St. Peter News November 9, 2021

Eighth Sunday of Luke

Gregory Palamas, archbishop of Thessalonica; The Holy Apostle Philip (of the 70), New-martyr Constantine of Hydra; Justinian the emperor and his wife Theodora

Who Was St. Gregory Palamas?

Our holy Father Gregory was born in Constantinople in 1296 of aristocratic parents who had emigrated from Asia Minor in the face of the Turkish invasion, and were attached to the court of the pious Emperor Andronicus II Palaeologus (1282-1328).

About the year 1316, Gregory decided to abandon the vanities of the world. His mother, two sisters, two brothers and a great many of his servants entered upon the monastic life with him. He and his two brothers went on foot to the holy Mountain of Athos, where they settled near the Monastery of Vatopedi.

After only three years, the early death of his brother Theodosius, followed by that of the Elder Nicodemus, led Gregory and his second brother, Macarius, to attach themselves to the Monastery of the Great Lavra. Gregory was appointed chanter.

The incessant raids of Turkish pirates soon obliged Gregory and his companions to leave their hermitage. Together with twelve monks, he wanted to make the pilgrimage to the Holy Places and to seek refuge at Mount Sinai; but this did not prove feasible. Instead, he spent some time in Thessalonica, where he joined the group around the future Patriarch Isidore, who was endeavoring to spread the practice of the Jesus prayer among the faithful so that they might profit from the experience of the monks. In 1326, Gregory was ordained a priest, having understood in a vision that this was indeed the will of God.

He suffered a long illness and, some time before his death, Saint John Chrysostom appeared to him with the invitation to join the choir of holy hierarchs immediately after his own feast. And, indeed, on November 14, 1359 the Saint gave up his soul to God.

Read the complete biography on the Greek Orthodox website.

Services This Week

• Sun Nov 07 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Nov 08 — Divine Liturgy Synaxis of the Archangel Michael 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Nov 09 — Divine Liturgy St. Nectarios of Aegina 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Nov 13 — Divine Liturgy St. John Chrysostom 9:30am LIVE STREAM

Services Next Week

• Sun Nov 14 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sun Nov 14 — PARISH ASSEMBLY MEETING following Divine Liturgy in the Social Hall
• Tue Nov 16 — Divine Liturgy St. Matthew the Apostle 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Nov 19 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM

St. Nectatrios of Aegina Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 9:30am

The divine Nektarios of Aegina, is one of the most widely known of Greek Orthodox Saints. He was born on October 1st, 1846 in Silyvria, in Asia Minor (now occupied by Turkey).His great service to the Church, prolific writings and teachings, energy and zeal led Fr Nektarios to be ordained as the Metropolitan of Pentapolis in Egypt.

In 1904, our Saint founded a monastery for women in Aegina, the Holy Trinity Convent. Under his guidance the Convent flourished. In 1908, the Blessed Nektarios, at the age of 62, retired from the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School and withdrew to Holy Trinity Convent in Aegina. There, for the rest of his life as a true monk and ascetic. He served as a confessor and spiritual guide to the nuns and even priests from as far as Athens and Piraeus. His Holy and pious life shone forth like a guiding light to all near him. Many would come to him for healing. Saint Nektarios was a great ëWonder-workerí even while alive.

On September 20, 1920 one of the nuns took him to the local hospital, in spite of his protest. He was convulsing in pain from a long-standing ailment. He was admitted, and placed into a ward reserved for the poor and unwanted. There he stayed for two months among the sick and dying. At 10:30 in the evening of November 8th, although in the midst of terrible pains, in peace and at prayer he gave up his spirit unto God at the age of 74.

As soon as the Saint gave up his Spirit, a nurse came to prepare him for transfer to Aegina for burial. As the nurse removed the Saints sweater, she inadvertently placed it on the next bed, on which a paralytic lay. And O, strange wonder!, the paralytic immediately began to regain his strength and arose from his bed healthy, and glorifying God.

Read the complete story on the Orthodox Christian Info website.

St. John Chrysostom Divine Liturgy Saturday, November , 2021 at 9:30am

Saint John was surnamed Chrysostom (“Golden-mouth”) because of his eloquence. He made exhaustive commentaries on the divine Scriptures and was the author of more works than any other Church Father, leaving us complete commentaries on the Book of Genesis, the Gospels of Saints Matthew and John, the Acts, and all the Epistles of Saint Paul. His extant works are 1,447 sermons and 240 epistles. Twenty-two teachers of the Church have written homilies of praise in his honour. Besides his feasts today and on January 27, he is celebrated as one of the Three Hierarchs on January 30, together with Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory the Theologian.

Read the entire history on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.

