Sunday of Forefathers (Ancestors) of Christ
Prophet Daniel and the Three Holy Youths Ananias, Azarias and Mishael; Dionysios of Zakynthos, the Wonderworker
The Forefathers (Ancestors) of Christ
Preparing to Appear with Christ in Glory: Homily for the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers in the Orthodox Church
Fr. Philip LeMasters
In our time of so many distractions and worries, it is easy for forget why Christ was born, why He came among us a helpless baby in a cave used for a barn with an animal’s feeding trough for His crib. As St. Paul wrote in today’s epistle lesson, He appears so that we may appear with Him in glory. Both the first coming of His birth and the second coming of His return are so that we may share in His salvation. But to encounter Christ at either of His appearances is also to undergo a kind of judgment, for the truth about ourselves becomes evident when we enter into His presence. How we respond to Him reflects the state of our souls. The same is true of how we prepare to receive Him during this blessed season of Advent, of the Nativity Fast.
Throughout the history of the Old Testament, there were those who ignored both the Law and the Prophets, who did not prepare and were not ready for the coming of the Messiah. That was also true at the time of the Savior’s birth when the wicked Herod tried to kill Him. On this Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, we commemorate those who did prepare, all those in the Old Testament who foretold or prefigured the coming of Christ. The first coming of our Lord at His Incarnation did not simply occur one day as a random event, but was the fulfillment of God’s plan to bring us into His divine life, which took many generations to fulfill. No one was forced to get ready for Him, and today we honor those who accepted the invitation to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. We want to use this season of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and reconciliation to become more like them.
That is difficult because we constantly face temptations to focus on other things. Like the guests invited to the great feast in today’s gospel, we often think that we have more appealing things to do. They turned down the invitation because they had land to inspect, oxen to test, or family responsibilities. In other words, they were normal human beings with everyday obligations. So their places at the banquet were taken by the most unlikely guests: the poor, the maimed, the blind, and the strangers from the highways and hedges came to the celebration, but none of those who were originally invited bothered to show up.
Read the complete history on the Orthodox Christianityy website.
Services and Events This Week
- Sun Dec 10 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 12 — St. Spyridon Divine Liturgy 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Dec 13 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 15 — CANCELLED
St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm - Fri Dec 16 — Introduction to Firearms Course
Mark Your Calendars
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
- Fri Dec 22 — NATIVITY ROYAL HOURS 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Dec 24 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Dec 24 — NATIVITY GREAT VESPERS 7:00pm LIVE STREAM
- Mon Dec 25 — THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
THEOPHANY SERVICES 2024
- Fri Jan 05 — THEOPHANY ROYAL HOURS 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jan 05 — THEOPHANY DIVINE LITURGY / GREAT BLESSING OF THE WATERS Orthros 6:00pm Divine Liturgy 7:00pm LIVE STREAM
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Sun Jan 14 — Parish General Assembly Meeting
- Mon Feb 05 — Vespers with Bishop Nicholas 5:00pm
- Sat Feb 10 — Valentine’s Day Gala
Introduction to Firearms Course on Saturday December 16, 2023
This course is presented by Jon Tomlinson of 5Badgers Consulting Group and specifically addresses the concerns by many women in the parish who want to become more familiar with firearms, but haven’t had a safe environment and opportunity to do so.
This course is open to the entire congregation, family and friends of church members regardless of previous firearms knowledge.
The class will run from 10:00am to 12:00am.
St. Peter General Assembly Will Be Held on Sunday, January 14, 2023
The meeting will be held in the Social Hall following the Divine Liturgy.
Christmas Fast Continues
The Nativity Fast is one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast in anticipation of the Nativity of Christ. That is the reason it is less strict than other fasting periods. The fast is divided into two periods. The 1st period is November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Similarly, fish, wine, and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays.
The 2nd period is December 20th through 24th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday during this period.
Fasting always works in conjuction with prayer and giving alms (helping the poor, giving to worthy charities, etc.). Fasting helps us reorder the interior life, but the reordering does not occur with greater prayer and greater concern for the poor.
The reordering is a clarification — we end up seeing things more clearly, we get stronger in the fight against sin and temptation. The fast always ends on a great Feast Day of our Lord.
For a complete list, visit the Antiochian website or click on the image below:
Looking for Books About the Saints for Children?
Ancient Faith Publishing has an extensive series of books that are perfect for children. You can order them from Ancient Faith here.
ST. PETER WISH LIST— Things the Parish Needs
We are looking for donors to help St. Peter’s improve. Things we need:
- Landscape Beautification Project $10,000 is needed to purchase trees and shrubbery. We will remove and replace the dead and diseased trees. Thank you to Doug Kucera for designing a master plan.
If you can contribute in part or in full, please contact Fr. Hans or Ron Franklin, Parish Council President.
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.
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.
DOMSE MEN’S RETREAT IN MARCH 2024
Only 62 spaces left so register early.
More information at DOMSE website.
ST. PETER'S GREETERS
DECEMBER 2023
- DEC 3 Will Schwarz – Ray Locklear – George Tsikitas
- DEC 10 Joe Repya – Ray Locklear
- DEC 17 Candice Rosen – Ray Locklear
- DEC 24 Will Schwarz – Candice Rosen
- DEC 31 Moriah Peterson – Joe Repya
JANUARY 2024
- JAN 7 Joe Repya – Will Schwarz
- JAN 14 Paula Kambaros – Candice Rosen
- JAN 21 Paula Kambaros – Candice Rosen
- JAN 28 George Tsikatis – Joe Repya
FEBRUARY 2024
- FEB 4 George Karounos – Doug Kucera
- FEB 11 Joe and Deb Repya –
- FEB 18 Moriah Peterson – Pavlo Bilych
- FEB 25 Barb – Costa Dionysopoulos
Can you volunteer? Please call Joe Repya 612-270-4443.
