St. Peter News March 7, 2023

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 05 — SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Mar 06 — Great Compline 6:30pmLIVE STREAM
• Wed Mar 08 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Mar 09 — NOTE DATE CHANGE Second Stanza Salutations 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 09 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:30pm Social Hall
• Fri-Sat Mar 10-11 — FR. HANS OUT OF TOWN

PLEASE NOTE: The Akahist Hymn scheduled for Friday March 10, has been moved to Thursday, March 9 at 6:30pm.

Met. Savas, the Metropolitan Elect of the Antiochian Archdiocese Address to Faithful

Met. Savas will become the new Metropolitan (Archbishop) of the Antiochian Archdiocese soon. He was elected by the Holy Synod of the Antiochian Patriarch about two weeks ago.

He addresses the faithful in a letter posted on the St. Peter website.

St. Peter’s Contribution to Syrian Earthquake Relief

The good parishioners of St. Peter’s contributed a total of $2,407 to Syrian earthquake relief during February.

Fr. Hans Out of Town March 10-11, 2023

Fr. Hans will be out of town Friday and Saturday, March 10-11, 2023. He will leading a men’s retreat in Souderton, Pennsylvania. He will return Saturday evening.

Please note: The Akahist Hymn scheduled for Friday March 10, has been moved to Thursday, March 9 at 6:30pm.

Diocese of Miami Parish Life Conference in Miami June 14-17, 2023

For more information visit the DOMSE website.

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.

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

Cafe of Life – God Loves a Cheerful Giver

A big thank to all those who have donated their time and monetary contribution for the poor, homeless and hungry in our community. Please help us to continue this important mission by giving generously.

Please remember, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (Corinthians 9:6-7).

Thank you and IC XC NI KA!

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

MARCH 2023

• Mar 05 Will Schwarz, Nader Sahawneh
• Mar 12 Al Joseph, Joe and Deb Repya
• Mar 19 Barb and Costa Dionysopoulos, Need Additional Volunteer
• Mar 26 Will Schwarz, Candice Rosen

APRIL 2023

• Apr 2 Joe and Deb Repya, Need Additional Volunteer   
• Apr 9   Dan Delorenzo, George Tsikitas
• Apr 16  Joe and Deb Repya Need Additional Volunteer
• Apr 23  Dan Delorenzo,  Need Additional Volunteer
• Apr 30  Need Additional Volunteer

We have a few Sunday’s in March and April with only one person or couple that we need to fill. If anyone else would like to volunteer, please call Joe Repya 612-270-4443.

SOCIAL HALL ALL STARS

MARCH

• TOM HALEY
• Marlene Haley
• Cheryl Morse
• Tim Morse
• Diana Najjar
• Deb Repya
• Elaine Semeretis
• Gregory Semeretis
• Dino Magas
• Jennifer Magas
• Mikala Magas
• Michael Magas

The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make St. Peter’s Social Hall happen. Thank you All Stars!

Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.

MARCH

• SUN Mar 05 — SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Mar 06 — Great Compline 6:30pmLIVE STREAM
• Wed Mar 08 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Thu Mar 09 — NOTE DATE CHANGE Second Stanza Salutations 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 09 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:30pm Social Hall
• Fri-Sat Mar 10-11 — FR. HANS OUT OF TOWN

• SUN Mar 12 — SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Mar 13 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Mar 15 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 17 — Third Stanza Salutations 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 17 — Men of St. Paisios 7:30pm Social Hall
• Sat Mar 18 — Parish Council Meeting 10am

• SUN Mar 19 — SUNDAY OF THE VENERATION OF THE CROSS Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Mar 20 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Mar 22 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 24 — Great Vespers for Annunciation 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 24 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:30pm Social Hall
• Sat Mar 25 — Annunciation of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

• SUN Mar 26 — SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Mar 27 — Great Compline 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Wed Mar 29 — Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 31 — Complete Salutations/Akathist Hymn 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
• Fri Mar 31 — Men of St. Paisios 7:30pm Social Hall

Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt 18:3). For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). Righteousness, peace, and joy can dwell only in a pure, child-like heart. Therefore, those who desire to partake of righteousness, peace, and joy should strive to preserve their hearts as pure as that of a little child. Archbishop Averky (Taushev)

As the fathers have said, all extremes are equally harmful. It is as dangerous to fast too much as it is to overfill the stomach; to stay awake too long as to sleep too much; and so on. St. John Cassian

When people praise you, be very circumspect, because then you are in a dangerous situation. Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg

We reach that state of total submission as we gradually die to ourselves—that is, to our own opinions, wishes, feelings, and tastes, in order to live by divine guidance. Fr. Jack Sparks

Now when the provocation has taken the form of a mental image of a sensory object, the evil thought behind it can be identified. For instance, if the image is of the face of someone who has angered us, or of a beautiful woman, or of gold or silver, it can at once be shewn that it is the thought of rancour, or of unchastity, or of avarice that fills our heart with fantasies. And if our intellect is experienced, well-trained and used to guarding itself and to examining clearly and openly the seductive fantasies and deceits of the demons, it will instantly quench the fiery darts of the devil’ (cf. Eph. 6:16), counter-attacking by means of its power of rebuttal and the Jesus Prayer. St. Hesychius the Theologian of Jerusalem, disciple of St. Gregory the Theologian

• 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

Kayla (Palantine)
George (3/23 Chapekis)
Penelope (3/23 Chapekis)
Theodora (3/23)
Victor (3/23)
Barbara (Dusckas 3/23)
James (Dusckas 3/23)
Les (3/23
Lynn (Hurely 1/23)
Irene and unborn baby (Tsikitas 1/23)
Linda (Pappas 1/23)
Ekaterina (Chapekis 1/23)
Mikaela and unborn baby (Irena 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)
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

Katheryn (Tolkkinen)
Markisia (Long)
Angela (Long)
Marina (Long)
Eleni (Long)
Raphaella (Long)
Joanne (Haley)
Francine (Anton)
Corwin (Dusckas)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Seraphim (Irina)
Lidia (Irina)
Sarina (Ghanem)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Despina (Diversis)
Fredericos (Diveris)
Makrina and her unborn baby (Kerr)
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)
John (Katsigianopoulos)
George (Chionis)
Mary (Spiropoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K
Eugene (Rust)
Robert (Jarvis)
George (Corey)

Patricia (Cotsones)
Soterios (Ninos)

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!”