{"id":11779,"date":"2023-10-16T19:20:12","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T23:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=11779"},"modified":"2023-10-16T19:20:12","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T23:20:12","slug":"st-peter-news-october-17-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-news-october-17-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter News October 17, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Fourth Sunday of Luke Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
\nThe Sixth Sunday of Luke<\/h2>\n

Averkios the wonderworker, equal-to-the-apostles and bishop of Hierapolis;
The Seven Holy Youths (“Seven Sleepers”) martyred in Ephesus; Bishop Eulalios<\/h4>\n

Who Was St. Averkios the Wonder Worker?<\/h4>\n
\n\"St.\n<\/div>\n

During the reigns of Emperor Antoninus and his son, Marcus Aurelius, St. Abercius was the bishop of the city of Hierapolis in Phrygia. The great majority in this city were pagans, and St. Abercius governed his sparse flock, sorrowing in his heart because of the great number of pagans and idolaters, and diligently praying to God that He would bring them to the light of truth.<\/p>\n

During a boisterous idolatrous festival, Abercius became inflamed with God’s zeal and entered the idolatrous temple, smashing all the idols. When the enraged pagans sought to kill him, three young madmen, foaming at the mouth and howling, fell down before this man of God, and he drove the demons from them. The young men became sane and calm. This turned the pagans’ anger into amazement at the wonderworker of Christ, and five hundred of them immediately desired baptism. Little by little, all of Hierapolis came to believe in Christ and were baptized.<\/p>\n

The proconsul of the province, Publius, had a mother who was blind. Abercius restored her sight by prayer, and Publius, his mother and many others believed in Christ.<\/p>\n

In old age, Abercius was summoned to Rome, where he healed the emperor’s daughter of insanity. The Lord Jesus Christ appeared several times to His faithful follower. People from near and far came to him for miraculous help when they suffered from incurable illnesses. The demons not only feared him, but also served him at his command. At the guidance of the Lord Himself, Abercius preached the Gospel throughout Syria and Mesopotamia.<\/p>\n

In great old age, St. Abercius presented himself to his beloved Lord in Hierapolis, at the end of the second century.<\/p>\n

Source: The Full of Grace and Truth<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Who Were The Seven Holy Youths “Seven Sleepers” of Ephesus?<\/h4>\n
\n\"The\n<\/div>\n

The Seven Youths of Ephesus: Maximilian, Iamblicus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus (Constantine) and Antoninus, lived in the third century. Saint Maximilian was the son of the Ephesus city administrator, and the other six youths were sons of illustrious citizens of Ephesus. The youths were friends from childhood, and all were in military service together.<\/p>\n

When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death awaited anyone who disobeyed. The seven youths were denounced by informants, and were summoned to reply to the charges. Appearing before the emperor, the young men confessed their faith in Christ.<\/p>\n

Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius permitted them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their minds while he was off on a military campaign. The youths fled from the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.<\/p>\n

Read the complete story on the Orthodox Church in America<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Services and Events This Week<\/h2>\n