Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
After-feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Nativity of the Theotokos Liturgy on Thursday, September 7, 6:30pm
The Nativity of the Theotokos
Introduction
The Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8 each year. The Feast commemorates the birth of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Background
The birth and early life of the Virgin Mary is not recorded in the Gospels or other books of the New Testament, however this information can be found in a work dating from the second century known as the Book of James or Protevangelion.
According to the story found in this book, Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna, were childless for many years. They remained faithful to God, but their prayers for a child were unanswered. One day, when Joachim came to the temple to make an offering, he was turned away by the High Priest who chastised him for his lack of children. To hide his shame, Joachim retreated to the hill country to live among the shepherds and their flocks.
As Joachim was praying, his wife Anna was praying at the same time at their house in Jerusalem. An angel appeared to both of them and announced that Anna would have a child whose name would be known throughout the world. Anna promised to offer her child as a gift to the Lord. Joachim returned home, and in due time Anna bore a daughter, Mary.
Read more on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
Elevation of the Cross Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, September 13 at 6:30pm
The Elevation of the Cross
What Happens if Hurricane Irma Hits on Sunday?
We don’t know yet when or where Hurricane Irma will make land fall but there is no question it will affect us. If Irma hits South Florida and if it too dangerous to hold Divine Liturgy, we will cancel Divine Liturgy.
What to do if you can’t make it to Church? Say the morning prayers reverently in your home before the icon. Make sure to still mark Sunday as the Lords Day by setting aside a time and place for prayers beyond your usual routine. Pray for the safety of the people affected by the storm.
A decision will be made about holding Liturgy on Sunday morning by Saturday evening and posted on the website by 6:00pm latest.
The Liturgy for the Elevation of the Cross will be held on the eve of the feast day, September 13 at 6:30pm.
Save O Lord your people and bless your inheritance. Grant victory to the faithful against the adversaries of the faith. And protect your people through your Holy Cross.
Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered.
The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole.
Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, “Lord have mercy.” It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian).
Later, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.
Interfaith Charities Needs Cereal and Spaghettios
Interfaith Charities Needs Cereal and Spaghettios to help hungry children in our immediate area (south Lee County). Supplies are running low. Please buy some extra cereal or spaghettios the next time you are out shopping. We will make sure they get to the kids.
Interfaith Charities is a coalition of churches and business that help the poor in the San Carlos and south Fort Myers area (view their website).
St. Peter’s is committed to helping the poor among us. If each family could bring some of these items to church this Sunday and the next, then we will get them to Interfaith Charities and the families who need them.
Sunday School starts Next Sunday September 10)
Sunday School starts on Sunday, September 10. Children will be dismissed after Holy Communion. Parents, please waith until you children are dismissed from Sunday School before entering the Sunday School room.
Through the Bible in One Year Schedule Posted
On September 1, the start of the new Church Year, St. Peter’s started a program to read the bible in one year. Information is posted on the website.
Calendar At A Glance
- Thursday, September 7, 2017 Eve of Nativity of the Theotokos Liturgy at 6:30pm
- Thursday, September 13, 2017 Eve of Beginning of the Elevation of the Cross Liturgy at 6:30pm
- Thursday, September 17, 2017 Memorial Prayers for Bea Chionis following Divine Liturgy
Wisdom From The Elders
Be humble. Then you will truly abide in Christian peace. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you” (John 14:27). It is for this reason that the Lord came to earth, to give us His peace – all His treasure.
Archbishop Seraphim (Sobolev) of Bogucharsk
It is sinful to give up to sadness. We are exiles on earth. Exiles do not wonder at insult an injury. We are under God’s penance and a penance consists of deprivations and difficulties. We are ill in soul and body and bitter medicine is useful for the ill.
St. Theophil of the Kiev Caves
Reflect concerning the most glorious miracles of God which have been performed upon His slaves from the beginning of the world, and especially of how the Lord, having humbled Himself and suffered for the sake of our salvation, has benefacted and sanctified the human race; and for all this give thanksgiving to God, the Lover of mankind.
Paisius Velichkovsky
A false understanding or conception of prayer always leads to a fruitless or harmful practice of it.
St. Ignatius Brianchaninov
He who is silent for a good end nourishes friendship and goes on his way rejoicing, for he has received the enlightenment which dispels darkness.
St. Maximos the Confessor
Remember in Your Prayers
Baby Brynn L.
Micheal
Haralambos
Lillian
Presbytera Rosy
Valentina
John
Eva W.
Barbara
Angela
Sonya
Kenneth
Carol Ann
Matthew
Chrysostom
Tim
Ron
Ivy-Jean
Pat
Christina
Maria Louise
Maximos
Marian
Photini
Nicholas
Brad William
Sarah
Petronia (Wife of Phil Pappas)
Constantine Houpis
Anna Marie Smith Baker
Ron Chromulak
Beverly Chromulak
Katerina
Loucine Kassis
Mary Kassis
Baby Maximus
Christine
Maria
Annette Star
Claire Livaditis
Eva Chandilles
Baby Dani
Scott Nedoff
Anthony Mourgis
John Hansen
James Hord
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 Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.
To Thee, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (6:11-18)
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all, who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Gospel
For the Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (3:13-17)
The Lord said, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”