The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke
Martyr Marinos the Elder at Anazarbos; Venerable Theodore, Simeon and Euphrosyne; New-Martyrs Gabriel and Kyrmidoles of Egypt; Venerable Peter of Cetinje
The Life of St. Luke
Saint Luke, was of Greek origin born in the Hellenistic city of Antioch, [1] and was extremally educated. His studies included Greek philosophy, medicine, and art in his youth. He was also a professional physician. St. Luke came to Jerusalem where he came to believe in the Lord. He and Cleopas met the resurrected Lord on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24).
After Pentecost, Luke returned to Antioch and worked with the Apostle Paul, traveling with him to Rome, and converting Jews and pagans to the Christian Faith. “Luke, the beloved physician, … greets you,” writes the Apostle Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 4:14). At the request of Christians, St. Luke wrote his Gospel in the first century. According to some accounts this took place around 60 A.D., and according to others around 80 A.D.
After St. Paul’s martyrdom, St. Luke preached the Gospel throughout Italy, Dalmatia, Macedonia, and other regions. He painted icons of the Most-holy Theotokos—not just one, but three—as well as icons of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. For this reason, St. Luke is considered the founder of Christian iconography. In his old age, he visited Libya and Upper Egypt; from Egypt he returned to Greece, where he continued to preach and convert many with great zeal despite his age.
In addition to his Gospel, St. Luke wrote the Acts of the Apostles and dedicated each of these works to Theophilus, the governor of Achaia. Luke was 84 years old when the wicked idolaters tortured him for the sake of Christ and hanged him from an olive tree in the town of Thebes, in Beothia of Greece [2].
St. Luke wrote the first icon, of the Most Holy Theotokos Directress or Hodigitria, mentioned in the Paraklesis to the Theotokos:
Speechless be the lips of impious ones,
Those who do not reverence
Your great icon, the sacred one
Which is called Directress,
And was depicted for us
By one of the apostles,
Luke the Evangelist.—The Service of the Small Paraklesis (GOARCH)
Source: The Orthodox Wiki website.
Liturgies This Week
Longinus the Martyr Who Stood at the Cross of Our Lord Divine Liturgy on Friday, October 16, 2020 at 9:30am
The Holy Martyr Longinus the Centurion, a Roman soldier, served in Judea under the command of the Governor, Pontius Pilate. When our Savior Jesus Christ was crucified, it was the detachment of soldiers under the command of Longinus which stood watch on Golgotha, at the very foot of the holy Cross. Longinus and his soldiers were eyewitnesses of the final moments of the earthly life of the Lord, and of the great and awesome portents that appeared at His death. These events shook the centurion’s soul. Longinus believed in Christ and confessed before everyone, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Mt. 27:54).
According to Church Tradition, Longinus was the soldier who pierced the side of the Crucified Savior with a spear, and received healing from an eye affliction when blood and water poured forth from the wound.
Read the entire story on the Orthodox Church in America website.
St. Peter’s Launches a Capital Campaign for a New Church
IMPORTANT! PLEDGES ARE NEEDED BY NOVEMBER TO MAKE THE OFFER ON THE NEW PROPERTY!
Dear Saint Peter’s Parishioners. Thank you for getting your Capital Campaign Pledge cards in as soon as possible.
It is imperative that we receive these funds and the pledge for future funds ASAP so that we can make an offer on this church property while it is still available. Please submit all Capital Campaign Pledges by November 1st. Thank you for supporting the Saint Peter’s Campaign for the Future.
St. Peter’s has outgrown their space and it is time for a church!
Why has St. Peter’s grown? Why will it continue to grow? The main reason is that we have remained true to our founding vision: St. Peter’s is a church where one can encounter Christ and the place where those who seek Christ within our Orthodox faith can find their home.
Throughout the past eight years that initial vision has been corroborated by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The people he has brought to us are the testimony and proof that the vision comes from Him. We are laborers in His vineyard and we rejoice and are grateful to God for the people He brought to us.
It’s time to expand. Our work so far has been blessed but there is much more work to be done and to accomplish that we need a larger facility. That’s why we are embarking on the St. Peter Capital Campaign to raise the necessary funds to achieve our growth.
Click the picture to learn more and how you can help.
Send a Card to George Chionis
As some of you may know, George Chionis, a friend to many at St. Peter’s, is still in Illinois. His return to Florida is delayed because his bladder cancer has returned. George loves and misses his St. Peter’s family. If you would like to send him a card you can mail it to:
George Chionis
C/O Jeanne Bern
12340 S Natchez Ave
Palos Heights, IL 60463
Please keep George and his family in you prayers. We have also included him on our prayer list.
Send a Card to Frank and Sarah Pyrrson
Frank and Sarah attend our parish during the winter months. Unfortunately Frank has been diagnosed with cancer (Frank’s prognosis is very encouraging) and won’t be able to make it down this winter from Illinois where he lives. They both love St. Peter’s.
Fr. Hans been able to pray with them both on the phone. Keep them in your prayers.
Pray for them both and if you would like to send them a card of encouragement you can mail it to:
Frank and Sarah Pyrrson
PO Box 32
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Do You Need Any Furniture?
Joe and Debbie Repya are moving and have some furniture to give away. First come first served. Most of it comes from Baer’s furniture and is of high quality. If you can use some of the items please contact Joe at 612-270-4443 (text preferred) to make arrangements. Items include:
- Queen size bed (no mattress or box spring)
- Bedroom dresser, mirror, night stand
- 2 barstools, 3 kitchenette chairs,
- Patio table and chairs
Starting a Lending Library of Orthodox Books
We are starting a lending library of Orthodox books at St. Peter’s. Nancy Forderhase has graciously consented to lead this project. If you have any Orthodox books on your shelves, consider donating them to the library!
