Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Martyrs Trophimos, Dorymedon and Savvatios; Hieromartyr Januarios of Benevento and his companions
Pictures from the Veneration of the Iveron Icon of Hawaii
The icon was received at St. Paul’s on September 3, 2021 and venerated by the faithful.
Services This Week
- Sun Sep 12 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Sep 14 — Divine Liturgy Elevation of the Holy Cross LIVE STREAM
- Fri Sep 17 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Services Next Week
- Sun Sep 19 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Sep 21 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Sep 23 — Divine Liturgy Conception of St. John the Baptist 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Diocese of Miami (DOMSE) Fall Retreat – DATE CHANGE!
Interested in attending? See Fr. Hans.
Sunday School Fall 2021
We are offering three classes this year:
- Georgia Katsigianopoulos is taking ages ten and up
- Mercedes Sovjani is taking ages five to nine
- Pres. Susan Jacobse is taking ages three to five
Sunday School begins immediately after Holy Communion.
Thank you ladies for your service to the parish.
We also have a “mom cave” but dads can use it too. It’s the small room located off the handicap exit hallway and outfitted with two rocking chairs, a video stream to watch the liturgy, and carpeting and toys for the small kids. It’s a great place to go if your child needs a break to settle down during liturgy.
Monthly Fellowship Luncheons and Coffe Kafenio Cancelled
Due to low registration (probably because of concern over COVID – a concern many of us share), the Monthly Fellowship Fellowship Luncheon for September 9 has been cancelled. Also, because next month is Thanksgiving and in December we have the Christmas Season, luncheons will not resume until January.
Cafe of Life Ministry Update
Giving Up A Month Of Coffee Will Feed A Hungry Neighbor
Monthly sponsors or ongoing donors are encouraged to help St. Peter’s sustain this outreach commitment in making sandwiches for the hungry and homeless at the Cafe of Life.
These are difficult times and your donation is especially needed. Checks(made out to St. Peter’s Church) or cash can be given to Father Hans.
Thank you, God bless and IC XC NI KA!
Pledge & Income Report – August 2021
Donations received in August: $23,240.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $22,760.21.
We are ahead by $480.
These numbers reflect the operating costs of the the Hickory Drive property.
Please note:Summer months are always lean and in July we fell behind by $5,292. Please remember to send in your pledge so we can make up the deficit and keep St. Peter’s on a secure financial footing.
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 social hall happen. Thank you All Stars!
September 5 – September 26
- Marlene Haley
- Tom Haley
- Cheryl Morse
- Elaine Semeretis
- Gregory Semeretis
- Anna Tsikitas
October 3 – October 26
- Barbara Dionysopoulos
- Marianthi Kazakos
- Niki Locklear
- Ray Locklear
- Carol Palantine
- Maria Mourgis
November 7 – November 28
- Olga Bilych
- Pavlo Bilych
- Bonnie Joseph
- Al Joseph
- Sandy Krotov
- Nader Sahawneh
December 5 – December 26
- Marlene Haley
- Tom Haley
- Cheryl Morse
- Elaine Semeretis
- Gregory Semeretis
- Anna Tsikitas
Procedures for Hospitality
- 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 by the Friday 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.
SEPTEMBER
- Sun Sep 12 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Sep 14 — Divine Liturgy Elevation of the Holy Cross LIVE STREAM
- Fri Sep 17 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Sep 19 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Sep 21 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Sep 23 — Divine Liturgy Conception of St. John the Baptist 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Sep 23 — CANCELLED St. Peter Kafenio (Coffee Cafe)
- Fri Sep 24 – Sat Sep 25 — Fr. Hans Out of Town
- Sun Sep 26 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Sep 29 — Divine Liturgy St. Kyriakos the Anchorite 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Oct 01 — Divine Liturgy Apostle Ananias Bishop of Damascus 9:30am LIVE STREAM
OCTOBER
- Fri Oct 14 – Sun Oct 17 — DOMSE Fall Retreat at Franklin, TN
Wisdom From The Elders
With sincere Christians prayer is continual, because we continually sin; gratitude is perpetual, because every day, every moment we receive fresh mercies from God, besides the old mercies which are numberless. Praise is also perpetual, because we perpetually see the glory of our God’s works in ourselves and in the world, especially the glory of His infinite love to us. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
The soul came forth from God, and to God may it ever ascend through prayer. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
The basic thing is for man to take care not to lose the Grace of God, so as to have divine enlightenment. For, everything is in vain if there is no divine enlightenment. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos
Troops protected by armour, when attacked by adversaries with bows and arrows, hear the twang of the bow and actually see most of the missiles that are shot at them; yet they are not wounded, because of the strength of their armour. Just as they are undefeated because they are protected by iron, so we can break through the black ranks of the demons if, because of our good works, we are protected by the armour of divine light and the helmet of salvation. St. Diadochus, bishop of Photike in Epirus
I constantly think of those who lived a wretched life and are now struggling; I love and cherish them more than those who do not suffer from passions. Even a shepherd will be more compassionate with the injured or sickly sheep and will give it more attentive care until it gets back on its feet again. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos
Parents must be very careful not to reprimand their children in the evening, because, at that time, when the children having nothing to distract them from their troubles, the darkness of the night will make their troubles darker still. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos
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 June 13 / Resets August
Current Prayer List
Elizabeth (Wolfe 11/21)
Catherine (Breitenbach 11/21)
Maggie (Jacobse 10/21)
D.M. (Dusckas 11/21)
P.W. (Duskas 11/21)
Jeff (Duskas 11/21)
Georgia D. (Repya 10/21)
Colleen R. (Repya 10/21)
Debbie (Breitenbach 9/21)
Anne (Breitenbach 9/21)
Patricia (Tsikita 9/21)
Robert (Tewis 9/21)
Lydia (Irena 9/21)
Lee (Irena 9/21)
Demetrios (Karras 8/21)
Permanent Prayer List
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
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)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
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
For the Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross
O Lord, how manifold are Thy works.
In wisdom hast Thou made them all.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (2:16-20)
Brethren, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. Even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the Law died to the Law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh Ilive by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
GOSPEL
For the Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (8:34-9:1)
The Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And He said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power.