St Peter News September 15, 2026 - St. Peter Orthodox Church

Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross

Who Was the Holy Martyr Eustathius?

The Holy Martyr Eustathius and Family

The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian.

They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive.

By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.

Services and Events This Week

SUN Sep 06 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Tue Sep 08 — Nativity of the Theotokos 9:00am LIVE STREAM
Wed Sep 09 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
Fri Sep 11 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
Sat Sep 12 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Sunday School Update

Thank you to the parents, grandparents and new church members who came into the Sunday school room this last Sunday to register their children. The turnout was heartwarming and it was an absolute pleasure to speak with you.

Classes begin officially this coming Sunday following the dispensing of Holy Communion to Chrismated or Baptized children. The children should go to the head of the line and then gather towards the left to be taken to their classes in a group.

We look forward to a fruitful and great year. Any questions, please call me on my home phone: 239-254-1129.

Georgia Katsigianopoulos
Sunday School Director

Catechumen and Enquirers Class starts on Sunday November 1

The Catechumen and Enquirers Class starts on Sunday the 1st of November. The necessary books will be passed out at the first class, which are: Small Steps into the Kingdom by Fr. Spyridon Bailey and the Pocket Book of Prayers for Orthodox Christians.

There are 14 weekly classes held on Sunday at 12:15, which allows for a coffee break after the liturgy. Classes run about 90 minutes, sometimes longer with discussion. We are family friendly, so bring you little ones if that is easiest for you.

Subdeacon Joseph (the Elder) teaches the class, you may reach out to him if you have questions. Please text him at 860-460-8310, he screens his calls so is unlikely to pick up the phone.

Announcing the Formation of the Sisterhood of Righteous Naomi

Saint Peter‘s is excited to announce the first meeting of the Sisterhood of Righteous Naomi women’s group. Please join us on Saturday, October 3, in the Fellowship Hall at 3:30pm for social time, with meeting to starting promptly at 4pm.

Sisterhood of Righteous Naomi is modeled after Naomi‘s five characteristics of compassion, faith, resilience, loyalty, and humility.

This group is for all women, 16 and older, inquirers, catechumens, newly baptized, cradle Orthodox and everywhere in between.

This group will assist you in growing into your orthodox faith with deep discussions, cross-generational wisdom, and forming a sisterhood bond with fellow sisters who love and support one another.

Questions? please email Teri Peterson at tpeterson1334@gmail.com

Help Eldar Raise Funds for His Cancer Treatment

Eldar Sharashenidze, a member of St. Paul Orthodox Church and a friend of St. Peter’s needs funds to pay for cancer treatment.

Eldar writes on his GoFundMe page:

In 2023, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I had surgery, and afterward they told me they got all of it. I believed that. I went back to work and did my best to put it behind me.

The cancer is back.

I am going to start everything from the beginning, all the treatments, scans, and appointments, so I do not know yet what treatment will be done this time.

I am not comfortable asking. I have always worked for what I have. But I would rather ask than lose ground while I am fighting this.

Anything helps. And if you cannot give, sharing this with one person who might is worth just as much.

Thank you for reading this and for anything you can do.

Eldar

You can contribute on Eldar’s GoFundMe page.

When You Give to the Good Samaritan Mercy Fund, You Fulfill the Law of Christ

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galations 6:2)

St. Paul teaches us that God’s law, to love God and neighbor, is fulfilled when we bear one another’s burdens. The Good Samaritan Mercy fund helps us do that by helping parishioners who because of catastrophic circumstances face problems that we can help them with. This year is proving greater than past years so any donation you can make to our fund enables us to carry those burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

All support is local, within our parish. Donations are approved by Fr. Hans and Ron Franklin our Parish Council President. Donations remain confidential.

St. John Chrysostom says those who can give receive their abundance from God in order to give. When we give from our abundance a double blessing occurs — one to the recipient in need, and another to him who gives.

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 Greeters

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

SUNDAY COFFEE HOURS

Please note: A fruit bowl, veggie or hummus tray may be added to a week’s menu.

