Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Thirteenth Sunday of Luke
Martyr Paramonos and the 370 Martyrs in Bithynia; Martyr Philoumenos of Ancyra; Venerable Akakios of Sinai; Hieromartyr Dionysios, Bishop of Corinth; Urban, Bishop of Macedonia; Nicholas, Archbishop of Thessalonica
Who Were the Martyr Paramon and 370 Martyrs in Bithynia?
The Holy Martyr Paramon and the 370 Martyrs with him suffered for their faith in Christ in the year 250 during the rule of the emperor Decius (249-251). The governor of the Eastern regions, Aquianus, had locked up 370 Christians in prison, urging them to abjure Christ and instead offer sacrifice to idols.
They subjected the captives to beatings, hoping by torture and the threat of death to persuade them to renounce Christ and worship the pagan gods. One of the local inhabitants, Paramon by name, openly denounced the cruel governor and confessed his faith in the One True God, the Lord Jesus Christ. They beheaded Saint Paramon after fierce tortures, together with the other 370 martyrs.
Source: Orthodox Church in America website.
Liturgies and Services This Week
Thanksgiving Liturgy on Thursday, November 25, 2020 at 6:30pm
Thanksgiving is about the only American Civil Holiday left that has not be completely secularized (de-Christianized), and we celebrate it to keep the Christian founding of America alive. The Orthodox missionary imperative is to affirm the good wherever you find it and build on it, even if the good is not yet complete. For that reason we celebrate Thanksgiving every year with a Divine Liturgy, most often, but not exclusively, on the eve of the holiday.
The Saint we commemorate in the Divine Liturgy is St. Katherine.
Nativity Fast Continues
November 15 is the beginning of the Nativity Fast, one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast in anticipation of the Nativity of Christ.
In the weeks between now and December 25, Orthodox Christians prepare themselves to celebrate the birth in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we begin the fast, we encourage both believing Orthodox and inquirers to review the reflections and resources in the special Nativity section on the Antiochian Archdiocese website.
For additional general resources on the Orthodox Christian tradition of feasting and fasting, visit the Feasts and Fasts section of Discover Orthodox Christianity.
Do You Need Some Furniture?
Marjorie Zimmerman is giving away a Jacuzzi bathtub and Sleep Number bed. If you could use these items please shoot Marjorie at text at (239) 595-4592.
The Jacuzzi bathtub measures at 59″ x 31″. The Sleep Number bed is a split king (heads rise independently, bottom in unison) adjustable bed. Both items will be available when the replacements are delivered. There is no charge.
Capital Campaign Update
Our Capital Campaign is going well. So far $400,000 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!
Some parishioners may be under the impression that November 1 was a cut off date. It wasn’t. It was the date we hoped to receive all pledges. If you have still not pledged, you can still do so.
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 Continue
Next class Sunday, December 6, 2020. Assignment: Chapters 9 and 10.
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!
Byzantine Chant Workshop – Weekly on Tuesday at 7:00pm at St. Paul’s
Byzantine Chant class is cancelled on November 24 and resumes on December 1, 2020.
Led by Dn. Nicholas Reid, participants will learn the basics of the tone of the week — its characteristics, scale, and various forms — and will get a chance to participate in group practice.
No prior chanting experience is required.
This will also be an opportunity to deepen our Orthodox faith by better understanding the role each tone plays in liturgical worship so that we can apply them more fruitfully in our parish life as well as in the worship of the “little church” – our own homes.
Questions? Contact Dn. Nick (nick.reid.11@gmail.com)
Pledge & Income Report – October 2020
Donations received in September $16,989.00
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $18,167.00
We are behind by $1,178.00
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.
NOVEMBER
The Christmas Fasting Period begins on November 15.
- Sun Nov 22 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Nov 22 — CANCELLED Catechism Class following Social Hall
- Sun Nov 22 — General Assembly following the Divine Liturgy
- Tue Nov 24 — CANCELLED Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Wed Nov 25 — ST. KATHERINE THE GREAT MARTYR Divine Liturgy 6:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Nov 26 — THANKSGIVING DAY
DECEMBER
- Sun Nov 29 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Nov 29 — CANCELLED Catechism Class following Social Hall (Thanksgiving Weekend)
- Mon Nov 30 — ST. ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 01 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Wed Dec 02 — ST. PORPHYRIOS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 04 — ST. BARBARA / ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Dec 06 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Dec 06 — Catechism Class following Social Hall (Thanksgiving Weekend)
- Tue Dec 09 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Wed Dec 09 — CONCEPTION OF ST. ANNA Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sat Dec 12 — ST. SPYRIDON Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Dec 13 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Dec 13 — Catechism Class following Social Hall (Thanksgiving Weekend)
- Tue Dec 15 — PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 15 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Fri Dec 18 — PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Dec 20 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Dec 20 — Catechism Class following Social Hall (Thanksgiving Weekend)
- Tue Dec 22 — PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Dec 22 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Thu Dec 24 — NATIVITY ROYAL HOURS 9:00am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 24 — NATIVITY ORTHROS 6:00PM LIVE STREAM
- Thu Dec 24 — NATIVITY Divine Liturgy 7:00PM LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 26 — SYNAXIS OF THE THEOROKOS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
JANUARY
- Sun Dec 27 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Dec 27 — Catechism Class following Social Hall (Thanksgiving Weekend)
- Tue Dec 29 — THE HOLY INNOCENTS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jan 01 — CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST / ST. BASIL Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Wisdom From The Elders
On rising from your bed, make the sign of the Cross and say: “ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” and also : “Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin and teach me to do Thy Will.” Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
Since this habit has acquired power over your heart through frequent repetition of certain actions, which satisfy the passion dwelling in the heart, opposing it in the heart is not enough to weaken and destroy this power; you must use actions which are contrary to the former ones, actions opposed to the passion, smashing and destroying it. Unseen Warfare
One cannot wage a battle if one does not acknowledge the existence of an enemy; and the Church’s testimony is clear, that whether or not one acknowledges that foe, whether or not one elects to fight in the battle, the foe remains real and never ceases in his attacks against us. So our choice is not “to fight or not to fight,” to acknowledge the demons or not to admit of their reality; our choice is to fight or to be overcome. Bishop Irenei Steenberg
If you are a theologian, you will pray truly. And if you pray truly, you are a theologian. Evagrios the Solitary
Do not boast of your possessions. Do not envy the possessions of someone else. Fr. Jack Sparks
Many of our departed neighbors, especially those who reposed without proper preparation, need our help incomparably more than those among the living who are extremely impoverished, because the reposed are now incapable of helping themselves. Only we the living can offer help. Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg
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 November 12 / Resets December 1)
Marlene (Tewis 1/21)
Kelly (Dusckas 1/21)
Gail (Jacobse 1/21)
David (Dusckas 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)
Lori (Dusckas 12/2020)
Baby Mackenzie (Zafiris 12/20
Weston (Teufel 12/20)
Christos (Eleni 11/20)
Lucy Marie (Eleni 11/20)
Pantelis (Tsikitas 11/20)
Patricia (Evanoff 11/20)
Barbara (Dusckas 11/20)
Brendan (Wolffe 11/20)
Permanent Prayer List
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
George (Chapekis)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
Stamatia (Jacobse)
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Margaret (Palis)
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)
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 Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
God is known in Judah; His Name is great in Israel.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. (4:1-7)
Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, Who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
GOSPEL
For the Thirteenth Sunday of Luke
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:18-27)
At that time, a man came testing Jesus and asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother.’” And the man said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus, seeing him sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”