St. Peter News March 15, 2022

Second Sunday of Great Lent
St. Gregory Palamas

The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

The Holy Fathers slain at the monastery of Mar Sabbas; New-martyr Myron of Crete

From “A Man Fully Alive” by Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick.

On the Second Sunday of Great Lent we celebrate St. Gregory Palamas, the archbishop of Thessalonica in Greece for a number of years in the 14th century, right around the same time that Geoffrey Chaucer was born, the man who wrote The Canterbury Tales.

But before he became an archbishop, Gregory was a monk on the holy mountain of Athos. During his time there and also when he later became an archbishop, Gregory was involved in a controversy that cut straight to the heart of this longing for life that all of us who are sons and daughters of Adam share.

At that time, there was a certain heretic named Barlaam, who was from the southern part of Italy, which was Greek-speaking at the time. Barlaam made the claim that the highest possible knowledge of God that anyone could have was through the mind, that the philosophers knew God better than the prophets and even the apostles.

Gregory answered that the human mind, while a great gift from God, was not actually capable of the kind of intimate knowledge and communion that Adam had received from God, that there was something much deeper, that the Christian could actually know God and see Him with the heart, as a light shining in. And indeed, sometimes this heart knowledge of God was so powerful and so pervasive that some people were actually seeing the light of God with their physical eyes.

Isn’t that why we’re here? Don’t we want to see God? Aren’t we here not just to learn about God with our minds, but truly to know Him with our hearts?

Read Fr. Damick’s complete essay.

Read a brief history of St. Gregory Palamas.

Services This Week

• Sun Mar 13 — SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Mar 14 — Great Compline 6:30pmm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Mar 16 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 18 — Second Stanza Salutations to the Theotokos (Akathist) 6:30pm LIVE STREAM

Akathist Service Will Be Held On Friday (Not Thursday)

The Akathist Service will be held on Friday at 6:30pm and NOT Thursday as previously announced. Fr. Hans’ trip that originally necessitated the change has been rescheduled.

St. Peter’s Women’s Retreat – Saturday March 26, 2022 at 9:30am

Stewardship 2022

Stewardship letters have been mailed out. God has blessed St. Peter’s. Please fill in your pledge so the work that we have been called to do will continue.

You can also print and download the form on the St. Peter website.

Pictures from the Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession

Presanctified Lenten Suppers

Every Wednesday after Presanctified Liturgy on the Wednesdays during Lent, we gather for fellowship over a simple Lenten supper.

Thank you to Marjorie Zimmerman will be organizing the suppers.

Pictures of St. Peter’s First Anniversary Celebration in Our New Location

Last week marked our first anniversary in our new church. Last year we accomplished the move in one week not missing even one Sunday! Our subsequent build out took one year and we are 99% done and ready to move into our next phase of growth. Meanwhile new members continue to stream in to where our attendance has grown to 150 people and more almost every Sunday. Our future looks bright and if we remain faithful God will continue to bless us!

Journey to Pascha

Helping Victims of the War in Ukraine

Galyna Seabrooke who has spoken on several occasions on the situation in Ukraine on behalf of our Ukranian parishioners mentioned opportunities to help the victims of the war.

One way to offer humanitarian aid is through a Go Fund Me page. Another is to donate essential items for Ukranian refugees. These items include:

1. Medications (no liquid or sprays allowed)
2. Pain killers / Fever Reducer (aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprophen)
3. Sterile gauzes
4. Elastic bandage wraps
5. Elastic bandages
6. Hydrogel burn bandages
7. Camouflage clothes
8. Knee pads
9. Tactic gloves
10. Thermal underwear for men
11. Hats, gloves, socks

No food items please.

A box will be set up in the church for donations.

We pray that war in Ukraine will end quickly.

Greek Language School Continues

Classes meet on Thursdays at 3:30pm in the Sunday School room.

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.

Hopefully, we will reach our goal of collectively praying for the intercessions of the Theotokos every day of every month. That way the supplications to the Theotokos will be offered for our parish, the larger world and those in need such as the people on our prayer list.

