St. Peter News December 20, 2022

The Nativity of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great

Services This Week

• SUN Dec 18 — THE SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Dec 20 — St. Ignatios of Antioch Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Dec 24 — Nativity Royal Hours 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Dec 24 — Nativity Great Vespers 6:00pm LIVE STREAM

Great Vespers on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we celebrate the Great Vespers of Nativity. The service will offer an Artoclasia (Blessing of the Loaves) at the conclusion of the service. Refreshments will be served in the social hall and we will sing some Christmas carols.

Election of the New Metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese

As many of you know the process has started for the election of a new Metropolitan (Archbishop) of the Antiochian Archdiocese.

Bishops elect bishops and ultimately the new Metropolitan will be elected by the Holy Synod of the Antiochian Church in Syria, Nevertheless, these elections do not happen in a vacuum and Patriarch John has implement the procedures for choosing the new Metropolitan by polling the clergy and laity of the Antiochian Archdiocese of America.

The Holy Synod understands that the new Metropolitan has to be familiar with American culture and the special needs that living in such a highly secularized culture such as ours presents to the faithful. Polling the faithful (through a ballot) will reveal who the clergy and laity think would serve the American church best. All votes are of course anonymous.

Our local election will be held in the social hall following the Divine Liturgy on January 8, 2023.

Complete information is available on the St. Peter website.

NEEDED: Two Volunteers Every Sunday to Act as Front Door Monitors

We need two volunteers every Sunday to be stationed at the front door to greet visitors, answer questions and to keep an eye on safety.

Joe Repya is heading this effort and will create a schedule and assignments. If you can help please give Joe a call at 612-270-4443.

Adult Education: “The Winter Pascha” Series via ZOOM Continues December 22, 2022 at 7:00pm

To join the class via ZOOM Click this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86843640679?pwd=Y1d2NkYwczF6WkljUUpKOVZNcmJSZz09.

As part of our continuing adult education, Fr. Hans will hold a book study on “The Winter Pascha” by Fr. Thomas Hopko during Christmas Lent. The study begins Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 7:00pm and will run every Thursday through January 12 (seven weeks). The talks will be held through ZOOM and last one hour.

“The Winter Pascha” is a modern minor classic that explains very well the season from Christmas Lent through Theophany (the baptism of Christ).

You can order the book from Amazon or St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press

How does ZOOM work? A link will be included in the newsletter and on the calendar on the website to log in to the session. Just click it and follow the prompts. If you don’t have ZOOM installed, you will be asked if you want to install it. Just reply yes.

Catechumen Classes Resume on January 15, 2023

Classes are cancelled through the Nativity/Theophany season.

This will be an Orthodoxy 101 class covering the basics and fundamentals of our Orthodox faith. All catechumens are required to attend but the class is great for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of our Orthodox faith and Church. Anyone may attend. Plan on staying for an hour.

The classes will be held following the Divine Liturgy. Get your coffee, take a short break, then begin the class.

The text we will use is Fr. Spyridon Bailey’s “Small Steps in the Kingdom.” It’s a good introduction to the Orthodox faith. Please order your copy and bring it to class. You can also download a free copy on your Kindle from Amazon. A syllabus and outline of classes are on the St. Peter website.

Please note: Books will not be available for purchase at Church.

Mark Your Calendar: St. Peter Valentine’s Day Pot Luck on February 11 at 5:00pm

Join us for a pre-Lenten Valentine’s Day pot-luck on Saturday, February 11 starting at 5:00pm.

More details coming!

Reading the Psalms During Christmas Lent

St. John Chrysostom was asked once, “Is it good to lay aside the Psalter?” He replied, “it would be better for the sun to fall from its orbit, than to neglect reading the Psalter, for it is of great benefit to study the psalms, and to read the Psalter diligently. For all spiritual books are profitable for us, and grieve the demons, but there is NONE LIKE THE PSALTER”

Those are powerful words from a great Saint and teacher. At St. Peter’s we read the Psalter completely through during Christmas Lent. If you would like to join a group you will be assigned which kathismata (sections of Psalms, usually 6 to 8 each day) to read. So far 28 people are participating.

The complete instructions are posted on the website, including the kathismata. To be assigned to a group please contact John Diveris at 219-263-8849 or jdiveris@icloud.com. John will add you to a group.

This is a great way to “strengthen the inner man” as St. Paul teaches and draw closer to Christ and more deeply into His Church.

Helping the People of Ukraine Keep Warm This Winter

Gaylena Seabrook, a member of St. Peter’s and very active in relief work for the suffering people of Ukraine requests our support for aiding Ukranians through the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America.

From their website:

The looming winter in Ukraine promises to be “the worst winter since the independence of Ukraine,” according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In response to this challenge, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America has launched a new fundraising initiative, “Keep Ukraine Warm,” to raise $500,000 for winter relief items (clothes, blankets, sleeping bags), wood-burning stoves, and window repairs in Ukrainian homes.

For more information contact Gaylena at 267-991-4101.

