Christ is Risen! Truly He has Risen!
The Fourth Sunday After Pascha
The Sunday of the Paralytic
Michael the Confessor, Bishop of Synnada; Myrrh-bearer Mary, wife of Cleopas; translation of the relics of Leontios the wonderworker, bishop of Rostov; Euphrosinia of Polotsk
Jesus Heals the Paralytic
Introduction
The fourth Sunday of Holy Pascha is observed by the Orthodox Church as the Sunday of the Paralytic. The day commemorates the miracle of Christ healing a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. The biblical story of the event is found in the Gospel of John 5:1-15.
Background
Close to the Sheep’s Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep’s Pool. It had five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies awaiting the moving of the water. The first person to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.
It was there that the paralytic of today’s Gospel was lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, “Will you be made whole?” And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, “Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool.” The Lord said unto him, “Rise, take up your bed, and walk.” And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.
Read the entire story on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
Services This Week
- Sun May 16 — SUNDAY OF THE MYRRH BEARING WOMEN Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue May 18 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri May 21 — Sts. Constantine and Helen Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Services Next Week
- Sun May 23 — SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue May 25 — Finding of the Head of St. John the Baptist Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed May 26 — Midfeast of Pentecost Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
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.
Coming Soon: Antiochian Men!
The new parish means new responsibilities and the men can step up. A lot of men already have with the move contributing hours of work and sweat to bring the building into shape. We could also do other things too, say breakfast one Saturday a month. It would be a great time for fellowship.
Stay tuned! The Church needs you men.
We Need Help in the Social Hall!
As the church grows so do the jobs. Everyone in the parish needs to take on a job. Please see Tom Haley to volunteer in these areas:
- Coffee Lead
- Table Lead
- Clean Up
Does Anyone Have A Label Maker?
Could we borrow it? We have to label cabinets and other items. Please see Tom Haley.
Cafe of Life Ministry
A special thank you to the volunteers who gave up their time this passed Thursday and participated in making sandwiches for the less fortunate in our community.
The Cafe of Life depends on donations like St. Peter’s to feed the hungry and homeless. So please send your donations (checks made out to St. Peter’s Church) or cash can be given to Father Hans.
“Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive and he will be blessed on the earth” Psalm 41:1-2.
Christos Anesti and IC XC NI KA!
Pledge & Income Report – April 2021
Donations received in April: $28,321.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $22,760.21.
We are ahead by $5,561.
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.
MAY
- Sun May 16 — SUNDAY OF THE MYRRH BEARING WOMEN Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue May 18 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri May 21 — Sts. Constantine and Helen Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun May 23 — SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue May 25 — Finding of the Head of St. John the Baptist Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed May 26 — Midfeast of Pentecost Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
MAY – JUNE
- Sun May 30 — SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jun 1 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jun 3 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jun 6 — SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jun 9 — Apodesis (Leave Taking) of Great and Holy Pascha Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Jun 10 — Ascension of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri-Sat Jun 11-12 — Fr. Hans Out of Town
- Sun Jun 13 — FATHERS OF THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun-Sat Jun 13-19 — DIOCESE OF MIAMI VIRTUAL PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE LIVE STREAM
- Mon Jun 14 — Saturday of the Souls (for Pentecost) Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sat Jun 19 — Ascension of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- 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
JUNE – JULY
- Sun Jun 27 — SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS Divine Liturgy – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon-Tue Jun 28-29 — Sts. Peter and Paul – TIME AND DETAILS TBA
- Fri Jul 02 — St. Maximos the Confessor Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Wisdom From The Elders
It is not enough to simply make your confession to the Spiritual Father; you must also truly repent of what you have done. Elder Paisios of Mount Athos
But as soon as Grace sees that a little self-esteem has begun to steal into a man’s thoughts, and that he has begun to think great things of himself, she immediately permits the temptations opposing him to gain in strength and prevail, until he learns his weakness, and takes to flight, and clings to God in humility. St. Isaac the Syrian
Abba Sisoes used to say that the way that leads to humility is abstinence, unceasing prayer to God, and the struggle to be lower than every man. Archbishop Chrysostomos of Etna
In the same way the grace of God is preserved by the practice of the commandments, and the observance of these commandments is laid down like foundations through the gift of God. The grace of the Spirit cannot remain with us without the practice of the commandments, but the practice of the commandments is of no help or advantage to us without the grace of God. St. Symeon the New Theologian
It is a wonderful thing that, no matter how much we trouble about our health, however much care we take of ourselves, whatever wholesome and pleasant food we eat, whatever wholesome drinks we drink, however much we walk in the fresh air, still, notwithstanding all this, in the end we are subjected to maladies and corruption; whilst the saints, who despised their flesh, and mortified it by continual abstinence and fasting, by lying bare on the earth, by watchfulness, labours, unceasing prayer, have made both their souls and bodies immortal. St. John of Kronstadt
Your children should not hear you arguing even once, not even if you raise the tone of your voices to one another. Elder Porphyrios
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 April 10 / Resets May 1
Current Prayer List
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)
Baree (Dusckas 7/21)
Barbara (Dusckas 7/21)
Hannah (Dusckas 7/21)
Georgia (Jacobse 6/21)
Margaret (Breitenbach 6/21)
Maryann (Breitenbach 6/21)
Jean (Wolffe 6/21)
Robin (Wolffe 6/21)
Debbie (Breitenbach 6/21)
Michael (Jacobse 4/21)
Kathy (Jacobse 4/21)
Raphaela (4/21)
Michael (Wolffe 4/21)
Fredericos (Diveris 4/21)
Vasiliki (Diveris 4/21)
Panagiota (Jacobse 4/21)
Michelene (Repya 4/21)
Colleen ((Repya 4/21)
Fr. Demetrios (Copeland 4/21)
Kondylia (Chapekis 4/21)
Brian (Colis 4/21)
Maria(Colis 4/21)
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
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Clap your hands, all you nations.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles. (9:32-42)
In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments, which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
GOSPEL
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (5:1-15)
At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate apool, in Hebrew called Bethsaida, which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids,blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel of the Lord went downat certain seasons into the pool and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first, after the troublingof the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for 38years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, He said to him,“Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into thepool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus saidto him, “Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up hispallet and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “Itis the Sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet.” But he answered them, “The man whohealed me said to me, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man whosaid to you, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not knowwho it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus foundhim in the temple, and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befallsyou.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus Who had healed him.
