The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Tenth Sunday of Matthew
The After-feast of the Transfiguration of Christ
After-feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Recovery from Edessa of the Icon of Christ Not Made by Hands: ‘The Holy Napkin’
What is the Icon of Christ Not Made by Hands?
When the fame of our Lord Jesus Christ came to Abgar, the ruler of Edessa, who was suffering from leprosy, Abgar sent a messenger named Ananias, through him asking the Savior to heal him of his disease, while bidding Ananias bring back a depiction of Him.
When Ananias came to Jerusalem, and was unable to capture the likeness of our Lord, He, the Knower of hearts, asked for water, and having washed His immaculate and divine face, wiped it dry with a certain cloth, which He gave to Ananias to take to Abgar; the form of the Lord’s face had been wondrously printed upon the cloth.
As soon as Abgar received the cloth, which is called the Holy Napkin (Mandylion), he reverenced it with joy, and was healed of his leprosy; only his forehead remained afflicted. After the Lord’s Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, the Apostle Thaddaeus (see Aug. 21) came to Edessa, and when he had baptized Abgar and all his men, Abgar’s remaining leprosy also was healed.
Read more about how this icon was recovered on the Greek Orthodox Church website.
Dormtion Fast and Akathist Hymns Continue (August 9-14, 2020)
August 1 starts the Dormition period in our Orthodox Church. We fast (abstain from meat and dairy as much as possible) from August 1 to August 15. At St. Peter’s the fast ends after the Dormition Liturgy on August 15.
Every weekday we will sing an Akathist to the Theotokos starting at 6:00pm. These are very powerful prayers and you will notice a focusing in your life if you participate in them.
What is the Dormition of the Theotokos?
The Holy Scriptures tell us that when our Lord was dying on the Cross, He saw His mother and His disciple John and said to the Virgin Mary, “Woman, behold your son!” and to John, “Behold your mother!” (John 19:25-27). From that hour, the Apostle took care of the Theotokos in his own home.
Along with the biblical reference in Acts 1:14 that confirms that the Virgin Mary was with the Holy Apostles on the day of Pentecost, the tradition of the Church holds that she remained in the home of the Apostle John in Jerusalem, continuing a ministry in word and deed.
At the time of her death, the disciples of our Lord who were preaching throughout the world returned to Jerusalem to see the Theotokos. Except for the Apostle Thomas, all of them including the Apostle Paul were gathered together at her bedside. At the moment of her death, Jesus Christ himself descended and carried her soul into heaven.
Following her repose, the body of the Theotokos was taken in procession and laid in a tomb near the Garden of Gethsemane. When the Apostle Thomas arrived three days after her repose and desired to see her body, the tomb was found to be empty. The bodily assumption of the Theotokos was confirmed by the message of an angel and by her appearance to the Apostles.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
Dormition of the Theotokos Liturgy on Saturday, August 15, at 9:30am
What is the Dormition of the Theotokos?
The Holy Scriptures tell us that when our Lord was dying on the Cross, He saw His mother and His disciple John and said to the Virgin Mary, “Woman, behold your son!” and to John, “Behold your mother!” (John 19:25-27). From that hour, the Apostle took care of the Theotokos in his own home.
Along with the biblical reference in Acts 1:14 that confirms that the Virgin Mary was with the Holy Apostles on the day of Pentecost, the tradition of the Church holds that she remained in the home of the Apostle John in Jerusalem, continuing a ministry in word and deed.
At the time of her death, the disciples of our Lord who were preaching throughout the world returned to Jerusalem to see the Theotokos. Except for the Apostle Thomas, all of them including the Apostle Paul were gathered together at her bedside. At the moment of her death, Jesus Christ himself descended and carried her soul into heaven.
Following her repose, the body of the Theotokos was taken in procession and laid in a tomb near the Garden of Gethsemane. When the Apostle Thomas arrived three days after her repose and desired to see her body, the tomb was found to be empty. The bodily assumption of the Theotokos was confirmed by the message of an angel and by her appearance to the Apostles.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
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.
