Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Sixth Sunday of Luke
Martyrs Marcian and Martyrios the Notaries of Constantinople
Martyrs Valerios and Chrysaphios; Tabitha the Merciful, raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter; relics translation of Venerable Sabbas the Sanctified and Venerable John of Beverly
Who Were The Martyrs Marcian and Martyrios the Notaries of Constantinople?
The Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius, Notaries of Constantinople served in a Constantinople cathedral. Marcian was a reader and Martyrius a subdeacon. They both performed in the capacity of notaries, i.e. secretaries, for Patriarch Paul the Confessor (November 6).
Arian heretics expelled and secretly executed the righteous Patriarch Paul. His throne was given to the heretic Macedonius. The heretics attempted to entice Saints Marcian and Martyrius over to their side by flattery. They offered them gold and promised to consecrate them as archbishops, but all the efforts of the Arians were in vain.
Then the impious threatened to slander them before the emperor, and sought to intimidate them with torture and death. But the saints steadfastly confessed Orthodoxy, as handed down by the Fathers of the Church. Marcian and Martyrius were sentenced to death. Before death, the martyrs prayed, “Lord God, Who has invisibly created our hearts, and directed all our deeds, accept with peace the souls of Your servants, since we perish for You and are considered as sheep for the slaughter (Ps 32/33:15; 43/44:22). We rejoice that by such a death we shall depart this life for Your Name. Grant us to be partakers of life eternal with You, the Source of life.” After their prayer the martyrs, with quiet rejoicing, bent their necks beneath the sword of the impious (+ ca. 335).
Their holy bodies were reverently buried by Orthodox Christians. Later, by decree of Saint John Chrysostom, the relics of the holy martyrs were transferred to a church built in their honor. Believers here were healed of many infirmities through the prayers of the saints, to the glory of the One Life-Creating Trinity.
Source: The Orthodox Church of America website.
Liturgies This Week
Artemius the Great Martyr of Antioch, Tuesday October 20, 2020 at 9:30am
Holy Great Martyr Artemius of Antioch was a prominent military leader during the reigns of the emperor Constantine the Great (May 21), and his son and successor Constantius (337-361). Artemius received many awards for distinguished service and courage. He was appointed viceroy of Egypt. In this official position he did much for the spreading and strengthening Christianity in Egypt.
Saint Artemius was sent by the emperor Constantius to bring the relics of the holy Apostle Andrew from Patras, and the relics of the holy Apostle Luke from Thebes of Boeotia, to Constantinople. The holy relics were placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles beneath the table of oblation. The emperor rewarded him by making him ruler of Egypt.
The emperor Constantius was succeeded on the throne by Julian the Apostate (361-363). Julian in his desire to restore paganism was extremely antagonistic towards Christians, sending hundreds to their death. At Antioch he ordered the torture of two bishops unwilling to forsake the Christian Faith.
During this time, Saint Artemius arrived in Antioch and publicly denounced Julian for his impiety. The enraged Julian subjected the saint to terrible tortures and threw the Great Martyr Artemius into prison. While Artemius was praying, Christ, surrounded by angels, appeared to him and said, “Take courage, Artemius! I am with you and will preserve you from every hurt which is inflicted upon you, and I already have prepared your crown of glory. Since you have confessed Me before the people on earth, so shall I confess you before My Heavenly Father. Therefore, take courage and rejoice, you shall be with Me in My Kingdom.” Hearing this, Artemius rejoiced and offered up glory and thanksgiving to Him.
[…]
Read the entire history on the Orthodox Christian website.
Apostle James Brother of Our Lord, Friday, October 23, 2020 9:30am
Holy Apostle James, the Brother of God (Adelphotheos) was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos (December 26). From his early years James was a Nazarene, a man especially dedicated to God. The Nazarenes vowed to preserve their virginity, to abstain from wine, to refrain from eating meat, and not to cut their hair. The vow of the Nazarenes symbolized a life of holiness and purity, commanded formerly by the Lord for all Israel. When the Savior began to teach the nation about the Kingdom of God, Saint James believed in Christ and became His apostle. He was chosen as the first Bishop of Jerusalem.
Read the entire history on the Orthodox Church in America website.
Liturgies Next Week (October 25-13)
St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrh Streamer of Thessaloniki, Monday, October 26, 2020 9:30am
Saint Demetrios suffered in Thessalonica during the reign of Galerius Maximian (c. 306). He belonged to one of the most distinguished families of the province of Macedonia and was widely admired not only because of his noble ancestry and grace of bearing, but also for virtue, wisdom and goodness of heart surpassing that of his elders.
