{"id":11160,"date":"2022-10-24T19:35:27","date_gmt":"2022-10-24T23:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=11160"},"modified":"2022-10-24T19:35:27","modified_gmt":"2022-10-24T23:35:27","slug":"st-peter-news-october-25-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-news-october-25-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter News October 25, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Hieromartyr Zenobius, Bishop of Aegea, and his sister Zenobia suffered a martyr’s death in the year 285 in Cilicia. From childhood they were raised in the holy Christian Faith by their parents, and they led pious and chaste lives. In their mature years, shunning the love of money, they distributed away their inherited wealth giving it to the poor. For his beneficence and holy life the Lord rewarded Zenobius with the gift of healing various maladies. He was also chosen bishop of a Christian community in Cilicia.<\/p>\n
As bishop, Saint Zenobius zealously spread the Christian Faith among the pagans. When the emperor Diocletian (284-305) began a persecution against Christians, Bishop Zenobius was the first one arrested and brought to trial to the governor Licius. “I shall only speak briefly with you,” said Licius to the saint, “for I propose to grant you life if you worship our gods, or death, if you do not.” The saint answered, “This present life without Christ is death. It is better that I prepare to endure the present torment for my Creator, and then with Him live eternally, than to renounce Him for the sake of the present life, and then be tormented eternally in Hades.”<\/p>\n
By order of Licius, they nailed him to a cross and began the torture. The bishop’s sister, seeing him suffering, wanted to stop it. She bravely confessed her own faith in Christ before the governor, therefore, she also was tortured.<\/p>\n
[…]<\/p>\n
Read the entire biography on the Orthodox Church in America<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n Saint Demetrios was born in Thesaloniki, Greece in 270 AD. He came from a wealthy family and because he was athletic in appearance and heroic in spirit, he became a high-ranking officer in the Roman Army at a very young age. (This is why he is depicted in Byzantine icons in military dress, either standing or riding a horse.) He considered himself a soldier of Christ first, and a military soldier second. He spent most of his time as a devout missionary, preaching the Gospel at secret meetings and converting pagans to the Christian faith.<\/p>\n At one of these meetings, he was captured and placed in front of the Emperor Maximian, who wanted to learn the truth about the conversions. Saint Demetrios proclaimed his faith by saying: “…only in Christ do I believe.” With that proclamation, Maximian ordered that Saint Demetrios be sent to prison and subjected to the cruelest tortures.<\/p>\n Read the entire history on the St. Demetrios Orthodox Church<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n On October 28 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate the Holy Protection of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, that is, her sacred veil (skepi) kept in the treasury of the sacred temple of Blachernae; and we also remember how the righteous Andrew, the Fool for Christ’s sake, beheld it spread out above and covering all the pious.<\/p>\n The Church has always glorified the most holy Mother of God as the Protectress and Defender of the Christian people, entreating, by her intercessions, God’s loving-kindness towards us sinners. Two events are celebrated on this day: the first in tenth-century Constantinople, the second in twentieth-century Greece. On October 1, 911, while Slavic armies threatened the Queen of Cities, the Blachernae Church of the Theotokos held a crowded all-night vigil. Before daybreak, the most holy Mother of God appeared above the people with a veil spread over her outstretched hands, as though to protect them with this covering. Seeing this vision, St. Andrew, the Fool-for-Christ, gestured towards it and asked his disciple, Epiphanios: “Do you see how the Queen and Lady of all is praying for the whole world?” Epiphanios replied: “Yes, Father; I see it and stand in dread.” The Slavic armies stayed away. Ironically, in the twelfth century, the Orthodox Church of Russia began to celebrate the Protection on October 1, even though its ancestors—who had not yet embraced Orthodoxy—were looming near Constantinople.<\/p>\n Before daybreak on October 28, 1940, the Italian ambassador to Greece, representing Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, went to Greek general Ioannis Metaxas with an ultimatum. Italy wanted full control of Greece to occupy “strategic locations”; otherwise it would brutalize the country. General Metaxas shouted “Okhi!” meaning “No!” Thus, Greece was plunged into the Second World War, as Italy burst through, and then Nazi Germany eventually, wreaking havoc and horrors on the Greek people. In 1952, the Orthodox Church of Greece transferred its celebration of the Protection to October 28 in conjunction with “Okhi Day” as a testament to the rejection of European aggression and as a day of national remembrance. The Orthodox Church of Antioch can utilizes this transfer in order to more fully celebrate its sons, Ananias of the Seventy and Romanos the Melodist, on October 1.<\/p>\n Both dates recognize the Ever-virgin’s constant defense whenever we prayerfully seek her protection and shelter in distress and strife. While the Orthodox Church marks one date or the other for the commemoration of the Protection, we must ask the Theotokos to extend her protection and intercession every day of our life.<\/p>\n By the intercessions of the Most Holy Theotokos, O Christ God, have mercy on us. Amen.<\/p>\n Source: Antiochian Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles<\/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 Please Note: Academy classes will still be held as scheduled.<\/em><\/p>\n Evening services in October:<\/p>\n Potluck dinners are resuming. Always popular and loaded with good food, the dinners are a low-key time of fellowship and good-will. Since Covid and the move to the new property we have not had any. It’s time to bring this great local tradition back!<\/p>\n Our custom is to ask someone in the congregation to make a presentation. At one dinner we heard about Max’s escape from the Albanian communists. At another Pavlo taught us ball room dancing. This dinner will feature Joseph Mudd give a presentation on the recent trip to Mt. Athos that Fr. Hans led with eleven other men.<\/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 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 These passed few weeks Floridians have experienced the worst devastation ever from a storm surge called hurricane Ian. Some had minimum damages, Praise be to God, while many others lost their homes, personal possessions and loved ones.<\/p>\n Now more ever our Christian duty is to open our homes and extend our hospitality to those impoverished due to Ian.<\/p>\n So please be extra charitable and give your donations to Father Hans who is cognizant of families suffering right now and remember: But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (John 3:17-18).<\/p>\n Thank you and IC XC NI KA!<\/p>\n Contributions received in September: $31,641. 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
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Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am EVENING LITURGY LIVE STREAM<\/s><\/li>\nSt. Demetrios of Thessaloniki the Myrrh-Flowing 6:30pm on Tuesday October 25, 2022<\/h2>\n
Protection of the Theotokos 6:30pm on Thursday October 27, 2022<\/h2>\n
St. Nicholas Academy and Thursday Liturgies<\/h2>\n
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Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am EVENING LITURGY LIVE STREAM<\/s><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nServices Moved to Evenings<\/h2>\n
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Mark Your Calendar: Pot Luck Dinner on Saturday, November 12 at 5:00pm<\/h2>\n
Leaving a Legacy – Remembering St. Peter’s in Our Estate Planning<\/h2>\n
Let’s Pray the Paraklesis to the Theotokos Daily<\/h2>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\nCafe of Life – Giving for the Devastation of Hurricane Ian<\/h2>\n
Pledge & Income Report – September 2022<\/h2>\n
\nAmount of money needed to cover expenses: $24,114.
\nWe are ahead by $7,527.<\/p>\n
\n7470 Hickory Drive
\nFort Myers, FL 33967<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\nSign up the the Monthly DOMSE Newsletter on the DOMSE (Diocese of Miami and the Southeast) Website!<\/h2>\n
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Procedures for Hospitality<\/h2>\n
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The Safest Way to Come to Church<\/h2>\n
Helping Our Seniors With Parking<\/h2>\n