{"id":26922,"date":"2025-01-27T20:45:37","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T20:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=26922"},"modified":"2025-01-27T21:23:09","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T21:23:09","slug":"st-peter-news-july-28-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-news-july-28-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter News January 28, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Presentation (Meeting) of Our Lord Jesus Christ<\/h2>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/presentation-lord-temple-500x343-1.png\" alt=\"Presentation of the Lord in the Temple\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Presentation of the Lord in the Temple<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Forty days after Christ was born He was presented to God in the Jerusalem Temple according to the Mosaic Law. At this time as well His mother Mary underwent the ritual purification and offered the sacrifices as prescribed in the Law. Thus, forty days after Christmas, on the second of February, the Church celebrates the feast of the presentation called the Meeting (or Presentation or Reception) of the Lord.<\/p>\n<p><em>Learn more on the <a href=\"https:\/\/oca.org\/orthodoxy\/the-orthodox-faith\/worship\/the-church-year\/meeting-of-the-lord\">Orthodox Church in America<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Services and Events This Week<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SUN Jan 26<\/strong> &mdash; SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am \/ Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tue Jan 28 &mdash; Sat Feb 01<\/strong> &mdash; Fr. Hans at DOMSE Clergy Mtg\/ Retreat<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wed Jan 29<\/strong> &mdash; CANCELLED <s>Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM<\/s><\/li>\n<li><strong>Fri Jan 31<\/strong> &mdash; CANCELLED <s>Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm<\/s><\/li>\n<li><strong>Sat Feb 01<\/strong> &mdash; CANCELLED <s>GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM<\/s><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Fr. Hans will be in Atlanta this week attending a clergy conference and the Winter Retreat. <\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Save the Date! St Peter&#8217;s Annual Valentine&#8217;s Day Dinner Dance, February 15, 2025!<\/h2>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/valentine-potluck-499x346-2.jpg\" alt=\"Valentine Celebration\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong><em>Join Us<\/em> on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 from 5pm-9pm for the Saint Peter Annual Valentine Day Dinner Dance in our church Fellowship Hall<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Enjoy a delicious Dinner and fun Dancing with your fellow parishioners.  BYOB if you like.<\/p>\n<p>Sign up early&mdash;SEATING IS LIMITED!  The signup sheet is located by the door of our Fellowship Hall.<\/p>\n<p>Ladies, if you would like to offer a SWEET TREAT, please see Tina Kucera, Rose Ghanem, Cheryl Morse, Elaine Seremetis, Sophia Brubaker and Photini Peterson for details.<\/p>\n<p>Our parish is blessed with such CULTURALLY DIVERSITY.   So we invite you to share music from your culture for all to enjoy.  Simply contact Tina in advance.<\/p>\n<p>No Tickets Will Be Sold; <em>Your Donation from the Heart is Appreciated!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>RSVP No Later than February 9, please.  Questions?  Call Tina at 239.980.1520<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Women&#8217;s Book Club Forming &#8211; First Meeting Friday Jan 31 at 11am in the Social Hall<\/h2>\n<p>We will begin, \u201cThinking Orthodox\u201d, by, Dr Eugenia (Jeannie) Constantinou. The book can be purchased on-line at <em><a href=\"https:\/\/store.ancientfaith.com\/thinking-orthodox\/\">Ancient Faith Store<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>All women are welcome and encouraged to attend. Coffee will be served. We can\u2019t wait to gather together!<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thinking-orthodox-cover-405x608-1.jpg\" alt=\"Thinking Orthodox\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Pledge and Income Report &mdash; December 2024<\/h2>\n<p>Contributions received in December were $40,437<br \/>\nAmount\u00a0of\u00a0money needed to cover expenses: $31,105.<br \/>\nFor the month we  are ahead by $9,332.<\/p>\n<p>Year to date we are behind by $11,268.<\/p>\n<div style=\"float: left; margin: 1em 1em 0 0;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Don't forget your pledge!\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/check-150x114-1.jpg\" \/><\/div>\n<p>St. Peter Orthodox Church<br \/>\n7470 Hickory Drive<br \/>\nFort Myers FL 33967<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"St. Peter Orthodox Church Fort Myers FL\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/divider-diocese.jpg\" \/><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Sign up the the Monthly DOMSE Newsletter on the DOMSE (Diocese of Miami and the Southeast) Website!