{"id":11835,"date":"2023-12-04T20:52:15","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T01:52:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=11835"},"modified":"2023-12-04T20:52:15","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T01:52:15","slug":"st-peter-news-december-4-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-news-december-4-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter News December 4, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Martyrs Menas, Eugraphos and Hermogenes of Alexandria<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Holy Martyrs Hermogenes, Menas, and Eugraphus suffered for their faith in Christ under the emperor Maximian (305-313).<\/p>\n
Saint Menas was sent by the emperor from Athens to Alexandria to suppress the riots that had arisen between the Christians and the pagans. Distinguished for his gift of eloquence, Menas instead openly began to preach the Christian Faith and he converted many pagans to Christ. Learning of this, Maximian sent Hermogenes to Alexandria to place the saints on trial. Moreover, he gave orders to purge the city of Christians.<\/p>\n
Hermogenes, although he was a pagan, was distinguished by his reverent bearing. And struck by the endurance of Saint Menas under torture and by his miraculous healing after the cruel torments, he also came to believe in Christ. Maximian himself then arrived in Alexandria. Neither the astonishing stoic endurance of Saints Menas and Hermogenes under torture, nor even the miracles manifested by God in this city, mollified the emperor. Instead, they vexed him all the more. The emperor personally stabbed Saint Eugraphus, the secretary of Saint Menas, and then gave orders to behead the holy Martyrs Menas and Hermogenes.<\/p>\n
The relics of the holy martyrs, cast into the sea in an iron chest, were afterwards found (see February 17) and transferred to Constantinople in the ninth century. The emperor Justinian built a church in the name of the holy Martyr Menas of Alexandria. Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (April 4) composed a Canon in honor of these holy martyrs.<\/p>\n
Source: Orthodox Church in America<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read the complete history on the Mystagogy<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n This course is presented by Jon Tomlinson of 5Badgers Consulting Group and specifically addresses the concerns by many women in the parish who want to become more familiar with firearms, but haven\u2019t had a safe environment and opportunity to do so. <\/p>\n This course is open to the entire congregation, family and friends of church members regardless of previous firearms knowledge.<\/p>\n The class will run from 10:00am to 12:00am.<\/p>\n CHRISTMAS SERVICES<\/strong><\/p>\n THEOPHANY SERVICES 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n UPCOMING EVENTS 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n The Nativity Fast is one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast in anticipation of the Nativity of Christ. That is the reason it is less strict than other fasting periods. The fast is divided into two periods. The 1st period is November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Similarly, fish, wine, and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays.<\/p>\n The 2nd period is December 20th through 24th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday during this period.<\/p>\n Fasting always works in conjuction with prayer and giving alms (helping the poor, giving to worthy charities, etc.). Fasting helps us reorder the interior life, but the reordering does not occur with greater prayer and greater concern for the poor.<\/p>\n The reordering is a clarification — we end up seeing things more clearly, we get stronger in the fight against sin and temptation. The fast always ends on a great Feast Day of our Lord.<\/p>\n For a complete list, visit the Antiochian website<\/a> or click on the image below:<\/p>\n Ancient Faith Publishing has an extensive series of books that are perfect for children. You can order them from Ancient Faith here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fr. Alexander Schmemann<\/p>\n<\/div>\n On Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:pm, Fr. Hans will overview of secularism in our lives and in the parish. Everyone is encouraged to attend. <\/p>\n Decades ago, Fr. Alexander Schmemann, formerly the President of St. Vladimir’s Seminary and a widely known theologian in America was able to locate one the most serious challenge facing Orthodoxy Christianity in America. That challenge was secularism<\/em>, the idea that Orthodox Christianity was just another religion, instead of the road to God that offers transformation, healing, and hope.<\/p>\n Orthodoxy is not a religion. Orthodoxy is a way of life, a walking of the narrow road that reveals God to us and makes us fully human. If we have trouble seeing this, most likely it’s because we have adopted secular ideals and don’t even know it. This spills into our life, and if it spills into our life, it also spills into the Church. If that happens the Church ceases to become the true body of Christ. It just turns into another denomination. <\/p>\n Fr. Alexanders essay is posted on the website<\/a>. <\/p>\n The meeting will also be available on ZOOM at this link: https:\/\/us06web.zoom.us\/j\/88061553942?pwd=5vjaGXtmhbEKGphW1twrW2A46JfBut.1<\/a><\/p>\n Parish Council Members: Please note that the Parish Council meeting will begin at 8:30am and conclude at 10:00am that morning. All members are required to attend. <\/em><\/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 You can also donate online:<\/p>\n Get more information here<\/a>.<\/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 Only 62 spaces left so register early.<\/p>\nServices and Events This Week<\/h2>\n
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Parish Children and Teens Help with Christmas Decorations<\/h2>\n
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Introduction to Firearms Course on Saturday December 16, 2023<\/h2>\n
Mark Your Calendars<\/h2>\n
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Christmas Fast Continues<\/h2>\n
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Looking for Books About the Saints for Children?<\/h2>\n
PRESENTED THIS SATURDAY: St. Peter Adult Education: The Holy Things for the Holy<\/h2>\n
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Let's Pray the Paraklesis to the Theotokos Daily<\/h2>\n
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Sign up the the Monthly DOMSE Newsletter on the DOMSE (Diocese of Miami and the Southeast) Website!<\/h2>\n
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DOMSE MEN’S RETREAT IN MARCH 2024<\/h2>\n
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