{"id":11123,"date":"2022-09-27T05:00:02","date_gmt":"2022-09-27T09:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=11123"},"modified":"2022-09-27T05:00:02","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T09:00:02","slug":"st-peter-news-september-27-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-news-september-27-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter News September 27, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
Saint Cyprian was a pagan and a native of Antioch. From his early childhood his misguided parents dedicated him to the service of the pagan gods. From the age seven until he was thirty, Cyprian studied at the leading centers of paganism: on Mount Olympus; in the cities of Argos and Tauropolis; in the Egyptian city of Memphis; and at Babylon. Once he attained eminent wisdom in pagan philosophy and the sorcerer\u2019s craft, he was initiated into the pagan priesthood on Mount Olympus. Having discovered great power by summoning unclean spirits, he beheld the Prince of Darkness himself, speaking with him and receiving from him a host of demons to serve him.<\/p>\n
After returning to Antioch, Cyprian was revered by the pagans as a prominent pagan priest, amazing people with his ability to cast spells, to summon pestilence and plagues, and to conjure up the dead. He brought many people to ruin, teaching them to serve the demons, and how to cast magic spells.<\/p>\n
The holy virgin Justina lived in Antioch. After turning her own father and mother away from the error of paganism and leading them to faith in Christ, she dedicated herself to the Heavenly Bridegroom and spent her time in fasting and prayer. When the young man Aglaidas proposed marriage to her, the saint refused, for she wished to remain a virgin. Aglaidas sought Cyprian\u2019s help. He said that he would arrange for Justina’s heart to become filled with lust for the young man. No matter what Cyprian tried, he accomplished nothing, since the Saint overcame all the wiles of the devil by prayer and fasting.<\/p>\n
[…]<\/p>\n
Read the entire story on the Orthodox Church in America<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n Saint Kyriakos was born at Corinth to the priest John and his wife Eudokia. Bishop Peter of Corinth, who was a relative, seeing that Kyriakos was growing up as a quiet and sensible child, made him a reader in church. Constant reading of the Holy Scriptures awakened in him a love for the Lord and of a yearning for a pure and saintly life.<\/p>\n Once, when the youth was not yet eighteen years old, he was deeply moved during a church service by the words of the Gospel: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mt.16:24). He believed these words applied to him, so he went right to the harbor without stopping at home, got onto a ship and went to Jerusalem.<\/p>\n […]<\/p>\n Saint Kyriakos rendered great help to the Church in the struggle with the spreading heresy of the Origenists. By prayer and by word, he brought the wayward back to the true path, and strengthened the Orthodox in their faith. Cyril, the author of the Life of Saint Kyriakos, and a monk of the Lavra of Saint Euthymius, was a witness when Saint Kyriakos predicted the impending death of the chief heretics Nonos and Leontius, and soon the heresy would cease to spread.<\/p>\n […]<\/p>\n For the two years before his death Saint Kyriakos returned to the monastery and again settled into the cave of Saint Chariton. Until the end of his life the righteous Elder preserved his courage, and prayed with fervor. He was never idle, either he prayed, or he worked. Before his death Saint Kyriakos summoned the brethren and blessed them all. He quietly fell asleep in the Lord, having lived 109 years.<\/p>\n Read the entire history on the Orthodox Christian<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n Two families of St. Peter’s have established a home school cooperative that will meet every Thursday at St. Peter’s. The day begins with a Divine Liturgy to which all parishioners are invited to attend. The chanting will be done by the students. Liturgies begin at at 9:30am<\/p>\n Evening services in October:<\/p>\n Congratulations Timothy and Moriah Peterson, and Emma Weiss. We know have eight catechumens at St. Peter’s.<\/p>\n The General Assembly will be held in the Social Hall after a few minutes of refreshment following the Divine Liturgy. The state of parish will be discussed including plans for next year, and the new budget will be presented for approval. <\/p>\n The growth and success of St. Peter’s is certainly inspiring. Through it we see the benevolent work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the commitment, generosity, and fortitude of our members and friends who worked and contributed to the growth of our parish. St. Paul says that we are to become “co-laborers with Christ” and our support of St. Peter’s is one way that happens. <\/p>\n Several people have asked how they can leave a legacy for St. Peter’s. Thanks to the good work of Joe and Debbie Repya, St. Peter’s has developed a guide for anyone who would like to consider a gift to the parish in their estate planning.