St. Peter News September 24, 2024

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Second Sunday of Luke

Venerable Kyriakos the hermit of Palestine

Martyr Petronia and those with her in Palestine; Mother Mary the hermit of Palestine

Who is the Venerable Kyriakos the hermit of Palestine?

Saint Kyriakos (Kyriákos)1 was born in the Greek city of Corinth to the priest John and his wife Eudok?a. Bishop Peter of Corinth, who was a family relative, seeing that Kyriakos was a quiet and sensible child, made him a Reader in church. His constant reading of the Holy Scriptures awakened in him a love for the Lord, and made him long for a pure and holy life.

When he was not yet eighteen years old, Kyriakos was deeply moved during a Church Service by the words of the Gospel: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). He believed that these words applied to him, so he went straight to the harbor without stopping at home, got onto a ship, and went to Jerusalem.

After visiting the holy places, Kyriakos lived for several months at a monastery not far from Sion, in obedience to the Igoumen Abba Eustorgios (Eustórgios). Later, with the latter’s blessing, he made his way to the wilderness Lavra of Saint Euthymios the Great (January 20). Saint Euthymios, discerning great gifts of God in Kyriakos, tonsured him into the monastic schema and placed him under the guidance of Saint Gerasimos (Gerásimos) (March 4), who trained him in asceticism at the Monastery of Saint Theoktistos (Theóktistos) by the Jordan.

Read the entire history on the Orthodox Church in America website.

Services and Events This Week

• SUN Sep 15 — SUNDAY AFTER THE HOLY CROSS Divine Liturgy Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Sep 16 — CANCELLED St. Euphemia Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 18 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Sep 20 – Sat Sep 20 — Fr. Hans out of town
• Fri Sep 20 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 21 — CANCELLED Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Please note: Vespers on September 21 is cancelled.

Fr. Hans is out of town from Frida September 20 through Saturday September 21. He will be be presenting at the “Cry of the Forerunner” retreat in Detroit Michigan.

Women’s Mercy Ministry Forming

Movie Night Begins on Friday, September 20 at 7:00pm

Join us for the first Movie Night on Friday, September 20 at 7:00pm in the Social Hall. This is the test run of what is planned to become a monthly feature. The movie is “The Island” that is an Orthodox film of profound beauty. It’s subtitled (fair warning), and you can learn more about it here. Popcorn provided!

Women’s Ministry Begins

The women of St. Peter’s a forming a ministry of mercy to help Fr. Hans take care of our sick and homebound parishioners. There is a lot of work to be done: phone calls, rides, cards, and more. This is also a great time for fellowship and learning for the many women who work hard for St. Peter’s.

Attention Bible Bowl Participants!

Study sessions for the Gospel of Luke (the topic of this year’s Bible Bowl) have started. All teens invited! Please contact Diane Najjar to participate.

The Bible Bowl is held during the Parish Life Conference every year (this year it will be Jacksonville, Florida). Teens study and test their skills against other teens in the Diocese. Last year we came in second. This year we are aiming higher!

Sunday School Registration Continues

We hope you had an enjoyable school break, and now we are looking forward to the upcoming Sunday School year. Classes will begin on the Sunday after Labor Day, September 8th.

No need to fill out the registration form if your child/children were previously registered, but wewould like to make certain the data we have is up to date. Registration Sundays will beAugust 25th and September 1st in the Social Hall.

We will have three classes:

• Preschool/Kindergarten 3 to 6
• Elementary 7 to 10
• Intermediate and up 11 to 18

We look forward to working with the parents to provide a fulfilling and happy experience for thechildren as they learn about our Orthodox Religion, its history and traditions.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Joan Simon and her assistant, Tina Kucera, fortheir beautiful work last school year. We are most appreciative for their help.

Georgia Katsigianopoulos
Sunday School Administrator

MARK YOU CALENDAR – Catechumen Classes begin Sunday, November 3, 2024

Catechumen classes begin November 3 following Social Hall (around 12:30pm). The classes is open to everyone but those seeking baptism and chrismation into the Orthodox Church are required to attend.

The class will be taught by Subdeacon Joseph (he returns mid-March) and we will use the book “Small Steps into the Kingdom”). The books will be preordered and available for purchase in the bookstore.

2024 Summer Appeal

Giving tends to slow down in the summer but unfortunately our obligations don’t. There is still rent, electricity, and other necessities that we have to pay.

The letter below was sent to all parishioners as a gentle reminder to remain current on their pledges and giving. That we we stay in the black and remain on a sound financial footing.

Please stay current on your pledge and giving to help keep St. Peter’s strong.

Pledge and Income Report — Contributions received in August 2024

Contributions received in August: $19,839.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $31,105.
We are behind by $11,266.

Every year we need an extra push in the summer to keep our income current. Please keep up with your pledge so that we can keep current with our bills.

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

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.

Save the Date! Upcoming Young Adult Retreat in Nashville in October

Young adults, save the date for an Orthodox Young Adult Conference happening in the fall in Nashville, TN! More details to come.