Thanksgiving Liturgy on the Eve of Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 6pm

Thanksgiving is about the only American Civil Holiday left that has not be completely secularized (de-Christianized), and we celebrate it to keep the Christian founding of America alive. The Orthodox missionary imperative is to affirm the good wherever you find it and build on it, even if the good is not yet complete. For that reason we celebrate Thanksgiving every year with a Divine Liturgy, most often, but not exclusively, on the eve of the holiday.

The Saint we commemorate in the Divine Liturgy is St. Katherine.

Nativity Fast Begins November 15, 2021

November 15 is the beginning of the Nativity Fast, one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast in anticipation of the Nativity of Christ.

In the weeks between now and December 25, Orthodox Christians prepare themselves to celebrate the birth in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we begin the fast, we encourage both believing Orthodox and inquirers to review the reflections and resources in the special Nativity section on the Antiochian Archdiocese website.

For additional general resources on the Orthodox Christian tradition of feasting and fasting, visit the Feasts and Fasts section of Discover Orthodox Christianity.

Toys for Tots Drive Begins Through December 15

Every Christmas season St. Peter’s parishioners contribute to Toys for Tots which gives children who otherwise would receive no gifts some presents on Christmas Day.

There are two boxes one in the narthex and one in the community center. Please bring in an unwrapped toy for a boy or a girl and place in box.

If you prefer to make a monetary contribution and have Mary Copeland go shopping for you, please contact Mary.

We have until December 15 to fill the two boxes.

Christmas Season Toiletry Supplies Drive for NAMI Begins Through December 15

Every Christmas season St. Peter’s supports NAMI (National Association for Mental Illness)serving local people in need. NAMI helps people with serious and persistent mental illnesses, as well as their parents, children, spouses, siblings and friends.

St. Peter’s has contributed to NAMI emergency food bank care for nine years. Donations go to the Sarah Ann Drop In Center in Naples, FL. Three categories of items are needed:

• Shampoo
• Body lotion
• Tooth pasete
• Tooth brushes
• Ladies and mens disposable shavers
• Anything you brought home from traveling and in sits your linen closet

Bring them to church with “Mary Copeland” written on the bag and she will get them to NAMI.

The drive runs through December 15, 2021.

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.

Capital Campaign Progress Report

Soon the contributors to our Capital Campaign (which made the purchase of our new location possible) will be receiving a letter with a gentle reminder that we are approaching the due date of our next contribution.

The money being raised through our Capital Campaign has helped us with our initial down payment on the purchase of our new church building and property and it helped us make the significant improvements and renovations that you see every Sunday. In addition, all remaining contributions pledged are necessary to pay off our $120K Second Mortgage. Your continued and generous support is greatly appreciated.

If you have not previously participated in our Capital Campaign but you would like to do so nowover the next 2 years, please fill out a Capital Campaign Pledge form and return with your contribution OR send a check marked “Capital Campaign” on the memo line of your check. The Capital Campaign Pledge forms are available on the counter in the church Narthex OR you can download the form from the church website.

Could You Support a Special Project?

Some parishioners have requested a needs list they could contribute to. Below are the special projects we still need to get done. If you can help please mention it to Fr. Hans, Jack Long, or John Simon.

• Replace Flat roof on Church
  $30,000.00
• Replace windows in the Sunday School rooms
  $8000.00
• Upgrade Church sound system
  $1700.00 Donated.
• Seal coat and restripe parking Lot
  $6,300.00
• Upgrade Church Electrical System
  $3600

Life at St. Peter’s

Mark Your Calendar! Parish Assembly Meeting November 14, 2021

We will hold our Parish Assembly Meeting following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 14, 2021 in the Social Hall.

This meeting will discuss 2022 goals, approve the 2022 budget, reports from the Parish Council and Fr. Hans, and other business. We will keep the meeting short and to the point.

Cafe of Life Ministry Update

One of the greatest enemies of our spiritual freedom is the cancer of greed. The quickest way to become slaves to our selfishness is to fail to actively develop the spiritual discipline of generosity.

We all know that generosity is the eternal truth that what we have been given must be given away if we are ever going to enjoy what we’ve been given.

Let us look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others.

So please be generous with your tax- deductible check for the hungry and you will be enriched in every way.

Thank you, God bless and IC XC NI KA!

Work to Be Done At St. Peter’s

This is some of what remains to do with our building:

INSIDE CHURCH:

• REPLACE MISSING CARPET STRIP BETWEEN CHOIR & ALTAR
• RELOCATE FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN NARTHEX
• ORDER BISHOP CHAIR/2 ICON STANDS – ORDERED
• NEW CANDLE STAND FOR NARTHEX
• UPGRADE ELECTRICAL PANEL –WORK TO BE SCHEDULED
• REPLACE CEILING TILE & ADD LED LIGHTS INSIDE HANDICAP AREA HALLWAY
• ADD CARPET STRIP IN SACRASTY, STEP INTO REAR OF ALTAR

OUTSIDE CHURCH:

• REPLACE FLAT ROOF ASAP ($30K estimate)
• NEW SIGNS-STATUS?
• REPLACE EXTERIOR METAL DOOR
• GET ESTIMATE TO SEAL COAT PARKING LOT & RE-STRIPE LINES
• PAINT CURBING IN PARKING LOT
• UPGRADE LANDSCAPING

SUNDAY SCHOOL ROOMS:

• REPLACE SUNDAY SCHOOL WINDOWS

…but check the website to see what has already been done!