<\/p>\n Our vision at St. Peter’s is to become a church where anyone who is seeking Christ can find him. It happens when Christ calls them. But it also haappens because there is a parish to which our Lord and Savior can bring them. That’s our part of the work. <\/p>\n That work can continue long after our work on this earth is completed. Through planned giving today, we can leave a legacy that helps ensure the good work of St. Peter’s in the future. <\/p>\n For more information including an informational packet that answers many questions please see Fr. Hans.<\/p>\n Starting soon St. Peter’s offers a study of the Orthodox Basics (less philosophical, more factual and practical) of such things as worship, history, theology and more. This is for anyone and everyone who wants to understand our Orthodox faith and practice more thoroughly.<\/p>\n Dates will be determined but Saturday morning from 9:00am to 10:00 class time followed by a half hour optional discussion seems to work best for many people. Please let Fr. Hans know what works for you. We will begin when the summer starts and everyone’s schedule is more flexible. <\/p>\n In the meantime check out the videos on the website Welcome to the Orthodox Church<\/a> by Frederica Mathews-Green to prepare. <\/p>\n Click the image to get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Our goal at St. Peter’s is to have one person or family pray the Parakelsis to the Theotokos for at least one day of every month. For each day of the month, individuals or even an entire family can sign up to pray the Paraklesis in their homes on the day\/s which they select.<\/p>\n Get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n God has given us the greatest sacrifice…his only Son Jesus. In doing so, he left us with a true example of what it means to give to the poor and less fortunate. He asks us to sacrifice as an act of worship before Him and when we obey, He will bless us.<\/p>\n “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God,” (Hebrews 13:16).<\/p>\n Thank you and IC XC NI KA!<\/p>\n Contributions received in August: $28,191. Every year we need an extra push in the summer to keep our income current. Please keep up with you pledge so we can keep current with our bills.<\/em><\/p>\n St. Peter Orthodox Church You can also donate online:<\/p>\n Visit the DOMSE Website<\/a> (scroll to the bottom, fill in the form on the left side) to sign up for “The Light” Newsletter and DOMSE emails.<\/em><\/p>\n The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make St. Peter’s Social Hall happen. Thank you All Stars!<\/em><\/p>\n September<\/strong><\/p>\n Please note: If you would like to bring in your own prepared food, please contact Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 a week before<\/em> the upcoming Sunday. That way we know not to prepare any food for Sunday.<\/p>\n US 41 is a busy highway and the intersection at Hickory Drive does not have a stop light. We recommend turning on Sanibel Boulevard and following Coconut Road instead.<\/p>\n With the church growing the parking lot is close to full every Sunday. Younger parishioners, could you park in the grass lot even if spaces are open in the paved area? That way our seniors can park closer to the entrance and avoid the grassy area where it is easier to stumble and fall.<\/p>\nServices This Week<\/h2>\n
\n
St. Kyriakos the Anchorite Divine Liturgy 9:30am on Thursday, September 29, 2022<\/h2>\n
\n<\/div>\n
St. Nicholas Academy and Thursday Liturgies<\/h2>\n
Services Moved to Evenings<\/h2>\n
\n
Anthony Mourgis, May His Memory Be Eternal, Four Years<\/h2>\n
\n<\/div>\n
Receiving New Catechumens into the Church.<\/h2>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
Mark You Calendar! Parish General Assembly on Sunday October 23, 2022 Following the Divine Liturgy<\/h2>\n
Leaving a Legacy – Remembering St. Peter’s in Our Estate Planning<\/h2>\n
\n<\/div>\n
Starting Soon – Orthodoxy 101<\/h2>\n
\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Let’s Pray the Paraklesis to the Theotokos Daily<\/h2>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
Cafe of Life – Do Not Neglect To Do Good<\/h2>\n
\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Pledge & Income Report – August 2022<\/h2>\n
\nAmount of money needed to cover expenses: $24,114.
\nWe are ahead by $4,077.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n
\n7470 Hickory Drive
\nFort Myers, FL 33967<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Sign up the the Monthly DOMSE Newsletter on the DOMSE (Diocese of Miami and the Southeast) Website!<\/h2>\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n
Procedures for Hospitality<\/h2>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n
The Safest Way to Come to Church<\/h2>\n
\n<\/div>\n
Helping Our Seniors With Parking<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n