Pledge & Income Report – June 2020
Donations received in June: $15,642.00
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $18,167.00
We are ahead by $2,300.00
Shortfall: $2,525.00
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):
Calendar At A Glance
AUGUST
August 1-15 Dormition Fasting Period
- Sun Aug 09 — Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Aug 10 — Paraklesis Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Tue Aug 11 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul Naples 7:00pm
- Wed Aug 12 — Paraklesis Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Fri Aug 14 — Paraklesis Service 6:30pm LIVE STREAM
- Sat Aug 15 — DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Aug 16 — Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Aug 18 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul Naples 7:00pm
- Fri Aug 21 — Parish Council Meeting 3:30pm
- Sun Aug 23 — Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Aug 25 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul Naples 7:00pm
- Sat Aug 29 — BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Aug 30 — Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
SEPTEMBER
- Sat Sep 1 — ST. SYMEON THE STYLITE / START OF ECCLESIASTICAL NEW YEAR Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sat Sep 5 — STS. ZACHARIAH AND ELIZABETH Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Sep 6 — Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Sep 8 — NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Sep 9 — THE HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS ANCESTORS OF THE LORD JOACHIM AND ANNA Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Sep 13 — Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Sep 14 — ELEVATION OF THE CROSS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Sep 16 — ST. EPHEMIA Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Sep 20 — Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Sep 23 — CONCEPTION OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Sep 24 — Orthros 8:30am / Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Wisdom From The Elders
It is necessary to rouse the heart to pray, otherwise it will become quite dry. The attributes of prayer must be love of God, sincerity, and simplicity. We must pray in spirit, because God is a spirit, and not flesh with truth, and not falsely, because God is the truth. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
Refrain from busying yourself, therefore, with charity bazaars, sewing meetings and other such occupations. Busyness over many things is, in all its forms, chiefly a poison. Look within, examine yourself accurately, and you observe that many of these apparently self-giving deeds spring from a need to deafen your conscience: that is, from your uncontrollable habit of satisfying and pleasing yourself (Romans 15:1). Tito Colliander
It is not what man does which counts in eternal life, but what he is; whether he is like Jesus Christ, our Lord, or if he is different and unlike Him. Venerable Symeon the New Theologian
Too much talk radically dissipates the intellect, not only making it lazy in spiritual work but also handing it over to the demon of listlessness, who first enervates it completely and then passes it on to the demons of dejection and anger. St. Diadochus, bishop of Photike in Epirus
It is a thousand times better for one to be wasteful than miserly. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos
We see in the lives of all who have preserved the grace of baptism that there was in these lives a moment when they decisively dedicated themselves to God; this is indicated by such words as “he became inflamed in spirit” or “he was ignited by a divine desire.” St. Theophan the Recluse, Bishop of Tambov
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 (Resets August 11)
Sophia (Irina 11/22)
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)
Douglas (Dusckas 9/20)
Susan (Wolffe 9/20)
Grant [Van Berkom] (Zeena 9/20)
Barbara (Dusckas 9/20)
John (Troutman 9/20)
Dave (Dusckas 9/20)
Constandina (Stephania 9/20)
Steven (Breitenbach 9/20)
Irini (Tsikitas 9/20)
Lori (Dusckas 8/20)
Patricia (Copeland 8/20)
Demetrios (Copeland 8/20)
Efstathios (Mourgis 8/20)
Permanent Prayer List
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Margaret (Palis)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Helen (Rogers)
Robert (Smith)
Robert (Jarvis)
Mary (Jarvis)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Ann (Rellis)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)
Bud (Repya)
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)
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 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (4:9-16)
Brethren, God has exhibited us Apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. Weare weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill clad and buffeted and homeless; and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off scouring of all things.
I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ,you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
Gospel
For the Tenth Sunday of Matthew
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (17:14-23)
At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before Him said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to Thy disciples,and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and perverse generation,how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus said to them, “Because you have no faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. This kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.”
As they were traveling together through Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will rise on the third day.”?The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom continues as usual.
