{"id":6183,"date":"2017-09-26T02:52:35","date_gmt":"2017-09-26T06:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=6183"},"modified":"2017-09-26T02:52:35","modified_gmt":"2017-09-26T06:52:35","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-september-26-2017-apostle-ananias-of-the-seventy-righteous-father-romanos-the-melodist-orthodox-practices-class-starts-october-4-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-september-26-2017-apostle-ananias-of-the-seventy-righteous-father-romanos-the-melodist-orthodox-practices-class-starts-october-4-more\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter September 26, 2017 — Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Righteous Father Romanos the Melodist, Orthodox Practices Class Starts October 4, more. . ."},"content":{"rendered":"

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
\nFirst Sunday of Luke
Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, first bishop of Damascus
Righteous Father Romanos the Melodist<\/h2>\n

Who was the Apostle Ananias?<\/h4>\n
\n\"St.<\/p>\n

St. Ananias Baptizing Saul (St. Paul)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Holy Apostle Ananias of the Seventy (October 1), was the first Bishop of Damascus. The Lord ordered him to restore the sight of Saul, the former persecutor of Christians, then baptize him (Acts 9:10-19, 22:12). Saul became the great preacher and Apostle Paul. St Ananias boldly and openly confessed Christianity before the Jews and the pagans, despite the danger.<\/p>\n

From Damascus he went to preach at Eleutheropolis, where he healed many of their infirmities. Lucian, the prefect of the city, tried to persuade the holy one to offer sacrifice to idols. Because of Ananias’ staunch and solid confession of Christ, Lucian ordered that he be tortured. Harsh torments did not sway the witness of Truth. Then the torturers led him out beyond the city, where they stoned him. The saint prayed for those who put him to death. His relics were later transferred to Constantinople.<\/p>\n

Read the entire story on the Full of Grace and Truth<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Who was the Righteous Father Romanos the Melodist?<\/h4>\n
\n\"St.<\/p>\n

St. Roman the Melodist<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The popular patron of church singers, St. Roman, was born in Emesa in the latter part of the fifth century. Whether or not his Jewish parents converted to Christianity is uncertain; Roman himself was baptized as a young boy and developed a great love for the house of God. When he came of age he served as a verger, lighting the lamps and preparing the censer. After moving to Beirut, he was ordained to the diaconate and assigned to the Church of the Resurrection. He had a rather mediocre voice, but his pure and simple heart was filled with love for God, and to assist at the church services gave him the greatest joy.<\/p>\n

It was the day before the Feast of Our Lord’s Nativity, and Saint Roman was assigned to lead the singing that evening at the All-Night Vigil. He was responsible not only for the singing but also for the text of the hymns. After everyone had left, he remained in the Blachernae Church and tearfully entreated the Mother of God to help him. Exhausted, he fell asleep with his sorrow. In answer to his prayer, the Mother of God appeared to him in a dream. She handed him a scroll and said to him gently, “Here, eat this.” Roman did so and awoke, overcome with joy and the lingering presence of the heavenly visitor.<\/p>\n

When it came time that night for him to sing, Saint Roman received the patriarch’s blessing and, vested in a special garment reserved for the principal singer, he stepped onto the ambo. He began to sing: “Today the Virgin gives birth to Him Who is above all being . . .” The emperor, the patriarch, the clergy – the entire congregation listened in wonder at the profound theology and the clear, sonorous voice which issued forth. They all joined in the refrain, “A new-born Babe, the pre-eternal God.” Later, Saint Roman told the patriarch about his vision, and the singers who had made fun of him prostrated themselves in repentance and humbly asked the Saint’s forgiveness.<\/p>\n

Read the complete story at Orthodoxwiki<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Fr. Hans Out of Town Tuesday through Friday (September 26-29, 2017)<\/h2>\n

He will be at meetings in Washington, DC. He is available on his cell phone.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Interfaith Charities Needs Cereal and Spaghettios<\/h2>\n
\n\"Interfaith\n<\/div>\n

Interfaith Charities Needs Cereal and Spaghettios to help hungry children in our immediate area (south Lee County). Supplies are running low. Please buy some extra cereal or spaghettios the next time you are out shopping. We will make sure they get to the kids.<\/p>\n

Interfaith Charities is a coalition of churches and business that help the poor in the San Carlos and south Fort Myers area (view their website<\/a>).<\/p>\n

St. Peter’s is committed to helping the poor among us. If each family could bring some of these items to church this Sunday and the next, then we will get them to Interfaith Charities and the families who need them.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Meet John Heers of First Things Foundation on Wednesday, October 4 at 7pm<\/h2>\n
\n\"John\n<\/div>\n

Join us on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 to hear John Heers speak about his work helping the poor around the world.<\/p>\n

Those of us present Sunday heard John Heers of First Things Foundation<\/a> give a short talk after Liturgy. John told us about the work of First Things Foundation in helping the poor become self-sustaining. John will worship with us when he is in Naples which is about two weeks every month.<\/p>\n

Many parishioners asked to learn more about John and his work. They are located in different parts of the world including Sierra Leone where they work with Fr. Themi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can learn more about First Things on their website<\/a>. Pizza and drinks will be provided at the talk.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Orthodox Practices Class starts Wednesday, October 4 at 7:00pm<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n