Pledge & Income Report – September 2021

Donations received in September: $21,018.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $22,760.
We are behind by $1,742.

These numbers reflect the operating costs of the the Hickory Drive property.

St. Peter Orthodox Church
7470 Hickory Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967

You can also donate online:

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

November 7 – November 28

• Olga Bilych
• Pavlo Bilych
• Bonnie Joseph
• Al Joseph
• Sandy Krotov
• Leon Dephkalion
• John Hurley
• Nader Sahawneh

December 5 – December 26

• Marlene Haley
• Tom Haley
• Cheryl Morse
• Elaine Semeretis
• Gregory Semeretis
• Tim Morse
• Anna Tsikitas

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.

1. 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.”
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Calendar At A Glance

Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.

NOVEMBER

Nativity Fast Begins November 15 through December 24, 2022

• Sun Nov 07 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Nov 08 — Divine Liturgy Synaxis of the Archangel Michael 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Nov 09 — Divine Liturgy St. Nectarios of Aegina 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Nov 13 — Divine Liturgy St. John Chrysostom 9:30am LIVE STREAM

• Sun Nov 14 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sun Nov 14 — PARISH ASSEMBLY MEETING following Divine Liturgy in the Social Hall
• Tue Nov 16 — Divine Liturgy St. Matthew the Apostle 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Nov 19 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM

• Sun Nov 21 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Nov 24 — Divine Liturgy St. Katherine / Thanksgiving 6:00pm LIVE STREAM

• Sun Nov 28 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Nov 30 — Divine Liturgy St. Andrew the First Called 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Dec 02 — Divine Liturgy St. Porphorios 9:30am LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

A passion which we allow to grow active within us through our own choice afterwards forces itself upon us against our will. St Mark the Ascetic

Note how Ezekiel condemns those who indulge the pleasures of others. In giving way to everyone’s wishes they are treasuring up future punishment for themselves. Venerable Nilus the Faster of Sinai

At a time of affliction, expect a provocation to sensual pleasure; for because it relieves the affliction it is readily welcomed. St Mark the Ascetic

In the depths of each person’s heart lies the knowledge of his immortality. And he is indeed immortal, and that which we call death is a birth into a new life, a transition from one state of being to another. Abbot Nikon Vorobiev

Everyone has the responsibility of understanding the deeper meaning of life… If they did this, then people wouldn’t be mean and petty, nor would they grumble with one another. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

God is never far away. He is the center of life and its moving force. Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica

Remember in Your Prayers

List has been updated. If you want some names restored, please mention it to Fr. Hans.

• 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 November 1 / Resets December 1.

Current Prayer List

Georgia (Sarros 1/22)
Kerri (Dusckas 1/21)
Aggie (Dusckas 12/21)
Fr. Thomas (Forderhase 12/21)
Emily (Forderhase 12/21)
Sean (Breitenbach 12/21)
David (Zafiris 12/21
Robin (Zafiris 12/21
Dana (Zafiris 12/21
Mackenzie (Zafiris 12/21
Harry (Zafiris 12/21
Bettina (Zafiris 12/21
Harry James (Zafiris 12/21
Anastasia (Protopapadakis 12/21)
Barbara (Dusckas 11/21)
Dave (Dusckas 11/21)
Elizabeth (Wolfe 11/21)
Catherine (Breitenbach 11/21)

Permanent Prayer List

Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Maria and her newborn baby (Diveris)
Despina (Diversis)b
Fredericos (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)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Helen (Rogers)
Robert (Smith)
Robert (Jarvis)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
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

For St. Philip the Apostle

His voice has gone out into all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God.

The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (4:9-16)

Brethren, God has revealed us, the apostles, last of all, as those appointed to death; for we
have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are glorified, but we are dishonored. Even to this present hour we both hunger and thirst; we are naked, and are buffeted, and are restless; and we labor, working with our own hands. While reviled, we bless; while persecuted, we endure; while blasphemed, we exhort; we have become the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things, even until now. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children; for though you have a myriad of tutors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for I begat you in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I beseech you, therefore, be imitators of me.

GOSPEL

For the Eighth Sunday of Luke

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (10:25-37)

At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read?” And the lawyer answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And Jesus said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.” But the lawyer, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’

Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” The lawyer said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”