Second Sunday after Pentecost
Second Sunday of Matthew
Andrew, archbishop of Crete, author of the Great Canon;
Martyrs Theodore of Cyrene and Lucia; Venerable Andrei Rublev
Who was St. Andrew of Crete?
Saint Andrew was from Damascus; his parents’ names were George and Gregoria. He became a cleric and secretary of Theodore and Patriarch of Jerusalem; from this, he is called “the Jerusalemite.” He was present at the Sixth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, which was convoked in 680 during the reign of Emperor Constantine IV (668-685).
He became deacon of the Great church in Constantinople, that is, the Church of the Holy Wisdom of God, then Archbishop of Crete. He reposed in 720 or 723. Beside his other sacred writings, he also composed various hymns, among which is the famous Great Canon, which is chanted during Great Lent (see the Thursday of the Fifth Week of the Fast).
Read the entire biography on the Orthodox Church in America website.
Services This 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 — Women’s Book Study
- Fri Jul 02 — St. John Maximovitch Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Services Next Week
- 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
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?
- Upgrade handicap bathroom
- Add gutters to social hall garden area.
- 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.
New Procedures for Hospitality
Our Church is growing and the old ways have to become new ways so that things run smoothly.
First of all, thumbs up to our July volunteers: Barbara Dionysopoulos, Marianthi Kazakos, Niki and Ray Locklear, Maria Mourgis, and Carol Palantine. Thank you and thank you again!
Thank you to Tom and Marlene Haley who organize everything. They do a great job!
NEW PROCEDURES
- 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.”
- Please do not donate coffee. We have a space age coffee brewer that we aquired at no cost if we buy our coffee from one supplier. If you bring in coffee, we can’t use it.
- 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.
- If you would like to bring in your own prepared food, please contact Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 by the Friday before the upcoming Sunday. That way we know not to prepare any food for Sunday.
Thank you and let’s BREAK BREAD!
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY This Wednesday, June 30, 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
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 drives 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, God bless and 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:
Calendar At A Glance
Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.
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. John MaximovitchDivine 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
It comes about through our own fault, since it is caused by a decrease in attention and watchfulness over ourselves. This diminution of our attention comes about either as a response to the temptations existing in our surroundings—when various kinds of worldly delusion blunt and captivate us—or by the wiles of the enemy, who manages to persuade us to come out of our inner self. Fr. Jack Sparks
It is better for those who are not capable of long prayers to say short prayers, but with a fervent spirit. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
Our starting point is always wrong. Instead of beginning with ourselves, we always want to change others first and ourselves last. If everyone were to begin first with themselves, then there would be peace all around! Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica
A monk was once asked: What do you do there in the monastery? He replied: We fall and get up, fall and get up, fall and get up again. Tito Colliander
When anyone, out of kindness, praises you to others, and they transmit these praises to you, do not consider them as a just tribute of esteem really due to you, but ascribe them solely to the kindness of heart of the person who thus spoke of you, and pray to God for him, that God may strengthen him in his kindness of heart and in every virtue; but acknowledge yourself to be the greatest of sinners, not out of humility, but truthfully, actually, knowing as you do your evil deeds. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
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
Nancy S (Duskas 10/21)
Elsa (Duskas 9/21)
Maryann (Breitenbach 9/21)
Debbie (Breitenbach 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 (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
For Second Sunday after Pentecost
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. (2:10-16)
Brethren, glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. All who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law. For it is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the Law do by nature what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the Law. They show that what the Law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
GOSPEL
For Second Sunday of Matthew
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (4:18-23)
At that time, as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