SOCIAL HALL ALL STARS
DECEMBER 2023
TEAM #2 – Margie Zimmerman Group
Dec 03 –- Coffee, Coffee Cake and Mixed Fruit
Dec 10 –- Coffee, Bagels and Mixed Fruit
Dec 17 –- Coffee, Donuts and Mixed Fruit
Dec 24 –- Coffee, Cookies and Mixed Fruit
Dec 31 –- Coffee, Coffee Cake and Mixed Fruit
JANUARY 2024
TEAM #1 – Barbara Dionysopoulos Group
Jan 07 –- Coffee, Bagels and Mixed Fruit
Jan 14 –- Coffee, Donuts and Mixed Fruit
Jan 21 –- Coffee, Cookies and Mixed Fruit
Jan 28 –- Coffee, Coffee Cake and Mixed Fruit
FEBRUARY 2024
TEAM #2 – Margie Zimmerman Group
Feb 04 –- Coffee, Bagels and Mixed Fruit
Feb 11 –- Coffee, Donuts and Mixed Fruit
Feb 18 –- Coffee, Cookies and Mixed Fruit
Feb 25 –- Coffee, Coffee Cake and Mixed Fruit
MARCH 2024
TEAM #2
Mar 03 –- Coffee, Bagels and Mixed Fruit
Mar 10 –- Coffee, Donuts and Mixed Fruit
Mar 17 –- Coffee, Cookies and Mixed Fruit
Mar 24 –- Coffee, Cookies and Mixed Fruit
Mar 31 –- Coffee, Bagels and Mixed Fruit
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!
DECEMBER
- Sun Dec 10 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 12 — St. Spyridon Divine Liturgy 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Dec 13 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 15 — CANCELLED
St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm - Fri Dec 16 — Introduction to Firearms Course
- Sun Dec 17 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 19 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Dec 20 — Early St. Ignatios of Antioch Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 22 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 22 — St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
- Sun Dec 17 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 19 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Dec 20 — Early St. Ignatios of Antioch Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 22 — NATIVITY ROYAL HOURS 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 22 — St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
- Sun Dec 24 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Dec 24 — NATIVITY GREAT VESPERS 7:00pm LIVE STREAM
- Mon Dec 25 — THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Dec 27 — Early Divine Liturgy St. Stephen the Martyr 6:00am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 28 — Divine Liturgy 20,000 Martyrs Burned in Nicomedia 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 29 — Divine Liturgy The Holy Innocents 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 29 — St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
DECEMBER/JANUARY
- Sun Dec 31 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Jan 02 — St. Basil the Great / The Circumcision of Christ Divine Liturgy 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jan 03 — Early Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jan 05 — THEOPHANY ROYAL HOURS 8:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jan 05 — THEOPHANY DIVINE LITURGY / GREAT BLESSING OF THE WATERS Orthros 6:00pm Divine Liturgy 7:00pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 29 — CANCELLED
St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
Wisdom From The Elders
True fasting lies is rejecting evil, holding one’s tongue, suppressing one’s hatred, and banishing one’s lust, evil words, lying, and betrayal of vows. St. Basil the Great
Do not spare yourself, but pray earnestly, even if you have been toiling all day. Do not be negligent in holy prayer; say it to God unto the end from your whole heart, for it is a duty you owe to God. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
In the first place, do not talk yourself when you are agitated, in malice. In the second place, forgive those who are hot tempered and irritated, when they pour forth abuse and reproaches, either just or unjust. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
Everything we do, our every objective, must be undertaken for the sake of… purity of heart… we must practice the reading of the Scripture, together with all the other virtuous activities… to hold our hearts free of the harm of every dangerous passion and in order to rise step by step to the high point of love. St. John Cassian
Our soul is simple, as the image and likeness of God; therefore, when it is well-regulated and is living in accordance with the will of God, then it is peaceful, easy, and joyous; whilst, on the contrary, when it consents to sin, commits sin, or is forced into sin by the Enemy, then it becomes disturbed, darkened, and heavy. Thus, always do the will of God, and you will be simple and quiet; but if you sin you will have no peace. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
- 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.
Current Prayer List
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)
Anthony (Breitenbach 6/1)
Arielle (Ghanem 6/1)
Nicholas (Ghanem 6/1)
Christos
Father Demetris
Jamie
Pamela
David
Jessica
Christina (Hildreth)
Georgia and Richard and their unborn child (Chapekis)
Dionysios Chapekis)
Nancy (Forderhase)
Kayla (Palantine)
George (3/23 Chapekis)
Penelope (3/23 Chapekis)
Theodora (3/23)
Victor (3/23)
Barbara (Dusckas 3/23)
James (Dusckas 3/23)
Les (3/23
Lynn (Hurely 1/23)
Irene and newborn baby (Tsikitas 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)
Priest Anthony (Karbo 11/22)
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
Anthony Presbyter (Kerr 10/22)
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)
Peter (Tewis 8/22)
The People of Ukraine and People of Russia and all those who are suffering in the war
Permanent Prayer List
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)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
s
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)
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)
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
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 Holy Forefathers
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians. (3:4-11)
Brethren, when Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
GOSPEL
For the Holy Forefathers
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (14:16-24)
The Lord spoke this parable: “A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for all is now ready.’ But, one by one, they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