The military expertise of Saint Demetrios led Galerius, as Caesar of the Eastern Empire, to appoint him commander of the Roman forces in Thessaly and Proconsul for Hellas. But for all this, Demetrios remained ever aware of the underlying realities of life. Since faith in Christ had touched his heart, all the glory of this world meant nothing to him, and there was nothing he preferred to teaching and preaching the word of God.
Despite the persecution directed against Christians by the Emperor, Saint Demetrios brought a large number of pagans to the faith. His words convinced them because they saw in the righteousness, peace and brotherly love that marked his life an illustration of the truth of which he spoke.
Read about the martyrdom of St. Demetrios on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
The Protection of the Theotokos, Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 9:30am
The Feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the tenth century, as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ’s sake. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint’s prayers, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.
Source: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
St. Peter’s Launches a Capital Campaign for a New Church
Watch for a special edition of St. Peter’s Newsletter this week for the last information on our Capital Campaign.
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.
Would You Be Interested in a ZOOM Discussion on the New Book “Live Not By Lies”?
“Live Not By Lies” is a new book by Orthodox Christian author Rod Dreher that takes a hard look at the direction our country is going and exhorts American Christians to take their calling to be Christian more seriously. It’s not a political book. Rather, it looks at the direction of American culture and how we must live given the cultural changes.
The book is being widely read. Dreher interviews people from the formerly Eastern Bloc countries with special emphasis how they dealt with a government and society that was very hostile to Christianity. It includes a study guide that we would use in our discussions.
Several parishioners have expressed interest in forming a book reading group to study this book. Given that we still have Covid restrictions that affect many of our parishioners, we could hold the discussion online via ZOOM beginning in November, probably on Wednesday evenings for an hour.
If you are interested please RSVP to Fr. Hans via text (239-248-4775) or Nancy Forderhase via text (859-749-9509) or send an email to info@stpeterorthodoxchurch.com. If enough people are interested (minimum would be eight to ten people), we will organize it.
Please include your email address with the RSVP.
You can read more about the book “Live Not By Lies” on Amazon.
Starting a Lending Library of Orthodox Books
Update: Our catalog of books is growing. If you have any Orthodox books to donate, please bring them to church.
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 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.
Introduction to Orthodoxy Classes Continue
Assignment this week: Chapters 3 and 4.
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.
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 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
Constantly being overrun by his sins, he finally falls before the Lord with tears and a deeply contrite heart. From the depths of his soul he acknowledges his sinful nature, his inability to conquer it on his own, and begs the Lord, “God, if You want, You can cleanse me (thus spoke the leper). I myself can do nothing. Lord, teach me to do Your will; Lord, bring my soul out of prison.” Abbot Nikon Vorobiev
A man is free if he is not a slave to sensual pleasures, but through good judgment and self-restraint masters the body. Venerable and Godbearing Father Anthony the Great
Likewise pray for the salvation of others as you would pray for your own salvation. If you attain to this and make it a habit, you will receive from God an abundance of spiritual gifts, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Who loves the soul that cares for the salvation of others. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
Concerning trust in God’s providence. “Can a woman” (a mother) “forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee,” says the Lord. And who could be more tender and careful than a mother of her children? Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
If we are really eager, as the Apostle puts it, to ‘struggle lawfully and to ‘be crowned (2 Tim: 2:5) for overcoming the impure spirit of unchastity, we should not trust in our own strength and ascetic practice, but in the help of our Master, God.
St. John Cassian
Thus is it with the man who dwelleth with men, for by reason of the disturbance caused by the affairs of the world he cannot see his sins; but if he live in the peace and quietness of the desert he is able to see God clearly. The Paradise of the Holy Fathers
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)
Elena (Dusckas 12/2020)
Rebecca (Aguado 1/2021)
Jacob (Aguado 1/2021)
Lori (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)
Sergio (Mary Kazakos10/22)
Libby Ann (Riccioli 10/22)
Andrea (Sarros 10/22)
Basil (Sarros 10/22)
Margaret (Sarros 10/22)
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 the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Clap your hands, all ye peoples.
The Reading from the Epistle of St.Paul to the Galatians. (1:11-19)
Brethren, I would have you know that the Gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people; so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He Who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other Apostles except James the Lord’s brother.
GOSPEL
For the Sixth Sunday of Luke
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (8:26-39)
At that time, Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And as He stepped out on land, there met Him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What hast Thou to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech Thee, do not torment me.” For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. [For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.]
Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. And they begged Jesus not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged Jesus to let them enter these. So He gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed.
Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked Jesus to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so He got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with Jesus; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare all that God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city all that Jesus had done for him.
