Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Dormition Celebration Postponed
The celebration we planned after Divine Liturgy on Sunday for the Dormition of the Theotokos has been postponed because of the possibility of a tropical storm in our area on Saturday or Sunday. Storms are unpredictable and the forecast may prove to be wrong. However, purchasing food and other preparation begins early too so out of an abundance of caution we have decided to postpone the event.
What is the Dormition of the Theotokos?
The Holy Scriptures tell us that when our Lord was dying on the Cross, He saw His mother and His disciple John and said to the Virgin Mary, “Woman, behold your son!” and to John, “Behold your mother!” (John 19:25-27). From that hour, the Apostle took care of the Theotokos in his own home.
Along with the biblical reference in Acts 1:14 that confirms that the Virgin Mary was with the Holy Apostles on the day of Pentecost, the tradition of the Church holds that she remained in the home of the Apostle John in Jerusalem, continuing a ministry in word and deed.
At the time of her death, the disciples of our Lord who were preaching throughout the world returned to Jerusalem to see the Theotokos. Except for the Apostle Thomas, all of them including the Apostle Paul were gathered together at her bedside. At the moment of her death, Jesus Christ himself descended and carried her soul into heaven.
Following her repose, the body of the Theotokos was taken in procession and laid in a tomb near the Garden of Gethsemane. When the Apostle Thomas arrived three days after her repose and desired to see her body, the tomb was found to be empty. The bodily assumption of the Theotokos was confirmed by the message of an angel and by her appearance to the Apostles.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
Services This Week
- Sun Aug 08 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Aug 08 — Blessing of the Children
- Mon Aug 09 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Aug 11 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 13 — ST. MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 13 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
Services Next Week
- Sun Aug 15 — DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Aug 16 – Sep 1 — Fr. Hans on Vacation
Blessing of Students and Teachers
Monthly Fellowship Luncheons Are Back!
Monthly Fellowship Luncheons with be held on the SECOND THURSDAY of every month at 12:00pm noon starting on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
MENU
- Pastichio
- salad
- bread and butter
- coffee and dessert
- You must sign up by Sunday, September 5th so that we know how many people to prepare for. The Luncheons are sponsored by Barbara and Costa Dionysopoulos. A small donation of $10 per person is requested to cover the cost of the meal. All additional proceeds will be donated to the building fund. Bon Appetito…Kalee Oraxie!
- The sign-up sheet will be in the Social Hall.
- Bon Appetito…Kalee Oraxie!
But Wait! There’s More! Announcing St. Peter’s “Kafenio” (Coffee Cafe)!
Join us for some Greek coffee and dessert beginning on Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 3:00pm-5:00pm. The Kafenio is open on the fourth Thursday of every month.
Barbara and Costa Dionysopoulos invite you to attend our first ever “Kafenio” for some Greek coffee, “Parea” (company) and sweets.
Once again, we ask that you to SIGN UP on or before Sunday, September 19th so that we knowhow many people to prepare for. A small donation is requested to cover the cost of coffee and desserts. All additional proceeds will be donated to the building fund.
If you would like to help make Greek Coffee or donate a dessert to the Kafenio as well, please call Barbara Dionysopoulos ahead of time at 239-826-1655 so that she can coordinate it with what will hopefully be a monthly event.
Cafe of Life Ministry Update
God has given us the greatest sacrifice — his only Son. In doing so, he left us with a true example of what it means to give. He asks us to sacrifice as an act of worship before Him. And, when we obey He will bless us. So please be especially generous and mail or give your tax deductible donations to Father Hans.
Thank you, God bless and IC XC NI KA!
Pledge & Income Report – July 2021
Donations received in July: $17,468.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $22,760.21.
We are behind by $5,292.
These numbers reflect the operating costs of the the Hickory Drive property.
Please note:Summer months are always lean and in July we fell behind by $5,292. Please remember to send in your pledge so we can make up the deficit and keep St. Peter’s on a secure financial footing.
St. Peter Orthodox Church
7470 Hickory Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967
You can also donate online:
The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make social hall happen. Thank you All Stars!
