St. Peter News October 17, 2023

The Fourth Sunday of Luke Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
The Sixth Sunday of Luke

Averkios the wonderworker, equal-to-the-apostles and bishop of Hierapolis;
The Seven Holy Youths (“Seven Sleepers”) martyred in Ephesus; Bishop Eulalios

Who Was St. Averkios the Wonder Worker?

During the reigns of Emperor Antoninus and his son, Marcus Aurelius, St. Abercius was the bishop of the city of Hierapolis in Phrygia. The great majority in this city were pagans, and St. Abercius governed his sparse flock, sorrowing in his heart because of the great number of pagans and idolaters, and diligently praying to God that He would bring them to the light of truth.

During a boisterous idolatrous festival, Abercius became inflamed with God’s zeal and entered the idolatrous temple, smashing all the idols. When the enraged pagans sought to kill him, three young madmen, foaming at the mouth and howling, fell down before this man of God, and he drove the demons from them. The young men became sane and calm. This turned the pagans’ anger into amazement at the wonderworker of Christ, and five hundred of them immediately desired baptism. Little by little, all of Hierapolis came to believe in Christ and were baptized.

The proconsul of the province, Publius, had a mother who was blind. Abercius restored her sight by prayer, and Publius, his mother and many others believed in Christ.

In old age, Abercius was summoned to Rome, where he healed the emperor’s daughter of insanity. The Lord Jesus Christ appeared several times to His faithful follower. People from near and far came to him for miraculous help when they suffered from incurable illnesses. The demons not only feared him, but also served him at his command. At the guidance of the Lord Himself, Abercius preached the Gospel throughout Syria and Mesopotamia.

In great old age, St. Abercius presented himself to his beloved Lord in Hierapolis, at the end of the second century.

Source: The Full of Grace and Truth website.

Who Were The Seven Holy Youths “Seven Sleepers” of Ephesus?

The Seven Youths of Ephesus: Maximilian, Iamblicus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus (Constantine) and Antoninus, lived in the third century. Saint Maximilian was the son of the Ephesus city administrator, and the other six youths were sons of illustrious citizens of Ephesus. The youths were friends from childhood, and all were in military service together.

When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death awaited anyone who disobeyed. The seven youths were denounced by informants, and were summoned to reply to the charges. Appearing before the emperor, the young men confessed their faith in Christ.

Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius permitted them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their minds while he was off on a military campaign. The youths fled from the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.

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

Services and Events This Week

• Sun Oct 15 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Oct 16 — Divine Liturgy Longinus the Centurion 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Oct 18 — St. Luke the Apostle Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Oct 18 — St. Peter Game Night 6:00pm-9pm
• Thu Oct 19 — St. John of Kronstadt Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Oct 20 — Divine Liturgy Aretemus the Great Martyr 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Oct 20 — St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm

Liturgies This Week

Monday, October 16 9:30am — Longinus the Martyr and Centurion

Wednesday October 18 6:00am — St. Luke the Apostle

Thursday October 19 6:00am — St. John of Kronstadt

Friday October 20 9:30am — Artemus the Great Martyr of Antioch

Changes at St. Peter’s

Changes are happening at St. Peter’s. Some of the changes are bring us closer to the proper ordering of Orthodox practice while others are for better functioning of St. Peter’s.

CHANGE OF SERVICE TIMES

• Weekday services formerly held at 9:30am will begin at 8am. This is to better accommodate the worshipers who attend.
• Weekday liturgies with a start time of 6:00am remain the same.
• Sunday Orthos and Divine Liturgy start times (8:30am/9:30am) remain the same.
• These changes become effective next week (the week of October 22, 2023).

PRIEST AND ALTAR SERVERS DURING THE GREAT PROCESSION

• When St. Peter’s was smaller, lay worshiper participated in the Great Procession because there was a need. Starting immediately only the Priest and Altar Servers will participate in the procession. This is in keeping with proper Orthodox practice.
• If there is ever a need for lay participation, Fr. Hans will ask one or two men to help out.

