The Eighth Sunday of Matthew
Afterfeast of the Transfiguration of Christ
Martyr Dometios of Persia; Hieromartyr Narcissus, patriarch of Jerusalem; Sozon of Nicomedia
Entering the Period of the Dormition of the Theotokos
The Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos
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.
Dormtion Fast and Akathist Hymns Continue Through August 15
August 1 starts the Dormition period in our Orthodox Church. We fast (abstain from meat and dairy) from August 1 to August 15. At St. Peter’s the fast ends after the Dormition Liturgy on the evening of August 15.
Because Fr. Hans is out of town, we will start the Paraklesis services that lead up to the Dormition Liturgy on August 10-12 at 6:30pm. They will be held in the evening so more people can attend.
On the evening of Monday, August 15, 2022 we will celebrate the Dormition of the Theotokos with a Divine Liturgy at 6:30pm.
In case of pastoral emergency please contact Fr. Paul Girgis at 509-845-4540.
Services This Week
Dormition Fasting Period from August 1-15.
- SUN JUL 31 — SIXTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Aug 01 – Aug 8 — Fr. Hans Out of Town
Fr. Hans Out of Town Monday August 1 to August 8
Fr. Hans will be taking a vacation week from August 1-8, 2022 to give the keynote address at the European Men’s Gathering in Denmark. The European Men’s Gathering is an organization of men who are trying to lift themselves out of the secularist, anti-Christian morass that afflicts Northern Europe in particular and has been devastating to many men.
Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis will be serving the Liturgy on August 7, 2022.
Some Services Moved to Evenings
Fr. Hans has been asked to move some of the services to the evening to accomodate people who would like to attend worship but cannot because of work. Please note the times of services carefully. Some have been moved to the evening so that more people can attend.
St. Peter Church Directory Pictures Resume This Sunday
We are planning to resume our efforts to complete the church directory, starting Sunday, August 7th. As in the past, we will have the camera setup in the social hall during coffee hour for the month of August.
If you plan to have your photo added to the church directory, please see the schedule below.
Photo Schedule
- Member whose last name begins with A – L, fist two Sundays of this month.
- Members whose last name is begins with M-Z, last two Sundays of this month.
Something Huge is Happening in American Orthodoxy
You have heard Fr. Hans say that young men are entering the Orthodox Church. This is happening not only at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s but all across the country. Recently Fr. Michael Butler was interviewed about this development on Ancient Faith Radio. Click the image to listen to the podcast.
We Need Pictures for a New Website
We are building out a “seekers’ website for St. Peter. It will be a place where people learn ‘just the facts’ about Orthodox Christianity and St. Peter’s.
Do you have any pictures? If so, please send them too Anna Tsikitas at anna.tsikitas@gmail.com
Room to Rent or Apartment to Share Needed
Our parishioner Pauline Poulos is looking for apartment or home to share or room to rent starting Mid-August or September 1st. Non Smoker and no pets.
Please call Pauline at 239-994-4797 (cell).
We Are Remodeling the Sunday School Rooms
The outside wall is being replaced and the floors will be leveled. Work will take about four weeks to complete. Greek Language classes will be moved to the Social Hall.
Starting Soon – Orthodoxy 101
Starting soon St. Peter’s offers a study of the Orthodox Basics (less philosophical, more factual and practical) of such things as worship, history, theology and more. This is for anyone and everyone who wants to understand our Orthodox faith and practice more thoroughly.
Dates will be determined but Saturday morning from 9:00am to 10:00 class time followed by a half hour optional discussion seems to work best for many people. Please let Fr. Hans know what works for you. We will begin when the summer starts and everyone’s schedule is more flexible.
In the meantime check out the videos on the website Welcome to the Orthodox Church by Frederica Mathews-Green to prepare.
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:
No food items please.
A box will be set up in the church for donations.
We pray that war in Ukraine will end quickly.
Greek Language School Semester Completed
The first semester of Greek language school has completed. Second semester starts this fall!
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: We Need Sponsors
WANTED: Monthly sponsors or ongoing donors to help sustain St. Peter’s commitment in supporting the hungry and homeless at the Cafe of life. These are challenging times and your donation is especially needed to support our local community. As Orthodox Christians it is our duty to help them.
Your tax deductible donation in cash or check can be given to Father Hans. No amount is too little for this important mission. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do it,” (Proverb 3:27).
Thank you and IC XC NI KA!
Pledge & Income Report – June 2022
Contributions received in June: $15,607.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $24,114.
We are behind by $8,507.
Every year we need an extra push in the summer to keep our income current. Please keep up with you pledge so we can keep current with our bills.
