St. Peter News February 8, 2022

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

After-feast of the Presentation (Meeting) of Christ

Venerable Martinian of Palestine; Venerable Simeon the Myrrh-streaming, Prince of Serbia;
Apostles and Martyrs Aquila and Priscilla; Eulogios, Patriarch of Alexandria

What is a Publican and a Pharisee?

A Pharisee was an externally decent and righteous man of religion. The Publican was a sinful tax-collector who was cheating the people.

Though the Pharisee was genuinely righteous under the Law, he boasted before God and was condemned. The Publican, although he was truly sinful, begged for mercy, received it, and was justified by God.

The focus this Sunday is on the Gospel of Luke 18:10-14, in which two men went to the Temple to pray. On this Sunday in the preparation for Great Lent, we are to see that we have not the religious piety of the Pharisee, but the repentance of the Publican. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)

Read more on the Orthdoxwiki website.

To learn more about the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, listen to Fr. Thomas Hopko’s podcast on the St. Peter website.

Fr. Tom teaches on the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee as we prepare for the Lenten season.

Services This Week

• Sun Feb 06 — ST PHOTIOS THE GREAT DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Feb 08 — St. Theodore the Commander Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Feb 10 — St. Haralambos the Hieromartyr Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

Services Next Week

• Sun Feb 13 — LENTEN TRIODION BEGINS
• Sun Feb 13 — SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Feb 15 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Feb 17 — St. Theodore of Tyro Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

St. Theodore the Commander Divine Liturgy on Tuesday February 8, 2022 at 9:30am

St. Haralambos the Hieromartyr Divine Liturgy on Thursday February 10, 2022 at 9:30am

Liturgical Greek Language School Continues

St. Peter’s has begun classes on the Greek language for the children of the parish. Their parents requested the classes so that their children can be exposed to liturgical Greek, the language of scripture and theology. Classes meet on Thursdays at 3:30pm in the Sunday School room.

Parents are responsible for the instruction of their children. St. Peter’s do will everything possible to help them.

St. Peter’s Adult Education Begins. Mark Your Calendars!

Our first three offerings begin soon. These talks and discussion will deepen your knowledge of our Orthodox Christian faith, particularly in these troublesome times when trust in our civic institutions is failing and the bonds that held culture and society together have been seriously, and perhaps irretrievably, weakened. In our lifetime, the need to deepen our knowledge and faith has never been more necessary than today.

1) What is Secularism? Saturday February 19, 2022 at 9:30am

Fr. Hans mentions secularism often. What is secularism? How do we define it? How do secular ideas we may have incorporated into how we think and see the world distort our understanding of it? What does our Orthodox faith say about secularism? The talk will end around noon.

2) Journey through Lent. Saturday March 5, 2022 following the Saturday of the Souls Liturgy

This talk will explain the general outline of Lent and Holy Week so that we can understand the structure, meaning, and importance of this season more deeply. Leaarn why we do the things that we do. It follows the Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy held that morning (talk begins about 11:30am and will be over by 1:00pm).

3) St. Peter’s Women’s Retreat. Saturday March 26, 2022 at 9:00am

The tentative title is “All About Prayer” led by Presbytera Susan. Coffee at 9:00am, retreat begins at 9:30am and concludes with Vespers. More details forthcoming.

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.

Hopefully, we will reach our goal of collectively praying for the intercessions of the Theotokos every day of every month. That way the supplications to the Theotokos will be offered for our parish, the larger world and those in need such as the people on our prayer list.

Also, you will come to know and love this beautiful hymn and learn more about the Theotokos and her benevolence and power towards us. We supplicate the Theotokos who responds in mercy, and she supplicates her son on behalf of the parish and its people.

Get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website.

Cafe of Life— The Importance of Feeding the Poor

Many wonderful things are happening here at St. Peter’s and one of them is the making of sandwiches for the hungry and homeless at the Cafe of Life.

This mission is possible due to your generous donations and support.

“For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.”Deuteronomy 15:11.

Thank you, God bless and IC XC NI KA!

Man of God (St. Nektarios) Movie Coming to Fort Myers/Naples on Monday March 21, 2022

A special showing of “Man of God,” an award winning feature film about the life of St. Nektarios is coming to Southwest Florida on Monday, March 21, 2022. Fr. Hans has already seen the film and gives it five stars. It is very good.

We can go view the film as a parish. Locations include:

This movie was supported by St. Maxim the Greek Institute and Vatopedi Monastery for the spiritual enrichment of Orthodox Christians and all of humanity. The 2021 #1 movie in Greece, “Man of God” depicts the life of St. Nektarios, his struggles, his deep faith in God and his unwavering compassion for all people.

Keep in mind that St. Nektarios has performed miracles in our parish including the healing of cancer and other maladies.

DOMSE Winter Retreat Rescheduled

Get more information on the DOMSE website.

Save the Date! DOMSE Parish Life Conference June 15-18, 2022

Learn more on the DOMSE website.

Could You Support a Special Project?

