows so do the jobs. Everyone in the parish needs to take on a job. Please see Tom Haley to volunteer in these areas:
- Coffee Lead
- Table Lead
- Clean Up
Cafe of Life Ministry
As we gather this week to celebrate our Palm Sunday and enjoy the traditional fish luncheon in the social hall, let’s not forget those who are hungry and homeless. Please send in or give your donations to Father Hans and let us remember what the Scripture says in Acts 20:35:
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Thank you, Kali Sarakosti and IC XC NI KA.
Women’s Book Club
The next meeting for the Women’s book club will be held on Wednesday May 5, 2021 after Holy Pascha.
Pledge & Income Report – March 2021
Donations received in March: $23,199.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $21,399.
We are ahead by $1,800.
These numbers reflect the operating costs of the the Hickory Drive property.
Please note:Please continue your generous support. If you cannot make it to church please mail in your donation to:
St. Peter Orthodox Church
7470 Hickory Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967
You can also donate online:
Bishop NICHOLAS Offers a Weekly Live Stream
These are short thirty minute presentations where His Grace Bp. Nicholas speaks on one theme in Sunday readings for fifteen minutes followed by questions from the listeners. It’s worth tuning in. Get instructions on the St. Peter website on how to use the Band App on your phone or computer to participate.
Calendar At A Glance
Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.
APRIL
- Sunday April 18 — Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt LIVE STREAM
Greeters: Joe Repya, Thoma Sovjani - Mon Apr 19 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 21 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Apr 23 — Small Compline with Canon of St. Lazarus 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Apr 24 — Lazarus Saturday Liturgy 9:30am / Baptisms / Make crosses / Pancake
breakfast / Children confessions – Full Schedule TBA LIVE STREAM
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
- Sunday April 25 — Palm Sunday LIVE STREAM
Greeters: Pavlo, Zannos Grekos
Brunch in Social Hall following Divine Liturgy
Bridegroom Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM - Mon Apr 26 — HOLY MONDAY – Bridegroom Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Tue Apr 27 — HOLY TUESDAY – Bridegroom Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 28 — HOLY WEDNESDAY – Holy Unction 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Thu Apr 29 — HOLY THURSDAY – Liturgy of the Last Supper 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Reading of the Twelve Gospels 6:00pm (note earlier time) - Fri Apr 30 — 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 May 1 — HOLY SATURDAY – First Resurrection Service 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Great and Holy Pascha — 10:00pm LIVE STREAM - Sun May 2 — Agape Vespers 11:00am LIVE STREAM
Paschal Dinner in Social Hall 1:00pm / Easter egg hunt for children
Wisdom From The Elders
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:1-12
Throw yourself before God, not to measure your progress, but to leave behind all self-will; these are the instruments for the work of the soul. Abba Pimen
We know that prayer in and of itself cannot save us, but carrying it out before God can. For when the Lord’s eyes are upon us He sanctifies us, as the sun warms everything upon which it shines. St. Gregory Palamas
A child’s prattle is pleasing to God. The Lord accepts all human appeals, no matter how small or insignificant, if a person’s heart becomes filled with joy and awe as it stands before the Master. All that is small becomes great in the process of being presented to the Lord. All that is imperfect becomes perfect. St John of San Francisco
Remember in Your Prayers
- Names will remain on the list for two 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 April 10 / Resets May 1
Current Prayer List
Georgia (Jacobse 6/21)
Margaret (Breitenbach 6/21)
Maryann (Breitenbach 6/21)
Sandra (Dusckas 6/21)
David (Dusckas 6/21)
Steven (Dusckas 6/21)
Jean (Wolffe 6/21)
Robin (Wolffe 6/21)
Debbie (Breitenbach 6/21)
Michael (Jacobse 4/21)
Kathy (Jacobse 4/21)
Raphaela (4/21)
Michael (Wolffe 4/21)
Fredericos (Diveris 4/21)
Vasiliki (Diveris 4/21)
Panagiota (Jacobse 4/21)
Michelene (Repya 4/21)
Colleen ((Repya 4/21)
Fr. Demetrios (Copeland 4/21)
Kondylia (Chapekis 4/21)
Brian (Colis 4/21)
Maria(Colis 4/21)
Permanent Prayer List
Sophia (D. Constantine)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Soterios (Ninos)
Pauline (Poulos)
Sergio (Kazakos)
Rae (Semeretis)
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
George the Priest (Chapekis)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
Stamatia (Jacobse)
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Helen (Rogers)
Robert (Smith)
Robert (Jarvis)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Ann (Rellis)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)
Founders, Members, and Benefactors 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)
Gregory (Pappas)
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.
