St Peter News September 2, 2025

Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Transfer of the Nativity of the Theotokos

Nativity of the Theotokos

The Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8 each year. The Feast commemorates the birth of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The birth and early life of the Virgin Mary is not recorded in the Gospels or other books of the New Testament, however this information can be found in a work dating from the second century known as the Book of James or Protevangelion.

According to the story found in this book, Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna, were childless for many years. They remained faithful to God, but their prayers for a child were unanswered. One day, when Joachim came to the temple to make an offering, he was turned away by the High Priest who chastised him for his lack of children. To hide his shame, Joachim retreated to the hill country to live among the shepherds and their flocks.

As Joachim was praying, his wife Anna was praying at the same time at their house in Jerusalem. An angel appeared to both of them and announced that Anna would have a child whose name would be known throughout the world. Anna promised to offer her child as a gift to the Lord. Joachim returned home, and in due time Anna bore a daughter, Mary.

[…]

Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website.

Services and Events This Week

• SUN Aug 31 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Sep 01 — START OF ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 03 — EARLY MORNING LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Sep 05 — ZECHARIAH AND ELIZABETH DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Sep 05 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 06 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Monday Liturgy: Start of the Ecclesiastical New Year and St. Symeon the Stylite

Who was St. Simeon the Stylite?

Saint Simeon spent 80 years in arduous monastic feats, 47 years of which he stood upon the pillar. God granted him to accomplish in such unusual conditions an indeed apostolic service. Many pagans accepted Baptism, struck by the moral staunchness and bodily strength which the Lord bestowed upon His servant.

The first one to learn of the death of the saint was his close disciple Anthony. Concerned that his teacher had not appeared to the people for three days, he went up on the pillar and found the dead body stooped over at prayer. Patriarch Martyrius of Antioch performed the funeral before a huge throng of clergy and people. They buried him near his pillar. At the place of his ascetic deeds, Anthony established a monastery, upon which rested the special blessing of Saint Simeon.

Read the complete history on the Orthodox Chruch in America website.

What is the “Indiction” (the start of the Orthodox Ecclesiastical Year)?

Indiction is a term given to identify an era or epoch of years of the calendar that was first used in the late third century to date agricultural and land tax cycles in Roman Egypt. By the late fifth century the indiction became widely used throughout the Mediterranean. Its use is still reflected in the Christian church calendars. The indiction in the Orthodox Church is on September 1.

Background

The name “Indictus” comes from the Latin word “indictio” which means definition. This is the Roman imperial decree, according to which the citizens of the Roman Empire had to pay a tax for the maintenance of the army on the first of September, the beginning of the financial year.

Due to the fact that the month of August the harvest of several kinds of fruits of the year is being completed, the month of September is counted as the beginning of the new year. The Church, with hymns and supplications, prays to the Lord and Creator of the universe, as it gives during the New Year every blessing and opportunity for the creation of good works for the glory of God.

Throughout the year we wish in the worship life of the Church: “for the prosperity of the air, the flourishing of the fruits of the earth and for times of peace.” Let us, therefore, ask the Holy Triune God, Creator of the universe, to bless the new ecclesiastical year, giving us the necessary spiritual armor with new strength and endurance, as well as readiness for new spiritual struggles to face daily dangers and sorrows and with perspective the sanctification in Christ.

• In the west, the Imperial or Western Indictions September 24 was adopted as the beginning of the year, apparently based upon calculations under the authority of the Venerable Bede.
• Later, in the ninth century Roman or Pontifical Indictions were introduced in the west that began the year on either December 25 or January 1.

Friday Liturgy: Zechariah and Elizabeth

Zechariah was slaughtered just like a lamb,
Within the Temple for the Lamb of God.
On the fifth Zechariah was slaughtered on the ground of the Temple.

Zechariah the levite and his wife Elizabeth were of the lineage of Aaron, and according to Luke the Evangelist: “Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old” (Lk. 1:8).

When Zechariah was serving as high priest on the day of Atonement, he went to the Temple in Jerusalem to burn incense before the Holy of Holies. It was at that time that the Archangel Gabriel appeared before him standing at the right side of the altar of incense, and shining with a brilliant light the Angel told him that his prayers and that of his wife Elizabeth had been heard, and in their old age they were to give birth to a son, who was to be called John. “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,” the Angel announced, “and will go before the Lord to prepare the people for Him” (Lk. 1:15,17). However, Zechariah doubted the words of the Angel, and for this he was struck silent until the birth of the Forerunner, in order to teach him to not doubt the divine promises that surpass the order of nature.

