Tenth Sunday of Luke
Barbara the Great Martyr
Venerable John of Damascus
Martyr Juliana; New-hieromartyr Seraphim, bishop of Phanarion in Greece
The Holy Great Martyr Barbara lived and suffered during the reign of the emperor Maximian (305-311). Her father, the pagan Dioscorus, was a rich and illustrious man in the Syrian city of Heliopolis. After the death of his wife, he devoted himself to his only daughter.
Seeing Barbara’s extraordinary beauty, Dioscorus decided to hide her from the eyes of strangers. Therefore, he built a tower for Barbara, where only her pagan teachers were allowed to see her. From the tower there was a view of hills stretching into the distance. By day she was able to gaze upon the wooded hills, the swiftly flowing rivers, and the meadows covered with a mottled blanket of flowers; by night the harmonious and majestic vault of the heavens twinkled and provided a spectacle of inexpressible beauty. Soon the virgin began to ask herself questions about the First Cause and Creator of so harmonious and splendid a world.
Gradually, she became convinced that the souless idols were merely the work of human hands. Although her father and teachers offered them worship, she realized that the idols could not have made the surrounding world. The desire to know the true God so consumed her soul that Barbara decided to devote all her life to this goal, and to spend her life in virginity.
[…]
Source: Orthodox Church in America website.
Services This Week
- SUN Nov 27 — THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Nov 30 — St. Andrew the First Called Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 01 — St. Nicholas Academy Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 02 — St. Porphyrios Divine Liturgy 6:30pm EVENING LITURGY LIVE STREAM
St. Andrew the First Called Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, November 30, 2022 at 9:30am
St. Nicholas Academy Divine Liturgy (Nahum the Prophet) on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 9:30am
EVENING LITURGY St. Porphyrios Divine Liturgy on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 6:30pm
Adult Education: “The Winter Pascha” Series via ZOOM Begins December 1, 2022 at 7:00pm
To join the class via ZOOM Click this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81576083434.
As part of our continuing adult education, Fr. Hans will hold a book study on “The Winter Pascha” by Fr. Thomas Hopko during Christmas Lent. The study begins Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 7:00pm and will run every Thursday through December 17 (four weeks). The talks will be held through ZOOM and last one hour.
“The Winter Pascha” is a modern minor classic that explains very well the season from Christmas Lent through Theophany (the baptism of Christ).
Click the image or link to order from Amazon.
You can also order the book through St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press
How does ZOOM work? A link will be included in the newsletter and on the calendar on the website to log in to the session. Just click it and follow the prompts. If you don’t have ZOOM installed, you will be asked if you want to install it. Just reply yes.
Catechumen Classes Begin December 4, 2022
This will be an Orthodoxy 101 class covering the basics and fundamentals of our Orthodox faith. All catechumens are required to attend but the class is great for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of our Orthodox faith and Church. Anyone may attend. Plan on staying for an hour.
The classes will be held following the Divine Liturgy. Get your coffee, take a short break, then begin the class.
The text we will use is Fr. Spyridon Bailey’s “Small Steps in the Kingdom.” It’s a good introduction to the Orthodox faith. Please order your copy and bring it to class. You can also download a free copy on your Kindle from Amazon. A syllabus and outline of classes will be provided at the first class.
Click the image or link to order from Amazon.
Please note: Books will not be available for purchase at Church.
Can You Adopt a Dog for Two or Three Weeks?
Barbara Dusckas needs someone to take care of Aggie for two to three weeks while she recovers from hip surgery. Aggie is a small, well trained, indoor dog who is very easy to care for. Her care would be little more than feeding, taking her on a short walk twice a day, and giving her a little attention here and there.
If you could help Barbara by taking care of Aggie until Barbara’s recovery is complete, please call her at 239-220-7383.
Wanted: Men to Do Some Necessary Work Around the Church
We need able bodied men to help with the maintenance needs at Saint Peter’s Orthodox Church. Please consider volunteering. We will meet the 2nd Thursday of every month at Noon to perform the maintenance needed to be completed. Our first meeting will be December 8, 2022 at 12:00 pm. See you there!