<\/h2>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/domse.org\/event\/domse-fall-retreat-2024\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Click here to go to the DOMSE site\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/the-light-logo-500x192-1.jpg\" \/> <\/a><\/div>\n<p><em>Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/domse.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">the DOMSE Website<\/a> (scroll to the bottom, fill in the form on the left side) to sign up for &#8220;The Light&#8221; Newsletter and DOMSE emails.<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"St. Peter Orthodox Church Fort Myers FL\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/divider-housekeeping.jpg\" \/><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h4>ST. PETER&#8217;S GREETERS<\/h4>\n<p><em><strong>Please note:<\/strong> Volunteers to serve as greeters are needed for December. Please contact Joe Repya if you can serve.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>FEBRUARY<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>TBA<\/p>\n<p><em>Can you volunteer? Please call Joe Repya 612-270-4443.<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Social Hall All Stars\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/social-hall-all-stars-500x100-2.jpg\" \/><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h4>SOCIAL HALL ALL STARS<\/h4>\n<p><strong>SUNDAY COFFEE HOURS &#8211; Winter Months 2024 &#8211; 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Please note: A fruit bowl, veggie or hummus tray may be added to a week&rsquo;s menu.<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>February 2025 &#8211; Sunday Coffee Hours &#8211; Team #2 &#8211; Margie Zimmerman Group<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Sunday, February 2 &#8211; Coffee and muffins<\/li>\n<li>Sunday, February 9 &#8211; Coffee and donuts<\/li>\n<li>Sunday, February 16 &#8211; Coffee and coffee cakes<\/li>\n<li>Sunday, February 23 &#8211; Coffee and bagels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For Special Events\/Koliva please contact BARBARA SASEN and give her a completed Special Events Form which is found in the lobby of the church.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make St. Peter&#8217;s Social Hall happen. Thank you All Stars!<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"St. Peter Orthodox Church Fort Myers FL\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/divider-calendar.jpg\" \/><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p><strong>JANUARY<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SUN Jan 26<\/strong> &mdash; SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am \/ Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tue Jan 28 &mdash; Sat Feb 01<\/strong> &mdash; Fr. Hans at DOMSE Clergy Mtg\/ Retreat<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wed Jan 29<\/strong> &mdash; CANCELLED <s>Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM<\/s><\/li>\n<li><strong>Fri Jan 31<\/strong> &mdash; CANCELLED <s>Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm<\/s><\/li>\n<li><strong>Sat Feb 01<\/strong> &mdash; CANCELLED <s>GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM<\/s><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>FEBRUARY<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SUN Feb 02<\/strong> &mdash; SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am \/ Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wed Feb 06<\/strong> &mdash; Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fri Feb 07<\/strong> &mdash; Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sat Feb 08<\/strong> &mdash; Parish Council Meeting 10:00am<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sat Feb 08<\/strong> &mdash; GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SUN Feb 09<\/strong> &mdash; SUNDAY PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am \/ Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>SUN Feb 09<\/strong> &mdash; LENTEN TRIODION BEGINS<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mon Feb 10<\/strong> &mdash; St. Haralambos Divine Liturgy 9am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wed Feb 12<\/strong> &mdash; Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fri Feb 14<\/strong> &mdash; Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sat Feb 15<\/strong> &mdash; Valentine Gala<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sat Feb 15<\/strong> &mdash; CANCELLED <s>GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM<\/s><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SUN Feb 16<\/strong> &mdash; SUNDAY PRODIGAL SON DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am \/ Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wed Feb 19<\/strong> &mdash; Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fri Feb 21<\/strong> &mdash; Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sat Feb 22<\/strong> &mdash; GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SUN Feb 23<\/strong> &mdash; SUNDAY LAST JUDGEMENT DIVINE LITURGY Orthros 8:30am \/ Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wed Feb 26<\/strong> &mdash; Early Divine Liturgy 6:00am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fri Feb 28<\/strong> &mdash; Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sat Mar 01<\/strong> &mdash; GREAT VESPERS 5:30pm LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Wisdom From The Elders<\/h2>\n<p>Such are the contests and such the prizes that lie before us. How long, then, shall we mock ourselves by pretending to be devout, serving the Lord with hypocrisy, being thought one thing by men but clearly seen to be quite different by Him who knows our secrets? <strong>Venerable Mark the Faster of Egypt<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Never sleep before saying evening-prayers, lest your heart should become gross from ill-timed sleep, and lest the enemy should hinder it by a stony insensibility during prayer. <strong>Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prayer for others is very beneficial to the man himself who prays for others ; it purifies the heart, strengthens faith and hope in God, and enkindles our love for God and our neighbour. <strong>Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When you perceive in yourself something worthy of praise, and you feel a desire to tell others about it, try immediately to destroy this desire with the thought that you will not receive any benefit from relating it, but only harm. <strong>Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Until a person is illumined by the Holy Spirit, fear is always present. Afterwards there is no fear. Such a soul has compassion for everyone; he understands that all creation suffers because of the Fall of man. Such a person is always ready to weep for all and to pray for all. <strong>Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Strive never to offend anyone. Never grow angry. Never teach. When something happens against your will, say: \u201cGlory to God! Glory to God!\u201d One needs to restrain oneself. <strong>Archbishop Seraphim (Sobolev) of Bogucharsk<\/strong><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>Current Prayer List<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\nAriyon (Sovjani)<br \/>\nDiana (Veraj)<br \/>\nArjan (Veraj)<br \/>\nThoma (Sovjani)<br \/>\nLucia<br \/>\nIoannes<br \/>\nFreida (Hansen)<br \/>\nStratton (Leopold)<br \/>\nMary (Copeland)<br \/>\nRobert (Tewis)<br \/>\nGene (Forderhase)<br \/>\nRuth (Mudd)<br \/>\nBarbara (Duskas)<br \/>\nDoug S (Duskas)<br \/>\nMarc C. (Duskas)<br \/>\nRachel (Voss)<br \/>\nKen John (Eaton)<br \/>\nDiane (Najar)<br \/>\nWilliam (Semeretis)<br \/>\nDavid (Orfanos)<br \/>\nMaria (Orfanos)<br \/>\nWilliam (Long)<br \/>\nGeorge (Chionis 11-1)<br \/>\nHaley<br \/>\nLydia<br \/>\nMark (Chionis 11-1)<br \/>\nKatheryn (Chionis 11-1)<br \/>\nJacob (Chionis 11-1)<br \/>\nKen (Chionis 11-1)<br \/>\nMaxim (Koco)<br \/>\nGeorge (Tsikistas 8\/1)<br \/>\nGeorge (Mourgis 8\/1)<br \/>\nBarbara (Sason 8\/1)<br \/>\nAnthony (Breitenbach 6\/1)<br \/>\nArielle (Ghanem 6\/1)<br \/>\nNicholas (Ghanem 6\/1)<br \/>\nChristos<br \/>\nFather Demetris<br \/>\nJamie<br \/>\nPamela<br \/>\nDavid<br \/>\nJessica<br \/>\nChristina (Hildreth)<br \/>\nDionysios Chapekis)<br \/>\nNancy (Forderhase)<br \/>\nKayla (Palantine)<br \/>\nGeorge (3\/23 Chapekis)<br \/>\nPenelope (3\/23 Chapekis)<br \/>\nTheodora (3\/23)<br \/>\nVictor (3\/23)<br \/>\nLes (3\/23<br \/>\nLynn (Hurely 1\/23)<br \/>\nIrene and newborn baby (Tsikitas 1\/23)<br \/>\nLinda (Pappas 1\/23)<br \/>\nEkaterina (Chapekis 1\/23)<br \/>\nLee (Hurley 1\/23)<br \/>\nEmmanuel (Kalousdis 1\/23)<br \/>\nKatherine (Dusckas 1\/23)<br \/>\nVassiliki (Diveris 1\/23)<br \/>\nZena Touma (Contorelli 1\/23<br \/>\nLamia Touma (Contorelli 1\/23<br \/>\nMatthew (Contorelli 1\/23<br \/>\nEmmanuel (Kaloudis 1\/23)<br \/>\nNicholas<br \/>\nMarlene (Tewis 12\/22)<br \/>\nTina (Johnson 12\/22)<br \/>\nNicholas (De Lorenzo 12\/22)<br \/>\nArchpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9\/12)<br \/>\nJohn Presbyter (Jacobse)<br \/>\nElain Presbytera (Jacobse)<br \/>\nConstantine(Jacobse)<br \/>\nChrysoula(Jacobse)<br \/>\nAngel (Ghanem 10\/22)<br \/>\nEdgar (Chapekis 9\/22)<br \/>\nEvthriki (Jacobse 9\/22)<br \/>\nChristos (Johnson 8\/22)<br \/>\nJon Paul (Andrew 8\/22)<br \/>\nWilliam (Brubaker 8\/22)<br \/>\nPeter (Tewis 8\/22)<br \/>\nThe People of Ukraine and People of Russia and all those who are suffering in the war<\/p>\n<p><strong>Permanent Prayer List<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\nBonnie Joseph<br \/>\nMichael (Sovjani)<br \/>\nMaria (Sovjani)<br \/>\nMaria (Sovjani)<br \/>\nMaria (Sovjani)<br \/>\nKaterina (Sovjani)<br \/>\nFrederick (Sovjani)<br \/>\nArsen (Sovjani)<br \/>\nIrene (Diveris)<br \/>\nKatheryn (Tolkkinen)<br \/>\nMarkisia (Long)<br \/>\nAngela (Long)<br \/>\nMarina (Long)<br \/>\nEleni (Long)<br \/>\nRaphaella (Long)<br \/>\nJoanne (Haley)<br \/>\nCorwin (Dusckas)<br \/>\nCorgette (Troutman)<br \/>\nIrina (Irina)<br \/>\nLidia (Irina)<br \/>\nSarina (Ghanem)<br \/>\nDebbie (Breitenbach)<br \/>\nKathy (Breitenbach)<br \/>\nHope (Isadore)<br \/>s<br \/>\nJohn (Long)<br \/>\nPantelis (Tsikita)<br \/>\nMarisa (Tsikita)<br \/>\nBarbara (Dionysopoulos)<br \/>\nPatricia (Evanoff)<br \/>\nGabriel (Mankus)<br \/>\nBaby Dani (Repya)<br \/>\nDespina (Diversis)<br \/>\nFredericos (Diveris)<br \/>\nHerman (Kerr)<br \/>\nInnocent (Kerr)<br \/>\nNicholas (Kerr)<br \/>\nPaola (Jacobse)<br \/>\nGregory (Yankopolos)<br \/>\nPauline (Poulos)<br \/>\nSergio (Kazakos)<br \/>\nFran (Hansen)<br \/>\nNina (Krotov)<br \/>\nFranklin (Pyrrson)<br \/>\nDemetrios (Kuchera)<br \/>\nTheodosios (Palis)<br \/>\nTheodora (Webb)<br \/>\nRobert (Smith)<br \/>\nPresbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)<br \/>\nJames (Hord)<br \/>\nVassiliki (Kontinos)<br \/>\nVassiliki (Morekeas)<br \/>\nVassilike (Hord)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Founders, Members, Benefactors and Friends Departed this Life<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>John (Hansen)<br \/>\nAnatoly (Kurdsjuk)<br \/>\nThareni (Brooks)<br \/>\nMilan Evanoff<br \/>\nJean (Sam)<br \/>\nEleni (Pearson)<br \/>\nRichard (Pearson)<br \/>\nFr. Stephanos (Shagoury)<br \/>\nPanagiota (Bea Chionis)<br \/>\nAnthony (Mourgis)<br \/>\nAnthony (Mankus)<br \/>\nConstantine (Houpis)<br \/>\nConstantine (Joseph)<br \/>\nMary (Jarvis)<br \/>\nPanagiota Margarita (Palis)<br \/>\nMaria (Ninos)<br \/>\nSoterios (Ninos)<br \/>\nGeorge (Ninos)<br \/>\nJohn (Katsigianopoulos)<br \/>\nGeorge (Chionis)<br \/>\nMary (Spiropoulos)<br \/>\nGregory (Pappas)<br \/>\nAngela (Coran K<br \/>\nEugene (Rust)<br \/>\nRobert (Jarvis)<br \/>\nGeorge (Corey)<br \/>\nPatricia (Cotsones)<br \/>\nSeraphim (Zolio)<br \/>\nApostolos<br \/>\nRaymond<\/p>\n<p><strong>40 Days<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lori (Pateras Jan3)<\/p>\n<p>How should we pray for the sick? Remember them daily. Say their names (first names are sufficient) and ask God to bestow mercy and grace on them.<\/p>\n<p><em>Add or remove names and print this list for easy reference during your prayer time <a href=\"http:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/prayer-list\/\">on the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Sunday Readings<\/h2>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Search the Scriptures\" src=\"http:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/pantokrator-blessing.png\" \/><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h4>EPISTLE<\/h4>\n<p>My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.<br \/>\nFor He hath regarded the humility of His servant.<\/p>\n<p>The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (7:7-17)<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Brethren, it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? <\/p>\n<p>For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, \u201cThou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h4>GOSPEL<\/h4>\n<p>The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (2:22-40)<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>In those days, the parents of Jesus brought Him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, \u201cEvery male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord\u201d), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, \u201ca pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord\u2019s Christ. <\/p>\n<p>And inspired by the Spirit he came into the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, \u201cLord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Thy people Israel.\u201d And His father and his mother marveled at what was said about Him; and <\/p>\n<p>Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, \u201cBehold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. <\/p>\n<p>And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of Him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin: 1em 1em\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"St. Peter Orthodox Church\" src=\"http:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/divider-2.png\" style=\"border: 0;\" \/><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Presentation (Meeting) of Our Lord Jesus Christ<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26922"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26922\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26927,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26922\/revisions\/26927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}