Some parishioners have requested a needs list they could contribute to. Below are the special projects we still need to get done. If you can help please mention it to Fr. Hans, Jack Long, or John Simon.

• Replace Church computer
  $1,500 Donated.
• Replace Flat roof on Church
  $30,000. Donated.
• Replace windows in the Sunday School rooms
  $8000. Donated.
• Upgrade Church sound system
  $1700.00 Donated.
• Seal coat and restripe parking Lot
  $6,300.
• Upgrade Church Electrical System
  $3600 Donated.

Pledge & Income Report – December 2021

Donations received in December: $35,409.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $22,760.
We are ahead by $12,649.

These numbers reflect the operating costs of the the Hickory Drive property.

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!

February 6 – February 27

• Pavlo Bilych
• Bonnie Joseph
• Al Joseph
• Sandy Krotov
• Nader Sahawneh 214-695-5710
• Anna Tsikitas
• Margie Zimmerman

March 6 – March 27

• Leon Dephkalion
• Marlene Haley
• Tom Haley 239-887-0753
• Cheryl Morse
• Tim Morse
• Diana Najjar
• Debbie Repya
• Elaine Semeretis
• Gregory Semeretis

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.

Calendar At A Glance

Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.

FEBRUARY

• Sun Feb 06 — ST PHOTIOS THE GREAT DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Feb 08 — St. Theodore the Commander Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Feb 10 — St. Haralambos the Hieromartyr Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Feb 10 — Greek Language School 3:30pm

• Sun Feb 13 — LENTEN TRIODION BEGINS
• Sun Feb 13 — SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Feb 15 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Feb 17 — St. Theodore of Tyro Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Feb 17 — Greek Language School 3:30pm
• Fri Feb 18 — Parish Council Meeting 3:30pm
• Sat Feb 19 — Adult Education: What is Secularism? Church Social Hall 9:30am

• Sun Feb 20 — SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Feb 22 -26 — Fr. Hans out of town for the DOMSE Retreat in Atlanta
• Thu Feb 24 — Greek Language School 3:30pm
• Sat Feb 26 — CANCELLED – First Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy, Fr. Hans out of town

FEBRUARY – MARCH

• Sun Feb 27 — SUNDAY OF THE LAST JUDGEMENT DIVINE LITURGY / MEATFARE SUNDAY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Mar 02 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Mar 03 — Greek Language School 3:30pm
• Fri Mar 04 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Mar 05 — Second Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

The light of truth increases and decreases according to a man’s way of life. Terrible temptations fall upon those who seek to live a spiritual life. The ascetic of faith must therefore pass through great sufferings and misfortunes in order to come to knowledge of the truth. Venerable Isaac the Syrian, bishop of Nineveh

Spiritual progress can be rapid with a little philotimo-filled effort and awareness of our inner self. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

By succumbing to sensory desire, rather than reigning over it by God’s dominion, the heart of man is “distracted” from its true orientation in God and His Kingdom. Bishop Irenei Steenberg

Terrible is the approach of death to people who are passionate, sinful and weak, who have not tried to live blamelessly in this vain world. Venerable Ephraim the Syrian

As to members of the Holy Orthodox Church living in districts beyond the reach of Orthodox Catholic clergy, I direct that the ancient custom of our Holy Church be observed, namely, in cases of extreme necessity, that is, danger of death, children may be baptized by some pious Orthodox layman, or even by the parent of the child, by immersion three times in the names of the (persons of the) Blessed Trinity, and in case of death such baptism is valid: — but, if the child should live, it must be brought to an Orthodox priest for the Sacrament of Chrismation. St. Raphael of Brooklyn

Remember in Your Prayers

List has been updated. If you want some names restored, please mention it to Fr. Hans.

• 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 January 11 / Resets February 1.

Current Prayer List

Katherine (Jacobse 3/22)
Daniel, Fr. Deacon (Jacobse 3/22)
Lev (Jacobse 3/22)
Basil (Jacobse 3/22)
Linda M. (Dusckas 3/22)
Barbara (Dusckas 3/22)
Fr John (Jacobse 3/22)
Angel (Ghanem 3/22)
John (Duskas 3/22)
Nancy (Coin 3/22)
Nicholas (Ghanem 1/22)
Arielle (Ghanem 1/22)
Georgia (Sarros 1/22)
Kerri (Dusckas 1/21)

Permanent Prayer List

Lindsay (Semeretis)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Lee Joseph (Irina)
Lidia (Irina)
Sarina (Ghanem)
Kasiani, Jordan and their unborn child (Chapekis)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Maria and her newborn baby (Diveris)
Despina (Diversis)b
Fredericos (Diveris)
Sophia (D. Constantine)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Soterios (Ninos)
Pauline (Poulos)
Sergio (Kazakos)
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Robert (Smith)
Robert (Jarvis)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)

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)

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 Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He hath regarded the humility of His servant.

The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to St. Timothy. (3:10-15)

Timothy my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my sufferings; and what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. What persecutions I endured; yet from them all, the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

GOSPEL

For Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:10-14)

The Lord spoke this parable: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to Heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”