St. Peter News January 31, 2023

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
After-feast of the Presentation (Meeting) of Christ

The Martyr Agatha of Palermo in Sicily; and the Holy and Righteous Mothers of the Three
Hierarchs: Emmelia, Nona and Anthousa

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 Jan 29 — SUNDAY OF THE CANAANITE WOMAN Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Jan 30 — The Three Hierarchs Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 31 — Holy Unmercenaries Cyrus and John Divine Liturgy
• Thu Feb 02 — GREAT FEAST: PRESENTATION OF THE LORD IN THE TEMPLE / St. Nicholas Academy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Feb 04 — Journey to Pascha Lenten Retreat 10:00am – 12:00pm Social Hall

Journey to Pascha Retreat on Saturday February 4, 2023 from 9:00am to 12:00pm

What precisely is Lent for? Why do we prepare for Holy Week and Pascha? How do we do prepare?

Join Fr. Hans on Saturday for answers to these questions as he explains the Lenten, Holy Week, and Pascha disciplines and services that can bring our Orthodox faith more deeply into our lives.

The retreat will also be available via Zoom. Click the link on the website calendar to join or click here.

Cathechumen Classes Continue This Sunday February 5, 2023

We will meet after Social Hall.

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

Valentine’s Day Celebration and Fellowship
Saturday, February 11, 2023, 5:00pm in our Parish Fellowship Hall
Enjoy Dinner, Desserts and Dancing
Bring your own drinks/refreshments
RSVP to Tina Kucera at 239-980-1520 by February 5, 2023
Donations Accepted

Mark Your Calendars for Two Upcoming Retreats!

Saturday, February 4, 2023, 9:00am to 12:00pm – Journey to Pascha by Fr. Hans
An overview of Lent and Holy Week to prepare us for observing these days in an Orthodox manner.

Saturday, March 4, 2023 – St. Peter’s Women’s Retreat “The Prayer of Ephraim” by Presbytera Susan
What the prayer means, when and how to pray the prayer, how it ties into our personal sanctification during Lent. The retreat follows the Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy that morning.

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 – Defend the RIghts of the Poor and Needy

Most men and women lead lives of quiet desperation and “What if” scenarios. They make themselves slaves to their external realities.

FEAR and their lack of faith in Jesus Christ drive them to hopelessness.

According to the Scriptures (Proverbs 31:9: Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Thus, it is our duty as Orthodox Christians to guide and help them.

So please reach deep into your pockets and give generously to those impoverished. Any amount is appreciated.

Thank you and IC XC NI KA!

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

FEBRUARY 2023

• Feb 05 George Tsikitas Doug and Tina Kucera
• Feb 12 Joe and Deb Repya, George Tsikitas
• Feb 19 George Tsikitas, Joe Repya
• Feb 26 Doug and Tina Kucera, Tom and Marlene Haley

MARCH 2023

• Mar 05 Will Schwarz, Nader Sahawneh
• Mar 12 Al Joseph, Joe and Deb Repya
• Mar 19 Barb and Costa Dionysopoulos, * Need Additional Volunteer
• Mar 26 Will Schwarz, * Need Additional Volunteer

We have a few Sunday’s in March with only one person or couple that we need to fill. If anyone else would like to volunteer, please call Joe Repya 612-270-4443.

FEBRUARY

• MARGIE ZIMMERMAN
• Leon Dephkalion
• Glow Franklin
• Moriah Peterson
• Barbara Sasen
• Will Schwarz
• Anna Tsikitas

The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make St. Peter’s Social Hall happen. Thank you All Stars!

Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY

• SUN Jan 29 — SUNDAY OF THE CANAANITE WOMAN Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• SUN Jan 29 — Catechism Class 12:15pm
• Mon Jan 30 — The Three Hierarchs Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 31 — Holy Unmercenaries Cyrus and John Divine Liturgy / St. Nicholas Academy 9:30am
• Thu Feb 02 — GREAT FEAST: PRESENTATION OF THE LORD IN THE TEMPLE / St. Nicholas Academy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Feb 03 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall
• Sat Feb 04 — Journey to Pascha Lenten Retreat 10:00am – 12:00pm Social Hall

FEBRUARY

• SUN Feb 05 — SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE / LENTEN TRIODION BEGINS Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• SUN Feb 05 — Catechism Class 12:15pm
• Wed Feb 08 — Theodore the Commander Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Feb 09 — Divine Liturgy / St. Nicholas Academy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Feb 10 — St. Haralambos the Hieromartyr Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Feb 10 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall
• Sat Feb 11 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
• Sat Feb 11 — Thanksgiving Valentine Gala 5:00pm Social Hall

• SUN Feb 19 — SUNDAY OF THE LAST JUDGMENT Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Feb 23 — Divine Liturgy / St. Nicholas Academy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Feb 24 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall
• Sat Feb 25 — Divine Liturgy Saturday of the Souls 9:30am LIVE STREAM

FEBRUARY-MARCH

• SUN Feb 26 — SUNDAY OF FORGIVENESS Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• SUN Feb 26 — Forgiveness Vespers 12:30pm
• Mon Feb 27 — LENT BEGINS / CLEAN MONDAY
• Mon Feb 27 — Great Compline with Canon of St. Andrew 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Tue Feb 28 — Great Compline with Canon of St. Andrew 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Mar 01 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Mar 02 — Great Compline with Canon of St. Andrew 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 03 — Salutations First Stanza 6:30pm 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 03 — Men of St. Paisios 7:30pm Social Hall

Of the demons opposing us in the practice of the ascetic life, there are three groups who fight in die front line: those entrusted with the appetites of gluttony, those who suggest avaricious thoughts, and those who incite us to seek the esteem of men. All the other demons follow behind and in their turn attack those already wounded by the first three groups. Evagrios the Solitary

There are many, many examples of this in the Lives of the Saints; how a selfish, egoistical, unbelieving, atheistic, proud, avaricious, lustful, evil, wicked, depraved, angry, spiteful, quarrelsome, malicious, envious, malevolent, boastful, vainglorious, unmerciful, gluttonous man becomes a man of God—there [are] many, many examples of this in the Lives of the Saints. Venerable Justin (Popovic) of Chelije in Serbia

If the carnal man is at ease and happy, the spiritual one feels oppressed; if the outward man flourishes, the inward one perishes. So opposite in us are the old, sinful, carnal man and the man renewed by Christ’s grace; Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

We must watch constantly to keep our heart from becoming agitated or distressed, using every effort to keep it peaceful and calm. Seeing our efforts and endeavors, God will send us His grace and will make our soul a city of peace. Fr. Jack Sparks

Jesus will continually look down with open arms because He wants my soul, for which He died, in order to embrace it. Metropolitan Saba (Esber)

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

George (3/23 Chapekis)
Penelope (3/23 Chapekis)
Theodora (3/23)
Victor (3/23)
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)
Fredericos (Diveris)
Makrina and her unborn baby (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

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.”