Mark Your Calendar: St. Peter Valentine’s Day Pot Luck on February 11 at 5:00pm
Join us for a pre-Lenten Valentine’s Day pot-luck on Saturday, February 11 starting at 5:00pm.
More details coming!
Reading the Psalms During Christmas Lent
St. John Chrysostom was asked once, “Is it good to lay aside the Psalter?” He replied, “it would be better for the sun to fall from its orbit, than to neglect reading the Psalter, for it is of great benefit to study the psalms, and to read the Psalter diligently. For all spiritual books are profitable for us, and grieve the demons, but there is NONE LIKE THE PSALTER”
Those are powerful words from a great Saint and teacher. At St. Peter’s we read the Psalter completely through during Christmas Lent. If you would like to join a group you will be assigned which kathismata (sections of Psalms, usually 6 to 8 each day) to read. So far 28 people are participating.
The complete instructions are posted on the website, including the kathismata. To be assigned to a group please contact John Diveris at 219-263-8849 or jdiveris@icloud.com. John will add you to a group.
This is a great way to “strengthen the inner man” as St. Paul teaches and draw closer to Christ and more deeply into His Church.
Helping the People of Ukraine Keep Warm This Winter
Gaylena Seabrook, a member of St. Peter’s and very active in relief work for the suffering people of Ukraine requests our support for aiding Ukranians through the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America.
From their website:
The looming winter in Ukraine promises to be “the worst winter since the independence of Ukraine,” according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In response to this challenge, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America has launched a new fundraising initiative, “Keep Ukraine Warm,” to raise $500,000 for winter relief items (clothes, blankets, sleeping bags), wood-burning stoves, and window repairs in Ukrainian homes.
Click the image or here to learn more.
For more information contact Gaylena at 267-991-4101.
Register for Winter Camp Ages 12-17
Click the image of go here for more information.
Leaving a Legacy – Remembering St. Peter’s in Our Estate Planning
The growth and success of St. Peter’s is certainly inspiring. Through it we see the benevolent work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the commitment, generosity, and fortitude of our members and friends who worked and contributed to the growth of our parish. St. Paul says that we are to become “co-laborers with Christ” and our support of St. Peter’s is one way that happens.
Several people have asked how they can leave a legacy for St. Peter’s. Thanks to the good work of Joe and Debbie Repya, St. Peter’s has developed a guide for anyone who would like to consider a gift to the parish in their estate planning.
Our vision at St. Peter’s is to become a church where anyone who is seeking Christ can find him. It happens when Christ calls them. But it also haappens because there is a parish to which our Lord and Savior can bring them. That’s our part of the work.
That work can continue long after our work on this earth is completed. Through planned giving today, we can leave a legacy that helps ensure the good work of St. Peter’s in the future.
For more information including an informational packet that answers many questions please see Fr. Hans.
Let’s Pray the Paraklesis to the Theotokos Daily
Click the image to get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website
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 – Remember to be Grateful
Regardless of our daily trials, nerve-bending frustrations, and challenges, we all have much to be grateful for. We should remember this every day and not just on Thanksgiving Day.
Here at St. Peter’s we are blessed. We have enough to meet our needs. That’s why we give to others. Please support this ministry with your donation by giving back to others what God had given to us
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.
The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make St. Peter’s Social Hall happen. Thank you All Stars!
DECEMBER
- TOM HALEY
- Marlene Haley
- Cheryl Morse
- Tim Morse
- Diana Najjar
- Deb Repya
- Elaine Semeretis
- Gregory Semeretis
JANUARY
- BARBARA DIONYSOPOULOS
- Al Joseph
- Bonnie Joseph
- Marianthi Kazakos
- Sandy Krotov
- Niki Locklear
- Ray Locklear
- Eleni Moran
- Koula Ormanidou
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.