Also, you will come to know and love this beautiful hymn and learn more about the Theotokos and her benevolence and power towards us. We supplicate the Theotokos who responds in mercy, and she supplicates her son on behalf of the parish and its people.

Get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website.

Cafe of Life: St. Peter’s is Blessed and We Must Pass the Blessing to Others

Praise the Lord, last Sunday St. Peter’s Church celebrated its one year anniversary at the Fort Meyers location. We are very fortunate and blessed. And yet, considering all that is going on in the world today, we need to be reminded of the following:

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life. Rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, GOD, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, GOD will carry you in his arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same understanding Father who cares for you today will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Trust in Him.

Thank you, God bless and IC XC NI KA!

Do You Have a Used Car for Sale?

If you have a used car that you want to sell for a reasonable and fair price, Tom Sovjani is looking for one for a relative that recently moved to the area from Albania.

Please contact Tom at 239-254-1004.

Man of God (St. Nektarios) Movie Coming to Fort Myers/Naples on Monday March 21/28, 2022

A special showing of “Man of God,” an award winning feature film about the life of St. Nektarios is coming to Southwest Florida on Monday, March 21 and March 28, 2022. Fr. Hans has already seen the film and gives it five stars.

We can go view the film as a parish. Since we have parishioners in both the Cape Coral/Ft. Myers and Naples areas, two locations and dates are offered to see this film as a parish.

Cape Coral and Ft. Myers

Monday, March 21, 2022 meet at 6:30pm (show time 7:00pm) at:

Regal Belltower
13499 Belltower Drive
Fort Myers, FL

Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero

Monday, March 28, 2022 meet at 6:30pm (show time 7:00pm) at:

Regal Coconut Point
8021 Cinema Way
Estero, FL

Please note that we will not hold the Great Compline on March 28, 2022.

Keep in mind that St. Nektarios has performed miracles in our parish including the healing of cancer and other maladies.

Save the Date! DOMSE Parish Life Conference June 15-18, 2022

Learn more on the DOMSE website.

Pledge & Income Report – February 2022

Donations received in February: $25,767.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $37,209.
We are ahead by $13,095.

Thank you to all who paid their 2022 stewardship in advance!

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!

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.

Helping Our Seniors With Parking

With the church growing the parking lot is close to full every Sunday. Younger parishioners, could you park in the grass lot even if spaces are open in the paved area? That way our seniors can park closer to the entrance and avoid the grassy area where it is easier to stumble and fall.

The handicap areas nearest the front door have wider access. If you park in the handicap area but don’t need wider access, please avoid the space nearest the front door. These spots are exclusively for those parishioners who need wheelchair access, which for now is one parishioner.

Calendar At A Glance

Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.

MARCH

• Sun Mar 13 — SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Mar 14 — Great Compline 6:30pmm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Mar 16 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Mar 17 — Greek Language School 3:30pm
• Fri Mar 18 — Second Stanza Salutations to the Theotokos (Akathist) 6:30pm LIVE STREAM

• Sun Mar 20 — SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Mar 21 — Great Compline 6:30pm
• Mon Mar 21 — Cape Coral/Ft. Myers “Man of God” viewing at Belle Tower 6:30pm
• Wed Mar 23 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Mar 24 — Greek Language School 3:30pm
• Thu Mar 24 — Great Vespers of the Annunciation 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Mar 25 — ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS – Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 25 — Parish Council Meeting 3:30pm
• Fri Mar 25 — Third Stanza Salutations to the Theotokos (Akathist) 6:30pm LIVE STREAM

• Sun Mar 27 — SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Mar 28 — CANCELLED Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Mon Mar 28 — Naples/Estero “Man of God” viewing at Coconut Point 6:30pm
• Wed Mar 30 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Apr 01 — Third Stanza Salutations to the Theotokos (Akathist) 6:30pm LIVE STREAM

• Sun Mar 27 — SUNDAY OF THE VENERATION OF THE CROSS LIVE STREAM
• Mon Mar 28 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Mar 30 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Mar 31 — Greek Language School 3:30pm
• Fri Apr 01 — Fourth Stanza Salutations 6:30pm LIVE STREAM

