{"id":6251,"date":"2017-10-17T10:31:46","date_gmt":"2017-10-17T14:31:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=6251"},"modified":"2017-10-17T10:31:46","modified_gmt":"2017-10-17T14:31:46","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-october-17-2017-st-averkios-an-alternative-to-halloween-church-clean-up-day-st-peter-bake-sale-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-october-17-2017-st-averkios-an-alternative-to-halloween-church-clean-up-day-st-peter-bake-sale-more\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter October 17, 2017 — St. Averkios, An Alternative to Halloween, Church Clean Up Day, St. Peter Bake Sale, more…"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Averkios the Wonder Worker, Equal to the Apostles and Bishop of Hierapolis, The Seven Holy Youths (“Seven Sleepers”) martyred in Ephesus, and Bishop Eulalios<\/h4>\n

Who Was St. Averkios the Wonder Worker?<\/h4>\n
\n\"St.\n<\/div>\n
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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
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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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Bob Smith Hospitalized<\/h2>\n
\n\"Bob\n<\/div>\n

Winter resident Bob Smith was hospitalized recently and is undergoing rehabilitation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bob and his wife Jane are strong supporters of St. Peter’s having joined just as we moved into our present location and helping us with the move.<\/p>\n

You can send Bob a note a Caring Bridge<\/a>, a website that delivers notes and well wishes to people undergoing medical treatment.<\/p>\n

Keep Bob and Jane in your prayers (they are the top of the prayer list). Pray for a speedy recovery and a return to good health.<\/p>\n

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Living the Orthodox Faith Class Continues Wednesday, October 18 at 7:00pm<\/h2>\n

“Living the Orthodox Faith” will look at why our Church does things the way it does, and how to do it properly. We will learn about the sign up the cross, how to enter the Church properly (candles and veneration), how to make a home altar, and more. This is a very practical class, not theological as much as how to live the Orthodox life as an Orthodox Christian.<\/p>\n

The class will run on Wednesday evening for four weeks, October 11, 18 and November 1 and 15 (October 25 is the Liturgy of St. Demetrios, November 8 is the Liturgy of St. Nektarios). Classes run for one hour.<\/p>\n

Can’t make the class? Join in on Facebook Live<\/a>! You can also view last week’s class too. <\/p>\n

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Order Your Thanksgiving and Christmas Bakery Items at St. Peter’s Bake Sale!<\/h2>\n

It’s easy! Click on the image below or here<\/a> (it will bring you to the St. Peter’s website), print out the order form, and fill in what you want to order for Thanksgiving and Christmas! We offer spanikopita (spinach pie), tiropita (cheese pie), baklava, galatoboureko (milk and egg custard), and koularikia (butter cookies).<\/p>\n

Pick up your order on Sunday November 12 or November 19 following the Divine Liturgy.<\/p>\n

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\n\"Click<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
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Join Patriarch John X in Washington DC on Behalf of Christians in the Middle East<\/h2>\n

Dear Friends,<\/p>\n

\n\"Metropolitan<\/p>\n

Metropolitan Joseph<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

I write to you as a member of the Religious Advisory Board for In Defense of Christians, a non-profit organization advocating for the human rights of Middle Eastern Christians and for the preservation of Christianity in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

As many of you know, Antiochian Orthodox Christians are eagerly awaiting the visit of our Father and Patriarch, His Beatitude John X, from Damascus, Syria, to the U.S. We are blessed that His Beatitude will be joining us and other Christian leaders from the Middle East this October 24-26, for the 2017 IDC Conference<\/strong>: American Leadership and Securing the Future of Christians in the Middle East<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Many people from across the world will come to this conference to learn how to take action on behalf of Christians in the Middle East. While the Archdiocese does not generally take a position on political issues, we do advocate for the peace and safety of our people, and we appreciate and applaud the efforts of those who are working with U.S. legislators to secure that peace and safety. The agenda for the IDC conference is to meet with decision-makers to ask for:<\/p>\n