The Sunday After Epiphany
Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa; Marcian the Priest of Constantinople; Dometian, Bishop of Melitene; Venerable Paul of Obnora and Makarios of Pisma; Bishop Theophan the Recluse
St. Gregory of Nyssa
On January 10 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we continue to celebrate the Theophany of Christ, and we commemorate our Father among the Saints Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa.
The brother of St. Basil the Great, Gregory was at first a married priest; but when his wife, the blessed Theosevia, died, he was chosen and consecrated as Bishop of Nyssa. He was distinguished by great secular learning and spiritual experience, and was a great preacher, a translator of the Scriptures and a theologian. As a result of his opposition to the Arians, they did everything in their power to crush him, regarding him as their chief enemy. They were so successful in this that, in the reign of the Emperor Valens, their ally, they managed to depose Gregory from his episcopal throne and drive him into exile in 376.
The holy Father spent several years in patient exile, enduring poverty and humiliation. In 381, Gregory took part in the Second Ecumenical Council, where he formulated the final part of the Creed concerning the Holy Spirit. Finally, finishing his life at a great age in about the year 395, Gregory entered into the Kingdom of God and has been commemorated through all succeeding ages as a great light in the Church. On this day, we also commemorate Marcian the priest of Constantinople; Dometian, bishop of Melitene; Venerable Paul of Obnora and Makarios of Pisma; and Bishop Theophan the Recluse.
Theophany Week Worship Schedule (January 3-9, 2020)
- Sun Jan 03 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 03 — CUTTING OF THE VASILOPITA following Divine Liturgy LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jan 05 — THEOPHANY ROYAL HOURS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jan 05 — THEOPHANY ORTHROS 6:OOpm / THEOPHANY DIVINE LITURGY and GREAT BLESSING OF THE WATERS 7:00pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jan 06 — PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Jan 07 — SYNAXIS OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Blessing of the Waters (Outdoors at Imperial River) on Sunday, January 10, 2020
NOTE: Bring bring lawn chairs.
We will bless the waters at Imperial River on Sunday, January 10, 2021 following the Divine Liturgy.
Following we will hold a picnic in the park. Bring desert or beverages if you can. Food will be provided.
There will be no Social Hall since we are having the picnic.
Stewardship 2021
Two things determined our flourishing in the past year: God’s benevolence towards us and your faithfulness. Your support of St. Peter’s enables us to experience God’s benevolence.
People who follow Christ need to come together. Our parish offers that. Without a place to meet, there would be no Divine Liturgy, no Eucharist, no place for anointing when we are sick, no place where those who are seeking Christ can call home, no place to meet dear friends every week, no place for baptisms and weddings, no place where the children can grow up with their Church friends, and much more.
We are again in the season where we have to consider our financial commitment to St. Peter’s. Our budget is growing because the parish is growing. We estimate is that our budget will increase 19% in 2021.
Please click the image to read the full message and prayerfully consider your support of St. Peter’s for 2021.
Does Anyone Need A Desk?
Joe and Debbie Repya have this desk free for the taking. If you could use it, please contact Joe at (612) 270-4443
It Is Time For House Blessings!
To sign up for house blessings please text Fr. Hans at 239-248-4775 with some available dates and times that work, or send an email to info@stpeterorthodoxchurch.com, or sign up in the Social Hall. Fr. Hans will call you to set up the appointment.
If you call there is a good chance I cannot pick up, and if I am in the car I cannot write down the information anyway. That’s why texting is preferred.
Capital Campaign Update — January 3, 2021
UPDATE: We are still accepting Capital Campaign Donations as we have not yet made our goal. Our goal is $750K and we now have $482K. Thank you for your generous contributions to date.
The Church now has set up a Brokerage account so if anyone wishes to donate stocks or bonds, the Church can accept them.
Our Capital Campaign is going well. So far $482,000 of the $750,000 we need to secure a mortgage to make a bid on the new Church property has been received. That’s over half of our goal!
Download a pledge form on the St. Peter website.
Please remember, churches are hard to come by in Southwest Florida. This property meets our needs because:
- We can afford it (the mortgage will cost no more than what we currently pay in rent; it may even be a little less),
- It has buildings on site that are move-in ready,
- It can accommodate the growth we are experiencing and that will continue.
Many of you have seen our Capital Campaign video. Take a look at it again. It lays out our vision that has guided us to where we are and explains why a move is necessary now.
We are grateful to everyone who has supported our Capital Campaign. Thank you very much for your confidence and trust, and the hope you have in the flourishing of St. Peter’s parish.
Introduction to Orthodoxy Classes Resume Sunday, January 17, 2020
Next class Sunday, January 17, 2021. Assignment: Chapters 17 and 18.
The class is required for seekers and catechumens and also open to any parishioner who would like to attend. The syllabus will be posted on the website at soon as it is completed and handed out the first day of class.
We will meet after social hall. Get some coffee, have some food and fellowship, and then we break for class.
St. Peter’s is Going Camping!
Get more information on the St. Peter website!
2021 DOMSE Virtual Winter Retreat — Save the Date
Pledge & Income Report – December 2020
Donations received in December $25,959.00
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $18,167.00
We are ahead by $7,792
Thank you for your generosity. Although we are ahead in December, most of the surplus were prepayments of 2021 pledges. When the prepayments are deducted from the December income, we are slight behind for the month.
