Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
St. Mary of Egypt
The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
Martyrs Terence and Pompey of Carthage and those with them;
New-hieromartyr Gregory V, Patriarch of Constantinople; New-martyr Demas of Smyrna
St. Mary of Egypt
Who was St. Mary of Egypt?
Our holy mother Mary was born in Egypt. She had left her parents at the age of twelve to go to Alexandria, where she spent the next seventeen years in debauchery and the greatest profligacy. Living on charity and linen-weaving, she nevertheless offered her body to any man, not being forced to it by dire necessity as were so many poor women, but as though she were consumed by the fire of a desire that nothing was able to appease.
One day, seeing a crowd of Lybians and Egyptians moving towards the port, she followed them and set sail with them for Jerusalem, offering her body to pay her fare. When they arrived in the Holy City, she followed the crowd that was thronging towards the Church of the Resurrection, it being the day of the Exaltation of the Cross. But, when she reached the threshold of the church, an invisible force prevented her entering in spite of repeated efforts on her part, although the other pilgrims were able to go in without hindrance.
Left alone in a corner of the narthex, she began to realize that it was the impurity of her life that was preventing her approaching the holy Wood. She burst into tears and smote her breast and, seeing an icon of the Mother of God, made this prayer to her: “O Sovereign Lady, who didst bear God in the flesh, I know that I should not dare to look upon thine icon, thou who are pure in soul and body, because, debauched as I am, I must fill thee with disgust. But, as the God born of thee became man in order to call sinners to repentance, come to my aid! Allow me to go into the church and prostrate before His Cross. And, as soon as I have seen the Cross, I promise that I will renounce the world and all pleasures, and follow the path of salvation that thou willest to show me.”
She felt herself suddenly freed from the power that had held her and was able to enter the church. There she fervently venerated the Holy Cross and then, returning to the icon of the Mother of God, declared herself ready to follow the path that the Virgin would show her. A voice replied to her from on high: “If you cross the Jordan, you will find rest.”
Read more on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
Fr. Thomas Hopko on “St Mary of Egypt”
On the fifth Sunday of Lent, we commemorate St. Mary of Egypt. By her example, we are reminded of the extraordinary power of repentance and God’s mercy, by which even the greatest sinner may be transformed and sanctified.
Fr. Thomas starts with a review of the Gospel reading of Mark for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and transitions to the 5th Sunday explaining how reigning with our Lord is dependent on suffering with Him.
St. Mary of Egypt
Fr. Thomas contrasts the story of the fallen, then raised Mary of Alexandria with that of another Mary– the Theotokos.
Listen here:
The Fifth Week of Great Lent
Fr. Thomas gives an overview of the services for the 5th week of Great Lent and their final emphasis on penitence and repentance.
Listen here:
Services This Week
- Sun Apr 3 — SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER LIVE STREAM
- Mon Apr 4 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 6 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Thu Apr 7 — NOTE DATE CHANGE Complete Salutations/Akathist Hymn 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Apr 8 – Sat Apr 9 — Fr. Hans Out of Town
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.
Sign Up for Palm Sunday Brunch
St. Peter’s holds a brunch on Palm Sunday every year. We need to know how many are coming. Please sign up in the Social Hall this Sunday.
MENU:
- Tossed Green Salad Vinegrette
- “Plaki” – Baked fish in celery, onions, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, salt, pepper, garlic, and oregano
- Pasta Marinara
Ladies, please bring desserts (men too if you know who to cook!).
Please sign up so we know how much to order.
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 – February 2022
Donations received in February: $25,767.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $37,209.
We are ahead by $13,095.
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!
March 6 – March 27
- Leon Dephkalion
- Marlene Haley
- Tom Haley 239-887-0753
- Cheryl Morse
- Tim Morse
- Diana Najjar
- Debbie Repya
- Elaine Semeretis
- Gregory Semeretis
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 3 — SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER LIVE STREAM
- Mon Apr 4 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 6 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Thu Apr 7 — Greek Language School 3:30pm
- Thu Apr 7 — NOTE DATE CHANGE Complete Salutations/Akathist Hymn 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Apr 8 – Sat Apr 9 — Fr. Hans Out of Town
- 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
Nineteen centuries ago the Gospel proclaimed that the heart is the origin of all thoughts, both evil and good. The divine knower of hearts, Christ the Savior, first showed that man’s spirit is the only source of social, political, and every other kind of life, and that the more perfect man will become, the more perfect will be all that he creates. Protopriest Grigori Dyachenko
During conversation with others it is no hinderance to be cautious in speech, and at the same time one can retain the Jesus Prayer in the mind. St. Hilarion of Optina
The man who follows Christ in solitary mourning is greater than he who praises Christ amid the congregation of men. Venerable Isaac the Syrian, bishop of Nineveh
The enemy is called the avenger because he tries to take from those who pray (especially at times, not incessantly) after prayer what they have obtained during prayer. In order to win a decisive victory unceasing prayer and constant vigilance are indespensible. St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), Bishop of the Caucasus and the Black Sea
By striking our bodily structure with sickness, the Lord crushes the old, sinful, carnal man, in order to give strength to the new man, whom we have weakened by the works of the flesh: gluttony, slothfulness, amusements, and manifold sinful attachments and passions. “ For when I am weak, then am I strong.” Therefore, we must accept every malady with gratitude. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
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
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
For the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
Make your vows to the Lord our God, and perform them.
God is known in Judah; His Name is great in Israel.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (9:11-14)
Brethren, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, thenthrough the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), Heentered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but His ownblood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the bloodof goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself withoutblemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
GOSPEL
For the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (10:32-45)
At that time, Jesus took His twelve Disciples, and began to tell them what was to happento Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of man will be delivered tothe chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit upon Him, and kill Him; and after three days He will rise.”
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Him, and said to Him, “Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire” And Jesus said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And they said to Him, “Grant us to sit, one at Thy right hand and one at Thy left, in Thy glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to Him, “We are able.”
And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized. But to sit at My right hand or at My left is not Mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to Him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be servant of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”