St. Peter News September 3, 2024

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.

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Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website.

Services and Events This Week

• SUN Sep 01 — TENTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Divine Liturgy Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 04 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Sep 05 — Divine Liturgy Zechariah and Elizabeth 8:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Sep 06 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 07 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
• Sat Sep 07 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

Elevation of the Holy Cross Divine Liturgy, Saturday, August 14, 2024 at 9:00am

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered.

The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole.

Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, “Lord have mercy.”

It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

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 Begins

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.

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 DOMSE Retreat in Franklin Tennessee September

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

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 01 — TENTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Divine Liturgy Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 04 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Sep 05 — Divine Liturgy Zechariah and Elizabeth 8:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Sep 06 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 07 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am
• Sat Sep 07 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Sep 08 — SUNDAY BEFORE THE HOLY CROSS Divine Liturgy Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 11 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Sep 13 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 14 — Elevation of the Holy Cross Divine Liturgy 9:00am
• Sat Sep 14 — Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM

• SUN Sep 15 — SUNDAY AFTER THE HOLY CROSS Divine Liturgy Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Sep 16 — St. Euphemia Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Sep 18 — Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Sep 18 – 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

• SUN Sep 22 — FIRST SUNDAY OF LUKE Divine Liturgy Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Sep 24 — St. St. Silouan the Athonite Divine Liturgy 6:00am 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 20 — CANCELLED Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm
• Sat Sep 21 — CANCELLED 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

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)
Georgia and Richard and their unborn child (Chapekis)
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)
Priest Anthony (Karbo 11/22)
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 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.”