{"id":11313,"date":"2022-12-26T19:43:58","date_gmt":"2022-12-27T00:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=11313"},"modified":"2022-12-26T19:43:58","modified_gmt":"2022-12-27T00:43:58","slug":"st-peter-news-december-27-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-news-december-27-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter News December 27, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Circumcision of Christ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Humble Comments and Suggestions<\/a><\/p>\n Homily on the Day of the Circumcision of the Lord and Commemoration of St. Basil the Great<\/a><\/p>\n Homily on the Circumcision of the Lord<\/a><\/p>\n Infant Baptism<\/a><\/p>\n On Cutting Off Temptations<\/a><\/p>\n St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of C\u00e6sarea in Cappadocia<\/a><\/p>\n St. Basil the Great and Christian Philanthropy<\/a><\/p>\n St. Basil, the Great Visionary of Creation<\/a><\/p>\n The Hospital is an Invention of the Church!<\/a><\/p>\n Where There is God, There is Life<\/a><\/p>\n St. Basil the Great<\/p>\n<\/div>\n St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia Burned Alive<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 1 2023 we will cut the Vasilopita before going into the Social Hall.<\/p>\n The tradition of baking and cutting a special “pita” (which can mean a loaf of bread, a cake, or even a pie) each year on January 1st is observed in honor of our holy father Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea in Cappodocia– hence its name “Vasilopita” meaning “St. Basil’s Bread.” This tradition is observed in both parish churches and in the homes of the faithful. What is the meaning of this tradition and how did it begin?<\/p>\n Read the entire article on the Antiochian Archdiocese website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n On Friday, December 30, 2022 Bp. Nicholas will be serving Vespers at our sister parish of St. Paul’s in Naples (get directions<\/a>).<\/p>\n From Bp. Nicholas:<\/p>\n Dear DOMSE Rev. Clergy and faithful,<\/p>\n I pray that you are having a blessed nativity season. Metropolitan ANTONIOS will be visiting our Diocese in South Florida starting with December 29 and ending with January 2.<\/p>\n We look forward to seeing many, if not you all, during Metropolitan ANTONIOS\u2019s visit at St.Paul’s on December 30.<\/p>\n In Christ,<\/p>\n +Bishop Nicholas Vespers will last about one hour with a light refreshments and discussion following. <\/p>\n As many of you know the process has started for the election of a new Metropolitan (Archbishop) of the Antiochian Archdiocese.<\/p>\n Bishops elect bishops and ultimately the new Metropolitan will be elected by the Holy Synod of the Antiochian Church in Syria, Nevertheless, these elections do not happen in a vacuum and Patriarch John has implement the procedures for choosing the new Metropolitan by polling the clergy and laity of the Antiochian Archdiocese of America.<\/p>\n The Holy Synod understands that the new Metropolitan has to be familiar with American culture and the special needs that living in such a highly secularized culture such as ours presents to the faithful. Polling the faithful (through a ballot) will reveal who the clergy and laity think would serve the American church best. All votes are of course anonymous.<\/p>\n Our local election will be held in the social hall following the Divine Liturgy on January 8, 2023.<\/p>\n Complete information is available on the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n We need two volunteers every Sunday to be stationed at the front door to greet visitors, answer questions and to keep an eye on safety.<\/p>\n Joe Repya is heading this effort and will create a schedule and assignments. If you can help please give Joe a call at 612-270-4443.<\/p>\n To join the class via ZOOM Click this link: https:\/\/us06web.zoom.us\/j\/86843640679?pwd=Y1d2NkYwczF6WkljUUpKOVZNcmJSZz09<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n As part of our continuing adult education, Fr. Hans will hold a book study on “The Winter Pascha” by Fr. Thomas Hopko during Christmas Lent. The study begins Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 7:00pm and will run every Thursday through January 12 (seven weeks). The talks will be held through ZOOM and last one hour. <\/p>\n “The Winter Pascha” is a modern minor classic that explains very well the season from Christmas Lent through Theophany (the baptism of Christ).<\/p>\n You can order the book from Amazon<\/a> or St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n How does ZOOM work? A link will be included in the newsletter and on the calendar on the website to log in to the session. Just click it and follow the prompts. If you don’t have ZOOM installed, you will be asked if you want to install it. Just reply yes. <\/p>\n Classes are cancelled through the Nativity\/Theophany season.