St Peter News August 4, 2026

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tenth Sunday of Matthew

RAfter-feast of the Transfiguration of Christ

Apostle Matthias; Translation of the relics of Venerable Herman of Alaska, Wonderworker of America

The Transfiguration of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

What is the Transfiguration?

The Transfiguration of Christ is one of the central events recorded in the gospels. Immediately after the Lord was recognized by His apostles as “the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the Living God,” He told them that “He must go up to Jerusalem and suffer many things…and be killed and on the third day be raised” (Mt 16). The announcement of Christ’s approaching passion and death was met with indignation by the disciples. And then, after rebuking them, the Lord took Peter, James, and John “up to a high mountain”—by tradition Mount Tabor—and was “transfigured before them.”

The Jewish Festival of Booths was a feast of the dwelling of God with men, and the Transfiguration of Christ reveals how this dwelling takes place in and through the Messiah, the Son of God in human flesh. There is little doubt that Christ’s transfiguration took place at the time of the Festival of Booths, and that the celebration of the event in the Christian Church became the New Testamental fulfillment of the Old Testamental feast in a way similar to the feasts of Passover and Pentecost.

In the Transfiguration, the apostles see the glory of the Kingdom of God present in majesty in the person of Christ they see that “in Him, indeed, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,” that “in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Col 1.19, 2.9). They see this before the crucifixion so that in the resurrection they might know Who it is Who has suffered for them, and what it is that this one, Who is God, has prepared for those who love Him. This is what the Church celebrates in the feast of the Transfiguration.

Learn more on the Orthodox Church of America website.

Dormtion Of the Theotokos August 1-15

August 1 starts the Dormition period in our Orthodox Church. We fast (abstain from meat and dairy as much as possible) from August 1 to August 15. At St. Peter’s the fast ends after the Dormition Liturgy on the evening of August 14.

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.

The Dormition Fasting Period August 1-15

The Dormition Fast begins on August 1st and lasts 2 weeks, concluding with the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15. The fast comes down to us from the early days of Christianity.

Fasting Guidelines

• Mon-Fri: Abstain from meat, dairy, fish, wine and olive oil
• Sat and Sun: Abstain from meat, dairy and fish
• +Shellfish is always allowed during fasting season (i.e. fish with no backbone)
• +Fish is allowed ONLY on Aug. 6 for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ

Please consult with your Spiritual Father on fasting matters.

During the Dormition Fast, Orthodox Christian parishes offer the Paraklesis with the Little Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, a beautiful service of supplication to the Theotokos. Please check the calendar for the most up-to-date service schedule.

Services and Events This Week

• SUN Aug 02 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Aug 03 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Tue Aug 04 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Aug 05 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Aug 05 — Great Vespers Transfiguration 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Aug 06 — Transfiguration Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Aug 06 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Aug 07 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Aug 07 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Aug 08 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
• Sat Aug 08 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

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.

St. Peter Greeters

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

SUNDAY COFFEE HOURS

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

August 2026 – Team #2 Vicki Ullemeyer Group

• Sunday, August 2 – Coffee and coffee cakes
• Sunday, August 9 – Coffee and muffins
• Sunday, August 16 – Coffee and bagel
• Sunday, August 23 – POT LUCK
• Sunday, August 30 – Coffee and donuts

September 2026 – Team #3

• Sunday, Sept 6 – Coffee and bagels
• Sunday, Sept 13 – Coffee and donuts
• Sunday, Sept 20 – POT LUCK
• Sunday, Sept 27 – 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!

AUGUST

• SUN Aug 02 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Aug 03 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Tue Aug 04 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Aug 05 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Aug 05 — Great Vespers Transfiguration 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Aug 06 — Transfiguration Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Aug 06 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Aug 07 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Aug 07 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Aug 08 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
• Sat Aug 08 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Aug 09 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Aug 10 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Tue Aug 11 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Aug 12 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Aug 12 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Aug 13 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Aug 14 — Great Vespers of the Dormition 5:300pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Aug 14 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Aug 15 — Dormition of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Aug 15 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Aug 16 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Aug 19 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Aug 21 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Aug 22 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Aug 23 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Aug 26 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Aug 27 — St Phanourios Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Aug 28 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Aug 29 — Beheading of St. John Baptist Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Aug 29 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Aug 30 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Sep 01 — Indiction/St Symeon Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 02 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Sep 04 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 05 — Zachariah and Elizabeth Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Sep 05 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

Christians ought to perseveringly study their religion; they ought to read the Gospel more frequently, to study the Divine Service, to fulfil the commandments and the rules of the Church; to read the writings of the Holy Fathers, religious publications, in order to become imbued with the spirit of Christianity, and to live in a Christian manner. Such should be your occupations and recreations. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

The rest that Christ gives is the rest in the soul–not external rest (ease). One may have it in all its sweetness and fullness, and yet have to toil unceasingly, and endure continual sufferings and pain. New Martyr Tsaritsa Alexandra

Solomon says that the enemy ‘hates the sound of steadfastness’ (Prov. II:15. LXX), while the wandering of the mind is the first step towards sinning, as St. Isaac states. St. Peter of Damaskos

[To overcome gloom] Stop assuming! Start thinking! St. Nektarius of Optina

Ever let mercy outweigh all else in you. Let our compassion be a mirror where we may see in ourselves that likeness and that true image which belong to the Divine nature and Divine essence. A heart hard and unmerciful will never be pure. Venerable Isaac the Syrian, bishop of Nineveh

God saves one man through spiritual knowledge and another through guilelessness and simplicity. You should bear in mind that ‘God will not reject the simple’ (Job 8:20. LXX). St. John of Karpathos

Current Prayer List

Anthony
RJ Schwegler (Breitenbach)

Sonya (Duskas)
Georgia (Katsigianopoulos)
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)
Pangiota (Poulos)
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

For the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (4:9-16)

Brethren, God has exhibited us Apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill clad and buffeted and homeless; and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

GOSPEL

For the Tenth Sunday of Matthew

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (17:14-23)

At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before Him said, “Lord, have mercy on
my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to Thy disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus said to them, “Because you have no faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. This kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.” As they were traveling together through Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will rise on the third day.”