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!
August
- MARGIE ZIMMERMAN
- Filipe DaFonseca
- Leon Dephkalion
- Glow Franklin
- Will Schwarz
- Anna Tsikitas
- Barbara Sasen
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.
Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.
AUGUST
Dormition Fasting Period from August 1-15.
- SUN JUL 31 — SIXTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Aug 01 – Aug 8 — Fr. Hans Out of Town
- SUN AUG 07 — EIGHTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Aug 10 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Thu Aug 10 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 12 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Aug 13 — St. Maximos the Confessor Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- SUN AUG 14 — NINTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Aug 15 — DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS Divine Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 19 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- SUN AUG 21 — TENTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Aug 23 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sat Aug 27 — Chase Mudd Baptism Time TBA LIVE STREAM
- SUN AUG 28 — ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Aug 29 — Beheading of St. John the Baptist Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Aug 31 — St. Symeon the Stylite / New Ecclesiastical Year Divine Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
I had a desire to learn about the inner life of those who had lived a perfect life here on earth and who were glorified by God both here and in eternity. It was then that I realized, as the Holy Fathers themselves explained, that the perfection of the Christian life consists in extreme humility. Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica
The more one suffers trials and tribulations through illness, the more he is purified and sanctified, as long as he is patient in his illness and accepts it with joy. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos
For anything that is quickly obtained is also easily lost, whereas everything found with toil is also kept with careful watching. Venerable Isaac the Syrian, bishop of Nineveh
All sorrows, sicknesses, torments, deprivations, are allowed by God in order to drive out the enticement of sin, and to implant true virtue in the heart, that we may learn by experience the falsehood, insolence, tyranny, and deadliness of sin, and may be inspired with a loathing for it; Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
And so it is with us—if we, realizing the full extent of our feebleness and spiritual poverty, turn to the Lord, our only Saviour, and from a contrite heart say, “Lord, if You desire it, You can heal and cleanse me,” we will hear the same reply from the Lord, who suffered for us on the Cross: “I will, be thou clean.” Abbot Nikon Vorobiev
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 June 4 / Resets August 1.
Current Prayer List
Anthony Presbyter (Kerr 10/22)
Angel (Ghanem 10/22)
Abott Tryphon (Jacobse 10/22)
Edgar (Chapekis 9/22)
Evthriki (Jacobse 9/22)
Christos (Johnson 8/22)
Jon Paul (Andrew 8/22)
William (Brubaker 8/22)
Peter (Tewis 8/22)
Alberta (Dusckas 8/22)
Connie (Dusckas 8/22)
Johanna (Dimartino 7/22)
Sarah (Tomlinson 7/22)
Natasha (Tomlinson 7/22)
Christine (Brubaker 7/22)
Elena (Brubaker 7/22)
Stella (Brubaker 7/22)
Steven (Breitenbach)
Gabrielle (Lowell 5/22)
George (Haynes 4/21)
Kayla (Palentine 4/21)
Basil (Jacobse 3/22)
Linda M. (Dusckas 3/22)
Barbara (Dusckas 3/22)
Fr John (Jacobse 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)
The People of Ukraine
Permanent Prayer List
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
Katheryn (Tolkkinen)
Markisia (Long)
Angela (Long)
Marina (Long)
Eleni (Long)
Raphaella (Long)
Joanne (Haley)
Francine (Anton)
Corwin (Dusckas)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Seraphim (Irina)
Lidia (Irina)
Sarina (Ghanem)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Despina (Diversis)b
Fredericos (Diveris)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Soterios (Ninos)
Pauline (Poulos)
Sergio (Kazakos)
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Robert (Smith)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)
Vassilike (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)
John (Katsigianopoulos)
George (Chionis)
Mary (Spiropoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K
Eugene (Rust)
Robert (Jarvis)
George (Corey)
Matushka Marion (Valentine)
Mary (Ghanem 10/22)
Sophia (D. Constantine)
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.
EPISTLE
For the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
The Lord will give strength to His people.
Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of God, ascribe to the Lord honor and glory.
The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (1:10-17)
Brethren, I appeal to you, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree andthat there be no dissension among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the samejudgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you,my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crisposand Gaius; lest anyone should say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also thehousehold of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christdid not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the crossof Christ be emptied of its power.
GOSPEL
For the Seventh Sunday of Matthew
For the Eighth Sunday of Matthew
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (14:14-22)
At that time, when Jesus went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion onthem, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is alonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy foodfor themselves.” Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They saidto Him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to Me.”Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fishHe looked up to Heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelvebaskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men,besides women and children. Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before Himto the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.