- 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.”
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.
NOVEMBER
Christmas Lent and Fasting Starts November 15.
- SUN Nov 27 — THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Nov 30 — St. Andrew the First Called Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 01 — St. Nicholas Academy Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 01 — “The Winter Pascha” Adult Education 7:00pm on ZOOM
- Fri Dec 02 — St. Porphyrios Divine Liturgy 6:30pm EVENING LITURGY LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 02 — Men of St. Paisios following the Divine Liturgy (8:00pm) Social Hall
DECEMBER
- SUN Dec 04 — ST, BARABARA THE GREAT MARTYR Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 06 — St. Nicholas of Myra Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 08 — St. Nicholas Academy Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 08 — “The Winter Pascha” Adult Education 7:00pm on ZOOM
- Fri Dec 09 — Men of St. Paisios following the Divine Liturgy (8:00pm) Social Hall
- SUN Dec 11 — THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 15 — St Eleutherios / St. Nicholas Academy Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 15 — “The Winter Pascha” Adult Education 7:00pm on ZOOM
- Fri Dec 16 — Men of St. Paisios following the Divine Liturgy (8:00pm) Social Hall
- Sat Dec 17 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
- SUN Dec 18 — THE SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 20 — St. Ignatios of Antioch Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 22 — CANCELLED
St. Nicholas Academy 9:30am - Thu Dec 22 — “The Winter Pascha” Adult Education 7:00pm on ZOOM
- Fri Dec 23 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall
- Sat Dec 24 — Nativity Royal Hours 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Sat Dec 24 — Nativity Great Vespers 6:00pm LIVE STREAM
- SUN Dec 25 — THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Dec 26 — Synaxis of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 27 — St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Dec 28 — The 20.000 Martyrs of Nicomedia Burned Alive Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 29 — The Holy Innocents Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 29 — CANCELLED
St. Nicholas Academy 9:30am - Thu Dec 29 — “The Winter Pascha” Adult Education 7:00pm on ZOOM
- Fri Dec 30 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall
We know that time is running out, and the evil spirits know this, too. They do not want a single person to be free from evil thoughts. With that aim, they teach even small children to oppose their parents so that, when these children grow up, they will be easy prey for them. Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica
The Lord, before His Incarnation, let mankind experience all the bitterness of sin, all their powerlessness to eradicate it; and when all longed for a Deliverer, then He appeared, the most wise, all-powerful Physician and Helper. When men hungered and thirsted after righteousness, as it grew weaker, then the everlasting righteousness came. St. John of Kronstadt
Vigils, prayer and patient acceptance of what comes constitute a breaking that does not harm but benefits the heart, provided we do not destroy the balance between them through excess. He who perseveres in them will be helped in other ways as well; but he who is slack and negligent will suffer intolerably on leaving this life. St Mark the Ascetic
To believe means to be as sure of the reality of the spiritual world with all its properties and appurtenances as we are of the existence of the material world with all its objects and their properties. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
Above all you need to pray. Elder Porphyrios
When you see that anybody bears malice against you, do not consider his malice as his own doing; no, he is only the passive instrument of the evil one; he has not yet recognised his flattery and is deceived by him. Pray to God that the enemy may leave him and that the Lord may enlighten the eyes of his heart, darkened by the poisonous, noxious breathing of the spirit of evil. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
PLEASE NOTE: The names list in “The Current Prayer List listed to be removed after September 1 have been taken of the list. If you would like someone added back please send a text to Fr. Hans or send the name through website here.
- 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 Oct 24 / Resets Dec 1.
Current Prayer List
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)b
Fredericos (Diveris)
Makrina (Kerr)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Soterios (Ninos)
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)
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
For St. Barbara
God is wondrous in His saints.
Bless God in the congregations.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (3:23-4:5)
Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the Law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the Law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
GOSPEL
For the Tenth Sunday of Luke
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (13:10-17)
At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, He called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrite! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As Jesus said this, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by Him.