BLESSING OF CATECHUMENS AND OTHER COMMUNICANTS

• The proper place to receive the andidoron (blessed bread) for anyone not receiving the Holy Eucharist is during the dismissal at the conclusion of the Liturgy. Only baptized Orthodox Christians in good moral and ecclesiastic standing should be in the line approaching Holy Communion. This change restores the proper Orthodox practice.

TOUCHING THE PRIEST’S VESTMENTS DURING DURING THE GREAT PROCESSION

• Some people touch the priests vestments during the Great Procession. While this is a pious custom and there is nothing intrinsically wrong with it and no real prohibition exists against it, please refrain from the practice going forward. The practice has become so widespread that it disturbs the solemnity of the worship.

THE DISMISSAL IS STILL PART OF THE SERVICE AND WE SHOULD EXIT QUIETLY AS THE PRAYERS FOLLOWING HOLY COMMUNION ARE BEING READ

• Please start the private conversations after exiting the Church so that the Thanksgiving prayers can be heard clearly.

CASUAL IS FINE BUT NOT TOO CASUAL

• We live in Florida where the dress code is more relaxed than Orthodox parishes in the north. However, we need to keep a level of formality that rises above something that is suitable for, say, Walmart or Publix, or a quick drive to Home Depot. No shorts, no tank tops, no flip-flops, that sort of thing. Modest and respectable is the key.

New Landscaping in the Works

It’s time to spruce up the grounds. The dying palms will be removed, irrigation with be added to the courtyard, the wooded area south of the parking lot will be cleared, new trees planted, and more. Stay tuned.

St. Peter Continuing Adult Education: The Problem with Orthodoxy in America — Mark Your Calendar

On Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:pm, Fr. Hans will overview of secularism in our lives and in the parish. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Decades ago, Fr. Alexander Schmemann, formerly the President of St. Vladimir’s Seminary and a widely known theologian in America was able to locate one the most serious challenge facing Orthodoxy Christianity in America. That challenge was secularism, the idea that Orthodox Christianity was just another religion, instead of the road to God that offers transformation, healing, and hope.

Orthodoxy is not a religion. Orthodoxy is a way of life, a walking of the narrow road that reveals God to us and makes us fully human. If we have trouble seeing this, most likely it’s because we have adopted secular ideals and don’t even know it. This spills into our life, and if it spills into our life, it also spills into the Church. If that happens the Church ceases to become the true body of Christ. It just turns into another denomination.

Fr. Alexanders essay is posted on the website. Don’t be daunted by the length of it. Fr. Hans will draw bite-sized pieces from it and we sill discuss how being aware of the secularism will make both ourselves and our parish stronger.

The meeting will also be available on ZOOM at this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88061553942?pwd=5vjaGXtmhbEKGphW1twrW2A46JfBut.1

Parish Council Members: Please note that the Parish Council meeting will begin at 8:30am and conclude at 10:00am that morning. All members are required to attend.

March is Antiochian Seminarian Month

Thank you to all who donated. We collected nearly $1,000 for our seminarians.

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.

Get more information here.

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.

DOMSE MEN’S RETREAT IN MARCH 2024

Only 75 spaces so register early.

More information at DOMSE website.

ST. PETER'S GREETERS

OCTOBER 2023

OCT 1 George Tsikitas – Joe and Deb Repya
OCT 8 Candice Rosen – George Tsikitas
OCT 15 Will Schwarz – George Tsikitas
OCT 22 George Tsikitas – Joe and Deb Repya
OCT 29 Will Schwarz – George Tsikitas

NOVEMBER 2023

NOV 5 Paula Kambaros – Candice Rosen

NOV 12 Joe and Deb Repya
NOV 19 George Karounos – Need an additional greeter
NOV 26 Pavlo Bilych – Need an additional greeter

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

NEW! St. Peter Game Night on Wednesdays 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Join us on Wednesday evening for a few hours of fellowship and fun. Bring the board games you like to play. It’s casual, fun, and an opportunity for great fellowship.

No sign-up required.