ST. PETER’S GREETERS

SEPTEMBER 2024

• Sept 1 Joe Repya – George Tsikitas
• Sept 8 Will Schultz – George Tsikitas
• Sept 15 Joe Repya – Loana Dumitru
• Sept 22 George Tsikitas – Pavlo Bilych
• Sept 29 Doug and Tina Kucera – Joe Repya

OCTOBER 2024

• Oct 6 Joe Repya – Candice Rosen
• Oct 13 Joe Repya – Need Volunteer
• Oct 20 Candice Rosen – Paula Kamberos
• Oct 27 Loana Dumitru – Moriah Peterson

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

SOCIAL HALL ALL STARS

SEPTEMBER 2024

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

September 2024 – Team #3

• Sunday, Sept. 1 – Coffee and donuts
• Sunday, Sept. 8 – Coffee and muffins
• Sunday, Sept. 15 – Coffee and coffee cakes
• Sunday, Sept. 22 – Coffee and bagels
• Sunday, Sept. 29 – Coffee and donuts

October 2024 – Team #1 – Barb Dionysopoulos Group

• Sunday, Oct. 6 – Coffee and muffins
• Sunday, Oct. 13 – Coffee and coffee cakes
• Sunday, Oct. 20 – Coffee and bagels
• Sunday, Oct. 27 – Coffee and donuts

November 2024 – Team #2 – Margie Zimmerman Group

• Sunday, Nov. 3 – Coffee and muffins
• Sunday, Nov. 10 – Coffee and coffee cakes
• Sunday, Nov. 17 – Coffee and bagels
• Sunday, Nov. 24 – 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 Sep 22 — FIRST SUNDAY OF LUKE Divine Liturgy Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 25 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Sep 26 – Sat Sep 28 — Fr. Hans out of town
• Fri Sep 27 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 28 — CANCELLED Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER

• SUN Sep 29 — SUNDAY AFTER THE HOLY CROSS Divine Liturgy Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Sep 30 — Fr. Hans in Greece and Mt Athos Sep 30 – Oct 10
• Wed Oct 02 — CANCELLED Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Oct 04 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Oct 05 — CANCELLED Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

OCTOBER

• SUN Oct 06 — THE APOSTLE THOMAS Divine Liturgy Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Oct 07 — Fr. Hans in Greece and Mt Athos Sep 30 – Oct 10
• Wed Oct 09 — CANCELLED Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Oct 11 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Oct 12 — CANCELLED Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Oct 13 — SUNDAY Divine Liturgy Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Oct 16 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Oct 18 — St Luke Divine Liturgy 8:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Oct 18 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Oct 19 — St. John of Kronstadt Divine Liturgy 9:00am LIVE STREAM
• Sat Oct 19 — Parish Council Meeting 10:30am
• Sat Oct 19 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Oct 20 — SUNDAY Divine Liturgy Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Oct 23 — Fr Hans Out of Town Wed Oct 23 – Sat Oct 26
• Wed Oct 23 — CANCELLED Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Oct 25 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Oct 26 — CANCELLED Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

Nothing is so conducive to unity as rejoicing about the same things and holding to the same purpose. Dorotheos of Gaza

Leave all human injustices to the Lord, for God is the Judge, but as to yourself, be diligent in loving everybody with a pure heart… Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Why do we trouble and torment ourselves at not receiving some treasure which we had expected, or at losing it Because that which we expected or which we have lost was the idol of our heart, because our heart has withdrawn itself from the Lord, the Source of living waters, Who Alone can fill and give peace to it. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Recognize that God in Christ is the only source of your happiness and put all your hope in Him. Let us pray that the everlasting God, the source of peace for all the saints, may purify our earthbound hearts and lift them up from the earth, so that our love for Him and our joy in Him may contain our whole life Bishop Alexander of Mojaisk

Whoever aspires day and night to peace and stillness of intellect finds it easy to be indifferent to all material matters and so does not labour in vain. But if he scorns or cheats his own conscience, he will sleep bitterly the death of forgetfulness. St. Hesychius the Theologian of Jerusalem, disciple of St. Gregory the Theologian

The Lord does not place heavy crosses on the weak. Fr. Andrei Tkachov

Current Prayer List

Lucia
Ioannes
Freida (Hansen)
Stratton (Leopold)
Mary (Copeland)
Robert (Tewis)
Gene (Forderhase)
Ruth (Mudd)
Barbara (Duskas)
Doug S (Duskas)
Marc C. (Duskas)
Rachel (Voss)
Ken John (Eaton)
Diane (Najar)
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)
Anthony (Breitenbach 6/1)
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)
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

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)
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.

Sunday Readings

EPISTLE

For the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Thou, O Lord, wilt keep and preserve us.
Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (1:21-2:4)

Brethren, it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; He has put his seal upon us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

GOSPEL

For the Second Sunday of Luke

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (6:31-36)

The Lord said: “As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”