St. Peter News January 18, 2022

Thirty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Fourteenth Sunday of Luke

Hieromartyr Clement, Bishop of Ancyra

Martyr Agathangelos; Paulinos, bishop of Nola

Who Were Hieromartyr Clement, Bishop of Ancyra, and Martyr Agathangelus?

The Hieromartyr Clement was born in the Galatian city of Ancyra in the year 258, of a pagan father and a Christian mother. He lost his father when he was an infant, and his mother when he was twelve. She predicted a martyr’s death for him because of his belief in Christ.

A woman named Sophia adopted him and raised him in the fear of God. During a terrible famine in Galatia several pagans turned out their own children, not having the means to feed them. Sophia took in these unfortunates, and fed and clothed them. Saint Clement assisted her in this. He taught the children and prepared them for Baptism. Many of them died as martyrs for Christ.

Saint Clement was made a reader, and later a deacon. When he was eighteen he was ordained to the holy priesthood, and at age twenty he was consecrated Bishop of Ancyra. Soon afterwards the persecution against Christians under Diocletian (284-305) broke out.

ishop Clement was denounced as a Christian and arrested. Dometian, the governor of Galatia, tried to make the saint worship the pagan gods, but Saint Clement firmly confessed his faith and valiantly withstood all the tortures.

They suspended him on a tree, and raked his body with sharp iron instruments so that his entrails could be seen. They smashed his mouth with stones, and they turned him on a wheel and burned him over a low fire. The Lord preserved His sufferer and healed his lacerated body.

Then Dometian sent the saint to Rome to the emperor Diocletian himself, with a report that Bishop Clement had been fiercely tortured, but had proven unyielding. Diocletian, seeing the martyr completely healthy, did not believe the report and subjected him to even crueler tortures, and then had him locked up in prison.

Many of the pagans, seeing the bravery of the saint and the miraculous healing of his wounds, believed in Christ. People flocked to Saint Clement in prison for guidance, healing and Baptism, so that the prison was literally transformed into a church. When word of this reached the emperor, many of these new Christians were executed.

Diocletian, struck by the amazing endurance of Saint Clement, sent him to Nicomedia to his co-emperor Maximian. On the ship, the saint was joined by his disciple Agathangelus, who had avoided being executed with the other confessors, and who now wanted to suffer and die for Christ with Bishop Clement.

The emperor Maximian in turn sent Saints Clement and Agathangelus to the governor Agrippina, who subjected them to such inhuman torments, that even the pagan on-lookers felt pity for the martyrs and they began to pelt the torturers with stones.

Having been set free, the saints healed an inhabitant of the city through the laying on of hands and they baptized and instructed people, thronging to them in multitudes. Arrested again on orders of Maximian, they were sent home to Ancyra, where the ruler Cyrenius had them tortured. Then they were sent to the city of Amasea to the proconsul Dometius, known for his great cruelty.

In Amasea, the martyrs were thrown into hot lime. They spent a whole day in it and remained unharmed. They flayed them, beat them with iron rods, set them on red-hot beds, and poured sulfur on their bodies. All this failed to harm the saints, and they were sent to Tarsus for new tortures. In the wilderness along the way Saint Clement had a revelation that he would suffer a total of twenty-eight years for Christ. Then having endured a multitude of tortures, the saints were locked up in prison.

Saint Agathangelus was beheaded with the sword on November 5. The Christians of Ancyra freed Saint Clement from prison and took him to a cave church. There, after celebrating Liturgy, the saint announced to the faithful the impending end of the persecution and his own martyrdom. On January 23, the holy hierarch was killed by soldiers from the city, who stormed the church. The saint was beheaded as he stood before the altar and offered the Bloodless Sacrifice. Two deacons, Christopher and Chariton, were beheaded with him, but no one else was harmed.

Source: Orthodox Church in America website.

Services This Week

• Sun Jan 16 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Jan 17 — St. Anthony the Great Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 18 — Sts. Athanasios and Cyril Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 21 — St. Maximos the Confessor Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 21 — Parish Council Meeting 3:30pm

Services Next Week

• Sun Jan 23 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• CANCELLED Tue Jan 25 – Sat Jan 29 — DOMSE RETREAT Fr. Hans Out of Town
• Tue Jan 25 — St. Gregory the Theologian Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 25 — Sts. Ephraim and Isaac the Syrians Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

St. Anthony the Great Divine Liturgy on Monday January 17, 2022 at 9:30am

Sts. Athanasios and Cyril Divine Liturgy on Tuesday January 18, 2022 at 9:30am

St. Maximos the Confessor Divine Liturgy on Friday January 21, 2022 at 9:30am

It Is Time For House Blessings!