Please note:Please continue your generous support. If you cannot make it to church please mail in your donation to:
St. Peter Orthodox Church
24850 Old 41 Road Suite 6
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
You can also donate online (scroll to bottom of page):
Bishop NICHOLAS Offers a Weekly Live Stream
These are short thirty minute presentations where His Grace Bp. Nicholas speaks on one theme in Sunday readings for fifteen minutes followed by questions from the listeners. It’s worth tuning in. Get instructions on the St. Peter website on how to use the Band App on your phone or computer to participate.
Calendar At A Glance
Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.
JANUARY
- Sun Jan 03 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 03 — CUTTING OF THE VASILOPITA following Divine Liturgy LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jan 05 — THEOPHANY ROYAL HOURS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jan 05 — THEOPHANY ORTHROS 6:OOpm / THEOPHANY DIVINE LITURGY and GREAT BLESSING OF THE WATERS 7:00pm LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jan 06 — PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Jan 07 — SYNAXIS OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 10 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 10 — Blessing of the Waters (Imperial River) following Divine Liturgy
- Mon Jan 11 — ST. THEODOSIOS THE GREAT Divine Liturgy LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jan 13 — PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jan 13 — Women’s Book Club 5:00pm
- Fri Jan 15 — PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 17 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Jan 18 — ST. ATHANASIOS / CYRIL Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jan 20 — RIGHTEOUS EUTHYMIOS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Jan 21 — ST. MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 24 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Jan 25 — ST. GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jan 27 — Women’s Book Club 5:00pm
- Thu Jan 28 — RIGHTEOUS EPHRAIM AND ISAAC THE SYRIANS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jan 29 — DOMSE Virtual Retreat
- Sat Jan 30 — DOMSE Virtual Retreat
Wisdom From The Elders
When, however, we begin to become aware of the thoughts’ power and their activity, we must not grow despondent. A prerequisite for spiritual healing is a right perception of our illness, and inasmuch as we are held captive by uncontrolled thoughts, we are spiritually ill. Bishop Irenei Steenberg
But as every good comes from God, and as the means of obtaining every good from God is prayer, those who pray fervently, sincerely, from the depths of their hearts, obtain from the Lord grace to do good, and, before all, the grace of faith. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
The mind, heart, and will are usually divided and separated in the ordinary person. This is the most common source of our problems and afflictions. However, with those who have been enlightened by God, the mind, heart, and will are united. Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica
What about the shameless depravity, which our pitiful youth is subjected to from an early age, aided by all kinds of entertainment, scandalous spectacles, and indecent establishments operated by adults—sometimes even by parents! All of this is a terrible scourge of our times. Solely this moral degeneracy and corruption stems from the rejection of the Gospel and the proclamation of an “independent morality,” apparently needing no religious foundation. The fruits are self-evident. Archbishop Averky (Taushev)
When we seek the Lord, our heart begins to burn. The heart is warmed, and if our thoughts are concentrated in one point and the concentration is powerful, then the flame of the heart grows stronger and stronger, and we do everything from the heart. After that we see things around us changing—people’s thoughts also start to change—all because of the peace that radiates from us. We see the thoughts of people around us actually changing! The people are changing! They feel good in our presence. Perhaps they had been at war with us before, but now they feel us radiating peace. As for us, we now no longer return “an eye for an eye,” but rather good and kind thoughts. Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica
Deny yourself sensual delights in the hope that, instead of them, you will obtain higher spiritual, heavenly delights. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
Remember in Your Prayers
The Prayer List has been revamped. To bring order to the list we will do the following:
- Names will remain on the list for two 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.
Current Prayer List (Updated January 5 / Resets February 1)
Maria (Long 3/21)
Bryce (NA 3/21)
Jean (Dusckas 2/21)
RR (Dusckas 2/21)
David (Dusckas 2/21)
Debbie (Breitenbach 2/21)
Barbara (Dusckas 2/21)
Mary (Marianthi 2/21)
Sarah (Wolffe 2/21)
Pauline (Jacobse 2/21)
Benjamin (Jacobse 2/21)
Marcie (Breitenbach 2/21)
Jo Ann (Breitenbach 2/21)
Angela (Fred 12/21)
Despina (Diveris 2/21)
Ronald (Sovjani 2/21)
Katherine (Dusckas 2/21)
Marlene (Tewis 2/21)
Gail (Jacobse 1/21)
Robert (Tewis 1/21)
Sergio (Mary Kazakos 1/21)
Rae (Semeretis 1/21)
Mary (Semeretis 1/21)
Heather (Waterman 1/21)
Zachary (Constantine 1/21)
Peter (Foltz 1/21)
Alexa (Buchanan 1/21)
Rebecca (Aguado 1/2021)
Jacob (Aguado 1/2021)
Baby Mackenzie (Zafiris 12/20
Weston (Teufel 12/20)
Nolan (Zafiris 12/20)
Permanent Prayer List
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
George (Chapekis)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
Stamatia (Jacobse)
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Helen (Rogers)
Robert (Smith)
Robert (Jarvis)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Ann (Rellis)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)
Founders, Members, and Benefactors 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)
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 after Theophany of Christ
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. (4:7-13)
Brethren, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it is said, “When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is He who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
GOSPEL
For the Sunday after Theophany of Christ
The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (4:12-17)
At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”