{"id":26799,"date":"2024-09-09T20:02:47","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T20:02:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=26799"},"modified":"2024-09-09T20:02:47","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T20:02:47","slug":"st-peter-news-september-10-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-news-september-10-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter News September 10, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
St. Nikita the Goth<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Saint Nikitas was a warrior who lived with the Gothic tribes on the eastern side of the Danube River within the boundaries of present-day Romania. He was a convert to Christianity of the Gothic Bishop Theophilus, a well-known enlightener of the Goths, who also had baptized Nikitas.<\/p>\n
At the time there was internecine warfare among the Goths, in particular between Prince Athanarichus, who hated Christians, and Frigentus who revenged a defeat by Athanarichus with the help of Arian emperor Valens, forcing Athanarichus into exile. After Frigentus’ victory the Christian Goths enjoyed a period of peace during which Bishop Hierarch Urphilus, successor to Bp. Theophilus, created the Gothic alphabet and translated many spiritual books from Greek into Gothic. St. Nikitas participated during these time by his preaching the Gospel while living a pious life, which greatly aided the confirmation of the Christian faith among the Goths.<\/p>\n
However, after a few years, Athanarichus returned to his homeland with a large army and warfare among the Goths started again. As part of his actions, Athanarichus raised a fierce persecution against the Christians. Nikitas, who had become a spiritual leader among the Christian Goths, denounced Athanarichus for godlessness and cruelty. He called on the faithful to be firm and not to fear martyrdom. Athanarichus soon had Nikitas seized.<\/p>\n
Nikitas was then given over to cruel tortures and, finally, was thrown into a fire where he died on September 15, 372. A friend of Nikitas, a Christian named Marianus, found his remains during the night and transferred them to Cilicia. Since then, miracles and cures have occurred before the relics of the holy Martyr Nikitas. A particle of his relics is held in the monastery of Vysokie Dechany in Serbia.<\/p>\n
Source: Orthodox Wiki<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Please note:<\/strong> Vespers on September 14 is cancelled.<\/em><\/p>\n Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. <\/p>\n The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole.<\/p>\n Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, “Lord have mercy.” <\/p>\n It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.<\/p>\n The women of St. Peter’s a forming a ministry of mercy to help Fr. Hans take care of our sick and homebound parishioners. There is a lot of work to be done: phone calls, rides, cards, and more. This is also a great time for fellowship and learning for the many women who work hard for St. Peter’s. <\/p>\n An informational and organizational meeting with be held at 12:00pm on Sunday September 22 in the Social Hall following the Divine Liturgy. Be sure to attend if you would like to be a part of this new and important ministry.<\/p>\n Last year’s winners.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Study sessions for the Gospel of Luke (the topic of this year’s Bible Bowl) have started. All teens invited! Please contact Diane Najjar to participate.<\/p>\n The Bible Bowl is held during the Parish Life Conference every year (this year it will be Jacksonville, Florida). Teens study and test their skills against other teens in the Diocese. Last year we came in second. This year we are aiming higher!<\/p>\n We hope you had an enjoyable school break, and now we are looking forward to the upcoming Sunday School year. Classes will begin on the Sunday after Labor Day, September 8th.<\/p>\n No need to fill out the registration form if your child\/children were previously registered, but wewould like to make certain the data we have is up to date. Registration Sundays will beAugust 25th and September 1st in the Social Hall.<\/p>\n We will have three classes:<\/p>\n We look forward to working with the parents to provide a fulfilling and happy experience for thechildren as they learn about our Orthodox Religion, its history and traditions.<\/p>\n We would like to take this opportunity to thank Joan Simon and her assistant, Tina Kucera, fortheir beautiful work last school year. We are most appreciative for their help.<\/p>\n Georgia Katsigianopoulos Catechumen classes begin November 3 following Social Hall (around 12:30pm). The classes is open to everyone but those seeking baptism and chrismation into the Orthodox Church are required to attend. <\/p>\n The class will be taught by Subdeacon Joseph (he returns mid-March) and we will use the book “Small Steps into the Kingdom”). The books will be preordered and available for purchase in the bookstore.<\/p>\n Giving tends to slow down in the summer but unfortunately our obligations don’t. There is still rent, electricity, and other necessities that we have to pay. <\/p>\n The letter below was sent to all parishioners as a gentle reminder to remain current on their pledges and giving. That we we stay in the black and remain on a sound financial footing. <\/p>\n Please stay current on your pledge and giving to help keep St. Peter’s strong.<\/p>\n Contributions received in July: $22,919. Every year we need an extra push in the summer to keep our income current. Please keep up with your pledge so that we can keep current with our bills.<\/em><\/p>\n St. Peter Orthodox ChurchServices and Events This Week<\/h2>\n
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Great Vespers 5:30pm LIVE STREAM<\/s><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nElevation of the Holy Cross Divine Liturgy, Saturday, August 14, 2024 at 9:00am<\/h4>\n
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Women’s Mercy Ministry Forming<\/h2>\n
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Attention Bible Bowl Participants!<\/h2>\n
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Sunday School Registration Continues<\/h2>\n
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\nSunday School Administrator<\/p>\nMARK YOU CALENDAR – Catechumen Classes begin Sunday, November 3, 2024<\/h2>\n
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2024 Summer Appeal<\/h2>\n
Pledge and Income Report — Contributions received in July 2024<\/h2>\n
\nAmount\u00a0of\u00a0money needed to cover expenses: $31,105.
\nWe are behind by $8,486.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n7470 Hickory Drive
\nFort Myers FL 33967<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Sign up the the Monthly DOMSE Newsletter on the DOMSE (Diocese of Miami and the Southeast) Website!<\/h2>\n
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