Leaving a Legacy – Remembering St. Peter’s in Our Estate Planning

The growth and success of St. Peter’s is certainly inspiring. Through it we see the benevolent work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the commitment, generosity, and fortitude of our members and friends who worked and contributed to the growth of our parish. St. Paul says that we are to become “co-laborers with Christ” and our support of St. Peter’s is one way that happens.

That work can continue long after our work on this earth is completed. Through planned giving today, we can leave a legacy that helps ensure the good work of St. Peter’s in the future.

For more information including an informational packet that answers many questions please see Fr. Hans.

Let’s Pray the Paraklesis to the Theotokos Daily

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 – The Spiritual Discipline of Generosity

One of the greatest enemies of our spiritual freedom is the cancer of greed and materialism. The quickest way to become slaves to our selfishness is to fail to actively develop the spiritual discipline of generosity.

We all know that generosity is the eternal truth that what we have been given must be given away if we are ever going to enjoy what we’ve been given. So during this Winter Pascha celebration let us look to the interests of others by being generous with our tax- deductible check for the less fortunate and impoverished.

Thank you and IC XC NI KA!

Pledge & Income Report – November

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!

DECEMBER

• TOM HALEY
• Marlene Haley
• Cheryl Morse
• Tim Morse
• Diana Najjar
• Deb Repya
• Elaine Semeretis
• Gregory Semeretis

JANUARY

• BARBARA DIONYSOPOULOS
• Al Joseph
• Bonnie Joseph
• Marianthi Kazakos
• Sandy Krotov
• Niki Locklear
• Ray Locklear
• Eleni Moran
• Koula Ormanidou

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.

1. 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.”
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

DECEMBER

• SUN Dec 18 — THE SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Dec 20 — St. Ignatios of Antioch Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Dec 22 — CANCELLED St. Nicholas Academy 9:30am
• Thu Dec 22 — “The Winter Pascha” Adult Education 7:00pm on ZOOM
• Fri Dec 23 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall
• Sat Dec 24 — Nativity Royal Hours 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Dec 24 — Nativity Great Vespers 6:00pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Dec 25 — THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• SUN Dec 25 — CANCELLED Catechism Class 12:15pm
• Mon Dec 26 — Synaxis of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Dec 27 — St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Dec 28 — The 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia Burned Alive Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Dec 29 — The Holy Innocents Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Dec 29 — CANCELLED St. Nicholas Academy 9:30am
• Thu Dec 29 — “The Winter Pascha” Adult Education 7:00pm on ZOOM
• Fri Dec 30 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall

Provided they live a worthy life, both those who choose to dwell in the midst of noise and hubbub and those who dwell in monasteries, mountains and caves can achieve salvation. Solely because of their faith in Him God bestows great blessings on them. Hence those who because of their laziness have failed to attain salvation will have no excuse to offer on the day of judgment. For He who promised to grant us salvation simply on account of our faith in Him is not a liar. Venerable Symeon the New Theologian

Until you resolve in your mind finally to leave this life and to consider this world and its glory but a despoiled tabernacle — until such a time, it will be impossible to overcome the earthly passions and worldly lusts that plunge a man into utter destruction and ruin. Venerable Ephraim the Syrian

If the sin of your neighbor is not hidden but obvious to everyone, try to see its cause—not in the way the wicked passion for judging suggests, but as a Christian brother or sister should see it. Say to yourself: “Since this neighbor of mine has many hidden virtues, God has allowed him to fall into this present sin in order to protect him from being damaged by conceit and pride. Or He has allowed this person to take on this very unbecoming appearance so that he will appear unworthy in his own eyes—and being despised by others for being in this condition, he will gather the fruits of humility and become even more pleasing to God.” Fr. Jack Sparks

Peace is the integrity and health of the soul; to lose peace is to lose spiritual health. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Suffering cleanses the soul infected with the filth of sensual pleasure and detaches it completely from material things by showing it the penalty incurred as a result of its affection for them. This is why God in His justice allows the devil to afflict men with torments. St. Maximos the Confessor

Concerning forcing ourselves to all that is good.— “ The king dom of heaven,” it is said, “suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Therefore it is necessary to continually force ourselves to truth and goodness; when praying, we must every moment force ourselves to pronounce each word with power, truly from the heart. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

PLEASE NOTE: The names list in “The Current Prayer List listed to be removed after September 1 have been taken of the list. If you would like someone added back please send a text to Fr. Hans or send the name through website here.

• 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 Oct 24 / Resets Dec 1.

Current Prayer List

Barbara (Dusckas 3/23)
Claire (Dusckas 3/23)
Les (3/23
Lynn (Hurely 1/23)
Irene and unborn baby (Tsikitas 1/23)
Linda (Pappas 1/23)
Ekaterina (Chapekis 1/23)
Mikaela and unborn baby (Irena 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)
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

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)
Makrina (Kerr)
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)

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

Let all the earth worship Thee, and sing to Thee.
Shout with joy to God, all the earth.

The reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (4:4-7)

Brethren, when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

GOSPEL

The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (2:1-12)

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, are by no means least among the rulers of Judea; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern My people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found Him bring me word, that I too may come and worship Him.” When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.