Forefeast of the Conception of the Theotokos; Venerable Patapios of Thebes; Sophronios, bishop of Cyprus
The Conception of the Theotokos
The Holy Righteous Anna was the youngest daughter of the priest Matthan, who was from the tribe of Levi, of the family of Aaron. Her husband, the Holy Righteous Joachim was from the tribe of Judah, from the house and family of King David. According to the ancient promise, the Messiah was to come from the lineage of King David (Luke 2:4).
The couple lived in Nazareth of Galilee. Every year, they gave two-thirds of their income to the Temple in Jerusalem, and to the poor. By God’s Providence, the holy couple had no children until their old age. They were greatly saddened by this, since the Jews considered childlessness a great misfortune and a punishment from God. They prayed fervently for the Lord to give them children.
On a certain feast, when the Israelites were bringing gifts to God in the Temple at Jerusalem, the High Priest, believing that the childless Joachim did not have God’s blessing, refused to accept gifts from him. Saint Joachim was grief stricken. He consulted the genealogy of the twelve tribes of Israel and ascertained that all righteous men had offspring, including Abraham, when he was a hundred years old. Without returning home, Saint Joachim went into the wilderness and spent forty days there in strict fasting and prayer, entreating God’s mercy for himself, and washing away his disgrace with bitter tears.
[…]
Read the entire history on the Orthodox Church in America
Services and Events This Week
The Nativity Fast Begins November 15 through December 24
- SUN Dec 01 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Dec 04 — ST BARBARA / ST JOHN DAMASCUS EARLY DIVINE LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 06 — ST NICHOLAS DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 06 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
- Sat Dec 07 — GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
The Nativity Fast
On November 15, we begin, with God’s help, the forty-day “Nativity Fast” in preparation for the “Feast of the Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ” on December 25.
The Nativity Fast is divided into two periods. The first period is November 15 through December 19 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed with katalysis (relaxation) for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and for fish, wine and oil on Saturdays and Sundays.
The second period is December 20 through 24 when the traditional fasting discipline (“strict fast”: no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed with katalysis (relaxation) for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday.
While fasting periods are not “optional” for Orthodox Christians, one may consider “easing into it” if it is your first time. Consider starting with just Wednesday’s and Friday’s this first year. We fast (strict fast) those two days year-round anyway. Two birds with one stone!
Catechumen Classes Continue
Reminder: These classes are required for all catechumens. If you cannot make please make sure to let Subdeacon Joseph know.
Catechumen classes continue in the Social Hall (around 12:30pm). The classes is open to everyone but those seeking baptism and chrismation into the Orthodox Church are required to attend.
The class is taught by Subdeacon Joseph (he returns mid-March) and we will use the book “Small Steps into the Kingdom”). The books are available for purchase in the bookstore.
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.
ST. PETER’S GREETERS
Please note: Volunteers to serve as greeters are needed for December. Please contact Joe Repya if you can serve.
NOVEMBER
List coming soon.
Can you volunteer? Please call Joe Repya 612-270-4443.
SOCIAL HALL ALL STARS
SUNDAY COFFEE HOURS – Winter Months 2024 – 2025
Please note: A fruit bowl, veggie or hummus tray may be added to a week’s menu.
- December 2024 – Sunday Coffee Hours – Team #3
- Sunday, December 1 – Coffee and bagels
- Sunday, December 8 – Coffee and muffins
- Sunday, December 15 – Coffee and donuts
- Sunday, December 22 – Coffee and coffee cakes
- Sunday, December 29 – Coffee and bagels
- January 2025 – Sunday Coffee Hours – Team #1 – Barb Dionysopoulos Group
- Sunday, January 5 – Coffee and muffins
- Sunday, January 12 – Coffee and donuts
- Sunday, January 19 – Coffee and coffee cakes
- Sunday, January 26 – Coffee and bagels
- February 2025 – Sunday Coffee Hours – Team #2 – Margie Zimmerman Group
- Sunday, February 2 – Coffee and muffins
- Sunday, February 9 – Coffee and donuts
- Sunday, February 16 – Coffee and coffee cakes
- Sunday, February 23 – Coffee and bagels
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 01 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Dec 04 — ST BARBARA / ST JOHN DAMASCUS EARLY DIVINE LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 06 — ST NICHOLAS DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 06 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
- Sat Dec 07 — GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
- SUN Dec 08 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Dec 11 — EARLY DIVINE LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 12 — ST SPYRIDON DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 06 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
- Sat Dec 14 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
- Sat Dec 14 — GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
- SUN Dec 15 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Dec 16 — EARLY DIVINE LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 20 — ST IGNATIOUS OF ANTIOCH DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 20 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
- Sat Dec 21 — GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
- SUN Dec 22 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 24 — Royal Hours 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 24 — NATIVITY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 5:30pm Divine Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 27 — ST STEPHEN THE PROTO-MARYTYR DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 27 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
- Sat Dec 28 — 20,000 MARTYRS BURNED IN NICOMEDIA DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Sat Dec 28 — GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
Wisdom From The Elders
The holy Apostle Paul instructed slaves, who were working not for themselves, but for their masters, that they actually worked not for their masters, but for the Lord Himself. Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg
Thus the intellect in each of us resides within like a king, while the reason acts as door-keeper of the senses. When the reason occupies itself with bodily things — and to winnow wheat is something bodily — the enemy without difficulty slips past unnoticed and slays the intellect. Venerable Nilus the Faster of Sinai
Thus when grace comes to visit us and encounters in our hearts the stench of unclean thoughts, she immediately withdraws without seeking an entrance, that she might make her habitation there and dwell in us, as is pleasing to her. She leaves only a trace of her radiant sweetness in the heart, so that one might recognize that grace has visited him but not found an entrance, and, having delighted in grace’s radiance, might seek her out. Venerable Ephraim the Syrian
Whenever possible, we should always remember death, for this displaces all cares and vanities, allowing us to guard our intellect and giving us unceasing prayer, detachment from our body and hatred of sin. Indeed, it is a source of almost every virtue. We should therefore, if possible, use it as we use our own breathing. St. Hesychius the Theologian of Jerusalem, disciple of St. Gregory the Theologian
Just as the thought of fire does not warm the body, so faith without love does not actualize the light of spiritual knowledge in the soul. St. Maximos the Confessor
Excessive sorrow for our loved ones who have left this world is not a Christian act, but an act of godlessness. We prepare ourselves in this life for eternal life. We must be thankful for everything and thank God for taking the souls of our departed loved ones to Himself. Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica
Current Prayer List
Diana (Veraj)
Thoma (Sovjani)
Lucia
Ioannes
Freida (Hansen)
Stratton (Leopold)
Mary (Copeland)
Robert (Tewis)
Gene (Forderhase)
Ruth (Mudd)
Barbara (Duskas)
Doug S (Duskas)
Marc C. (Duskas)
Rachel (Voss)
Ken John (Eaton)
Diane (Najar)
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)
Anthony (Breitenbach 6/1)
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 (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)
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)
Peter (Tewis 8/22)
The People of Ukraine and People of Russia and all those who are suffering in the war
Permanent Prayer List
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)
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
Raymond
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 Twenty-fourth 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 Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. (2:14-22)
Brethren, Christ is our peace, Who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the Cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And He came and preached peace to you, who were far off, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in Whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in Whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
GOSPEL
For the Tenth Sunday of Luke
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (13:10-17)
At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, He called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrite! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As Jesus said this, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by Him.
