St. Peter News January 28, 2025

Presentation (Meeting) of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Forty days after Christ was born He was presented to God in the Jerusalem Temple according to the Mosaic Law. At this time as well His mother Mary underwent the ritual purification and offered the sacrifices as prescribed in the Law. Thus, forty days after Christmas, on the second of February, the Church celebrates the feast of the presentation called the Meeting (or Presentation or Reception) of the Lord.

Learn more on the Orthodox Church in America website.

Services and Events This Week

• SUN Jan 26 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 28 — Sat Feb 01 — Fr. Hans at DOMSE Clergy Mtg/ Retreat
• Wed Jan 29 — CANCELLED Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 31 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Feb 01 — CANCELLED GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Fr. Hans will be in Atlanta this week attending a clergy conference and the Winter Retreat.

Save the Date! St Peter’s Annual Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance, February 15, 2025!

Join Us on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 from 5pm-9pm for the Saint Peter Annual Valentine Day Dinner Dance in our church Fellowship Hall

Enjoy a delicious Dinner and fun Dancing with your fellow parishioners. BYOB if you like.

Sign up early—SEATING IS LIMITED! The signup sheet is located by the door of our Fellowship Hall.

Ladies, if you would like to offer a SWEET TREAT, please see Tina Kucera, Rose Ghanem, Cheryl Morse, Elaine Seremetis, Sophia Brubaker and Photini Peterson for details.

Our parish is blessed with such CULTURALLY DIVERSITY. So we invite you to share music from your culture for all to enjoy. Simply contact Tina in advance.

No Tickets Will Be Sold; Your Donation from the Heart is Appreciated!

RSVP No Later than February 9, please. Questions? Call Tina at 239.980.1520

Women’s Book Club Forming – First Meeting Friday Jan 31 at 11am in the Social Hall

We will begin, “Thinking Orthodox”, by, Dr Eugenia (Jeannie) Constantinou. The book can be purchased on-line at Ancient Faith Store.

All women are welcome and encouraged to attend. Coffee will be served. We can’t wait to gather together!

Pledge and Income Report — December 2024

Contributions received in December were $40,437
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $31,105.
For the month we are ahead by $9,332.

Year to date we are behind by $11,268.

St. Peter Orthodox Church
7470 Hickory Drive
Fort Myers FL 33967

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.

FEBRUARY

TBA

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.

• 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!

JANUARY

• SUN Jan 26 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jan 28 — Sat Feb 01 — Fr. Hans at DOMSE Clergy Mtg/ Retreat
• Wed Jan 29 — CANCELLED Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jan 31 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Feb 01 — CANCELLED GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

FEBRUARY

• SUN Feb 02 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Feb 06 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Feb 07 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Feb 08 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
• Sat Feb 08 — GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Feb 09 — SUNDAY PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• SUN Feb 09 — LENTEN TRIODION BEGINS
• Mon Feb 10 — St. Haralambos Divine Liturgy 9am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Feb 12 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Feb 14 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Feb 15 — Valentine Gala
• Sat Feb 15 — CANCELLED GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Feb 16 — SUNDAY PRODIGAL SON DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Feb 19 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Feb 21 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Feb 22 — GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Feb 23 — SUNDAY LAST JUDGEMENT DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Feb 26 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Feb 28 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Mar 01 — GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

Such are the contests and such the prizes that lie before us. How long, then, shall we mock ourselves by pretending to be devout, serving the Lord with hypocrisy, being thought one thing by men but clearly seen to be quite different by Him who knows our secrets? Venerable Mark the Faster of Egypt

Never sleep before saying evening-prayers, lest your heart should become gross from ill-timed sleep, and lest the enemy should hinder it by a stony insensibility during prayer. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Prayer for others is very beneficial to the man himself who prays for others ; it purifies the heart, strengthens faith and hope in God, and enkindles our love for God and our neighbour. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

When you perceive in yourself something worthy of praise, and you feel a desire to tell others about it, try immediately to destroy this desire with the thought that you will not receive any benefit from relating it, but only harm. Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg

Until a person is illumined by the Holy Spirit, fear is always present. Afterwards there is no fear. Such a soul has compassion for everyone; he understands that all creation suffers because of the Fall of man. Such a person is always ready to weep for all and to pray for all. Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica

Strive never to offend anyone. Never grow angry. Never teach. When something happens against your will, say: “Glory to God! Glory to God!” One needs to restrain oneself. Archbishop Seraphim (Sobolev) of Bogucharsk

Current Prayer List

Ariyon (Sovjani)
Diana (Veraj)
Arjan (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

40 Days

Lori (Pateras Jan3)

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

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 Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (7:7-17)

Brethren, it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?

For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

GOSPEL

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (2:22-40)

In those days, the parents of Jesus brought Him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

And inspired by the Spirit he came into the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Thy people Israel.” And His father and his mother marveled at what was said about Him; and

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of Him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.