St. Peter News September 27, 2022

First Sunday of Luke

Our Righteous Mother Euphrosyne

Venerable Martyr Paphnoutios of Egypt and those slain with him; repose of Venerable Sergios of Radonezh

Who Were St. Cyprian the Confessor and St. Justina?

Saint Cyprian was a pagan and a native of Antioch. From his early childhood his misguided parents dedicated him to the service of the pagan gods. From the age seven until he was thirty, Cyprian studied at the leading centers of paganism: on Mount Olympus; in the cities of Argos and Tauropolis; in the Egyptian city of Memphis; and at Babylon. Once he attained eminent wisdom in pagan philosophy and the sorcerer’s craft, he was initiated into the pagan priesthood on Mount Olympus. Having discovered great power by summoning unclean spirits, he beheld the Prince of Darkness himself, speaking with him and receiving from him a host of demons to serve him.

After returning to Antioch, Cyprian was revered by the pagans as a prominent pagan priest, amazing people with his ability to cast spells, to summon pestilence and plagues, and to conjure up the dead. He brought many people to ruin, teaching them to serve the demons, and how to cast magic spells.

The holy virgin Justina lived in Antioch. After turning her own father and mother away from the error of paganism and leading them to faith in Christ, she dedicated herself to the Heavenly Bridegroom and spent her time in fasting and prayer. When the young man Aglaidas proposed marriage to her, the saint refused, for she wished to remain a virgin. Aglaidas sought Cyprian’s help. He said that he would arrange for Justina’s heart to become filled with lust for the young man. No matter what Cyprian tried, he accomplished nothing, since the Saint overcame all the wiles of the devil by prayer and fasting.

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

Services This Week

• SUN Sep 25 — FIRST SUNDAY OF LUKE Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Sep 27 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Sep 29 — St. Kyriakos the Anchorite Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

St. Kyriakos the Anchorite Divine Liturgy 9:30am on Thursday, September 29, 2022

Saint Kyriakos was born at Corinth to the priest John and his wife Eudokia. Bishop Peter of Corinth, who was a relative, seeing that Kyriakos was growing up as a quiet and sensible child, made him a reader in church. Constant reading of the Holy Scriptures awakened in him a love for the Lord and of a yearning for a pure and saintly life.

Once, when the youth was not yet eighteen years old, he 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” (Mt.16:24). He believed these words applied to him, so he went right to the harbor without stopping at home, got onto a ship and went to Jerusalem.

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Saint Kyriakos rendered great help to the Church in the struggle with the spreading heresy of the Origenists. By prayer and by word, he brought the wayward back to the true path, and strengthened the Orthodox in their faith. Cyril, the author of the Life of Saint Kyriakos, and a monk of the Lavra of Saint Euthymius, was a witness when Saint Kyriakos predicted the impending death of the chief heretics Nonos and Leontius, and soon the heresy would cease to spread.

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For the two years before his death Saint Kyriakos returned to the monastery and again settled into the cave of Saint Chariton. Until the end of his life the righteous Elder preserved his courage, and prayed with fervor. He was never idle, either he prayed, or he worked. Before his death Saint Kyriakos summoned the brethren and blessed them all. He quietly fell asleep in the Lord, having lived 109 years.

Read the entire history on the Orthodox Christian website.

St. Nicholas Academy and Thursday Liturgies

Two families of St. Peter’s have established a home school cooperative that will meet every Thursday at St. Peter’s. The day begins with a Divine Liturgy to which all parishioners are invited to attend. The chanting will be done by the students. Liturgies begin at at 9:30am

Services Moved to Evenings

Evening services in October:

• Tue Oct 25 — St. Demetrios of Thessaloniki Divine Liturgy 6:30am EVENING LITURGY LIVE STREAM
• Thu Oct 27 — Protection of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am EVENING LITURGY LIVE STREAM

Anthony Mourgis, May His Memory Be Eternal, Four Years

Receiving New Catechumens into the Church.

Congratulations Timothy and Moriah Peterson, and Emma Weiss. We know have eight catechumens at St. Peter’s.

Mark You Calendar! Parish General Assembly on Sunday October 23, 2022 Following the Divine Liturgy

The General Assembly will be held in the Social Hall after a few minutes of refreshment following the Divine Liturgy. The state of parish will be discussed including plans for next year, and the new budget will be presented for approval.

Leaving a Legacy – Remembering St. Peter’s in Our Estate Planning

The growth and success of St. Peter’s is certainly inspiring. Through it we see the benevolent work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the commitment, generosity, and fortitude of our members and friends who worked and contributed to the growth of our parish. St. Paul says that we are to become “co-laborers with Christ” and our support of St. Peter’s is one way that happens.

Several people have asked how they can leave a legacy for St. Peter’s. Thanks to the good work of Joe and Debbie Repya, St. Peter’s has developed a guide for anyone who would like to consider a gift to the parish in their estate planning.

Our vision at St. Peter’s is to become a church where anyone who is seeking Christ can find him. It happens when Christ calls them. But it also haappens because there is a parish to which our Lord and Savior can bring them. That’s our part of the work.