September 2026 – Team #3

Sunday, Sept 6 – “Labor Day Sunday” – Coffee and Hot dog lunch
Sunday, Sept 13 – Coffee and donuts
Sunday, Sept 20 – Coffee and bagel
Sunday, Sept 27 – Coffee and muffins

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!

SEPTEMBER

SUN Sep 13 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Mon Sep 14 — Elevation of the Cross Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
Wed Sep 16 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
Fri Sep 18 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
Sat Sep 19 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
Sat Sep 19 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

SUN Sep 20 — SUNDAY ORTHROS 8:30am DIVINE LITURGY 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Wed Sep 23 — Early Morning Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
Thu Sep 24 — St Silouan / Thekla Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
Fri Sep 25 — St Paisios Brotherhood 7:00pm
Sat Sep 26 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Sunday School Begins September 13, 2026

The 2026-27 Sunday School Year is beginning on September 13th when we will be celebrating The Elevation of the Cross. We would like to have all our children in church for Father Hans to bless them as they begin the school year.

“Kindergarten” will be comprised of 4 and 5 year olds, 6 to 9 will be the “Elementary” group, and those children 10 and up will be in the “Senior” group.

All children participating must be registered. We will get back to you with more information.

Blessings for all.

Georgia Katsigianopoulos

If you bear your weakness constantly in mind, you will not overstep the bounds of caution.
St. Isaac the Syrian

If a person could realize at once the rising of his pride and say: ‘My God, I have nothing of my own and I am full of pride; forgive me!’ the compassionate hands of God will take hold of him immediately and set him down gently, without making his fall noticeable. St. Paisios of Mount Athos

It is an indubitable truth that the highest Divine Providence arranges all of creation. God considers all things beforehand and takes care for all things. This is the Divine fatherly care of which the blessed apostle Peter speaks: “Cast all of your cares upon Him, because He is concerned for you.” (I Pet. 5:7) St. Elias Minjatios

Fasting is wonderful, because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed, while it cultivates and raises truth like a flower. St. John Chrysostom

Prayers for Those in Need

Current Prayer List

Daniel (Breitenbach)
Eva (Breitenbach)
Eve Helen
James (Franklin)
Anthea (Tuefel)
Anthony
RJ Schwegler (Breitenbach)

Sonya (Duskas)
Georgia (Katsigianopoulos)
Donna Eardley (Pateras)
Jack Eardley (Pateras)
Efstrathios Papadopoulos (Pateras)
Vera Pateras Stathes (Pateras)
Maureen (Breitenbach)
Doug (Kucera)
Katrina (Marianthi)
Katherina (Sovjani)
Arsen (Sovjani)
Arion (Sovjani)
David (Sovjani)
Joe (Repya)
Bp. Nicholas
Mary Teresa (Dusckas)
Adam (Krotov)
Ariyon (Sovjani)
Diana (Veraj)
Arjan (Veraj)
Thoma (Sovjani)
Lucia
Ioannes
Stratton (Leopold)
Mary (Copeland)
Robert (Tewis)
Gene (Forderhase)
Ruth (Mudd)
Barbara (Duskas)
Maria (Duskas)
Rachel (Voss)
Ken John (Eaton)
William (Semeretis)
David (Orfanos)
Maria (Orfanos)
William (Long)
George (Chionis 11-1)
Haley
Lydia
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)
Arielle (Ghanem 6/1)
Nicholas (Ghanem 6/1)
Christos
Father Demetris
Jamie
Pamela
David
Jessica
Christina (Hildreth)
Dionysios Chapekis)
Nancy (Forderhase)
Kayla (Palantine)
George (3/23 Chapekis)
Penelope (3/23 Chapekis)
Theodora (3/23)
Victor (3/23)
Les (3/23
Lynn (Hurley 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)
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
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)
The People of Ukraine and People of Russia and all those who are suffering in the war

Permanent Prayer List

Kh. Denise (Breitenbach)
Fr. Patrick (Breitenbach)
Bonnie Joseph
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)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
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)

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
Raymond (Zeena)
Vassilike (Hord)
Helen (Mitchell)
Pangiota (Poulos)
Catherine (Forderhase)
Diane (Radford)

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 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 I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.

GOSPEL