Sunday of Holy Fathers of Seventh Ecumenical Council
Fourth Sunday of Luke
The Martyr Longinos the Centurion
who Stood at the Cross of the Lord
Today the Church remembers the 350 Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council under the holy Patriarch Tarasius (February 25).
The Synod of 787, the second to meet at Nicea, refuted the Iconoclast heresy during the reign of Empress Irene and her son Constantine VI.
The Council decreed that the veneration of icons was not idolatry (Exodus 20:4-5), because the honor shown to them is not directed to the wood or paint, but passes to the prototype (the person depicted). It also upheld the possibility of depicting Christ, Who became man and took flesh at His Incarnation. The Father, on the other hand, cannot be represented in His eternal nature, because “no man has seen God at any time” (John 1:18).
Source: Orthodox Church in America website.
Who was the Martyr Longinos?
Martyr Longinus is the Centurion who Stood at the Cross of the Lord.
He stood transfixed at the foot of the Cross, watching and wondering, full of awe and amazement. And then all at once, something was born in him – a spark of faith, a brand-new beginning. And his life was changed forever.
The divine Matthew the Evangelist describes the moment of his conversion to Christianity with enormous power:
So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54).
The centurion’s name was Longinus, and he was in command of the Roman soldiers who presided over the Crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Golgotha. According to some Church traditions, Longinos was also the centurion who pierced Christ’s side with a spear, in order to confirm his death – after which the wound discharged a rush of blood and water that healed an eye infection which had been troubling Longinos greatly.
Read more on the Trisagion Films website.
St. Peter's Donation to Interfaith Charities
When Interfaith Charities asked St. Peter's to help restock the shelves with canned fruit, we responded!
We help Interfaith Ministries when they run low on items to help the poor, especially working poor families.
May Their Memory Be Eternal
Upcoming Memorials at St. Peter's include:
Mary Spiropulos
- Sunday, October 16: One year Memorial for Mary Spiropoulos, mother of Joan Simon. Luncheon sponsored by John and Joan Simon immediately following Liturgy in the Fellowship Hall in honor of Mary.
- Sunday, October 30:Memorial for Magdalen Pandazi (one year – mother of Maria Pandazi and Andrea Psaras) and Andrew Pandazi (two years – Father of Maria Pandazi and Andrea Psaras) by Andrea and John Psaras, and Maria Pandazi. Andrea, Maria and John will sponsor a luncheon following Liturgy in honor of Magdalen and Andrew.
Get To Know Your Neighbor
St. Peter's is growing, so much so that there are new members we might not know? Get to know each other! Make sure to let others know they are welcome? How can we do this? Sit at a different table at Social Hall or extend your hand and introduce yourself. Go out of your way and the blessings will come.
In particular plan on attending our New Member Potluck on Saturday, October 22 at 6:00pm in the Social Hall. This will be a great chance to get to know new members in our parish and for the new member to get to know others.
Our pot lucks are great, by the way. You'll like it. St. Peter's puts a premium on food and fellowship!
Women's Group Meets
The first St. Peter's Women's Group meeting was held on Thursday, September 22 and it was a resounding success with over 15 women in attendance. Much discussion ensued about the purpose and goals of the group, particularly how to serve Christ, His Church, and others.
Some tentative goals include:
- Establishing a ministry to the hospitals and nursing homes to aid Fr. Hans,
- Charity and service work including Cafe of Life, Interfaith Charities, and NAMI,
- Establishing a parish library.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 6:00pm in the Social Hall.
Events This Fall
As we enter into the new Ecclesiastical Year, St. Peter's will hold at least one monthly parish social event. Please mark you calendars.
- October 22 (Saturday, 6pm) New Members Welcome pot luck.
- November 12-13 (Saturday and Sunday) Christmas Lent Retreat with Fr. Gregory Jensen on "Aceticism, Monasticism, and Christian Discipleship." Fr. Gregory will speak on our calling and vocation as Christians and how to live it especially in the Church.
- December 3 (Saturday – 6pm) Christmas pot luck
More details as we move closer to the dates.
Choir Practice on Tues, October 18, 2016 at 6pm
Choir practice also this Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 6:00pm.
Bible Study on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 7pm
Bible study also this Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 7pm..
Calendar At A Glance
Choir Practice every Tuesday at 6:00pm and Bible Study every Wednesday at 7:00pm unless cancelled as noted below. Divine Liturgy every Sunday at 9:30. Extra services noted below.
- October 14 (Friday) 2:30pm Parish Council Meeting
- October 16 (Sunday) Memorial Mary Spiropoulos
- October 20 (Thursday) 6:00pm St. Peter Women's Group
- October 22 (Saturday) 6pm New Members Welcome pot luck
- October 24 (Monday) 6:30pm Expansion Committee Meeting
- October 30 (Sunday) Memorial Andrew and Magdelen Pandazi
- November 23-24 (Saturday/Sunday) Christmas Lent Retreat
- December 3 (Saturday) Christmas Pot Luck
Wisdom From The Elders
Ever let mercy outweigh all else in you. Let our compassion be a mirror where we may see in ourselves that likeness and that true image which belong to the Divine nature and Divine essence. A heart hard and unmerciful will never be pure.
—St. Isaac of Syria
Blasphemy against holiness, or thoughts of carnal impurity, proceed from the Devil. When this stink from the abyss of hell disturbs and suffocates you, only be convinced, only believe sincerely, that it is the work of the Devil, and this abomination will leave you. May the Lord enlighten and strengthen us!
—St John of Kronstadt
At every moment we need to have wakefulness, recollected thoughts, and a careful watch on the intellect.
—Martyrius
[W]e shall find that after a storm at sea there comes a deep calm.
—St. John Climacus
If you do not know God, the love of Him cannot be stirred within you; and you cannot love God if you do not see Him.
—St. Isaac the Syrian
Remember in Your Prayers
Sarah
Robert Jarvis
Petronia (Wife of Phil Pappas)
Anna Marie Smith Baker
Harry Zifiris
Iris Kuring (Bettina Zifiris' mother)
Constantine Houpis
Gerhard Kuring (Bettina Zifiris' father)
Ron Chromulak
Beverly Chromulak
Katerina
Dianne
Loucine Kassis
Mary Kassis
Baby Maximus
Annette Star
Christine
Maria
Claire Livaditis
Eva Chandilles
Baby Dani
Scott Nedoff
Anthony Mourgis
John Hansen
Constandina James
James Hord
Bob Smith
Tom and Jean, parents of Patty and Jerry.
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 Holy Fathers
Blessed are Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to St. Titus. (3:8-15)
Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissension, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to October 16, 2016 Liturgy Variables 2 Fathers of 7th Council me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful. All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Gospel
For the Fourth Sunday of Luke
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (8:5-15)
The Lord spoke this parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.”
And when His Disciples asked Him what this parable meant, Jesus said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
As Jesus said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”