That work can continue long after our work on this earth is completed. Through planned giving today, we can leave a legacy that helps ensure the good work of St. Peter’s in the future.

For more information including an informational packet that answers many questions please see Fr. Hans.

Starting Soon – Orthodoxy 101

Starting soon St. Peter’s offers a study of the Orthodox Basics (less philosophical, more factual and practical) of such things as worship, history, theology and more. This is for anyone and everyone who wants to understand our Orthodox faith and practice more thoroughly.

Dates will be determined but Saturday morning from 9:00am to 10:00 class time followed by a half hour optional discussion seems to work best for many people. Please let Fr. Hans know what works for you. We will begin when the summer starts and everyone’s schedule is more flexible.

In the meantime check out the videos on the website Welcome to the Orthodox Church by Frederica Mathews-Green to prepare.

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.

Cafe of Life – Do Not Neglect To Do Good

God has given us the greatest sacrifice…his only Son Jesus. In doing so, he left us with a true example of what it means to give to the poor and less fortunate. He asks us to sacrifice as an act of worship before Him and when we obey, He will bless us.

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God,” (Hebrews 13:16).

Thank you and IC XC NI KA!

Pledge & Income Report – August 2022

Contributions received in August: $28,191.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $24,114.
We are ahead by $4,077.

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

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

You can also donate online:

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.

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

September

• TOM HALEY
• Marlene Haley
• Cheryl Morse
• Tim Morse
• Diana Najjar
• Deb Repya
• Elaine Seremetis
• Greogry Seremetis

Procedures for Hospitality

Please note: If you would like to bring in your own prepared food, please contact Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 a week before the upcoming Sunday. That way we know not to prepare any food for Sunday.

1. 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.”
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. If you would like to bring in your own prepared food, please contact Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 a week 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.

Helping Our Seniors With Parking

With the church growing the parking lot is close to full every Sunday. Younger parishioners, could you park in the grass lot even if spaces are open in the paved area? That way our seniors can park closer to the entrance and avoid the grassy area where it is easier to stumble and fall.

Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.

SEPTEMBER

• SUN Sep 25 — FIRST SUNDAY OF LUKE Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Sep 27 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Sep 29 — St. Kyriakos the Anchorite Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

OCTOBER

• SUN Oct 02 — SECOND SUNDAY OF LUKE Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Oct 04 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Oct 06 — St. Luke the Apostle Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

• SUN Oct 09 — THIRD SUNDAY OF LUKE Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Oct 11 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Oct 13 — Carpus, Papylus, Agathodorus, and Agathonica, the Martyrs Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

• SUN Oct 16 — FATHERS OF THE SEVENTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Oct 18 — St. Luke the Apostle Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Oct 20 — Artemius the Great Martyr of Antioch Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

• SUN Oct 23 — SIXTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Oct 25 — St. Demetrios of Thessaloniki Divine Liturgy 6:30am EVENING LITURGY LIVE STREAM
• Thu Oct 27 — Protection of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am EVENING LITURGY LIVE STREAM

• SUN Oct 30 — FIFTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Nov 01 — Sts. Kosmas and Damian Divine Liturgy 6:30am EVENING LITURGY LIVE STREAM
• Thu Nov 03 — Acepsimas the Bishop, Joseph the Presbyter, and Aeithalas the Deacon, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

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

PLEASE NOTE: The names list in “The Current Prayer List listed to be removed after September 1 have been taken of the list. If you would like someone added back please send a text to Fr. Hans or send the name through website here.

• 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.

Updated June 4 / Resets Sep 1.

Current Prayer List

Tina (Johnson 12/22)
Mikaela (Wolff 12/22)
Nicholas (De Lorenzo 12/22)
Priest Anthony (Karbo 11/22)
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
Anthony Presbyter (Kerr 10/22)
Angel (Ghanem 10/22)
Abott Tryphon (Jacobse 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)
Alberta (Dusckas 8/22)
Connie (Dusckas 8/22)
The People of Ukraine and People of Russia and all those who are suffering in the war

Permanent Prayer List

Katheryn (Tolkkinen)
Markisia (Long)
Angela (Long)
Marina (Long)
Eleni (Long)
Raphaella (Long)
Joanne (Haley)
Francine (Anton)
Corwin (Dusckas)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Seraphim (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)b
Fredericos (Diveris)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Soterios (Ninos)
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)
John (Katsigianopoulos)
George (Chionis)
Mary (Spiropoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K
Eugene (Rust)
Robert (Jarvis)
George (Corey)

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 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

For the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Lord will give strength to His people.
Bring unto the Lord, ye sons of God, bring unto the Lord glory and honor.

The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (6:1-10)

Brethren, since we are fellow workers, we entreat you also not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, “At an acceptable season I hearkened unto thee, and in a day of salvation I helped thee”; behold, now is “the acceptable season”; behold, now is “the day of salvation”; giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that the ministry is not blamed, but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in vigils, in fasts, in purity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

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.”