First Sunday after Pentecost
All Saints Sunday
Righteous Sampson the host of Strangers; Mary and Joanna the Myrrh-Bearers
The first Sunday after the Feast of Holy Pentecost is observed by the Orthodox Church as the Sunday of All Saints. This day has been designated as a commemoration of all of the Saints, all the Righteous, the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Shepherds, Teachers, and Holy Monastics, both men and women alike, known and unknown, who have been added to the choirs of the Saints and shall be added, from the time of Adam until the end of the world, who have been perfected in piety and have glorified God by their holy lives
Background
Honoring the friends of God with much reverence, the Prophet-King David says, “But to me, exceedingly honorable are Thy friends, O Lord” (Ps. 138:16). And the Apostle Paul, recounting the achievements of the Saints, and setting forth their memorial as an example that we might turn away from earthly things and from sin, and emulate their patience and courage in the struggles for virtue, says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every burden, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1).
This commemoration began as the Sunday (Synaxis) of All Martyrs; to them were added all the ranks of Saints who bore witness (the meaning of “Martyr” in Greek) to Christ in manifold ways, even if occasion did not require the shedding of their blood.
Therefore, guided by the teaching of the Divine Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition, we honor all the Saints, the friends of God, for they are keepers of God’s commandments, shining examples of virtue, and benefactors of mankind. Of course, we honor the known Saints especially on their own day of the year, as is evident in the Menologion. But since many Saints are unknown, and their number has increased with time, and will continue to increase until the end of time, the Church has appointed that once a year a common commemoration be made of all the Saints. This is the feast that we celebrate today.
Read more on the Orthodox Church in America website.
Who Was the Righteous Sampson the Host of Strangers?
Today we commemorate Righteous Sampson, the Host of Stangers. Who was he? From the Pemptousia website:
Our blessed father Sampson came from a family from the high society of Roman aristocracy, apparently linked to the kin of Constantine the Great. He studied all the important subjects of the time, particularly medicine, to which he felt drawn by his compassionate nature. He was unable to remain indifferent to the spectacle of pain and unhappiness and received the impecunious and the sick at his home, in order to provide them with all the attention that love could offer and, more particularly, the comfort of prayer and faith.
When his parents died, he distributed his large fortune and, free of every earthly obligation and wishing to avoid being esteemed in the eyes of other people, he left for Constantinople. He settled in a humble house and devoted himself entirely to prayer, in silence, though continuing his good works.
He gathered in as many sick people as he found and treated them without charge. He particularly took responsibility for those who were suffering from incurable diseases or those who had diseases that other doctors were reluctant to treat: lepers, the blind and the possessed and so his reputation spread throughout the whole city and his dwelling became a haven for those who had nothing to hope for.
Read the Righteous Sampson’s complete story on the Pemptousia website.
Services This Week
- Sun Jun 20 — GREAT AND HOLY PENTECOST Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jun 22 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Jun 24 — Nativity St. John the Baptist Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jun 25 — Parish Council Meeting 3:30pm
Services Next Week
- Sun Jun 27 — SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Jun 28 — Sts. Peter and Paul Divine Liturgy Orthros Psalms 6:15pm, Divine Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jun 30 — Twelve Holy Apostles Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jun 30 — Women’s Book Study
- Fri Jul 02 — St. Maximos the Confessor Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Sts. Peter and Paul Feast Day Liturgy on Monday, June 28 (Eve of the feast) at 6:30pm
As is our custom, we get together with St. Paul Orthodox Church to celebrate our Feast Day of Sts. Peter and Paul. This year St. Peter’s will host.
This is an important day in the life of the parish and all parishioners are encourage to come (even on a Monday evening).
Divine Liturgy at 6:30pm preceded by the Psalms of Orthodox at 6:15pm. The minimum preparation should be a light lunch and no food following until after the Divine Liturgy.
Refreshments will be served following the Liturgy.
Progress Continues at St. Peter’s
Over the last few weeks we have:
- Painted the exterior of the Church
- Built a closet in the sacristy (the room behind the altar) to hang vestments and altar boy robes
- Repaired the lawn sprinkler systems
- Pressure washed gutters, sidewalks, and more
- Cleaned the roof shingles on the social hall
- Began restoring the walkways alongside the storage shed
- Trimmed bushes and began laying mulch in the public areas
- Restored the backs of the pews that were damaged by prolonged exposure to the sun
- Installed LED lights under the soffits on the exterior of the Church
What’s coming up?
- Clean up the parking lot (painting curbs, etc.)
- Complete the walkways alongside the storage shed
- Complete the mulching of public areas
- Install new window treatments in the sanctuary
- Install the lighted sign we had Bernwood on the south side of the building
None of this would be possible without the hard work of many of our members and the financial support of our parishioners. We run a lean machine and we run it responsibly. All three elements explain why we are able to have so much progress so quickly.
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY This Wednesday, June 23, 2021
The Women’s Book Study meets in the Social Hall. The book we will study is Fr. Arseny: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father. Fr. Arseny was a prisoner in a Soviet Gulag and ministered to many prisoners. His story is gripping, compelling, and shows how God worked even in the Gulag through a faithful priest.
Cafe of Life Ministry
According to the news, the U.S. economy is emerging from the coronavirus Pandemic and yet the rise of the homeless and hungry is most evident of those turbulent times today.