August 1 to August 29
- Olga Bilych
- Pavlo Bilych
- Sandy Krotov
- Nader Sahawneh
Procedures for Hospitality
- 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 aquired 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 by the Friday 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.
Calendar At A Glance
Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.
AUGUST
DORMITION Fasting Period from August 1 to August 15, 2021.
- Sun Aug 08 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Aug 08 — Blessing of the Children
- Mon Aug 09 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Aug 11 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 13 — ST. MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 13 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sun Aug 15 — DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Aug 16 – Sep 1 — Fr. Hans on Vacation
- Sun Aug 22 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Aug 16 – Sep 1 — Fr. Hans on Vacation
- Sun Aug 29 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Aug 16 – Sep 1 — Fr. Hans on Vacation
SEPTEMBER
- Sun Sep 05 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Sep 06 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Sep 08 — Divine Liturgy Nativity of the Theotokos LIVE STREAM
- Thu Sep 09 — St. Peter Community Fellowship Luncheon
- Fri Sep 10 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Sep 12 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Sep 14 — Divine Liturgy Elevation of the Holy Cross LIVE STREAM
- Tue Sep 14 — Nikita the Great Martyr LIVE STREAM
- Fri Sep 17 – Sun Sep 19 — DOMSE Fall Retreat at Franklin, TN
- Sun Sep 19 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Sep 21 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Sep 23 — Divine Liturgy Conception of St. John the Baptist 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Sep 23 — St. Peter Kafenio (Coffee Cafe)
- Fri Sept 24 – Sat Sept 25 — Fr. Hans out of town
- Sun Sep 26 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Sep 29 — Divine Liturgy St. Kyriakos the Anchorite 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Oct 01 — Divine Liturgy Apostle Ananias Bishop of Damascus 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Wisdom From The Elders
Seizing the entire soul, it fills it with bitterness and listlessness. Then it suggests to the soul that we should go away from other people, since they are the cause of its agitation. It does not allow the soul to understand that its sickness does not come from without, but lies hidden within St. John Cassian
Be careful, my children, not to judge anyone, especially if he is a man of God. I beg you, guard yourselves from this sin. Look after yourselves and be conscious of your own faults. With this consciousness we will be able to repent. St. Nephon
Nor will one escape pride, the first offspring of the devil, unless one has banished avarice, the root of all evil, since poverty makes a man humble, according to Solomon. Evagrios the Solitary
And only then will our soul enjoy peace when we truly repent from the depths of our heart in proportion to the sin, or bear the punishment due from God. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
When under the pressure of stupid thoughts, we will find relief and joy by rebuking ourselves truthfully and unemotionally, or by confessing everything to the Lord as a human being. In both these ways we will always find tranquillity, whatever troubles us. St. Hesychius the Theologian of Jerusalem, disciple of St. Gregory the Theologian
Abundance and plenty spoil people. From fat, as they say, even animals go mad. St. Ambrose of Optina
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 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 June 13 / Resets August
Current Prayer List
Eleni (Tsikitas 11/21)
Maggie (Jacobse 10/21)
Walt (Dusckas 10/21)
A. L (Duskas 10/21)
M. R. (Duskas 10/21)
Jeff (Duskas 10/21)
Georgia D. (Repya 10/21)
Colleen R. (Repya 10/21)
Debbie (Breitenbach 9/21)
Anne (Breitenbach 9/21)
Patricia (Tsikita 9/21)
Robert (Tewis 9/21)
Lydia (Irena 9/21)
Lee (Irena 9/21)
Demetrios (Karras 8/21)
Permanent Prayer List
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Maria and her unborn child Iakovos (Diveris)
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)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
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)
George (Chionis)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K)
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
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He hath regarded the humility of His servant.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians. (2:5-11)
Brethren, let this mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus; who, being in the form of
God, did not think it robbery to be equal with God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming Himself in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. For this cause also God highly exalted Him, and gave Him a Name which is above every name; that in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and those who are on earth, and those who are under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
GOSPEL
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (10:38-42; 11:27-28)
At that time, Jesus entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha received Him into
her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to Him and said, “Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” As He said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that Thou didst suck!” But He said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”