<\/em><\/p>\n This will be an Orthodoxy 101 class covering the basics and fundamentals of our Orthodox faith. All catechumens are required to attend but the class is great for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of our Orthodox faith and Church. Anyone may attend. Plan on staying for an hour.<\/p>\n The classes will be held following the Divine Liturgy. Get your coffee, take a short break, then begin the class.<\/p>\n The text we will use is Fr. Spyridon Bailey’s “Small Steps in the Kingdom.” It’s a good introduction to the Orthodox faith. Please order your copy and bring it to class. You can also download a free copy on your Kindle from Amazon. A syllabus and outline of classes are on the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Click the image or link to order from Amazon<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Please note: Books will not be available for purchase at Church.<\/em><\/p>\n Enjoy Savory Hors d\u2019oeuvres, Desserts & Dancing in our Parish Fellowship Hall<\/p>\n Bring your own drinks\/refreshments<\/p>\n RSVP to Tina Kucera at 239-980-1520 by February 8, 2023<\/p>\n No Charge – Donations Accepted<\/p>\n Gaylena Seabrook, a member of St. Peter’s and very active in relief work for the suffering people of Ukraine requests our support for aiding Ukranians through the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America.<\/strong> <\/p>\n From their website:<\/p>\n The looming winter in Ukraine promises to be “the worst winter since the independence of Ukraine,” according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In response to this challenge, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America has launched a new fundraising initiative, “Keep Ukraine Warm,” to raise $500,000 for winter relief items (clothes, blankets, sleeping bags), wood-burning stoves, and window repairs in Ukrainian homes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Click the image or here to learn more<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n For more information contact Gaylena at 267-991-4101.<\/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 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 As Orthodox Christians, we know not only that we are made in the image and likeness of God, but that we are to live and act in ways that show we are His icons. We copy our Lord and Savior in an attempt to become like Him. When He comforts the down-trodden, we comfort the down-trodden. <\/p>\n When He feeds the poor, we feed the poor. At this Season when we celebrate the job of having been given the life-changing gift of His birth, we pass it on and give to others\u2026those we love dearly and those we do not even know, always to make them aware that they are loved and cared for. <\/p>\n One of the small ways we can do this job He has given us is to support the Cafe of Life. So please give whatever you can spare and have yourself a very Merry Christmas holiday.<\/p>\n God bless and IC XC NI KA!<\/p>\n Thank you and IC XC NI KA!<\/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 DECEMBER<\/strong><\/p>\n JANUARY<\/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>\nSt. Basil the Great<\/h4>\n
New Year<\/h4>\n
Services This Week<\/h2>\n
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Catechism Class 12:15pm<\/s><\/li>\nSynaxis of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/s><\/li>\nThe Holy Innocents Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/s><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nSt. Stephen the Proto-Martyr Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 9:30am<\/h2>\n
The 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia Burned Alive Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 9:30am<\/h2>\n
Cutting of the Vasilopita (St. Basil’s Bread) on Sunday, January 1, 2023<\/h2>\n
Vespers with Bp. Nicholas and Met. Antonios on Friday, December 30 2022 at St. Paul’s<\/h2>\n
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\nDiocese of Miami and the Southeast
\nwww.DOMSE.org<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nElection of the New Metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese<\/h2>\n
NEEDED: Two Volunteers Every Sunday to Act as Front Door Monitors<\/h2>\n
Adult Education: “The Winter Pascha” Series via ZOOM Continues December 29, 2022 at 7:00pm<\/h2>\n
Catechumen Classes Resume on January 15, 2023<\/h2>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\nBe My Valentine! Valentine\u2019s Day Celebration and Fellowship Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 5:00pm<\/h2>\n
Helping the People of Ukraine Keep Warm This Winter<\/h2>\n
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\n<\/a><\/p>\nLeaving 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 – Made in the Image and Likeness of God<\/h2>\n
Pledge & Income Report – November<\/h2>\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