On the day of the child’s birth, Zechariah regained his speech after writing the name “John” on a tablet, to indicate the child’s name. He then intoned a prophetic canticle:

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us — to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.

Read the entire history on the Mystagogy website.

Time to Register your Child for Sunday School

Dear Parents and Grandparents:

It is unimaginable that summer time as we know it here in Florida will be considered over very
soon and our children will be returning to their classrooms.

Traditionally, we do not officially begin Sunday school until one week after Labor Day. This year
September 7 th . However, the Church is required to maintain Sunday school records. We know it
is a nuisance, but your help in expediting this procedure will be greatly appreciated.

We are setting two Sundays aside in the Social Hall so you may enjoy your coffee and snack while
signing up your child/children:

We look forward to teaching the children in a loving and fun manner.

Thank you.

Georgia Katsigianopoulos
Sunday School Administrator

Remember to Keep Up With Your Pledge

The bills are the same in the summer as they are in the winter so please do not fall behind on you pledge.

Support always dips in support but our obligations remain the same. Your consistent support is necessary keep our parish on firm and responsible financial footing.

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.

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.

ST. PETER’S GREETERS

Please note: Volunteers to serve as greeters are needed for December. Please contact Joe Repya if you can serve.

TBA

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

SOCIAL HALL ALL STARS

SUNDAY COFFEE HOURS – SUMMER MONTHS 2025

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

• SSeptember 2025 – Sunday Coffee Hours – Team #3
• Sunday, September 7 – Coffee and coffee cakes
• Sunday, September 14 – Coffee and muffins
• Sunday, September 21 – Coffee and bagels
• Sunday, September 28 – Coffee and donuts

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 Aug 31 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Sep 01 — START OF ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 03 — EARLY MORNING LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Sep 05 — ZECHARIAH AND ELIZABETH DIVINE LITURGY 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Sep 05 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 06 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Sep 07 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 10 — EARLY MORNING LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Sep 12 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 13 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
• Sat Sep 13 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Sep 14 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 17 — EARLY MORNING LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Sep 18 – Sat Sep 19 — Fr. Hans Out of Town
• Fri Sep 19 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 20 — CANCELLED Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Sep 21 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Sep 23 — CONCEPTION OF ST JOHN BAPTIST DIVINE LITURGY 9:00AM LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 24 — EARLY MORNING LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Sep 25 – Sat Sep 27 — Fr. Hans Out of Town
• Fri Sep 26 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 27 — CANCELLED Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

OCTOBER

• SUN Sep 28 — SUNDAY LITURGY Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Oct 01 — EARLY MORNING LITURGY 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Sep 03 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 04 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

That which is required of monks and nuns is also required of lay people. Even the Holy Fathers say that the only difference between monastics and lay people is that lay people are married. Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica

Gather spiritual knowledge from books and through your own experience. May the Lord grant you wisdom to do good and guard you from all evil. Abbot Nikon Vorobiev

The more someone lives according to God, the more closely he can approach Him; and the more he distances himself from a godly life, the more he is isolated from Him. God does not send him away; it is he who distances himself from God’s presence. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

And all those negotiations and conferences which strive to establish a system of world peace—those are empty dreams, yet it is surprising how people cannot understand this. What prevents them from understanding? That very same spirit of self-assertive human pride, the spirit of the Antichrist, which does not accept the spirit of Christ, the spirit of meekness and humility. Archbishop Averky (Taushev)

Martyrdom is the state in which a Christian brings forth fruit. This must be imparted to our people. Venerable Justin (Popovic) of Chelije in Serbia

He who opposes unpleasant events opposes the command of God unwittingly. But when someone accepts them with real knowledge, he ‘waits patiently for the Lord’ (Ps. 27:14). St Mark the Ascetic

Current Prayer List

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 (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)
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)
Peter (Tewis 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)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
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)

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 before the Elevation of the Holy Cross

O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.
To Thee, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (6:11-18)

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all, who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

GOSPEL

For the Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (3:13-17)

The Lord said, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”