We as Orthodox Christians are very fortunate and blessed. Occasionally though, we need to be reminded of what the Scripture says.
In giving, motivation is crucial. God wants us to be cheerful, generous givers with humble hearts. He asks us to give as a response to His grace in our lives — even if what we have to offer is all that we have.
Please help us here at St. Peter’s to continue this important mission by giving generously.
Thank you, have faith and remember…IC XC NI KA!
Two Things to Remember About Our Church at Hickory Drive
- The Presbyterian Church will be using the Social Hall for their worship until they find a place to relocate. Do not enter the Social Hall before 10am on Sundays.
- 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.
Pledge & Income Report – May 2021
Donations received in May: $24 ,401.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $22,760.21.
We are ahead by $1,641.
These numbers reflect the operating costs of the the Hickory Drive property.
Please note:Please continue your generous support. If you cannot make it to church please mail in your donation to:
St. Peter Orthodox Church
7470 Hickory Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967
You can also donate online:
Bishop NICHOLAS Offers a Weekly Live Stream
These are short thirty minute presentations where His Grace Bp. Nicholas speaks on one theme in Sunday readings for fifteen minutes followed by questions from the listeners. It’s worth tuning in. Get instructions on the St. Peter website on how to use the Band App on your phone or computer to participate.
Calendar At A Glance
Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.
JUNE
- Sun Jun 20 — GREAT AND HOLY PENTECOST Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jun 22 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jun 23 — Women’s Book Study
- Thu Jun 24 — Nativity St. John the Baptist Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jun 25 — Parish Council Meeting 3:30pm
JUNE – JULY
- Sun Jun 27 — SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Jun 28 — Sts. Peter and Paul Divine Liturgy Orthros Psalms 6:15pm, Divine Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jun 30 — Women’s Book Study
- Fri Jul 02 — St. Maximos the Confessor Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jul 04 — SECOND SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jul 06 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Jul 08 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sat Jul 10 — St. Joseph of Damascus Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jul 11 — THIRD SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Jul 12 — St. Paisios of Athos Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Jul 15 — St. Vladimir Equal to the Apostles Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sat Jul 17 — Great Marina of Antioch Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jul 18 — FATHERS OF THE FOURTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Jul 19-22 — Fr. Hans out of Town
- Sun Jul 25 — DORMITION OF ST ANNA Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Jul 26 — St. Paraskeve Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jul 27 — St. Panteleimon Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jul 30 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Wisdom From The Elders
Our life on earth is a perpetual struggle with our passions. As such, it is not understood by people of this world, who are given to serving their flesh and their earthly idols. Nonetheless, this inner struggle of a man with himself, with his moral deficiencies and weaknesses, with his evil thoughts, the passionate impulses of his soul, the wickedness of his heart, the lusts of his body, and the like — this struggle is every Christian’s duty. It is the law of a Christian’s life. A. Calmet
Let us renounce self-will and the tumult of passions, and entirely submit to the will of God. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
God’s saints are great merchants, who have enriched themselves with all spiritual treasures, with all virtues : meekness, humility, abstinence, patience, great faith, hope, and love. This is why we ask their holy prayers, as poor men of rich, that they may help us in our spiritual poverty; that they may teach us how to pray and to progress in all Christian virtues. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
It is necessary to repent for not sufficiently loving others and for not being sensitive enough to the misfortunes of others. Elder Sergei of Vanves
“But I say to you,” the Lord says, “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who persecute you.” Why did he command these things? So that he might free you from hatred, sadness, anger and grudges, and might grant you the greatest possession of all, perfect love, which is impossible to possess except by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God. St. Maximus the Confessor
Remember in Your Prayers
- Names will remain on the list for two 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 June 13 / Resets August
Current Prayer List
Elsa (Duskas 9/21)
Maryann (Breitenbach 9/21)
Debbie (Breitenbach 9/21)
Katherine (Duskas 9/21)
James (Duskas 9/21)
Anne (Breitenbach 9/21)
Patricia (Tsikita 9/21)
Robert (Tewis 9/21)
Lydia (Irena 9/21)
Lee (Irena 9/21)
Demetrios (Karras 8/21)
Leah (Brubaker 7/21)
Elena (Brubaker 7/21)
George III (Ghanem 7/21)
Kristin (Ghanem 7/21)
Nora (Ghanem 7/21)
George IV (Ghanem 7/21)
Lena (Ghanem 7/21)
Barbara (Dusckas 7/21)
Georgia (Jacobse 6/21)
Jean (Wolffe 6/21)
Robin (Wolffe 6/21)
Permanent Prayer List
Maria and her unborn child Iakovos (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)
George the Priest (Chapekis)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
Stamatia (Jacobse)
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Helen (Rogers)
Robert (Smith)
Robert (Jarvis)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Ann (Rellis)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)
Founders, Members, and Benefactors 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)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K)
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
God is wonderful among His saints.
Bless God in the congregations.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (11:33-12:2)
Brethren, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated — of whom the world was not worthy — wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore,since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfection of our faith.
GOSPEL
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30)
The Lord said to His disciples, “Everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father Who is in heaven; but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father Who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.”
Then Peter said in reply, “Lo, we have left everything and followed Thee. What then shall we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the New World, when the Son of Man shall sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My Name’s sake, will receive a hundred fold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”
