Second Sunday of Great Lent
St. Gregory Palamas
The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
Hypatios the wonderworker, bishop of Gangra; Prophet Joel
St. Gregory Palamas
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 and Events This Week
- SUN Mar 24 — SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Mar 25 — ANNUCIATION OF THE THEOTKOS DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Mar 25 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Mar 27 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Mar 29 — Akathist Hymn Second Stanza 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Mar 29 — Men of St. Paisios 7:30pm Social Hall
- Sat Mar 30 — Lenten Women’s Retreat 9:00am-3:00pm Social Hall
- Sat Apr 30 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
Lenten Women’s Retreat This Saturday, March 30, 2024 Stating at 9:00am
The retreat will be led by Presbytera Susan on “To You As Champion: Entering into Worship and Prayer with the Akathist Hymn.” Lunch is provided.
Presanctified Lenten Suppers
Every Wednesday after Presanctified Liturgy on the Wednesdays during Lent, we gather for fellowship over a simple Lenten supper.
Journey to Pascha
Click to enlarge and print
Can You Help Aspen (Elizabeth) Kerr Work at Project Mexico this Summer?
From Aspen:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This summer I will be going to Project Mexico on a mission trip to build houses for families living in poverty. Over the course of one week our team will be building one safe and weather tight home for a local family.
I will be paying $200 for travel expenses and $100 for a deposit to Project Mexico. Project Mexico also requires each team to cover the cost of all the building materials. The portion that I am responsible to raise is $750. All prayers and support will be greatly appreciated!
With Much Love,
Aspen Elisabeth
You can donate here: Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphange
About Project Mexico: For over thirty years, Project Mexico has been building secure, safe and weather-tight homes for some of the most impoverished families in northern
Mexico. Built strictly by volunteer labor, these homes provide families economic security and hope for a brighter future. In addition to helping families, proceeds from service trips benefit the children of St Innocent Orphanage.
Project Mexico is an Orthodox Christian ministry endorsed by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. Learn more on the Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage website.
Annual Seminarian Appeal Last Sunday
We raised $1,800 to help the Seminarians last Sunday. Thank you all for supporting this important endeavor.
Orthodoxy 101 Class Continues
Subdeacon Joseph will lead the classes. The classes will run every Sunday following Social Hour. Schedule and syllabus will be handed out at the next class this Sunday.
We will use Fr. Spyridon Bailey’s “Small Steps into the Kingdom” available from Amazon here.
All catechums are required to attend but the class is open to everyone.
Web Site Fixed — But Please Be Patient Because…
…It still needs some fine tuning. Websites are fickle beasts but we are almost there. The good news is that the calendar is back. One or two weeks and it will be where we want it to be.
2023 Donation Statements Sent Out
This week you should receive your 2023 donation statement, If you do not receive your donation statement by Saturday, please contact Greg Semetis (917) 992-5884 or Ron Franklin (618)-530-5059.
Thank you for your continued support of St. Peter’s.
Bible Bowl Invitation!
All teens are invited to join our Catechism team and study the book of Romans. Actually adults are invited too as we can have an adult team as well.
St. Peter’s teens won 2nd place last year at the Parish Life Conference for the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast.
The competition this year will be held in Georgia, near Atlanta over the weekend of June 13-15. All questions for the competition will be from the book of Romans.
If you are interested in studying Romans, whether you want to travel to the conference in Georgia or just study with the team, please contact Diana Najjar at 317-213-5785 or msdiananajjar@gmail.com. Currently we are studying by zoom, but we plan to meet together when the opportunity arises. Diana is flexible to work with teens at a time that fits their schedule.
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.
DOMSE Parish Life Retreat in Hiram Georgia
More information at DOMSE website.