APRIL

• Sun Apr 3 — SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER LIVE STREAM
• Mon Apr 4 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Apr 6 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Apr 7 — Greek Language School 3:30pm
• Thu Apr 7 — NOTE DATE CHANGE Complete Salutations/Akathist Hymn 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Apr 7 – Sat Apr 8 — Fr. Hans Out of Town

• Sun Apr 10 — SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT LIVE STREAM
• Mon Apr 11 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Apr 13 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Mar 14 — Greek Language School 3:30pm
• Fri Apr 15 — Small Compline with Canon of St. Lazarus 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Sat Apr 16 — Lazarus Saturday Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
  Baptism / Make crosses / Pancake breakfast / Children confessions – Full Schedule TBA

HOLY WEEK

• Sun Apr 17 — PALM SUNDAY LIVE STREAM
  Brunch in Social Hall following Divine Liturgy
  Bridegroom Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Mon Apr 18 — HOLY MONDAY – Bridegroom Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Tue Apr 19 — HOLY TUESDAY – Bridegroom Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Apr 20 — HOLY WEDNESDAY – Holy Unction 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Apr 21 — HOLY THURSDAY – Liturgy of the Last Supper 9:30am LIVE STREAM
  Reading of the Twelve Gospels 6:00pm (note earlier time) LIVE STREAM
• Fri Apr 22 — HOLY FRIDAY – Royal Hours 9:00am LIVE STREAM
  Decoration of Tomb of Christ 10:30am
  Taking Christ Down from the Cross 3:00pm LIVE STREAM
  Lamentations 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Sat Apr 23 — HOLY SATURDAY – First Resurrection Service 9:30am LIVE STREAM
  Great and Holy Pascha 10:00pm LIVE STREAM
• Sun Apr 24 — Agape Vespers 11:00am LIVE STREAM
  
  Paschal Dinner in Social Hall 1:00pm / Easter egg hunt for children

Wisdom From The Elders

Question: When divine grace abides in us, are we aware of it? Response: Sometimes we are aware of it. Sometimes, however, God hides from us any awareness of His grace in us, so that we won’t fall into the temptation of pride. Elder Sergei of Vanves

This is the cause of all evils: the ignorance of the Scriptures. We go into battle without arms, and how ought we to come off safe? St. John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople

a person not subject to any passions or vices, who is able to rein in his sinful urges, delights in a state of true inner freedom that produces peace and joy. His soul is filled with light and a blessed feeling of “sweet, heavenly peace” that is nothing other than a foretaste of that paradisiacal blessedness that awaits the righteous. Archbishop Averky (Taushev)

If Christ is in you through the frequent communion of the Holy Sacrament, then be yourself wholly like unto Christ: meek, humble, long-suffering, full of love, without attachment to earthly things, meditating upon heavenly ones, obedient, reasonable. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

You must take the utmost care not to compare yourself with others in any respect, but always to put yourself below others, although you may really be better or equal to others in some respects. Everything good in us comes from God and is not our own. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

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 February 21 / Resets March 1.

Current Prayer List

Gabrielle (Lowell 5/22)
Andrea, Yelena, newborn baby (Protpapadakis 4/22)
George (Haynes 4/21)
Kayla (Palentine 4/21)
Katherine (Jacobse 3/22)
Daniel, Fr. Deacon (Jacobse 3/22)
Lev (Jacobse 3/22)
Basil (Jacobse 3/22)
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)
Nicholas (Ghanem 1/22)
Arielle (Ghanem 1/22)
Georgia (Sarros 1/22)
Kerri (Dusckas 1/21)

Permanent Prayer List

Lindsay (Semeretis)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Seraphim (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)
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)
Mary Lou

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

O Lord, Thou wilt preserve us and keep us from this generation.
Save me, O Lord, for the godly man hath disappeared.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (1:10-2:3)

“In the beginning, Thou, O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands; they will perish, but Thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle Thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy years will never end.” But to what angel has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a stool for thy feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore, we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message, declared by angels, was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard Him.

GOSPEL

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (2:1-12)

At that time, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that Hewas at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was preaching the Word to them. And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd,they removed the roof above Him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now, some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

And immediately Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them,“Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – He said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all. So that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”