St. Peter News December 27, 2022

The Feasts of the Circumcision of Christ and St. Basil the Great

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great

New-martyr Peter of the Peloponnesos

Resources about the Circumcision of Christ and St. Basil the Great

The Circumcision of the Lord

The Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Humble Comments and Suggestions

Homily on the Day of the Circumcision of the Lord and Commemoration of St. Basil the Great

Homily on the Circumcision of the Lord

Infant Baptism

On Cutting Off Temptations

St. Basil the Great

St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Cæsarea in Cappadocia

St. Basil the Great and Christian Philanthropy

St. Basil, the Great Visionary of Creation

The Hospital is an Invention of the Church!

New Year

Where There is God, There is Life

Services This Week

• 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 — CANCELLED 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 — CANCELLED The Holy Innocents Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 9:30am

The 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia Burned Alive Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 9:30am

Cutting of the Vasilopita (St. Basil’s Bread) on Sunday, January 1, 2023

Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 1 2023 we will cut the Vasilopita before going into the Social Hall.

The tradition of baking and cutting a special “pita” (which can mean a loaf of bread, a cake, or even a pie) each year on January 1st is observed in honor of our holy father Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea in Cappodocia– hence its name “Vasilopita” meaning “St. Basil’s Bread.” This tradition is observed in both parish churches and in the homes of the faithful. What is the meaning of this tradition and how did it begin?

Read the entire article on the Antiochian Archdiocese website.

Vespers with Bp. Nicholas and Met. Antonios on Friday, December 30 2022 at St. Paul’s

On Friday, December 30, 2022 Bp. Nicholas will be serving Vespers at our sister parish of St. Paul’s in Naples (get directions).

From Bp. Nicholas:

Dear DOMSE Rev. Clergy and faithful,

I pray that you are having a blessed nativity season. Metropolitan ANTONIOS will be visiting our Diocese in South Florida starting with December 29 and ending with January 2.

We look forward to seeing many, if not you all, during Metropolitan ANTONIOS’s visit at St.Paul’s on December 30.

In Christ,

+Bishop Nicholas
Diocese of Miami and the Southeast
www.DOMSE.org

Vespers will last about one hour with a light refreshments and discussion following.

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 29, 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.

Be My Valentine! Valentine’s Day Celebration and Fellowship Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 5:00pm

Enjoy Savory Hors d’oeuvres, Desserts & Dancing in our Parish Fellowship Hall

Bring your own drinks/refreshments

RSVP to Tina Kucera at 239-980-1520 by February 8, 2023

No Charge – Donations Accepted

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 – Made in the Image and Likeness of God

As Orthodox Christians, we know not only that we are made in the image and likeness of God, but that we are to live and act in ways that show we are His icons. We copy our Lord and Savior in an attempt to become like Him. When He comforts the down-trodden, we comfort the down-trodden.

When He feeds the poor, we feed the poor. At this Season when we celebrate the job of having been given the life-changing gift of His birth, we pass it on and give to others…those we love dearly and those we do not even know, always to make them aware that they are loved and cared for.

One of the small ways we can do this job He has given us is to support the Cafe of Life. So please give whatever you can spare and have yourself a very Merry Christmas holiday.

God bless and IC XC NI KA!

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 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 — CANCELLED 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 — CANCELLED 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 — Vespers with Bp. Nicholas and Met. Antonios at St. Paul’s 6:00pm
• Fri Dec 30 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall

It is more convincing to teach through actions than through words. Venerable Nilus the Faster of Sinai

When a person is meek and humble, he will advance in knowledge. Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica

Preserve a meek and peaceable disposition towards your brother, even when he cunningly or artfully, or somehow unintentionally deprives you of all you possess. Show then that you love God’s image in him more than anything earthly and perishable, that your “charity never faileth.” Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Ascetic exertion, at the personal, family, and parish level, particularly of prayer and fasting, is the characteristic of Orthodoxy. Venerable Justin (Popovic) of Chelije in Serbia

Because we put ourselves out of the sight of God we are led captive by the passions of the body. Abba Theona

I must be unmercifully angry with myself, and must consider it a special happiness to forgive my neighbour’s trespasses and offences against me, an unworthy one, so that the long-suffering, bountiful, and merciful Lord may forgive me even some of my trespasses.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

My mouth shall speak of wisdom;
and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Hear this, all ye people.

The reading from the Epistle of St. Paul Epistle to the Colossians. (2:8-12)

Brethren, see to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in Him the whole fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness of life in Him, Who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, Who raised Him from the dead.

GOSPEL

The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (2:20-21, 40-52)

And it came to pass that the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him. Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing Him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. And when they saw Him they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why hast Thou treated us so? Behold, Thy father and I have been looking for Thee anxiously.” And Jesus said to them, “How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which He spoke to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.