To sign up for house blessings please text Fr. Hans at 239-248-4775 with some available dates and times that work, or send an email to info@stpeterorthodoxchurch.com, or sign up in the Social Hall. Fr. Hans will call you to set up the appointment.

If you call there is a good chance I cannot pick up, and if I am in the car I cannot write down the information anyway. That’s why texting is preferred.

Community Flea Market / Rummage Sale

St. Peter’s parish is holding a Community Flea Market/Rummage Sale on Saturday,January 29, 2022 from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

If you have any household items to donate tothe church for sale, please contact Gregory Seremetis BEFORE January 25 at 917-992-5884.

If you or anyone you know wants to be a vendor to rent a space to sell their owngoods, vendor prices are:

• Single space 8 ft x 17 ft — $25
• Double Space 16 ft x 34 ft — $40

To reserve your space, please contact Gregory Seremetis at 17-992-5884 ASAP.

All proceeds benefit St. Peter’s.

St. Peter’s Kafenio Opens Thursday, January 27!

Barbara and Costa Dionysopoulos invite you to attend our first ever “Kafenio” for some Greek coffee, “Parea” (company) and sweets.

The Kafenio opens on Thursday, January 27 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm and on the fourth Thursday of every month following.

Sign up in the Social Hall before Sunday, January 23 so we know how many deserts to prepare. A small donation is requested to cover the cost of the coffee and deserts.

If you would like to help make Greek Coffee or donate a dessert to the Kafeniou as well, pleasecall Barbara Dionysopoulos at 239-826-1655 so that she can coordinate the monthly event.

Life at St. Peter’s

Seniors Gather for Fellowship at the Community Luncheon

Calling All Teens!

Fr. Hans needs your name and email address (or your parent’s address) so you can receive SOYO (Society of Orthodox Youth Organization) materials. Maybe we can begin a SOYO group at St. Peter’s too.

Learn more about Teen SOYO on the DOMSE website.

Cafe of Life— One Cup of Coffee Can Feed the Poor

Are You Willing To Give Up A Month Of Coffee To Feed A Hungry Neighbor?

St. Peter’s is seeking monthly sponsors or ongoing donors to help sustain their committment in making sandwiches for the hungry and homeless. These are challenging times and your donation is especially needed to support our local community.

So please reach deep into your pockets. Any amount is appreciated.

Thank you, God bless and IC XC NI KA!

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!

January 2 – January 30

• Barbara Dionysopoulos 239-826-1655
• Costa Dionysopoulos
• Marianthi Kazakos
• Niki Locklear
• Ray Locklear
• Koula Ormandiou
• Carol Palatine

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.

JANUARY

• Sun Jan 16 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Jan 17 — St. Anthony the Great Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 18 — Sts. Athanasios and Cyril Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 21 — St. Maximos the Confessor Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 21 — Parish Council Meeting 3:30pm LIVE STREAM

• Sun Jan 23 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• CANCELLED Tue Jan 25 – Sat Jan 29 — DOMSE RETREAT Fr. Hans Out of Town
• Tue Jan 25 — St. Gregory the Theologian Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 25 — Sts. Ephraim and Isaac the Syrians Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

The word “world” has two meanings. First, the external world, fallen mankind, and secondly—our own fallen nature, with its passions and sinful tendencies, This world is subject to the power of the devil. Here he finds weapons with which he pursues and persecutes the disciple of Christ, hoping to destroy him. Abbot Nikon Vorobiev

O, if we oftener contemplated the images, and especially the life of the Lord and of His saints, how we should change, and rise from strength to strength! Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Do all your work in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, and thus shall your fruits be carried up to heaven. Venerable Ephraim the Syrian

When you pray to the heavenly Powers, do not represent them to yourself as very terrible, inaccessible, or unmerciful: no, they are the gentlest, humblest, most loving, accessible, friendly beings, ever ready to hear, and very near to those who call upon them in prayer with faith and love. Their attribute is love of union with all Christians, through the prayer of faith. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

True hope is not expectation, but knowledge and surety. In this way, genuine hope is the stability of prayer. Bishop Irenei Steenberg

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

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)
Carmella (Jacobse 2/22)
Roma (Jacobse 2/22)
Nicholas (Ghanem 1/22)
Arielle (Ghanem 1/22)
Georgia (Sarros 1/22)
Kerri (Dusckas 1/21)

Permanent Prayer List

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)
Rae (Semeretis)
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 the Thirty-first Sunday after Pentecost

O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance.
Unto Thee have I cried, O Lord, my God.

The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to St. Timothy. (1:15-17)

Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory to the ages of ages. Amen.

GOSPEL

For the Fourteenth Sunday of Luke

The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:35-43)

At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to Him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.