St. Peter News May 23, 2023

Sunday of the After-feast of the Ascension
Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council

Hieromartyr Eutychios, bishop of Melitene; Martyr Heliconis of Thessalonica

“I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18). Although the Church of Christ on earth will pass through difficult struggles with the enemy of salvation, it will emerge victorious.

Persecution of Christians ceased during the fourth century, but heresies arose within the Church itself. One of the most pernicious of these heresies was Arianism. Arius, a priest of Alexandria, was a man of immense pride and ambition. In denying the divine nature of Jesus Christ and His equality with God the Father, Arius falsely taught that the Savior is not consubstantial with the Father, but is only a created being.

A local Council, convened with Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria presiding, condemned the false teachings of Arius. However, Arius would not submit to the authority of the Church. He wrote to many bishops, denouncing the decrees of the local Council. He spread his false teaching throughout the East, receiving support from certain Eastern bishops.

Investigating these dissentions, the holy emperor Constantine (May 21) consulted Bishop Hosius of Cordova (Aug. 27), who assured him that the heresy of Arius was directed against the most fundamental dogma of Christ’s Church, and so he decided to convene an Ecumenical Council. In 325, 318 bishops representing Christian Churches from various lands gathered together at Nicea.

Read the complete story on the Orthodox Church in America website.

Services and Events This Week

• Sun May 21 — SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue May 23 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu May 25 — The Ascension of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri May 26 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall

Diocese of Miami Parish Life Conference June 14-27, 2023

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.

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

MAY 2023

• May 07 Will Schwarz Need Additional Volunteer
• May 14 Joe and Deb Repya, George Tsikitas
• May 21 Candace Rosen, George Tsikitas
• May 28 Candace Rosen, Need Additional Volunteer

JUNE 2023

• Jun 04 Joe and Deb Repya Need Additional Volunteer
• Jun 11 Need Additional Volunteers
• Jun 18 Need Additional Volunteers
• Jun 25 Need Additional Volunteers

Can you volunteer? Please call Joe Repya 612-270-4443.

SOCIAL HALL ALL STARS

MAY

• MARGIE ZIMMERMAN
• Leon Dephkalion
• Glow Franklin
• Moriah Peterson
• Barbara Sasen
• Will Schwarz
• Anna Tsikitas

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

MAY

• Sun May 21 — SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue May 23 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu May 25 — The Ascension of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri May 26 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall

MAY/JUNE

• Sun May 28 — FATHERS OF THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue May 30 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Jun 01 — St. Nicholas School Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jun 02 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall
• Sat Jun 03 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am

JUNE

• Sun Jun 04 — PENTECOST Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jun 06 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu-Sat Jun 08-10 — Fr. Hans Out of Town
• Fri Jun 09 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall

Sts. Peter and Paul Fasting Period June 12-28, 2023

• Sun Jun 11 — SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jun 13 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed-Sat Jun 14-17 — DOMSE Parish Life Conference Fr. Hans Out of Town
• Fri Jun 16 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall

• Sun Jun 18 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jun 20 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Jun 23 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall
• Sat Jun 24 — Nativity of St. John the Baptist Divine Liturgy 9:30am

• Sun Jun 25 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Jun 27 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Jun 29 — Sts Peter and Paul Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Fri Jun 30 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall

[On the Jesus Prayer] The God-fearing fathers, in expounding the teaching on this prayer, affirm that its beginning and its unshakable foundation is true obedience, from which is born true humility; and humility guards him who labors in prayer from all the delusions which dog the self-directed. St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), Bishop of the Caucasus and the Black Sea

It is better not to stick to one’s fast, if by denying food one would insult another. Elder Isidore of Gethsemane Hermitage

It is important for us to understand that all temptations in general are sent or allowed by God for our benefit. Fr. Jack Sparks

When you think that you do not need tears for your sins during prayer, reflect on this: you should always be in God, and yet you are still far from Him. Then you will weep with greater feeling. Evagrios the Solitary

If you greedily eat and drink much, then you will be flesh; whilst if you fast and pray, then you will be spirit. “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.” Fast and pray, and you shall accomplish great things. The satiated man is incapable of great works. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

• 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

Stelios (Haley 7/1)
Madison (Tewis 6/1)
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)
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)
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

Irene (Diveris)
Katheryn (Tolkkinen)
Markisia (Long)
Angela (Long)
Marina (Long)
Eleni (Long)
Raphaella (Long)
Joanne (Haley)
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)
Soterios (Ninos)
John (Katsigianopoulos)
George (Chionis)
Mary (Spiropoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K
Eugene (Rust)
Robert (Jarvis)
George (Corey)
Patricia (Cotsones)

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

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
For Thou art just in all Thou hast done.

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles. (20:16-18, 28-36)

In those days, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spendtime in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. Andfrom Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. And when they cameto him, he said to them: “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hasmade you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his ownSon. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away thedisciples after them. Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.

And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

GOSPEL

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (17:1-13)

At that time, Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son that the Son may glorify Thee, since Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom Thou hast given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent. I glorified Thee on earth, having accomplished the work which Thou gavest Me to do; and now, Father, glorify Thou Me in Thy own presence with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was made. I have manifested Thy Name to the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy word. Now they know that everything that Thou hast given Me is from Thee; for I have given them the words which Thou gavest Me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from Thee; and they have believed that Thou didst send Me.

I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine; all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And now Iam no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name, which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one. While I was with them, I kept them in Thy Name, which Thou have given Me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”