ST. PETER'S GREETERS
MARCH 2024
- Mar 03 — George Tsikatis – Buck Hatcher
- Mar 10 — George Tsikatis – Joe Repya
- Mar 17 — George Tsikatis – Alex and Elanie Hildreth
- Mar 24 — George Tsikatis – Will Schwarz
- Mar 31 — George Tsikatis – Joe Repya
APRIL 2024
- Apr 07 — George Tsikatis – Candice Rosen – Joe Repya
- Apr 14 — George Tsikatis – Pavlo Bilych – Moriah Peterson
- Apr 21 — George Tsikatis – Candice Rosen
- Apr 28 — George Tsikatis – Will Schwarz
Can you volunteer? Please call Joe Repya 612-270-4443.
SOCIAL HALL ALL STARS
MARCH 2024
TEAM #3 – (Need to appoint a new Team Leader) for March 2024
Mar 03 – Coffee, Bagels and Mixed Fruit
Mar 10 – Coffee, Donuts and Mixed Fruit
Mar 17 – Catered Lunch for Theo’s 99th Birthday
Mar 24 – Coffee, Cookies and Mixed Fruit
Mar 31 – Coffee, Coffee Cake and Mixed Fruit*
APRIL 2024
TEAM #1 – Barbara Dionysopoulas Group for April 2024
April 07 – Coffee, Bagels and Mixed Fruit
April 14 – Coffee, Donuts and Mixed Fruit
April 21 – Coffee, Cookies and Mixed Fruit
April 28 – Coffee, Coffee Cake and Mixed Fruit*
MAY 2024
TEAM #2 Margie Zimmerman Group for May 2024
May 05 – Pascal Dinner at 1:00pm
May 12 – Coffee, Donuts and Mixed Fruit
May 19 – Coffee, Cookies and Mixed Fruit
May 26 – Coffee, Coffee Cake and Mixed Fruit*
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!
MARCH / APRIL
- SUN Mar 24 — SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Mar 25 — ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Mar 25 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Mar 27 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Mar 29 — Akathist Hymn Second Stanza 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Mar 29 — Men of St. Paisios 7:30pm Social Hall
- Sat Mar 30 — Lenten Women’s Retreat 9:00am-3:00pm Social Hall
- Sat Mar 30 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
- SUN Mar 31 — SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Apr 01 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 03 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Apr 06 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
- SUN Apr 07 — SUNDAY OF THE VENERATION OF THE CROSS Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Apr 08 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 10 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Apr 12 — Fourth Stanza Salutations 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Apr 13 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
- SUN Apr 14 — SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Apr 15 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 17 — Full Canon of St. Andrew / Canon of St. Mary of Egypt LIVE STREAM
- Thu Apr 18 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Apr 19 — Complete Salutations/Akathist Hymn 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Apr 20 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM
- SUN Apr 21 — SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Apr 22 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Apr 24 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Apr 26 — Small Compline with Canon of St. Lazarus 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Apr 27 — Lazarus Saturday Liturgy 9:30am / Make crosses / Pancake breakfast / Children confessions – Full Schedule TBA LIVE STREAM
The fundamental things which arouse and draw one towards sin are: arbitrariness of mind (or curiosity) in the mental faculty, self-will in the faculty of will, and pleasures in the faculty of feeling. St. Theophan the Recluse, bishop of Tambov
Everything that brings disgrace upon us, whether prompted by man or demons, occurs through God’s just judgment in order to humble the overwhelming vanity of our soul. Nikitas Stithatos
He who accepts present afflictions in the expectation of future blessings has found knowledge of the truth; and he will easily be freed from anger and remorse. Saint Kosmas Aitolos
My neighbour is a being with equal rights as myself, a man, like me also made after the image of God; and as he is the same as I am I must love him as I love myself, Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
Guard your heart against all that you will see in the world. Whatever you touch with your hand, do not allow to touch your heart. Whatever you eat with your mouth, let not your heart take delight in it. When you use your feet to walk, let there be peace within you. And whatever you do outwardly, let not your mind be disturbed by it. St. John fellow ascetic of Venerable Symeon the fool for Christ
- 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.
Current Prayer List
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)
Georgia and Richard and their unborn child (Chapekis)
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)
Priest Anthony (Karbo 11/22)
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
Anthony Presbyter (Kerr 10/22)
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
Doug S (Duskas)
Marc C. (Duskas)
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
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
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!”