How does it work? You borrow the book, read it, and bring it back. Simple!
We will start small and hopefully it will grow. If anyone would like to donate to help buy new books, well, we do that too!
We will be selective about the books in the library. They must be Orthodox related and trustworthy and reliable scholarship. The library won’t contain off-topic or unreliable material.
Taking Care of our Animals
The Lee County Domestic Animal Services pet food pantry will be in Bonita Springs.
They will be available from 9:00am to 11:00am on Tuesday, October 13 at:
26820 Old 41 Road
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
The pet food pantry will be no contact, drive up only.
Please note: This drive is both for those that wish to donate pet food and to pick up pet food.
Donations can be made at any time to Bonita Assistance or directly to the Lee County or Collier County animal shelters.
Introduction to Orthodoxy Classes Have Begun
There is still time to join if you would like to take the class.
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. We will plan meet in the Sunday School room. If attendance is greater we will meet in the Church. Plan on classes lasting about an hour.
Why are we meeting on Sunday? To allow everyone an opportunity to attend.
Byzantine Chant Workshop – Weekly on Tuesday at 7:00pm at St. Paul’s
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 – September 2020
Donations received in September $13,296.00
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $18,167.00
We are behind by $4,871.00
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
OCTOBER
- Sun Oct 11 — Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Oct 11 — Introduction to Orthodoxy Classes Begin Following Divine Liturgy
- Tue Oct 13 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Fri Oct 16 — Parish Council Meeting 3:30pm
- Fri Oct 16 — LONGINUS THE CENTURION Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Sun Oct 18 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Oct 18 — Introduction to Orthodoxy Classes Begin Following Divine Liturgy
- Tue Oct 20 — ARTEMIUS THE GREAT MARTYR OF ANTIOCH Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Tue Oct 20 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Fri Oct 23 — APOSTLE JAMES Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Sun Oct 25 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Oct 25 — Introduction to Orthodoxy Classes Begin Following Divine Liturgy
- Mon Oct 26 — ST. DEMETRIOS Divine Liturgy 9:30am
- Tue Oct 27 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Wed Oct 28 — PROTECTION OF THE THEOTOKOS Divine Liturgy 9:30am
NOVEMBER
The Christmas Fasting Period begins on November 15.
- Sun Nov 01 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Nov 03 — PAUL THE CONFESSOR PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Nov 03 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Sat Nov 07 — ST. RAPHAEL OF BROOKLYN Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Nov 08 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Nov 09 — ST. NECKTARIOS OF AEGINA Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Nov 10 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Fri Nov 13 — ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Nov 15 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Nov 15 – DEC 24 — CHRISTMAS FAST BEGINS
- Mon Nov 16 — ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Nov 17 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Sat Nov 21 — ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Wisdom From The Elders
When he deprives himself of heaven and makes himself an exclusively earthly creature, man, no matter whether he realizes it or not, becomes like a senseless animal. What is the difference? Even now many people are Christian in name only. Many of them even go to church, buy candles, and pray, but they do not believe in the existence of evil spirits and hardly believe in the immortality of their own souls; or else they simply do not think about such things. Father I. Vinogradov
Whoever does not make a firm resolution and effort each morning to preserve himself from sin during the coming day never diligently keeps himself from sin and little by little may finally abandon not only diligence, but the very desire and even the thought of obligation to preserve himself from sin. Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg
The Lord works in the sons who are obedient to Him, and the Devil in the sons of disobedience (“the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience ”). And I, too, often feel within me the struggle of the same two antagonistic forces. When I stand up to pray, the evil force sometimes painfully oppresses and weighs down my heart, so that it cannot raise itself to God. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
God gives man wisdom and reveals to him the mystery of recognizing God Himself, but only if man with a pure heart asks God for help in recognizing the truth. I. Archangelsky
Emotions, disturbance, and the fire of various passions produce in us a multitude of maladies both of mind and body.
Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
I tell people. “I prefer to talk to God about you rather than to talk to you about God. This is better for you, but you don’t understand me.” Saint Paisios of Mount Athos
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 September 1 / Resets October 1)
Lori (Dusckas 12/2020)
Rudy (Dusckas 12/2020)
Aggie (Dusckas 12/2020)
Baby Mackenzie (Zafiris 12/20
Weston (Teufel 12/20)
Michelle (Leone/Evanoff 12/20)
Nolan (Zafiris 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)
Sophia (Irina 10/22)
Nicholas (Zeena 10/22)
Ruthann (Zeena 10/22)
Charles Timothy (Wolfe 10/22)
Sergio (Mary Kazakos10/22)
Libby Ann (Riccioli 10/22)
Andrea (Sarros 10/22)
Basil (Sarros 10/22)
Margaret (Sarros 10/22)
Susan (Wolffe 9/20)
Grant [Van Berkom] (Zeena 9/20)
Barbara (Dusckas 9/20)
John (Troutman 9/20)
Constandina (Stephania 9/20)
Steven (Breitenbach 9/20)
Patricia (Copeland 8/20)
Demetrios (Copeland 8/20)
Efstathios (Mourgis 8/20)
Permanent Prayer List
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 St. Luke
His voice has gone out into all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians. (4:5-11, 14-18)
Brethren, conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. Tychicus will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place.
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, receive him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
Give my greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my fetters. Grace be with you. Amen.
GOSPEL
For St. Luke
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (10:16-21)
The Lord said, “He who hears you hears Me, and he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” The Seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name!” And Jesus said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the spirit and said, “I thank Thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was Thy gracious will.”