SOCIAL HALL ALL STARS

October 2023

TEAM #1 – Barbara Dionysopoulas Group for October
October 15 – Coffee, Bagels and Mixed Fruit
October 22 – Coffee, Donuts and Mixed Fruit
October 29 – Coffee, Cookies and Mixed Fruit

For Special Events/Koliva please contact BARBARA SASEN and give her a completed Special Events Form which is found in the lobby of the church.

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

OCTOBER

• Sun Oct 15 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Oct 16 — Divine Liturgy Longinus the Centurion 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Oct 18 — St. Luke the Apostle Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Oct 18 — St. Peter Game Night 6:00pm-9pm
• Thu Oct 19 — St. John of Krondstadt Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Oct 20 — Divine Liturgy Aretemus the Great Martyr 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Oct 20 — St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm

• Sun Oct 22 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Oct 23 — Divine Liturgy St. James the Apostle and Brother of the Lord 8:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Oct 25 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Oct 25 — St. Peter Game Night 6:00pm-9pm
• Thu Oct 26 — Divine Liturgy St. Demetrios 8:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Oct 27 — St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Oct 28 — Divine Liturgy Protection of the Theotokos 8:00am LIVE STREAM

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

• Sun Oct 29 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Oct 31 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am 8:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Nov 01 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Nov 01 — St. Peter Game Night 6:00pm-9pm
• Fri Nov 03 — St. Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
• Sat Nov 04 — Divine Liturgy St. Raphael of Brooklyn 8:00am LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

So, if you have not yet received the gift of self-control, know that the Lord is ready to hear you if you entreat Him with prayer and hope. St. John of Karpathos

A man cannot become good and wise immediately, but only through much effort, reflection, experience, time, practice and desire for virtuous action. The man who is good and enjoys the love of God, and who truly knows Him, never ceases to do ungrudgingly all that accords with His will. Such men are rare.
Venerable and Godbearing Father Anthony the Great

When you see faults and passions in your neighbour, pray for him; pray for everybody, even for your enemy. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

We must first of all and most of all strive to acquire love for the Lord God. Everything relating to holiness and blamelessness of life is valid, sound, and efficacious only if we have love for the Lord God. Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg

Never lie, but always tell the truth. For all false­hood and deceit is the most harmful of all vices, and the customary work only of the devil. St. Theophan the Recluse

The Lord does not seek the monk or the layperson, the scholar or the simpleton, the rich man or the pauper, but only the heart that thirsts for God, full of a sincere desire to be true to Him and His commandments! Venerable Ephraim the Syrian

• 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

George (Chionis 11-1)
Mark (Chionis 11-1)
Katheryn (Chionis 11-1)
Jacob (Chionis 11-1)
Ken (Chionis 11-1)
Maxim (Koco)
George (Tsikistas 8/1)
George (Mourgis 8/1)
Barbara (Sason 8/1)
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 newborn 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

Michael (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Maria (Sovjani)
Katerina (Sovjani)
Frederick (Sovjani)
Arsen (Sovjani)
Irene (Diveris)
Katheryn (Tolkkinen)
Markisia (Long)
Angela (Long)
Marina (Long)
Eleni (Long)
Raphaella (Long)
Joanne (Haley)
Corwin (Dusckas)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Lidia (Irina)
Sarina (Ghanem)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
s
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Despina (Diversis)
Fredericos (Diveris)
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)
George (Ninos)
John (Katsigianopoulos)
George (Chionis)
Mary (Spiropoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K
Eugene (Rust)
Robert (Jarvis)
George (Corey)
Patricia (Cotsones)
Seraphim (Zolio)
Apostolos

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 the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Clap your hands, all ye peoples.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (1:11-19)

Brethren, I would have you know that the Gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people; so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

But when He Who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other Apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

GOSPEL

For the Sixth Sunday of Luke

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (8:26-39)

At that time, Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And as He stepped out on land, there met Him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What hast Thou to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech Thee, do not torment me.” For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. [For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.]

Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. And they begged Jesus not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged Jesus to let them enter these. So He gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.

Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked Jesus to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so He got into the boat and returned.

The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with Jesus; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare all that God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city all that Jesus had done for him.